15th Jul

CR IP TI ON BS SU

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

Amir in Ethiopia to attend African Union summit

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SHAABAN 25, 1433 AH

UK immigration laws spark Pakistan wedding boom

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Hollande vows action on Peugeot job cuts, economy

Drogba arrives in China to hero’s welcome

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Kuwait flag, anthem to soar at Olympics

IOC lifts ban after Amir sends request to Rogge

ICM ‘goading’ youth activists

By A Saleh KUWAIT: Informed sources said the Islamic Constitutional Movement is inciting activists of youth movements to escalate their opposition against plans of the parliamentary majority and accuse its members of reneging on their promises.

They said this incitement has taken place with the knowledge of MPs close to the movement such as Faisal Al-Mislem and Waleed Al-Tabtabaei.

The sources said that “the ICM feels the current period is the best to achieve constitutional amendments it is seeking to guarantee it a means to control decision making and governance, similar to what Muslim Brotherhood groups in other countries like Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and Morocco have adopted.

They said the movement believes that not achieving what it wants now means that it will be under attack from several directions, including an amendment of the election system by changing the number of constituencies or reducing the number of votes a voter can cast, which will make it the biggest loser as it is surviving only by vote barters and alliances.

The sources said the ICM’s presence in the fourth and fifth districts is under the umbrella of tribes, and it believes some members there are an obstacle in the way of fulfilling its hopes of constitutional amendments, and that is why it asked its youth to lead an angry resistance against the majority bloc, which is directed against tribal MPs who are not agreeing with their demands. They added that the ICM believes that these tribal MPs are now taking Continued on Page 13

Kuwait to hire Pakistani docs KUWAIT: Kuwait Health Ministry Undersecretary for Technical Affairs Dr Khalid Al-Sahlawi has announced that a delegation will head to Pakistan today to hire physicians for primary healthcare centers. In statements to KUNA, Sahlawi said that the recruitment trip comes within the framework of long-standing cooperation between the Kuwaiti and Pakistani health ministries. He added that the Pakistani physicians are well-trained and well-qualified.

“Over 230 applications were submitted to the Kuwaiti Embassy in Pakistan and Health Ministry officials have reviewed them,” Sahlawi said, noting that nearly 100 applicants have the qualifications required by the ministry. The Kuwaiti delegation will conduct interviews with these applicants and choose the most suitable for the jobs, he said. Kuwait’s Health Ministry last year hired over 50 Pakistani physicians for primary healthcare centers across the state. “They have done a good job in their work in Kuwait and Kuwaiti officials and patients are pleased with their performance,” Sahlawi said. — KUNA

Stallone son found dead LOS ANGELES: Hollywood A-lister Sylvester Stallone was described as “devastated” Friday after his 36-yearold son Sage, also an actor, was found dead, reportedly following a drug overdose. Sage Moonblood Stallone, who appeared in the 1990 film “Rocky V” as Rocky Balboa Jr, the son of his father’s title character, was found dead at his Hollywood home by a housemaid, according to local media.

“Sylvester Stallone is devastated and griefstricken over the sudden loss of his son, Sage Stallone .. His loss will be felt forever,” said a statement issued by his publicist, Michelle Bega.

“His compassion and thoughts are with Sage’s mother, Sasha,” Sage Moonblood Stallone the statement added, referring to the “Rocky” star’s first wife. “Sage was a very talented and wonderful young man.”

“Rocky” icon Stallone, who is currently promoting his latest movie “Expendables 2,” was a “wreck,” celebrity news website TMZ reported, adding that paramedics were called but Sage was pronounced dead at the scene.

Continued on Page 13

KUWAIT: Veteran opposition MP Ahmad Al-Saadoun meets youth activists (unseen) as he stands in front of an image of the Kuwaiti constitution and a portrait of late Amir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah who promulgated the constitution. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Max 48º Min 32º High Tide 07:52 & 22:32 Low Tide 00:50 & 15:32

LAUSANNE, Switzerland: The International Olympic Committee yesterday accepted Kuwait’s request to hoist its national flag and play its national anthem at the Olympic games in London. Minister of Communications and Acting Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Salem Al-Otheina congratulated all Kuwaitis after the IOC gave its approval following his second meeting yesterday with IOC President Jacques Rogge. Otheina earlier delivered a letter from HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to Rogge at the IOC’s headquarters in Lausanne on hoisting the flag of Kuwait at the Olympic Games, which kick off in London on July 27.

Kuwait’s Olympic committee has been suspended by the IOC since 2010 because of government interference. At the time, the IOC said the decision was taken by its executive board to “protect the Olympic movement in Kuwait”, adding Kuwait failed to meet a Dec 31, 2009 deadline for amending a law that allowed the state to interfere in elections of sports organizaSalem Al-Otheina tions. The IOC had been working with Kuwaiti officials since 2007 to resolve the issue.

If Kuwait had remained suspended, athletes would have competed as “independent Olympic athletes” and marched in London’s opening ceremony under the Olympic flag.

Kuwait has eight athletes who have qualified for London.

At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Kuwait also had eight competitors in athletics, judo, shooting, swimming and table tennis.

However their only medal in history was won by Fehaid AlDeehani, who captured the shooting bronze at Sydney 2000 in the double trap discipline as Great Britain’s Richard Faulds claimed gold. — Agencies

Clinton, Morsi hold key talks US reaffirms support for Egypt transition Syria town stormed as observers visit Treimsa DAMASCUS: Syrian troops and proregime militias stormed and torched a southern town yesterday, reports said, as UN observers visited a central village where a mass killing has provoked harsh global condemnation. Hundreds of soldiers backed by helicopter gunships attacked Khirbet Ghazaleh in the province of Daraa - the cradle of a 16month uprising - amid heavy gunfire, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. An activist on the ground who identified himself as Bayan Ahmad gave a similar account, saying proregime militias were setting alight houses in the town.

“The army entered without resistance as the rebel Free Syrian Army left town. The shelling has wounded dozens of people but we don’t have medical resources to treat them,” he added. Elsewhere, a pregnant woman was among 28 people killed across the country, the Observatory said, a day after 118 people died including dozens of civilians gunned down by troops at

anti-regime protests. An AFP journalist said fighting yesterday near the Turkish border between government troops and rebel fighters left at least 10 rebels dead and 15 wounded.

The violence persisted despite international outcry over the killing on Thursday of more than 150 people in the central village of Treimsa. The circumstances surrounding the incident have still not been clarified, but UN observers made their way to the village in the central province of Hama yesterday to investigate. Spokeswoman Sausan Ghosheh told AFP that a group of observers had entered Treimsa, while an activist calling himself Abu Ghazi said they had met residents and “inspected places that were bombed and where there were traces of blood.” On Friday, a reconnaissance mission had gone in to the village to assess the situation, Ghosheh said.

Rebel leader Abu Mohamad, whose fighters are based near Treimsa, had said more than 200 people were Continued on Page 13

SARMADA, Syria: Syrian protesters hold a placard which reads in Arabic ‘After each new meeting there is a new massacre - Treimsa’ during an antiregime demonstration in Idlib province on Friday. — AFP

CAIRO: Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi meets US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the presidential palace yesterday. — AFP CAIRO: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday reaffirmed Washington’s “strong support” for Egypt’s democratic transition, after talks with newly-elected President Mohamed Morsi. “I have come to Cairo to reaffirm the strong support of the United States for the Egyptian people and their democratic transition,” Clinton said at a joint news conference with Foreign Minister Mohammed Amr after the meeting. “We want to be a good partner and we want to support the democracy that has been achieved by the courage and sacrifice of the Egyptian people,” she said.

During her two-day visit to Egypt, the top US diplomat will also meet Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi - the country’s interim military ruler after Hosni Mubarak was ousted in an uprising last year - as well as women activists and Coptic leaders. Clinton steps into the political maelstrom of a complex power struggle between the Islamist president and the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) that ruled Egypt after Mubarak was toppled. “Democracy is hard,” she said.

“It requires dialogue and compromise and real politics. We are encouraged and we want to be helpful. But we know it is not for the United States it is for the Egyptian people to decide.”

Clinton’s meeting with Morsi, a longtime member of the Muslim Brotherhood, comes after the country’s first free presidential elections following the ouster of decades-old US ally Mubarak. “We are very, very keen to meet you and happy you are here,” Morsi told Clinton as they headed into their meeting at the presidential palace in Cairo’s upmarket Heliopolis suburb. Last week, Morsi ordered parliament to convene, defying a military decision to disband the house after the country’s top court ruled it invalid.

Morsi’s decree was applauded by supporters who believed the court’s decision to disband parliament was political, but it set off a firestorm of criticism from opponents who accused him of overstepping his authority. The origins of the battle for parliament lay in the constitutional declaration issued by the SCAF before the president was sworn in. The declaration, which acts as a temporary constitution, granted the military sweeping powers, including legislative control, and rendered the presidential post little more than symbolic.

Morsi’s decision was seen as an opening shot in a power struggle between Egypt’s first civilian leader and the Mubarak-appointed generals who Continued on Page 13

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SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

LOCAL

Amir leaves for Ethiopia

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and his accompanying delegation leaving for the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia yesterday.

Hebbab and Shouna ceremony held

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and an official delegation accompanying him left here yesterday for the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to attend the 19th Summit of the African Union due to be held in the capital Addis Ababa.

His Highness the Amir was seen off at the airport by His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad AlJaber Al-Sabah, senior sheikhs, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak AlHamad Al-Sabah, acting National Assembly Speaker Abdullah Yousef Al Roumi, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Ahmed Hamoud Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah, ministers, senior state officials, senior military police and National Guard figures.

Accompanying His Highness the Amir are Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah, Director of the Office of His Highness the Amir Ahmad Fahad Al-Fahad, Advisors at the Amiri Diwan Dr. Yousef Hamad Al-Ibrahim, Mohammad Abdullah Abolhassan and Dr. Adel Taleb Tabtabaei, as well as Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry Khaled Suleiman Al-Jarallah and a number of senior officials of the Amiri Diwan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Amir will take part in the 19th African Union (AU) Summit, to kick off in the Ethiopian capital of Adis Ababa today, Kuwait Ambassador to Ethiopia Rashid Al-Hajiri revealed Friday.

In a press statement, Al-Hajiri, also Kuwait’s Permanent Representative at the AU, said the Union’s General Secretariat has chosen HH the Amir as the guest of honor of the 19th Summit.

This is the first time an Arab non-African leader is invited to the annual AU summit, AlHajiri said.

President of Benin Thomas Yayi Boni, who chairs the incumbent summit, has sent an official invitation to HH the Amir of Kuwait to take part in the coming summit.

HH the Amir will deliver a speech at the opening session of the two-day summit, AlHajiri unveiled, adding that HH will focus on means to buttress Arab-African ties.

HH Sheikh Sabah will also invite African

counterparts to join the third Arab-African summit, which will be held in Kuwait next year.

Ambassador Al-Hajiri pointed out that HH the Amir will hold talks with several African leaders, including the newly-elected Egyptian President Mohammad Morsi, on the sideline of the Ethiopia summit.

Al-Hajiri also noted Kuwait’s special relations with African nations, stressing that Kuwait has been playing a laudable role in supporting development projects in Africa through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development.

Kuwait has also offered humanitarian and financial aid to disasters-plagued African countries, he added. —- KUNA

KAC situation ‘going from bad to worse’ Some passengers cancel reservations KUWAIT: In preparation for the 24th Diving Expedition to be held between Aug 23 and 28, the Kuwait Sea Sports Club (KSSC)’s Marine Heritage Committee recently held the ‘Hebbab and Shouna’ ceremony at the club’s beach in Salmiya.

Young sailors took part in preparing the eight ships, of which five were granted

by HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed.

Three were granted by late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah. The ships’ exterior was coated with oil and tar to prevent water leaks (Hebbab), followed by painting and coating the interior with the same ( Shouna), explained the committee Chairman Ali Al-Qabandi, noting that the ceremonies also included traditional sailor dances and singing before an audience of participants’ families and parents.

“This expedition gains its significance from the fatherly patronage of HH the Amir as well as the public and media interest in such a tradition reviving func-

tion,” highlighted Al-Qabandi noting that it is important to hold such activities occasionally in order to not lose sight of the great past and the hardships that Kuwaitis’ ancestors experienced to build a flourishing present and prosperous future for future generations.

Furthermore, Al-Qabandi highlighted that this year’s expedition was postponed until after the holy month of Ramadan because the time between final exams and Ramadan is short. He also noted that due to budget problems, the number of participating ships was reduced from 16 to eight. “This year captain (Noukhatha) Abdul Rahman AlMenae from Bahrain with a number of Bahraini sailors will participate and will be given a special ship,” added AlQabandi. Youth trainer Hamed Al-Sayyar said that all participants are currently training and they will stop during Ramadan to begin preparations after Eid until Aug 23.

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC) was previously considered one of the finest airlines in the world. After the invasion by Iraq in 1990, however, its position fell. The fleet has since decreased in size and the airplanes are now old and in need of maintenance. Further, several recent incidents involving KAC flights and videos have spread on the internet, in which one flight was described as the ‘Horror Flight’. Allegedly operating airplanes without necessary maintenance has been labeled as dangerous for passengers and was criticized

by MPs and other officials.

These incidents have harmed the reputation of KAC and caused more losses for the Corporation, as passengers are wary about flying with the airline. “We were planning to go for Umrah in Saudi Arabia during the first week of the holy month of Ramadan. This trip was organized by the oil company where my husband works, which was dealing with KAC. And after the repeated incidents, when my husband was told we would fly with KAC, he canceled our Umrah trip. I would rather go on

any other airlines than risking my family’s lives. I know one of my friends who also canceled her flight with KAC after the recent incidents and she booked with another airline,” 45 years old Manal told the Kuwait Times.

On the other hand, the news about these incidents and problems at KAC did not alter the opinion of other passengers.

“My son is flying on KAC tomorrow and I will be flying after two weeks, and we didn’t change our flights. Also, my wife left last week for Cairo on KAC and she arrived safely. I believe in fate and if something bad is going to happen, it will happen anyway on any flight with any airlines. I have flown with Kuwait Airways for many years and I was always satisfied, so I’m not willing to change now. Besides, I have chosen KAC since the price was good and better than many other airlines,” stressed 47- year-old Husam.

Husam says he is an optimist and believes that negligence at KAC will not continue. “I think they will be more strict in applying rules and maintenance.

Negligence in maintenance was one of the main reasons for KAC’s failure. Also, I heard

there was harm caused by another airline seeking to destroy KAC. Furthermore, the Wasta and governmental ticket also negatively affected it,” explained Husam.

From his side, Rajab Al-Rifai, Head of the Union of Civil Aviation, says that KAC’s situation is very bad and could become worse.

“The KAC fleet consists of 17 airplanes only, and five of them are out of service. Officials are not doing their proper work and the Minister of Communication, as well, is not solving the problems. We previously complained that there was corruption at KAC, and the minister didn’t react or open an investigation into this issue,” he pointed out.

According to Al-Rifai, the failure of KAC is just an example of the deterioration found in the entire country. “The general situation is going from bad to worse. The head officials at KAC who didn’t work to improve the Corporation and are useless should be terminated, but the government is giving them expensive retirement plans and bonuses just to leave their posts. I think they should be forced to leave, judged by their mistakes and negligence”.

News

in brief

Imitation perfumes, cheap toys

MEW prepared to supply water, power in Ramadan KUWAIT: The Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) is preparing for the holy month of Ramadan.

It has created a plan in cooperation with all concerned departments to provide uninterrupted electricity and water supplies to all citizens and expatriates, especially for worshippers at mosques when temperatures are soaring, and the demand for water and electricity soars.

The ministry has also canceled employees’ annual leave during the month, especially those who work in technical department and emergency administration.

Shifts will be scheduled in such a manner that enough employees are present in all governorates to receive citizens’ complaints and respond immediately to rectify the situation.

The plan also includes generating electricity that totals to 13,000 megawatts. The service at Al-Subbiya power station implies that the ministry will not use programmed electricity cuts, as there is surplus power at peak time that is equivalent to 15 percent.

Coordination is being achieved among technical sectors and control centers. — AlShahed

KUWAIT: Director of Public Relations at the Public Authority for Environment, Dr. Khalid Al-Enazie, has warned the public not to use imitation perfumes, as they have been found to contain high percentage of gases and lead, and might be connected to contracting diseases. He also warned that inexpensive toys for children could cause diseases due to dangerous materials used in manufacturing the toys.

Al-Enazie was speaking at a seminar entitled “Environment, the forgotten problem”, organized by the women’s cultural society, in which he called upon participants not to mix politics with voluntary work to protect the environment. He emphasized the impor tance of joint efforts, bringing together the government, private sector and voluntary workers to protect Kuwait’s environment. He said that the authority is a government organization that works for the benefit of Kuwait’s environment and defends similar issues, and it has led in directing the public towards abiding by laws and regulations to protect the environment, especially concerning air quality and protecting the earth, which both are related to peoples’ health.

Message to generations KUWAIT: The supervisor at the Martyrs office, Ismail Dashti, has said his office is working to strengthen the meaning of martyrism so it would remain an eternal message for current and future generations. He added that the project of erecting a memorial statue for mar tyrs at Liberation Towers, which carries the name of Kuwaiti martyrs, is the least the nation can present to those martyrs, and there is a plan to construct a number of memorial statues at the Ministry of Communication building. He noted that Martyrs Park is the largest park in Kuwait, known before as Green Belt park, and was created in cooperation with the agriculture authority.

KUWAIT: The ambassador of Switzerland hosted a reception over the weekend at Al-Hashimi on the occasion of the National Day of his country.

It was attended by a number of diplomats and other dignitaries. — Photos by Joseph Shagra

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

LOCAL

Parasailing, new to Kuwait, provides soaring views Fun, exciting and joyful

‘Find lasting solution to bedoon issue’

The parasailing activity with one customer.

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: Parasailing is a fun activity which many people would like to try, though they might not have had the chance. Some people don’t even know about it, but definitely, if they saw the parachute floating in the sky, would be interested in trying it. Indeed, many people may not know it’s currently available at two locations in Kuwait.

Those who have tried this activity say it’s amazing. “It’s fun, exciting, and joyful.

Though it doesn’t last for long, the experience is unforgettable. It may seem scary before you try it, thus when you try it you only feel fun. I think it’s suitable even for older people. Also, it deserves to be repeated, and I have done so, as I tried it this summer and last summer as well, though not in Kuwait. I didn’t know it exists here,” 27 year-old Noora told the Kuwait Times.

People interested in parasailing can enjoy this activity either in the Al Sa’ab area on the seafront near Johnny Carino’s Restaurant or in the Kheiran area.

According to Soud Al-Anezi, owner of

The start of the parasailing on the beach.

Seas and Sky Company which provides parasailing, the view which his customers will see differ in both locations.

“Participants will see great views of Kuwait City and different landmarks, such as the Kuwait Towers malls, stade Jaber and others. While at the Kheiran location they will see chalets and the sea,” he stated.

Parasailing is well-known in most countries laying along the sea. “It’s available in Sharm Al Sheikh, France, Turkey, Thailand and others. It’s rare in the Middle East, and I heard that it just recently came to Dubai, though only in one location. It’s also new to Kuwait.

Although we are currently the only ones to offer it, it was available for a short period in the 1990s when Sheik Nayiyif Jaber Al-Ahmad brought it to Kuwait, but later stopped it. Then nobody brought it here until last year,” added Al-Anezi.

It is a completely 100% safe activity, Al-Anezi says reassuringly. “In the past it was a bit dangerous, as the safety measures and techniques were primitive. But now we are providing all safety measures and modern techniques. Adults from all

ages and genders are able to fly with it from age 18. Kids younger than 18 should be accompanied by an adult. The parachute can carry up to 200 kg. One person only, or two, and if not fat, three persons are the maximum who can fly at the same time with one parachute,” he explained.

Al-Anezi had to take courses and earn certificates before opening this business.

“I took a course in parasailing in Turkey, which included emergency situations and other issues to protect people and ensure safety,” he pointed out.

Parasailing is available from March to November every day of the week. “Our operations depend on the weather. So, if it is windy or dusty we do not offer parasailing. We also work till sunset only, as it’s all about the view, otherwise the clients won’t be able to see anything in the dark. It costs KD 20 per person and we can offer group parasailing. We fly to 300 meters high for a period of 15 minutes parasailing and 15 minutes for the boat ride. I know it may sound costly, but the boat is very expensive compared to similar boats, as it’s built especially for

this activity,” stressed Al-Anezi.

He is not sure if he will be offering parasailing during Ramadan. “If there are interested customers, I will fly during the holy month of Ramadan. Otherwise, I will stop during this month and continue afterwards,” he noted.

Al-Anezi also said that he has not received support from hotels, resorts or tourist companies, which is limiting his growth. “We have received certificates, though we faced problems with obtaining a license, and the authorities didn’t give us a place to practice parasailing. So we were moving from different places starting from John Resort, Khalifa Resort, the Seashell Hotel and Resort, and we ended up in our current two locations in Kheiran and Shaab,” he stated. “When people see the parachute in the sky they come and ask to try it. All the feedback that I receive is positive. People were happy, although some were scared of the heights. Most customers are Kuwaitis, but we also have customers from all nationalities. Girls, rather than boys, are more often customers, and there are many children,” concluded Al-Anezi.

Municipality records 204 complaints

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: In the past three months, 204 complaints were filed against public cleanliness, road work, street vendors, food, bachelor housing nuisances and other permit violations, Kuwait Municipality announced yesterday. Mohammad Al-Mutairi, Head of the Media Department at the Municipality’s Public Relations told KUNA that complaints filed against street vendors have reduced because of consumer awareness and Municipality’s monitoring campaigns. A total number of 125 complaints were pub-

KUWAIT: Municipality officials holding inspection campaign at the Capital Governonate yesterday.

News

in brief

History of Kuwait journalism KUWAIT: A series of seminars to review and document Kuwait’s media and pioneers organized by the Media Memory Forum, a division of the Arab Media Forum, began recently. The first seminar, delivered

by Kuwait University professor Dr Ayed Al-Manna was dedicated to honoring veteran Kuwaiti media personality Redha Al-Feeli who stressed on the importance of recording and documenting Kuwait’s journalism and media history. Al-Feeli said that back in the 1950s, the term ‘media figure’ did not exist and were collectively called journalists. He also spoke about the beginning of journalism in Kuwait with the first magazine released in 1928. It was published

by Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Rasheed and later attracted writers from Egypt, Tunisia and other Arab counties.

He also called for documenting the history of journalism in Kuwait.

Juvenile Court in Central Prison KUWAIT: Kuwait Municipality’s Acting Director Mohammed Al-Otaibi agreed to a request put forward by the Justice Ministry to set aside 6,476 square meters of space in the Central Prison, Sulaibiya to build a special court for juveniles delinquents and connect it to the Prison by a tunnel. AlOtaibi also agreed to a request put forward by the Ministry of Awqaf to allocate a space of 1,000 square meters at a park in Abu Fatira to build a Quran memorizing center, in addition to allocating a 1,000 square meter plot in Jleeb to build a new Zakat House.

lished in e-newspapers and 79 ones were broadcast on the radio, Al-Mutairi noted.

He added that the Municipality has responded to 147 of these protests so far.

The highest number of complaints were recorded in June. Meanwhile, Al-Assima (the Capital) governorate received the most number of complaints filed against public cleanliness and roadwork. In order to provide better services, the Municipality is constantly working to create a medium where the public and the country’s various bodies come together and address issues that need attention, the official noted.

KUWAIT: The authorities in Kuwait must allow the community of stateless individuals known as bedoons to peacefully exercise their right to freedom of expression, association and assembly, in line with international human rights standards, according to an Amnesty International statement yesterday.

On July 12, 2012 the Ministry of the Interior issued another warning for “illegal residents” in Kuwait not to demonstrate. This followed a peaceful protest by some of the bedoons on July 5, 2012 that Kuwaiti security forces broke up using water canons, tear gas and beatings. Eleven bedoons were arrested and are believed to remain in custody.

Bedoons in Kuwait have been protesting regularly after Friday’s prayer in Freedom Square in Taima’ in the Governorate of Jahra, north western Kuwait against their continuing statelessness and to demand Kuwaiti nationality, which would allow them to access free education, free health care and employment opportunities on the same basis as Kuwaiti citizens. The Kuwaiti authorities consider many of them to be illegal residents.

Kuwaiti law prohibits non-Kuwaiti nationals from holding demonstrations.

Amnesty International said that the fact that a peaceful protest has not been granted an official permit did not justify arbitrary arrest or the unnecessary or disproportionate use of force by police against protesters.

The organization called on the Kuwaiti authorities to ensure that bedoons who wish to peacefully protest are allowed to so and that the law fully guarantees the right to freedom of assembly without discrimination, in line with international law.

Amnesty International also urged the Kuwaiti government to intensify its efforts to find a lasting solution to the situation of the bedoons. In particular, the bedoon’s human rights must be upheld without discrimination, in particular their rights to health, education and work.

2011 marked the 50th anniversary of Kuwait’s independence as well as the 50th anniversary of statelessness for the bedoons in Kuwait.

British-Kuwait Friendship Society holds book prize ceremony CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom: The British-Kuwait Friendship Society held here late Friday its 14th annual Book Prize Award for the best scholarly books on Middle Eastern studies.

The Award, sponsored by Abdullah AlMubarak Foundation, was held at Corpus Christi College at the prestigious University of Cambridge. The event saw the attendance of many academicians, diplomats and researchers from the UK and the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Kuwaiti Ambassador to the UK Khalid AlDuwaisan welcomed, in his speech at the event, all the participants of this “unique” award and stressed that culture and literature play “vital” role in enhancing the dialogue among different cultures and religions.

Al-Duwaisan, who heads the Kuwaiti side of the joint Friendship Society, also emphasized the importance of such scholarly event in reflecting the strong ties that connect Kuwait and the UK together.

This year the award ceremony has taken place coincidentally with many significant political events in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen and Libya; the Kuwaiti envoy only hoped

that peace and stability would return to the region after a long period of struggle.

Furthermore, the Kuwaiti envoy seized this opportunity to condemn the daily mass killings of the Syrian people and demanded an international intervention to put an end of this bloodshed and bring back peace and security to the Syrians.

On his part, representative of Abdullah Al-Mubarak Foundation Sheikh Mubarak Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah noted, in his speech, that the award has proven effective in deepening cultural ties between Kuwait and the UK and foregrounding Middle Eastern studies to Europe and the world.

“The increasing number of participants in this literary event reflects its success in attracting authors and scholars who are interested in opening and tackling cultural dialogue with their peers,” Sheikh Mubarak noted. Meanwhile, Cambridge Professor Yasser Suleiman, Head of the Award’s judging panel, said that the significance of this award increases with the rising numbers of its participants in the last 13 years. He added that there have been more than 500 publications introduced to the Award since 1998.— KUNA

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SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

LOCAL kuwait digest

in my view

Animal rights in Kuwait!

Kuwait.....where to....any answers?

By Ibrahim Adeeb Al-Awadhi

By Labeed Abdal

e have repeatedly self-flagellated ourselves, then went home to sleep soundly without solving any problems. Today, we should not just gather, speak out about what’s on our minds and go home, as if all Kuwait’s problems have been solved. National movements have no alternative projects. So, set one and then mobilize the youth towards demanding and achieving more reforms, legislative and even constitutional amendments!

The above was part of a speech delivered by MP Saleh Al-Mulla at a seminar organized by Mohammed Al-Sager last week under the title of ‘Kuwait....Where to?’, in which he was absolutely right. What Al-Mulla said was very reasonable and true. Our problem today is that the national movements are different from those we used to have in the past. How can a generation, including men like Al-Khateeb, Al-Menayyes, Al-Rob’e, AlNaibari, Al-Qatami and Al-Rasheed, be compared to the current generation that was unjust to itself? The first generation had a clear vision, fought to defend the constitution and freedoms,

W

Those who claim that national movements have paid the price for their attitude could not be more wrong. Kuwaiti public opinion has grown to full maturity and it can tell the difference between those who have reform intentions and clearly defined plans, and others.

As Al-Mulla said, national movements need to re-arrange and reconsider previous experiences that were not as clear as those of older generations. it led public opinion against the authorities’ attempts to undermine public determination and democracy.

Those who claim that national movements have paid the price for their attitude could not be more wrong. Kuwaiti public opinion has grown to full maturity and it can tell the difference between those who have reform intentions and clearly defined plans, and others. As Al-Mulla said, national movements need to re-arrange and reconsider previous experiences that were not as clear as those of older generations. They are demanding that the constitution be defended, as well as democracy and freedoms, as they have always done.

There is a great deal of consistency between public demands, calling for developing the democratic system, increasing public participation in and changes in the mechanism of decision-making, and the national movement’s calls. This was clear in the joint statement made by the National Democratic Alliance and Democratic Platform last Thursday that called for allowing political parties, refusing electoral constituencies’ amendments in the absence of the NA, establishing an independent election authority and calling for creation of a cabinet with a parliamentary majority.

What we need today is national consistency and agreement between all citizens, without alienating anybody for any reason. Demands are the same: we need to straighten our democracy’s path. Politicians and decision-makers have toadapt an integrated national reform project.

Members of the national movements should stop pretending that they are the only ones capable of leading public opinion.— Al-Rai

o many countries around the world are establishing animal care societies that have a role in boosting public awareness about protecting animals and compassionately treating them, since we all share the Earth and since animals have significant roles in maintaining the ecological balance and serving mankind in many ways.

Respecting and protecting these weak creatures who cannot speak for themselves would surely help tame so many cruel souls. It also provides protection and security to those living in solitary, who have been waiting so long for their own ‘godot’ who never arrives. They find more compassion and love by keeping a pet, be it cats, dogs, birds or any other animal, that might be more compassionate, protecting and caring, even with their simple looks or humming in joy or distress, than are human beings.

Therefore, there have been many calls to ensure decent lives for animals by keeping them free from harm or torture that might break kind human hearts if they see a hungry or thirsty poor animal being chased with a weapon in the soaring summer temperatures. The love of so many pet lovers for a cat, bird, dog, fish or even a tortoise, creates a sort of relationship between man and those animals in which both sides exchange passion, such as the case when a cat comes meowing to its owner in the early morning requesting food or water or even to awaken him.

We have to establish a public authority to take

S reflections

Burn fat not fuel

By Jayaram Vengayil pril is a cruel month. Resolutions bravely made in only part of her body that gets any exercise must be her the wake of the New Year turn to ashes within a few tongue. If the Olympian and Gossip are examples of posimonths when faced with one’s lack of will. Taking tive radiance, the ‘Serious Sloucher’ portrays the majority cake for the most common New Year resolution with the of mankind-plodding along wearily with the weight of least success rate is the commitment to ‘Get a Healthy humanity’s woes on his shoulders. He is usually a middleLifestyle.’ Like most other resolution-takers, this innocuous aged male, dressed in an Ill-fitting T shirt, who, most probintention topped my list. ably spends all day slouched over a desk and continues As expected, some months into the New Year, the only slouching seriously even after he is done for the day. Trust step I had taken towards the fulfillment of this wish was to the SS to turn even the most enjoyable activity into a commove to an apartment overlooking the local park. I pulsory chore. seemed to be under the mistaken impression that just The Sloucher, however, looks positively sunny comleading the horse to water pared to the next animal that could make it drink. Ever since, this strange As expected, some months into inhabits I have assumed the position I menagerie, the ‘Sniffing the New Year, the only step I had Shuffler.’ SS2 is usually pale, enjoy most — that of armchair critic with a ringside taken towards the fulfillment of anemic and asthmatic. His view. Perched at my window, I rightly believes that he this wish was to move to an apart- wife am most comfortable watchbadly needs some fresh air ment overlooking the local park. I and throws him to the eleing the world go by while more result-oriented mortals seemed to be under the mistaken ments every morning. He put their resolutions to work and shuffles along as impression that just leading the sniffles by exercising in the park. if his lungs would give way horse to water could make it drink. any moment, sneezing once Before too long, I was enjoyably engaged in my favorite Ever since, I have assumed the posi- in a while for variety. He pastime-watching with looking at his watch tion I enjoy most — that of arm- keeps amusement the foibles of my every thirty seconds, wonderchair critic with a ringside view. fellow men as they went ing if it is enough to convince about the serious task of his wife that he had filled his keeping themselves fit. quota of exercise for the day.

Soon, I discovered that the occupants of the park could Though strictly speaking, he is on the track, not off it, be classified into certain well-defined species. The most and for want of a better name I have to call him the obvious variety is the ‘Gadget Guru.’ He or very often she, ‘Roadside Romeo.’ This pitiable product of our times, can be mistaken for a mobile electronics shop. The latest nudges his way past the bevy of belles trying to grab their gizmos hang from every appendage, making her a bundle attention with his antics. He definitely does not believe in of flickering lights and buzzing beeps. While instruments understatement when it comes to sartorial matters and strapped to her body measure her vital parameters, she is can be easily mistaken for a bird in mating season. Romeo busy whispering into her blue-tooth enabled smartphone, is accident prone due to his tendency to run backwards even as it belts out the latest Bollywood number. It is, while he follows his roving eye. He is usually around when indeed, a wonder how, in the midst of all this frenetic activ- the female population of the park is at its highest and ity, she is able to actually move without tripping over the beats a hasty retreat when the boys come out to play. many wires that crisscross her.

And that character I can see entering the park looks I envy the next character, the ‘Optimistic Olympian,’ for suspiciously like yours truly, the ‘Reluctant Resolutionhis positive attitude, however misplaced. This pitiable crea- Taker’ RR2’s psychology is something familiar, as I experiture is always at it, come sun or shine. His enthusiasm is enced it all along. For him, the end justifies the means. If matched only by his perseverance, which peaks when there were a more lethargic means to stay in shape, he there is some sporting event going on anywhere in the would chose it. But for the time being, he comes out once world. While it is doubtful whether he will ever be able to a month to keep his resolution alive. Sneaking back home get anywhere close to a racing track, he definitely sets the after half a round, he is secure in the knowledge that he is Salmiya jogging track on fire. More power to this optimist, not alone, a majority if not all of humanity shares his tenhis tribe ensures that die hard doomsdayers like me can dency to promise but not deliver -looking for shortcuts to keep complaining while they keep things moving. results that have no easy path to achievement.

The ‘Genial Gossip’ is usually a housewife escaping from Now that I have this guilt off my chest, I need to try out her insufferable husband and children for a spin with the the next weapon in my war chest. The guys at the gym just neighbors. Away from the drudgery of housework, she called to say that my membership would lapse if I did not ambles at a leisurely pace with her friends in tow, talking visit the place at least once a year. Now that would be incessantly of weighty matters while other speedier walk- interesting, especially with the onset of summer when I ers try to squeeze past her on the track. At that pace, the cannot possibly practice my strict regimen in the park!

A

Respecting and protecting these weak creatures who cannot speak for themselves would surely help tame so many cruel souls. It also provides protection and security to those living in solitary, who have been waiting so long for their own ‘godot’ who never arrives. care of animals, and it should provide and supervise both public and private veterinarian medical services and prepare special awareness programs to fight negative phenomena, such as the unorganized and brutal sale of such animals at the Friday market and mass sea transport of cattle, during which they might become sick, hungry, thirsty, exhausted or even die during the summer.

In addition, all forms of fighting between dogs or cocks, which are Asian traditions involving the spilling of blood, are another kind of brutality that satisfies people with sick souls who are only interested in betting and making money.

Having legally bought such animals by contracts and paying the price does not mean we can ignore our duty towards them, coming from compassion, by providing food, shelter and medical care when needed.

We surely lack proper media and cultural awareness on this issue, especially with younger generations. Our legislation should also match international laws in this field. Animal markets should be equipped with surveillance cameras to spot any violations. Also, there should be more cooperation should between the municipality, PAAFRA and EPA. And the media should be utilized to expose all cases of violations and brutality against animals, such as using poison or shooting to kill them. We must have penal laws against such violations. — Al-Qabas

kuwait digest

Rescue our blue bird

By Thaar Al Rashidi n Kuwait, no one tells you the full political truth. All possible price. How can a corporation in debt to the govthat you read from declarations of ministers, MPs, ernment by more than one billion dollars move or politicians and other is only part of the truth. I am not breathe? I swear if its management was given to saying that politicians in my country are liars, but they are “Einstein” himself, he would have resigned the next day not telling the whole truth, and those are white political and brought himself an ice cream stand and started selllies. When everyone attacks Kuwait Airways Corporation, ing in front of the NA council to make his living. The queswhich is the only government-owned corporation whose tion is in the decision, and in the lost decision, and the mechanism of executing the final budget has not been approved since 2004, there is The disaster which almost hap- decision, since any organization in the world would colsomething wrong. How can pened to a KAC flight which was fly- lapse within a few months, you hold a corporation accountable whose budget ing from Jeddah was nothing but a though KAC is still fighting its or it has collapsed, has not been approved by slap in the face of the government in collapse and indeed, no one knows, the NA council for eight order to move and rescue our big but the sure thing is that this years? And why did the government not move seriously blue bird, who many of you are pioneering corporation in the region needs due respect to solve this problem? All sharpening your knives to cut up at from the government. that has happened since Some of the people, when 2004 has been a declaration the “privatization table” at the lowyou deal with them, act as if of war. est possible price. you are dealing with a comHow do you want an plete block of stupidity. When organization without an approved budget to upgrade its fleet? Some of you, or all such a person wants to do something bad to you, he creof you, want to eat the flesh of this corporation until it ates a stupid conspiracy, which is known to everyone.

And he is the only one who does not know that he has becomes a heap on the privatization market!?

The disaster which almost happened to a KAC flight been uncovered. Such people do not respond to him and which was flying from Jeddah was nothing but a slap in leave him alone. Because of his stupidity, sooner or later the face of the government in order to move and rescue he shall conspire against himself, did you notice? our big blue bird, who many of you are sharpening your Stupidity can be a good ally, especially if it is others’ stuknives to cut up at the “privatization table” at the lowest pidity?! — Al-Anbaa

I

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SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

LOCAL

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Interior PR and Moral Guidance Department held a special ceremony to honor volunteers that participated in a campaign titled ‘Leave the Place for Them.’ It was designed to promote parking spaces allocated for the handicapped. Volunteers received special trophies from Col Emad Al-Mulla, acting PR and media manager.

News

in brief

Introduce Islamic legislations KUWAIT: Following the parliamentary majority’s decision to consult the youth probing their views on political future and the decision to meet youth representatives yesterday, the majority bloc announced that a clearer view about reform will be announced tomorrow. Meanwhile, NAHAJ bloc announced that the main demands to be discussed during the meeting with the majority would be to adopt Islamic legislations as stated in Article 2 of the Constitution. They also stressed that earlier criticism was not meant to question their loyalty to Kuwait. NAHAJ issued a statement calling Kuwaiti people, with all political powers, parliamentary blocs, youth movements and NGOs to resume reform efforts and refuse manipulating the electoral system. The only amendment they called for was to have a single constituency to elect lawmakers.

Power generators ready KUWAIT: Power generators and water distillation units will be used to meet growing demand for power during summer, particularly since the holy month of Ramadan falls towards the end of this month, sources stressed. The source added that maintenance operations began in September last year and concluded by end of May to ensure that all power plans and water units function properly.

Birth, death certificates KUWAIT: The Health Ministry is keen on providing illegal residents with birth and death certificates without imposing any restrictions, said an official here yesterday. Head of the central department for birth and death certificates at the Ministry of Health Rashed Al-Azimi said that since April 2011 and until June of 2012, around 14,547 of such documents were issued to illegal residents. He indicated that the certificates were issued under the cabinet’s 409 decree of 2011 in regards to providing provisions for illegal residents. He also indicated that the effort to provide the documents was coordinated with the central system for dealing with the situation of illegal residents.

CBK launches Ramadan social activities KUWAIT: Out of keenness in promoting social and charity-related activities for the holy month of Ramadan, the Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK) has prepared a special program designed to communicate with all Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).

Commenting on the program, Amani Al-Wer, Assistant General Manager for Media and PR Affairs, said that the CBK has been preparing special social, humane and Amani Al-Wer charitable programs for the holy month of Ramadan to emphasize its commitment toward communicating with all sects.

She added that CBK has held many diwaniyas at various fire stations, visited medical facilities and presented gifts to patients, sponsored a baseball championship and held Girgian ceremony for individuals with special needs.

Commenting on this year’s program, Al-Wer noted that a campaign was launched to distribute water, face masks, hand sanitizers, gifts to cleaning and construction workers. She added that a special exhibition will be held for amateurs of CBK clients between July 26 to28 at Salem Al-Ali hall.

“We will also hold a special competition on heritage for employees. A Girgian ceremony for inmates of special need care homes will be held, in addition to distributing Girgian to hospitalized children, visiting geriatric homes,” she said.

Apartment building sale flourishes in Kuwait Growing demand from young men, women KUWAIT: In view of the soaring cost of houses in Kuwait coupled with harsh legislations that have driven many construction companies away from building private houses, many opt to build residential apartment buildings that can be sold according to the conditions set by the Bank of Savings and Credit. Citizens are entitled to utilize a KD 70,000 loan to purchase one. Furthermore, the recent legislation that now allows divorced or widowed Kuwaiti women to receive housing loans has spurred construction companies into to building more apartment buildings, which was dampened by the soaring prices of investment land plots as a result of rising demand for land. Property investment became the most profitable and secure alternative after Kuwait Stock Exchange sustained considerable losses.

Experts say that apartment prices have hiked because of the growing demand from both young men and divorced and widowed Kuwaiti women, who prefer buying flats and renting them out to receive a steady source of income. They added that the growing demand for apartments have also led to a demand for

old buildings. They noted that the highest demand was for midrange apartments that cover an area of 70 to 90 square meters.

They added that Salmiya, Hawally, Al-Shaab Albahri, Jabriya and Mahboula had apartments that cover areas between 50 and 220 square meters. Prices may differ according to location, area, and services available. For example, in Salmiya prices range between KD 48,000 and 80,000 for apartments that cover an area between 70 and 145 square meters.

Prices in Al-Shaab may vary between KD 60,000 and 95,000 for 100 square meter apartments; whereas in Jabriya the price ranges between KD 50,000 and 60,000 for apartments falling between 70 and 90 square meters; KD 50,000 for 90 square meter apartments in Hawally and KD 38,000-40,000 for 58 to 107 square meter apartments in Mahboula.

In another development, Minister of health Dr. Ali Al-Obaidi disclosed that in a bid to achieve more equality and justice among citizens, new guidelines for overseas treatment would soon be established. He also noted that recent statistics about the

number of patients sent for treatment abroad fell within normal ranges. Further, Al-Obaidi added that the total number of patients sent for overseas treatment over the past three months was 895, compared to 947 in the same period of 2010 and 656 in 2011.

“Overseas treatment is a right for citizens when the medical committee sees a need to dispatch them for treatment abroad”, stressed Al-Obaidi, expressing his hope that overseas medical care would not become a political issue. The minister also underlined that all patients be treated equally in terms of the right to be sent abroad for medical treatment. He added that in a bid to subsidize the public sector, some patients could be treated locally in private hospitals or medical centers.

Further, the minister stressed that before a decision could be made all cases are subject for review by a technical committee to decide whether the needed treatment was locally available. “I have full trust in the doctors working on the committee and we will not tolerate turning treatment abroad into tourism”, he stressed.

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

local

Policeman rapes Asian inside patrol vehicle Maid tries to commit suicide

VIVA honors excelling high school students KUWAIT: VIVA, Kuwait’s newest and most advanced mobile telecommunications service provider, honored the top ten high school students who achieved outstanding results in the final examinations this year.

VIVA congratulated the students and is proud of the efforts they have put forth to succeed and excel in this year’s examinations.

VIVA strongly believes in the importance of education and its vital role in society and the future of Kuwait, and is always keen to honor excellence and outstanding achievement.

VIVA has invited the top ten graduating high school students to recognize and reward their outstanding achievement and encourage their continued excellence.

As part of VIVA’s continuous efforts towards corporate social responsibility, the company always strives to encourage successful individuals who will make a difference for a more prosperous Kuwait. VIVA focuses on the importance of supporting the ambitions of the new generations throughout its various activities and invites all institutions and members of the Kuwaiti society to work together to achieve this goal.

VIVA always strives to share with the stu-

dents their success and continues to encourage them to pursue their education and seek more success and progress as they are the future of Kuwait and the foundation of its prosperity and development.

VIVA is the newest, most advanced mobile telecommunications service provider in Kuwait. Launched in December 2008, VIVA makes things Possible for our customers by transforming communication, information and entertainment experiences. The company has rapidly established an unrivalled position in the market through our customer and employee centric approach. VIVA’s quest is to be the mobile brand of choice for Kuwait by being transparent, engaging, energetic and fulfilling.

VIVA continues to take a considerable share of the market by offering an innovative range of best value products, services and content propositions; a state of the art, nationwide network and world-class service.

VIVA offers Internet speed up to 42.2Mbps due to the implementation of the most advanced third generation (3G and HSDPA) network in Kuwait resulting in superior coverage, performance and reliability.

Mexico to hold fair in Kuwait MEXICO CITY: Kuwait’s ambassador to the Federal States of Mexico, Samih Jawhar Hayat, has discussed with senior Mexican officials preparations for the exhibition, Expo-Mexico, due in Kuwait in middle of October.

The talks, held at the Kuwaiti embassy headquarters late on Friday, were fruitful, said Hayat, commenting on the meeting.

Efforts that are being exerted by leading Mexican officials and senior figures in the private sector to organize the exhibition will positively impact on the distinctive ties between the two friendly countries, the diplomat said.

The scheduled fair, the first of its kind to be held in the whole Middle East, will be an opportunity to promote Mexican companies among

business quarters in Kuwait and present business opportunities in Mexico to the local entrepreneurs. Moreover, it will help in establishing confidence between the Kuwaiti and Mexican investors, boost joint investments and open up the Kuwaiti markets for the Mexican products.

For his part, Arturo Mendicuti Narro, Chairman of the Mexico City Chamber of Commerce, and the executive supervisor of the forecast event, praised Kuwait’s abundant potentials for organizing such activities, noting that he would take into consideration advices given to him by Sheikh Ali Al-Abdullah AlAhmad Al-Sabah, the Director of the Two Americas of the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry, during his recent visit to the Gulf country.—- KUNA

KUWAIT: An Asian resident reported that a policeman raped her inside his patrol vehicle in Mishref, said security sources. Case papers indicate that according to the woman’s report, she was stopped by a police patrol while walking in Jleeb after midnight. She added that after seeing her ID, a policeman forced her into the patrol and took her to Mishref where he raped her inside the car, gave her his mobile number and left. A case was filed and further investigations are in progress.

Maid caught A citizen reported that upon arising to perform the Fajr prayers he heard voices coming from the maid’s room, where he discovered the maid with her boyfriend. The man held the boyfriend and called police, who arrested the couple.

Furious husband Police report that a furious husband could not accept that his wife refused to continue living with him, so he called her brother, asking him to have her return to his house.

However, the brother refused, saying that the husband had treated her harshly and assaulted her. The husband then rushed to his in-law’s house in Saad Al-Abdulah area with a gun where he terrified the family by shooting, before he fled the scene. The police were called, a case was filed and the husband is being summoned for further investigations.

Dangerous toy A two year old child nearly died when he choked on a small toy he was playing with while his mother and the maid were busy having dinner, said security sources, noting that the mother noticed that the child was having difficulty breathing and immediately helped him spit out the toy.

Suicide attempt An Asian housemaid was injured when she jumped from her sponsor’s second floor apartment in

Jabriya in an attempt to commit suicide, said security sources, noting that she was rushed to hospital.

Further investigations are in progress.

Cash theft A citizen reported that an Asian working in his grocery in Hawalli fled with KD 140 from the cash box, said security sources.

Reqqa robbery A citizen reported that two people, of whom one he knew, followed him on his entering Reqqa, forced him to pull over and used a knife to threaten him while they robbed him of KD 740, three expensive watches and two iPhones. A case was filed and further investigations are in progress.

Two love birds Two unlucky young men were so charmed by the beauty of a girl that they followed her from the Gulf Road to her house in Jabriya where they stopped outside and attempted to contact her. Becoming annoyed with them, the girl told her father, who left the house and pursued the young men in his own car until stopping them. Arriving police were able to restrain the father. The father did not press charges.

Unhealthy meal A citizen rushed into a Salmiya restaurant, cursing and shouting at the workers and accusing them of selling a meal that poisoned his son, said security sources. The manager denied the accusation and invited both the father and policemen to check the cleanliness and health conditions inside the kitchen.

ATV stolen A citizen reported that his ATV had been stolen from his yard during the night, said security sources.

Rape case An Arab expatriate reported that her boyfriend raped her in an apartment in Salmiya, said security sources. The woman said she went

with her friend to his apartment, and after chatting for a while he tried to convince her to have sex, which she refused. Then, the man reportedly raped her, following which she filed a complaint against him.

Asian in custody A Pakistani wanted for several fraud cases was arrested when a police patrol pulled over his car and identified him.

Porters fight Four Asian porters working at the Friday market fought over the right to carry the purchases of an elderly lady to her vehicle, said security sources, noting that as the fight developed one of the porters brandished a knife before other workers broke up the fight and one of the porters carried the lady’s purchases.

plaints from girls, reporting that a crook driving a fancy car and wearing elegant clothing had befriended them and talked them into cooperating in a business with him, in which some of them took out bank loans. Detectives managed to identify and arrest the suspect, who confessed to his crimes.

Driver arrested A Bangladeshi reported that a taxi driver, a compatriot of his, had stolen new electronic devices he had just bought in Salmiya. The man said that on stepping out of the taxi upon reaching his house, and while reaching towards the back door to take out his purchases, the driver drove off with the purchases. The driver was later arrested and confessed to the theft.

Stunt drivers On a campaign against reckless stunt drivers, Farwaniya traffic police detained 11 sport cars and filed 200 tickets, said security sources.

Pigeons stolen A citizen reported that homing pigeons valued at over KD 5000 were stolen from his ranch in Kabed, said security sources. A case was filed and further investigations are in progress.

Drug abusers Hawalli detectives arrested three drug abusers after chasing them through area streets, said security sources. Case papers indicate that a police patrol had suspected the men’s vehicle and on asking them to pull over they instead accelerated and drove off, though police stopped them in Hawalli following a chase. On searching the car, detectives found a bar of hashish and some pills the suspects claimed were for their personal use.

Minor raped A citizen said that his minor daughter was raped by her boyfriend, according to security sources. The girl told police that the suspect had previously been charming and had spoken of marriage. She added that upon going with him to his apartment, he put a tranquilizer in a beverage she drank and found, when she awoke, that she had been rapped. The boyfriend was arrested and later confessed. A case has been filed.

Bedoon held A bedoon was arrested for deceiving women and girls by having them take bank loans or buy merchandise by installment so he could sell the items for cash, said security sources, noting that the total value of the money he collected was some KD 200,000. Case details indicate that Salmiya detectives had received similar com-

Multiple robberies Three Iranians were arrested for multiple robberies in Salmiya, said security sources, noting that the suspects usually followed their victims to their houses and attacked them when they opened their door, which confused the victims and made it easier for the robbers to flee before the victims could react or call for help.

Khairan resort hosts Baghli Award for grateful sons

KUWAIT: The Touristic Enterprises Company (TEC) recently hosted its fifth award ceremony. It was attended by Ibrahim Al-Baghli, Chairman of the Philanthropy Society and Al-Baghli Award for Grateful Sons patron, Adnan Zainuddin, Touristic Enterprises Company ( TEC )’s Al-Khairan Resor t Manager, Manager of the Geriatric Department at the Ministry of Social Affairs, Head of the organizing committee Ali Hassan, Chairman of Kuwait Scouts Association Dr Jaafar Al-Eryan, Head of the Kuwaiti Voluntary Families Syndicate, Ibrahim Al-Meshoutti, Chairperson of Al-Farha and Hope Group, Amira Al-Shammeri and a number of senior citizens.

The ceremony began by Al-Baghli receiving senior men and women, and their companions at Al-Bahhar ( The Sailor) Restaurant, taking them on a sea cruise and then returning to the restaurant for lunch. Al-Baghli praised TEC’s role in hosting and supporting award ceremony activities. He added that all senior citizens living in elderly care homes were hosted at the Sailor ’s Restaurant before being taken on a sea cruise. He added that after the cruise they enjoyed a lunch banquet and a special ceremony to honor them along with the participants, in addition to enjoying a recreational program and various competitions. Adnan Zainuddin thanked Al-Baghli for choosing TEC and Al-Khairan Resort as a venue for the event for the fifth year.

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

French president’s ‘Mr Normal’ image hit by tweet Page 9

Top Afghan commander among 23 killed in blast Page 11

DIYARBAKIR: A Kurdish demonstrator stands next to a burning car as Kurdish protesters clash with Turkish police during a rally outlawed by state authorities to demand the release of jailed rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan yesterday.

—AFP (See Page)

Iranian, Chinese charged over nuke Suspects try to export nuke-related material to Iran

News

in brief

Frog wedding in India NASHIK: I now pronounce you frog and wife. With five priests chanting scriptures, a frog groom named Punarvasu and his amphibian bride Pushala were joined in holy Hindu matrimony by villagers hoping the ancient custom will bring monsoon rains to their drought-stricken district. Organizer Nandkumar Pawar says thousands of people gathered Thursday in a massive tent in Patkhal village for the lavish wedding banquet. He said yesterday that the frogs were decorated with flowers and smeared with turmeric, a holy and auspicious ointment. A brass band played Bollywood film songs while the priests blessed the frogs. The region in Maharashtra state is 250 miles southeast of Mumbai, India’s financial capital. Frog weddings are practiced in some parts of India and other areas of South Asia.

Cyprus nabs terror suspect NICOSIA: Cyprus police have detained a young Lebanese man who holds a Saudi passport on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack against Israeli interests in the country, media reports said yesterday. A police spokesman said he could not deny or confirm the reports because it was a “sensitive political issue”.

“This is an issue of security which we take very seriously and we cannot comment any further,” the spokesman said. Online news website Sigmalive said the police were tipped off by foreign intelligence services and the man-who came to Cyprus as a tourist-was arrested in his hotel room last week. It said the suspect appeared before a closed court for a second time on Friday where he was detained in police custody for another seven days. Police are trying to unravel the level of involvement of the suspect, the intended targets and whether he had accomplices on the island. According to Sigmalive the man arrived on the island to plan and orchestrate the blowing up of a plane or a bus. Local daily Phileleftheros said notes with details of Israeli aircraft were found in his possession. State radio said the suspect was staying in the southern coastal resort of Limassol and took photographs of Israeli interests.

Russia kills 8 militants MOSCOW: Russian Special Forces have killed eight militants, including two regional commanders of insurgent groups, in the country’s turbulent North Caucasus region, officials said yesterday. More than a decade after federal forces drove separatists from power in a war in Chechnya, Russia is still struggling to contain an Islamic insurgency across the mainly Muslim Caucasus region. Islamist insurgents claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing at Moscow’s Domodedovo airport that killed 37 people in January 2011 and twin bombings that killed 40 people in the Moscow metro in 2010. Security forces launched two operations late on Friday, Russia’s National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAK) said. The two commanders killed, Islam Magomedov, 28, and Arsen Magomedov, 29, have been on the special forces’ wanted list since 2010, an NAK spokesman in Moscow said.

WASHINGTON: The United States has announced charges against an Iranian citizen and Chinese resident for allegedly trying to export nuclear-related material to help Tehran enrich uranium. One of the men, Iranian citizen Parviz Khaki, was also accused of conspiring to send radioactive material from the United States to customers in Iran, according to an indictment by a federal grand jury in Washington.

Khaki, 43, was arrested in May in the Philippines on request of the United States while the Chinese resident, Yi Zongcheng, remains at large. The two men both face decades in prison if convicted.

The Justice Department alleged that Khaki and Yi sought to obtain and export materials including maraging steel, aluminum alloys, mass spectrometers and vacuum pumps used in gas centrifuges to enrich uranium. Western officials and Israel suspect that Iran is enriching uranium to build a nuclear weapon under the cover of a civilian energy program. The same facilities used for peaceful enrichment can serve to build a bomb. “Today’s indictment sheds light on the reach of Iran’s illegal procurement networks and the importance of keeping US nuclear-related materials from being exploited by Iran,” Assistant Attorney General for National Security Lisa Monaco said in a statement.

“Iranian procurement networks continue to target US and Western companies for technology acquisition by using fraud, front companies and middlemen in nations around the globe,” she said. Iran, which has faced punishing Western sanctions, insists that its nuclear work is for peaceful purposes. US officials said that Khaki in December 2008 asked a person in China to obtain 20 tons of C-350 maraging steel-known for superior strength suitable in gas centrifuges-from the United States for his customers in Iran. He then communicated with Yi in the following months about buying 20 tons of maraging steel from a US company with which Yi was in contact, according to the indictment.

As he sought more maraging steel, Khaki was said to have interacted with an undercover US federal agent who was posing as an illegal exporter. “You know and I know this material (is) limited material and danger goods,” Khaki allegedly told the undercover agent. He also discussed making money from the transaction, the indictment said. In a May 2009 email to the undercover agent, Khaki said that one magnetic mass spectrometer he sought was meant to analyze a chemical compound used in the gas centrifuge process to enrich uranium, according to the indictment.

Khaki allegedly also got in touch with someone in China about obtaining 20 tons worth of aluminum alloy rods from the United States or Europe. During one

exchange, Khaki explained that the aluminum alloy had to be made in America because his Iranian customer had found that Chinese aluminum alloy was of poor quality, according to the indictment. In addition, the indictment said that Khaki tried to obtain radioactive source materials from the United States, asking the undercover agent to procure barium-133, europium-152, cobalt-57 and cadmium-109 from a US firm. The two men were successful in exporting lathes and nickel alloy 120 wire from the United States through China to Iran, according to the indictment. Khaki, who also goes by “Martin,” and Yi, known as “Kohler,” were each charged with one count of conspiracy to export US goods without a proper license, which carries up to 20 years in prison. If convicted, they also face 20 years for conspiracy to commit money laundering, 10 years for each of two smuggling counts, five years for conspiring to defraud the United States and another 20 years for each count under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. NUKE-WEAPON DRIVE FOILED UK’s foreign intelligence chief believes his agents prevented Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons but that the pariah state will become armed within two years, the Daily Telegraph reported on Friday. In a rare public speech, MI6 boss John Sawyers told a meeting of around 100 senior civil servants in London that British agents had foiled Iran’s attempts to produce a nuclear weapon as long as four years ago, according to the Telegraph.

“You’d have Iran as a nuclear weapons state in 2008 rather than still being two years away in 2012,” the report quoted Sawyers as saying last week. When Iran does finally acquire nuclear status, the intelligence chief warned that Israel and the United States “would face huge dangers”. “I think it will be very tough for any prime minister of Israel or president of the United States to accept a nuclear-armed Iran,” he suggested. The US unleashed a fresh wave of sanctions against Iran on Thursday, ratcheting up pressure to convince Tehran to take seriously concerns about its suspected nuclear weapons program. The actions impose additional sanctions on Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile proliferation networks and identify Iranian “front” companies and banks to assist in compliance, the Treasur y Department said. “The Treasury and State Department actions target more than 50 entities tied to Iran’s procurement, petroleum, and shipping networks,” the Treasury said. Iran has been subject to severe international economic sanctions over its controversial nuclear program, which Western powers believe masks an atomic weapons drive despite repeated denials by Tehran.—Agencies

Uzbek jailed over plot to kill Obama MIAMI: A US federal judge sentenced an Uzbek man to more than 15 years in prison Friday on terror and weapons charges for threatening to kill US President Barack Obama, US prosecutors said. Ulugbek Kodirov, 22, was sentenced to 15 years and eight months in prison for providing material support to terrorism, threatening to kill the president and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, they said in a statement.

Kodirov, who entered the United

States on a valid visa but later was in the country illegally, will be deported to Uzbekistan after he completes the sentence, the statement said. “This case has a happy ending-Kodirov is going to prison for more than 15 years and no one was hurt,” said US Attorney Joyce White Vance. Kodirov was arrested on July 13, 2011, at a motel in Alabama, after attempting to buy explosives and guns from an undercover agent. He pleaded guilty to all charges in February.—AFP

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

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

Sect attack claim complicates Nigeria crisis LAGOS: Christians and Muslims have clashed for years in central Nigeria, a conflict that took an unexpected turn when Islamist insurgents based in the northeast claimed responsibility for deadly weekend raids on Christian villages. Many initially blamed Muslim herdsmen for the raids in Plateau state.

Hundreds of assailants armed with guns and machetes stormed a dozen Christian villages on Saturday, said Capt.

Mustapha Saliu, a spokesman for a special unit of police and soldiers deployed to halt violence in the area.

Some attackers wore police uniforms and bullet-proof vests, he said. The following day, as dignitaries attended a mass burial, a federal senator and a state lawmaker lost consciousness and died during an attack. Saliu said it was unclear how they died. The Nigerian Red Cross said at least 58 people died in the attacks and from security forces fighting back. Most of the victims of the initial attacks are presumed to be Christians. Reprisals from both Christians and Muslims have killed more from both sides, a rescue official said on condition of anonymity because he does not have authority to speak to the press on the matter.

A statement attributed to the Islamist radical sect Boko Haram and obtained

by The Associated Press claimed it was responsible for the attacks and warned that Christians “will not know peace again” if they do not accept Islam. The claim fits into the sect’s previously expressed plan to increase attacks on Christians. Earlier, Boko Haram claimed responsibility for bomb attacks on churches in the Plateau state capital of Jos as well as in cities and towns further north. The group has also said it would avenge the deaths of Muslims in Plateau state. The claim by Boko Haram could not be substantiated. Authorities noted the weekend attacks did not involve bombs or other explosives - Boko Haram’s weapons of choice. Raiding villages would be a dangerous escalation for Boko Haram; the tactic has been used in the past by Muslim herdsmen of the Fulani tribe. The violence in central Nigeria, though it crosses religious lines, often has more to do with local politics, economics and grazing rights. The government of Plateau state is controlled by Christians who have blocked Muslims from being legally recognized as citizens. That has locked many Muslims out of government jobs in a region where

tourism and the tin mining industry have collapsed.

Human Rights Watch has said at least 1,000 people died in 2010 communal clashes in Plateau state. Clashes between Muslim Fulani herdsmen and Christian farmers of the Berom tribe remain common despite the declaration of a state of emergency. Andronicus Adeyemo, an official with the Nigerian Red Cross, said the conflict in Plateau state has displaced nearly 4,000 people.

In most parts of Nigeria, a large-scale attack on Christians would have been quickly blamed on Boko Haram, but analysts were divided about the claim for the raids in Plateau state. “Authorities are investigating but I don’t think that Boko Haram could, out of nowhere, have raided these villages,” said criminal justice consultant Innocent Chukwuma, “they couldn’t do that without local support and collaboration.”

Shehu Sani, an activist and author of “The Killing Fields,” a history of religious violence in Nigeria, disagreed. “From my knowledge and experience about the Boko Haram group, I believe 100 percent that they were responsible,” Sani said. “I think they operated alone,” he said, adding that Boko Haram has deployed a

large number of attackers in other cities before. Special unit spokesman Saliu said Boko Haram’s claim of responsibility was not “conclusive” but that “it could help.” “It can help because at least we know that we are all fighting a common enemy,” he said, adding that he hoped the claim would dissuade further reprisal attacks.

Boko Haram members and most Fulani herdsmen are Muslims. But the ethnic composition of Boko Haram is believed to be different from the Fulani people, and Boko Haram has been known to turn against Muslims who do not share its extremist views. “Given that there have already been cycles of violence going on in Plateau state, I wonder if Boko Haram isn’t trying to cash in on that,” said Alex Thurston, a Northwestern University expert on reformist Islam and electoral politics in northern Nigeria. “It seems that some people have an interest in localizing it and keeping it to local grievances while some people have an interest in nationalizing it and Boko Haram is one of those groups.”

As investigators try to determine who carried out the attacks, local groups hope the Boko Haram claim will not draw attention away from their griev-

ances. “We don’t protect (Boko Haram) and they don’t protect us,” said Saleh Bayari, national chairman for the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria which protects the rights of the Fulani people. “Some people may have written this statement to give the tag ‘Boko Haram’ to our communities which will give them a justification to treat our people like outlaws.” “We are not outlaws,” Bayari said.

Mark Lipdo, director of the Stefanos Foundation, a Jos-based Christian organization, said the claim does not exculpate the Fulani herdsmen. “Boko Haram are settling (scores for) their own. If Fulanis are taking that call, it is a big problem to Nigeria; it means Fulani are becoming Boko Haram.” Boko Haram has been trying to fan religious conflict in the country with recent attacks focusing on areas with religious tensions and a history of reprisal attacks. The sect claimed responsibility last month for deadly blasts at churches that led to reprisal attacks in Kaduna, a state bordering Plateau. Both states are in central Nigeria, the region between the predominantly Muslim north and the mainly Christian south in the nation of more than 160 million people.— AP

Iraqi Communist Party marks 1958 revolution Nine killed in north Iraq checkpoint attacks

GABU: Newborn babies lie swaddled in fabric on a tabletop in the delivery room, at the regional hospital in Gabu, Guinea-Bissau. — AP

Childbirth perilous in Guinea-Bissau GABU: Fatumata Djau gave birth to her fourth daughter alone, at home, in the dark. She arrived at the hospital at 3 am with the newborn still attached, and the midwife cut the cord in the parking lot.

Hours later, the 32-year-old mother lies listless on her side as sweat beads trickle down her back. She has lost a lot of blood, and the maternity ward is stifling, with no electricity to whirl the rusty ceiling fans to life. Across the courtyard, first-time mother Aissato Sanha is following doctor’s orders she is spending the final three weeks of a high-risk pregnancy in a bed literally a dash from the delivery room. But she is young, maybe too young, in her teens, and she has high blood pressure.

Both women are up against the same challenge: Guinea-Bissau is one of the deadliest places in the world to give birth.

Despite some progress, childbirth is still a perilous endeavor across sub-Saharan Africa, and Guinea-Bissau stands out for its dire statistics. A woman has a 1 in 19 chance of maternal death in this tiny country, compared to about 1 in 2,100 in the United States. Experts say women are increasingly heading to medical centers when things go awry. Lives here, though, come down to whether cell phone networks are working, whether tides will allow boats to set sail.

How quickly women can get to hospitals on muddy, rutted paths lit only by the moon, and whether their families can buy the right medicine. Even then, it can sometimes be too late. Amid the maze of packed beds at the Gabu Regional Hospital, Djau’s distraught relatives cluster around her bed in the tiny ward. The room reeks of iodine and bed pans. The howls of labor pain form a chorus with the cries of newborns swaddled in rusty bassinets. “Give life without dying,” reads the poster taped above the chairs where women deliver their babies. It is apt - Guinea-Bissau’s maternal mortality rate is the fourth-highest in the world, after Afghanistan, Somalia and Chad. But few can read the sign anyway, because 60 percent of women here are illiterate.

Most women still prefer to have babies in their villages, where they sit in a stew of warm water and banana leaves as matrons coax labor along. However, if anything goes wrong, they are often far from a hospital.

As in many parts of western Africa, Guinea-Bissau’s hospitals are few and far between. A journey of just 11 miles can take three hours by foot, or cost up to 10,000 francs ($20) for a car, should one happen to be available.

Entrenched cultural practices can make the fight to save mothers’ lives harder. Here, 13-year-old brides have children before their bodies are ready - about 7 percent of girls under 15 are already married, according to UNICEF. Nearly all women in the Gabu region have undergone female genital mutilation.

More than 20 percent had the most extreme form, which involves stitching a woman’s vagina shut so that only a small

ole remains - a serious health risk during labor and delivery.

Even if a mother gets to a hospital, families must purchase anesthesia drugs before emergency operations can take place.

While Djau is hooked up to an IV, a brother is sent out to buy medicine to stop the blood loss.

He comes back with a plastic bag of drugs from the pharmacy, but the midwife tells him he’s been given the wrong one.

He sets off again, as their sister paces tearfully in the courtyard.

Medics explain that Djau is hemorrhaging badly because she didn’t deliver the placenta after giving birth at home. Around 4 p.m., she suddenly begins to convulse in her bed. The midwife is summoned and attempts CPR, in front of an open room full of other new mothers. A cleaning woman furiously guards the door, as other family members rush to see Djau.

The efforts to save her show no signs of working. Her distraught female relatives begin pouring out into the courtyard. It takes the strength of several women to keep her mother from collapsing to the ground.

Their cries of grief echo through the ward indoors, where her husband wipes tears from his face as the midwife checks for a pulse one last time. Her eyes remain open to the ceiling, her lips parted weakly.

The midwife covers her body and face with the same orange, brown and blue wax print fabric she had been wearing around her waist. Djau’s family lifts her lifeless body into the back of a bush taxi. Relatives on motorcycles follow the makeshift hearse in a slow procession back to her home.

Not long after Djau’s death, Aissato Sanha shuffles over to the maternity ward with her mother by her side. She’s given her age as 18, but the midwife believes she’s as young as 15.

It is a triumph for health workers that Aissato is here at all. The hospital has a House of Mothers, a building just a few minutes’ walk away from a delivery room, where women count down the anxious days to birth under close medical supervision.

Outreach teams from a program operated by Caritas and Catholic Relief Services now regularly head into remote villages to identify high-risk pregnant mothers and relocate some closer to medical services.

The teams also train traditional birthing matrons, helping them to determine when it’s time to get women to the hospital.

Such efforts have made inroads in subSaharan Africa: The United Nations reported recently that the number of women dying from pregnancy and childbirth has nearly halved over the last two decades.

But even now, and even at the hospital, it is touch-and-go. Generators only hum to life when a surgery is being performed.

There is no power for refrigeration to store blood donations, and no electricity to run incubators for babies who have come too soon.—AP

BAGHDAD: Hundreds of Iraqi Communist Party supporters marched through Baghdad yesterday to mark the July 14 revolution, when army officers overthrew the country’s monarchy and declared Iraq a republic. The three-hour march, which included calls for the government to improve basic services, began at the national theatre and headed towards the party’s headquarters in central Baghdad amid a heavy security presence. The demonstrators carried the flag symbolizing the 1958 revolution, pictures of Abdul Karim Qassim, the Iraqi republic’s first president and banners calling for increased jobs opportunities and better services.

On July 14, 1958, Brigadier General Qassim led a coup overthrowing the monarchy that had ruled Iraq since the modern country was founded in 1921. Unlike many Iraqi protests, which often see angry youths chanting antigovernment slogs, Saturday’s Communist rally began with music and traditional dances and ended with poetry praising the revolution and Qassim. “The 14th of July revolution will be in the hearts of Iraqis even after hundreds of years and the name of the leader Abdul Karim Qassim will be held high because he was honest and sacrificed himself for Iraqis,” said Jowada Abdulkadhim, a party member.

CHECKPOINT ATTACKS In another development, gunmen killed nine people, including seven members of the security

BAGHDAD: Iraqi Communist Party supporters wave their national flag and the flag of the 1958 revolution as they march in Baghdad yesterday to mark the July 14 revolution when army officers overthrew the country’s monarchy and declared Iraq a republic. — AFP forces, yesterday in separate attacks on checkpoints in north Iraq, security and medical officials said. In the deadliest shooting, five members of the security forces died when gunmen opened fire on a checkpoint in the Turkmen town of Rashidiyah, northeast of the main northern city of Mosul, an army captain said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Two other security personnel were wounded, the officer said, without specifying

how many of the dead were soldiers and policemen. Doctor Omar Danoon at Mosul hospital confirmed the toll. Iraq’s Turkishspeaking Turkmen community includes about 500,000 people living mostly in Mosul, Kirkuk and Tal Afar. They have been the target of a number of deadly attacks, blamed by local authorities on Al-Qaeda. South of Mosul, meanwhile, four people were killed-two policemen and two civilians-when gunmen fired at a

checkpoint in the village of Hammam Al-Alil, provincial police Major General Mohammed alJuburi said. The latest violence comes amid a spike in attacks, with Iraq suffering a wave of unrest in June. At least 282 people were killed, according to an AFP tally, though government figures said 131 Iraqis died. While violence in Iraq has declined dramatically since its peak in 20062007, attacks remain common across the country.— Agencies

Thousands languish in Libya militias’ custody

MISRATA: Abdala Fusuk, father of one of the journalist kidnapped in Bani Walid, poses while holding a picture of the two kidnapped journalists during an interview, after failed negotiations to free the two journalists. — AP

TRIPOLI: The Libyan authorities should take immediate steps to assume custody of thousands of detainees still held by militias, a rights watchdog said yesterday, after a deadline for a handover passed. “Despite months of cajoling the militias, the transitional authorities missed the deadline and failed to gain control over approximately 5,000 people still held arbitrarily by armed groups, some subjected to severe torture,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “ These detainees and the approximately 4,000 others already in state custody should be granted their full due process rights,” the New York-based group said in a statement. HRW cited Law 38 passed on May 2 which required the ministries of interior and defense “to refer all supporters of the former regime,” if there is enough evidence against them, to the judiciary by July 12. Most detainees are members of Muammar Gaddafi’s security forces, suspected loyalists of the slain dictator, former government officials, suspected foreign mercenaries, or migrants from sub -Saharan Africa, the watchdog said.

“ The authorities have also shown a lack of political will to challenge the armed groups that fought against Muammar Gaddafi,” HRW said, pointing to the absence of clear legal consequences for those who hold people outside the law. The public prosecutor has convened committees under the justice ministry to screen detainees held in militia-run and state prisons in order to determine if they should be charged or released, the rights group said.

But some prisoners have been detained for more than a year without being brought before a judge, as required by international law, and most have been denied access to law yers, it added. “In many cases, there are appears to be no legal basis for their detention.” HRW reports have documented torture and maltreatment in facilities run by militias, including cases which it says have resulted in death. “All detention outside the law and abuse in detention, including by militias, should be treated as a criminal act,” it said, urging the newly elected General National Congress to end such practices and create a working justice system.— AFP

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

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

French president’s ‘Mr Normal’ image hit by tweet Live-in girlfriend, ex-partner, son mired in ‘tweetgate’ PARIS: A feud involving the French president’s live-in girlfriend, his former partner and his eldest son may have tarnished the new leader’s carefully cultivated image as “Mr Normal” - credited with helping him win the spring election among a populace weary of his flashy predecessor, Nicolas Sarkozy. Francois Hollande is expected to break his silence about the family feud that has riveted the media during a television interview yesterday - tradition-steeped Bastille Day when a military parade and an interview by the chief of state about French policy at home and abroad is standard.

That he has agreed to answer questions about what’s really on everyone’s mind is a sign that in the Twitter era, even French leaders can’t keep their private lives private. And that’s the problem. The presidential Elysee Palace on Friday confirmed reports that Hollande would talk about “tweetgate,” as the media call the affair if - as is almost certain - he is asked about it during the TF1 broadcast. A tweet last month, during legislative elections, by Hollande’s companion Valerie Trierweiler in support of the political opponent of his ex-partner Segolene Royal caused a scandal. Royal the mother of the president’s four children - was defeated in her bid for a parliamentary seat.

The tweet was all it took to set the French political establishment aflame, and turn the president’s image on its head. Widely criticized as a vindictive move, the tweet went viral and dominat-

ed news shows. “He campaigned for a clean break with Sarkozy, but it was a big mistake for Valerie, as it put his private life into public view,” political communications expert Arnaud Mercier said in a telephone inter view. According to behind the scenes reports in the media, both Hollande and his children were furious, but all sides moved into a damage control operation and kept the feud under wraps.

Trierweiler has since kept a low profile. She was notably absent when Hollande visited with Queen Elizabeth II this week in London. The Twitter account of Hollande’s eldest son Thomas reads discreetly: “I don’t count on tweeting for the moment.” A low profile was maintained until this week when the 27-yearold Thomas broke his silence, speaking out against his father’s companion’s actions to the newsweekly Le Point, published on Wednesday. “I knew that something could come from (Valerie) one day, but not such a big knock. It’s mind blowing,” he was quoted as saying. “It upset me for my father. He really hates it when his private life is spoken about,” he said.

Then he added what many were already thinking: “It destroyed the “Normal” image that he’d built up.” The Elysee tried to defuse the comments, saying on Friday that they were made during a “personal interview.” Thomas Hollande has said some comments were taken out of context. Despite those efforts to water down the remarks, “tweetgate” still dominates French

media. Son Thomas’ remarks are thought to have pushed his father into speaking out about a feud now set to overshadow the Bastille Day celebrations.

Since the Le Point article, Trierweiler has been spotted by her man’s side in a clear show of unity. French media reported that Hollande allowed diners to take photographs during an intimate dinner with her at a swish Paris restaurant on Wednesday night. Trierweiler is also set to accompany him in engagements this weekend and next week. “This is really serious for him now. That’s why he’s going on TV,” Mercier said. Sarkozy lost May’s presidential election in large part because French voters grew tired of his very public private life, political pundits have said.

Conversely, a clear strength of Hollande, slightly portly and very discreet, was his Mr Normal image. Voters thought a Hollande presidency would spell the end of the Elysee family soap opera that saw Sarkozy divorce and take a new wife, haute-couture model turned singer, Carla Bruni, while president.

Commentators are now saying that history is repeating itself. “He only beat Sarkozy by a small percentage, (owing to) his non-bling, private image ... Now he seems no different than Sarkozy, caught between two women,” said Mercier. The colorful amorous exploits of French leaders is nothing new. For instance, Francois Mitterrand, French

PARIS: France’s President Francois Hollande holds a little girl as he meets Parisians at the end of the annual Bastille Day military parade on the Champs-Elysees in Paris yesterday. — AFP president from 1981 to 1995, had a secret daughter with a mistress.

But the French media, who have made it a point of honor to be protective of politicians’ private lives, kept Mitterrand’s exploits out of the papers.

In today’s world, however, politicians’ every public move is now under the scrutiny of smart phones and Twitter, and maintaining privacy is harder than ever - even in France. “It’s for sure we’re

in an era where the private life of public people is more and more exposed with new media,” said Diane -Monique Adjanonhoun, a political marketing strategist. For Adjanonhoun, “tweetgate” signals the end of the era of politician’s privacy. “Presidents now are breaking with Mitterrand’s time... We used to be a private country. But now, whether conscious or unconscious, France is no exception.”—AP

NAACP gay marriage support opens rifts Resignations over resolution

NOVO-OGARYOVO: Russian President Vladimir Putin (center) listens as he meets with members of Russia Security Consul in the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Russia.— AP

Russian president squeezes opposition with tough laws MOSCOW: In just over two months since Vladimir Putin returned to the Kremlin, Russia’s parliament has rushed through a flurry of legislation giving him new powers to crack down on the opposition movement.

“This is Vladimir Putin’s post-electoral package of repressive bills aimed at harshly clamping down on internal politics in the country,” said human rights lawyer and blogger Pavel Chikov.

The amendments “will undoubtedly be used actively against the awakening civil society in Russia,” he said. In the last month, the parliament has passed laws massively raising fines for misdemeanors at protests and allowing the government to block access to blacklisted Internet sites. On its last pre-holiday session on Friday, the lower house voted through a bill recriminalizing slander and libel with massive fines, and another ordering NGOs with international funding to call themselves “foreign agents.” The bills now need to be passed by the Federation Council upper house and then signed into law by President Putin. The day was swiftly named Black Friday by opponents.

The authorities insist that the measures reflect international norms and that civil society even stands to benefit. “These are laws that are in the interests of civil society. They

are not against anyone. They are for protecting the safety of civil society,” said the head of the lower house’s security and anti-corruption committee, Irina Yarovaya. Yet critics say the laws are clearly aimed at dampening opposition to Putin. “Now it is possible to create a criminal case against any active person.

Not necessarily put them in jail, but stub out their desire to take part in protests,” said political analyst and editor of Russky Zhurnal website, Alexander Morozov.

A key question is how the powers will be used against protest leaders, particularly charismatic lawyer, blogger and anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny. Rallying slogans coined by Navalny, “Putin is a thief” and “Party of Swindlers and Thieves “ to describe the ruling party, would fall under the new slander law, hinted the lower house’s deputy speaker, Sergei Zheleznyak. “When people try to use slander to prove crimes by the authorities, accusing whole large groups of people, then they are criminals! This is unacceptable,” he said in televised comments.

“We know perfectly well whom this law is against: against someone ... who calls a United Russia deputy a swindler and thief,” said opposition-backing deputy Ilya Ponomarev of A Just Russia party in parliament on Friday. —AFP

HOUSTON: The biggest US civil rights group’s two-month-old decision to support same-sex marriage has opened rifts at its convention in Houston this week, pitting religious conservatives against political progressives. The 103-year-old National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s support for same-sex marriage is “a continuation of its historic commitment to equal protection under the law,” the organization said in a statement when the resolution was approved at a board meeting in Miami on May 19. Since then a furor has erupted among members unrivaled since the group passed a resolution in 2010 that called on Tea Party groups to repudiate racist elements within their ranks, said Anita Russell, a member of the NAACP’s national board and president of its Kansas City, Missouri, branch. “But that was from the outside,” she said of the controversy.

“This is internal.” A few local chapter leaders-and the Reverend Keith Ratliff of the NAACP national board-resigned because of the resolution, which passed 10 days after President Barack Obama announced his suppor t for same -sex marriage. With his announcement, Obama, who is not attending the NAACP convention, made a political bet in advance of the Nov. 6 presidential election against likely Republican opponent

Mitt Romney, who addressed convention attendees on Wednesday. Romney told the audience he will defend “traditional marriage.” The split in opinions on the resolution was evident among NAACP members attending this week’s convention. Rashida Martin, an NAACP chapter officer at Indiana University Bloomington, said she agreed with the action taken by the country’s largest civil rights group.

“The world is changing, and we should open our minds a little,” she said. The Reverend James Nash, pastor of St. Paul’s Missionary Baptist Church in Houston, said he disagreed with the resolution and that many people in his congregation called him to say they were outraged about the stance taken by both the NAACP and Obama. “I’ve got gay people in my congregation, but I would not marry them,” Nash said. “That’s not the will of God, but who am I to tell them what lifestyle choices they can make? As a preacher, I have to preach against that, but I’m not going to hate on anyone.” Polls show that there has been an increase in support for same-sex marriage among Americans. A recent Gallup poll said that half of Americans believe same-sex couples should be allowed to marr y. Six states and the District of Columbia allow same-sex marriage. But until recently, polls also showed that support for

tion will return to the lower house probably in September for a second vote of approval and then go straight to the president for signature.

After two decades of fruitless talks between the state and religious bodies, the current centre-right Czech government led by right-winger Petr Necas finally made good on a 1991 pledge to return the assets.

The bill comes as a relief to regions and municipalities that have had to care for the seized church assets up to now, and as less of a relief for the austerity-minded government at the time the country has entered recession. The central bank of the exportfocused central European country of 10.5 million expects the economy to post zero growth this year, after growing by 1.7 percent last year.

But the government is still seeking to cut the public deficit to under the EU’s threshold of 3.0 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) next year from 3.5 percent expected this year. Last December, a poll by the STEM agency showed that seven in ten Czechs opposed the restitution of church assets seized by the state. A 2011 census showed Roman Catholics were the strongest religious group in the Czech Republic with more than a million believers. But almost five million Czechs or half of the population left the religion column empty, while 3.6 million said they were non-believers.—AFP

HIJACKING CIVIL RIGHTS Ratliff, the national board member who resigned in protest, said at an Iowa statehouse rally last year that “deviant behavior is not the same thing as being denied the right to vote because of the color of one’s skin.”

“Gay community, stop hijacking the civil rights movement,” he said. Another convention attendee, the Reverend Elston McCowan, pastor of Star Grace Missionary Baptist Church in St Louis, Missouri, said his local chapter and his church both had a mixed reaction to the resolution. Some people were concerned that the association had taken such a controversial position, he said.

McCowan declined to say what he thought of the resolution but noted: “I don’t always agree with every position that the NAACP takes.”— Reuters

Trayvon Martin’s killer seeks new judge in US murder case

Czech MPs approve $3.6-billion religious property restitution PRAGUE: Czech lawmakers passed a bill yesterday on the restitution of assets worth up to 2.95 billion euros ($3.6 billion) seized from 17 religious denominations by Czechoslovakia’s communist regime in 1948-89. Shortly after midnight and after a debate lasting more than six hours, the bill, which will now proceed to the upper house before being signed into law by the president, was backed by 93 lawmakers of 182 present in the 200-seat lower house.

Under the bill, the denominations including Christian and Jewish religious institutions will regain 56 percent of properties seized by the communist regimetoppled in 1989, four years before Czechoslovakia’s peaceful split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. They will also receive 59 billion koruna (2.3 billion euros, $2.8 billion) in compensation for the remainder of their properties in 30 annual payments, with the outstanding sum to be indexed for inflation every year.

The properties to be returned are worth a total 75 billion koruna. However, the state will stop using public funds to cover clergymen’s salaries under a 17-year transition scheme. The new bill fixes this period including an initial three-year wage package, which will then be cut by five percent annually for the remaining 14 years. The approval process is likely to be delayed in the Senate, dominated by the leftist opposition. If it turns the bill down, the legisla-

gay marriage among African-Americans lagged the general population. The support among blacks has risen since Obama’s announcement, polls show. Russell said the resolution is in keeping with the group’s mission to support equal rights for all people. “If we explain that enough to our members and supporters, they will understand why we took the stance we did,” Russell said. “We’re not asking them to change their beliefs. It’s not a moral or a religious issue.”

DIYARBAKIR: Kurdish demonstrators run during clashes with Turkish police yesterday in Diyarbakir. — AFP

Turkish police and Kurds clash; Bomb wounds 12 DIYARBAKIR: Police fired water cannon and teargas as they clashed with stonethrowing Kurdish protesters in southeast Turkey yesterday, while militants elsewhere in the region detonated a bomb which wounded 12 police officers.

Kurdish members of parliament were caught up in the trouble as police and demonstrators battled on the streets of the main south-eastern city of Diyarbakir, where the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) was planning to hold a rally. The provincial governor had refused the party permission to hold the rally, planned in part to call for the release of jailed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militant leader Abdullah Ocalan.

The rally coincided with the first anniversary of a declaration of “democra-

tic autonomy” by Kurdish politicians, and it was also exactly one year after PKK guerrillas killed 13 soldiers in an attack in Diyarbakir. While the street clashes continued in Diyarbakir, PKK militants detonated a roadside bomb by remote control, wounding 12 police officers after they got out of a vehicle in eastern Turkey, security sources said. The attack took place outside a police shooting range in the province of Van, which is on the border with Iran. The wounded police were not reported to be in a serious condition. No further details were immediately available. More than 40,000 people have been killed since the PKK took up arms against the state in 1984 with the aim of creating a separate state in mainly Kurdish south-east Turkey.— Reuters

MIAMI: The Florida man charged with second-degree murder in the killing of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin asked for a new judge in hi s case on Friday, accusing the current judge of bias. Lawyers for George Zimmerman filed a motion requesting that Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester withdraw from the trial. Zimmerman alleged in the filing that Lester made “gratuitous” and “disparaging remarks” about him during a July 5 bond hearing and offered “a personal opinion” in the case.

“In doing so, the Court has created a reasonable fear in Mr Zimmerman that this Court is biased against him and because of this prejudice he cannot receive a fair and impartial trial or hearing by this Court,” the motion said.

Zimmerman, a former neighborhood watch volunteer, was released from jail on $150,000 bail in April. But Lester later revoked his bail after prosecutors accused Zimmerman and his wife of misleading the court about their finances to secure a lower bond.

During the original bond hearing, Zimmerman sat silently as his wife, Shellie, told the court the couple had no money. But investigators later learned the couple failed to disclose $135,000 they raised from a website created by Zimmerman to collect funds from anonymous donors for his legal defense and his wife was later charged with perjury. Earlier this month, Lester set Zimmerman’s bail at $1 million and issued a scathing decision rejecting arguments

by Zimmerman’s lawyer that he posed no risk to the community and his portrayal of the case against Zimmerman as weak. “Under any definition, the defendant has flouted the system,” Lester wrote at the time. He said Zimmerman’s “stories changed with each retelling.”

Lester also said Mark O’Mara, Zimmerman’s attorney, attempted to portray Zimmerman as a confused young man who “experienced a moment of weakness” and may have acted out a sense of betrayal by the justice system.

“This court finds the opposite. The defendant has tried to manipulate the system when he has been presented the opportunity to do so,” Lester wrote. O’Mara referred to Lester’s words in the motion. “The Court chose language ... to describe the defendant in ways that reflect the Court’s opinion of Zimmerman’s character as much as his conduct,” he wrote.

“A reason why Zimmerman feels he cannot get a fair trial is that the Court spent a lot time and a lot of words crafting an order that was harsh and morally indignant in tone,” O’Mara continued. —Reuters

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

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

Campaign focus on Virginia, ‘Mother of Presidents’ ROANOKE: The presidential motorcade, the cordon of Secret Service agents, the sight of a president campaigning on a small-town street. Heady stuff - and new for Virginia during a presidential race. For decades, the commonwealth was one of the 40-something states whose politics were so predictable that they were virtually ignored during presidential contests.

Virginia was a sure-fire Republican state - it hadn’t voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since 1964. The state that calls itself the Mother of Presidents - eight have been born here - became a presidential afterthought. Virginia is one of the most fiercely contested states of this election.

President Barack Obama won the state in 2008, the first Democrat since Lyndon Johnson to gain victory here, reflecting its emergence as a state with delicately balanced politics.

These days, the political ad spending in the state by the Obama and Mitt Romney campaigns is the third highest, behind only perennial battlegrounds Ohio and Florida. Romney’s camp places Virginia among its most critical states to win, along with Indiana and North Carolina - three states known for voting Republican in presidential elections but ones that

Obama won in 2008. His campaign claims a handful of paths to victory and at least two run through Virginia. As he campaigned on Friday, the first day of a twoday swing through the state, Obama tagged Virginia as a personal bellwether.

“If and when we get Virginia, we will win this election,” he told a small crowd in an overflow room at a rally in Hampton.

Virginia has changed in the last half-century, too. Its crowded Washington suburbs are more moderate politically, more Democratic and more racially diverse.

About 1 in 5 Virginians is black, and the Latino population has grown sharply.

Romney benefits from a well-organized state Republican Party that is determined to prove Obama’s victory four years ago was a fluke. The GOP has strong conservative enclaves in the central and southern regions of the state.

And it has voters like Dennis Smith, a politically independent businessman with a reverse mortgage business and a disdain for Obama’s health care law. He said Obama should have devoted his attention to the economy, not to a partisan health care overhaul. “Just like when Obama came in and we were looking for a change ... we are looking for another change,”

Smith said as he gathered with other curious townspeople in Phoebus, near Hampton, to catch a rare glimpse of a president. “I’ve never seen a president this close up,” he said.

Despite hard times, voters like Scott

Neal in Phoebus are sticking with Obama.

His drywall business has had to get by with renovation work. “New houses aren’t going up because there’s this surplus of all these empty houses that have been foreclosed on,” he said. “So I’m just doing what I’ve got

VIRGINIA: US President Barack Obama greets well-wishers upon arrival yesterday at Richmond International Airport in Richmond, Virginia. Obama is in Virginia to attend campaign events.— AFP

to do.” There are signs that among some voters, Obama’s attacks on Romney and his history as a wealthy businessman who ran a private equity firm are taking hold. Beth Bailey, a 37-year-old mother of two and a school district data technician in Virginia Beach, said Romney hasn’t connected with her. “I feel like he came from a different class than us,” she said at an Obama rally. “I feel he’s working more for the upper class than us.” Incumbency has given Obama advantages, too. The budget he released earlier this year did not include money to transfer an aircraft carrier from Virginia to Florida, a move that Virginia lawmakers had argued would have hurt the Hampton Roads economy Obama campaigned with Democratic Sen. Mark Warner and former Gov Tim Kaine, a Democrat who is running for the Senate, in a calculated display of unity with two moderate politicians.

Obama ended the day in Roanoke, a city in the state’s typically Republican southwest where Obama critics stood along his route holding protest signs. He spoke to more than 3,000 supporters, about 20 of whom swooned and had to be treated after waiting for him in the heat. He was the first sitting president to hold an event in town in 35 years.— AP

Rice name surfaces, then fades, as Romney VP pick Rice would fail abortion litmus test

WASHINGTON: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney speaks about the Supreme Court ruling on health care in Washington.— AP

Romney demands Obama apology over Bain attacks WASHINGTON: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has struck back against attacks over his business record that are pulling him further away from his campaign message that the White House is mishandling the economy. In a blitz of television interviews, Romney demanded an apology from President Barack Obama for his campaign’s assertion that the Republican may have committed a felony by misrepresenting his position at private equity firm Bain Capital. “It’s ridiculous,” Romney told Fox News in response to the charge. “And of course it’s beneath the dignity of the presidency and of his campaign.” The Republican challenger has appeared flatfooted in beating back Democrats’ accusations that he was involved in firing workers and outsourcing US jobs to foreign countries while at Bain Capital.

Romney has slipped in opinion polls ahead of the Nov 6 election and his campaign added two Washington veterans to its media relations team on Friday after criticism from fellow Republicans for communications missteps. Romney was booed by a mostly black audience at the NAACP annual convention this week and earlier gave out mixed messages about whether a key part of Obama’s healthcare law does or does not create a new tax. What drew Romney’s ire on Friday was a charge from Obama deputy campaign manager Stephanie Cutter that he might have committed a felony by giving wrong information to the Securities and Exchange Commission about how long he spent at Bain.

Romney told ABC News that Obama

“needs to rein in these people who are running out of control.” “He (Obama) sure as heck ought to say that he’s sorry for the kinds of attacks that are coming from his team,” Romney said.

Romney was put on the spot by a Boston Globe newspaper report citing federal documents as showing he was listed as Bain CEO and sole shareholder in the three years to 2002, a time when he says he no longer ran the company. The timing matters because Obama’s campaign has accused him of being responsible for the firing of workers and bankruptcies at Bain-owned companies during those years. White House spokesman Josh Earnest, traveling with Obama in Virginia, declined comment on Romney’s demand for an apology.

MORE DISTRACTION It was the latest issue to distract Romney from his focus on Obama’s failure to reduce unemployment, running at 8.2 percent. He has struggled for the right messages on healthcare and immigration as the experienced Obama campaign based in Chicago maneuvers the news agenda better. Romney however has overtaken his rival in fundraising. Two national polls this week showed Obama opening up a wider gap over his opponent. A Reuters/Ipsos survey had the former Massachusetts governor trailing the incumbent by 6 points, although other polls have them in a closer race. Polls in swing states show negative portrayals of Romney as an out-of-touch rich man are working in Obama’s favor.— Reuters

Cheney: Romney ‘only’ man for foreign policy WILSON: Former Vice President Dick Cheney has told Republican fundraisers that Mitt Romney is the “only” man who can make the right decisions in unexpected foreign policy crises. The presumptive 2012 Republican presidential nominee called Cheney a “great American leader” - and didn’t mention former President George W. Bush in a 20-minute speech to a country club reception. Cheney said serving under four presidents taught him that a surprising international crisis is inevitable.

“When I think about the kind of individual I want in the Oval Office in that moment of crisis, who has to make those key decisions, some of them life-and-death decisions, some of them decisions as commander-in-chief, who has the responsibility for sending some of our young men and women into harm’s way, that man is Mitt Romney,” Cheney said to applause. It was a strong endorsement from a man who has come to represent the neoconservative foreign policy wing of the Republican Party. Until Thursday, Romney had avoided appearing with Cheney or with Bush.

While Romney avoided mentioning the former president in remarks that were open to the press, he invoked Bush in a questionand-answer session with donors at a private dinner at Cheney’s home. In remarks over-

heard by reporters standing outside the clubhouse, Romney contrasted what he called “President George W Bush’s freedom agenda” with President Barack Obama. Cheney, who generally avoids retail politicking, is still a controversial figure because of his hawkish foreign policy stances and support for enhanced interrogation techniques - like waterboarding that many consider torture.

Obama banned those techniques after he took office.

Donors gathered Thursday night under a tent next to the driving range at Teton Pines Country Club, a golfing community where Cheney has a home. After Cheney introduced him, Romney praised the former vice president as “a great American leader.” Romney criticized Obama’s domestic policies on health care and spending. “But the foreign policy mistakes, I believe, may be even longer lasting in their negative impact on the country,” he said, but he did not specify those policies. In the past Romney has attacked Obama’s policies on Iran, China and Israel, although he has praised the president for authorizing the raid that led to the death of Osama bin Laden.

Romney raised more than $4 million with Cheney, long a strong fundraiser in part because of his popularity among the conservative Republican base.— AP

WASHINGTON: Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s name surfaced briefly as a possible vice presidential running mate for Mitt Romney, but faded quickly as an aide said on Friday she was still not interested in the position. The Drudge Report reported on Thursday that Rice was a front-runner for the No 2 spot on the Republican presidential ticket, prompting endorsements by some leading conservatives. Romney’s campaign has not commented. But the candidate and his advisers have acknowledged they are considering naming his choice some weeks earlier than the traditional time around the Republican National Convention, which will be held in late August.

An aide to Rice, who is now at Stanford University in California, said she was standing by previous statements that she was not interested in the position. “Nothing has changed,” Georgia Godfrey, Rice’s chief of staff, said in an email. Rice said in an interview with CBS News last month that she would not seek the vice presidency. “I don’t see myself in any way in elected office. I love policy. I’m not particularly fond of politics,” she said in the interview on June 26. Rice seems an unlikely choice for Romney. While she is personally popular and would beef up the foreign policy credentials of the former

governor of Massachusetts, Rice has never held elected office and is to the left of the likely Republican nominee on hot-button domestic policy issues.

ABORTION LITMUS TEST Most prominently, Rice has said publicly she is “mildly pro-choice” on abortion rights and would not favor overturning Roe v Wade, the US Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. Romney, who supports overturning Roe, has promised that his running mate will also oppose abortion rights. Some

conser vative Republicans said Romney should not be considering Rice. “We want someone who conservatives recognize as one of their own, not some nominal Republican who the news media thinks of as a conservative because he or she has an “R” for Republican beside their name,” said conservative activist Richard Viguerie.

“And that describes the prochoice Condoleeza Rice all too well.” Analysts said members of Romney’s team might have floated the Rice speculation as a way to change the subject after a week in

Condoleezza Rice

which Democratic attacks on Romney’s record as a private equity executive at Bain Capital have dominated campaign news.

“I think this is a clever diversion by the Romney folks after what has clearly been an off week for them,” Republican strategist Ford O’Connell said. Rice is also closely associated with former Republican President George W. Bush, who left office with a 34 percent approval rating. As the face of his foreign policy, she was involved in controversial aspects of his presidency, including starting the war in Iraq.

Romney’s short list of potential running mates is believed to include a host of leading Republicans, including Ohio Senator Rob Portman, former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and Florida Senator Marco Rubio.

His wife, Ann, said in a recent CBS interview that Romney was considering whether to name a woman, which raised talk about Rice as well as New Hampshire Republican Senator Kelly Ayotte.

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, who was Republican Senator John McCain’s running mate in 2008, offered her support for a Rice candidacy. “Condoleezza Rice would be a wonderful vice president,” Palin said on Fox News. — Reuters

With ego too big to fail, Iowa broker admits 20-year fraud Wasendorf Sr arrested for lying to regulators CEDAR RAPIDS: Russell Wasendorf Sr, arrested on Friday, confessed to a 20-year fraud at his nowbankrupt Iowa brokerage, saying business troubles and his “big” ego left him no choice: “So I cheated.”

In the dramatic conclusion to a week-long saga that has shaken trader confidence in the trilliondollar US futures markets, authorities released parts of a detailed statement in which one of the industry’s best-known veterans explained how he used little more than a rented PO Box, Photoshop and inkjet printers to dupe regulators in a more than $100 million scheme.

FBI agents arrested Wasendorf, 64, at the Iowa City hospital where he has been since trying to commit suicide on Monday. He was charged with making false statements to regulators, but prosecutors said they would seek more charges. He faces “decades in prison”, Assistant US Attorney Peter Deegan said. In the signed statement, left along with a suicide note and released as part of the criminal complaint, Wasendorf said he began forging bank documents after the business he built from his basement risked failing without additional capital. The timeline suggests his deceit lasted almost the entire life of his brokerage.

“I was forced into a difficult decision: Should I go out of business or cheat?” he wrote. “I guess my ego was too big to admit failure. So I cheated,” the note said. It was discovered on Monday in his car outside the company’s new Iowa headquarters, where Wasendorf had tried to kill himself by funneling in tailpipe exhaust. The arrest ends much of the mystery that has enveloped the futures industry this week. But it will not ease the pain of betrayal in the small Iowa town that Wasendorf made his corporate home in 2009, nor the anger of a financial industry still smarting from the failure of rival brokerage MF Global.

“I have committed fraud,” Wasendorf wrote in the note, the contents of which he later told authorities were true. “I feel constant and intense guilt.” Yet he also wrote in almost boastful detail about the “blunt authority” that allowed him to control the flow of documents into the company; how he used a simple post office box to trick “unquestioning” regulators; and his skill in turning out forged bank statements within hours that “no one suspected.”

Wearing a blue polo shirt, jeans and a white

hospital bracelet around his left wrist, Wasendorf shuffled into a Cedar Rapids courtroom with slumped shoulders hours after his arrest. He was handcuffed, chained at the waist, and his legs were shackled. He did not enter a plea at the initial appearance, and told Magistrate Judge Jon Stuart Scoles that he was taking anti-depressants. He will be held at an undisclosed location at least until his next court appearance on Wednesday, Deegan said. A spokeswoman for PFGBest, which had been one of the industry’s 10 largest independently owned futures brokers before collapsing this week, could not be reached for comment. The company is now in Chapter 7 liquidation proceedings.

REGULATORY SHOCK Wasendorf’s downfall has shocked his family and colleagues and has shattered his image in his adopted hometown of Cedar Falls, Iowa, where he moved PFGBest’s headquarters in 2009 after building an $18 million complex that included day-care, a four-star cafeteria and state of the art geothermal climate control. With an unusual empire including a Romanian property company and a glossy magazine, Wasendorf’s ego stood out even in the rough and tumble world of the Chicago futures industry. He proudly underwrote big-name guest speakers at industry events and held private VIP receptions for them, and flashed a jeweled pinky ring. His favorite quote, according to his Facebook page, was, “If I wanted patience, I would buy it.” More widely, his fall also rattles investors’ confidence in the pillars of the futures markets: brokers’ safeguarding of client money, and, equally important, regulators’ ability to police the industry.

The prolonged nature of the fraud is sharpening criticism of regulators like the National Futures Association, the industry group that had first-line responsibility for overseeing nonexchange brokers like PFG. MF Global, by contrast, is believed to have tapped into client funds in a desperate bid to keep itself afloat during its final days. “It’s stomach churning,” said Lauren Nelson, director of communications for Attain Capital, an introducing broker specializing in managed futures in Chicago that had accounts at PFGBest.

“It’s unbelievable that this was able to be going on for so long without the regulators noticing.”

‘WITHOUT QUESTION’ The federal complaint alleges that, from 2010 through July of 2012, Wasendorf made false statements to the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission regarding the value of customer segregated funds held by Wasendorf’s Iowa-based company. But Wasendorf in the statement said the forgeries started “nearly twenty years ago,” suggesting he was fooling regulators from the very beginning. Peregrine was first registered as a futures brokerage in 1992, according to its website.

The deceit evolved with the world, and Wasendorf “established rules and procedures as each new situation arose.” When auditors began contacting banks directly to verify brokers’ balances, he opened a post office box in the name of Firstar Bank-later US Bank-and intercepted the confidential forms, he said. He returned doctored statements that had been inflated by more than $200 million, more than half of PFGBest’s total customer funds.

As he quickly learned how to falsify online bank statements amid the rise of Internet-based banking, Wasendorf wrote that “regulators accepted them without question.” Until now, apparently. The NFA started a new audit of PFGBest about two weeks ago, demanding for the first time that he allow its auditors an electronic, direct look at his bank accounts, NFA’s non-executive chairman Chris Hehmeyer said. “They are the ones that uncovered this whole thing,” Hehmeyer said in an interview. “If they hadn’t caught him, it could have gotten a lot bigger.”

Wasendorf gave NFA the authority to do so on Sunday, Hehmeyer said. The audit may have set off a series of unexpected events in the weeks before he tried to take his own life. Wasendorf flew to Las Vegas to marry his fiancee on June 30, more than a month before the wedding he had planned in Cedar Falls. He signed over power of attorney to his son, Russell Wasendorf Jr, on July 3. Russell Jr, also the company’s president, was in the dark about his father’s alleged crimes, said his lawyer, Nicholas Iavarone, who represented PFGBest for 23 years.

Wasendorf Jr has been assisting authorities in the investigation, he added. “Working on something as traumatic as this and as personally devastating, it’s just been a very hard week,” Iavarone said in an interview. —Reuters

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

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

UK immigration laws spark Pakistan wedding boom MIRPUR: New British immigration laws have unleashed a stampede to wed and a frenzy of English lessons for Pakistanis desperate to migrate as new restrictions come into effect. The boom was particularly marked in Mirpur, where Islamabad estimates 200,000 of Britain’s 1.2 million Pakistanis have their family origins. Almost all the town’s 403,000 residents have relatives in the former colonial power, after a huge surge of migration from the area in the 1960s when a major dam was built, costing thousands of farmers their livelihoods.

At the time Britain needed more workers for its factories in the industrial cities of central and northern England, and granted immigration permits to many of them and their families. Now with immigration an increasingly controversial issue in Britain, Mirpuris rushed to secure residency rights before the door was pushed tighter. Wedding planners were rushed off their feet, English teachers overwhelmed and immigration consultants buried under mounds of paperwork as brides and grooms queued to file immigration papers by July 6, the last working day before the deadline.

Faisal Mehmood, a self-styled immigration consultant, said business was several times higher than the six to eight cases he normally processes a week.

“I consulted on and helped fill in immigration papers for 53 couples in the first week of July,” he said in his office in Mirpur, the wealthiest town in Pakistani-administered Kashmir, 83 kilometers east of Islamabad. From July 9, new restrictions made it impossible for anyone who earns less than £18,600 ($29,000) a year to move a foreign spouse to Britain, or less than £22,400 if that spouse has a child.

To acquire British nationality, foreign spouses now have to wait five rather than two years to test whether a relationship is genuine, must be proficient in English and once in Britain, pass a Life in the UK test. For Britons of Pakistani descent, April is by tradition the peak month for holidays and weddings in their parents’ homeland, before the summer heat becomes unbearable for those accustomed to northern climes. But wedding planners say they saw record business from Britons in June and the first week of July, with nuptials up 20 percent in Mirpur so far this year.

Arshad Hussein Shah, the manager of eight marriage halls, said his company organized weddings for 15 Britons from June 1 to July 6. “There was a sudden surge because the UK government changed the immigration laws for spouses and everybody rushed to marry and file papers before the deadline,” he said. It was a similar tale for Ali Raza, managing director of the UK College of English Language, who says 35 students enrolled in June - 50 percent more than usual. “There were more girls than boys. Everybody wanted to complete a quick English course and obtain certificates to file immigration papers,” said Raza. “Nobody was expecting this sudden implementation of the new laws. It created panic among the candidates,” he added.

Batool Bukhari, 25, married her cousin in April and raced through an English course as quickly as possible. “I applied for immigration in the second week of June. I had to rush my application when I found out that the new laws are being implemented soon. It was very tense,” said Bukhari. In Islamabad, the British High Commission said there

had been a “significant increase” in the number of applications to join a spouse and live permanently in Britain ahead of the new rules coming into force.

The surge has caused delays in processing applications, the commission said, with some taking up to six months to be resolved.

For those who missed the deadline, the new rules mean new uncertainty. Naeem Lodhi, 32, who has dreamt of moving to Britain since childhood, married on June 22 but was unable to file the necessary paperwork in time. “My wife, who came here to marry me, is leaving for the UK in a month. I’m worried about my immigration because her salary is much lower than the amount required,” he said.

Similarly, a hairdresser in London who gave her name only as Irum married her cousin on July 1 after a seven-year engagement, but was depressed about their chances of married life in Britain. “I don’t know when will I be able to live with my husband in the UK,” she said, adding she would have to find a better paid job. “It may take weeks, months or years. I don’t know, I am really not sure about my future.”— AFP

Top Afghan commander among 23 killed in blast 2 NATO service members die in separate attack

MEXICO CITY: Mexico’s Enrique Pena Nieto arrives for a press conference in Mexico City. — AP

Vote challenge threatens Pena Nieto’s legitimacy MEXICO CITY: Enrique Pena Nieto may have won Mexico’s presidential election, but charges filed by his main opponent in an electoral court threaten to undermine his legitimacy even before taking office. While observers say it is unlikely that Pena Nieto’s victory will be overturned based on leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s claim that the constitution was violated, the claims channel the anger many people feel over the way the election was won. Pena Nieto won by “buying” five million votes, shattering campaign spending limit, obtaining illegal support from PRI state governors, and enjoying paid biased media coverage that reported polls skewed in his favor, according to Lopez Obrador, the leftist runner-up in the vote. “The purchase and manipulation of millions of votes cannot give certainty to any result nor to the overall electoral process,” Lopez Obrador told reporters late Thursday. “Article 41 of the constitution, which states that elections must be free and fair, was violated,” he said.

Pena Nieto of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) won the July 1 ballot by a 6.6 percent margin over Lopez Obrador, according to official vote results that included a recount at half of the country’s polling stations. Lopez Obrador, from a coalition led by the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), also came in second in the 2006 presidential election in which outgoing President Felipe Calderon was elected, losing by less than one percentage point. He claimed fraud, led protests that virtually paralyzed Mexico City for more than a month, and declared that he was the “legitimate” president.

This time Lopez Obrador won nearly one million more votes than six years ago, but lost to Pena Nieto by 3.3 million votes, a much wider margin. The reason: a record-high voter turnout-suspiciously high, Lopez Obrador claims, especially in low-income and poor rural areas where he claims voters were swayed by PRI gifts like department store gift cards, food, and building material.

Top PRI official Pedro Joaquin Coldwell rejected the charges.

Lopez Obrador “throws out baseless accusations, offending millions of Mexicans,” Coldwell said. He dismissed Lopez Obrador as a “proven and repeat sore loser.” Pena Nieto drew 38.21 percent of the vote, followed by Lopez Obrador with 31.59 percent and the ruling National Action Party’s Josefina Vazquez Mota with 25.41 percent. Although the elections were clean, “the electoral process was not fair,” opined Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) analyst Hector Tajonar.

Pena Nieto “has had the support of the two big television networks, especially Televisa, ever since he took office as governor of the State of Mexico” in 2005, Tajonar said. Media giant Televisa and TV Azteca form Mexico’s defacto TV duopoly. Their power is enormous, since surveys show that 95 percent of Mexicans learn of events through the TV news. “This indelible stain might be seen as a precedent of a democratic regression,” said Tajonar. He said many Mexicans fear that Pena Nieto “will try to restore what we may call a neoauthoritarian regime through a renewed hegemony of the PRI supported by the two big television networks.”

The networks however say their coverage was balanced, and point to an UNAM study showing that they scrupulously gave each presidential candidate the same amount of air time. Televisa has also denied that Pena Nieto ever paid for positive coverage.

The PRI was once synonymous with the Mexican state, governing for seven decades until 2000 using a mixture of patronage, repression, rigged elections and bribery. President Calderon, who congratulated Pena Nieto when the first results were in on election night, said that the alleged vote buying was “unacceptable” and something that “had to be immediately corrected.”

Top PAN leader Gustavo Madero said the conservative party will recognize the election results, but also asked electoral officials probe the vote buying claims. However since voters cast ballot in private, “it is impossible to prove that votes were bought,” Arturo Nunez Jimenez, a member of Lopez Obrador’s legal team, told the daily El Universal on Wednesday. Officials must also determine “if the vote that was supposedly bought was to benefit the presidential candidate, or for a deputy or a senator,” who appeared on separate ballots, said Nunez Jimenez, himself a PRD governor-elect for the state of Tabasco.

Pena Nieto called on all Mexicans to set their differences aside and unite. “This is the moment to build, not to obstruct,” he said Wednesday. The putative president cannot afford to offend Mexico’s two leading parties, as the PRI will have to negotiate with them in Congress, where it did not obtain the overwhelming majority they initially expected. —AFP

KABUL: A suicide bomber blew himself up yesterday in a wedding hall in northern Afghanistan, killing at least 23 people including a prominent warlord-turnedpolitician and three Afghan security force officials, in an attack that deals a setback to efforts to unify the nation’s ethnic factions, Afghan officials said. Ahmad Khan Samangani, an ethnic Uzbek and antiSoviet guerrilla leader in the 1980s who later became a member of parliament, was welcoming guests to his daughter’s wedding when the explosion occurred in Aybak, the capital of Samangan province.

President Hamid Karzai said 23 people were killed and about 60, including government officials, were wounded in the attack, which he condemned and said was “carried out by the enemies of Afghanistan.” He ordered a team from Kabul to fly to the northern province to investigate the bombing. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the blast. But in announcing their spring offensive on May 2, the Taleban said they would continue to target those who back the Karzai government and the US-led international military coalition. Karzai needs the minority groups - loosely known as the Northern Alliance - to back his efforts to reconcile with the Taleban.

But minorities already worry that Karzai, a Pashtun, will make too many concessions to their Taleban enemies to achieve a peace deal to end the war. Whatever support for peace talks that Karzai has won from minority groups is likely to erode if militants continue to pick off their leaders one by one. It was the most recent in a month-long string of deadly attacks around the country. On June 22, heavily armed Taleban fighters attacked a lakeside hotel north of Kabul and killed 18 people during a 12-hour standoff with security forces. Two days earlier, a suicide bomber killed 21 people, including three US soldiers, at a checkpoint in a crowded market in the eastern city of Khost.

The violence threatens to undermine international hopes of an orderly handover to Afghan forces by the end of 2014.

Separately, NATO said two of its service members were killed yesterday in eastern Afghanistan - one in an insurgent attack

and the other as a result of a non-battle related injury. No other details were provided. So far this year, 235 NATO service members have died in Afghanistan. In western Afghanistan, Abdul Salam Rahimi, the mayor of Shindand district in Herat province, was assassinated Friday evening by two gunmen on a motorbike, authorities said. A civilian, who was injured in the shooting,

was dark smoke all around. After about 10 minutes, the people were able to see the bodies and start helping with the wounded.” The three Afghan security force officials killed were Afghan National Police Gen Sayed Ahmad Sameh, the commander for the western region and a relative of Samangani; Gen Mohammad Khan, the intelligence chief in the province; and

SAMANGAN: An Afghan man who was wounded in a suicide attack lies in a hospital in Samangan province north of Kabul Afghanistan yesterday. — AP

later died at a hospital.

Mohammad Nawab Sherzai, criminal investigations director in Aybak who was helping provide security for the wedding, said most of the local guests had already gathered on the second and third floors of the three-story wedding hall when the morning explosion occurred. Samangani and other relatives and elders had moved to the first floor to welcome additional guests arriving from Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of neighboring Balkh province.

“Suddenly, the attacker, who was among the guests from Mazar-i-Sharif, got very close to Samangani. He detonated his suicide vest,” Sherzai said. “It was a big explosion. There were bloody bodies all around the first floor. The explosion was so strong.

There were people even on the third floor who were wounded.”

“Everybody was running in different directions. For about 10 minutes, nobody knew what was happening,” he said. “There

Mohammadullah, an Afghan National Army division commander who uses only one name, which is common in Afghanistan.

The wounded included a lawmaker from Balkh province and a former governor of Sar-e-Pul province. After the blast, shattered glass, blood and other debris and covered the site and the injured were helped from the scene. Afghan Army helicopters and ambulances ferried some of the wounded from rudimentary medical facilities in Aybak to Mazar-i-Sharif, which has larger hospitals. Dead bodies were piled into the back of Afghan security force vehicles and taken from the wedding hall, which has a facade of pillars painted a festive light green and pink. The wedding never occurred.

Samangani became famous during Afghanistan’s fight against the Soviets, who left the country in 1989 after a 10-year occupation. He became a member of parliament last year and was considered a key

Four drug tunnels found along US-Mexico border Sophisticated tunnels equipped with lighting, ventilation

TIJUANA:The entrance to a cross border illegal tunnel is lit by a lamp after it was found underneath a bathroom sink by the Mexican army inside a warehouse in Tijuana, Mexico. — AP

TIJUANA: Three sophisticated drug tunnels equipped with lighting and ventilation - including one with a railcar system - have been discovered along the US-Mexico border in less than a week, the latest signs that cartels are building passages to escape heightened detection above ground. Two of the tunnels were incomplete, including one that the Mexican army found in a Tijuana warehouse Thursday with more than 40 tons of marijuana at the entry.

The passage extended nearly 400 yards, including more than 100 yards into the United States. Soldiers found the Tijuana warehouse with four moving trucks full of marijuana, a trailer full of dirt, pickaxes, wheelbarrows, drills and other excavation equipment. The tunnel was equipped with a railcar system.

The Mexican army said three people were detained. It was the second, major incomplete tunnel discovered in the San Diego-Tijuana area in two days and the fourth along the US-Mexico border since Saturday, when a completed passage was found in a vacant strip mall storefront in the southwestern Arizona city of San Luis. An incomplete tunnel along Arizona’s border with Mexico was found Friday during an inspection of a drainage system on the Mexican side of Nogales in early stages of construction, said US Immigration and Customs

Enforcement spokeswoman Amber Cargile. No arrests have been made in the investigation of the crude passage.

The 240-yard tunnel in San Luis, Ariz, showed a level of sophistication not typically associated with other crude smuggling passageways that tie into storm drains in the state. “When you see what is there and the way they designed it, it wasn’t something that your average miner could put together,” said Douglas Coleman, special agent in charge of the Phoenix division of the Drug Enforcement Administration. “You would need someone with some engineering expertise to put something together like this.” As Thursday’s massive pot seizure in Tijuana demonstrated, tunnels have become an increasingly common way to smuggle enormous loads of heroin, marijuana and other drugs into the country. More than 70 passages have been found on the border since October 2008, surpassing the number of discoveries in the previous six years. More than 150 secret tunnels have been found along the border since 1990, the vast majority of them incomplete, according to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Raids last November on two tunnels linking San Diego and Tijuana netted a combined 52 tons of marijuana on both sides of the border. —AP

leader in Samangan and northern Afghanistan. He was a former military commander under Northern Alliance general Abdul Rashid Dostum, a powerful Uzbek warlord. Samangan, a province with about 350,000 people, has in the past been politically split between ethnic Tajik and Uzbek leaders.

The withdrawal of most foreign troops by the end of 2014 has spawned fears the country will descend into civil war when foreign troops leave. To prevent that, Karzai needs the Northern Alliance to back his efforts to reconcile with the Taleban. That’s because, while Pashtuns make up 42 percent of the population, collectively the minority Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks and other smaller groups outnumber them. Without minority support, the country risks a de facto partition into a Pashtun south and a “minority” north.

The Taleban have assassinated a number of Northern Alliance and other minority leaders in recent years. Gen Daud Daud, an ethnic Tajik, who oversaw police activities in nine northern provinces, was killed in May 2011 when a Taleban suicide bomber wearing a police uniform blew himself up inside a heavily guarded compound as top Afghan and international officials left a meeting. Daud had also served as governor of Takhar province in the north, deputy interior minister for counternarcotics and was a former bodyguard of Ahmad Shah Massoud, the charismatic Northern Alliance commander who was himself killed in an Al-Qaeda suicide bombing two days before the Sept 11, 2001, attacks.

Other assassinations include the Takhar provincial police chief, Gen Shah Jahan Noori, who died in the same blast as Daud.

Mohammad Omar, the governor of neighboring Kunduz province in the north, was assassinated in October 2010 inside a mosque. Gen Abdul Rahman Sayedkhili, the provincial police chief of Kunduz province, was killed by an insurgent bomber in March 2011. A month later, a suicide bomber killed Gen Khan Mohammad Mujahid, who was police chief in the Taleban stronghold of Kandahar province in the south, but was aligned with the Northern Alliance. — AP

Obama is a ‘good guy’, Chavez says CARACAS: President Hugo Chavez has denied that Venezuela was a threat to anyone, after US presidential hopeful Mitt Romney criticized Barack Obama for playing down the risk posed by the socialist leader. Obama told a Spanish-language television station in an interview screened this week that Chavez’s actions over recent years had not had a serious impact on the national security of the United States.

Romney said Obama’s comments were “stunning and shocking” and showed a pattern of weakness in the Democratic president’s foreign policy. In an interview with a local Venezuelan television station on Friday, Chavez dismissed the allegations he posed any danger. “The Venezuela of today is no threat to anyone,” he said. “It has all been a hoax by the imperialists and global far right: that uranium is being enriched in Venezuela, that we’re setting up missiles here, that we’re supporting terrorism.” Whenever there were efforts to improve relations between Washington and Caracas, Chavez said, they were criticized by powerful “snipers” who issued threats in the US media.

Chavez, whose stridently anti-Washington politics are highly popular in his OPEC nation, has expanded ties with Iran while the United States and other nations have increased their pressure on Tehran over its nuclear program. Iran denies Western charges it wants to build nuclear weapons. When Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited Caracas in January, he and Chavez lavished praise on each other, mocked US disapproval and joked about having an atomic bomb.

Late last year Obama told a Venezuelan newspaper the United States had no intention of intervening in Venezuela’s foreign relations - but he believed the government’s ties with Iran and Cuba had not benefited the Venezuelan people. — Reuters

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

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

400,000 ordered to evacuate in Japan deluge

YANAGAWA: Water breaks Yabe River’s embankment in Yanagawa, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan yesterday. Heavy rain triggered flash floods and mudslides in southern Japan this week, killing nearly two dozens of people. — AP

TOKYO: About 400,000 people were ordered or advised to leave their homes in southwest Japan yesterday as heavy rain pounded the area for a third day leaving 29 dead or missing, officials and media said. The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of more landslides and floods on the main southern island of Kyushu as rainfall of up to 11 centimeters per hour was recorded yesterday.

Evacuation orders were issued to about 260,000 people in the north of the island where more rivers burst their banks, Kyushu’s local media reported.

They were told to go to designated shelters such as schools and other public facilities. Nearly 140,000 other people were advised to leave their homes to avoid possible disaster, according to officials contacted by AFP in the four affected prefectures in Kyushu. Television footage showed torrents of muddy, debris-strewn water and flooded houses following what officials described as “unprecedented” downpours from a seasonal rain front.

Along the Yamakuni river in Oita prefecture, water levels were seen reaching the roof of a river-

side drive-in restaurant before subsiding later. In Fukuoka prefecture alone, 78,600 people were ordered to evacuate their homes as rivers overflowed in dozens of places and 181 landslides occurred, an official said. About 820 houses were damaged and three bridges washed away, Fukuoka prefecture spokesman Hiroaki Aoki told AFP by telephone.

“Two men were rescued from landslides but their conditions were not immediately available.

One woman was still trapped,” he said. “I don’t remember any flooding which stretched over such a wide area in our prefecture.” More than 75 centimeters of rain fell in 72 hours in the city of Aso, situated at the foot of a volcano in Kumamoto prefecture, the meteorological agency said. The death toll remained at 20 overnight, with 19 of the fatalities from landslides and house collapses in and near Aso. Nine people were missing, with two listed yesterday after a 30-year-old man fell into a swelling river in his car in Oita and a 83-year-old woman was buried in a landslide in Fukuoka. — AFP

Philippines plane spots Chinese naval frigate in disputed waters Clinton ends Asia trip after Myanmar charm effort MANILA: A Philippine military aircraft confirmed yesterday that a Chinese naval frigate remains stranded in disputed waters of the South China Sea, a military spokesman said. The Chinese frigate and smaller craft were sighted by a Philippine Islander plane, said regional military spokesman Colonel Neil Anthony Estrella.

“During the aerial reconnaissance mission, they were able to confirm, based on photographs, that there is indeed a ship with bow number 560 aground at Half Moon Shoal,” he said.

He said five more vessels and a number of smaller boats were assisting the grounded ship.

A navy ship and a coast guard vessel had been dispatched to the area to monitor the Chinese operations, he added. He stressed that the shoal was just 60 nautical miles from the western Philippine island of Palawan, well within the country’s 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone, as recognized by international law.

Foreign Depar tment spokesman Raul Hernandez said in a statement, “we need to find out what really happened with the Chinese frigate in our territory”.

He reiterated that the Philippines would provide assistance to move the ship if China requested it. The Chinese government earlier confirmed that the ship was on “routine patrol” when it became stranded near Half Moon Shoal

in the Spratly Islands on Wednesday evening.

The stranding highlights the territorial conflicts between the two countries which marred the ASEAN Regional Forum in Cambodia this week.

At the forum, the Philippines’ foreign minister denounced Chinese “duplicity” and “intimidation” in the South China Sea and conflicting positions on the issue prevented the Association of Southeast Asian Nations from issuing its customary joint statement.

The Philippines and China have been in a standoff since Chinese ships blocked the Philippine navy from arresting Chinese fishermen at the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea in April. The Philippines says the shoal is also within its EEZ but China claims the entire South China Sea as its historical territory, even up to the coasts of other Southeast Asian countries. The sea is believed to sit atop vast oil and gas deposits. In Manila, a group of Filipino-Americans yesterday called for a boycott of Chinese products and a day of prayer to rally support against China’s actions.

Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton flew out of Asia yesterday after a trip dominated by significantly warmer ties with Myanmar as Washington looks to open the resource-rich former pariah to US firms. The US Secretary of State held landmark talks with Myanmar President Thein Sein on

Friday at a major business conference in the Cambodian town of Siem Reap, two days after the US gave the green light to investment in the country, including in oil and gas.

Clinton hailed changes in Myanmar as it emerges from nearly half a century of army rule and insisted that Washington had put in place “protections to ensure that increased American investment advances the reform process”. US firms will have to report on accountability issues, but rights groups have raised concerns that Washington is moving too fast to cash in on Myanmar’s huge business potential. Clinton’s southeast Asian tour also included a regional security forum, as the US seeks to bolster Asian alliances to balance China’s might, while avoiding overly antagonizing Beijing.

On Thursday Clinton and her Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi pledged to work more closely together. The US Secretary of State sought to avoid being drawn into a host of maritime territorial spats between Beijing and many of its neighbors, but did express alarm at the potential for escalating tensions. The US called this week for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations bloc to unify to negotiate with China, but deep splits among member states saw the group’s regional summit end in failure to agree a joint statement. — Agencies

AT SEA: A Chinese patrol ship (right) encounters a Japanese Coast Guard vessel near the disputed islands in the East China Sea, called the Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China. Japan’s government is negotiating to buy the disputed islands at the center of a territorial dispute with China from their Japanese owner. — AP

Jong-Un’s brother told to keep quiet North Korea ready to resume nuke talks TOKYO: The elder half-brother of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-Un has been told by a top regime official not to criticize the communist state, including its hereditary succession, a report said yesterday. Kim Jong-Nam, 41, who has lived abroad for years, was given the advice two months ago when he made a brief home visit, the Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun reported. Jang Song-Thaek, head of the administration department of the allpowerful Workers’ Party, told Jong-Nam to stop making comments to overseas media, including criticizing Jong-Un’s inheritance of the leadership, the daily said.

The daily said some of its sources were in Macau-where Jong-Nam has a house. Jang told him not to comment about “issues concerning the foundations of the regime” including the military, the daily said. Jong-Nam has lived mainly in China after apparently falling out of favor with his father Kim Jong-Il for trying to enter Japan on a false passport in 2001. He has since spoken to Japanese and other overseas media with surprising candour on various occasions. The senior Kim died last December, allowing his youngest son Jong-Un to succeed him as the North’s supreme leader, a position he had himself inherited from his father Kim IlSung who founded the country in 1948. Jong-Un is believed to be in his late 20s.

In an email to a Tokyo Shimbun journalist in January, Jong-Nam said: “Anyone with normal

thinking would find it difficult to tolerate three generations of hereditary succession.” In an interview last year before his father’s death on December 17, he told the same reporter that the reforms needed to avert the collapse of North Korea’s economy would lead to the end of its hardline regime. Jang, the husband of Kim Jong-Il’s younger sister, is also vice chairman of the National Defense Commission, a post seen as the second most important in the country. “Mr Jang is alarmed by the possibility that criticism held by part of the leadership against Jong-Nam will be directed at himself,” one source told the Yomiuri.

RESUMING NUCLEAR TALKS In another development, North Korea told Cambodia yesterday it was ready to rejoin six-party denuclearization talks, Phnom Penh said, without outlining any conditions to a potential return to the negotiating table. North Korean Foreign Minister Pak Ui-Chun met with his Cambodian counterpart in Phnom Penh and “clearly stated that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is ready to participate in the six-party talks”, Cambodian foreign ministry spokesman Koy Kuong told reporters.

“Cambodia welcomes the positive step,” he said, adding that Pak “did not talk about conditions during the meeting”. Tensions are high on the Korean peninsula after the North’s failed rocket launch in April, seen by the United States and its allies as an

attempted ballistic missile test.

Six-party talks involving the two Koreas, China, the US, Russia and Japan have been stalled since December 2008.The North has repeatedly expressed a willingness to return to the forum on its nuclear disarmament but without prior conditions. Washington and South Korea say before a resumption of discussions, the North must first show it is serious about the process, notably by shutting down a uranium enrichment program which could be reconfigured to make bombs. The North has been developing nuclear weapons for decades. The United States reached a deal on February 29 this year to offer North Korea badly needed food aid in return for a freeze on nuclear and missile tests, but it rescinded the plan after the rocket launch.

Under a September 2005 deal reached during six-nation negotiations, Pyongyang agreed to dismantle its nuclear programs in return for economic and diplomatic benefits and security guarantees.

The North has staged two nuclear tests, in 2006 and 2009. The meeting between the Cambodian and North Korean foreign ministers, whose countries have close ties, came after an Asian security gathering in Phnom Penh during which North Korea said it needs atomic weaponry to deter a US nuclear threat. It also vowed never to give up its right to launch rockets as part of what it called a peaceful space program. — Agencies

ISTANBUL: A demonstrator with the new Libyan flag painted on her fingers holds a sign during a protest against the killing of more than 220 people in Tremseh town, in Syria. — AFP

Syrian ex-envoy blasts Iraq’s PM DUBAI: Syria’s former ambassador in Baghdad, Nawaf Fares, criticized Iraqi premier in an interview broadcast yesterday, saying Nuri Al-Maliki’s stance towards Damascus was “contradictory” to the truth.

“I personally reproach the (Iraqi) prime minister on his stance which is contradictory to the truth,” Fares, who defected earlier this week, told Doha-based Al-Jazeera television channel.

“He knows very well what (Syrian President) Bashar Al-Assad had done to him and to all of Iraq and to (Muslim) Shiites specifically, Fares said, adding that Assad has “killed thousands” by opening “the doors for Al-Qaeda” militants to carry out bombings across Iraq. Iraq had repeatedly accused Damascus in the past of letting Sunni insurgents and arms transit through Syria for carrying out attacks inside the country, especially during the brutal sectarian conflict that erupted after US-led forces toppled Saddam Hussein’s regime.

But since the uprising against Assadwho belongs to the Alawite minority sect which is an offshoot of Shiite Islam-Iraq’s Shiite-led government has called for noninterference in Syria and has opposed arm-

ing the rebels. Baghdad’s stance was similar to that of Syria’s other Shiite ally Iran which Fares accused of “putting pressures” on Maliki’s government. “Iran must not support a tyrant and dictator who is killing his own people, regardless of its interests,” Fares told Al-Jazeera in Qatar, where he has fled. Western countries and the Syrian opposition accuse Iran of providing military support to the regime in Syria, where more than 17,000 people have been killed since March 2011 according to activists.

Tehran denies the charge.

When asked on UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan’s bid to shore Iran’s support for his tattered peace plan, Fares said: “Iran is part of the problem, how could it be part of the solution?” “The Syrian revolt will win despite Iran and all countries backing the tyrant” whom Fares described as “Syria’s former president who is now a criminal and a killer.” Fares, the first Syrian ambassador to defect to the opposition, was widely seen as a regime hardliner and his decision, announced on Al-Jazeera on Wednesday, was surprising. Syrian foreign ministry had said Fares, who hails from a prominent Sunni tribe from eastern Syria, had been dismissed and would be prosecuted. — AFP

Iraqi interpreter finally gets US visa BAGHDAD: While under death threats from insurgents in Baghdad last year, Tariq Abu Khumra mailed a prized possession to his girlfriend in California: a huge American flag signed by 50 American military officers whom Khumra had helped while serving as an interpreter for the US military. Kohima was afraid the flag would get him killed if the wrong people found it at his home in Baghdad. Insurgents had already marked him for assassination, even though he had lost his interpreter job when US military bases in Iraq shut down last fall.

Desperate to leave Iraq, Khumra had applied for a special US visa promised to Iraqis who had served the US. It was held up for more than two years by red tape and security concerns, as described in a Los Angeles Times article from Baghdad in December. But last week, the American flag was waiting for Khumra at his girlfriend’s apartment in Glendale after Khumra arrived at LAX, visa in hand, for a new life in the United States. “I can’t even describe how good it feels,” Khumra said Friday, still jetlagged a day after his flight from Baghdad.

Khumra said - in nearly flawless English, of course - that his visa was finally sprung loose through the persistent efforts of Becca Heller, director of the Iraqi Refugee Assistance Project, a nonprofit organization in New York.

“Just saying ‘thank you’ is not enough for what Becca did for me,” he said. Heller said constant pressure, media coverage and a letter from US Sen Ben Cardin, D-Md, helped secure Special Immigrant Visas for Khumra and three other Iraqis. Heller, whose group has pushed for expedited visas for thousands

of Iraqis who worked for the US, was especially moved by Khumra’s plight.

“His emails made me cry,” she said. One was sent while Khumra was in Dubai, awaiting a connecting flight to Los Angeles. He told Heller he was waiting to get on his “fantasy flight.” Heller has criticized the government’s handling of the Special Immigrant Visa program, instituted in 2008 to help Iraqis who had served the US. But she said government performance has improved recently, with more than 1,500 Iraqis arriving under the visa program this fiscal year, versus 618 approved last year.

Thousands more applicants are still awaiting approval. “I have to say the US government has really gotten its act together on Iraq,” Heller said. She is less optimistic about Afghan interpreters serving the US military in Afghanistan. Those interpreters face even greater threats from insurgents, she said, and she fears they will be cast aside as US bases there shut down. Khumra, 26, survived a 2010 attack by gunmen who fired on his car.

Later, someone taped a red “X” on his windshield. Month after month, he peppered the US Embassy in Baghdad with calls, emails and visits, trying to shake loose one of the special visas. After the US base where he worked was closed in October, he went into hiding. Even after landing at LAX, he refused to believe he was actually going to be standing on US soil. Only after three hours of processing, forms and fingerprinting at the airport did he receive what he had been seeking for more than two years: a US entry stamp in his Iraqi passport. He walked outside into the California sunshine.—MCT

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

NEWS

Nine alphajets from the French Air Force Patrouille de France release trails of blue, white and red smoke, colors of the French national flag, as they fly over the Louvre museum and pyramid during the Bastille Day military parade in Paris yesterday. — AFP

Saudi police kill gunman in clash RIYADH: A gunman was killed during an attack on a police station as four Saudi policemen were wounded in a separate assault on their patrols in the kingdom’s Shiite-populated east, state media reported. “Four masked gunmen on motorbikes entered Al-Awamiya police centre where one of them threw a petrol bomb while the rest opened fire at the station,” interior ministry spokesman Mansur Al-Turki said, quoted by SPA news agency. “The guards dealt with them, killing one while the rest (of the assailants) fled,” said Turki.

The attack in the Shiite town of Al-Awamiya took place on Friday evening, less than a week after two protesters were killed in clashes with police in Qatif district following the arrest of a prominent Shiite cleric. In those clashes, on Sunday night, activists said dozens of protesters were wounded when police fired

on a demonstration against the arrest of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr whom the authorities have described as “instigator of sedition”. Turki said the security forces would not tolerate “rioters, especially those who are armed”, and would hold responsible anyone who does not help in handing them over or offers them refuge.

In a separate statement on SPA, the spokesman announced that “two security force patrols came under gunfire from masked armed men on motorbikes in the town of Saihat, wounding four members of the security forces”. Yesterday, the Saudi news agency said Prince Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdul Aziz, governor of Eastern Province, visited the wounded policemen, to whom he conveyed “the pride of the Saudi leadership and people in their efforts to maintain security and safety”. He also expressed his “grati-

tude over the self-restraint and wisdom they had shown as well as their courage in carrying out their duties”.

Qatif district, where both towns are located, has witnessed several protests initially triggered in Feb 2011 after an outbreak of violence between Shiite pilgrims and religious police in the holy city of Madinah.

The protests escalated after the kingdom led a force of Gulf troops into neighbouring Bahrain to help crush a month-long Shiite-led uprising last year against that country’s Sunni monarchy. Saudi Arabia’s estimated two million Shiites, who frequently complain of marginalisation, live mostly in the east, where the vast majority of the OPEC kingpin’s huge oil reserves lie.

Some 37 Shiite clerics released a joint statement on Friday in which they attributed the tensions in the

eastern region to the “policy of sectarian discrimination that government and official religious authorities have implemented for decades”. But they urged youths to “steer away from violence” and not to “respond to some who try to provoke you and lure you to violence to mark your movement as terrorist”. They also called on the authorities in the ultra-conservative absolute monarchy to “release all political activists ... including Sheikh Nimr Al-Nimr and Sheikh Tawfiq Al-Amer”.

Amer, who has been detained several times, had called for a “constitutional monarchy” in Saudi Arabia and his arrest prompted activists to push for protests in March 2011. In May, Amnesty International said seven people had been killed and a number of others injured in clashes between the authorities and protesters in the Shiite-populated region since November. — AFP

Stallone son found dead

Clinton, Morsi hold key talks

Continued from Page 1

Continued from Page 1

TMZ cited unidentified sources as saying that he had died of an overdose of pills, adding that authorities were trying to establish whether the death was intentional or accidental. Sage Stallone’s attorney George Braunstein said the young actor was not known to be depressed.

“I got a terrible call a few hours ago ... when the housekeeper opened the door and they found what had happened,” he told NBC 4 television, adding: “I’m personally devastated. It’s just a tragic, tragic loss. He was an extremely good actor, a good writer/director, really one of those people who was ex tremely respectful of Hollywood. He loved his mom and dad.

He was a talented, talented person.” He added to the New York Post: “He was in good spirits, and working on all kinds of projects ... He was planning on getting

married. I am just devastated. He was an extremely wonderful, loving guy. This is a tragedy.”

A spokesman for the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office, reported to be handling the case, told AFP: “We are in the initial stages of our investigation” but gave no further details. A spokesman for the LA Police Department (LAPD) said he could not confirm the death, adding: “There’s a death investigation, they’re waiting for the coroner to identify the body.” Sage also acted with his father in the 1996 movie “Daylight,” and is credited with 13 big-screen roles including his first, in “Rocky V,” according to the IMDb movie industry website. He was also credited as producer on three films, including the 2006 short “Vic” which he also wrote and directed. “He wasn’t depressed. He was thinking about getting married. He just had his whole life ahead of him,” Braunstein told the Los Angeles Times. — AFP

ICM ‘goading’ youth activists Continued from Page 1 orders from tribal sheikhs whose relations with ICM has changed, as well as those who are in alliance with it such as MPs Ahmad Al-Saadoun and Musallam AlBarrak.

The ICM believes the sheikhs are forcing tribal MPs to hamper the demands of the majority bloc, so it sought to put popular pressure on them to make them change their stands or stay neutral, apart from the possibility of hurting them in the electoral race and unmasking them as adopting reformist slogans while they do not implement any of them. Sources said that the ICM’s goals are aligned with those of Saadoun and Barrak in supporting the youth’s demands, because both Saadoun and Barrak need the escalation as a change in the number of constituencies or a reduction in votes that can be cast is a great danger to them and reduces their influence in their constituencies.

For Barrak - if he wins - things will not be like before, while Saadoun’s standing will be in a very weak spot, so they want to push ahead with constitutional amendments to achieve a political victory by which Saadoun embarrasses liberal groups that are at odds with him.

Barrak, meanwhile, wants to reinforce his positions and confirm they are still strong in areas that are witnessing the appearance of parties that are taking away from his popularity, and counter others who work against him from his own tribe. The sources said such moves go in favor of the ICM, which is using the youth escalation to serve its goals, especially since it knows that the author-

ities in Kuwait are working to reduce its influence in governmental leadership posts and muzzle the Muslim Brotherhood in Kuwait.

Meanwhile, informed sources said the Salafist movement has told its two members MPs Khalid Al-Sultan and Abdellatif Al-Ameeri to reject calls for a popular government and a constitutional monarchy, otherwise it will be compelled not to nominate them for the elections along with others who support them. The Salafists declared at a gathering its official stand “against the popular government and the constitutional monarchy” reforms as mentioned in the parliamentary majority proposals. Sources said the gathering asked Sultan and Ameeri not to support the majority and if they insist on this, then the gathering will nominate others and they will not enjoy the support of the Salaf if they run on their own.

On the other hand Independent Islamists in the majority bloc are against a plan to run in the upcoming elections within agreed-upon lists, and insist they will run on their own through their contacts without any commitment to what the bloc wants. Sources said these Islamists have their election bases and arrangements that do not agree with what the bloc is calling for, but they will connect during the elections with the majority only through calls for reform and fighting corruption.

They said the majority bloc’s plan, as announced by Mislem, is to run for the elections with 40 candidates in two lists in each constituency if the elections are held with the current five-constituency and four-votes-perperson system.

wanted to retain broad powers even after they transferred control on June 30. But on Wednesday, the president said he would respect a court ruling overturning his decree, in an apparent bid to mollify an infuriated judiciary and the military.

“President Morsi made clear he understands the success of his presidency and Egypt’s transition depends on building consensus across Egypt’s political spectrum; to work on a new constitution’ to protect civil society; to draft a new constitution that will be respected by all and to assert the full authority of the presidency,” Clinton said.

As the two met, several hundred protesters gathered outside the US embassy in Cairo to denounce what they said was “US interference in domestic affairs”, the official MENA news agency reported. Before the meeting, a top State Department official told reporters that Clinton will in her talks also focus on the protection of religious minorities and of women. She will “stress her deep belief that Egypt’s democracy can only be successful, and the aspirations of the revolution can only be redeemed if the rights of all Egyptians are protected, including the rights of minorities, including religious minorities and the rights of women,” the official said.

The post-revolution rise of the Islamists has raised fears among

women and among the country’s 10-million-strong Christian community concerning the guarantee of personal freedoms.

Islamists scored a crushing victory in three-stage parliamentary elections held from November last year, with the Muslim Brotherhood - from which Morsi stepped down before he was sworn in - heading the lower house. Treatment of women is something Clinton “certainly worries about and wants to make sure that women’s rights and women’s opportunities are respected and protected in a new constitution and a new democratic order”, said the official.

Morsi has repeatedly pledged to be a president for “all Egyptians” and said he would appoint a woman and a Christian as his deputies. Clinton also sought assurances that its key Middle East ally will continue to press for regional security and uphold the peace treaty with Israel. During the Cairo visit, Clinton will also seek assurances that its key Middle East ally will continue to press for regional security and uphold the peace treaty with Israel.

“More than three decades ago, Egypt and Israel signed a treaty that has allowed a generation to grow up without knowing war and on this foundation, we will work together to build a just comprehensive regional peace in the Middle East,” Clinton said. In 1979, Egypt became the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel. — AFP

Syria town stormed as observers visit Treimsa Continued from Page 1 slaughtered there. The Observatory was more cautious, saying “several dozen rebel fighters were among those killed”, adding that only around 40 of the dead had been identified, while 30 were burned and 18 were “summarily executed”. A spokesman for Syria’s military said the army killed “many terrorists” in Treimsa, but no civilians, in a “special operation... targeting armed terrorist groups and their leadership hide-outs.” Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP it “might be the biggest massacre committed in Syria since the start of the revolution”.

If confirmed, the 150-person toll would exceed that of a massacre at Houla on May 25, when a pro-Assad militia and government forces were accused of killing at least 108 people. Treimsa, which had a population of 7,000, “is empty now. Everyone is dead or has run away,” an activist calling himself Abu Ghazi said. Treimsa is near Al-Kubeir, where at least 55 people were killed on July 6, according to the Observatory. Like Al-Kubeir, Treimsa is a majority Sunni village situated near Alawite hamlets. Assad belongs to the Alawite community - an offshoot of Shiism - although most Syrians are Sunni.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon lashed out at the Syrian regime and called for the UN Security Council to urgently act to stop the bloodshed, as failing to do so would give “a licence for further massacres”. The Treimsa killings have added urgency to deadlocked Security Council negotiations on a Syria resolution. The US ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, said on Twitter that the killings

“dramatically illustrate the need for binding measures on Syria” by the council. “The use of artillery, tanks and helicopters, which has been confirmed by UNSMIS, is a violation of the Syrian government’s obligations and commitment to cease the use of heavy weapons in population centres,” peace envoy Kofi Annan said, referring to the UN Supervision Mission in Syria. “Tragically, we now have another grim reminder that the council’s resolutions continue to be flouted,” he said in a letter to the 15-nation council. Western nations have proposed a resolution that would impose sanctions on the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad over the conflict, which rights activists say has cost more than 17,000 lives. Britain, France, the United States, Germany and Portugal have proposed a resolution that would give Assad 10 days to stop the use of heavy weapons, in line with the Annan plan, or face sanctions.

They only want to give the UN observer mission a new 45day mandate. But Russia has rejected any use of sanctions and is proposing a rival resolution that renews the mandate of UNSMIS, which ends on July 20, for 90 days and has said sanctions are unacceptable.

French President Francois Hollande called on Russia and China not to oppose sanctions and during a televised interview with channels TF1 and France 2 said, “I told (Russian President Vladimir) Putin... that the worst thing is to have a civil war in Syria. So we have to find a political position that avoids civil war. There is still time, it is high time.”. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday branded the killings in Treimsa as “attempted genocide” and said the regime was doomed. — AFP

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SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

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Issues

Two Victors cause fresh EU headache

By Claire Rosemberg fter Hungary’s Viktor Orban, Romania’s Victor Ponta is causing fresh pain to the EU, which is struggling to respond to signs of flawed democracy in ex-communist states, welcomed perhaps too quickly into the European fold. With Romania in the throes of a political crisis, “it looks as if history is repeating itself” after last year’s controversial rewrite of Hungary’s constitution, said Corina Stratulat of the European Policy Centre think tank. Though premier Ponta’s impeachment drive against President Traian Basescu carries none of the worrying nationalist overtones of events in Hungary, “these political dynamics within and across the Union should set alarm bells ringing for the EU,” she said.

Hungary joined the European Union as part of the bloc’s 2004 “big bang” expansion from 15 members.

Bulgaria and Romania brought the EU to the current 27 in 2007. Two years later, in 2009, Poland and Sweden moved to further widen the Union, launching an Eastern Partnership destined to support reform in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, “with a view to accelerating their political association and economic integration” with the EU. But the EU has frozen an ambitious political and economic deal with Ukraine due to the jailing of former Orange Revolution premier Yulia Tymoshenko and slapped sanctions on Belarus for rights abuses.

And though Croatia is poised to become the 28th EU state next year, Bulgaria too is now bogged down in a row over the transparent appointment of judges. So EU moves to bond with nations on its eastern flank have cooled, a phenomenon known as “enlargement fatigue”. “Enlargement went too fast,” Stratulat told AFP. “Now the EU has learnt lessons from the past, including from Greece. It is more attentive, it is refining its strategy.”

The conditions set to join the EU in the past were insufficiently rigorous, said political scientist Richard Whitman of London’s Chatham House. Joining now will be made more difficult. “Croatia has had to jump through far more hoops than Romania or Bulgaria,” he told AFP. “There will be consequences too now for Western Balkans states. Even if they embark on the path of accession, it will take a lot longer and be far tougher. A country will need to show it can be a mainstream member state, not a laggard,” he said.

Brussels meanwhile is multiplying efforts to ensure members uphold basic values. In Bulgaria and Romania, it has been monitoring judicial reform and the fight against corruption via a so-called Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM). A report next week is expected to call for the CVM to continue in the light of current events. But this will mean a delay in efforts by the two nations to join the Schengen passport-free area, comprising 22 of the 27 EU states. But there is very little else the EU can do to keep members in line with political values. “There are no levers to pull,” said Whitman. “The system was not built to sanction difficult members. The response is more often than not just to ride it out.”

When Hungary’s Orban moved to stem media freedoms and stack members of his rightwing Fidesz party in key institutions, the EU started infringement proceedings by the European Court of Justice.

That led to some concessions from Budapest, notably regarding the central bank. But the bloc’s toughest weapon, the Lisbon Treaty’s Article 7 suspending voting rights in case of “serious violation”, has never been used. Romania’s young leftwing premier came running to Brussels this week in hopes of reassuring EU officials of his intention to remain on a democratic path. Should Bucharest “fail to stick to promises made during the visit this is a weapon at our disposal,” said an EU official who asked not to be named.

But “there’s a dichotomy between what the EU preaches abroad and what it is able to enforce internally,” remarked Steven Blockmans of the Centre for European Policy Studies. Article 7 requires a unanimous vote, but “you can’t always count on leaders of member states to act in an unfriendly way vis a vis colleagues”, he said. —AFP

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Rivals on left, right battle in US top court

By Joan Biskupic hey are heavyweights in the ring that is the US Supreme Court. These button-down, Ivy League-credentialed versions of Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier represent Washington versus the states and the competing left-right ideologies behind that conflict. And the punches they throw and take - while at the courtroom lectern have captured as much attention as their stances on the law. US Solicitor General Donald Verrilli and Washington lawyer Paul Clement squared off over healthcare and immigration policy, the two biggest cases in the court term that ended in June. They are likely to do battle again over months, and perhaps years, to come.

Their rivalry arises largely from a distinct moment in US legal history: Republican-controlled states have aggressively challenged the Democratic administration of President Barack Obama. Verrilli, appointed by the president, is the government’s top courtroom lawyer. Clement, who was a solicitor general during the Republican administration of President Geor g e W. Bush and is now with Bancroft PLLC, has become the go-to lawyer for conservative states and other challengers of the administration. “You have to go back a long way to find two people who are consistently representing such opposing views,” said Andrew Pincus, a Washington lawyer who appears regularly before the court.

Not only are states increasingly locked in litigation with the federal government, Pincus said, but they are also going outside the offices of the states’ attorneys general for Supreme Court specialists. A 46-year-old Wisconsin native, Clement approaches the lectern below the justices’ bench with no notes and a steady stock of rejoinders. He exudes confidence and seems to relish sparring with the nine justices, left and right. Verrilli, 55 and a New York native, is low-key and softspoken. When he began as solicitor general last year, the justices sometimes had trouble hearing him. His presentations have been halting at times, and he stumbled when he began his defense of the healthcare law’s insurance mandate during the March session.

Verrilli coughed as he started to speak, then choked on a gulp of water. Overall, he had a rocky time before a bench dominated by conservative justices, who pummeled him with

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skeptical queries. At one point when Chief Justice John Roberts told Verrilli he had an extra 15 minutes, Verrilli said with a sigh, “Lucky me. Lucky me.” News commentators lambasted Verrilli’s performances in the healthcare and immigration disputes and contrasted them with Clement’s fluid style.

Some deemed his arguments nearly fatal for the Obama administration. Setting the tone for much of the healthcare postmortem, CNN commentator Jeffrey Toobin proclaimed Verrilli’s arguments in March “awful” and “a train wreck”. In the end, Verrilli, on behalf of the administration, prevailed as the court upheld the requirement that most Americans buy health insurance and ruled, in the immigration case from Arizona, that federal law overrides most state policy.

Only this week did Verrilli publicly comment on his performance and the media drubbing. On a panel at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, he first took a lighthearted approach. As he was about to begin his panel presentation, he said, “I’m just going to take a sip of water here.” The audience laughed knowingly, recalling the dry throat that got him off to a bad start during March arguments.

In response to a question later about the criticism, he said, “I’m a government official. I’ve got a weighty responsibility. I ought to be subject to criticism like any other official with a weighty responsibility. And I guess I was. I’m OK with that.”

Clement has 62 Supreme Court arguments under his belt, Verrilli, 21. This term, Clement argued seven cases, winning four and losing three. Verrilli split his six: three wins, three losses. Such scorecards are imperfect indicators of a lawyer’s skill: For the justices, much depends on the validity of each side’s core legal position and how they fit with past relevant cases.

The two advocates confront each other indirectly - through the justices, in fact. Each individually fields questions for his respective time, usually 30 minutes a side.

Outside the courtroom, things can be even tamer. Verrilli and Clement are part of a league of appellate lawyers that rarely engages in personal criticism. They are among the bestmannered of their ilk, down to their starched shirts and cuff links. At a Georgetown University law school event in March, Verrilli said he held Clement in high regard. Clement, vacationing this week, said in a brief email exchange, “I think the world of Don.” Both men declined further comment for this story.

Verrilli, tall with a salt-and-pepper mustache, and Clement,

medium height with thinning brown hair, climbed the elite ranks of the law in similar fashion. But once they set on a professional path, they diverged in political and ideological affiliations. Verrilli, who attended Yale University and then Columbia University law school, was a law clerk to jurists known for their liberalism: Supreme Court Justice William Brennan and, earlier, US Appeals Court Judge Skelly Wright of the District of Columbia Circuit.

Clement attended Georgetown University and Harvard Law School. His mentors were leading lights of conservatism: Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and, earlier, US Appeals Court Judge Laurence Silberman of the District of Columbia Circuit. Clement became principal deputy to US Solicitor General Theodore Olson in 2001, then gained the top SG job in 2005, a year short of age 40. Verrilli, who spent two decades in the Washington office of Jenner and Block, was already in his 50s when he joined the Obama administration in 2009. He became solicitor general in June 2011, succeeding Elena Kagan, appointed by Obama to the Supreme Court in 2010.

The rivalry between Verrilli and Clement comes down mainly to a debate over the respective powers of the federal government and the states. In the healthcare dispute, Clement represented 26 states that said the Affordable Care Act tread on their sovereignty. When Clement argued on behalf of Arizona in the immigration case, he said states should be able to set their own policies to keep people from crossing the border illegally and then burdening state resources. Clement took the side of Texas in a voting-districts dispute, and Verrilli’s office sided partly with the challengers.

In September, Clement will face off against the Obama administration in a lower court over South Carolina’s strict voter photo-identification law.

The closest comparison to Clement that court watchers draw is with Jeffrey Sutton, now a US appeals court judge in Ohio, who in a few late-1990s and early-2000s federalism cases at the Supreme Court represented state officials, including those in Alabama and Florida. Clement’s relationship with states and conservative causes is more prevalent and prominent. Republican Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, who hired Clement to defend a state voting-district map at the Supreme Court earlier this year, said Clement was the first choice when states seek outside counsel. — Reuters

Mexican political minnows hold big cards

By Dave Graham hroughout Mexico’s election campaign, the party that held the country in an iron grip for most of the 20th century was tipped to recapture the presidency by storm and take control of Congress. In the end, the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, fell short of a legislative majority and it may now have to lean heavily on two fringe parties to pass reforms. After his smallerthan-expected victory on July 1, Presidentelect Enrique Pena Nieto and the PRI are hoping for support from a Green Party with a liking for the death penalty and another group that serves as a political vehicle for the controversial head of the teachers’ union.

The PRI won 207 seats in the 500-member lower house of Congress according to projections, and will have just 240 seats with the Greens, its coalition partner. Add the New Alliance Party (PANAL), which is backed by the teachers’ union, and the PRI could control exactly half of the seats. “The little parties are now more important than ever,” said Federico Berrueto, the director general of polling firm GCE. Ranged against the PRI is a bloc of leftist parties that refuse to acknowledge Pena Nieto’s victory and the ruling National Action Party, or PAN, of outgoing President Felipe Calderon.

The PAN will insist on concessions in return for its backing although it is in principle supportive of Pena Nieto’s plans to overhaul antiquated labor laws, open up state oil giant Pemex to more foreign investment and broaden the tax base. In the Senate, Pena Nieto will be short of a majority even with the Greens and PANAL. So he knows he cannot avoid negotiating with other parties, a task he also shouldered while governor of

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the State of Mexico between 2005 and 2011.

But some of the PAN’s likely demands, including measures to weaken the power of public sector unions, would put Pena Nieto under pressure inside the PRI, so he will likely seek help from the small parties to minimize his reliance on the PAN. The PANAL could have 10 seats in the lower house and has signaled it is willing to work with Pena Nieto. The PRI had strong ties with the teachers’ union during the 71 years it ruled Mexico before the PAN ousted it in a 2000 election.

But the PANAL’s suppor t will not be unconditional. “We’re not going to hand out any blank checks,” said Luis Castro, the party’s chairman. The PANAL was created under the auspices of Elba Esther Gordillo, head of the teachers’ union and a former PRI grandee who broke with her old par ty before the last election in 2006. Renowned as an astute political operator, Gordillo has also been demonized for blocking education reform in Mexico, which analysts say is crucial to shaking up the misfiring economy.

There have been mounting calls for her removal as union leader but Gordillo, 67, has a tight hold on the PANAL and it is very unlikely to cooperate with Pena Nieto if his government tries to force her out. Gordillo’s daughter and grandson top PANAL lists of candidates to enter Congress. Calling Gordillo the most important woman in Mexican politics, Castro said no education reform would be possible without the support of the teachers’ union. “ This is the dilemma that Congress faces,” he said. “Either there’s paralysis, or we broker deals.”

Pena Nieto’s lot is in sharp contrast to when the president’s word was almost law under the PRI - and to how opinion polls long suggested the election would end for him. For most of the campaign, they forecast

Pena Nieto would crush his rivals with between 45 and 50 percent of the vote.

Instead, he won 38.2 percent, weakened in the final weeks by student-led protests against the PRI’s past record of corrupt, heavy-handed rule and the 45-year-old Pena Nieto’s much publicized ties with Mexico’s dominant broadcaster Televisa. He acknowledged earlier this week he will have to strike deals with rivals to get ahead in Congress. “It is time to agree, not impose,” he said. “Time to build, not obstruct.”

Small parties backed by interest groups have grown in strength, taking advantage of electoral rules that give them a presence in Congress with just 2 percent of the vote.

They also benefit disproportionately from generous public funding of the political establishment. Lower house deputies are paid more than $11,000 a month plus other congressional allowances, and at federal level parties get more funding to cover expenses like campaigns and research. In the budget for 2012, the sum earmarked for the Greens, who currently have 22 lower house deputies and six senators, was nearly 479 million pesos ($36 million).

The party did even better in the July 1 election, winning 33 seats in the lower house and nine seats in the Senate as well as its first governorship, in the southern state of Chiapas. Critics have long dismissed the Greens as a money-making operation for its founders and the group was disowned by its European counterparts in 2009 for running a campaign for the restoration of the death penalty in Mexico. The party was built up by Jorge Gonzalez and his son Jorge Emilio, who became famous for brushes with scandal, although it insists that the pair are no longer at the helm.

The victories on July 1 have buoyed the

party and it is keen to make its mark in the next government. “We’re a crucial part of why Enrique Pena Nieto is going to be president of Mexico,” said Greens’ Senate leader Arturo Escobar.

“We must take advantage of this opportunity to continue justifying our existence in the Mexican political arena.” Many Mexican environmental activists complain that despite its name, the party has failed to advance the ecological agenda, and they accuse it of selling out. Two of its best known campaign promises were pledging life sentences for kidnappers and medicines paid for by the state.

Detractors saw the pledges as populism and a ruse to benefit drug stores owned by Jorge Gonzalez’s extended family. They also accuse both the PRI and the Greens of being too cozy with powerful business interests using the parties for leverage. Pena Nieto has come under heavy fire for the publicity he received from Televisa in the State of Mexico, and the Greens have notable ties to the other major broadcaster TV Azteca, controlled by Ricardo Salinas Pliego.

Salinas Pliego’s daughter is poised to enter the Senate for the Greens, as is another of his executives, who ran on a joint Green Party-PRI ticket in Chiapas. Carlos Cadena, a former state congressman for the Greens, says his party is being turned into a “business”. One of a group of rebel Greens who campaigned against cooperating with the PRI in the State of Mexico, Cadena said the party must deliver on pledges like making basic environmental education compulsory, or risk being wiped out. “The Greens are becoming an employment agency for all the PRI people who can’t get jobs in the PRI,” he said. “The Greens here have really betrayed what was their base.” — Reuters

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

sp orts Vlasic ruled out of Games LONDON: Former high jump world champion Blanka Vlasic will not compete in the London Olympics due to injury problems, the Croatian said on her website (www.blanka.vlasic.hr) yesterday. The 28-year-old, who has the second best jump of all time with 2.08 metres and was one of the favorites to win the Olympic gold medal next month, had surgery on her ankle and heal this year.

“I’ve been postponing the decision about my participation in London ....but time is running out and time is the only thing that I need right now,” Vlasic said. Vlasic said her fitness was improving but not quickly enough to give her a chance of winning the gold medal in London.

“I will not be able to get into the top shape in time for Olympic Games,” she said. “I’m not interested in jumping below my usual level, so it is the best thing to stay home and get the healing process to the end.”

Vlasic has had a history of health problems, culminating in thyroid surgery which sidelined her for most of 2005. She recovered to win gold at the 2007 world championships and she took silver at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. — Reuters

Disgraced Delhi Games chief hits at ‘vilification’ NEW DELHI: Suresh Kalmadi, the disgraced head of the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games, described yesterday opposition to his plans to attend the London Olympics as a “vilification campaign”. An Indian court granted permission Friday to Kalmadi, who is on bail pending trial on fraud charges, to attend the Games, a decision which led to an angry reaction from sports minister Ajay Maken.

Maken insisted the seriousness of the allegations against Kalmadi, who is facing charges of conspiracy, forgery and abuse of power, should preclude his presence at the Olympics in any capacity. The minister also added that

no one tainted by corruption should be allowed to participate in the Olympics.

“I strongly feel that this vilification campaign raised by Maken is meant to cause a split between officials and Indian players participating in the forthcoming London Olympics,” Kalmadi said in televised remarks.

“As per law I am innocent till found guilty. No allegation of corruption has been proved,” he said in the western Indian city of Pune. Kalmadi’s lawyers had argued he be allowed to attend the London Games as a member of the International Association of Athletics Federation Council and president of the Asian Athletics Association.—AFP

Pakistan calls for DRS K ARACHI: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has again confirmed his support for the use of the Decision Review System (DRS) in international matches.

“The DRS is an effective tool to rectify any umpiring errors which mean a lot during tight and close matches,” Misbah told reporters after returning home on Saturday following test and one-day series defeats in Sri Lanka.

“The ICC and cricket boards must work towards a unified DRS system for world cricket.” Pakistan complained about poor umpiring decisions during the first test against Sri Lanka in Galle which they lost heavily. The Sri Lankan cricket board did not use the DRS for the series against Pakistan although it did do so in matches against England this year.

A Pakistan Cricket Board official said it was trying to secure sponsorship for using the DRS in the upcoming one-day series against Australia in the United Arab Emirates. “”We believe it is a technology which is good for cricket and helps both teams that is why we will keep on supporting its use,” the official said. — Reuters

Reds beat Cards in NL CINCINNATI: St. Louis first baseman Allen Craig’s throwing error in the seventh inning helped the Cincinnati Reds rally past the Cardinals 5-3 on Friday, notching their fourth straight win and claiming a share of the National League Central lead.

Craig fielded Ryan Hanigan’s slow grounder with the bases loaded and threw wildly to first base, allowing two runs to score, giving the Reds a 3-2 lead. Zack Cozart’s sacrifice fly completed a three-run rally. Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright (7-9) allowed only two hits over the first six innings before letting it slip away.

Cincinnati’s Alfredo Simon (1-1) escaped a bases-loaded threat in the seventh.

Braves 7, Mets 5 In Atlanta, David Ross homered and drove in four runs and Chipper Jones also connected as Atlanta beat New York. Atlanta’s Cristhian Martinez (4-1) pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth. He gave up one walk with two strikeouts in one inning. Mets reliever Chris Young (23) gave up five runs in three innings.

NEW YORK: Yankees’ Mark Teixeira hits a three-run home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels. — AP

Teixeira powers Yankees to 6-5 victory over Angels NEW YORK: New York’s Mark Teixeira homered twice and drove in five runs as the Yankees edged the Los Angeles Angels 6-5 on Friday as play resumed after the All-Star break.

Teixeira’s three-run shot and Russell Martin’s two-out single in the eighth inning rallied the hosts after the Angels had led 5-2.

Los Angeles’ Mark Trumbo homered in his fifth straight game against the Yankees, a three-run shot in the seventh. Angels reliever Scott Downs (1-1) took the loss, giving off a lead-up double in the eighth and then Teixeira’s long-shot - the first homer he’d conceded this year. Chad Qualls (1-0) got his first win with the Yankees.

Tigers 7, Orioles 2 In Baltimore, Miguel Cabrera and Jhonny Peralta homered as Detroit downed Baltimore.

Doug Fister pitched seven innings of three-hit ball for the Tigers, who moved three games over .500 (45-42) for the first time since April 24.

Fister (3-6) gave up one run, struck out eight and walked none to earn his first road win in seven tries this season. Orioles starter Jason Hammel (8-6) left in the fourth inning with a right knee injury.

Red Sox 3, Rays 1 In St. Petersburg, David Ortiz hit his 23rd homer of the season and Pedro Ciriaco had three hits and drove in two runs, helping Boston beat Tampa Bay. Red Sox starter Franklin Morales (2-2) struck out five over five scoreless innings to win for the second time since he was moved into the starting rotation last month.

Ortiz hit a solo homer off Jeremy Hellickson (4-6) in the first inning to extend his hitting streak to a season-best eight games.

Rangers 3, Mariners 2 In Seattle, Derek Holland pitched into the eighth to steer Texas past Seattle. Holland (6-4) threw 7 2-3 scoreless innings in his longest outing of the season. Adrian Beltre hit a tworun homer Seattle starter Kevin Millwood (3-7) threw 6 2-3 innings, allowing eight hits. Rangers closer Joe Nathan picked up the save despite a bumpy ninth inning.

Indians 1, Blue Jays 0 In Toronto, Justin Masterson pitched seven scoreless innings, guiding Cleveland to victory over Toronto. Masterson (6-8) gave up just five singles.

He walked one and struck out five. The sole run came from Travis Hafner’s homer off Ricky Romero (8-5) in the eighth. All-Star closer Chris Perez finished for his 25th save in 27 chances save as the Indians wrapped up their sixth shutout of the season.

White Sox 9, Royals 8 In Kansas City, Kevin Youkilis hit a sacrifice fly in the 14th inning to give Chicago the win over Kansas City. Youkilis has five game-winning hits in 14 games with the White Sox since being traded from Boston. Gordon Beckham drew a walk off Everett Teaford (1-3) to start the winning rally, and Alejandro De Aza sent a single down the third-base line to put runners on the corners. On the 14th pitch of his at-bat, Youkilis managed to send a fly ball to deep center field.

Dylan Axelrod (1-2) worked around trouble in the 13th for Chicago, and then retired the

side in the 14th to end a game that lasted 5 hours, 23 minutes. Both teams used nine pitchers, a franchise record for the Royals.

Athletics 6, Twins 3 In Minneapolis, Jonny Gomes’ grand slam helped Oakland overcome Minnesota, whose pitcher Francisco Liriano was an unlucky loser, having thrown a career-high 15 strikeouts.

Liriano’s strikeout tally was the second most in Twins’ history, behind Johan Santana’s 17 against Texas in 2007. Liriano (3-8) looked unhittable most of the game, using a diving slider and nasty changeup to fan eight of the first 10 hitters he faced and record nine of his first 10 outs via strikeout. Oakland’s A.J. Griffin (1-0) struggled through six innings but earned his first career win and lead the A’s to their seventh victory in eight games. Minnesota has lost five of six. — AP

MLB results/standings Chicago Cubs 8, Arizona 1; Detroit 7, Baltimore 2; NY Yankees 6, LA Angels 5; Cleveland 1, Toronto 0; Boston 3, Tampa Bay 1; Washington 5, Miami 1; Cincinnati 5, St. Louis 3; Atlanta 7, NY Mets 5; Milwaukee 10, Pittsburgh 7; Oakland 6, Minnesota 3; Colorado 6, Philadelphia 2; Texas 3, Seattle 2; LA Dodgers 2, San Diego 1; San Francisco 5, Houston 1.

American League Eastern Division W L PCT NY Yankees 53 33 .616 Baltimore 45 41 .523 Tampa Bay 45 42 .517 Boston 44 43 .506 Toronto 43 44 .494 Central Division Chicago W Sox 48 38 .558 Cleveland 45 41 .523 Detroit 45 42 .517 Kansas City 37 48 .435 Minnesota 36 50 .419 Western Division Texas 53 34 .609 LA Angels 48 39 .552 Oakland 44 43 .506 Seattle 36 52 .409 National League Eastern Division Washington 50 34 .595 Atlanta 47 39 .547 NY Mets 46 41 .529 Miami 41 45 .477 Philadelphia 37 51 .420 Central Division Cincinnati 48 38 .558 Pittsburgh 48 38 .558 St. Louis 46 41 .529 Milwaukee 41 45 .477 Chicago Cubs 34 52 .395 Houston 33 54 .379 Western Division LA Dodgers 48 40 .545 San Francisco 47 40 .540 Arizona 42 44 .488 Colorado 34 52 .395 San Diego 34 54 .386

Nationals 5, Marlins 1 In Miami, Ryan Zimmerman hit a two-run homer and Jesus Flores drove in two runs as Washington beat Miami. Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann (6-6) pitched six scoreless innings, striking out six.

Marlins starter Josh Johnson (5-6) lost to Washington for the first time in his 15 career starts against them, allowing five runs in 5 1-3 innings.

Brewers 10, Pirates 7 In Milwaukee, Cody Ransom hit his first career grand slam with two outs in the eighth inning, lifting Milwaukee over Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh reliever Tony Watson (4-1) entered in the eighth and gave up consecutive singles to Braun and Aramis Ramirez. He struck out one, but each runner stole a base on the pitch. An intentional walk loaded the bases to face Ransomw, who was 0 for 4 in the game.Ryan Braun hit two home runs as Milwaukee improved to 40-6 against Pittsburgh at Miller Park since 2007. Brewers reliever Francisco Rodriguez (2-4) pitched the eighth for the win.

Dodgers 2, Padres 1 In Los Angeles, Clayton Kershaw pitched in and out of trouble for six innings, guiding Los Angeles to a tight win over San Diego. Kershaw (7-5) allowed one run while striking out six. Mark Ellis hit his third homer of the season, and Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp returned to the Los Angeles lineup. Kemp was 2 for 4 with a double after missing 51 of the Dodgers’ previous 53 games because of a hamstring strain. Ethier, sidelined since June 28 because of an oblique strain on his left side, was 0 for 2 and got hit by a pitch.

Kenley Jansen worked a hitless ninth for the

CINCINNATI: Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips (left) forces out St. Louis Cardinals’ Yadier Molina at second base in the eighth inning of a baseball game. — AP

save. Padres starter Clayton Richard (6-10) allowed two runs in 7 1-3 innings.

Cubs 8, D’backs 1 In Chicago, Alfonso Soriano homered twice, doubled twice and had five RBIs to lead Chicago over Arizona in a game that was delayed at the start nearly four hours by rain.

Soriano hit a solo homer in the fourth inning, a three-run shot in the fifth and added a runscoring double in the seventh.

Diamondbacks starter Ian Kennedy (6-8) gave up six runs in five-plus innings, hitting a batter, and throwing two wild pitches.

Cubs starter Paul Maholm (7-6) allowed one run in seven innings to win his third straight start. He also drove in a run with a bunt in the sixth inning.

Rockies 6, Phillies 2 In Denver, Christian Friedrich pitched six strong innings to guide Colorado to victory

against Philadelphia. Friedrich (5-6) got the best of Cliff Lee (1-6) in his first career appearance against the Phillies, who have lost 11 of their past 12 games. In winning for the first time in more than a month, Friedrich allowed one run, struck out seven and walked one. Josh Rutledge had two hits and two RBIs in his major league debut for Colorado. Lee, who got his only win of the season in his previous start, allowed nine hits in six innings.

Giants 5, Astros 1 In San Francisco, Madison Bumgarner pitched seven innings of two-hit ball as San Francisco defeated Houston. Bumgarner (11-5) retired 13 straight until a solo homer in the seventh inning in another dominating start for the blossoming lefty. He struck out five.

Buster Posey hit his team-leading 11th home run of the season in the first off Wandy Rodriguez (7-7), who allowed seven hits in seven innings. — AP

Sun edge Sky in OT GB 8 8.5 9.5 10.5

ROSEMONT: Connecticut’s Allison Hightower sank a layup with 8.9 seconds left in overtime to give the WNBA-leading Sun an 80-78 win over Chicago Sky on Friday.

The Sun rallied from a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit to force a 66-66 tie at the end of regulation. In an overtime with eight lead changes, Hightower’s driving layup gave Connecticut the lead for good at 79-78 and Kara Lawson added a free throw two seconds later to help secure the win.

Tina Charles had a game -high 25 points and 13 rebounds for the Sun, who entered the Olympic break with five straight wins.

Chicago briefly had possession following Hightower’s score until Sonja Petrovic was called for traveling with 5.2 seconds left. Courtney Vandersloot scored a career-high 22 points for the Sky, who dropped their fourth straight.

3 3.5 10.5 12 5 9 17.5

Silver Stars 91, Dream 70 In San Antonio, the hosts notched a franchise-record ninth straight win by beating Atlanta. Jia Perkins scored 21 points and Becky Hammon added 15 points for the Silver Stars, who have the team’s best ever record after 18 games at 13-5. Sancho Lyttle led Atlanta with 21 points.

4 5.5 10 15

Storm 83, Mercury 64 In Phoenix, Katie Smith scored 14 of her game-high 19 points in the first quarter to set up Seattle’s win over Phoenix. Shekinna Stricklen had 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Storm.

DeWanna Bonner scored 18 points for Phoenix, which matched a franchise worst by scoring only six points in the third quarter. The Mercury have lost six straight.

2.5 7 14 15.5 0.5 5 13 14

ROSEMONT: Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles (top) celebrates with teammates after the Sun defeated the Chicago Sky 80-78 in overtime in a WNBA basketball game. — AP

Mystics 70, Liberty 53 In Newark, New Jersey, Crystal Langhorne scored 24 points to lead last-placed Washington over New York.

Monique Currie added 16 points for the Mystics, who snapped a four-game losing streak, shooting 43 percent from the field and 68 percent on free throws.

Cappie Pondexter scored 22 points for the Liberty, losers of three straight, who sank only one of 15 free-throw attempts. — AP

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

sp orts

Mickelson flawless at Scottish Open ILLINOIS: Steve Stricker hits out of a bunker onto the second green during the second round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament. — AP

Matteson clings to lead ILLINOIS: American Troy Matteson followed a blistering opening round with a less spectacular but solid second day carding a three-under 68 on Friday to hold a one-shot lead at the midway point of the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois.

Matteson, who posted a flawless 10under 61 to open the tournament, turned in another polished effort on the TPC Deere Run layout mixing four birdies with his only bogey through two rounds for a two-day total of 13-under 129.

“If you told me I was going to get 13under after two rounds I would have taken it and not even teed it up,” Matteson told reporters. “It was tough today.

“When I came out I was a little bit more apprehensive after shooting a low one yesterday and obviously I wanted to put a low one out there today.

“It’s just always tough when you shoot a low one to come to the golf course the next day...all in all I felt pretty good with what we did today.”

Lurking one shot back are compatriots Brian Harman (65) and Jeff Maggert who charged up the leaderboard with an error-free nine-under 62 that included

five birdies over his last nine holes to get to 12-under 130.

Two behind the leader are Briton Gary Christian (66) and Americans J.J. Henry (64), Robert Garrigus (66) and Ricky Barnes (67), who missed a chance to join Maggert with a bogey at his final hole of the day the par four ninth.

Champion Steve Stricker, who is looking to become just the fifth men’s player to win the same tournament in four consecutive years, sits one shot further adrift at 10-under after signing for a four-under 67.

“I’m three back right now...but the scores are low, 13-under is leading,” said Stricker. “You got to believe it could be somewhere around that 20 (under) mark, so that means I’ve got to shoot 10 more under on the weekend. “That’s a couple good rounds again, or more...I would like to get a nice couple good rounds in. I’m in a good spot.”

Fan favorite John Daly, who had made the cut in five of his six starts this season and was coming off a solid tie for 12th at the Greenbrier Classic, failed to make the weekend missing the four-under cut by two strokes. — Reuters

Broeck leaves pack behind LAKE ORION: Lance Ten Broeck expected to make it to the weekend at the US Senior Open. The full-time caddie and part-time player, though, didn’t dream of being the secondround leader.

Ten Broeck shot a 68 on Friday, putting him at 6-under 134 and one shot ahead of first-round leader Tom Kite.

The 56-year-old Ten Broeck, who caddies for Tim Herron, finished tied for 71st at his only other Champions Tour event this year. He estimates he plays about 25 rounds a year.

“I guess that means I’m well rested,” he joked. Ten Broeck got a chance to sleep in before starting the third round because he earned a spot in the final pairing. “I knew I was playing pretty good in spite of having not really played much,” he said. “But I figured I should be able to make the cut, but I never figured that I’d be in the last group on Saturday.”

While many fans were likely stunned to see Ten Broeck atop the leaderboard, Kite insisted he wasn’t shocked. Kite has known Ten Broeck since he was a standout golfer at Texas in the mid-1970s. The Chicagoan went on to play in 349 PGA Tour events, finishing a career-best second at the 1991 Chattanooga Classic in one of his 10 top-10 finishes.

“I played a bunch of golf with Lance when he was in Austin,” Kite recalled.

“He’s had so much talent for so many years, and to a lot of people’s minds, didn’t take advantage of all the talent that he has.” If Ten Broeck can keep his lead at the US Senior Open for two more days, he will more than double his highest annual income on a golf course. Ten Broeck has a chance to make about $500,000 on Sunday after earning less than half that total in his best year as a caddie and when he made a career-best $146,568 in 1989 as a PGA Tour player.

“Caddying is a lot easier than playing,” he said. “That’s why you get paid more money to play.” It won’t be easy for Ten Broeck to cash in at the Champion Tour’s fourth of five majors because he is only a shot ahead of Kite, who has been sensational on his front nines at Indianwood.

Ten Broeck is also two strokes in

front of a pack of six that includes Tom Lehman, Corey Pavin and Bernhard Langer.

Ten Broeck has a 36-hole lead for the first time in his playing career. He had a share of the lead after two rounds at the PGA Tour’s Hall of Fame classic in 1982 and he finished tied for 12th.

Ten Broeck has been consistent thanks to a good tee-to-green game, shooting 34s on the front and back nines in the second round after carding 33s before and after the turn Thursday. Kite, meanwhile, took advantage of what is regarded as the easier nine - the front - with a U.S. Senior Open nine-hole record 28 in the first round. He stood up to the challenging back nine with a 31 on Friday. The combined 59 has offset a 4over 39 on his second nine, during the second round, and a 37 after the turn on Thursday.

He had a bogey at No. 4 on Friday, a day after making an eagle on the same hole, and a birdie at No. 17, a day after a double-bogey there trimmed his lead to a stroke. Kite’s fourth bogey on his back nine at No. 9 dropped him into second place.

“It’s a sadistic game,” the 62-yearold Kite said. “It drives us all crazy. As Harvey Penick said, ‘It’s such an easy game to play, it’s just such a hard game to play well.’ In a championship like this, we’re trying to play very well, and they’ve given us a stern test on a golf course that is very tricky. The greens are very severe in a number of places.” The USGA set up a relatively short course to be a test for the best 50-and-older golfers in the world by letting the rough grow thick, and keeping the tight fairways dry and fast, making approach shots to quick, undulating greens difficult.

It was tough enough to make the cut at 4-over 144, sending home notable players such as Hale Irwin (145) and Kenny Perry (149). Fred Couples (140) and Tom Watson (142) made it to the weekend, keeping fan favorites on a course that was filled Friday with people lining the ropes at the first significant golf tournament in southeast Michigan since Tiger Woods won the 2009 Buick Open. — AP

LAKE ORION: Lance Ten Broeck drives on the sixth hole during the second round at the US Senior Open golf tournament. — AP

CASTLE STUART: Phil Mickelson made a mockery of his recent poor form with a flawless eight-under-par 64 in the Scottish Open second round to move within five shots of the lead at Castle Stuart on Friday. Sweden’s Alexander Noren, buoyed by birthday flowers from his golfer girlfriend Emelie who won a tournament in Norway this week, fired a second consecutive 66 to share the halfway lead with overnight pacesetter Francesco Molinari (70).

The pair were 12-under 132, one shot ahead of Argentine Ricardo Gonzalez (64) and young Italian Matteo Manassero (64), who would qualify for next week’s British Open with a top five finish.

American four-times major winner Mickelson (137) started in ideal fashion by holing out from 60 yards for an eagle two at his first hole. Mickelson’s previous eight rounds had all been over par, a career first and not the form the 42-year-old expected heading into the third major of the year at Royal Lytham & St Annes in England from July 19-22.

“I’m really glad I added the tournament and it’s very helpful to see my game progress so quickly,” Mickelson, who only entered the event on Saturday, told the European Tour website (www.europeantour.com).

“In fact, when I was thinking about adding this tournament, after missing the cut last week, my wife Amy and I thought simultaneously of the same decision, so I am very lucky.”

Noren started birdie-birdie-double bogey but an eagle at the par-five 6th hole was the highlight of his four-under back nine. Noren

SCOTLAND: Italy’s Francesco Molinari plays a shot during day three of the Scottish Open.— AP thanked his girlfriend for the unexpected gesture. “That’s the first time I’ve had flowers,” said the world number 89, who turned 30 on Thursday. “Emelie gave me a nice birthday gift in winning a tournament on Monday, so that was a really nice present for the both of us.”

Britain’s world number one Luke Donald and 14th-ranked Martin Kaymer of Germany carded four-under 68s to lie three off the pace on nine-under as they seek to fine-tune their

games before next week’s British Open.

Manassero, who finished 13th on his Open debut three years ago at Turnberry but missed the cut last year in Sandwich, said playing links golf in a major again was the only thing on his mind.

“This is my last chance (to qualify). I would really love to be in The Open. I like links golf, it has a special atmosphere,” said the 19-year-old twice European Tour winner. — Reuters

Reds clinch Australian title and home playoff CANBERRA: The Super Rugby champion Queensland Reds grasped an unlikely opportunity to retain the Australian conference title with a bonus-point 32-16 victory over the New South Wales Waratahs yesterday. After the AC T Brumbies had been upset by the Auckland Blues in Canberra, the Reds needed to score four tries and win to secure third place in the final standings and a playoff fixture back at their Lang Park home next weekend.

They duly delivered in an entertaining match against their oldest rivals with Scott Higginbotham, Liam Gill, James Slipper and Dom Shipperley grabbing the key scores before Will Genia added a flourish with a fifth try. “ We spoke all week about trusting the process rather than focusing on the result,” skipper Genia said in a televised interview. “Things fell our way, I guess, but we worked hard all week for that result.”

The result meant the Brumbies join the Wellington Hurricanes in hoping the Bulls or Sharks slip up in their final matches against the Lions and Cheetahs respectively in South Africa later on Saturday.

Having been granted their chance, the Reds

made it clear from the start they were not about to pass it up and number eight Higginbotham charged over the line from close range after three minutes.

The Waratahs have had a hugely disappointing season but the longstanding rivalry between the two states ensured they would not crumble and they gave as good as they got in the early exchanges.

With the Reds applying strong pressure near their line, however, prop Paddy Ryan paid the price for repeated infringements at the breakdown when he was yellow-carded in the 23rd minute.

The Reds took just a minute to take advantage with flanker Liam Gill going over the line under a pile of bodies but the Waratahs hit back almost immediately when winger Drew Mitchell got on the end of a grubber kick from flyhalf Bernard Foley.

Waratahs fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper then produced the completely unexpected with a towering drop goal from near the halfway line and the Reds went in leading 12-11 with neither the victory nor the bonus point assured.

Four minutes into the second half, however,

and a third forward in prop Slipper breached the visitors’ defence from close range before, in the 49th minute, Shipperley grabbed the fourth try after recovering a Mitchell fumble and racing 30 metres to the line.

Genia got his reward for another masterful performance with a typical scrumhalf’s try when he sniped around the blindside in the 57th minute. His halfback partner Quade Cooper was the second player yellow-carded for a high tackle on Berrick Barnes, who replaced the Queensland Red in the Australia team during the June internationals.

The Waratahs turned the screw and finally got their reward when replacement centre Tom Carter breached the home line to reduce the lead to 29-16 in the 73rd minute.

Reds centre Mike Harris, who converted two of the tries, scored his first penalty of the night with three minutes remaining to conclude the scoring and condemn the Waratahs to their eight successive defeat and 12th in 16 matches this year. “It summed up our season,” said Waratahs captain Benn Robinson. “There were patches where we played really good footie, but then we let teams in.” — Reuters

Brumbies blow title chance STDNEY: The ACT Brumbies were left relying on other results going their way after losing their final regular season Super Rugby match 30-16 to the Auckland Blues yesterday and allowing the Queensland Reds to snatch away the Australian conference title.

The Brumbies needed just a single point in Canberra to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2004 by securing the title and the position in the top three of the final standings that goes with it. They were well beaten by the Blues, however, and the Reds later ran in five tries to beat the New South Wales Waratahs 32-16 in Brisbane.

That left the Brumbies, who have 58 points, hoping the Bulls or Sharks, who both have 54, slip up in their final matches against the Lions and Cheetahs respectively to clinch one of the two remaining playoff spots.

The Blues were already well out of contention after a hugely disappointing season but first-half tries from Liaki Moli, Daniel Braid and Hadleigh Parkes were enough to fire them to their fourth victory of the year. “They’ll be gutted about that result,” Brumbies coach Jake White said in a televised interview. “The reality is we let ourselves down with that performance in defence, which is something we’ve prided ourselves on this year. “It’s a tough lesson for us that it’s not over until the fat lady sings.” The Brumbies did not help their cause by letting Auckland’s backs run riot with a string of missed tackles and were kept in the game by a fine individual try from winger Henry Speight and the kicking of Zack Holmes and Jesse Mogg.

They could still qualify for next week’s first round of the playoffs but the faltering manner of their progress, should they make it, will not strike fear into the hearts of their prospective opponents.

The Blues absolutely dominated the opening quarter of the match with lock Moli converting pressure into points by bulldozing over the line from close range after 11 minutes.

Six minutes later and flanker Braid crossed in the corner through a string of tacklers after centre Francis Saili had run back a clearance kick through the heart of the midfield. Piri Weepu converted both to give the Blues a 14-0 lead.

The first foray by the Brumbies into the visitors’ half after 20 minutes produced a penalty that allowed Holmes to eat into the lead and three minutes later Speight danced down the right touchline to score his side’s only try.

Holmes converted and added another penalty to cut the lead to just one point but Blues winger Parkes took advantage of some more loose tackling to stretch the lead once again, and another Weepu conversion saw them turn around 21-13 ahead.Mogg cut the lead by three points with his only successful kick from four penalty attempts six minutes after the break but two Weepu threepointers extended the lead to 11 points. —Reuters

CAPE TOWN: South African Stormers player Andries Bekker (second left) tackles Australian Rebels player Gareth Delve (center) during a Super Rugby game. — AP

Stormers survive scares CAPE TOWN: Western Stormers survived several second-half scares yesterday to top the Super 15 table with a 26-21 final-round win over Melbourne Rebels at chilly Newlands.

Stormers finished with 66 points from 14 victories and two losses-two points more than longtime pacesetters Waikato Chiefs of New Zealand, who conceded a stoppage-time try to lose at Wellington Hurricanes the previous day.

Rebels failed despite scoring three tries to the two of the Stormers, who became the first side to reach the knock-out stages of the southern hemisphere provincial championship without collecting a four-try bonus point in any match.

The South Africans went into the match against the lowly Australians knowing a victory would lift them to the top and they were comfortably placed at half-time with a 16-0 advantage.

Rebels, whose inside centre Stirling Mortlock was making his final appearance after 14 seasons of top-flight rugby union, spent much of the opening half in Stormers territory without putting any points on the board.

Stormers fly-half Peter Grant kicked two penalties and converted a try from outside centre Juan de Jongh before adding another penalty in stoppage-time to close his first-half account.

Constant Rebels pressure finally paid off 11 minutes into the second half when loosehead prop Rodney Blake was credited with a pushover try and scrum-half Nick Phipps darted over three

minutes later to silence the crowd.

Full-back Julian Huxley converted both tries to leave just two points between the teams, but the Stormers responded with a try inside 60 seconds thanks to the alertness of left wing Bryan Habana.

The Springbok burst forward to gather the ball from the kick-off and a surge deep into the Rebels half ended with De Jongh going over for his second try of the match and third of the season.

Grant converted for a 23-14 lead only for replacement wing Cooper Vuna to dot down 10 minutes from time and Huxley maintained his perfect place-kicking record with another conversion to narrow the gap to two points again.

Stormers skipper and inside centre Jean de Villiers thought he scored a try with five minutes left, but the television match official was not convinced, and the referree awarded the home team a penalty instead. Grant made it six successful kicks from six shots at goal to increase the lead to five points and the Stormers held on in a nervetingling finish to clinch a home semi-final and home final if they get that far.

But they had to endure several anxious minutes as Rebels pressed for the late try that could have given them victory before an off-the-ball infringement cost them a penalty and Stormers won the line -out and banged the ball into touch. —AFP

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

sp orts

Phelps, Bolt unlikely to be as dominant as Beijing LONDON: Michael Phelps, in the pool, raising a fist. Usain Bolt, on the track, slapping his chest.

They are the two indelible images of the 2008 Beijing Olympics - celebration after celebration of gold medals and world records by the American swimmer and the Jamaican sprinter. Because of what they did four years ago, all eyes will be on them when they return to their sports’ biggest stages during the London Games, which open July 27.

Unbeatable then, they’re not expected to overwhelm the rest of the world - and the clock - quite the same way this time. And each one likely faces a strong challenge from a teammate.

Phelps, who eclipsed Mark Spitz’s record total with eight gold medals, now must worry about being faster than Ryan Lochte.

Bolt, the first man to break world records while winning the 100 and 200 meters and 400 relay at the same Olympic track meet, must be wary of what times Yohan Blake will produce.

“I actually think it’s a very similar parallel between Phelps and Bolt because I feel like the competition is closer. I t ’s not a question of whether they ’re not going to do well at the Olympic Games. They are. I t ’s a question of whether the pack has gotten a lot closer to both of them,” said Ato Boldon, a sprinter who won four medals for Trinidad and Tobago over two Summer Games and will be part of NBC’s broadcasts from the 80,000-seat Olympic Stadium.

Lochte repeatedly has said he feels these Olympics are “my time,” and at last year’s world championships showed he wasn’t intimidated by Phelps, beating him twice in head-to-head meets.

Then again, Phelps figures to be in better form at London, and he sent an undeniable message to his biggest rival by beating him in three out of four events at the U.S. trials last month.

“We both hate to lose to one another,” Phelps said. “Every time I do get in the water, no matter what stroke it is, he does bring everything out of me and I think that’s something that I haven’t had with too many competitors throughout my career.” One thing Phelps won’t attempt in London: winning another eight gold medals. After qualifying for the same events he competed in at the last two Olympics, he dropped the 200 freestyle. That leaves Phelps with two races against Lochte: the 200 and 400 individual medleys.

“Four years ago, we were trying to literally do

everything,” Phelps said. “At this point it’s, ‘Let’s go out. Let’s have some fun. Let’s relax a little bit.’”

Bolt is looking for another three-peat, but a bit of the aura has faded.

“He’s not, in a lot of people’s eyes, going in as an over whelming favorite. So how does he respond to that?” Boldon said. “You’re tested when you’re really challenged, and he wasn’t really challenged in Beijing.

Pretty much ever y one of his races was a

relay. “He fascinates me. That’s the way I can put it,” said Allyson Felix of the U.S., who won silvers in the 200 at the Athens and Beijing Olympics. “I’ve definitely seen sprinters at the top of their game, but I’ve never seen anything like that.” But in Beijing, Bolt never saw anyone like Blake.

They’re training partners, and they set up quite a story line for London with what happened at the Jamaican Olympic trials, where Blake beat Bolt in the 100 and 200 finals.

World-record holder Usain Bolt

Michael Phelps claps during the medal ceremony

blowout.” That is not at all an exaggeration.

When Bolt’s coming-out party started at those Olympics with a world record of 9.69 seconds in the 100, he won by a huge 0.20 - a huge twotenths of a second - leaving a gap of several feet between himself and the rest of the field at the finish line. Didn’t matter that one of his gold-colored spikes had an untied lace. And it didn’t matter that Bolt even lost some time by mugging for the cameras with about 20 meters to go, stretching his arms out with palms up, then pounding his chest. Well, it mattered to one person International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge, who chastised the sprinter for not showing opponents enough respect Not content with that, the 6-foot-5 sprinter used his loping strides to follow up four days later with a record 19.30 in the 200, winning by 0.66.

He capped it all off by running the third leg for Jamaica’s nearly full-second victory in the sprint

Boldon points to others who complicate matters for Bolt. There’s Tyson Gay. And Justin Gatlin.

And another Jamaican, Asafa Powell, who has yet to win an individual Olympic medal and knows, at age 29, that time is running out.

“This is almost certainly his last shot at being the gold medalist,” Boldon said, “and even a broken clock is right twice a day.” Bolt does seem to appreciate what is at stake.

Perhaps mindful of how Phelps’ spectacular showing took plenty of attention away from his own feats, Bolt speaks about wanting to provide a suitable encore to cement his standing in sports history.

“I have a goal. I want to be a legend,” Bolt said.

“And this Olympics, I think, will be the one to make it (so) because it’s in London. It’s central. It’s where everyone is watching.”

He’ll turn 26 about a week after these Olympics close, and it’s certainly possible he could be back

in the starting blocks for the 2016 Games. Phelps, who turned 27 last month, insists this is his last hurrah, the final time he’ll compete.

Phelps’ performance at the Water Cube - eight gold medals, seven world records - was THE story of the 2008 Summer Games, raising his career total to 14 victories, five more than any other Olympian in any sport. He has 16 medals overall, just a tad short of being the greatest Olympian ever. The record, 18 total medals, belongs to Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina.

She captured nine golds, five silvers, four bronzes over three games from 1956-64. Phelps should eclipse that mark halfway through his program in London. While still relatively young - Dana Torres attempted to make another Olympic team at 45, and Janet Evans at 40 - Phelps insists that he’s done as soon as his hand touches the wall for the final time in London. He’s spent much of the past year savoring moments from his brilliant career, including his Olympic debut as a 15-yearold at Sydney in 2000. He swan only one event (finishing fifth, by the way), but it set the tone for all the victories to come. “I was so young and I accomplished one of my goals,” he recalled.

Phelps has always relished challenges, latching on to everything from a youthful goal or perceived slight to fuel his objectives. Early on, it was his desire to break Spitz’s Olympic record from the 1972 Munich Games. Along the way, Phelps was spurred on by various rivals, whether it was losing to Ian Crocker in the 2005 world championships or showing that his one-hundredth of a second victory over Milorad Cavic at the 2008 Beijing Olympics was no fluke. Now, he’s got Lochte, eager to prove he’s the world’s greatest swimmer.

“That’s something that does make me enjoy racing him,” Phelps said. “It’s definitely helped because I got kind of annoyed and fed up with getting my butt handed to me every race. In big meets, like last year at worlds, it’s not fun to lose. I didn’t want it to happen anymore, so I started training.” Don’t underestimate Phelps’ desire to defeat Lochte. Or anyone standing in the way, for that matter.

“Yeah,” Phelps acknowledged, “I have used it as motivation throughout the year and I’ll continue to use it as motivation for the next couple weeks.

We’re obviously going to be training with each other and next to each other. “It will be some fun races,” he added. “I will say that.”—AP

Robles hoping to keep Liu at an arms length

Caster Semenya

Mandela, Mutola inspire Semenya JOHANNESBURG: South African Caster Semenya will draw inspiration from Nelson Mandela and Maria Mutola as she seeks to reclaim her 800-metre golden girl crown at the Olympics.

It was political icon Mandela who stood by the 21-year-old during her darkest days after winning the 2009 world title as rivals questioned her gender while her only ‘fault’ was having three times the testosterone of an average female.

And to 2000 Sydney Olympics 800m champion Mutola from Mozambique fell the task of rekindling the spirits of a shy woman born in a north-eastern South African village who began running to train for football. The sporting tale of Mokgadi Caster Semenya is one of triumph, humiliation and a resilience she hopes will reach a climax on August 11 with a gold medal after the 800m final.

World athletics body IAAF took notice of previously unknown Semenya when she clipped almost eight seconds off her 800m time during 2009 and destroyed a star-studded field in Berlin to win the world title.

Drug tests were followed by gender tests and the situation spiralled out of control with Caster complaining of “unwarranted and invasive scrutiny of the most intimate and private details of my being”. She was barred from the track for almost a year before being cleared to run again and her comeback was hampered by a lower back injur y and a growing belief that coach Michael Seme had taken her as far as he could.

“If I win gold, I will dedicate it to Nelson Mandela. He is a hero in South Africa and everything I do, I do for him,” media-shy Semenya said during a rare interview.

“He motivated me during the dark days after my world title victory, made me believe in what I do best and that I could win more medals. Without his support, maybe I would not be where I am today.”

If Mandela, the dashing lawyer who spent 27 years in jail for opposing apartheid before becoming the first leader of a non-racial South Africa, inspires Semenya, Mutola is the force driving her onwards and upwards.

The 39-year-old replacement for Seme had to compete in four Olympics before achieving her golden moment, and she is

adamant Caster can climb to the middle of the podium much quicker.

“I believe she is far ahead of me as she clocked one minute 55.45 seconds at 18. At that age I had not managed to break two minutes,” noted multiple world title winner Mutola. “Had it not been for the issues that prevented her from running for some time after her Berlin triumph, Caster could have lowered her time to one minute, 51 or 52 seconds by now.

“Caster holds the key to her future. She must motivate herself, believe in herself. I sense that everything is falling into place and the perfect ending would be for her to win gold at her first Olympics.” The South African public and media consider Semenya the best medal bet among their athletes, although a glance at 800m times this year suggests the 2011 world championships silver medalist faces strong opposition in London.

You have to scroll past 39 times before reaching the best in 2012 by Semenya — 1:59.18 — and 2008 Olympic gold medalist Pamela Jelimo of Kenya has clocked five faster times and reigning world champion Mariya Savinova of Russia three.

Leading South African athletics writer David Isaacson believes Semenya can strike gold if she equals or betters the 1:55.45 that brought glory in Berlin three years ago.

“Our best bet is probably Semenya,” wrote Isaacson in The Sunday Times, “but the women’s 800m is shaping up as a toughly contested event. Savinova beat her at the last world championships and Jelimo seems to be on her way.”

Jelimo and Semenya clashed late May in Czech city Ostrava and the Kenyan emerged a comfor table winner in 1:58.49 with Semenya second in 2:00.80 after leaving her push for the line too late.

Among the spectators that evening was Jarmila Kratochvilova, whose 800m world record time of 1:53.28 set in German city Munich 29 years ago still stands with Mutola believing Jelimo and Semenya are among those capable of smashing it.

“You need a perfect race with the perfect people in it. I’m sure people will come out to motivate each other ... Jelimo is running well and so is Caster,” said the Mozambican.—AFP

PARIS: Cuban Dayron Robles may be the world record holder and Olympic champion in the 110 metres hurdles, but in London he will be hoping that he can at last best China super star Liu Xiang on the track.

The 25-year-old, who will be bidding to become the first man since American great Roger Kingdom in 1984/88 to successfully defend his title in the event, thought he had done as much last year when he breasted the line in front in the world championship final — only for his joy to turn to misery.

He was judged to have made contact twice with Liu’s arm during the final as he began to fade and the Chinese athlete ate into his lead. The Cuban was disqualified.

Robles, who follows in a fine tradition of Cuban high hurdlers from two-time Olympic silver medalist and former world record holder Alejandro Casanas and 2000 Olympic champion Anier Garcia, also came up short in his one meeting with Liu this year in an indoor meeting over the shorter distance of 60m.

Indeed Robles has not had the ideal preparation for the defence of his title having had to skip the world indoors

because of a lower back injury and then missed two prestigious American outdoor meetings in Eugene, Oregon, and New York with another injury, this time to his lead leg.

However, in mid-June, Jesus Molina, the Cuban athletics federation technical director, declared the track star - who was born in Guantanamo in the far east of the island and showed he was going to be a star when he took silver in the 2004 world junior championships - fit and raring to go.

“Robles has returned to training and is completely over the small problem that affected his lead leg,” said Molina.

Despite that, nothing has been seen of Robles since.

However, his coach Santiago Antunez remains confident he will defend his title successfully even against a resurgent Liu, who will be seeking to make up for his disappointment in Beijing where he failed to even clear a hurdle because of injury. “He is the Olympic champion, and the fastest in the world in the event,” said Antunez. “If he loses in London in what is a really tough competition it will be because of a problem that occurs on the day.” —AFP

Dayron Robles

For Pearson, all that glitters is gold SYDNEY: Sally Pearson is the world 100 metres hurdles champion, has a bulging trophy cabinet and owns this year’s fastest time-and she simply won’t hear of settling for silver again at the Olympics.

The Australian was edged out

by America’s Dawn Harper in the Beijing 2008 final but since then she has become the pre-eminent women’s sprint hurdler, earning the honour of IAAF female athlete of the year in 2011.

Pearson, 25, had a phenomenal season last year, winning 15 of 16 races with her only blemish coming when she clipped a hurdle and fell in the final Diamond League race in Brussels.

Among her 2011 victories was the world title in Daegu in the four th-fastest time in histor y (12.28secs), and in March this year she claimed the world 60m hurdles indoor crown in Istanbul.

Her 12.49 at the Australian Olympic trials, also in March, is the year’s fastest-and she equalled it in June with a dominant performance over some of her London rivals at the Diamond League meet in Oslo.

She subsequently posted a fast 11.20secs in winning the 100m and was just 0.03secs shy of her own world lead in winning the 100m hurdles in Nivelles, Belgium, in late June.

But Pearson’s Olympic silver medal, which had been a great source of pride at Beijing, has now

become merely a reminder of what she has left to achieve in London.

“Everyone thinks about my silver medal at Beijing,” Pearson said.

“But you have to remember that I won the world championships last year, the Commonwealth Games before that and won a world indoor title this year.

“I am (have) every chance. I am not going out there to get silver. I am out there to get gold.” Pearson believes she is a more confident hurdler since becoming world champion, and is adamant she will handle the daunting pressure as the gold medal favourite at the London Games.

“It (the pressure) doesn’t get to me, especially if I am confident within myself,” she said. “I felt a lot of pressure after (winning silver at) the Olympics in Beijing going into 2009 but that was when I didn’t know how to handle it.

“I didn’t know what to expect and I just let my body get injured.

This time around I can handle it, I understand what ’s going on.”

Pearson beat home Americans Danielle Carruthers and Harper to win in Daegu in world championship record time, with Britain’s Tiffany Porter fourth. The world title is one thing, but for Pearson winning an Olympic gold medal is

Sally Pearson

on another level.

“It actually feels like the world title was a lifetime ago as I had to get over it pretty quickly because for me this is the year that I really wanted,” she said.

“Yes, it’s great to be a world champion-I wouldn’t pass it up-but this is the Olympics, this is what everyone knows and wants.”

Should she top the podium in London, Pearson will become the third Australian to win Olympic gold in the event after the legendary Shirley Strickland (1952-56) and Maureen Caird (1968).

Pearson’s remarkable rapid-fire hurdling technique comes from a combination of a dedication to detail in training along with the development of her endurance, which allows her to hold her form over all 10 hurdles.

Sharon Hannan, who has been coaching Pearson for 13 years, said the feisty Australian has an incredible commitment to her sport.

“She has an innate competitiveness,” Hannan said. “It’s just born.

Then she commits, she just commits to every session, every repetition. “She doesn’t miss anything: commitment, continuity, repeatability. She can just go out and do it again and again.

“Racing is always different to training but everything Sally is doing in training is better than 2011 — it’s looking really good,” Hannan said.—AFP

18

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

S P ORT S

Somali athletes defeat hardship for shot at glory MOGADISHU: Running from war, dodging bullets and defying Al-Qaeda linked Islamist insurgents who ordered them stop: Somalia’s determined Olympic hopefuls have overcome challenges few other athletes could even imagine.

“Somalia has had no real government for the last 20 years, but determination, good fortune and hope will take us close to victory,” said 18-yearold female athlete Zamzam Mohamud Farah.

The training facilities are pockmarked with bullet holes from years of brutal conflict, but as the four athletes-two men and two women-stride out in training, they offer a glimmer of hope for the war-ravaged nation.

Multiple governments have failed to create stability in the Horn of Africa nation, wracked by over two decades of civil war, let alone form a competitive sports team.

Yet coach Ahmed Ali Abikar, who himself ran for his country, believes the team could prove a point to the world about Somalia, which so often appears on international news only

for war, famine, drought or piracy. “We are motivated, our team spirit will see us through,” said Abikar, as the athletes stocked up on energy with piles of sugar-laden traditional Somali pancakes. “We can show everyone that sport is still alive in Somalia.”

Somalia, like all nations, has two guaranteed slots in athletics, one man and one woman. For the anarchic nation, just having their two athletes fly Somalia’s flag in London will be an achievement-but Abikar has higher hopes. “I’m confident that those we choose to go to London to represent the country in the Olympic Games will come home-we hope-with very good results,” Abikar said.

“They lived in conflict the whole of their lives and that could impact their performance, but their talent is fantastic,” he added, watching as the athletes exercised in T-shirts with the Olympic rings neatly hand painted on.

Facilities are a far cry from the first class treatment that characterizes life for star competitors from other nations. Years of war left training facilities in ruins.

“We are suffering from hardships, constant war, lack of finance and hampered by poor facilities,” said Abikar in the team’s base, a former primary school abandoned during fighting between rival militia forces in the capital Mogadishu.

“We have no personal doctors and in case the athletes get sick, they have to seek general treatment in Mogadishu,” he added.

The athletes, aged between 18 and 20, have spent the last six months in camp, but life has been far from easy.

The two female athletes were often forced to exercise indoors after threats by extremist Shebab insurgents.

“The Shebab kept threatening me, they wanted to stop me from reaching my dreams,” said Farah. “It was hard since that meant we were forced to have our training indoors.”

The Shebab fighters abandoned fixed positions in Mogadishu last year, driven out after a long offensive by African Union troops, as well as soldiers loyal to the Western-backed transitional government.

But the hardline rebels-who have

imposed draconian penalties on activities deemed “Western”, including football-have since launched several guerilla style bomb and grenade attacks in the capital, and people remain fearful of them.

In April, a suicide bomber killed the Somali Olympic Committee president Aden Yabarow Wiish in an attack during a ceremony at the national theatre.

“People are not always happy about our sports dress-we were insulted for it but we never gave up,” said Amal Bashir, another of the two female athletes.

The two train wearing tracksuit trousers, short-sleeved T-shirts and a headscarf, in a country where women normally wear voluminous dresses that cover them from wrist to toe and billowing veils. “Our goal is bigger than whatever challenges that come our way,” Bashir added.

Yet things are improving in Somalia: years after leaving due to rising violence, 19-year old Mohamed Hassan Mohamed returned to compete for the country of his birth. The father of one fled to Yemen in 2009 to escape inces-

sant waves of violence.

“Somalia is safer now and we can focus more on training rather than dodging stray bullets”, said Mohamed, who runs the 1500 metres, coming fourth in the 2011 Pan Arab Games in Qatar. “I’m very happy and more confident than ever.”

Mohamed says he hopes to put up a performance in London to match that of Abdi Bile Abdi, Somalia’s legendary runner who became the 1,500 metre world champion in 1987.

“I want to remind my people and the world of the great Somali and world champion Abdi Bile Abdi,” Mohamed said.

The athletes will face a tough challenge when they travel to London, but Somali Athletics Federation deputy chief Kadijo Adan Dahir said she was confident that having come so far, they can overcome the hurdles ahead.

“The security situation has hampered our efforts, and the resources we have had to prepare the athletes was unspeakable,” Dahir said. “But I can assure you that these athletes are strong in spirit,” she added. —AFP

A Village in name, if not reality LONDON: When the first wave of athletes arrive in the Olympic Village on Monday they will find their new home from home bears little resemblance to anything found in the English countryside.

In terms of physical size, it may meet the strict dictionary definition of a settlement larger than a hamlet and smaller than a town.

The sort of village familiar

only the gritty reality of one of the poorest parts of east London.

The city centre is just seven minutes away by train.

None of this will matter to the world’s leading athletes, for whom the main priorities will be a good night’s sleep, food on demand and reliable transport to venues within easy reach.

On those three counts, and

with its new stadium and showcase venues.

You can forget the Ploughman’s Lunch. The main ‘dining facility’ here is big enough to cater for most villages at one sitting and serve them a range of cooking from every corner of the world.

The biggest canteen in Britain, it is the largest facility of its kind

LONDON: An aerial view of the London 2012 Olympic Park, with the Olympic stadium in the foreground. —AP through the ages of literary fiction - ducks on the pond, cricket on the green, bell ringers in the churchyard and locals enjoying a lazy pint outside the pub on a summer’s afternoon - it is most definitely not.

There is a ‘pub’, but it serves no alcohol. The landscaped green is surrounded by modern apartment blocks and for church read multi-faith centre.

There are green spaces, wetland pools and wildflowers but there are no farms or fields beyond the wire perimeter fence,

more when the recreational facilities are considered, the Village ticks all the boxes even if the real world stops at the airport-style security checkpoints.

“This knocks Club Med into a cocked hat,” declared London mayor Boris Johnson in typically boisterous and flag-waving fashion on a recent visit.

The Village ‘shops’, including a hairdresser and florist, have as a backdrop the giant mass of the nearby Westfield shopping complex - Europe’s largest urban mall - and the adjacent Olympic Park

in the world outside of the military arena. “You could fit 880 double decker buses in here,” Janet Mathews — the head of catering, cleaning and waste who previously worked for the British Army in Germany — told reporters on a recent visit.

“So you can seat 5,000 people and through Games times we will be operating 24/7. On our busiest day, we will feed 65,000 people and over the time of the Games we will serve 1.2 million meals.”

Games organisers, ever ready with the statistics, say they

expect to serve 1,300 different types of dishes during the Olympics. They will get through 25,000 loaves of bread, 232 tonnes of potatoes, 75,000 litres of milk and more than 330 tonnes of fruit and vegetables.

The menus have been developed with nutritionists and dieticians from the various sports and then been validated and checked off by the International Olympic Committee.

At full capacity, the Village will house up to 16,000 athletes and officials from 203 countries plus a workforce of up to 7,500. There will be as many as 3,500 visitors a day.

The Village in Stratford, billed as the most compact in recent Games history, cost about 1.1 billion pounds ($1.71 billion) of public funds to build and is divided into ‘Countryside’, ‘Seaside’ and ‘Heritage’ zones. There is a ‘ Victory Park’, a ‘Celebration Avenue’ and a ‘Cheering Lane’.

Sculptures, including an ‘Olympic Spirit’, are dotted around.

Once the athletes take residence, in 2,818 apartments spread over 11 blocks in distinct architectural styles, the Village will come alive with flags hung from balconies in bursts of national pride. The beds, extendable to cater for the tallest athlete, have been tried and tested and the apartments kitted out from a lengthy shopping list that includes 170,000 coathangers and 5,000 toilet brushes. The light and functional rooms have blackout curtains, the beds covered with duvets carrying the words ‘Excellence, friendship and respect.” Some 150,000 condoms will also be distributed.

What Miss Marple, Agatha Christie’s fictional elderly spinster in the idyllic English village of St Mary Mead, would make of it all is anyone’s guess. —Reuters

STANFORD: Serena Williams, of the United States, returns to Chanelle Scheepers, of South Africa, during a quarterfinal of the Bank of the West tennis tournament. —AP

Serena through to semis, Bartoli, Cibulkova upset STANFORD: Serena Williams has still not kicked post Wimbledon jet lag, but she still managed to beat Chanelle Scheepers 6-4 60 in the quarter-finals of the Stanford Classic on Friday.

Second seed Mario Bartoli and third seed Dominika Cibulkova, however, did not fare as well with France’s Bartoli beaten by Yanina Wickmayer 6-3 6-2, while Romania’s Sorana Cirstea beat Slovakia’s Cibulkova 6-7 6-2 6-0.

Williams, who won her fifth Wimbledon singles title last week, arrived in Northern California on Monday and had been unable to get a good’s night sleep.

She woke up at 1 a.m. (0800 GMT) on Friday and stayed awake for five hours watching the final season of the television show Desperate Housewives.

“I was hoping to fall back asleep but I didn’t,” Williams said. “I was crying as always. I love that show. I was wide wake as if I was in Europe still.” In her victory over the South African, Williams felt sluggish but she woke up toward the end of the first set.

“I didn’t feel great going out, but I expected to stay consistent till I started to feel better and then I started moving well and that really helped a lot,” Williams said.

Wickmayer went into her match against

Bartoli with an 0-3 record but out hit the world number 10 from inside the baseline to reach her second semi-final of the year. “I tried not to give her too many angles and really wanted to go for my shots only when I had the chance,” the fifth-seeded Belgian said.

“In our other matches, I think she really just beat me at my own game. Today, I think I was playing smarter.” The 22-yearold Cirstea was routed by Cibulkova earlier this season, but stayed mentally strong despite a bizarre first set when she won six out of her nine challenges.

“Toward the end of the set I was challenging everything because I didn’t trust anyone anymore,” said Cirstea, who served 15 aces.

“I thought someone was playing a joke on me to see how I would react. It was like Candid Camera because there were too many mistakes, I started to laugh because it was just hilarious.

“The chair umpire never ruled and today if we didn’t have a challenge system I would be packing my bags.” Cirstea will face American 20-year-old Coco Vandeweghe, who bested Urszula Radwanska 6-4,6-4 and reached her first WTA semi-final. —Reuters

Coe drums up Olympic fever for London Games PETERBOROUGH: Sebastian Coe strides onto the outdoor stage like a rock star. With music blaring, cameras clicking and flags waving, he’s introduced to the cheering crowd as “the man who is making this all happen.”

The Olympic torch relay has come to this cathedral city in eastern England and the locals are out in force on a muggy, drizzly evening to welcome the flame - and the former middle-distance running great who is the face of the London Games.

“Look at this turnout!” Coe says to the adoring audience. “I’m not surprised. We get Olympic sport. We have a great Olympic history. It’s a dream scenario.” The fans roar, the flame burns brightly and the Olympic party goes on into the night.

For Coe, it’s the end of a long, grueling round of meetings, speeches and appearances, a day spent traveling by car, Underground and train in his tireless mission to deliver a spectacular 2012 Olympics.

His drive to build up Olympic fever seems to be working. “Everywhere I go, people say they can’t wait for it to start,” Coe tells The Associated Press, sipping tea from a takeaway cup as he rides the train from Peterborough through the English countryside back to London’s King Cross station.

“They have now grasped the complexity of it.

Overwhelmingly, they want us to succeed. They’re not agnostic now.

“There are not too many people who are going to sit this dance out.” No one is more closely associated with the London Games than Coe, the former two-time Olympic gold medalist in the 1,500 meters. He led the city’s winning bid for the Olympics and has spent seven years chairing the local organizing committee for the biggest peacetime project in British history.

Everywhere Coe goes on this day, people of all ages and walks of life approach him, shake his hand, pose for photos, ask for his autograph, thank him and wish him luck. One woman tells

him: “We pray for you every night.”

A generation of Britons remember Coe’s famous duels on the track in the 1970s and ‘80s with Steve Ovett and Steve Cram, but now he’s a household name as the man in charge of putting on the world’s biggest sporting event. Many well wishers call him “Lord Coe,” the title he carries as a member of the House of Lords. Others just call him “Seb.” The 55-year-old Coe is still wiry and razor thin.

Sebastian Coe Apart from a tinge of gray in his hair, he doesn’t look much different from the lithe young runner who won gold in Moscow in 1980 and Los Angeles in 1984 and broke more than a dozen world records. He still runs every other day and lifts weights twice a week. “I did try my LA blazer on the other day,” Coe says. “It was marginally snugger than it was in ‘84, but it does fit.”

Coe has traveled millions of miles around the world to promote the games in London, the first

city to host the event a third time after previous games in 1908 and 1948. His focus now is to rally his home country fully behind the effort. With the torch relay drawing large crowds wherever it goes, the fervor should peak when the flame reaches London on July 20.

“By nature Britain is a slow-burn country,” Coe says. “It’s now burning. When that torch gets to London streets it’s going to be massive.”

And it’s that party atmosphere that Coe hopes will last throughout the games and set London apart. “I think London’s going to rock,” he says. “I don’t think there’s going to be a lot of sleep in London.”

Coe hasn’t gotten much sleep himself of late.

On this day, he rises at 4:50 a.m., does 45 minutes of work at home in suburban London, then rides the train into the city for a breakfast meeting with business leaders. They’re encouraging workers to change their travel habits to avoid the worst of the congestion and queues during the games.

“We run the risk of people thinking this is a security or transport event,” he says during the trip by car to the organizing committee’s 23rd-floor offices in Canary Wharf. “It’s about sport and athletes.”

During the drive, the conversation turns to one of his favorite topics - his sport of track and field.

Ever the proud dad, Coe notes that his 13-year-old daughter, Alice, finished fourth in the 100-meter dash in a national schools meet the previous day.

“I really liked hearing her complain that she had a bad start,” Coe says. “It’s not in the spirit of (modern Olympics founder Pierre) de Coubertin, but I really liked hearing her say, ‘I didn’t nail it over the first 20 meters.’” It’s the men’s 100 meters that figures to be one of the highlights of these Olympics. The plotline revolves around superstar Usain Bolt and whether he can hold off Jamaican rival Yohan Blake, who beat him in both the 100 and 200 at the recent national trials. Jamaican veteran Asafa Powell should also be in the mix. —AP

ITALY: Spain’s Dani Pedrosa steers his Honda to clock the best time during the qualifying session in view of today’s Italian Moto GP. —AP

Pedrosa takes Italian pole MUGELLO: In-form Spanish rider Dani Pedrosa will start from pole in today’s Italian MotoGP after posting the fastest time in qualifying here yesterday.

The 26-year-old Honda star - who won last Sunday’s German MotoGP - will start ahead of series leader and compatriot Jorge Lorenzo, on a Yamaha, while another Spaniard, Hector Barbera, is third on the grid on a Ducati.

It is Pedrosa’s 39th pole position of his career — the 21st in this category. His Australian teammate and defending world champion Casey Stoner, who crashed when set for at least second place on the last lap of the German MotoGP, was fifth fastest.

Pedrosa, who is second in the standings, battled it out with Lorenzo for most of the session but it was to end in disappointment for the latter when he had to come in early on the last lap.

“We definitely made another step forward today and to get the pole position here is great, although to always be on the front row is what really matters to me,” said Pedrosa.

“We had a good practice in the morning and managed the timing well in qualifying to be on track when everybody started to improve the lap times. It will be a very hard race for sure, it’s very hot out there and the race pace will be also very high looking at the lap times this afternoon.

“I’m quite happy with the set up of my bike, we’ve had better grip today and I’m pretty confident, but we have to keep very focused and push at the maximum because Lorenzo has an incredible pace.”

Lorenzo, who leads Pedrosa by 26 points in the standings, said: “In the lap before the last I felt a loss of power in some corners. On the final lap I was red until the last corner then I felt the power drop much more so I had to enter the pits and stop,” said Lorenzo, “I made some good laps, although not completely perfect and I felt I could make a better one. It’s going to be a very tough race for everyone so we have to stay calm and save some energy for the end.” —AFP

19

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

SPORTS

Man United’s US IPO seen being a tough sell Investors lukewarm on United offering NEW YORK: Manchester United may be one of the most supported sports teams in the world but that doesn’t mean the soccer club is going to find many investors with an appetite for its planned initial public offering in the United States.

Fund managers who have looked at its preliminary prospectus have been either negative or lukewarm on the prospect of buying shares in the club, which is controlled by the Florida-based Glazer family. They say Manchester United faces significant financial risks given its 423 million pounds of debt ($658 million), and the very structure of the business puts its customers, the fans, at odds with shareholders.

Some are concerned that the US stock market hasn’t had many sports team listings, let alone any European soccer clubs, so there isn’t much to compare Manchester United against.

“With a sports franchise, it’s a constant tug of war between player salaries cost and the rest of the operation,” said Wallace Weitz, president and portfolio manager at Weitz Funds in Omaha, Nebraska, which holds stakes in Liberty Media Corp , Walt Disney Corp and Comcast Corp.

Manchester United declined to comment and representatives for the Glazers could not be immediately reached. Like many sports franchises, the team’s success on the pitch is largely contingent on its ability to spend cash on players - through both transfer fees and high wages.

While there have been some signs in the past year that transfer spending by top English clubs is being reined in, the pressure on a leading club like Manchester United to spend heavily in an attempt to stay a top team remains. That spending can eat up profits rapidly and lead to volatile financial results. At the same time, if a club like Manchester United cuts costs and doesn’t go into the market for expensive new players, the value of its brand can be at risk. That may not happen to a top club overnight - with just one weak season - but over a few years the value of everything from TV rights to sales of club merchandise

can be hit. Manchester United had a weak season by its own standards in 2011-12, failing to win any silverware, though it missed out on the English title by a hair’s breadth.

“The deal is a strong vanity play in terms of being part of a winning franchise but whether or not that mystique around the team translates to money for shareholders I doubt it,” said Jeff Sica, president and chief investment officer of Sica Wealth Management in Morristown, New Jersey, which manages over $1 billion in assets. “The chances of shareholders making money on this is very little.”

To be sure, many investors will not make a final decision until they know how many shares the company will sell and at what price. The timing of the IPO is also unclear.

But doing a valuation analysis will not be easy even when the price is known because of the lack of comparable public companies in the US. The media, sports and entertainment group Madison Square Garden Co owns the New York Knicks basketball team and Rangers ice hockey team, media and entertainment company Liberty Media owns the Atlanta Braves baseball team and cable giant Comcast Corp owns the Philadelphia Flyers ice hockey team, but none are pure sports plays as they own many other assets.

“There’s just not a lot of data out there,” said Mark Donovan, a portfolio manager with Boston-based Robeco Investment Management which owns shares of Disney and Comcast. “Sports franchises have been the playgrounds of rich entrepreneurs who want a big expensive toy to play with but I don’t really know if they pass the test for return on investment.”

Teams that have listed in the US in the past also haven’t performed well for investors. The Boston Celtics, which were publicly traded for 16 years beginning in 1986, posted three straight years of losses before swinging to a profit in 2002. Shares were thinly traded and held primarily by individual investors, not institutions.

The Cleveland Indians went public in 1998 at $15

supporters believe that should be the end of the matter. But Boyes was not so sure.

“I would be surprised if there was no disciplinary action forthcoming. That’s not necessarily due to the racial element.

There are other aspects the FA could look at, such as the manner of the players’ conduct.”

Meanwhile Lord Herman Ouseley, chairman of the Kick it Out campaign which seeks to eradicate racism from football, urged the FA to take its own, independent, action. “There is only one regulatory body for football and it’s not the courts,” Ouseley told Sky Sports.

He added: “The Football Association would have already concluded its investigations and its processes had the courts not intervened through the police and the Crown Prosecution Service.

“Their prosecution and evidence was inadequate and John Terry has been cleared of what he was charged on.”

Asked if the verdict could deter players who had been racially abused coming forward in future, Ouseley said: “There is clear evidence we know that players are reluctant to come forward and raise this issue.

“It impacts on their own performance on the field, it impacts on their relationship within the club. There is a culture in the dressing room which has to be tackled, people are very fearful and do not come forward.

“We’ve got to work hard now to try and establish some credibility about the complaints’ processes to ensure they are dealt with properly.

“That means that in future the Football Association will have to carry out its own investigations, conclude its deliberations, irrespective of whether the police get involved. “And I am afraid the police involvement in this case has not helped it whatsoever.”—AFP

cent to 245.8 million pounds in the nine months ended in March, while its after-tax profit climbed to 38.2 million pounds from 13.3 million pounds in the yearearlier period.

However, despite the improved figures there are signs of strain. Its net finance costs in the latest ninemonth period were 35 million pounds, swallowing up more than two thirds of its operating profit of 50.7 million pounds. Much of its net profit was due to a 22.5 million pounds tax credit, which is unlikely to be sustainable in the long run.

The revenue from the sale of TV rights to its games, which comprised roughly a third of Manchester United’s overall revenue in 2011, is based on contracts with the Premier League and Champions League, and are at least partially based on its players’ success on the field.

Its match day revenue, meanwhile, is generated from the number of games Manchester United plays.

This fluctuates based on how far the team progress in domestic cup competitions and in the knock-out stages of the Champions’ League, the top competition for European clubs.

Even its most reliable revenue segment, commercial, which includes sponsorship, merchandise and apparel, could take a hit if the team has a poor season.

“Five years from now, Manchester United could fall on hard times and their attendance could drop and concessions could go down,” said John Kim, a portfolio manager with Sentry Investments in Toronto, Canada which owns shares of Disney. “Generally speaking, there is a reason why most sports franchises are private.”

The Glazers will keep an iron grip on the team through the dual-share structure which investors fear will give them little say in the club’s affairs.

“A dual class structure is definitely a red flag,” said Mohannad Aama, senior portfolio manager at Beam Capital Management in New York. “You don’t know if the family really knows what they’re doing or is someone doing this as a hobby.”—Reuters

‘Challenge, not money, brought me to China’

FA could act against Terry despite acquittal LONDON: John Terry could yet face disciplinary action from the Football Association (FA) despite his acquittal on a racism charge, analysts said. Chelsea captain Terry was found not guilty of racially abusing rival player Anton Ferdinand at the end of a five-day trial at Westminster Magistrates Court in London on Friday But Simon Boyes, senior lecturer at Nottingham Law School, said the FA still had “wiggle room” to act against Terry and that, far from hindering them, a criminal trial could help their deliberations.

The trial related to an incident involving Terry and Queens Park Rangers defender Ferdinand during a Premier League match on October 23 last year.

Terry was stripped of the England captaincy in February over the allegations. As a consequence, Fabio Capello resigned as England manager, just months before England, defender Terry included, competed in the 2012 European Championships.

Meanwhile the FA put their own disciplinary process on hold so as not to prejudice the trial. But English football’s governing body reacted to Friday’s verdict by saying: “The FA notes the decision in the John Terry case and will now seek to conclude its own enquiries. The FA will make no further comment at this time.”

Boyes, author of the textbook Sports Law, said the FA needn’t be constrained by the court ruling. “The FA have got quite a bit of wiggle room,” he told AFP in a telephone call after Friday’s verdict had been announced.

“They have different charges-such as bringing the game into disrepute-which require a different standard of proof.

“It may well be the criminal trial is helpful to them as they can use the evidence from that,” Boyes added. With the court ruling in Terry’s favor, many of his

before seeing shares tank to $5.38 within four months.

Both teams have since been taken private.

And unlike these teams, Manchester United doesn’t play in the United States — other than for occasional exhibition games in the summer months. It may have a sizable armchair fan base in the United States who watch English games on TV but that isn’t comparable to the almost religious nature of the support in the UK. One particular problem is that some of the legendary English club’s millions of fans around the world have shown a rabid dislike for the Glazers, who acquired the 134-year-old team in 2005 through a leveraged buyout. Whether through sizable demonstrations at games or comments on fan websites, they have slammed the Florida-based Glazers for loading the club up with large amounts of debt.

Another red flag is that medium-sized investment bank Jefferies Group Inc got picked to be lead underwriter on the offering only after Morgan Stanley bowed out due to concerns over the team’s proposed valuation, according to sources familiar with the matter. Morgan Stanley had been set to participate in the underwriting earlier this year, when the Glazer family sought to list the team in Singapore, raising $1 billion.

That plan was initially slated for 2011 but got pushed back due to market conditions.

The team also toyed with the idea of listing in Hong Kong, Reuters previously reported, but investors in the US are largely seen as more accepting of the dual share structure that the Glazers wanted for the offering - a structure that allows them to retain almost complete control even after selling a large stake.

Jefferies and Morgan Stanley declined comment.

There are still a number of big banks helping to underwrite the deal, including JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Credit Suisse AG. One concern among investors is that the team’s cash balance which it dips into to attract top players stood at just 26 million pounds as of March 2012, down from 151 million pounds last June. The lack of plans for a dividend is another. Its revenue rose 6 per-

Drogba joins Anelka at Shenhua SHANGHAI: It is not money but the big challenge in an unfamiliar land that lured Didier Drogba to China, the Ivory Coast striker said yesterday.

More than 300 fans gathered at the Shanghai airport to welcome Drogba on his much-anticipated arrival to join Chinese Super League strugglers Shanghai Shenhua.

Drogba has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the big-spending club for a reported salary of $300,000 a week, ending weeks of speculation on his future after he announced his decision to leave Champions League winners Chelsea.

“I decided to come here because when the club and the president approached me, I looked at the project and it came with ambitious ideas and he wants to ... help football develop in China,” Drogba told reporters after his unveiling.

“I know China is a great sports country so for me it was also a big challenge because it could have been easy for me to stay in Europe and go to another team, another big team.

“Really, I didn’t come here with the idea of making a lot of money. I come here because it is a completely different challenge from what I have seen in Europe before.

“And that’s the idea, there are many challenges but this one is a big one.” Drogba’s arrival is the latest in a long list of high-profile names who have made the move to China in recent months.

Italian World Cup winning coach Marcello Lippi is in charge of a Guangzhou Evergrande side packed full of skilful South American talent.

Drogba, who scored 157 times in 341 appearances for Chelsea making him the club’s fourth all-time leading scorer, is the biggest catch of them all.

The 34-year old striker will join former Chelsea team mate Nicolas Anelka at the club struggling at the 13th spot in the 16-club

SHANGHAI: Former Chelsea soccer player Didier Drogba in his new club’s jersey, greets fans before the match between Shanghai Shenhua and Beijing Guoan at Hongkou Football Stadium.—AP Chinese Super League. Shanghai Shenhua is coached by former Argentina boss Sergio Batista.

“The results of my new team, they are not so good, not so great. But you know, the second part of the season just started and I think we have time to make some better results and to bring the club to a better place,” Drogba said.

“With my team mates, we are going to perform as much as we can. And I came here to win the league, I am not coming here as the beginning of the retirement or something like this. “I want people to make sure and to understand that I am here to win. I am not here to sit

and relax.” The fans arrived in the early hours of the morning at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport, many dressed in the club’s blue jersey bearing “Drogba 11”, and their hopes were also pinned on the DrogbaAnelka strike force.

“I believe that with his arrival, our results will improve significantly, because he has a good rapport with Anelka,” 23-year-old Zhu Hongbo said.

“Also, we have brought in a midfield player in (Giovanni) Moreno. I think for the second half of the year, our results will improve and we can be in the top three.”—Reuters

OSN adds new dimension to its Olympics coverage Launch of a dedicated 3D Sports Channel KUWAIT: OSN, the leading Pay TV network in the Middle East and North Africa, will be entering the third dimension with the launch of a dedicated Olympics 3D channel, OSN Olympics 3D. The channel will broadcast over 200 hours of LIVE sporting action from the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The launch of the brand new dedicated 3D Olympics channel is part of OSN’s aim to bring the games to life and provide viewers across the region with the best possible Olympic viewing experience. In addition, OSN subscribers will see every medal and every

moment of the Olympics LIVE, in true 1080i high definition with dual Arabic and English language commentary options, OSN will broadcast more hours than ever before in the region.

As an official broadcaster of the 2012 Olympics, OSN’s new 3D channel will complement its unparalleled coverage which will be showcased across 19 OSN sports channels - 9 TV channels plus 10 dedicated OSN Play LIVE streaming channels providing sports fans with over 225 hours of the most comprehensive Olympics coverage every day.

OSN Play is the regions first online TV platform and is designed to ensure viewers don’t miss a second of the action even when they are away from their TV screen. The service is free of charge for OSN subscribers who can watch the games online on their computer or laptop, anytime, anywhere.

David Butorac, CEO of OSN said: “OSN is extremely proud to be an Official Broadcast Partner of the London 2012 Olympics bringing unprecedented coverage to every OSN home in the Middle East and North Africa. The best way to watch live sport is in high definition

and we are delighted to present the games in true 1080i HD. Our dedicated OSN Olympics 3D channel will give sports fans a real-life experience and with the OSN Showbox HD and OSN Play, you can watch your Olympics, your way.”

OSN sports fans can plan their viewing easily using OSN’s user friendly Electronic TV Guide and the OSN website (www.osn.com).

Viewers can also use the OSN Showbox HD to record their favourite events and watch what they want, when they want.

Andy Warkman, Head of Sport at OSN said:

“It will be an amazing 16 days of sport with OSN. Subscribers can take the Olympics with them when on the move through our 10 live streaming OSN Play Olympics channels and our new 3D channel, a key differentiator, which will cover all of the major events including the highly anticipated opening and closing ceremonies and much more putting viewers right at the heart of all the action. OSN will undoubtedly be the best place to watch the 2012 Olympics.” The complete OSN Olympics 2012 viewing schedule will be available on the OSN website (www.osn.com).

Serena in semis, Bartoli, Cibulkova upset

Sun edge Sky in OT

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

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Somali athletes defeat hardship for shot at glory

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LONDON: US athlete Tianna Madison (left), US athlete Carmelita Jeter (second left) and Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare (right) run ahead of Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (second right) in the women’s 100m final on the second day of the 2012 Diamond League athletics meet. (Inset) Britain’s Goldie Sayers competes in the women’s javelin throw.—AFP

Upsets dominate Diamond League LONDON: Australian world champion hurdler Sally Pearson suffered a surprising defeat at the London Diamond League meeting yesterday on a day of upsets at a rain-soaked Crystal Palace.

Olympic favorite Pearson, the 2011 world championship gold medallist, was beaten in the 100m hurdles for only the second time in 34 races as American Kellie Wells stormed home in 12.57secs.

“I’m feeling really good,” said Wells. “It’s not about racing, it’s about executing-I know that if I execute I’m going to be hard to beat,” the 29-yearold added.

Pearson, the fastest woman in the world this year after clocking 12.40sec in Paris earlier this month, finished second in 12.59sec with American Virginia Crawford third in 12.74sec.

The event had earlier seen a tearful exit from controversial British sprinter Tiffany Porter, with the American-born athlete finishing last in her heat citing an unspecified fitness problem.

Pearson’s shock first loss of the season had followed a similar upset in the women’s 100m, Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare scoring a surprise victory after upstaging a strong field which included Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica and reigning world champion Carmelita Jeter.

Fraser-Pryce, the fastest woman in the world this year, never recovered her composure after stumbling after leaving the blocks and appeared to ease up half way through the race rather than chase a lost cause. Okagbare, who had earlier dipped under 11 seconds in the heats, then held off the strong finishing American Jeter to cross in 11.01sec, with Jeter finishing in 11.03 and Tianna Madison third in 11.13sec.

The final event of the day saw Britain’s defending Olympic 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu indicate she is hitting form at the right time with victory over reigning world champion Amantle

Montsho of Botswana.

Ohuruogo overhauled Montsho in the final few metres of a race held in torrential rain with a season’s best of 50.42 sec. Montsho finished in 50.56sec with Rosemarie Whyte of Jamaica third.

Elsewhere yesterday, Frenchman Christophe Lemaitre produced a superb display to take the 200m with the third fastest time in the world this year of 19.91sec.

Lemaitre fought off a strong challenge from the Netherlands’ Churandy Martina down the home straight with Marvin Anderson of Jamaica in third.

“I’m very happy-I knew I could run under 20 seconds but to do that here is very good, two weeks before the Olympic Games. Now I’m very confident over this distance,” a satisfied Lemaitre said afterwards. Reigning 400m world champion Kirani James signalled a return to form with a confident victory after a season which has seen the 19-yearold from Grenada keep a low profile.

James, who had only appeared at three outdoor meetings in 2012 prior to his appearance in London, timed his run to perfection to cross in 44.85sec, ahead of the Bahamas Chris Brown in 44.95sec and Tony McQuay of the United States, 45sec. Although James’ winning time was way off Olympic champion LaShawn Merritt’s season best of 44.12sec, the teenager is happy with his preparations heading into the Olympics.

“I’m just happy to be competing,” he said. “I’m getting ready for the big one. I just want to stay injury free, stay fresh as possible. “I’m getting used to the environment and the weather. Ready for the big one.” Poland’s Adam Kszczot won the 800m, although his time of 1:44.49 will not alarm the absent David Rudisha of Kenya, the world record holder and reigning world champion who will start as the favourite at the London Olympics.

The men’s mile was won by Silas Kiplagat of Kenya in a time of 3:52.44, with Britain’s Ross

Hate and hype fuel Haye-Chisora clash

Greipel wins 13th stage, Wiggins still in yellow FRANCE: Germany ’s Andre Greipel claimed his third victory of this year’s Tour de France as Bradley Wiggins of Britain held on to the yellow jersey at the end of the 13th stage.

Greipel, who rides for Lotto, finished just ahead of Slovakian sprint rival Peter Sagan (Liquigas) in a tight finish in which Wiggins astonishingly tried to set up Sky teammate Edvald Boasson Hagen.

Norwegian Boasson Hagen could only finish third on the 217 km stage which began in Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux, but Wiggins said it was payback time.

“Edvald’s done a lot of work for me in the mountains, so we tried to pay him back by setting him up there at the finish,” said the Englishman.

Greipel, meanwhile, was quick to praise the teammates who kept him at the front for a tough, late climb, helped eliminate some of his rivals and set him up for the finish.

“I’m really happy with this victory,” said Greipel, one of the few sprinters able to successfully negotiate the Mont Saint Clair climb whose summit was 20 km from the finish. “ The team did a great job for me today. It’s amazing. You can be really happy with just one victory in the Tour de France, but this one is a bit special because of the Mont Saint Clair being there near the finish. “We deserved this.”

Despite a potentially treacherous finale due to crosswinds leading to Cap d’Agde, Wiggins stayed out of danger to retain his 2min 05sec lead over teammate Chris Froome.

Italian Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) is still third at 2:23 while Australia’s defending champion Cadel Evans (BMC) is fourth at 3:19.

Greipel won stages four and five in this year’s race and now has four in total, having claimed his maiden Tour stage in 2011.

His main sprint rival Mark Cavendish (Sky), the winner of 21 stages but only one this edition, was one of a large bunch of riders left behind on the slopes of the Mont Saint Clair.

After an eight-man breakaway formed in the opening kilometres, they were allowed to go on and build a maximum lead of nine minutes on the peloton.

But with the stage win and points for the green jersey at stake, and the potential danger to the overall victory contenders, it wasn’t long before the peloton upped the pace.

The Orica-GreenEdge team of Australian sprinter Matt Goss hit the front and with 70 km to race the leaders’ gap had dropped to just over two minutes.

Minutes later, Denmark’s Michael Morkov jumped away in the hope of taking his attack all the way to the finish in remembrance of his father, who died six years ago to the day.

But the first slopes of the Saint Clair ended his hopes and the peloton, which had also reeled in his seven companions, soon powered past.

Evans surged ahead in a bid to distance Wiggins and his Sky team and, despite failing in his mission, his move

Murray trailing by 0.33sec. Caleb Ndiku was third with 3:53.15.

Meanwhile, British triple jumper Phillips Idowu abruptly pulled out of the London Diamond League meeting yesterday despite earlier insisting he was fully fit.

The 33-year-old Olympic silver medallist had assured supporters last week he was on course for the London Games despite a long lay-off this season which has seen him compete just three times.

Idowu skipped events in Oslo and Paris earlier this year as well as the British Olympic trials. He withdrew from yesterday’s event 25 minutes before the start citing a hip problem.

“Hey guys, sorry to have to pull out ... slight bit of muscle tightness,” he wrote on Twitter. “I will be fine in a day or 2. Hope the other jumpers put on a great show for you. See you 7th Aug,” he added, referring to the date of triple jump qualifying at the London Olympics.—AFP

FRANCE: Stage winner, Germany’s Andre Greipel, celebrates on the finish line at the end of the 13th stage of the 2012 Tour de France cycling race.—AFP

caused a split which left a select group at the front.

Wiggins said the move had not scared him: “I don’t know if it was an attack, but it was far from the finish and I knew the climb because I’d raced it on the Midi Libre (race).”

With 16 km remaining Kazakh veteran Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana) launched his attack and, with Goss one of the sprinters dropped, was soon joined by the Australian’s teammate Michael

Albasini. Their two-man bid was doomed by the sustained efforts of Greipel’s Lotto team. Although the Belgian outfit came apart in the closing kilometre when Wiggins made a rare appearance to lead out Boasson Hagen, Greipel finished the job off in style thanks to a timely lift of his front wheel at the finish.

Even Sagan, who has also won three stages, had to applaud. “He lifted his bike faster than me, but that’s the way it is. He deserved it,” said Sagan.—AFP

LONDON: David Haye and Dereck Chisora’s heavyweight bout has fed off its own controversy and, like it or not, will have a large global audience scheduled late yesterday.

No world titles are at stake, but as grudge matches go it could not be any nastier and therein lies the appeal. The British rivals have remained impervious to the criticism and opposition of their clash since it was announced in May. Instead, they have continued with their trash talk, whipping up publicity and boosting pay-per-view television sales. They are driven not only by money but a desire to settle a bitter feud that began when they brawled at a press conference in Munich in February following Chisora’s world heavyweight title defeat on points by Vitali Klitschko.

The incident, which was investigated by German police, was widely condemned throughout the British boxing community and the governing British Boxing Board of Control (BBB of C) indefinitely suspended the 28-year-old Chisora (15 wins, three defeats). Meanwhile the 31-year-old Haye (25-2) no longer held a boxing licence after declaring his retirement following a points defeat by Wladimir Klitschko in a world title unification fight a year ago. But in a huge blow to the authority of the BBB of C, the fight will be staged under the jurisdiction of the Luxembourg Boxing Federation. For all the criticism, a crowd of 30,000 is still expected at Upton Park, the east London home of West Ham United Football Club. Former world heavyweight and cruiserweight champion Haye’s reputation has been tarnished since blaming his defeat by Klitschko on a toe injury and then brawling with Chisora, but he insists he is not concerned about his popularity. “I have a love-hate relationship with the fans bit I’m not here to make friends, I’m here to make a living and promote a fight,” Haye told AFP. “I’m here to hype a fight and get the people excited so they subscribe to the fight. If that means people hate me, it doesn’t bother me.”“I definitely believe he (Chisora) has got a screw loose, is unhinged, and I don’t like him...This fight is about two guys who hate each other.”“He’s got criminal convictions but has never done hard time. I’m going to give him hard time and punish him for all of his past indiscretions. “It’s the best preparation I’ve ever had and there have been no injuries this time. I haven’t felt this good since I beat Enzo Maccarinelli for the world cruiserweight titles (2008), and I stopped him in two rounds. “You are going to get something similar.”—AFP

US Hyundai car supplies tight amid labor worries Page 22

Kuwait inflation drops further to 2.8% in May Page 23 SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

KSE stocks remain flat amid profit-taking Page 24

Visa, MasterCard, banks in $7.25bn retail settlement Page 25

MADRID: Demonstrators shout during a protest against the recent austerity measures announced by the Spanish government, in front of the Popular Party in Madrid on Friday. Banner reads “they give me less money and more to the church and the banks.” — AP

Spanish protesters clash with police Rajoy unveils $80bn package, creates fund for regions MADRID: Thousands of Spanish “indignant” protesters rallied against austerity cuts Friday night before some of them clashed with police, who charged demonstrators with batons.

Surrounded by 20 police vans, they stood outside the headquarters of the Popular Party (PP) of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and shouted “resign, resign!” and “they are lining their pockets!”

Carrying signs that read “They call it democracy, and it isn’t”, they then headed for the headquarters of the opposition Socialist Party, which they also accuse of incompetence in the face of the crisis.

However, they were pushed back by riot police before the demonstrators moved on in the direction of parliament. At least five people were arrested, AFP journalists reported. This week Rajoy-obliged by Brussels to order new cuts and tax increases to meet deficit-cutting commitments-revealed a new 65-billion-euro ($80-billion) austerity package. It includes a sales tax rise, lower jobless benefits and public sector pay cuts, measures expected to add to the pain amid a 24.4-percent unemployment rate that among the youth stands at 52 percent.

“With these cuts, they are ruining us,” charged 30-year-old protester Pedro Lopez, a former law student who said he now faces an employment freeze in the judicial bureaucracy.

Earlier Friday, King Juan Carlos made a rare political comment, calling on the government not to forget Spain’s unemployed as it decides on austerity measures to battle debt. “No one should be excluded from the outcome of the economic recovery that we all want and hope

for,” the king told a cabinet meeting, which he has the constitutional right to chair but seldom does.

“I’m referring particularly to the young and those who suffer a lack of employment and prospects for the future,” said the 74-year-old monarch.

In July Spain is to become the fourth eurozone country, after Greece, Ireland and Portugal, to get bailout funds when it receives the first tranche of a 100 billion euro ($122 billion) kitty for its banking sector. Spain’s “indignant” protest movement was born in early 2011 in a sprawling encampment at Madrid’s central Puerta del Sol square. It inspired similar protests, from Britain to the United States’ Occupy Wall Street.

Spain created an emergency fund to protect regional governments from defaulting and warned that pensions will be overhauled. Spainwhich enjoyed 30 years of almost uninterrupted economic growth until 2007 — is on the front line of the 2-1/2-year euro-zone debt crisis, weighed down by crippled banks, indebted regions and a deep economic downturn.

Ministers approved a reform of city and regional governments, wage cuts for public workers and cuts in unemployment benefits. The government confirmed it would enforce reforms this month of the energy sector, and rail, road and air transport.

Workers blocked streets and railways in Madrid, protesting against cuts which they said hurt ordinary people more than the bankers and politicians blamed for the country’s economic crisis. Unions called for a September strike.

“Spaniards are living today one of the most

difficult and traumatic moments of our history,” Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria told a news conference after the meeting.

Spain’s borrowing costs have soared in recent months and many investors believe that after seeking up to 100 billion euros for its banks, the government could soon follow Greece, Ireland and Portugal in seeking a state bailout.

As expected, the government approved on Friday a new mechanism to help Spain’s 17 autonomous regions - now shut out of international financial markets - to fund themselves and repay their debts.

The instrument, which will have a maximum capacity of 18 billion euros, will be funded through a 6-billion-euro loan from the state lottery and by the Treasury.

The regions will however retain full responsibility to repay any loan they obtain from the fund and they will have to meet conditions including more work on cutting their public deficits.

Economy Minister Luis de Guindos said the Treasury, whose credit rating is already on the verge of junk territory and could be affected by this new burden, would not change its debt issuance calendar.

Among other expected measures, the government said increases in value-added tax (VAT) rates would take effect on Sept. 1, after the end of the tourism season.

The general VAT rate will be raised to 21 percent from 18 percent and the reduced rate for the leisure industry to 10 per cent from 8 percent. — agencies

Obama calls for tax cut extension for most Americans WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama called on Congress yesterday to approve an extension of tax cuts for most Americans, but not the top income earners. “Under my plan, 98 percent of American families won’t see their income taxes go up at all,” Obama said in his weekly radio and Internet address.

“But the other two percent of Americans will have to pay a little more in taxes on anything they make over $250,000,” the president continued. “In other words, the wealthiest few Americans will go

back to the income tax rates they were paying under Bill Clinton.”

The comment came as a political fight between congressional Democrats and Republicans over future taxes began to heat up. On Januar y 1, a tax cut adopted under former president George W Bush and extended under Obama is set to expire. But Democrats and Republicans strongly disagree over how to ex tend it. While Obama favors higher taxes for the rich, Republicans argue it would undercut the nation’s fragile eco-

nomic recovery.

In his address, Obama argued that if the tax cut is allowed to expire, it “would be a huge financial hit for middle-class families.”

But he rejected the notion favored

by Republicana that wealth accumulated at the top will eventually trickle down and help create jobs for middle-class Americans.

“We already tried it that way for most of the last decade, and it didn’t work,” the president argued.

He said the country needed policies that will grow and strengthen

the middle class, will help create jobs and make education and training more affordable. But Republicans again rejected the president’s approach. Delivering a weekly Republican address, US Senator Rob Portman of Ohio said Obama’s plan will result in a massive tax increase on nearly one million small businesses. “And raising taxes on job creators during a jobs shortage makes about as much sense as cutting off the water supply during a drought,” Portman said. — AFP

NEW DELHI: A visitor takes a look at a Nano Europa car at the auto show in New Delhi.

Tata chief keeps high hopes for Nano despite slow start NEW DELHI: The head of India’s vehicle-tosteel conglomerate Tata Group says he still has high hopes for the Nano, billed as the world’s cheapest car, despite a slow sales start. “The fundamental economies of the Nano... will continue to establish itself in the Indian market with a wider sales and service network,” Tata chairman Ratan Tata said in the firm’s annual report released.

Ratan Tata’s desire to create a safer, cheap vehicle for families travelling on scooters on India’s dangerous roads inspired the creation of the four-door hatchback known as the “people’s car”.

“The potential market for such an affordable car is enormous throughout the developing world,” said the 74-year-old Tata, one of India’s most respected businessman, who retires at the end of the year.

During the last fiscal year, Nano sales rose 10.73 percent to 77,989 units from a year earlier. But the number is still a far cry from Tata’s hopes, voiced at the car’s unveiling in 2008, of eventually selling a million cars a year. Tata started working on the snubnosed car when he saw families riding

scooters-”the father riding with his young kid standing in front of him, his wife seated behind him holding a baby”-and being told the death rate for two-wheel riders on India’s busy roads was three times that of those in cars. But after the car received global acclaim at its unveiling, the Nano was plagued with start-up problems. A land acquisition row forced Tata to abandon a nearly completed plant and build another, badly delaying production.

Tata has insisted the concept of the lowcost Nano, whose base model sells for 154,540 rupees or $2,800, is solid. “The launches of similar small cars (in the Indian market) by others vindicate our belief that this segment was missing in the product line.”

But after several years of disappointing sales, it has become clear the car’s low price and image as a “poor man’s car” was actually a commercial sticking point. Rather than embracing the Nano, status-conscious consumers shunned the car’s “cheap tag” and opted for slightly pricier rivals or secondhand vehicles. — AFP

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

BUSINESS Bayt.com wekly report

8 ways to encourage collaboration and teamwork within your organization

By Lama Ataya

can hold monthly team events, to which they may bring their families and participate in group activities together. The idea is not to ‘’force’’ the employee to engage in a social activity, but rather to make them more comfortable when dealing with people, initiating actions and sharing ideas and perceptions. Ideally this will encourage interaction and in turn nudge the employees to become more social with time.

S

ome employees are quite productive when working individually; however, they fail to function optimally in teamwork and group activities. This problem can be serious when they are promoted to a managerial role that requires them to oversee the work of others, or when training a new joiner, as they seem to have trouble passing on their knowledge to others. Bayt.com’s survey on Employee Loyalty, Job Satisfaction and Engagement in the Middle East shows that it is important to engage employees to enhance their group performance and maintain their company loyalty.

How can you make very introverted employees more open to collaboration with others, and transform them into proactive dynamic team players? The career experts at Bayt.com, the Middle East’s leading job site have these tips to recommend: 1- Spend some time getting to know your employees better: You can go out for lunch with your team and initiate a casual talk with them so that you can get to know them more and find out what truly motivates them and pushes them forward. These conversations will give you a clear insight into their character and will help you determine their key strengths and weaknesses, as well as their essential performance-enhancing triggers. As a result, you will ideally be able to place your leader within a team that best matches their mentality and personality traits.

2- Invest in development programs: There are several types of programs which are designed to assist in developing leadership and managerial qualities. Invest in courses and workshops that train your team on becoming better managers, leaders and role models. Being a leader is not about learning to give orders but about being an inspiring figure others are willing to learn from, emulate and follow.

3- Build synergy: Introduce your employees to the concept of “Synergy”. The idea is basically that if two employees work individually, each at their own pace, they will produce a certain output; however their outputs are maximized when they come to work together. With synergy, the merged output of several employees’ efforts together as a team should be higher than their combined outputs as individuals.

4- Develop social skills: Social skills are like any other set of skills that can be acquired by time and practice. You

5- Let them know that their opinions matter: Become open to new ideas and invite your employees to share their own insights out loud. If the employee feels that their good ideas are seriously considered and are also being implemented, they might well come up with new ones later on and feel more comfortable speaking up and sharing their own views with others. Being heard creates a sense of confidence and comfort for a person, which in turn will affect their conversational and social skills largely and will contribute to them developing stronger leadership and managerial skills.

6-Try a matchmaking role: People can be like jigsaw pieces where there is always a best match for every person.

Place your employees in the groups in which you believe that they fit best with others who share or complement their mentality, skills, work-style, aptitudes and personal attributes.

7- Encourage taking time to disconnect: Some people prefer collaborating with others with similar interests online via networking sites, message boards, forums, blogs etc. Encourage your team to disconnect, this can be done by organizing group lunches during the break hour, or encouraging attending community/cultural events with work colleagues or even by creating fun sports and team-building events after work. This should foster a feeling of community and bring out benefits of face-to-face interaction both on the personal and professional levels.

8- Create an atmosphere of trust and open communication: Trust can only be built through respectful interaction and cooperative teamwork between employees. By continuously engaging employees and setting the bar high where it comes to interpersonal skills and communications standards, others are encouraged to do the same.

Bayt.com survey results have shown the importance of open communication channels and organizational transparency in building loyalty and trust, and this also contributes to employee improved productivity.

Once you build trust through open, respectful and professional communication, you will notice this trait trickle all the way down and permeate at every organizational level.

US Hyundai car supplies tight amid labor worries Korea strike could unravel efforts to boost sales ANN ARBOR, Michigan: Hyundai is facing vehicle shortages in the United States after a blistering 10 percent sales increase in the first half of 2012, the company’s chief executive for the US John Krafcik said.

But even as the company tries to step up production to defend its market share, a threatened strike at Hyundai operations in South Korea could unravel those efforts. Krafcik said Hyundai has only about a 32-day supply of cars available in the US market, the lowest in the industry, around half the level needed to keep up its 5.5 percent market share.

Krafcik said Hyundai had sold more than 60,000 cars in each of the last three months and likely did it again during July. “We’re literally selling cars right off the truck,” he said, forecasting a

total of 700,000 cars for the year despite the supply problems.

But the tight supply, and difficult talks between the company’s management and labor union in South Korea, puts its market share at risk. “Even though 60 percent of the vehicles Hyundai sells in the US market are built in Alabama and Georgia, a threatened strike at Hyundai operations in South America could have a major, immediate impact on US operations,” said Krafcik.

“We are optimistic that won’t happen,” he said during a press event at the Michigan International Speedway outside Ann Arbor, Michigan, where the company has a research and development center.

The US capacity constraints will continue for

the foreseeable future. The Korean automaker is adding a third shift at its assembly plant in Alabama, which will provide some relief. It is also beginning to build crossover vehicles at a plant in Georgia that belongs to its South Korean partner Kia. “We’re pretty well tapped-out,” he said.

Krafcik said the company could reduce fleet sales to make sure vehicles are available for regular buyers, especially for the popular Genesis coupe, Equus and Veloster. “We’re doing better than our overall market share in passenger cars,” he said. Hyundai also is expanding its passenger car portfolio with new models such as the Elantra Couple, the five-door Elantra GT and the turbo version of the Veloster, which are all due in showrooms in the coming months. — AFP

News

in brief

Safco Q2 net profit at 784m riyals JEDDAH: Saudi Arabian Fertilizers Company (Safco) reported a 0.8 percent drop in second quarter net profit to 784 million riyals ($209 million), compared with 790 million riyals during the same period a year earlier, it said yesterday. The results missed expectations, with 10 analysts polled by Reuters anticipating an average net profit of 937.73 million riyals. The firm attributed the decline in net profit to lower sales resulting from lower production levels after maintenance work on some of its units. Operational income declined by 4.4 percent to 744 million riyals from 778 million riyals in the second quarter a year earlier, it said.

Dar Al-Arkan repays $1 billion sukuk JEDDAH: Saudi builder Dar Al-Arkan Real Estate Co has transferred $1 billion to Deutsche Bank to repay its Islamic bond, or sukuk, the firm said in a bourse statement yesterday. “Dar al-Arkan transferred the total principal sum to Deutsche Bank, the principal paying agents, on Thursday and the sukuk account holders will receive the funds on Monday,” the firm said in the statement. Dar alArkan, the kingdom’s largest property developer, has issued three international sukuks and one domestic in the past five years, raising a total of $2.25 billion, the firm said in the statement. Dar alArkan had earlier said that it would use cash and proceeds from land sales to repay the bond.

Kuwaiti crude up $1.41 to $98.07pb: KPC KUWAIT: Price of Kuwaiti crude oil increased $1.41 per barrel on Friday reaching $98.07 pb, compared to $96.66pb the day before, said Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) yesterday.

Limited rise of the price of the Kuwaiti crude coincided with the drop of reserves of the crude in the United States by 690,000 barrels the past week. Forward deals posted a rise of 0.8 percent in New York after a fall of 2.4 percent on Tuesday.

Prices of the forward deals of the Brent crude rose, in August, 47 cents at a proportion of 0.5 percent, settling at $98.44 pb.

BEIJING: A woman frowns at a bus station while a government propaganda photo behind her is covered by apartment rental advertisements in Beijing. China’s economic growth slowed to a new three-year low in the latest quarter as exports and consumer spending weakened. — AP

Iran’s auto production drops in past 3 months TEHRAN: Iran’s auto production fell by more than 36 percent over the past three months, the industry ministry was quoted

by ISNA news agency as saying yesterday, citing “lack of money.” Production fell to about 241,500 vehicles in the first quarter of the Iranian year (March 21 to June 20), according to the figures.

Iran built more than 1.5 million vehicles in 2011/2012. The decline coincides with the halt of parts deliveries to Iran by French manufacturer Peugeot because of Western sanctions.

Peugeot is a par tner of the main Iranian auto maker Iran Khodro (IKCO), which manufactures the 405 and 206 models, whose output represents approximately 40 percent of Iranian automobile production. They incorporate 5-10 percent of components impor ted from France.

Peugeot announced in February it had stopped shipping to Iran and repatriated most of its staff. It cited difficulties creat-

ed by the Western bank ing embargo against Tehran, which has complicated trade and caused a shortage foreign currency. IKCO’s parts imports from Peugeot accounted for 700-800 million euros ($572-654 million) per year, according to figures available in Tehran.

The head of the Iranian Association of Automobile Manufac turers, Ahmad Nematbaksh, told ISNA that the drop in production is due to the “lack of money available to the manufacturers” given by the state, which caused a “cash crisis.”

Citing industry executives, business daily Donaye Eghtesad said the decline in production is “unprecedented in the past 20 years” and could create difficulties for the entire automotive industry, including subcontractors, with plant closures and layoffs, if the government does not come forward with $1 billion in aid. The automotive sector generates about 500,000 direct and indirect jobs in Iran, according to official estimates. — AFP

GE signs Myanmar deals after US eases sanctions YANGON, Myanmar: General Electric has become the first American company to sign business deals in Myanmar since Washington eased key sanctions on the former pariah state. GE signed agreements yesterday with two private hospitals in Myanmar’s main city, Yangon, to sell sophisticated medical equip-

ment. The move came a day after US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton met Myanmar President Thein Sein and declared the country open to American investment.

The meeting in Cambodia was attended by some of the biggest US corporations.

Western nations imposed economic and

political sanctions on Myanmar’s previous military regime in response to its repressive and undemocratic policies. Thein Sein, who took power last year after a general election, has instituted reforms in an effort to have the sanctions eased and attract foreign aid and investment. — AP

EXCHANGE RATES Commercial Bank of Kuwait US Dollar/KD GB Pound/KD Euro Swiss francs Canadian Dollar Australian DLR Indian rupees Sri Lanka Rupee UAE dirhams Bahraini dinars Jordanian dinar Saudi riyals Omani riyals Philippine peso Egyptian pounds US Dollar/KD GB Pound/KD Euro Swiss francs Canadian dollars Danish Kroner Swedish Kroner Australian dlr Hong Kong dlr Singapore dlr Japanese yen Indian Rs/KD Sri Lanka rupee Pakistan rupee Bangladesh taka UAE dirhams Bahraini dinars Jordanian dinar Saudi Riyal/KD Omani riyals

.2740000 .4330000 .3410000 .2840000 .2730000 .2840000 .0040000 .0020000 .0762170 .7425550 .3850000 .0720000 .7279430 .0040000 .0430000 CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES .2807500 .4352750 .3436660 .2861580 .2753130 .0462150 .0401220 .2859300 .0362030 .2214990 .0035320 .0000000 .0000000 .0000000 .0000000 .0764670 .7449910 .0000000 .0748870 .7295050

.2840000 .4430000 .3510000 .2960000 .2830000 .2930000 .0070000 .0035000 .0769830 .7500180 .4060000 .0780000 .7352590 .0072000 .0510000 .2828500 .4385310 .3462370 .2882990 .2773720 .0465610 .0404220 .2880690 .0364740 .2231560 .0035590 .0051130 .0021200 .0030100 .0034710 .0770390 .7505640 .4000710 .0754470 .7349620

Kuwait Bahrain Intl Exchange Co. Currency Currency US Dollar

Rate per 1000 (Tran) Rate per 1000 (Tran) 281.900

Pak Rupees Indian Rupees Sri Lankan Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso UAE Dirhams Saudi Riyals Bahraini Dinars Egyptian Pounds Pound Sterling Indonesian Rupiah Nepali rupee Yemeni Riyal Euro

Indian Rupee Sri Lankan Rupee Nepali Rupee Pakistani Rupee UAE Dirhams Bahraini Dinar Egyptian Pound Jordanian Dinar Omani Riyal Qatari Riyal Saudi Riyal

2.987 5.075 2.110 3.448 6.765 76.855 75.330 749.400 46.510 442.400 2.990 3.200 1.550 350.900

Transfer Rate (Per 1000) 282.050 347.800 441.050 280.050 3.600 5.088 46.530 2.109 3.445 6.715 2.992 749.750 76.700 75.200

UAE Exchange Centre WLL COUNTRY Australian Dollar Canadian Dollar Swiss Franc Euro US Dollar Sterling Pound Japanese Yen Bangladesh Taka

SELL DRAFT 290.45 280.12 291.34 347.66 281.55 439.17 3.63 3.444

5.950 2.260 3.650 3.200 77.000 745.150 48.200 397.500 732.00 78.00 75.150

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd

Al Mulla Exchange Currency 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

5.062 2.109 3.171 3.004 76.72 749.67 46.52 401.12 732.76 77.75 75.29

SELL CASH 288.00 279.00 299.00 357.00 281.25 442.00 3.65 3.550

Rate for Transfer US Dollar Canadian Dollar Sterling Pound Euro 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

Selling Rate 281.900 280.390 437.955 345.715 287.825 746.325 76.730 77.380 75.135 397.380 46.494 2.104 5.077 2.995 3.445 6.711 691.500 4.545 8.955 4.395 3.265 88.720

Canadian dollar Cyprus pound Czek koruna Danish krone Deutsche Mark Egyptian pound Euro Cash Hongkong dollar Indian rupees Indonesia Iranian tuman Iraqi dinar Japanese yen Jordanian dinar Lebanese pound Malaysian ringgit Morocco dirham Nepalese Rupees New Zealand dollar Nigeria Norwegian krone Omani Riyal Pakistani rupees Philippine peso Qatari riyal Saudi riyal Singapore dollar South Africa Sri Lankan rupees Sterling pound Swedish krona Swiss franc Syrian pound Thai bhat Tunisian dollar UAE dirham U.S. dollars Yemeni Riyal

Bahrain Exchange Company

GOLD 10 Tola

COUNTRY Australian dollar Bahraini dinar Bangladeshi taka

SELL CASH 291.700 749.950 3.680

SELL DRAFT 290.200 749.950 3.444

281.800 553.800 45.900 47.400 167.800 48.600 349.500 37.050 5.290 0.032 0.161 0.237 3.660 399.630 0.191 91.630 43.800 4.330 227.800 1.827 47.300 732.500 3.100 6.970 78.000 75.290 224.430 36.410 2.686 443.300 41.000 291.300 4.400 9.260 198.263 76.890 282.400 1.360

Sterling Pound US Dollar

1,691.500 TRAVELLER’S CHEQUE 441.300 282.000

280.300

224.200 46.502 348.000 36.900 5.105 0.032

399.590 0.190 91.630 3.200 226.300

732.320 2.999 6.735 77.570 75.290 224.430 36.410 2.104 441.300 289.800 4.400 9.110 76.790 282.000

23

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

BUSINESS

Kuwait inflation drops further to 2.8% in May NBK ECONOMIC REPORT

MADRID: Demonstrators shout during a protest against the recent austerity measures announced by the Spanish government, in front of the Popular Party in Madrid, Spain, on Friday July 13, 2012. Banner reading “they give me less money and more to the church and the banks”. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets Friday to protest their second wave of wage cuts in as many years as the government prepared to approve austerity measures that include those reductions as part of a deficit-cutting plan to save euro 65 billion through 2015. —AP

KUWAIT: Inflation in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) slowed to 2.8% year-on-year (y/y) in May, a further drop from April’s 3.3% and the lowest figure for more than two years. The softness was largely due to a major slowdown in food price inflation, but price increases in most other segments also remain subdued.

Core CPI inflation, which excludes food and beverage prices, stood at 2.5% y/y (chart 1).

The core measure has remained

under 3.0% the past 6 months, which points to restrained inflationary pressures for the majority of the components in the index.

Food prices declined for the second month in a row, dropping 1.3% m/m. The 3.6% y/y increase was the smallest since the end of 2009. The deceleration in food price inflation has helped keep general inflation in check. Fruit and vegetable prices fell 2.1% y/y, while meat, poultry, and fish prices were up 4.1% y/y, below

previous trends (chart 3). Overall, food price level is now similar to that of last November’s.

Meanwhile, clothing and footwear prices were up 4.8% y/y, from 4.4% in April, due to the readymade garments and footwear sectors. These saw y/y price rises of 5.4% and 7.1% respectively.

Inflation in most other components remained in check.

Transport and communication prices rose 2.9% y/y in May, only

slightly above the recent average of 2.7%. Prices of other goods and services also rose 2.9% y/y, from 2.3% in April. But inflation in this component is volatile and still below the average for last year.

Five months into the year, inflation remains modest, averaging 3.5%. We may see some upward pressures over coming months as the summer season and Ramadan take place. Nevertheless, we expect inflation to remain low, averaging close to 3% in 2012.

German region buys data on suspected tax dodgers BERLIN: Authorities in the west German region of North Rhine-Westphalia have bought data on German clients of a Swiss bank suspected of tax evasion, a report said yesterday.

Tax authorities had acquired a computer disc with data concerning around 1,000 German clients of the private Coutts Bank, a subsidiary of the Royal Bank of Scotland, the report in the Financial Times Deutschland said in its online edition. According to the FTD, which reported the existence of the CD last November and which gave no source, the region’s finance ministry had given the green light for the data to be acquired for 3.5 million euros ($4.2 million).

The purchase could jeopardize a deal reached by Berlin and Benn on double taxation last August that could net billions of euros for German tax coffers, the FTD said.

The accord, which is currently undergoing ratification, is due to come into force in 2013 and formally forbids Germany from buying data stolen from

Swiss banks in violation of the country’s banking secrecy laws. At the same time, the deal is running into opposition in German regions led by Social Democrats and Greens, who consider it too favorable to the fraudsters.

The accord has to be approved in Germany by both houses of parliament, the Bundestag lower house and the Bundesrat upper house. The government does not have a majority in the latter, which depends on the regions. In 2010, German tax authorities recuperated 1.6 billion euros from tax dodgers after buying data on Germans with assets in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, according to the press.

Switzerland reacted angrily last March by issuing arrest warrants for three German tax inspectors on charges of economic espionage for purchasing a stolen CD naming German customers of Credit Suisse, Switzerland’s second biggest bank. According to German media, between 130 and 180 billion euros in German assets are hidden in Switzerland. —AFP

Peugeot job cuts plan not acceptable: Hollande PARIS: French President Francois Hollande said yesterday that carmaker PSA Peugeot Citroen’s plan to cut 8,000 jobs was not acceptable and needed to be renegotiated.

French President Francois Hollande “This plan is not acceptable, it must be renegotiated,” Hollande said during a televised interview with the TF1 and France 2 channels on Bastille Day, adding: “The state will not leave this be.” Peugeot

shocked France on Thursday by announcing the job cuts, sparking union anger and underlining the country’s competitiveness problems.

Hollande was elected in May on a promise to put the economy back on track, focusing on growth rather than austerity measures adopted elsewhere in Europe in the face of the eurozone debt crisis. PSA, France’s biggest carmaker and second in Europe to Germany ’s Volkswagen, said it would cease production at its historic Aulnay site north of Paris which employs 3,000 people, with 1,400 jobs also going at its Rennes plant.

Some 3,600 jobs are to be cut across the corporate structure.

The company employed 100,000 people in France at the end of 2011. Peugeot said it expected the European market to shrink eight percent this year and had to adjust its business.

France’s trade deficit remains high and ministers in Hollande’s new government have raised concerns that low competitiveness is stifling the economy and hampering job creation. —AFP

Dem governors: GOP hurting economy to aid Romney WILLIAMSBURG, Virginia: Democratic governors are accusing House Republicans of deliberately sabotaging the economy to help Mitt Romney oust President Barack Obama.

“There’s not a doubt in my mind that in their calculations, that they are hoping for the economy to slow before the election,” Gov. Martin O’Malley, D-Md., said in an interview Friday. “They think that’s their best shot at unseating the president.”

Democrats have grumbled for months that Republicans have obstructed legislation to deny Obama the election-year victories he needs to make the case for his economic record. But on Friday, some Democratic governors pointed to the GOP-controlled House’s efforts to withhold support for the stimulus and block Democratic jobs legislation, and said - in interviews with The Associated Press on the sidelines of the National Governors Association’s annual meeting - that the only rational conclusion is that Republicans are sacrificing the economic recovery to bolster their argument that Obama has failed to create jobs.

“You have to ask the obvious question: How desperate and how far will they go to ensure this president gets defeated?”

Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin said. An aide to House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, rejected the notion that Republicans were working to ensure the economic recovery failed. He said Democrats have not put forward any legitimate jobs legislation and he faulted them for blocking GOP efforts that could have resulted in faster job creation.

“We have passed bills that would reduce red tape, repeal a health care law that is mak-

ing harder for small businesses to hire, open up American energy resources, and - later this month - stop the largest tax hike in American history,” said Boehner spokesman Michael Steel.

The Democrats’ comments came on the first day of the NGA’s three-day meeting in historic Williamsburg. The bipartisan group will compare notes on programs that have been effective in their states and hold sessions focusing on commerce, health, homeland security and natural resources. Although the group of governors meets annually, rarely are their gatherings fraught with as much naked partisanship and finger-pointing as this year, with the presidential election less than four months out. Overshadowing this year’s conference was a campaign event by Obama on Friday in southeastern Virginia, about 30 miles away.

The Democratic governors’ concerted effort to impugn Republicans’ motives suggests Democrats may seek to assign blame to Republicans for a weak economy, rather than working to convince voters that the economy is improving under Obama and just needs more time. But that argument is a doubleedged sword for Democrats, because it forces them to fully confront economic realities including an unemployment rate that is hovering at 8.2 percent nationally. No president has been re-elected with the unemployment rate above 7.2 percent.

On the other hand, Republican governors face the awkward task of touting growth in their own local economies while arguing that progress has come despite - not because of Obama’s leadership. —AP

HSBC’s money-laundering action riddled with lapses NEW YORK: Executives of HSBC Holdings Plc and its US subsidiary are scheduled to testify Tuesday before a Senate panel about how the London-based banking behemoth, after years of run-ins with US authorities over alleged antimoney laundering lapses, has cleaned up its act.

In anticipation of the hearing, HSBC Chief Executive Stuart Gulliver sent a message to employees earlier this week: “Between 2004 and 2010, our anti-money laundering controls should have been stronger and more effective, and we failed to spot and deal with unacceptable behavior,” Gulliver wrote. “It is right that we are held accountable and that we take responsibility for fixing what went wrong.”

Gulliver’s memo implies that the bank’s problems ended in 2010. But a Reuters investigation has found persistent and troubling lapses in the bank’s anti-money laundering compliance since then.

Moreover, the problems arose in the very operation meant to show regulators that the bank could effectively monitor the trillions of dollars flowing annually through its offices in 80 countries and territories.

In a sprawling, low-rise building abutting pasture land in New Castle, Delaware, HSBC’s anti-money laundering staff review customer transactions and so-called alerts generated when the bank’s monitoring systems spot a suspicious transaction. It also housed the “lookback” at thousands of old transactions that the US Comptroller of the Currency ordered in 2010, after citing the bank for multiple antimoney laundering failures. Former employees in the New Castle office describe a febrile boiler-room environment overseen by managers uninterested in investigating transactions with possible links to drug trafficking, terrorist financing, Iran and other countries under US sanctions, and other illegal activities. Instead, they say, the single-minded focus was on clearing out the paperwork as fast as possible.

“There were multiple backlogs” of alerts, said Everett Stern, who worked in the New Castle building from October 2010 to November 2011. “The name of the game was to close as many as you possibly can.”

Stern was a 26-year-old with a master of business administration degree when he joined HSBC as a compliance officer “to find suspicious activity,” as he put it. Within months, he was named a department specialist in Middle Eastern transactions.

“I’m not an expert” in money laundering in the Middle East, Stern said. His appointment, he said, was symptomatic of larger disregard for investigative rigor in the office. “Anybody who submitted their name for something basically got approved for that specialty.”

Stern said that in the course of his work, he came across many suspicious transactions.

Some involved parties he suspected of having ties to Hezbollah and Hamas - Islamist groups that the US considers to be terrorist organizations. When he alerted his superiors to these dealings, he said, his concerns were dismissed.

At one point, Stern said, he decided to take action on transactions linked to Palestine that he and some of his colleagues had noticed.

Stern sent an email to two superiors with

the subject line, “Compliance error.” In the email, Stern wrote: “I believe investigators in the department are unknowingly making a major compliance error. Over the last couple of months investigators have approached me about cases in the Middle East, especially in Palestine. It appears that most investigators do not understand that the government of Palestine is the terrorist organization Hamas.”

One of the bosses, Jeff Kraft, an anti-money laundering compliance manager, came bursting out of his cubicle. “Are you out of your f— —— mind?” he said, according to Stern’s recollection. “I should fire you right now.” Kraft insisted that Hamas was not a terrorist organization and that if government officials saw the email, the New Castle office would be shut down, according to Stern.

Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip of the Palestinian Territories, has been designated a terrorist organization by the US since 1995.

Kraft could not be reached for comment.

Stern was part of the New Castle operation employing regular HSBC staff to monitor cur-

New Castle, HSBC spokesman Robert Sherman said: “The quality of work in Delaware has been and still is consistent with our high expectations. We have had and continue to have very high quality control and assurance procedures.” Those procedures, he said, include regular reviews of the New Castle work by senior management and quality-assurance teams. A spokesman for the OCC, which ordered the look-back, declined to comment.

At Tuesday’s hearing, the US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations plans to deliver a withering review of problems at HSBC and transactions tied to Iran, terrorist financing and drug cartels, according to people familiar with a report the panel has drafted on its investigation.

Among those scheduled to testify is Stuart Levey, HSBC’s London-based chief legal officer.

Levey, a former top Treasury Department official skilled in terrorism finance, was hired in January in what was widely seen as a signal that the bank was serious about improving its anti-money laundering efforts.

rent transactions and tackle a backlog of alerts.

A second section comprised a task force largely staffed with former law-enforcement officials working under contract - that was conducting the look-back the OCC ordered in 2010, investigating transactions up to several years old.

Several of these contractors, echoing Stern, said the effort was more cosmetic than concrete. One said that when an investigator couldn’t track down information on a counterparty to a particular transaction, the investigator was told to close the case even if it seemed suspect. “I was extremely, extremely disappointed with the ethical part of how they were handling it,” said one former task force contractor. “It was just a factory the way it was handled. There was a lot of pressure to get investigations closed.”

The contractor added: “If Congress and the regulators actually knew what was going on, they would have a fit.” Another contractor said supervisors “wanted quantity, not quality.”

In response to questions about the work at

The Senate investigation is only one of many in recent years to target HSBC’s internal policing. In 2003, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and New York state bank regulators ordered HSBC to better monitor suspect transactions. The Justice Department, the Federal Reserve, the OCC, the Manhattan district attorney and the Office of Foreign Assets Control have all been scrutinizing client activities and anti-money laundering compliance, the bank said in a May regulatory filing.

On May 3, Reuters reported that US Attorney offices in West Virginia and New York had been investigating the bank, and that the West Virginia probe had found widespread anti-money laundering problems, including a backlog of nearly 50,000 alerts of suspicious transactions. In confidential documents reviewed by Reuters, a report on the investigations excoriated HSBC’s anti-money laundering program for its “gullible, poorly trained, and otherwise incompetent personnel who were incapable of recognizing blatantly suspicious money laundering activities.” —Reuters

24

business

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

KSE stocks remain flat amid profit-taking BAYAN WEEKLY MARKET REPORT KUWAIT: Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) indices were mixed last week. The price index closed last week with a drop amounted to 0.01%, while the weighted index increased by 0.51% compared to the closings of the week before where KSX-15 Index declined by 0.15%. Last week’s average daily turnover decreased by 31.24%, compared to the preceding week, reaching KD 12.18 million, whereas trading volume average was 141.25 million shares, recording decline of 43.30%.

KSE indices fluctuated last week and closed at variance, as only the weighted index closed in the green zone, while the other two indices closed in the red zone. Despite the positive trading performance at the beginning of the week, due to the purchasing activity that included different large-cap and small-cap stocks; quick profit taking operations overwhelmed the purchasing power, and pulled both price and KSX-15 indices into the red zone. Moreover, KSE performance is suffering recently from a trading weakness in general, due to the absence of positive motives that improve the traders’ appetite for purchasing. This absenteeism was reflected on last week’s decline in trading activity, especially the average daily turnover which never exceeded KD 12.13 million. In addition, watching state continued to appear on investors waiting for the semi-annual financial results of the listed companies, amidst hopes to be declared at an earlier time before the end of the legal declaration period, which will end mid of next month.

As far as the annual indices performance, two of the market main indices recorded losses. While the price index recorded gain of 0.80%; the weighted index gains reached 0.13%, While the KSX-15 index decreased by 1.35%.

By the end of the week, the price index closed at 5,860.7

points, Down by 0.01% from the week before closing, whereas the weighted index gain a 0.51% weekly loss after closing at 406.2 points. Moreover, the KSX-15 index recorded 0.15% weekly loss after closing at 986.5 points.

Sectors’ indices Six of KSE’s sectors ended last week in the red zone, when the other six sectors closed in the green zone. The Oil & Gas sector headed the losers list as its index declined by 1.52% to end the week’s activity at 909.39 points. The Financial Services sector was second on the losers’ list, which index declined by 1.51%, closing at 844.77 points, followed by the Technology sector, as its index closed at 1,041.32 points at a loss of 1.17%. The Consumer Services sector was the least declining as its index closed at

943.92 points with a 0.47% decrease. On the other hand, last week’s highest gainer was the Consumer Goods sector, achieving 2.23% growth rate as its index closed at 958.88 points.

Whereas, in the second place, the Banks sector’s index closed at 969.48 points recording 1.69% increase. The Real Estate sector came in third as its index achieved 0.16% growth, ending the week at 911.53 points.

Sectors’ activity The Financial Services sector dominated total trade volume during last week with 388.90 million shares changing hands, representing 55.06% of the total market trading volume. The Real Estate sector was second in terms trading volume as the sector’s traded shares were 17.42% of last week’s total trading

volume, with a total of 123.02 million shares. On the other hand, the Financial Services sector’s stocks where the highest traded in terms of value; with a turnover of KD 21.86 million or 35.88% of last week’s total market trading value. The Banks sector took the second place as the sector’s last week turnover of KD 13.51 million represented 22.18% of the total market trading value.

Market capitalization KSE total market capitalization grew by 0.50% during last week to reach KD 27.53 billion, as six of KSE’s sectors recorded an increase in their respective market capitalization, whereas the other Sixth recorded declines. The Consumer Goods sector headed the growing sectors as its total market capitalization reached KD 609.70 million, increasing by 2.62%. The Banks sector was the second in terms of recorded growth with 1.05% increase after the total value of its listed companies reached KD 13.72 billion. The third place was for the Insurance sector, which total market capitalization reached KD 312.06 million by the end of the week, recording an increase of 0.62%. The Basic Materials sector was the least growing with 0.32% recorded growth after its market capitalization amounted to KD 606.48 million.

On the other hand, the Health Care sector headed the decliners list as its total market capitalization decreased by 5.22% to reach, by the end of the week, KD 208.51 million. The Technology sector was second on this list, which market value of its listed companies declined by 2.63%, reaching KD 68.20 million, followed by the Oil & Gas sector, as its market capitalization amounted to KD 357.66 million at a 2.02% decrease.

—Prepared by the Studies & Research Department Bayan Investment Co.

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

BUSINESS

The Philippines boasts a rating upgrade S&P raises long-term debt rating to ‘BB+’, a step away from investment grade

By Fatema Akashah KUWAIT: While countries in Europe suffer credit rating downgrades and the US is about to observe the oneyear anniversary of the loss of its coveted AAA rating, the Philippines emerges as one of the few countries with a rating upgrade on its government debt postcrisis. Standard and Poor’s Financial Services (S&P), one of the world’s leading rating agencies, raised the Philippines’ long-term foreign currency sovereign credit rating to ‘BB+’ from ‘BB’, and affirmed the local currency rating of ‘BB+’. The S&P’s outlook on both ratings are stable. The upgrade was a result of the Philippines’ improved debt situation due to the government’s ongoing fiscal consolidation. In addition, the Philippines’ economic growth has proven resilient, with GDP growing by 6.4% in the first quarter of 2012, a sharp rise from the 2011 annual growth rate of 3.7%.

The growth in the services export industry added a solid contribution to growth, lessening the impact of the trade deficit in goods. The Philippines exports services such as call centers, the demand for which is more stable than the demand for their goods, making them more resilient against the global economic slowdown. But the factor that truly differentiates Philippines from the rest of the Asian economies is the steady flow of remittances (money sent home from workers abroad), which is the backbone of its economic growth. This flow of cash lifted the economy by strongly supporting domestic demand, which makes up more than 60% of the Philippines’ economy.

Although many overseas Filipinos are working in the

US, Europe and Japan, where the economic recovery has been unstable, they managed to maintain a significant flow of cash to their homes, so that essential consumption continues. Remittances averaged a growth of 7% year on year in 2011, but this year growth is expected to average 5%. Inflation, however, has decelerated on softer oil prices, and will allow room for the central bank to ease its monetary policy and stimulate growth. Despite the expected softening of trade this year and gradual easing of remittances, the Philippine economy is forecasted to grow

between 5-6%year over year in 2012.

The graph above displays the Philippines’ current account per quarter. The current account is part of the balance of payments (BOP) indicator, which represents all transactions made between a country and the rest of the world; usually measured in a quarterly or yearly basis. The current account which is composed of the trade balance (goods and services), investment earnings balance (income), and cash transfers (which in the case of the Philippines is mostly remittances). If the balance is negative, then there is

more money flowing out of the economy than into it.

Philippines’ current account is positive due to its services exports and remittances from abroad.

The Philippines’ current S&P credit ratings are one upgrade away from investment grade, which is an important status to achieve for any government.

Investment grade guarantees investors that the risk of default is very low. With this upgrade, many investors will pay closer attention to the Philippines as the risk of investing in Philippine bonds has reduced; this is the highest rating Philippines has had in almost a decade.

When the Philippines gains the investment grade status, new investors, such as pension funds that only invest in investment grade securities, will be willing to purchase government debt and other securities. The improved credit rating applies to the government and improves the rating possibilities for Philippine companies. Not only does the credit rating signify the sound fiscal position of the government, but it also signifies a positive outlook on the nation’s economy. This year, the Philippines stock exchange has been one of the best performing markets in the world, rising almost 20% year to date and similarly in year over year terms.

As foreign investor interest translates into increasing investments from abroad, the Philippines current account balance will improve. Because of its rapidly growing service export industry and large and welldiversified workforce abroad, that provides a steady flow of remittances, the Philippines looks well-positioned in the risk-laden global economy.

— Fatema Akashah Is an economist at KCIC, an investment firm specializing in emerging Asia investments.

Visa, MasterCard, banks in $7.25bn retail settlement Temporary fee reductions estimated at $1.2 billion

NEW YORK: Traders work as the New York Stock Exchange nears closing on Friday. Strong earnings from JPMorgan launched a stock market rally as the Dow Jones industrial jumped 204 points, snapping a six-day slump, to close its best day average this month. —AP

Bank earnings reverse decline in US stocks NEW YORK: US stocks cut off a six-day losing streak Friday, but sustaining the rebound and overcoming broader economic fears will require a solid run of second-quarter earnings reports over the coming week. A better-thanfeared quarter from JPMorgan Chase and a good report from Wells Fargo on Friday helped the turnaround, and on 1.5-1.6 percent gains for the day, the major indices were close to where they ended the previous Friday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average managed to close the week up 4.62 points, or 0.04 percent, at 12,777.09, and the S&P 500 added 0.15 percent to 1,356.78. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite finished 0.98 percent lower, at 2,908.47. Yet Friday’s performance was not completely convincing to analysts.

With little sign that the economy is picking up, the markets did not even take their customary boost from hints that the Federal Reserve was headed toward a new quantitative easing-type fiscal stimulus.

“Every time the Fed tries to slay economic weakness through security purchases or extending the maturity of its securities portfolio, the boost to the stock market and effect on the economy is less and less,” said Wells Fargo Securities economists in a client note.

“Unfortunately, the underlying conditions creating this subpar economic environment have not been addressed and until they are, economic growth will remain sluggish.”

“This is the third soft patch since the recession ended and, so far, investors seem less prone to panic,” said David Bianco of Deutsche Bank Securities. “However, soft patch III is arguably worse than I and II as this time it includes Asia. Although valuations are supportive and should provide upside on mere recession absence, it is important to consider that soft patches can easily trigger corrections.”

Bianco pointed out that the S&P 500 lost 16 percent in 2010’s soft patch I and 19 percent in the lull of last year.

The puts the onus on companies turning in results. Alcoa-the first Dow member out of the gate-posted a small loss of $2 million for the second quarter on Monday; after special items were taken away, though, the company scored gains better than analysts had forecast. On Friday it was banks that drove the rebound.

JPMorgan, expected to reveal a devastating quarter due to losses on its botched London derivatives hedging operation, came in with a respectable $5 billion profit, down 9 percent from a year earlier but better than what some expected.

The bank said it had lost $ 5.8 billion so far on the “London Whale” strategy but put maximum losses at far below the $9 billion some media had reported. That drove up the bank’s shares by 5.8 percent. Wells Fargo shares meanwhile jumped 3.2 percent after turning in a record quarterly profit of $4.4 billion, 18 percent higher than a year ago. “JPMorgan’s results are not good but many had expected them to be catastrophic,” said Gregori Volokhine of Meeschaert New York. “It is a relief, in the absence of more bad news.” The coming week will see results from Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, Johnson & Johnson, Intel, Coca-Cola, Bank of America, eBay, American Express, Microsoft, Google, and others.

Key economic news includes testimony to Congress from Fed chief Ben Bernanke and the release of the Fed’s Beige Book regional economy survey; both will be watched for signs of whether the Fed is heading to a new stimulus push.

In addition, the week will have retail sales figures for June, CPI inflation for June, and data on industrial production and the housing market. — AFP

NEW YORK: Visa Inc, MasterCard Inc and banks that issue their credit cards have agreed to a $7.25 billion settlement with US retailers in a lawsuit over the fixing of credit and debit card fees in what could be the largest antitrust settlement in US history. The settlement, if approved by a judge, would resolve dozens of lawsuits filed by retailers in 2005. The card companies and banks would also allow stores to start charging customers extra for using certain credit cards in an effort to steer them toward cheaper forms of payment.

The settlement papers were filed on Friday in Brooklyn federal court. Swipe fees - charges to cover processing credit and debit payments - are set by the card companies and deducted from the transaction by the banks that issue the cards, essentially passing on the cost to merchants, the lawsuits said. The proposed settlement involves a payment to a class of stores of $6 billion from Visa, MasterCard and more than a dozen of the country’s largest banks who issue the companies’ cards. The card companies have also agreed to reduce swipe fees by the equivalent of 10 basis points for eight months for a total consideration to stores valued at about $1.2 billion, according to lawyers for the plaintiffs. The deal calls for merchants to be allowed to negotiate collectively over the swipe fees, also known as interchange fees.

Merchants would also be required to disclose information about card fees to customers, and credit card surcharges would be subject to a cap, according to the settlement papers. Surcharge rules would not affect the 10 states that currently prohibit that practice, which include California, New York and Texas. An additional $525 million will be paid to stores suing individually, according to the documents.

“This is an historic settlement,” said Bonny Sweeney, a lawyer for the plaintiffs. The settlement “will help shift the competitive balance from one formerly dominated by the banks which controlled the card networks to the side of merchants and consumers,” said Craig Wildfang, who also represented the plaintiffs. Noah Hanft, general counsel for MasterCard, said the company believed its interests were “best served by an amicable resolution” of the case. Visa Chief Executive Officer Joseph Saunders said the settlement was in the best interest of all parties and did not expect the settlement to impact its current guidance. Not everyone was pleased with the proposed settlement, however. One class plaintiff, the National Association of Convenience Stores, rejected the settlement in a statement on Friday from its president, Tom Robinson, who is also president of Robinson Oil Corp.

“Not only does the proposed settlement fail to introduce competition and transparency, it actually provides Visa and MasterCard with the tools to continue to shield swipe fees from market forces,” Robinson said. The proposed considerations are a far cry from the $50 billion in swipe-fees paid each year by US retailers, he said.

The American Bankers Association, a trade group whose members include the bank defendants, said retailers, not consumers, stood to gain the most from

the proposed settlement.

“Big-box retailers will likely seize this opportunity to ask Congress for even more handouts,” said ABA President Frank Keating in a statement, referring to the Durbin amendment passed by Congress in 2010 limiting debit-card swipe fees - a move that banks say resulted in an $8 billion windfall for retailers. “The legal process worked and should send a signal to Congress that it is wrong to pick winners and losers in a complex dispute between two industries,” the Electronic Payment Coalition, which represents payment networks, said in a statement.

The plaintiffs charged that Visa and MasterCard colluded directly and indirectly through the issuing banks to keep merchants from finding ways to mitigate credit-card costs. Plaintiffs in the case include supermarket chain Kroger Co , pharmacy chain RiteAid Corp and shoe retailer Payless ShoeSource, as well as trade associations such as the National Association of Convenience Stores, National Grocers Association

ment. A spokesman for Wells Fargo said the company was pleased to put the matter behind it.

An estimated 7 million retailers will be affected by the settlement, according to lawyers for the plaintiffs.

Visa and MasterCard have been plagued by legal problems over their payment-card policies for the last decade. In 2003, the companies paid a combined $3 billion to settle a lawsuit by stores over their “honor all cards” policies, which tied acceptance of credit to debit cards.

The US Department of Justice brought and settled a civil antitrust suit against Visa and MasterCard in 2010. As part of the consent decree, the companies agreed to drop certain policies that kept stores from steering their customers to cheaper forms of payment.

But the decree left intact policies that prohibit stores from charging customers more when they use certain payment cards, according to a July 2011 court filing from plaintiffs.

The defendants denied that any collusion took

LOS ANGELES: Credit card decals on a store window in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles.

MasterCard and major banks agreed to pay retailers at least $6 billion to settle a long-running lawsuit that alleged the card issuers conspired to fix the fees that stores pay to accept credit cards. — AP and the American Booksellers Association.

The National Retail Federation, a trade group representing retailers, said that “the test will be whether the injunctive relief is meaningful. Unless it is, the card market will stay broken and neither merchants nor their customers will achieve a long-term benefit.”

A number of banks that issue Visa and MasterCard cards, including JP Morgan Chase & Co, were also named as defendants in the lawsuit, along with Visa and MasterCard’s payment networks.

A spokeswoman for Bank of America NA said it believed the terms of the settlement were fair. JP Morgan declined to comment. Citigroup Inc acknowledged its role in the deal and declined further com-

place. Visa said its share of the settlement is $4.4 billion, and Mastercard said its share is $790 million. In December, Visa announced it set aside an additional $1.57 billion to cover the cost of a potential settlement in the case, bringing its litigation reserve balance to $4.28 billion, according to a regulatory filing.

MasterCard in the fourth quarter of 2011 recorded a $770 million pretax charge, as an estimate of its potential liability in the case, a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission showed.

MasterCard said in a statement that it expected to incur an additional $20 million pre-tax charge in its 2012 second quarter financial statements to cover its portion of the settlement. —Reuters

Earnings, Bernanke promise active week WALL STREET WEELY OUTLOOK NEW YORK: Investors are looking at an onslaught next week. If it’s not corporate earnings, it’s Ben Bernanke talking about economic issues before Congress. Recent warnings from a number of companies, including chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices, helped drag the S&P 500 lower for six straight days before a Friday rebound.

The S&P 500 and Dow erased losses for the week, barely finishing higher by 0.2 percent and less than 0.1 percent, respectively. The Nasdaq composite fell 1 percent for the week.

With a slew of companies set to report results next week, the hope among investors is that the bad news has been factored in, but the broader picture remains lackluster. That may limit the market’s gains even if companies clear a low bar.

“Expectations have been beaten down a lot,” said Robbert Van Batenburg, head of equity research at Louis Capital in New York. “The problem is we’re dealing with a global slowdown, and I’m sure that’s

going to be reflected in some of the comments you’re going to be hearing.” Data showing slower growth in Europe, China and the United States has weighed on the stock market, while US companies have warned about overseas weakness and a stronger dollar hurting profits on exports. The minutes from the Federal Reserve’s June meeting suggested it is not ready to inject more monetary stimulus into the economy, but traders will be hanging on Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s every word for mention of such a possibility and how he views the slowing economy.

This week dozens of Standard & Poor’s 500 companies are to report. They run from top technology names, including Intel and Microsoft to General Electric and Coca-Cola Co. Earnings estimates have already fallen sharply.

S&P 500 earnings for the second quarter now are expected to rise just 5 percent from a year ago, down from an estimate of 9.2 percent at the begin-

ning of April, according to Thomson Reuters data.

Nearly all sectors have seen estimates fall due in part to weak demand in Europe. Energy and utilities are expected to be the weakest performers this quarter after big declines in energy prices in the second quarter. The fall in estimates could be enough so that the majority of companies end up beating expectations, as they typically do, inspiring a relief rally. That could bolster the S&P, where trading has narrowed to a range between 1,310 and 1,370 for most of a month.

Investors could see some downside surprises in high-end consumer companies, industrials and financials, said Paul Mangus, head of equity research and strategy for Wells Fargo Private Bank in Charlotte, in North Carolina.

For example, Bank of America Inc is expected to report earnings of 15 cents a share on Wednesday, but Thomson Reuters StarMine’s SmartEstimates put expectations at 13.5 cents per share, or a miss

of about 9 percent. The technology sector could end up being a mixed bag, Mangus said.

“On one hand, there are very good trends on the software side. (But) there may be some disappointments among some of the hardware manufacturers. In certain cases, we’re seeing some weak PC sales,” he said. Besides Advanced Micro Devices, a weak forecast was issued by fellow chipmaker Applied Materials this week, while engine maker Cummins Inc warned on sales. AMD reports results on Thursday. Negative to positive earnings guidance for the second quarter is 3.3 to 1, the worst since 2008, Thomson Reuters data showed.

Among other S&P companies scheduled to report are Goldman Sachs, Citigroup and Johnson & Johnson. The final details of a Spanish bank bailout are expected next week among developments in the 2 1/2-year old euro-zone debt crisis.

Bernanke is due to deliver his semiannual monetary policy report to Senate and House commit-

tees on Tuesday and Wednesday, though analysts said he is not likely to divulge plans of further economic stimulus. Stocks lost ground this week as minutes from the Fed’s June meeting showed policymakers are open to the idea of more economic stimulus, but that conditions might need to worsen first. Investors were hoping the Fed’s June minutes would suggest the central bank was getting closer to another round of stimulus.

“I don’t think he’s going to allude to any quantitative easing, so I don’t think you’ll get any solace from that,” Van Batenburg said. Bernanke is more apt to urge Congress to act on fiscal policy and tackle the issues of huge budget deficits and the impact on the economy of approaching sharp cuts in government spending known as “the “fiscal cliff.”

“I would expect him to try to bring the message home to policymakers to address the fiscal cliff.

Fiscal tightening flies in the face of any effort to dodge deflation.” — Reuters

26

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

BUSINESS

Al-Sayer group holds seminar on Yokohama Tires KUWAIT: Extreme summer heat can drive even the toughest to a complete halt unless built with proper resistance. Thanks to Yokohama tires advanced Japanese technology, you and all passengers on board can ensure a safer and smoother ride whenever, wherever.

Mohamed Naser Al-Sayer & Sons Est Co W.L.L. (MNSS) the sole distributor of Yokohama tires in Kuwait held a seminar on August 25, 2012 at 7 pm at The Convention Center and Royal Suites Shuwaikh, Free Trade Zone. The event was attended by customers of the Industry and local members of the press in addition to Naoki Ando - General Manager of Yokohama Rubber Co Middle East & Africa, Keita Sawada, Marketing Manager Yokohama, Middle East & Africa, Yoshu Okada, Tire Overseas Business, Mitsubishi Corporation

Tokyo, Paul Reynolds, COO-Al- Sayer Group, G. B Singh, General Manager Tire, Oil & Paint and Inderpal Singh Manager Tire Sales from MNSS. Naoki Ando - General Manager of Yokohama Middle East & Africa Representative Office in Dubai greeted the audience by saying: “ I’ve been in this position since July,2011.

Before coming to Dubai, I was based in Yokohama Tokyo Head Office Tokyo as a Manager responsible for the Middle East & Africa Region.

Now, I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce our company briefly.

The Yokohama Rubber Company Limited was established in 1917 as the 1st tyre manufacturer in Japan.

We have a long history and we are approaching 100 year Centenary Jubilee in 2017 (6 years from now). In 2011 our net Sales turnover was about $5,800 million.

But this figure is for 9 months because we have changed our accounting period since 2011.

Numbers of Employees are about 19,000, on consolidated basis. The basic philosophy of our Company is: “ To Enrich People’s Lives and contribute to their greater happiness and well-being by devoting our wholehearted energies and advanced technology to the creation of beneficial products.” And our corporate slogan is “Excellence by nature”.

Our major product is tyres, and though it’s not widely known but we are also having other industrial products such as Conveyor belts, Marine fender, Sealants, Hose & Coupling, Aerospace products, Golf equipments and so on, these products represent about 20% of our total sales turnover.

We have a lot of products besides tyre and this diversification is generating a synergistic effect on our technology. When you see our products, please remember that it was developed by such comprehensive technology which is accumulated over many years.

As for Tyre products, we’re covering most of categories and sizes as one of the leading tyre manufactures in the world. Especially in the PCR category, we’re developing the most advanced technique with daily effort. In these various basic development activities, what we can see are motor sports and original equipment for cars. WTCC was established in 2005 as one of the international three major motor sports, along with Formula 1 and WRC. We have been supplying tires as the only one supplier to this great

event since 2006 continuously and all top drivers have good evaluation for our tires. Regarding original equipment, we are trying to get an approval from major car manufacturers constantly not only Japanese but also European and American. As a result of building our technology and doing a lot of developments for OE, we succeeded in supplying our products to high-class cars such as Lexus, Mercedes, Audi, Porsche and so on. For your information, 2011 was Mercedes rush for Yokohama.

We newly got approvals of A, B and SLK class in addition to other models and we believe we proved our performance of the products and the current OE is available in Yokohama Product Catalogue.

Our main factories and R&D facilities are located in Japan.

We’re producing tyres for your

country in these factories at this present. But then, we already have many factories, facilities and subsidiaries all over the world. And we’ll further strengthen and expand our network globally in future. In the Middle East area, we are making a team with distributors centered mainly on our Dubai office to enhance Yokohama brand.

Al-Sayer Group is one of our most important partners in this area. We have about 40years history doing business with Al-Sayer Group. And we believe everyone participating in this event are all loyal & long terms partners for Yokohama in Kuwait.

Mohamed Naser Al-Sayer & Sons ‘Tire Team Delegates thanked all customers for their wise choice of Yokohama Tires and the trust posed by them in our products and services.

Jazeera Airways ranks No 1 in on-time performance in ME KUWAIT: Award-winning Jazeera Airways yesterday announced that it ranked the highest in ontime performance (OTP) in the Middle East in the second quarter of 2012, as measured by FlightStats, the US-based global OTP tracker.

Jazeera Airways’ OTP for the second quarter was 94.21%, which puts the airline among the top ten on-time per formers worldwide for the same period.

Previously, FlightStats had also ranked Jazeera Airways as the leading airline in OTP in the Middle East in Q1 2012 and in all of 2011 as well.

With Jazeera Airways’ great ontime performance, year-round competitive fares, easy and fast online and self-check-in alternatives, mobile booking apps, and on-board duty free shopping service, the airline continues to offer more value to customers than any other offering by any airline in the Middle East.

Jazeera Airways operates a two-class cabin comprising of a

Business Class and an Economy Class. Jazeera Airways’ Business Class offering includes a separate cabin for passengers, exclusive

check-in counters, Business lounge access at airports, in-flight a la carte menu, and 60 kilograms in free baggage allowance. The airline’s Economy Class offers travelers free baggage allowance of 40 kilograms, free on-board meals with a changing menu

every month, and year-round value fares.

Jazeera Airways’ network originating from Kuwait includes

high-demand business, leisure, family, and weekend destinations such as Dubai, Bahrain, Beirut, Alexandria, Amman, Damascus, Istanbul, Sharm El Sheikh, Assuit, Aleppo, Deir Ezzor, Luxor, Mashhad, Sohag, Jeddah, Riyadh, Cairo and Najaf.

Jazeera Airways is an IATAmember airline and operates one of the youngest Airbus A320 fleets across the Middle East and North Africa.

Established in 2005, Jazeera Airways Group is a Kuwait Stock Exchange-listed company with over 12,000 shareholders. The company has 12 fully-owned Airbus A320s in operation, distributed between its airline business, Jazeera Airways (six aircraft), and its fully-owned leasing business, Sahaab Aircraft Leasing (six aircraft). Sahaab has assets placed with Virgin America, SriLankan Airlines, and Jazeera Airways.

In 2011 the airline carried 1.2 million passengers in total across its network that includes today high-demand business, leisure, family, and weekend destinations such as Dubai, Bahrain, Beirut, Alexandria, Amman, Damascus, Istanbul, Sharm El Sheikh, Assiut, Aleppo, Deir Ezzor, Luxor, Mashhad, Sohag, Jeddah, Riyadh, Cairo and Al Najaf.

NBK rewards credit cardholders with cash prizes every day during Ramadan KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) launched an innovative campaign for the holy month of Ramadan to reward all NBK Credit Cardholders (Visa, MasterCard and Diners Club) with a chance to win cash prizes every day.

Every KD 10 spent at any Co-op and local supermarket using NBK Credit Cards will give the customer one chance into the weekly draw. This exclusive promotion runs until 21 August, 2012.

Ahmed K Al-Khader, NBK Assistant General Manager, Consumer Banking Group said: “NBK is keen to reward all its Credit Cardholders on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan. NBK reinforces its leadership in the Credit Card market through exclusive benefits and lucrative offers that meet the needs and aspirations of customers.”

NBK Credit Cards are accepted worldwide and are the safest, most convenient and rewarding way to pay. The benefits include free travel

insurance, complimentary airport lounge access, concierge service, purchase protection, extended warranty and more.

The award winning NBK Rewards loyalty program rewards NBK Credit Cardholders with a range of valuable discounts and a point redemption scheme redeemable at numerous shops and restaurants throughout Kuwait. For more information log onto nbk.com or contact Hala Watani on 1 801 801.

Total, Al-Babtain to open 20 more centers for car oil change in Kuwait An inter view with Philippe Cabus, managing direc tor, Total Marketing Middle East Questions: Can you elaborate on the company’s PIT STOP oil change centre?

Answer: Total Marketing Middle East along with their distributor in Kuwait Al-Babtain Group are putting strong efforts to strengthen their presence in the retail lubricants market. This initiative is another step to offer customized solutions to all non-franchised service providers thereby providing innovative solutions to the changing needs of the customers.

Total Quartz Pit stop concept, a name synonymous with quick and effective ser vice includes an oil change along with certain free checks carried out in a professional set up manned by trained and skilled

people. The idea behind this is to ensure ease of adaptability to respective business environments and provide comprehensive solution for fast enrollment under Total Quar tz Pitstop Concept.

Q: What are the advantages of this quick oil change centre from the point of view of a customer?

A: By virtue of visiting Total Quartz Pitstop outlet, the consumer stands to benefit in the following ways: ● Express Oil Change ● Guidance in terms of selecting most suitable Lubricants. ● Value added services- battery, tyres, minor repairs etc. ● Professional recommendation in terms of car maintenance ● Professional and transparent approach in terms on scope of work, delivery schedule and cost implications

Enjoy the benefit of sales promotion and free service check-ups ● Benefit from loyalty program. ● Special waiting area (available in some outlets subject to availability of space).

Q: How many such oil change centres the company is planning in Kuwait in the next two years?

TOTA L a n d A l B a b t a i n Group have plans to open 20 such locations within the next two years.

Q: How many such centres the company has in the GCC? And in how many countries?

A: Pit Stop is a new concept launched in 2012 and within a short span we have opened more than 20 locations across GCC mainly in UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman.

Q : H ow i s t h e a s s o c i a t i o n b e t we e n A l - B a b t a i n G ro u p ●

and Total?

A: Al-Babtain Group has been a very strong partner and over the last few years and played an instrumental role in Total Lubricants’ significant growth in Kuwait. The relationship cascades to all business segments and together we have t a k e n s t ro n g i n i t i a t i ve s to make Total one of the leading lubricant brands in Kuwait. We are proud of our association with Al-Babtain Group.

Q : Ca n yo u e l a b o r a te o n Total’s operation in Kuwait?

A: Total’s Range of Lubricants are distributed through AlBabtain Group. Our portfolio of customers include major OEMs, Oil and Gas companies, Fleet customers, I ndustrial houses and retail customers.

Kuwait is an important area fo r grow t h w i t h i n To t a l M a r k e t i n g M i d d l e E a s t ’s perimeter.

Wataniya bundles offer unlimited calls and SMS KUWAIT: Wataniya Telecom customers can now enjoy enhanced experiences that offer more value with no restrictions on usage of calls or SMS. Wataniya is introducing Voice and SMS bundles without any limit which are exclusively tailored to suit the requirements of prepaid users and designed with more freedom and choice. Customers can enjoy unlimited daily, weekly, or monthly bundles to contact any Wataniya number. Prices begin from 500 fils per day to KD 18 per month.

The bundles include calls, SMS and a preset number of reward points.

On this occasion, Wataniya Telecom mentioned in a press statement that “the reason behind launching these new bundles is to enrich customers’ experience

and reward them for their loyalty.”

In the statement, Wataniya Telecom assured the fact that it will always be “keen on updating its bundles in order to supply various services to suit the different needs of segments of society. The company is further seeking to introduce more exciting offers to enhance the communication experience for prepaid subscribers.”

Below is more details on the Unlimited Wataniya Bundles: Prepaid customers can join any of the Unlimited Bundles instantly by dialing *141# and following the simple steps.

Customers should have sufficient balance in their accounts before activating the bundles.

Gulf Bank announces winners of 27th Al-Danah weekly draw for 2012 KUWAIT: Gulf Bank held its 27th AlDanah weekly draw on July 8, 2012, announcing a total number of ten AlDanah weekly prize draw winners, each awarded with prizes of KD 1,000.

The 27th Al Danah Weekly Winners are: Badriya Hamad Abdulaziz Bosoud, Fatmah Mohammed Taqi, Jawad Naser Al-Arbash, Osamah Mousa Ali Atar, Yousef Mohammed Ali Al-Tarakmah Tawqeer Shahed Mohammad Suror, Khalil Ebrahim Mohammed Al-Kharje, Mahmoud Jassim Zayed Al-Qarawi, Abdulrasool Abdulredha Mohammed Behbehani, Khalid Mahmoud Ahmadi.

Gulf Bank encourages everyone in Kuwait to open an Al Danah account and/or increase their deposits to maximize their chances of becoming a winner in the upcoming weekly (KD1,000 each for 10 winners). Gulf Bank’s Al Danah allows customers to win cash prizes and encourages them to save money.

Chances increase the more money is deposited and the longer it is kept in the account.

Al Danah also offers a number of unique services including the Al Danah Deposit Only ATM card which helps account holders deposit their money at their convenience; as well as the Al Danah calculator to help customers calculate their chances of becoming an Al Danah winner.

To be part of the Al Danah draws, cus-

tomers can visit one of Gulf Bank’s 56 branches, transfer on line, or call the Customer Contact Center on 1805805 for assistance and guidance. Customers can also log on to www.e-gulfbank.com, Gulf Bank’s website, to find all the information regarding Al Danah or any of the Bank’s products and services or log on www.egulfbank.com/aldanahwinners, to find out more about Al Danah and who the winners are.

‘Register and win’ promotion at Q8India.com KUWAIT: City Centre, Kuwait’s premier mega-market, in association with Q8India.com, a leading online Indian community portal, is holding a month-long ‘Register and Win’ promotion campaign.

Any resident in Kuwait can participate in the promotion by visiting www.Q8India.com and registering their name, email and phone number. A winner will be picked each day (except Friday), from the list of names registered on the previous day, and receive a free shopping voucher worth KD10 from City Centre.

To register and participate visit www.Q8India.com

IRS denials a worry for US tax-exempt groups WASHINGTON: The Internal Revenue Service’s denial of tax-exempt status to two small US. political groups is prompting concern among other tax-exempt organizations raising millions of campaign dollars that they could lose the ability to collect anonymous donations, ta x attorneys say.

The IRS announced in May and June that it took the actions against two groups defined as tax-exempt under the 501(c)(4) section of the tax code. The IRS

on Thursday declined comment on its tax-exempt final rulings.

Tax-exempt groups raising money for both major political parties ahead of the Nov. 6 election walk a fine line between promoting “social welfare” for tax-exempt purposes and purely political interests.

A 501(c)(4) group denied taxexempt status by the IRS would run afoul of Federal Election Commission rules and could be required to disclose its donors. —Reuters

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

TECHNOLOGY

Microsoft to launch its own angel fund SAN FRANCISCO: Microsoft has launched an investment fund looking to give startups the cash to originate “game-changing ideas” in the tech sector. The company announced Thursday that its Bing Fund would be “an angel fund with an incubator program, founded by entrepreneurs... and backed by the experience, expertise, and resources of Microsoft.”

“We want to partner with like-minded entrepreneurs-great talent that is innovating online to solve big problems and create amazing new

experiences,” a company blog said. The move comes as Microsoft, which remains the dominant player for desktop computer operating software, has lagged in other areas as companies like Apple, Google and Facebook expand their offerings.

“Where other people see merely interesting ideas, entrepreneurs see possibilities for making the world work better,” the company said. “Many talented people come up with game-changing ideas, but it takes an entrepreneurial spirit to

stare down the words ‘it can’t be done’ and make innovation real.” The statement posted on the blog of Bing, the Microsoft search engine, said it was “inviting promising startups based in the US to work with us for at least four months.”

It said some of the things the fund was seeking include “building online or mobile experiences that incorporate fresh insights.” “We want startups with both inspirational vision and ability to execute,” the statement said. This may include a working prototype, website or applica-

tion that is already operating and gaining momentum, or a “compelling plan.”

Those selected will get subsidized usage of technical data from Bing and Microsoft Research, and some assistance on technical issues. The investment will come in the form of a convertible note, and Microsoft will also make introductions to other “strategic investors.” “Your IP (intellectual property) and product, of course, remain yours, even if we give input and assistance,” the statement said.— AFP

Symantec anti-virus update makes some PCs inoperable Customer says Symantec offering compensation

WASHINGTON: Computer hackers participate in the Wikimania Hackathon at George Washington University in Washington, DC, July 10, 2012. At the “Wikimania” event held in Washington over the past week, several hundred members of the “wiki” community gathered for talks about the site and a two-day “hackathon,” aimed at improving Wikipedia.—AFP

Wikipedia hits defining moment in social Web era WASHINGTON: It is another defining moment for Wikipedia. The public knowledge website is more than a decade old and remains among the top 10 Internet sites in the world, but some say it is becoming old and dowdy. Others want to keep it that way. At the “Wikimania” event held in Washington held over the past week, several hundred members of the “wiki” community gathered for talks about the site and a two-day “hackathon,” aimed at improving Wikipedia.

Some in attendance said Wikipedia, the free, open-source online encyclopedia which is largely unchanged from when it began in 2001, needs upgrading in an era where people are turning to social media like Facebook and Twitter. “It looks like it’s 10 years old,” said Sebastian Wallroth, a software engineer from Germany. Wallroth said it is difficult for people to collaborate and there are hurdles in uploading pictures and video, unlike more user-friendly sites like Facebook. Semere Tazaz Sium, recent graduate of Virginia Tech in software engineering, agreed that Wikipedia “needs improvement from a user point of view.” “It’s a very powerful tool but the user interface is a bit old,” said the native of Eritrea who volunteers for Wikipedia.

Jimmy Wales, the Wikipedia founder who is still the public face of the project, said questions about the site’s future direction will be worked out in the same manner the website operates-collaboratively. “I’m not the boss of Wikipedia, you are all the bosses,” he told the opening session of Wikimania at George Washington University on Thursday. Wales said that even forces are pushing Wikipedia in different directions, decisions won’t be made in an “authoritarian” manner.

“We’ve always viewed ourselves as a community brought together for a particular mission. We have core value, like a free and open Internet,” he said. “The authoritarian model is not always the one that works.” Wales and others admit that Wikipedia needs to do more to encourage participation. Wikipedia has editions in 285 languages, including growing editions in Yoruba, Swahili and Afrikaans, over 22 million articles and 100,000 active contributors. In some cases, Wales says articles are pro-

duced by “bots,” or computer programs that automatically generate or translate content.

But Wikipedians, the name for those who participate, see an urgent need to make Wikipedia more open to newcomers, to keep up with the vast amount of information it is trying to process. “It isn’t always the most polite or friendly place,” said a participant who goes by his Wikipedia name, Kudpung.

“Wikipedia is the encyclopedia everyone can edit, but you have to jump through a lot of hoops, and there is no welcoming committee. So people will create new pages and edit pages only to find those pages or edits deleted, and they are not told about it in a nice way.” Kudpung, a British national living in Thailand and longtime Wikipedia editor, said the site needs new people. “It has been going for over 10 years and the number of quality encyclopedia articles has flattened out,” he said.

“The majority being submitted are autobiographical articles that people post about themselves because they think it’s Facebook.

On the other hand, there are people who have something to contribute but they don’t know the rules.” Sue Gardner, executive director of the Wikimedia Foundation which operates the site, said those involved in the project are aware of the slumping rate of participation and are taking to respond.

One initiative is a “visual” editor which will make it easier for people without special computer skills to contribute and edit Wikipedia articles. “We want to make it as easy for people to edit Wikipedia as it is to update their status on Facebook,” Gardner said. She said devoted Wikipedians may want some changes but don’t want it to become commercial. “I think people really trust Wikipedia and one of the reasons they trust us is because we are honest about our mistakes. If we become slick and glossy I don’t think that would become a source of trust.” Gardner said she and others are proud that the site has remained true to its ideals, and even “homely.”

“Wikipedia is not flashy or splashy,” she said.

“It is not something designed by marketing people to keep you on to sell you something.

So that is its charm.”— AFP

VIRGINIA: A supporter uses an iPad to photograph US President Barack Obama as he speaks in an overflow room during a campaign event at Phoebus High School in Hampton, Virginia. —AFP

BOSTON: A bug in an update of Symantec Corp’s anti-virus software caused some Windows PCs to crash late last week, making machines inoperable until they were serviced in an embarrassing episode that angered some customers.

The company disclosed the problem on its website, saying that an update to its widely used Symantec Endpoint Protection 12.1 and Norton anti-virus software for businesses caused some PCs running Microsoft Windows XP software to crash repeatedly, showing what is known as the “blue screen of death.”

The embarrassment comes at a challenging time for Symantec, whose shares have lost about a quarter of their value since it warned of a pending profit decline three months ago.

“Enterprise security has continued to be an uphill battle for Symantec,” said Daniel Ives, an analyst with FBR Capital Markets. “There is increasing competition. The company historically has not been consistent around executing.”

The company knows so far of about 300 corporate customers that have been affected, and about 60 consumer customers. Customers

reported it took Symantec hours to identify and fix the bug and that they needed to fix computers broken by the tainted update on their own.

Symantec blamed the glitch on software compatibility issues that arose after an update was released late on Wednesday. PCs could be fixed if customers manually removed the software from each disabled computer, it said in an advisory. “Phoning Symantec support this morning was the start of the hell we went through,” one customer said in a support forum on Symantec’s website. “The support is a joke, the quality control is a joke, and the software is not much better.”

Customers complained on a Symantec user forum that the removal process was time consuming, although one said the software maker had offered compensation for the inconvenience. That customer said on the support site that he emailed technical support to ask: “How is Symantec going to compensate customers for the hours of lost worker production and the time and effort taken by IT staffs to rectify this huge error by Symantec?”

He said a company representative called him 20 minutes later to say they were working on a compensation package. “I encourage everyone to ask to be compensated for the time and effort it took all of us (to) fix Symantec’s software,” the customer said on the support site. (http://bit.ly/LiH764) Symantec spokeswoman Ellen Hayes did not respond when asked if any compensation that might be in the works.

A technology manager with Dutch company PSO Beheer BV told Reuters the bug caused some 150 PCs to fail. His company had to close a laboratory with equipment running on Windows XP machines and also sent some workers home so they could access their network remotely. “It did have quite an impact on our business,” said manager Ron van den Broek.

“My first impression is Symantec is downplaying the effects of this issue.” A Maryland-based insurance company temporarily shut down antivirus software for all its 150 PCs to prevent them from getting damaged, leaving them without protection, the company’s technology manager told Reuters. — Reuters

Social networks scan for sexual predators, with uneven results SAN FRANCISCO: On March 9 of this year, a piece of Facebook software spotted something suspicious. A man in his early thirties was chatting about sex with a 13-year-old South Florida girl and planned to meet her after middle-school classes the next day.

Facebook’s extensive but little-discussed technology for scanning postings and chats for criminal activity automatically flagged the conversation for employees, who read it and quickly called police.

Officers took control of the teenager’s computer and arrested the man the next day, said Special Agent Supervisor Jeffrey Duncan of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The alleged predator has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of soliciting a minor. “The manner and speed with which they contacted us gave us the ability to respond as soon as possible,” said Duncan, one of a half-dozen law enforcement officials interviewed who praised Facebook for triggering inquiries.

Facebook is among the many companies that are embracing a combination of new technologies and human monitoring to thwart sex predators. Such efforts generally start with automated screening for inappropriate language and exchanges of personal information, and extend to using the records of convicted pedophiles’ online chats to teach the software what to seek out.

Yet even though defensive techniques are now available and effective they can be expensive. They can also alienate some of a site’s target audienceespecially teen users who expect more freedom of expression. While many top sites catering to young children are quite vigilant, the same can’t be said for the burgeoning array of online options for the 13- to 18-year-old set.

“There are companies out there that are doing a very good job, working within the confines of what they have available,” said Brooke Donahue, a supervisory special agent with an FBI team devoted to Internet predators and child pornography. “There are companies out there that are more concerned about profitability.”

THE SMARTPHONE FACTOR Two recent incidents are raising new questions about companies’ willingness to invest in safety. Last month the maker of a smartphone app called Skout, designed for flirtation with strangers in the same area, admitted its use had led to sexual assaults on three teenagers by adults. The venture-backed firm had not verified that users of its now-shuttered teen section were under 20, giving predators easy access.

Also in June, a teen-oriented virtual world called Habbo Hotel, which boasts hundreds of millions of registered users, temporarily blocked all chatting after UK television reported that two sex predators had found victims on the site and that a journalist posing as an 11-year-old girl was bombarded with explicit remarks and requests that she disrobe on webcam.Former employees said site owner Sulake of Finland laid off many in-house workers earlier this year, leaving it unable to moderate 70 million lines of daily chat adequately. Sulake said it had kept 225 moderators and is still investigating what went wrong. The failures at Skout and Habbo shocked child-safety experts and technology professionals, who fear they will lead to a renewed panic about online safety that is not justified by the data. By some measures, Internet-related sex crimes against children have always been rare and are now falling (as are reports of assaults on minors that do not involve the Net). Most sex crimes against children are committed by people the children know, rather than strangers.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children processed 3,638 reports of online “enticement” of children by adults last year, down from 4,053 in 2010 and 5,759 in 2009. Even those compa-

nies with state-of-the-art defenses spend far more time trying to stop online bullying and attempts to sneak profanity past automatic word filters than they do fending off sex predators. Still, as the Skout case showed, there are several recent trends that have heightened the concerns of child-safety experts: the rise of smartphones, which are harder for parents to monitor; location-oriented services, which are the darling of Net companies seeking more ad revenue from local businesses; and the rapid proliferation in phone and tablet apps, which don’t always make clear what data they are using and distributing.

EXPENSIVE DEFENSES A solid system for defending against online predators requires both oversight by trained employees and intelligent software that not only searches for improper communication but also analyzes patterns of behavior, experts said. The better software typically starts as a filter, blocking the exchange of abusive language and personal contact information such as email addresses, phone numbers and Skype login names. But instead of looking just at one set of messages it will examine whether a user has asked for contact information from dozens of people or tried to develop multiple deeper and potentially sexual relationship, a process known as grooming.

Companies can set the software to take many defensive steps automatically, including temporarily silencing those who are breaking rules or banning them permanently. As a result, many threats are eliminated without human intervention and moderators at the company are notifed later. Sites that operate with such software still should have one professional on safety patrol for every 2,000 users online at the same time, said Sacramento-based Metaverse Mod Squad, a moderating service. At that level the human side of the task entails “months and months of boredom followed by a few minutes of your hair on fire,” said Metaverse Vice President Rich Weil.

Metaverse uses hundreds of employees and contractors to monitor websites for clients including virtual world Second Life, Time Warner’s Warner Brothers and the PBS public television service.

Metaverse Chief Executive Amy Pritchard said that in five years her staff only intercepted something terrifying once, about a month ago, when a man on a discussion board for a major media company was asking for the email address of a young site user.

Software recognized that the same person had been making similar requests of others and flagged the account for Metaverse moderators. They called the media company, which then alerted authorities.

Other sites aimed at kids agree that such crises are rarities.

NAUGHTY USERS, NICER REVENUES Sites aimed at those under 13 are very different from those with large teen audiences. Under a 1998 law known as COPPA, for the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, sites directed at those 12 and under must have verified parental consent before collecting data on children. Some sites go much further: Disney’s Club Penguin offers a choice of viewing either filtered chat that avoids blacklisted words or chats that contain only words that the company has pre-approved.

Filters and moderators are essential for a clean experience, said Claire Quinn, safety chief at a smaller site aimed at kids and young teens, WeeWorld. But the programs and people cost money and can depress ad rates. “You might lose some of your naughty users, and if you lose traffic you might lose some of your revenue,” Quinn said. “You have to be prepared to take a hit.” There is no legal or technical reason that companies with large teen audiences, like Facebook, or mainly teen users, such as Habbo, can’t do the same thing as Disney and WeeWorld. — Reuters

IDAHO: Apple CEO Tim Cook at the Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, Thursday. —AP

Apple rejoins green tech program SAN FRANCISCO: Apple said Friday it was rejoining a program to certify its products as environmentally friendly after a controversy that could have dented sales of its popular gadgets. The California company behind iPads, iPhones, iPods and Macbooks said it was reversing its decision to quit the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) global registry.

Apple senior vice president Bob Mansfield said that the company listened to “customers who were disappointed” by the action to delist from the registry. “I recognize that this was a mistake. Starting today, all eligible Apple products are back on EPEAT,” he said in a letter posted on the company website.

“It’s important to know that our commitment to protecting the environment has never changed, and today it is as strong as ever. Apple makes the most environmentally responsible products in our industry. In fact, our engineering teams have worked incredibly hard over the years to make our products even more environmentally friendly.”

In dropping out last month from the registry, Apple offered no explanation but speculation centered around its use of batteries on some MacBooks which are glued into the frame and thus are not easily recycled. Mansfield’s letter said that some common yardsticks for green products could be “upgraded” and made stronger.

He said Apple “led the industry in removing harmful toxins such as brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)” and is “the only company to comprehensively report greenhouse gas emissions for every product we make.” The announcement came a day after San Francisco city officials said they would stop purchasing Apple products, citing a rule in place that requires laptops, computers or monitors bought by the city to meet top EPEAT standards.

City chief information officer Jon Walton said Thursday that San Francisco had “reached out to Apple” about the problem.

The procurement rule is similar to a standard used by other US cities and states as well as by the federal government, according to Walton. EPEAT, which gives green ratings to computer desktops, laptops and monitors, was launched in the United States in 2006 with corporations and other large IT purchasers in mind.—AFP

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

H E A LT H

US state’s abortion clinic can stay open MISSISSIPPI: A federal judge upheld Mississippi’s anti-abortion law Friday but said the state’s only clinic can stay open and will not face any penalties as it tries to comply with the new mandate. US District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III gave the clinic and the state each a partial victory with his ruling. The law requires anyone who does abortions at the clinic to be an OB-GYN with privileges to admit patients to a local hospital. The clinic’s two out-of-state OB-GYNS don’t have those privileges and have had difficulty getting them from local hospitals.

“The resolution of that issue will impact the ultimate issues in this case,” Jordan wrote. The clinic, Jackson Women’s Health Organization, has said it could be forced out of business with the admitting privileges requirement, making it nearly impossible to get an abortion in the state. The US Supreme Court has ruled states can’t place undue burdens on, or substantial obstacles to, women seeking abortions.

The clinic said its OB-GYNs have applied for admitting privileges at most Jackson-area hospitals but haven’t received responses. When clinic employees called a Catholic hospital to ask about applying for privileges, clinic owner Diane Derzis said, “We were told not to bother.” The clinic sued the state June 27 seeking to block the law. Jordan temporarily blocked the measure July 1, the day it was supposed to take effect. He heard arguments Wednesday about the clinic’s request for a longer injunction, and granted the request in part on Friday.

“The act will be allowed to take effect, but plaintiffs will not be subject to the risk of criminal or civil penalties at this time or in the future for operating without the relevant privileges,” the judge wrote.

Supporters of the law passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature this year said it’s designed to protect patients, and Republican Gov. Phil Bryant has said he hopes it will help make Mississippi “abortion-free.”

Bryant said he Friday was “gratified” that the judge will allow the law to start taking effect. The state health officer, Dr. Mary Currier, filed a sworn statement in federal court Thursday showing how long it would take to fully implement the law if it takes effect. If the clinic is inspected and found out of compliance, it would get about 10 months to try to follow the mandates and to exhaust its administrative appeals with the Health Department. If the clinic loses its state license, it would then get more time to appeal to a state court.

Health Department spokeswoman Liz Sharlot said Currier and other department officials late Friday were reviewing the judge’s decision to see what the agency’s next steps will be. The clinic says its physicians do almost all of the roughly 2,000 abortions that are performed in Mississippi each year. If Mississippi physicians perform 10 or fewer abortions a month, or 100 or fewer a year, they can avoid having their offices

regulated as abortion facilities.

A spokeswoman for Pro-Life Mississippi, Tanya Britton, said Friday of the judge’s ruling that keeps the clinic open for now: “It’s not a victory for the women of the state of Mississippi. This law was always about their health. If a woman is going to have an abortion and if people who perform abortions say they really care about the health of women, then they should want the best standard of care.” The New York-based Center for Reproductive Rights, which has been helping the clinic in the lawsuit, says there are no plans to appeal.

“The federal judge has provided crucial temporary protection for the clinic and its physicians,” Nancy Northup, the center’s president and CEO, said in a news release. “We will remain vigilant in our fight to ensure the clinic isn’t subject to penalties that would force its doors to close and deprive Mississippi women of their constitutionally-protected rights.”— AP

Lemurs the world’s most threatened mammal: Study

SAN FRANSISCO: In this photo taken July 5, 2012, Shauna Barbera uses a bottled water dispenser at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. The city that regulated Happy Meal toys and banned plastic grocery bags has a new target in its healthconscious, eco-friendly crosshairs: plastic water bottles. —AP

SF considering ways to curb plastic water bottles SAN FRANCISCO : San Francisco, the city that regulated Happy Meal toys and banned plastic grocery bags, has a new target in its health-conscious, eco-friendly crosshairs: plastic water bottles. City officials are considering an ordinance that would require owners of new and renovated buildings with water fountains to install special bottle-filling taps. The law’s designed to encourage thirsty people to refill containers instead of reaching for another bottle of Evian or Aquafina.

“This is the appropriate next step to make it easier for San Franciscans to get out of the bad habit of using environmentally wasteful plastic water bottles and into the good habit of using reusable water containers,” said Board of Supervisors President David Chiu, who introduced the legislation in June. Bottle-filling taps like the ones that would be required if Chiu’s measure passes already are found at San Francisco International Airport and at some city parks and schools. Installed behind a drinking fountain’s regular faucet, they dispense chilled water in a quick-streaming vertical jet that is high enough to accommodate most water containers.

Advocates say having bottle-specific spigots encourages the reuse of water bottles by eliminating long waits to fill them and removing concerns about germs. Some people squirm at the thought of drinking from a fountain exposed to so many mouths, although city officials say water fountains are no less hygienic than bottle taps.

Skeptics question whether the ordinance is necessary, since the proposed taps pour the same highly-regarded public water that comes out of every other faucet and drinking fountain.

Businesses often complain that San Francisco lawmakers are too quick to impose bans or restrictions that affect their bottom lines. “If you are in an office, your kitchen has a sink, the sink has a faucet and that faucet puts out Hetch Hetchy (reservoir) water,” San Francisco Building Owners and Managers Association representative Ken Cleaveland said. “It’s just one more new law that San Francisco is implementing on top of hundreds of other laws to make, rather force, compliance in sustainable practices.” Despite initial skepticism, the association is waiting for more details before taking a stance on the law

Adding a bottled-water spigot to existing water fountains would cost at least around $750, according to manufacturers.

For officials at Pennsylvania State University, the cost has been worthwhile. The university is now installing taps on all its campuses after experimenting with them for three years, said Lydia Vandenbergh, an official overseeing the university’s effort to reduce use of plastic water bottles. Students were more receptive to filling bottles from special taps than drinking fountains, thought to be dirty. “In the era of hyper hygiene, for a lot of people, that’s a barrier,” Vandenbergh said. University officials have estimated the busiest tap replaces the equivalent of 35,000 plastic bottles a month.

Chiu’s ordinance calls plastic water bottles “bad for the environment,” unnecessarily taking up landfill space and causing greenhouse gas emissions when cheap tap water is available.

San Francisco city departments have been barred from buying plastic water bottles since 2007. Chiu said he considered other aggressive measures to curb the bottle, including a fee and an outright ban. The proposed ordinance is less severe and is meant to raise awareness about drinking tap water as an alternative, he said.

Environmental groups are supportive of efforts to wean San Franciscans from plastic water bottles. “San Francisco has among the best drinking water in country. It’s ridiculous that people would go out and spend their now very limited dollars to buy bottled water,” said Mae Wu, an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council. Chris Hogan, an International Bottled Water Association spokesman, said his industry contributes a small fraction of worldwide energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. He welcomed efforts to encourage drinking tap water, but said they don’t require demonizing bottled water.

“When you make the argument to discourage people from drinking bottled water, you are removing the healthiest option when it comes to choosing a bottled beverage,” Hogan said.

Chiu introduced the ordinance at a board of supervisors meeting on June 26. It is expected to go before the supervisors’ Land Use and Economic Development Committee in September and if it passes, on to the full board of supervisors. — AP

KIEV: An elephant named ‘’Horas’’ sprays sand at the zoo in Kiev yeserday. The sevenyear-old Asian elephant was brought to the zoo a month ago and was officially presented to the public yesterday.— AFP

ANTANANARIVO: Lemurs, the furry apes brought to fame by the Disney animation film “Madagascar”, are the most endangered mammals on Earth, an International Union for Conservation of Nature conference found. An IUCN workshop met in Madagascar this week to discuss the world’s 103 lemur species as conservation deteriorates amid political turmoil that has lasted three years.

“Madagascar has, by far, the highest proportion of threatened species of any primate habitat region or any one country in the world. As a result, we now believe that lemurs are probably the most endangered of any group of vertebrates,” said primatologist Christoph Schwitzer, one of the conference organisers. Over 90 percent of the world’s lemur species-found only on the Indian Ocean island-were upgraded to critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable on the IUCN’s Threatened Species list.

The destruction of the primates’ tropical forest habitat and an upsurge in bushmeat hunting have depleted lemur numbers since con-

servation efforts broke down after a coup in 2009, the body said in a statement late Friday. “Following this coup, there has been a serious breakdown of protective measures, with two key protected areas in northern Madagascar, Masoala National Park and Marojejy National Park, both of them part of a UNESCO complex of World Heritage Sites.”

“Political uncertainty has increased poverty and accelerated illegal logging. Hunting of these animals has also emerged as a more serious threat than previously imagined,” it found. The bush meat trade also affected tortoises and other species. Madagascar’s lemurs represent 20 percent of all primates, concentrated in an area less than one percent of global land area where apes roam. These include the world’s smallest primate at 30 grams, Madame Berthe’s mouse lemur, and the blue-eyed black lemur, the only ape species with blue eyes besides humans-both endangered. Since 2000 40 new lemur species have been discovered.— AFP

Florida health officials deny cover-up in TB outbreak FLORIDA: Florida state health officials have denied they covered up a sharp spike in tuberculosis infections among the homeless in Jacksonville and said the public was not at risk from what is believed to be the worst TB outbreak in the nation in 20 years. At least 13 people have died and another 99 have contracted TB in the outbreak in Jacksonville, the state’s largest city with a population of 825,000.

The Florida Department of Health said local, state and federal officials were working to contain the infections and that there was no need for a highly publicized alert even though up to 3,000 people may be at risk of contracting TB. State health officials also defended their decision not to raise a general alarm because the population of infected homeless persons appeared isolated and contained. “In this particular cluster, the general public was not at risk, because the cluster affected a defined sub-population,” Dr. Steven Harris, the department’s deputy secretary, told Reuters on Friday.

He said the department’s first priority for communicating information about TB cases was to those at highest risk of exposure and added that “it is nearly impossible to catch TB” from casual contact with an infected person on the street. TB is caused by airborne bacteria spread through coughing or close contact with those already infected. “To be at risk, you must be exposed to the organisms constantly, by living or working in close quarters with someone who has the active disease,” he said, noting that most people who are infected never have symptoms or spread the infection.

TB cases in Florida have steadily declined from 1,764 cases in 1994 to 753 last year.To help track the spread of the current outbreak in Jacksonville, which was first detected in 2009, Florida’s health department called in the Atlanta-based U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in February. The CDC, however, said in a report that most of the potentially infected persons remained undetected and mobile, a combination that makes containment and treatment more difficult.

Although the TB strain in the Jacksonville outbreak is a common one, it still requires a lengthy course of antibiotics.

The report noted that the outbreak was the largest the CDC had been involved with since the 1990s. It was released in April while lawmakers were debating a bill to close a state hospital in Palm Beach County that handled hard-to-treat TB strains. Backers of the move to close A.G. Holley State Hospital included Republican Governor Rick Scott, a former health care executive who said the 62-year-old hospital had outlived its usefulness and needed to be shut down to save money.

The bill was passed and signed by Scott in late April and the hospital was closed at the end of June, but lawmakers involved in the decision said they had not been informed of the outbreak in Jacksonville. “Maybe it’s appropriate that A.G. Holley would be closed, maybe not,” Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich, a Democrat who voted not to close the hospital, said in a statement on Thursday. “If we had all the information, maybe a different decision would have been made.” Rich, who sits on the Senate healthcare budget committee, has called for a legislative hearing to address the matter. — Reuters

Fat studies conference challenges stereotypes WELLINGTON: Cat Pause proudly describes herself as “fat”, can live with euphemisms like “curvy”, “chunky” or “chubby”, but baulks at what she believes are value-laden labels such as “overweight” or “obese”. The US-born academic is a pioneer in the emerging field of fat studies, organising New Zealand’s first conference on the topic at Massey University ’s Wellington campus on Thursday and Friday.

Fat studies, she explains, is an academic discipline just like history, English or political science, but it examines attitudes towards fat people and challenges the assumption that anyone with a bulging waistline is unhealthy. At the conference, scholars from as far afield as the United States and Australia discussed papers such as “Fat hatred and the Left in the time of ‘the obesity epidemic’” and “The role of diagnosis in marginalising corpulence”.

“One of the reasons we’re so fearful and hateful of fat is that we believe we can read people’s bodies,” Pause told AFP. “So when people look at a fat body like mine, it tells them I’m unhealthy and that this is a diseased body. It tells them I don’t ever exercise and eat nothing but junk.” Pause said the reality is that some people are just bigger than others and fat studies highlighted the need for society to accept the fact, rather than constantly judging fat people and pushing them to lose weight.

One of its first tasks, she said, was to reclaim the word “fat” so it was not used solely as an insult, in much the same way the gay community adopted the term “queer”. People now call themselves fat activists and speak of fat pride, refusing to accept what they say is pressure from the multi-billion weight loss industry to strive for a skinny ideal.

This explains Pause’s aversion to “overweight”, which she says implies she is above her perfect weight. She says she has not weighed herself for years and last time she did she tipped the scales at about 130 kilograms (237 pounds).

Similarly, she says “obesity” is a term “used by the medical community to pathologise fat bodies, making it a disease”.

‘Exploiting insecurities’-Massey University lecturer Andrew Dickson said the weight-loss industr y was built around exploiting the insecurities of fat people. “We know 95 percent of people who attempt to lose weight will fail to do so, therefore, there is not a weightloss industry, what they do is sell solutions to weight anxiety,” he said. “We’re getting this horrible, obsessive anxiety

about weight issues.” Dickson himself said he had never been as stressed as when he reduced his weight from 130 kilograms to 86, obsessively completing endurance runs, dieting constantly and taking prescription medicines to slim down.

Now weighing 100 kilograms, Dickson says he is healthy even though conventional weight charts would classify him as obese, still running about 60 kilometres (37 miles) a week and referring to himself as “the fat athlete”. “I don’t do them fast and I’m never going to win... (but) it’s not all about looking like Usain Bolt,” he said. Critics say asserting that obesity is not necessarily a major health problem flies in the face of medical evidence about diseases such as diabetes and other issues, a claim disputed by fat activists. “It’s not just how much you weigh for your height, it’s where it (fat) is in the liver, pancreas, and places that you can’t see,” Auckland University of Technology nutritionist Elaine Rush told TVNZ this week.

‘Daily’ insults- The fat issues movement, while addressing serious issues, is not without a strain of self-deprecating humor. Dickson lobbies running clubs to introduce a “Clydesdale class” for hefty athletes, while Pause has a set of bathroom scales from the US where the numbers have been replaced with words like “hot”, “perfect” and “sexy”.

In the Australian city of Melbourne, a synchronised swimming club for fat women has been set up called Aquaporko. “If you didn’t laugh, you’d cr y, we’d all go crazy,” said Pause.

Australian activist Kath Read, who blogs as “Fat Heffalump”, said many of the jibes directed her way were far from good natured. “I barely go through a day where I’m not called something nasty on the street by a stranger,” she said. “It’s not the kind of people, like teenagers, that you’d expect to be (doing the) abusing.

It’s by people in business suits, by women my own age-I’m almost 40 — by people you’d expect, on the face of it, to be respectable human beings.”

Pause said there were laws against racism and sexism but discrimination against fat people was just as commonplace and was not just tolerated but, in a sense promoted, by governments running anti-obesity campaigns. “It’s not illegal to discriminate against someone based on their size, whereas it’s illegal in most countries to discriminate based on someone’s sex or race, sexual orientation is becoming more protected too,” she said. “I’d like size to become a protected class.”— AFP

H E A LT H & S C I E NC E

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

Vegas chimp caretaker: Wild animals aren’t pets LAS VEGAS: Poker pro Lee Watkinson put up the money and girlfriend Timmi De Rosa gave her heart to an effort to rescue two adult chimpanzees that had outgrown their youthful cuteness in a northwest Las Vegas neighborhood. “We wanted to build a sanctuary,” Watkinson said Friday. “We found them in a bad situation. People have them and play with them for five years and then someone has to come and rescue them. That’s what we tried to do. We failed.”

On Thursday, after three straight days of stifling 110-degree days, the chimps burst through one door of their outdoor pen, opened a secondary door with two dead bolt latches, and escaped. For 30 minutes they rumbled through yards and climbed into and out of at least one unoccupied vehicle. The male, Buddy, dented fenders and jumped atop a police car before veering toward a gathering crowd of people. A Las Vegas police officer killed him with three shotgun blasts.

Buddy and the female, named C.J., had become unmanageable for their former owner, who signed part ownership of the animals over to a nonprofit that De Rosa heads, called the Cortland Brandenberg Foundation. The couple spent $100,000 of Watkinson’s winnings from the 2006 World Series of Poker on a sturdy double-fenced enclosure of 800 square feet, about the size of two big-rig trailers, this in the backyard of a home in a horsey neighborhood in unincorporated Clark County. Building codes in the area and Nevada state law allow people to keep exotic animals as pets.

Officer Marcus Martin, a Las Vegas police spokesman, said the veteran officer who shot Buddy thought he was the last defense between the rampaging animal and people gathering to watch.

Martin recalled a 2009 attack on a woman who was blinded and disfigured by a chimp at a friend’s home in Stamford, Conn.

A US student also suffered critical injuries including head wounds and the loss of a testicle and fingers when he was attacked by two adult chimpanzees after he entered their enclosure last month at

a primate sanctuary in South Africa.

Animal control officers tranquilized C.J. twice before she succumbed about an hour later beneath a shade tree in neighbor Tony Paolone’s backyard. She was returned to her enclosure before she regained consciousness. “Typical story.

Primates just don’t make good pets,” said Toby Goldman, a veterinarian who previously examined both chimps and was summoned to the scene to help tranquilize C.J. “They’re cute when they’re young.

But they become big and aggressive,” he said. “ Thankfully, nobody was hurt.”

Goldman on Friday stored Buddy’s body 4-feet-7 and 150 pounds with a 43-inch chest - at his nearby Island Pet Hospital.

Goldman believes Buddy was about 13 years old. Chimps can live 40 years or more. C.J. wasn’t as tall or heavy as Buddy.

“I look at it as he was an angry young adult, full of testosterone,” the veterinarian said. “It was a hot day. That adds another dimension. Everybody gets just that much more agitated.” Goldman noted the damaged inner door on the chimps’ enclosure, with mangled bolts and broken cinderblocks. But he said he thought the secondary door may not have been properly secured. “Perhaps it’s unfair to say ‘warehousing’ them, but that’s pretty much what was going on,” he said. “There was probably operator error in addition to the chimps pushing their way out.”

Dave Sacks, spokesman for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at the US Department of Agriculture, said investigators will look at whether cages were left unlocked, along with the health of the animals and other factors that may have led to the incident. He said the foundation was issued minor infractions following the last unannounced inspection, in April 2011, for not having animal and veterinary records on hand, and not having a written program for behavioral enrichment. No violations were found in a previous inspection in April 2010.

Clark County spokesman Dan Kulin said property owners David and Sheri Potochan obtained a permit in

November 2003 allowing them to keep the chimps on their property outside Las Vegas city limits. The Potochans did not respond to phone messages. Records show 13 other exotic animal permits for creatures including leopards, monkeys, kangaroos, camels, birds and wolves elsewhere in the county.

Watkinson said no one was at the enclosure when Buddy and C.J. escaped Thursday. A tenant in the house on the property heard the chimps knock on her window and alerted Watkinson and De Rosa and two people who tend the chimps.

“They opened it somehow. We have no idea how they got out,” Watkinson said. “This is what happens when people buy them as pets,” he said. “It’s almost inevitable. We’d like to see a law passed making it illegal to breed and sell chimps to people.” The Humane Society of the US , People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and the organization Born Free USA issued statements Friday calling for laws banning ownership of wild animals.

“Nevada is one of six states with no restrictions on private ownership of wild animals,” Humane Society chief Wayne Pacelle said. He listed the others as Alabama, North Carolina, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Wisconsin. “We must have policies to prevent people from getting these animals in the first place,” he said.

Pacelle conceded it was difficult to fault an act of mercy, but added that people need to know the costs for caring for animals like chimpanzees can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars during their lifetimes. “The best option is to turn them over to a reputable sanctuary that has the capability and capacity to safely house the animals for the rest of their lives,” he said. “We don’t disagree with them,” Wilkinson said of the advocates. “Chimps don’t belong in captivity.

But once they’re there, they can’t be released back into the wild.” “We were trying to step in and make the best of a bad situation,” he added. “Hopefully we can find a good place for C.J. so she can be with other chimps.”— AP

LAS VEGAS: The body of a male chimpanzee lies on the ground after being shot by police in Las Vegas, Nev Thursday.—AP

Philippines rescues sea turtles from poachers’ net MANILA: Philippine authorities rescued 14 protected sea turtles that were caught in a net laid down by Chinese poachers, a navy commander said yesterday. However one sea turtle was already dead when a joint team from the navy and the environment department arrived Friday in the remote area off the western island of Palawan, said Major Ferdinand Atos.

Atos, commander of naval forces in the area, said informants had told them that Chinese poachers planted the net a week ago in the coastal district of Balabac. “They enter the waters of Balabac, riding in a speedboat and they plant their nets, using their contacts among the locals,” he told AFP. The 200metre (660-foot) net left by the poachers was removed and the 14 surviving sea turtles were set free, Atos said.

He said informants had told them that Chinese fishermen used their contacts to enter the area frequently and would bring their catch to Half-Moon Shoal, an outcrop in the Spratly islands claimed by both the Philippines and China. The shoal has come under closer scrutiny after China announced that one of its naval frigates had run aground there. Sea turtles are protected under Philippine law and catching them is punishable by at least 12 years in jail.

Chinese fishermen poaching in Philippine waters have become an issue in recent months.

In April, Philippine authorities tried to arrest Chinese fishermen taking sea turtles and other protected species from Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. They were blocked by Chinese government ships, triggering a continuing standoff over the area which is claimed by both countries.—AFP

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SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

WHAT’S ON Greetings

th birthday Benit Joseph Jojo. May Almighty God bless you with good health and a bright future. Wishes from your loving Mummy, Daddy, Biana & Alex.

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Announcements Indian Embassy passport and visa Passports and Visa applications can be deposited at the two outsourced centers of M/S BLS Ltd at Sharq and Fahaheel. Details are available at www.bls-international.com and www.indembkwt.org .

Consular Open House Consular Wing is providing daily service of Open House to Indian citizens on all workings days from 1000 hrs to 1100 hrs and from 1430 hrs to 1530 hrs by the Consular Officer in the Meeting Room of the Consular Hall at the Embassy. For any unaddressed issues, Second Secretary (Consular) can be contacted.

Furthermore, the head of the Consular Wing is also available to redress grievances.

Indian workers helpline/helpdesk Indian workers helpline is accessible by toll free telephone number 25674163 from all over Kuwait. It provides information and advice to Indian workers as regards their grievances, immigration and other matters. The help desk at the Embassy (Open from 9AM to 1PM and 2PM to 4:30PM, Sunday to Thursday) provides guidance to Indian nationals on routine immigration, employment, legal and other issues. It also provides workers assistance in filling up labour complaint forms. For any unaddressed issues, the concerned attachÈ in the Labour section and the head of the Labour Wing can be contacted.

Legal Advice Clinic Free legal advice is provided on matters pertaining to labour disputes, terms of contracts with employers, death/accident compensation, withholding of dues by employers, etc. by lawyers on our panel, to Indian nationals on all working days between 1500hrs to 1600hrs.

Ambassador’s Open House The Open House for Indian citizens by the Ambassador is being held on all Wednesdays at the Embassy for redressal of grievances. In case Wednesday is an Embassy holiday, the meeting will be held on the next working day.

Book on Sulaiman Sait released MCC Kuwait committee released a Malayalam book titled ‘Sait Sahib Jeevitha Darshanam’, at a function recently. The book was written by Prof Abdul Wahab on the life of Ibrahim Sulaiman Sait, who had been a dynamic figure in Indian politics for more than seven

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decades. The first copy of the book was handed over to Mujeeb Rahman Kinaloor by Kaipattoor Thankachan.

Following the release, a general discussion was held on the political life of late Sait who led a clean political life that spanned over 70 years. The discussion was moder-

ated by Sathar Kunnil while P A Sherif presented a paper on the subject. A large number of people attended the meeting.

‘Leniency of Islam’ An unprecedented initiative of KTV2 (English channel) is the new program by the name ‘Leniency of Islam’ presented by Shaikh Musaad Alsane and directed by Hamid Al-Turkait. The program is mainly meant to address the expatriates living in Kuwait. Religious questions are received through the program email qislam@tv.gov.kw and sms can be sent to97822021 and answered by the lecturer and Imam in Awqaf Ministry Shaikh Musaad Alsane - a Master Degree holder in Sharia and fiqih from Kuwait University. So don’t forget to watch the program every Friday at 1:00 pm.

Competitions in Patriotic songs

Free Arabic course IPC is opening an Intensive Basic Arabic Course for ladies commencing from June 3 to July 8, 2012. The class will be from 5-7 pm for three days a week. Registration is on! For information, call 22512257.

Write to us Send to What’s On upcoming events, birthdays or celebrations by email: local@kuwaittimes.net Fax: 24835619 / 20

ndo-Kuwait Friendship Society, Kuwait (www.indo-kuwaitfriendshipsociety.com) is planning to conduct competitions in Indian and Kuwaiti Patriotic songs. This is the first time in Kuwait, an Indian Association is organizing contests in “Patriotic Songs” for both Indian and Kuwaiti School students. The first 3 places will be declared separately by Judges who are experts in Indian and Kuwaiti Patriotic songs.

Several prizes and awards will be handed over for the winning schools. Pradeep Rajkumar and A K S Abdul Nazar said that IKFS wants let our children learn what they mean as a “Patriotic” to their home country. 4 pages of spot Essay competition related to “Patriotism” also will be held in the same day as a spot registration. 1 Girl and 1 Boy student from each School can participate in the ESSAY contest. Dr. Mohamed Tareq, Chairman of the First Indian Model School in Kuwait “ Salmiya Indian Model School (SIMS) already confirmed as a Co-Sponsor of the Program.

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Conditions apply 1) The competitions are meant for all the Schools located in Kuwait and should be nominated by school authority.

2) Each school can select group of 7 students for the “PATRIOTIC SONGS (Indian and Kuwaiti)” and nominate separately.

3) Children of above 12 years till 17 years (VII classes to XII classes) are eligible for the contest. But if School is permitted 4) Musical instruments or KARAOKE mixer should be accompanied by the participating students/Children and the school team should operate and select the mixers.

5) Time frame: 7 minutes - Names will be called as “First come” in the Registration.

The Event will be held at the auditorium of “Salmiya Indian Model School” on Saturday, 27th October 2012 from 09:30 am onwards. It will be a full day program with fun and full of entertainments. Food-stalls of different Kuwaiti and Indian tastes will installed.

Dr. Ghalib Al-Mashoor said in a press release that Invitations for all schools located in various parts of Kuwait are already been sent. Schools under one management but from different locations can also participate in the contest individually. As per the school directory, there 23 Indian schools in Kuwait. The last date of receiving names of the Participants is scheduled on 2nd day of October, 2012 (INDIA’s GHANDI JAYANTHI DAY). The entry is free to all and due to 2nd day of Eid Al-Adha holidays, a large crowd is expected to attend in addition to, Senior Kuwaiti and Indian citizens will also grace the function.

All the applications of interest should be sent to: ikfsociety@gmail.com Phone:99430786

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SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

WHAT’S ON

Special Needs Youth welcomed into IKEA Kuwait’s Summer Internship s part of IKEA Kuwait’s continuous efforts towards the upliftment of the society, a batch of five gifted youth from The Kuwaiti Society for Guardians of the Disabled were welcomed into the annual summer training program for the first time.

For the first time, this year, five more special needs youth were also introduced to the program to experience a common platform that would encourage them to discover their untapped abilities.

The summer internship gives the special needs students an equal opportunity to learn about the company’s legendary business regime while enjoying a sense of acceptance and fulfillment in the corporate world. The program will provide an insight into the various functions of communications, sales, interior design and customer service.

IKEA Kuwait believes that diversity is not only practiced by the inclusion of different nationalities and cultures, but also in supporting and nurturing the unharnessed potential of the disabled.

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Embassy Information EMBASSY 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, Al-Banwan Building Al-Qibla Area, Ali Al-Salem Street, opposite the Central Bank of Kuwait, Kuwait City, Kuwait. Working hours and days: 09:30 - 17:30; Sunday - Thursday. Or visit their website www.vfs-au-gcc-com for more information. Kuwait citizens can apply for tourist visas on-line at www.immi.gov.au/e visa/e676.htm ■■■■■■■

EMBASSY OF BRAZIL The Embassy of Brazil requests all Brazilian citizens in Kuwait to proceed to the website www.brazil.org.kw (Contact Us Form / Fale Conosco) in order to register or update contact information. The Embassy encourages all citizens to do so, including the ones who have already registered in person at the Embassy. The registration process helps the Brazilian Government to contact and assist Brazilians living abroad in case of any emergency.

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EMBASSY OF BRITAIN

Lasting memories at Layaly JW Marriott El Ramadaniya this year he elegant five star JW Marriott Kuwait City Hotel will be hosting fascinating festivities throughout the holy month of Ramadan this year. The much-awaited Layaly JW Marriott El Ramadaniya will be a month long event held nightly at the largest ballroom of the hotel - the Al Jahra Ballroom. Located on the first floor, the ballroom will be elegantly transformed into an Arabian tent to guarantee an authentic flavor to the occasion.

During Layaly JW Marriott El Ramadaniya, guests and patrons will be served a special Ramadan family style iftar and sohour featuring oriental and international dishes in addition to live cooking stations and different flavors of sheesha. During Sohour, guests being given the opportunity to enter raffle draws every Thursday and Friday night to win valuable prizes like airline tickets and more. Guests can enjoy a relaxed family atmosphere or experience the comfort of a cozy private tent, with Ramadan beverages and traditional delicacies including Ramadan juices - while being entertained with a live music band strumming authentic tunes during Sohour. A large TV screen will broadcast popular Ramadan programs Sponsors for this mega event this year include noted brands in Kuwait - KEMS Zajil, Boadicea The Victorious (part of Al

Lenses, Sebamed, FRED sunglasses, IKEA, Tanagra, Kefan Optics and Kuwait Swiss Centre and Etihad Airways.

Alongside the traditional buffet symbolizing the heritage of Kuwaiti hospitality such as all-time favorites like majboos, morabin, lam Fattah and more, there will be live cooking stations for shawerma, saaj, falafel varieties, omelets and a corner for pastas.

George Aoun, Cluster General Manager of Kuwait Marriott Hotels said “Ramadan is truly an inspiring month of spiritual reflection and bonding with society. We invite all to join us during this auspicious month to experience traditional Arabic hospitality in approachable luxury at Kuwait’s finest five star hotel during Iftar and Sohour.”

For a more intimate and cozy dining experience during iftar and sohour The Courtyard by Marriott Kuwait City will also feature an oriental and international buffet with exquisite selections and Ramadan decorations at every table.

- Iftar timings: from sun set till 8:30 PM. - Sohour timings: 10 PM - 1:30 AM. For more information and prior reservations please call: (965) 9920 5554

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Arbash Group), Troika General Trading Company, Obagi Medical, Jothens

Gallery, Yacoub Behbehani and Sons, Damas Jewelers, Fresh Look Contact

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 KOREA The Embassy of the Republic of Korea wishes to inform that it has moved to Mishref. New Address: Embassy of the Republic of Korea Mishref, Block 7A, Diplomatic Area 2, Plot 6 The Embassy also wishes to inform that it will be opened to the public on the following office hours: Saturday to Thursday Morning: 8:00 am to 12:30 pm Lunch Break: 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm Afternoon: 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm ■■■■■■■

EMBASSY OF KENYA The Embassy of the Republic of Kenya wishes to inform Kenyan residents throughout Kuwait and the general public that with effect from June 1, 2012 the Embassy has moved from its current location to a new location in Surra Block 1, Street 8, Villa 303.

Please note that the new telephone and fax numbers will be communicated as soon as possible. For enquiries you can contact Consular Section on mobile 90935162 or 97527306.

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EMBASSY OF MEXICO The Embassy of Mexico is pleased to inform that it is located in CLIFFS Complex, Villa 6, Salmiya, block 9, Baghdad street, Jadda Lane 7. The working hours for consular issues are from 9:00 to 12:00 Sunday through Thursday. The reception is closed from 14:00 to 15:00 hours for lunch break. The Embassy of Mexico kindly requests all Mexicans citizens in Kuwait to proceed to the e-mail: embkuwait@sre.gob.mx in order to register or update contact information. Other consultations or/and appointments could be done by telephone or fax: (+965) 2573 1952 ■■■■■■■

EMBASSY OF MYANMAR Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar would like to inform the general public that the Embassy has moved its office to new location at Villa 35, Road 203, Block 2, AlSalaam Area in South Surra. The Embassy wishes to advice Myanmar citizens and travellers to Myanmar to contact Myanmar Embassy at its new location.

Tel. 25240736, 25240290, Fax: 25240749, email:myankuwait11@gmai1.com ■■■■■■■

IKFS is happy for abolition of the NRI service tax ndo-Kuwait Friendship Society (www.indokuwaitfriendshipsociety.com) a non-profit, socio-cultural, friendship NRI association in Kuwait who is in the forefront of bringing various NRI issues said in a statement that IKFS is happy to know that the UPA government’s Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) will not charge remittance fees from abroad “as a service tax”.

Last month IKFS had requested all the NRI associations to protest against levying 12.36% service tax and send grievance letters to Vayalar Ravi, Minister of Indian Overseas, and the Finance

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Your health & Ramadan ou are invited to “Your Health & Ramadan Dasman Diabetes Institute” from 9 am till 2 pm, today 15th July.* Blood Glucose Monitoring. * BMI Calculation * Blood Pressure Monitoring. For any inquiries, please contact us on: www.facebook.com/dasmaninstitute

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Minister in Charge Dr. Manmohan Singh to stop charging the levy.

Dr. Ghalib Al-Mashoor, President and Iftekhar Ahamed, Treasurer of IKFS said that UPA Govt should never under-estimate the NRIs who bring more than USD65.0 billion to the country. This huge amount of in flow to our beloved mother land India should be continued and illegal transfers such as “Hawalla” and black money should be completely stopped. Levying taxes on foreign remittance service charges will jeopardize the interest of our nation and increase the illegal cash

flows.

Pradeep Rajkumar and AKS Abdul Nazar asked to be vigilant if the UPA plans in future hacking of fees from the under-privileged NRIs who left their kith and kin for years behind only for earning their daily income. An average Non-Resident Indian works in GCC countries more than 12 hours to fetch some daily income. IKFS also appreciated the timely intervention by the Chief Minister of Kerala, Oommen Chandy along with other Politicians from Punjab who care the NRIs very much.

Aware Centre he AWARE Management is glad to inform you that Summer 3 Arabic language courses will begin on August 12, 2012 until September 26, 2012. AWARE Arabic language courses are designed with the expat in mind. The environment is relaxed & courses are designed for those wanting to learn Arabic for travel, cultural understanding, and conducting business or simply to become more involved in the community. We

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cater to teachers, travelers & those working in the private business sector.

Arabic classes at the AWARE Center are unique because students are provided with the chance to practice their Arabic through various social activities that aim at bringing Arabs and Westerners together.

AWARE Arabic courses highlights * Introductory to Level 4 Arabic language basics

* Better prepare you for speaking, reading and writing Arabic * Combine language learning with cultural insights * Taught in multi-nationality group settings * Provide opportunities to interact with Western expatriates and native Kuwaitis/Arabs.

For more information, call 25335260/80 or log onto: www.aware.com.kw.”

EMBASSY OF NIGERIA The Nigerian embassy has its new office in Mishref. Block 3, Street 7, House 4. For enquires please call 25379541. Fax25387719. Emailnigeriakuwait@yahoo.com or nigeriankuwait@yahoo.co.uk ■■■■■■■

EMBASSY OF PAKISTAN During the holy month of Ramadan the general working hours at the Embassy of Islamic Republic of Pakistan will be from 8 am till 2 pm.

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EMBASSY OF THAILAND The Royal Thai Embassy in Kuwait, wishes to invite the Kuwaiti companies that deal business with Thai companies or those agencies of Thai commercial companies to visit the Embassy’s Commercial Office to register their relevant information to be part of the embassy’s business and trade database.

The Royal Thai Embassy is located in Jabriya, Block 6, Street 8, Villa No. 1, Telephone No. 25317530 -25317531, Ext: 14.

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EMBASSY OF UKRAINE We’d like to inform you that in response to the increasing number of our citizens who work in the state and the need for 24-hour operational telephone in case of emergency the Embassy of Ukraine in the State of Kuwait has opened “hotline telephone number” - (+ 965) 972-79-206.

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

TV PROGRAMS

00:45 01:40 02:35 03:30 03:55 04:25 05:20 06:10 07:00 07:25 07:50 08:15 09:10 09:35 10:05 11:00 11:55 12:50 13:45 14:40 15:05 15:35 16:00 16:30 17:25 18:20 Baker 19:15 20:10 21:05 22:00 22:55 23:50

Shark Attack File 2 Animal Cops South Africa Cats 101 Great Animal Escapes Great Animal Escapes Wildest Africa Great Ocean Adventures Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 Karina: Wild On Safari Meerkat Manor Bondi Vet Corwin’s Quest Dick ‘n’ Dom Go Wild Breed All About It Crocodile Hunter Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 Michaela’s Animal Road Trip Wild France Wild France Rescue Vet Rescue Vet Safari Vet School Safari Vet School Must Love Cats Bad Dog Weird Creatures With Nick Into The Pride Great Ocean Adventures Wildest Africa Speed Of Life Monster Bug Wars Untamed & Uncut

00:10 Robin Hood 00:55 Monarch Of The Glen 01:45 Live At The Apollo 02:30 My Family 03:00 Last Of The Summer Wine 03:30 Doctor Who Confidential 03:40 Allo ‘allo!

04:15 Fimbles 04:35 Little Prairie Dogs 04:45 Nina And The Neurons 05:00 Show Me Show Me 05:25 Boogie Beebies 05:40 Charlie And Lola 05:50 Fimbles 06:10 Tellytales 06:20 Little Prairie Dogs 06:30 Nina And The Neurons 06:45 Show Me Show Me 07:10 Boogie Beebies 07:25 Charlie And Lola 07:35 Robin Hood 08:20 Keeping Up Appearances 08:50 Lab Rats 09:20 The Old Guys 09:50 Great Ormand Street 10:40 The Inspector Lynley Mysteries 11:30 London Hospital 12:30 The Royle Family 13:00 The Impressions Show 13:30 Allo ‘allo!

14:00 Doctors 14:30 Doctors 15:00 Doctors 15:30 Doctors 16:00 Doctors 16:35 Walk On The Wild Side 17:10 Doctor Who 17:55 Doctor Who Confidential 18:10 London Hospital 19:00 Blackadder The Third 19:30 Twenty Twelve 20:00 Life On Mars 20:50 Spooks 21:40 New Tricks 22:30 The Inspector Lynley Mysteries 23:20 Live At The Apollo

00:00 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 00:40 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 01:20 Come Dine With Me 02:10 Cash In The Attic 02:50 Cash In The Attic 03:35 Bargain Hunt 04:20 Bargain Hunt

05:05 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 05:50 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 06:30 Come Dine With Me 07:20 MasterChef Australia 12:45 MasterChef Australia 13:35 10 Years Younger 14:25 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 15:45 DIY SOS 16:10 DIY SOS 16:35 Holmes On Homes 17:20 Holmes On Homes 18:10 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 19:30 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 20:10 Gok’s Clothes Roadshow 21:00 Masterchef: The Professionals 21:50 Masterchef: The Professionals 22:40 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

00:00 BBC World News 00:10 The Culture Show Special 01:00 BBC World News 01:30 BBC World News 02:00 BBC World News 02:10 World Features 02:30 Middle East Business Report 03:00 BBC World News 03:10 World Features 03:30 BBC World News 04:00 BBC World News 04:30 Dateline London 05:00 BBC World News 05:10 The Culture Show Special 06:00 BBC World News 06:30 Click 07:00 BBC World News 07:30 Newsnight 08:00 BBC World News 08:30 India Business Report 09:00 BBC World News 09:30 Fast Track 10:00 BBC World News 10:10 World Features 10:30 BBC World News 11:00 BBC World News 11:10 World Features 11:30 Dateline London 12:00 BBC World News 12:10 Faster, Higher, Stronger 13:00 BBC World News 13:10 World Features 13:30 BBC World News 14:00 BBC World News 14:30 Newsnight 15:00 BBC World News 15:10 World Features 15:30 Collaboration Culture 16:00 BBC World News 16:15 Sport Today 16:30 Click 17:00 BBC World News 17:30 Rendezvous With Zeinab Badawi 18:00 BBC World News 18:10 The Culture Show Special 19:00 BBC World News 19:30 India Business Report 20:00 BBC World News 20:30 Our World 21:00 BBC World News 21:15 Sport Today 21:30 Collaboration Culture 22:00 BBC World News 22:30 BBC World News 23:00 BBC World News 23:10 World Features 23:30 Rendezvous With Zeinab Badawi

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

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

TAXI ON OSN ACTION HD

05:25 05:50 06:00 06:15 06:35 07:00 07:25 07:50 08:15 08:40 08:55 09:15 09:40 10:05 10:30 10:55 11:20 11:30 13:10 13:35 14:00 14:15 14:40 15:30 16:20 16:45 17:00 17:25 17:50 18:05 18:30 18:55 19:20 19:45 20:00 20:10 20:35 21:00 21:25 21:50 22:15 22:40 Doo 23:05 23:20 23:45

The Jetsons Wacky Races Johnny Bravo Dexter’s Laboratory A Pup Named Scooby-Doo Bananas In Pyjamas Jelly Jamm Baby Looney Tunes Gerald McBoing Boing Ha Ha Hairies Pink Panther And Pals The Garfield Show What’s New Scooby-Doo? What’s New Scooby-Doo? Droopy: Master Detective The Looney Tunes Show Dexter’s Laboratory Rockin’ With Judy Jetson Dastardly And Muttley The Scooby Doo Show Dexters Laboratory Dexter’s Laboratory The Garfield Show Looney Tunes Tom & Jerry Tom & Jerry Pink Panther And Pals Pink Panther And Pals Johnny Bravo Johnny Bravo The Jetsons The Flintstones Dastardly And Muttley Popeye Dexter’s Laboratory The Looney Tunes Show What’s New Scooby-Doo? Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries The Garfield Show The Flintstones Droopy & Dripple Scooby-Doo And ScrappyPopeye The Jetsons Duck Dodgers

00:30 Bakugan: New Vestroia 00:55 Bakugan: New Vestroia 01:20 Powerpuff Girls 02:10 Courage The Cowardly Dog 03:00 The Amazing World Of Gumball 03:25 Ben 10 03:50 Adventure Time 04:15 Powerpuff Girls 04:40 Generator Rex 05:05 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 05:30 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 05:55 Angelo Rules 06:00 Ed, Edd n Eddy 06:25 Casper’s Scare School 07:00 The Powerpuff Girls 07:15 Hi Hi Puffy Ami Yumi 07:40 Total Drama: Revenge Of The Island 08:05 The Amazing World Of Gumball 08:30 Adventure Time 08:55 Regular Show 09:20 Batman Brave And The Bold 09:45 Young Justice 10:05 Thundercats 10:35 Hero 108 11:00 Redakai: Conquer The Kairu 11:25 Grim Adventures Of...

12:15 Courage The Cowardly Dog 13:05 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 13:30 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 13:55 Powerpuff Girls 14:45 Thundercats 15:10 Generator Rex 15:35 Ben 10 16:00 Ed, Edd n Eddy 16:50 The Amazing World Of Gumball 17:15 Adventure Time 17:40 Regular Show 18:05 Powerpuff Girls 18:55 Ben 10: Alien Force 19:20 Ben 10: Alien Force 19:45 Ed, Edd n Eddy 20:35 Bakugan: Mechtanium Surge 21:00 Star Wars: The Clone Wars 21:25 Redakai: Conquer The Kairu 21:50 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 01:30 02:00 02:30 03:00 03:15 03:30 04:00 05:00 06:00 06:30 07:00 07:30 08:00 08:15 08:30 09:00 09:15 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 14:00 14:30 15:00 16:00 17:00 17:30 18:00 18:15 18:30 18:45 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:30 22:00 23:00 23:30

00:40 01:10 01:35 02:30 03:00 03:25 03:55 04:20 04:50 05:15 05:40 06:05 06:35 07:00 07:25 07:50 08:15 08:45 09:40 10:05 10:30 11:25 12:20 14:10 14:35 16:25 16:55 18:45 19:10 20:05 21:00 21:55 22:50 23:45

Mainsail World Sport World Report Talk Asia World Report Amanpour CNN Marketplace Europe CNN Marketplace Africa The Brief CNN Presents CNN Newsroom Business Traveller Inside Africa World Sport Inside The Middle East World Report CNN Marketplace Middle East Talk Asia World Report CNN Marketplace Europe Eco Solutions World Sport Living Golf African Voices The Brief World Report Going Green CNN Presents World Report Cnngo Fareed Zakaria Gps State Of The Union International Desk Inside Africa Global Exchange CNN Marketplace Africa Global Exchange CNN Marketplace Middle East World Sport Mainsail International Desk African Voices International Desk Inside The Middle East Fareed Zakaria Gps World Report Going Green

Mobster Confessions Mobster Confessions Surviving Disaster How It’s Made How Do They Do It? How It’s Made How Do They Do It? How It’s Made How Do They Do It? How It’s Made How Do They Do It? How It’s Made How Do They Do It? How It’s Made How Do They Do It? How Sports Are Made How Sports Are Made Wheeler Dealers Revisited Fifth Gear Fifth Gear Hillbilly Handfishin’ Extreme Fishing How It’s Made How It’s Made Auction Kings Auction Kings Border Security Border Security Mythbusters Dynamo: Magician Impossible Mythbusters Curiosity Dynamo: Magician Impossible Dynamo: Magician Impossible

00:35 Junk Men 01:00 Junk Men 01:25 Investigation X 02:15 Game Changers 02:45 Sport Science 03:35 Sport Science 04:25 Sport Science 05:15 Sport Science 06:05 Sport Science 07:00 Mega World 07:50 Mighty Ships 08:40 Head Rush 08:43 Things That Move 09:10 Things That Move 09:40 Nextworld 10:30 Game Changers 10:55 Game Changers 11:20 Mega World 12:10 Junk Men 12:35 Junk Men 13:00 Prank Science 13:25 Prank Science 13:50 Scrapheap Challenge 14:45 Weird Or What?

15:35 Ecopolis 16:30 Future Weapons 17:20 Meteorite Men 18:10 Game Changers 18:40 Mighty Ships 19:30 Prophets Of Science Fiction 20:20 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 21:10 Junk Men 21:35 Junk Men 22:00 Prophets Of Science Fiction 22:50 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 23:40 Investigation X

00:55 Style Star 01:25 15 Unforgettable Hollywood Tragedies 03:15 E! Investigates 04:10 Sexiest 05:05 Then And Now 05:30 Then And Now 06:00 THS 07:50 Behind The Scenes 08:20 E! News 09:15 Extreme Close-Up 09:45 Extreme Close-Up 10:15 THS 11:10 Ice Loves Coco 11:35 Ice Loves Coco 12:05 E! News 13:05 Style Star 13:35 Style Star 14:05 Kourtney & Kim Take New York 15:00 Kourtney & Kim Take New York 15:55 Kourtney & Kim Take New York 16:55 Behind The Scenes

17:25 Behind The Scenes 17:55 E! News 18:55 Khloe And Lamar 19:25 Giuliana & Bill 20:25 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 21:25 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 22:25 E!es 22:55 Mrs. Eastwood And Company 23:25 Chelsea Lately 23:55 Keeping Up With The Kardashians

00:30 01:20 02:05 02:55 03:45 04:30 05:20 06:10 07:00 07:50 08:40 09:30 09:55 10:20 11:10 12:00 12:50 13:40 14:30 14:55 15:20 16:10 17:00 17:50 18:40 19:05 19:55 20:20

A Haunting The Haunted Ghost Lab A Haunting A Haunting On The Case With Paula Zahn Mystery ER Disappeared Forensic Detectives Murder Shift Mystery ER Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth Did I Marry?

On The Case With Paula Zahn Disappeared Forensic Detectives Murder Shift Mystery ER Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth Did I Marry?

On The Case With Paula Zahn Disappeared Forensic Detectives Murder Shift Real Emergency Calls Mystery ER Who On Earth Did I Marry?

On The Case With Paula Zahn

00:00 Geo Sessions 00:30 Geo Sessions 01:00 Delinquent Gourmet 01:30 Delinquent Gourmet 02:00 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 02:30 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 03:00 Lonely Planet: Roads Less Travelled 04:00 Bondi Rescue 04:30 Bondi Rescue 05:00 Delinquent Gourmet 05:30 Delinquent Gourmet 06:00 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 06:30 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 07:00 Lonely Planet: Roads Less Travelled 08:00 Bondi Rescue 08:30 Bondi Rescue 09:00 City Chase Marrakech 10:00 Extreme Tourist Afghanistan 11:00 Travel Madness 11:30 Travel Madness 12:00 Into The Drink 12:30 Into The Drink 13:00 Delinquent Gourmet 13:30 Delinquent Gourmet 14:00 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 14:30 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 15:00 Lonely Planet: Roads Less Travelled 16:00 Bondi Rescue 16:30 Bondi Rescue 17:00 Somewhere In China 18:00 Geo Sessions 18:30 Geo Sessions 19:00 Chasing Che: Latin America On A Motorcycle 19:30 Chasing Che: Latin America On A Motorcycle 20:00 Departures 21:00 Banged Up Abroad 22:00 Don’t Tell My Mother 23:00 Into The Drink 23:30 Into The Drink

00:00 Ultimate Disaster 01:00 Taboo 02:00 Untamed Americas 03:00 World’s Deadliest Animals 04:00 Shark Men 05:00 Banged Up Abroad 06:00 Sea Patrol 07:00 Salvage Code Red 08:00 Ultimate Disaster 09:00 Taboo 10:00 Untamed Americas 11:00 World’s Deadliest Animals 12:00 Shark Men 13:00 Banged Up Abroad 14:00 Sea Patrol 15:00 Salvage Code Red 16:00 Ultimate Disaster 17:00 Convoy: War For The Atlantic 18:00 Untamed Americas 19:00 Ancient Megastructures 20:00 Helicopter Wars 21:00 Dangerous Encounters With Brady Barr 22:00 Sea Patrol 23:00 Air Crash Investigation

00:00 Wild Chronicles 00:30 Wild Chronicles 01:00 Bandits Of Selous 01:55 Killer Shots 02:50 Swamp Men 03:45 Outback Wrangler 04:40 Savannah 05:05 Savannah 05:35 Wild Nights 06:30 Dangerous Encounters With Brady Barr 07:25 The Invaders 08:20 Street Monkeys 09:15 Live Like An Animal 10:10 Built For The Kill 11:05 Wild Mississippi 12:00 Super Pride 13:00 Camera Trap 13:30 Camera Trap 14:00 Hooked 15:00 Hidden Worlds 16:00 Sharkville 17:00 Python Hunters 18:00 That Shouldn’t Fly 19:00 Hidden Worlds 20:00 Sharkville 21:00 Python Hunters 22:00 That Shouldn’t Fly 23:00 Super Pride

OCEANS ON OSN CINEMA

00:00 02:00 04:15 06:15 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:15 16:00 18:00 20:15 22:00

Tortured-18 13 Assassins-18 The Net-PG15 Fighting-PG15 Inside Out-PG15 Taxi-PG15 Hidalgo-PG15 Inside Out-PG15 The Warlords-PG15 Hidalgo-PG15 Death Race 2-18 The Resident-18

01:30 Shanghai-PG15 03:15 Oceans-PG15 05:00 Arthur And The Revenge Of Maltazard-PG 07:00 Happy Ever Afters-PG15 09:00 Shanghai-PG15 11:00 Coming & Going-PG15 13:00 Africa United-PG15 15:00 Waiting For Superman-PG15 17:00 Bangkok Adrenaline-PG15 19:00 Just Wright-PG15 21:00 Season Of The Witch-PG15 23:00 Dirty Girl-18

00:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 01:30 Saturday Night Live 02:30 Two And A Half Men 03:00 Best Friends Forever 04:00 Til Death 04:30 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 05:30 The Simpsons 06:00 Friends 06:30 Mad Love 07:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 08:00 Til Death 08:30 Best Friends Forever 09:00 The Simpsons 09:30 The Office 10:30 Mad Love 11:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 12:00 Seinfeld 12:30 Til Death 13:00 The Simpsons 13:30 Mad Love 15:00 The Office 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 16:30 Seinfeld 17:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 18:00 2 Broke Girls 18:30 Last Man Standing 19:00 Two And A Half Men 19:30 Happy Endings 20:30 Allen Gregory 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

02:00 03:00 04:00 06:00 07:00 08:30 10:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 23:00

Law & Order: Criminal Intent C.S.I. The Killing Good Morning America The Glades Coronation Street The Martha Stewart Show Criminal Minds C.S.I. Law & Order: Criminal Intent Live Good Morning America The Glades Covert Affairs Bones Burn Notice The Killing

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 07:30 08:00 09:00 12:00 12:30 13:00 14:00 15:00

Cold Case Law & Order: Criminal Intent C.S.I. Miami C.S.I. New York C.S.I. The Nine Lives Of Chloe King Cold Case Emmerdale Coronation Street Body Of Proof Law & Order: Criminal Intent Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Body Of Proof Cold Case

16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Body Of Proof Covert Affairs Bones Burn Notice Top Gear (US) The River

01:00 03:00 05:00 07:00 09:00 11:00 13:00 15:00 17:00 19:00 21:00 23:00

Talento De Barrio-PG15 The Net-PG15 Arctic Predator-PG15 No Time To Fear-PG15 Smoke Screen-PG15 Arctic Predator-PG15 Ballistica-PG15 Smoke Screen-PG15 The Warrior’s Way-PG15 Jason X-18 Thick As Thieves-18 Wake Wood-PG15

00:00 02:00 04:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00

Tomcats-18 Hitch-PG15 For Richer Or Poorer-PG Addams Family Values-PG Last Holiday-PG15 Finding Lenny-PG15 Indian Summer-PG15 The Chaperone-PG15 Finding Lenny-PG15 Lottery Ticket-PG15 Easy A-PG15 The Joneses-PG15

00:45 02:45 04:45 07:15 09:00 11:00 13:15 15:30 17:30 19:45 21:15 23:15

The Kid-18 I Capture The Castle-18 Thelma And Louise-PG15 On Strike For Christmas-PG15 The Tempest-PG15 Entre Les Murs-PG15 Glorious 39-PG15 The Tempest-PG15 Dead Poets Society-PG15 Proteger & Servir-18 The Silence Of The Lambs-18 Sea Of Love-18

00:00 13-PG15 02:00 Transformers: Dark Of The Moon-PG15 05:00 Stone Of Destiny-PG15 07:00 Mars Needs Moms-PG 09:00 Elle: A Modern Cinderella Tale-PG15 10:45 Transformers: Dark Of The Moon-PG15 13:15 My Name Is Khan-PG15 16:00 Unmatched-PG15 17:00 Elle: A Modern Cinderella Tale-PG15 19:00 Arthur-PG15

00:30 Looking For Eric-18 02:30 Just Go With It-PG15 04:30 Lego: The Adventures Of Clutch Powers-FAM 06:00 Justin Bieber: Never Say Never-PG 08:00 The Winning Season-PG15 10:00 Kung Fu Magoo-FAM 12:00 Just Go With It-PG15 14:00 The Smurfs-PG 16:00 The Winning Season-PG15 17:45 Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps-PG15 20:00 Ironclad-18 22:00 Black Swan-18

00:15 02:00 04:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 FAM 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00 FAM

Young Fisherman-PG The Lucky Dragon-PG Turtle Hero: Part II-FAM Scooter The Penguin-PG15 The Lucky Dragon-PG Rio-FAM Gulliver’s Travels-PG The Three Musketeers (2008)Cher Ami-PG Rio-FAM Mia And The Migoo-PG The Three Musketeers (2008)-

02:30 04:30 06:30 07:00 09:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 14:30 15:00 19:30 20:00 22:00

Super Rugby Super Rugby Futbol Mundial Live NRL Premiership Volvo Ocean Race Highlights Super Rugby Super Rugby Futbol Mundial PGA European Tour Weekly Live PGA European Tour Futbol Mundial Rugby League Challenge Cup PGA European Tour

01:30 03:30 06:00 07:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 13:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 Cup 19:00 20:00 23:00

Super Rugby AFL Premiership Trans World Sport WWE Bottom Line Live NRL Premiership NRL Premiership Volvo Ocean Race Highlights WWE SmackDown WWE Bottom Line Trans World Sport Live Rugby League Challenge UFC The Ultimate Fighter UFC - Munoz Vs. Weidman NRL Premiership

00:00 Rugby League Challenge Cup 02:00 AFL Premiership 04:30 Sailing World Match Racing Tour 06:30 Mobil 1 The Grid 07:00 Trans World Sport 08:00 Live AFL Premiership 11:00 Sailing World Match Racing Tour 13:00 Rugby League Challenge Cup 15:00 NRL Premiership 17:00 Super Ruby 19:30 AFL Premiership 22:00 Live Sailing World Match Racing Tour

00:00 01:00 02:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 12:30 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 18:00 19:00 20:00

WWE Experience WWE Bottom Line WWE SmackDown UFC Unleashed UFC Unleashed UFC Unleashed WWE Experience WWE SmackDown WWE Bottom Line WWE Experience WWE This Week V8 Supercars Extra V8 Supercars Highlights V8 Supercars Highlights WWE Bottom Line WWE SmackDown WWE Experience UFC The Ultimate Fighter UFC 148

00:00 Ice Road Truckers 01:00 American Restoration 01:30 American Restoration 02:00 Pawn Stars 02:30 American Restoration 03:00 No County For Old Men 04:00 IRT: Deadliest Roads – The Andes 05:00 Ice Road Truckers 06:00 Ice Road Truckers 07:00 Declassified 08:00 Declassified 09:00 Declassified 10:00 Lost Worlds 11:00 Lost Worlds 12:00 Lost Worlds 13:00 IRT: Deadliest Roads – The Andes 14:00 Ice Road Truckers 15:00 Ice Road Truckers 16:00 American Restoration 16:30 American Restoration 17:00 Pawn Stars 17:30 American Restoration 18:00 No County For Old Men 19:00 The Universe 20:00 Ancient Aliens 21:00 Decoded 22:00 History Of The World In Two Hours

Classifieds SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Airlines JZR QTR JZR AEE ETH RJA GFA UAE ETD THY JZR FDB MSR RBG QTR KAC THY CLX KAC JZR DHX JZR KAC BAW KAC KAC IRA FDB KAC KAC KAC KAC UAE ABY QTR FDB IRA ETD GFA IRC MEA JZR MSR MSC JZR JZR AFR SYR KAC MSR RJA GFA KAC FDB KAC KNE KAC JZR QTR SVA KAC JZR QTR FDB ETD UAE UAL GFA SVA JZR JZR ABY KAC KAC QTR KAC KAC FDB MSR MSC JZR KAC KAC JAI KAC JZR KAC AXB FDB OMA MEA QTR GFA ALK KAC JZR KLM UAE JZR ETD KAC ABY QTR LMU KAC JZR AIC FDB GFA UAL JZR FDB DLH MSR THY JAI PIA

Arrival Flights on Sunday 15/7/2012 Flt Route 185 DUBAI 148 DOHA 267 BEIRUT 998 ATHENS 620 ADDIS ABABA 642 AMMAN 211 BAHRAIN 853 DUBAI 305 ABU DHABI 768 ISTANBUL 189 DUBAI 67 DUBAI 612 CAIRO 3553 ALEXANDRIA 138 DOHA 544 CAIRO 770 ISTANBUL 792 LUXEMBOURG 154 ISTANBUL 1541 CAIRO 170 BAHRAIN 555 ALEXANDRIA 412 MANILA 157 LONDON 206 ISLAMABAD 382 DELHI 615 SHAHRE KORD 53 DUBAI 284 DHAKA 302 MUMBAI 332 TRIVANDRUM 352 COCHIN 855 DUBAI 125 SHARJAH 132 DOHA 55 DUBAI 603 SHIRAZ 301 ABU DHABI 213 BAHRAIN 6801 AHWAZ 404 BEIRUT 165 DUBAI 618 ALEXANDRIA 401 ALEXANDRIA 561 SOHAG 201 DAMASCUS 6708 PARIS 341 DAMASCUS 742 DAMMAM 610 CAIRO 640 AMMAN 219 BAHRAIN 672 DUBAI 57 DUBAI 774 RIYADH 472 JEDDAH 538 SOHAG 535 CAIRO 140 DOHA 500 JEDDAH 788 JEDDAH 257 BEIRUT 134 DOHA 8053 DUBAI 303 ABU DHABI 857 DUBAI 982 WASHINGTON DC DULLES 215 BAHRAIN 510 RIYADH 177 DUBAI 777 JEDDAH 127 SHARJAH 502 BEIRUT 542 CAIRO 144 DOHA 166 PARIS 786 JEDDAH 63 DUBAI 624 SOHAG 405 SOHAG 787 RIYADH 618 DOHA 674 DUBAI 572 MUMBAI 102 NEW YORK 175 DUBAI 562 AMMAN 389 KOZHIKODE 61 DUBAI 647 MUSCAT 402 BEIRUT 146 DOHA 221 BAHRAIN 229 COLOMBO 514 TEHRAN 481 SABIHA 417 AMSTERDAM 859 DUBAI 135 BAHRAIN 307 ABU DHABI 172 FRANKFURT 129 SHARJAH 136 DOHA 1109 ALEXANDRIA 678 MUSCAT 539 CAIRO 981 CHENNAI 59 DUBAI 217 BAHRAIN 981 BAHRAIN 239 AMMAN 8051 DUBAI 636 FRANKFURT 614 CAIRO 772 ISTANBUL 574 MUMBAI 205 LAHORE

Time 0:15 0:20 0:50 1:30 1:45 2:10 2:20 2:25 2:30 2:50 3:00 3:10 3:20 3:20 3:25 4:10 4:35 4:55 4:55 4:55 5:00 6:00 6:15 6:30 7:15 7:30 7:35 7:45 7:45 7:50 7:55 8:05 8:25 8:30 9:00 9:20 9:25 9:30 10:00 10:15 10:55 11:05 11:25 12:00 12:25 12:30 12:35 12:35 13:25 13:30 13:35 13:40 13:40 13:45 13:45 14:15 14:20 14:20 14:25 14:30 15:00 15:00 15:15 15:55 16:35 16:55 17:10 17:20 17:20 17:30 17:40 17:45 18:00 18:15 18:20 18:40 18:40 18:45 18:55 19:00 19:10 19:20 19:25 19:35 19:35 19:35 19:50 19:55 20:00 20:10 20:15 20:25 20:35 20:55 20:55 20:55 21:05 21:15 21:15 21:20 21:25 21:30 21:35 22:00 22:05 22:10 22:25 22:30 22:35 22:40 22:55 23:05 23:10 23:35 23:40 23:50 23:55

Airlines AIC FDB UAL DLH MSR DHX JAI THY AEE ETH THY UAE FDB RBG ETD MSR QTR QTR JZR RJA JZR JZR GFA THY JZR KAC CLX BAW FDB IRA KAC JZR KAC ABY KAC KAC UAE QTR FDB ETD IRA KAC KAC GFA IRC KAC MEA KAC JZR MSR KAC MSC KAC JZR JZR SYR AFR GFA FDB MSR RJA KAC KAC JZR KNE JZR KAC KAC SVA JZR QTR KAC FDB ETD JZR QTR UAE GFA JZR ABY UAL SVA JZR QTR FDB MSR MSC JZR KAC JAI FDB KAC KAC OMA MEA KAC GFA JZR DHX ALK KLM JZR ABY ETD UAE KAC QTR KAC KAC JZR LMU QTR AXB FDB GFA KAC FDB JZR KAC

Depature Flights on Sunday 15/7/2012 Flt Route 976 GOA/CHENNAI 52 DUBAI 981 WASHINGTON DC 637 FRANKFURT 615 CAIRO 373 BAHRAIN 573 MUMBAI 773 ISTANBUL 999 ATHENS 621 ADDIS ABABA 769 ISTANBUL 854 DUBAI 68 DUBAI 3554 ALEXANDRIA 306 ABU DHABI 613 CAIRO 139 DOHA 149 DOHA 560 SOHAG 643 AMMAN 164 DUBAI 200 DAMASCUS 212 BAHRAIN 771 ISTANBUL 534 CAIRO 537 SOHAG 792 GIALAM 156 LONDON 54 DUBAI 614 SHAHRE 171 FRANKFURT 256 BEIRUT 117 NEW YORK 126 SHARJAH 671 DUBAI 787 JEDDAH 856 DUBAI 133 DOHA 56 DUBAI 302 ABU DHABI 602 SHIRAZ 741 DAMMAM 773 RIYADH 214 BAHRAIN 6802 AHWAZ 541 CAIRO 405 BEIRUT 501 BEIRUT 776 JEDDAH 623 SOHAG 103 LONDON 406 SOHAG 785 JEDDAH 480 ISTANBUL 176 DUBAI 342 ALEPPO 6708 DUBAI 220 BAHRAIN 58 DUBAI 611 CAIRO 641 AMMAN 561 AMMAN 673 DUBAI 538 CAIRO 473 JEDDAH 174 DUBAI 677 MUSCAT 617 DOHA 503 MADINAH 786 RIYADH 135 DOHA 513 IMAM KHOMEINI 8054 DUBAI 304 ABU DHABI 238 AMMAN 141 DOHA 858 DUBAI 216 BAHRAIN 134 BAHRAIN 128 SHARJAH 982 BAHRAIN 511 RIYADH 266 BEIRUT 145 DOHA 64 DUBAI 621 ALEXANDRIA 402 ALEXANDRIA 184 DUBAI 361 COLOMBO 571 MUMBAI 62 DUBAI 283 DHAKA 351 KOCHI 648 MUSCAT 403 BEIRUT 543 CAIRO 222 BAHRAIN 502 LUXOR 171 BAHRAIN 230 COLOMBO 417 DAMMAM 1540 CAIRO 120 SHARJAH 308 ABU DHABI 860 DUBAI 343 CHENNAI 137 DOHA 3 MUMBAI 205 ISLAMABAD 554 ALEXANDRIA 1110 ALEXANDRIA 147 DOHA 390 MANGALORE 60 DUBAI 218 BAHRAIN 411 BANGKOK 8052 DUBAI 528 ASSIUT 415 KUALA LUMPUR

Time 0:05 0:10 0:25 0:30 0:35 0:40 0:50 2:15 2:30 2:45 3:40 3:45 3:50 4:00 4:05 4:20 4:50 5:40 6:00 6:50 6:55 7:00 7:05 7:10 7:30 8:05 8:15 8:25 8:25 8:35 8:55 9:00 9:05 9:05 9:20 9:35 9:40 10:00 10:05 10:15 10:25 10:25 10:25 10:45 11:15 11:30 11:55 12:00 12:15 12:25 12:30 13:00 13:10 13:15 13:20 13:35 14:20 14:25 14:25 14:30 14:35 14:40 15:05 15:10 15:15 15:25 15:25 15:45 15:45 15:50 16:15 16:25 16:35 17:20 17:30 17:45 18:05 18:20 18:20 18:25 18:30 18:35 18:50 19:20 19:25 19:55 20:00 20:05 20:20 20:35 20:40 20:45 21:05 21:10 21:15 21:30 21:35 21:45 21:50 21:55 22:05 22:05 22:10 22:20 22:25 22:30 22:35 22:40 22:45 23:00 23:05 23:10 23:10 23:15 23:30 23:40 23:45 23:50 23:50

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

Kuwait, from parents of catholic girls. Interested may please email to edamana28@gmail.com (C 4078) 14-7-2012

112 Ministry of Interior

SITUATION VACANT

ACCOMMODATION Fully furnished sharing accommodation available for an executive bachelor or couples with kitchen facilities and utilities. This flat is a 2 bed, with 2 bathrooms (1-single Indian type) front big hall as drawing and dining.

Contact: 66639625/ 24340491 after 4:30 pm.

(C 4076) 12-7-2012

CHANGE OF NAME “I, VALLATH KOZHIPILLIL NARAYANANKUTTY also known as NANDAN MENON, holding Indian Passport No: Z1120130 of SREEBHADRA, Chandrathil Road, Edappally PO, Cochin - 682024 hereby change my name as VALLATH KOZHIPILLIL NARAYANANKUTTY NANDAN MENON”. (C 4077) 14-7-2012

MATRIMONIAL Proposals are invited for a highly qualified, well settled Male, 28 year old Latin Catholic boy from Cochin working at a Semi Government firm in

Full time live out maid/nanny for three months, starting mid July.

Must have own residency.

Work from 7am to 7pm, Saturday - Thursday in Salwa. Call 97687172 for interview.

12-7-2012

FOR SALE Mitsubishi Lancer Ex-2008, green color (new body) 62000km, price KD 1,950/-.

Contact: 50699345.

(C 4075) 10-7-2012

No: 15509

website: www.moi.gov.kw THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY FOR CIVIL INFORMATION Automated enquiry about the Civil ID card is 1889988

Prayer timings Fajr: Duhr: Asr: Maghrib: Isha:

03:26 11:54 15:29 18:50 20:19

34

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

stars CROSSWORD 737

STAR TRACK

CALVIN & HOBBES

Aries (March 21-April 19) This should be a busy day. Your enthusiasm is high, probably higher than that of those around you. If you have work to do, it may be better if you work independently. If opinions must be exchanged with others, your confidence should see you through this day. You are very serious when it comes to sacrifice and doing all you can to make things easier for people. You pursue psychology, the human psyche and things mystical. You are quite painstaking when it comes to giving and helping. There will be time this afternoon to enjoy your loved ones. You are unconventional when it comes to self-expression. You find new ways to be entertained—possibly sports, the creative arts, etc. A romantic evening can be enjoyed.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) A need to be respected is an emotionally charged issue in your life. This is a time when you can expect a little boost—some sort of extra support or recognition from those around you. You may feel that you are in touch and in harmony with others; the lines of communication are open. The support you need is available. You may not be able to shake an unrealistic and perhaps, dreamy mood. This may not be the best time to attempt to get your ideas across to others. You may find yourself feeling blocked and unable to express yourself, in particularly in a group situation. Maintain a focus and if you feel a change is needed, implement those changes to your advantage—gradually. Think on these things and then grab opportunities to relax.

POOCH CAFE ACROSS 1. An anxiety disorder characterized by chronic free-floating anxiety and such symptoms as tension or sweating or trembling of light-headedness or irritability etc that has lasted for more than six months.

4. United States writer of poems and plays about racial conflict (born in 1934).

10. 10 grams.

13. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism.

14. A port city in southwestern Iran.

15. A member of a people living in southern Benin and Togo and southeastern Ghana.

16. The 11th letter of the Greek alphabet.

17. A midnight meeting of witches to practice witchcraft and sorcery.

19. A constellation in the southern hemisphere near Telescopium and Norma.

20. Someone who works (or provides workers) during a strike.

22. The largest continent with 60% of the earth's population.

24. Plant with an elongated head of broad stalked leaves resembling celery.

26. Port city that is the capital and largest city of Latvia.

30. A federally chartered savings bank.

33. An Arabic speaking person who lives in Arabia or North Africa.

35. A heavy odorless colorless gas formed during respiration and by the decomposition of organic substances.

37. A white metallic element that burns with a brilliant light.

38. Shrub bearing oval-fruited kumquats.

39. Strike with disgust or revulsion.

41. A nucleic acid consisting of large molecules shaped like a double helix.

42. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey).

44. A British peer ranking below a Marquess and above a Viscount.

49. A Russian prison camp for political prisoners.

52. The blood group whose red cells carry both the A and B antigens.

56. By bad luck.

59. Small tree of dry open parts of southern Africa having erect angled branches suggesting candelabra.

61. A hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers.

64. Type genus of the family Arcidae.

65. A coenzyme derived from the B vitamin nicotinic acid.

66. The main city of ancient Phoenicia.

67. Not only so, but.

DOWN 1. Offering fun and gaiety.

2. (botany) Of or relating to the axil.

3. Fallow deer.

4. Having undesirable or negative qualities.

5. Lower in esteem.

6. An intensely radioactive metallic element that occurs in minute amounts in uranium ores.

7. A public promotion of some product or service.

8. The quarter of many North African cities in which the citadel is located.

9. (Irish) Mother of the ancient Irish gods.

10. United States labor organizer who ran for President as a socialist (1855-1926).

11. The basic unit of money in China.

12. Footwear usually with wooden soles.

18. The cry made by sheep.

21. The Latin name for England.

23. A small cake leavened with yeast.

25. Large burrowing rodent of South and Central America.

27. A theocratic republic in the Middle East in western Asia.

28. Mentally or physically infirm with age.

29. A radioactive element of the actinide series.

31. A mark left by the healing of injured tissue.

32. Round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games.

34. A city of central China.

36. An organization of countries formed in 1961 to agree on a common policy for the sale of petroleum.

40. An informal term for a father.

43. A rare silvery (usually trivalent) metallic element.

45. Any of several small ungulate mammals of Africa and Asia with rodent-like incisors and feet with hooflike toes.

46. A soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal.

47. The capital and largest city of Yemen.

48. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth.

50. The inner and longer of the two bones of the human forearm.

51. Relating to or characteristic of or occurring on land.

53. Vice President of the United States under Bill Clinton (born in 1948).

54. A South American shrub whose leaves are chewed by natives of the Andes.

55. A woman hired to suckle a child of someone else.

57. A Turkish unit of weight equal to about 2.75 pounds.

58. The Tibeto-Burman language spoken in the Dali region of Yunnan.

60. (used of animals especially a horse) Of a moderate reddishbrown color n 1.

62. A very poisonous metallic element that has three allotropic forms.

63. A bachelor's degree in religion.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Today you will be able to tackle the cleanup chores, including a few outside projects. You want more beauty near your living quarters and may purchase unusual plants to nurture and watch grow. You find yourself in a very practical mood and working with, instead of against, yourself. Today could bring the unexpected or find you in a very unusual mood. It may be that you will feel like getting away from the routine to do something different this afternoon. New insight or breakthroughs come, perhaps while you are with your friends. Questions that are what-if questions are fun and can lead to some enlightening situations. This evening is a great time to be with others. Perhaps some sort of sports competition, a dinner or a movie can be enjoyed.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Today could bring the unexpected or find you in a very unusual mood. It may be that you feel like getting away from the routine and just doing something different. You have a lot of motivation for improving your surroundings or life situations. You are very motivated to improve.

A break from the usual routine can bring new insights. You could take a vacation from your responsibilities and explore some more imaginative regions. Speculative interests are emphasized. All that is mental comes to you without struggle or labor—ideas and thoughts of all kinds. The light in your eyes reveals the brightness of your mind to everyone who comes to know you. A professional debate, contest or competition may find you the winner.

NON SEQUITUR

Leo (July 23-August 22) You should experience all the benefits of this most powerful planet. Your passion to achieve is high and your creative juices are flowing, ready to be applied to the work at hand. You may unconsciously help a close friend through your efforts. Your interest is heightened regarding a moneymaking idea and you have to wait until Monday morning before you can investigate the idea.

You may have an interest in some sort of cultural or literary affair this afternoon. Some form of entertainment is imminent and you may find yourself scurrying around to prepare or get ready for the event. Avoid, however, making large purchases—they are not necessary. This is a good time to try and foster a sense of togetherness and team play among family members.

ZITS

Virgo (August 23-September 22) Companionship with others is most rewarding. Keeping secrets could prove disastrous. Be sure to think of others as well as yourself during this time, especially with members of the opposite sex. This can be most beneficial—particularly if you do not want your partner to fuss at you for being forgetful.

Check your calendar. Sometime today is an excellent time to spend with family and close friends in a leisure setting. Your ability to get along with family and friends could be tested this afternoon. If you maintain a practical, realistic outlook, you may help a loved one greatly. This evening is a great time to reflect and understand your own situation, just how you feel about yourself. Emotions and the feelings of others are very clear—a nice time.

Libra (September 23-October 22)

MOTHER GOOSE AND GRIMM

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Making money is second nature and you are able to field ideas and bring forth growth and success. You may find yourself guiding others in ways to help them invest their money. You find it easy to solve any problems that may occur. Others benefit from this ability of yours. You can handle emotional and personal issues where angels fear to tread—vulnerable areas. People sense this and trust you with sensitive matters, inner worries and questions of personal identity.

Others may find you especially witty and eccentric. You may have insights or breakthroughs with regard to your living situation or life circumstances. Others value you for your unique qualities. Neighbors and brothers or sisters may play more of a role in your life now.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) You may not appreciate the easy way or clear-cut option and choose a more difficult path. Circumstances may appear to work against you and bring very sensitive issues to your attention. You could be challenged by someone close to you or by events. The races—cars, horses or dogs—appeal to you and you successfully do research to find the most likely winner. Energy and ego combine to help you attain your ambitions. Full speed ahead! The stimulation that comes from taking chances invigorates you today. Depending on how you handle it, this day could make or break your reputation. Just bear in mind that friends you really care about could be watching you; it could be a long day. You may not make it home in time for dinner this evening.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

To

Yesterday’s Solution

This could be a frustrating time, no matter where you are today.

If you are busily involved with projects and cannot set the projects aside for a time, make a concentrated effort to stay focused. This may mean that you will need to keep interactions with other people at a minimum until you complete your task. If you want to correct some understanding between you and another person, you will find the late afternoon a suitable time for reaching an understanding.

This is a good weekend to putter around the house and encourage others to do the same. Chores could be shared, especially with the promise of a reward, perhaps a movie or homemade ice cream treat. There is a greater focus on family life—parents, children, relatives: the domestic scene.

You develop a knack for organizing things and people, as a sense of ambition and practicality takes hold. Work, achievement and ambition are the things that mean a lot to you now. New opportunities allow you to express your outgoing nature and extremely skillful ways of handling other people.

You are a natural for working with or for the public. You would make an excellent public relations manager or you could handle customer relations work with a large company. Some energies that are present today are pulling out your deepest, perhaps buried, emotions. This is finally the day to let go of those cantankerous emotional problems. This is a great time for letting go and planning new and pleasant learning activities for the future.

Yesterday’s Solution Yester

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) A perfect balance between your career needs and your personal needs should bring about an inner peace today that you rarely get a chance to enjoy. Neither side of you has to struggle with the other. In addition, you have a supersensitive awareness of the moods and needs of others, making this an excellent time to run seminars or to work with groups. However, make it a point to take some time off from slaying dragons and recharge your batteries! This is a good day to become involved in some creative project. You may enjoy a bit of yard work or exercise later. Writing may be another area in which you could excel. The written word is a favorite pastime activity. Uncork some champagne and share the firelight with a special someone tonight.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Word Sleuth Solution

The present energies around you today are pulling at your memories. This would be a good time to put together a scrap book or update the picture album. A family gathering could prove interesting—be diplomatic; steer clear of talk about money, business or older relatives. Are you in love? If you are not in love, you need to do some writing about what is on your mind. Talk your thoughts over with a good friend. Coming to grips with the past or getting in touch with the mystical and the spiritual are some of the things that give you a sense of satisfaction. You may find yourself looking for a little romance today or at least enjoying some emotional release. You can appreciate feelings and movement.

Perhaps love is in the air—dancing anyone?

SUNDAY, JULY 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

22459381

Ayoun Al-Kibla

PHARMACY

ADDRESS

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 WA AIT

Te el.: 161

DIRECTORA ATE T GENE GENERAL OF CIVIL AVIA V AT TION METEOROLOGICAL DEP PARTMENT A

Hot with moderate to fresh north westerly wind, with speed of 25 - 50 km/h causing blowing dust

BY Y NIGHT:

Relatively hot with moderate to fresh north westerly wind, with speed of 20 - 45 km/h causing blowing dust

Dusty weather

WARNING A

36 °C

22451082

KUW WAIT A AIRPOR RT

47 °C

37 °C

Al-Mirqab

22456536

NUW WAISEEB A

46 °C

34 °C

Sharq

22465401

WA AFRA

47 °C

35 °C

Salmiya

25746401

SALMI

47 °C

29 °C

ABDAL LY

47 °C

32 °C

Jabriya

25316254

JAL ALIY YAH A

47 °C

32 °C

Maidan Hawally

25623444

FA AILAKA

46 °C

32 °C

Bayan

25388462

AHMADI POR RT

43 °C

38 °C

Mishref

25381200

UMM AL-MARADEM

42 °C

33 °C

W.Hawally

22630786

WA ARBA A - BUBY YA AN

44 °C

29 °C

Sabah

24810221

Jahra

24770319

ST TAT TION

DA AT TE

WEA ATHER T

Sunday

15/07

West Jahra

24772608

Monday

South Jahra

24775066

Tuesday

North Jahra

24775992

Weednesday

North Jleeb

24311795

MAX.

MIN.

Wind Direction

Wind Speed

hot + raising dust

46 °C

36 °C

NW

25 - 50 km/h

16/07

hot

45 °C

35 °C

NW

12 - 32 km/h

17/07

hot

47 °C

33 °C

NW

08 - 30 km/h

18/07

hot

45 °C

32 °C

NW-VRB

08 - 30 km/h

PRA RA AYER Y TIMES 03:25

MAX. Temp.

48 °C

Sunrise

04:58

MIN. Temp.

36 °C

Zuhr

11:54

MAX. RH

13 %

Asr

15:28

MIN. RH

04 %

Sunset

18:50

MAX. Wind i

N 53 km/h

Isha

20:20

TOT TA AL L RAIINF FALL A L IN 24 HR.

24892674

23900322

RECORDED YESTERDA AY AT KUW WAIT A AIRPORT

Fajr

24884079

Fintas

14/07/2012 0000 UTC

Temperatures DA AY

24575755

24710044

SFC. CHART

4 DA AYS Y FORECAST

New Jahra

N.Kheitan

00 mm

All times are local time unless otherwise stated.

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

24334282

(1) Ear, Nose and Throat (2) Plastic Surgeon Dr. Abdul Mohsin Jafar, FRCS (Canada)

25655535

Dentists

Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan

22655539

Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami

25343406

Dr. Shamah Al-Matar

22641071/2

Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly

25739272

Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed

22562226

22618787

Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer

22561444

Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan

22619557

Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash

22525888

Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan

25653755

Dr. Bader Al-Ansari

25620111

Dr. Salem soso General Surgeons Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer

22610044

Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher

25327148

Internists, Chest & Heart Dr. Adnan Ebil Dr. Mousa Khadada Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan

22666300 25728004

Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra

25355515

Dr. Mobarak Aldoub

24726446

Dr Nasser Behbehani

25654300/3

info@soorcenter.com www.soorcenter.com

3729596/3729581

Neurologists

22639939

Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman

Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri

25633324

Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan

25345875

Gastrologists Dr. Sami Aman

22636464

Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly

25322030

Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali

22633135

Kaizen center 25716707

25339330

Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Physiotherapists & VD Dr. Deyaa Shehab

25722291

Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees

22666288

Rheumatologists: Dr. Adel Al-Awadi

Dr Anil Thomas

Soor Center Tel: 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688

Al-Shuwaikh

24810598

Al-Nuzha

22545171

Sabhan

24742838

Al-Helaly

22434853

Al-Fayhaa

22545051

Al-Farwaniya

24711433

Al-Sulaibikhat

24316983

Al-Fahaheel

23927002

Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh

24316983

Ahmadi

23980088

Al-Mangaf

23711183

Al-Shuaiba

23262845

Al-Jahra

25610011

Al-Salmiya

25616368

INTERNATIONAL CALLS

BY Y DA AY:

46 °C

24719048

22545171

Expected Weather e for the Next 24 Hours

KUW WAIT A CITY

Al-Omariya

Al-Shohada’a

Ext.: 262 2627 - 2630

WWW.MET.GOV V.KW .

MIN. REC.

Firdous

22418714

Fax: 24348714

MAX. EXP P.

Al-Ardhiya

PHONE

Al-Madena

25330060

Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah

25722290

Internist, Chest & Heart DR.Mohammes Akkad

24555050 Ext 210

Dr. Mohammad Zubaid MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Assistant Professor Of Medicine Head, Division of Cardiology Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Farida Al-Habib MD, PH.D, FACC Inaya German Medical Center Te: 2575077 Fax: 25723123

2611555-2622555

William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677

Afghanistan 0093 Albania 00355 Algeria 00213 Andorra 00376 Angola 00244 Anguilla 001264 Antiga 001268 Argentina 0054 Armenia 00374 Australia 0061 Austria 0043 Bahamas 001242 Bahrain 00973 Bangladesh 00880 Barbados 001246 Belarus 00375 Belgium 0032 Belize 00501 Benin 00229 Bermuda 001441 Bhutan 00975 Bolivia 00591 Bosnia 00387 Botswana 00267 Brazil 0055 Brunei 00673 Bulgaria 00359 Burkina 00226 Burundi 00257 Cambodia 00855 Cameroon 00237 Canada 001 Cape Verde 00238 Cayman Islands 001345 Central African 00236 Chad 00235 Chile 0056 China 0086 Colombia 0057 Comoros 00269 Congo 00242 Cook Islands 00682 Costa Rica 00506 Croatia 00385 Cuba 0053 Cyprus 00357 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Czech Republic 00420 Denmark 0045 Diego Garcia 00246 Djibouti 00253 Dominica 001767 Dominican Republic 001809 Ecuador 00593 Egypt 0020 El Salvador 00503 England (UK) 0044 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Eritrea 00291 Estonia 00372 Ethiopia 00251 Falkland Islands 00500 Faroe Islands 00298 Fiji 00679 Finland 00358 France 0033 French Guiana 00594 French Polynesia 00689 Gabon 00241 Gambia 00220 Georgia 00995 Germany 0049 Ghana 00233 Gibraltar 00350 Greece 0030 Greenland 00299 Grenada 001473 Guadeloupe 00590 Guam 001671 Guatemala 00502 Guinea 00224 Guyana 00592 Haiti 00509 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Honduras 00504 Hong Kong 00852 Hungary 0036 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Iceland 00354 India 0091 Indian Ocean 00873 Indonesia 0062

Iran 0098 Iraq 00964 Ireland 00353 Italy 0039 Ivory Coast 00225 Jamaica 001876 Japan 0081 Jordan 00962 Kazakhstan 007 Kenya 00254 Kiribati 00686 Kuwait 00965 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Laos 00856 Latvia 00371 Lebanon 00961 Liberia 00231 Libya 00218 Lithuania 00370 Luxembourg 00352 Macau 00853 Macedonia 00389 Madagascar 00261 Majorca 0034 Malawi 00265 Malaysia 0060 Maldives 00960 Mali 00223 Malta 00356 Marshall Islands 00692 Martinique 00596 Mauritania 00222 Mauritius 00230 Mayotte 00269 Mexico 0052 Micronesia 00691 Moldova 00373 Monaco 00377 Mongolia 00976 Montserrat 001664 Morocco 00212 Mozambique 00258 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Namibia 00264 Nepal 00977 Netherlands (Holland) 0031 Netherlands Antilles 00599 New Caledonia 00687 New Zealand 0064 Nicaragua 00505 Nigar 00227 Nigeria 00234 Niue 00683 Norfolk Island 00672 Northern Ireland (UK) 0044 North Korea 00850 Norway 0047 Oman 00968 Pakistan 0092 Palau 00680 Panama 00507 Papua New Guinea 00675 Paraguay 00595 Peru 0051 Philippines 0063 Poland 0048 Portugal 00351 Puerto Rico 001787 Qatar 00974 Romania 0040 Russian Federation 007 Rwanda 00250 Saint Helena 00290 Saint Kitts 001869 Saint Lucia 001758 Saint Pierre 00508 Saint Vincent 001784 Samoa US 00684 Samoa West 00685 San Marino 00378 Sao Tone 00239 Saudi Arabia 00966 Scotland (UK) 0044 Senegal 00221 Seychelles 00284 Sierra Leone 00232 Singapore 0065 Slovakia 00421 Slovenia 00386 Solomon Islands 00677

36

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

LIFESTYLE G o s s i p

Jessica Simpson gained 70 pounds during pregnancy he singer, actress and fashion designer piled on the weight while she was carrying her daughter with fiance Eric Johnson, Maxwell. Apparently Jessica - who has become a spokesperson for the Weight Watchers brand had her first weigh in a few weeks after giving birth on May 1. The 32-year-old star signed a deal for $4 million to shed the excess weight as face of the company. Her contract requires a 20 to 30 pound loss by the end of August or she will reportedly not receive the agreed amount.

A friend of the ambassador told website

T

UsMagazine.com: “Jessica has always had issues with junk food.” The 5-foot-3 ‘Fashion Star’ mentor is rumoured to have enlisted her mother, Tina, and a few friends to do the program “to help keep herself in check,” according to the insider. Jessica, who plans to breast-feed through July, also ditched her beloved highcalorie drinks, claims the close source.

Rihanna set to join Drake in the Mediterranean he 24-year-old singer is rumoured to have booked a yacht on the French Riviera to spend a week with the rapper. Apparently she spent £100,000 on the cruise, following the death of her grandmother known as Dolly. A source told The Sun newspaper: “Rihanna is determined to live life to the full following her grandma’s death and decided to give it another go with Drake. “In the past he’d moan that she wouldn’t commit and was working all the time. But she’s up for trying again.” The insider continued: “They’re meeting up on a plush yacht in Cannes next week and will then spend a week cruising around the Med. “Rihanna wants to travel down through Italy and go to the most romantic places she’s seen online.” Drake was involved in a brawl with Rihanna’s exboyfriend Chris Brown last month at New York nightclub. The source added: “It’s just what she needs after an incredibly tough few months — however, they also know how to party. “They’ll be joined on the yacht by a few friends.”

T

Next President of China’s bodyguards star struck by

Sharon Stone thinks she looks better now than in her 20s

David Beckham he soccer star’s fame was allegedly so influential that the soon-to-be Chinese president Xi Jinping’s safety team lost focus when he walked into the room at a high-powered meeting. The chief executive at his football team LA Galaxy, Tim Leiweke, told ESPN: “David is phenomenal. We had a meeting with the soon-to-be president of China. “He came into a suite with his security guys. These guys don’t mess around, they pull guns if someone gets close to him. Tim added: “But David Beckham comes walking into the suite and the security guards leave the president, pull their autograph pads out and there is the president, in the middle of the chaos, all on his own because his security are all in line getting pictures with David.” David’s star status was not enough however, to win him a place on the Great Britain soccer team at the 2012 London Olympics. The exManchester United player lost a place on Team GB coach Stuart Pearce’s squad to Ryan Giggs. He said: “Ryan obviously has had such an amazing career with Manchester United and also with the Welsh team and he deserves to be there.

“He deserves to play in a big competition like this. It would have been great to have been there with him because we have a lot of great memories from playing for Manchester United. I hope he gets a gold medal.”

T

T

Fatboy Slim is a huge Skrillex fan he DJ and record producer - one of the biggest UK stars of the 90s, famed for popularizing the Big Beat genre - loves the controversial producer, even though he doesn’t like the dubstep music he plays.

He exclusively told BANG Showbiz: “Skrillex I am a big fan of, I don’t actually like dubstep, and I didn’t know I could dance to dubstep until I played with Skrillex. He is a proper DJ’s DJ. Other DJs love watching him. “He’s pushing buttons, but he’s pushing lots of buttons and all at the same time. I’m a big fan, I just hope that, because he is so prodigiously talented, he can see further than dubstep. Because the good ship dubstep will start floundering soon, and I hope he knows when to stop, just like I knew when to get off the good ship Big Beat.” Fatboy real name Norman Cook - also defended modern DJs who have recently been labeled mere “button pushers” by dance music producer deadmau5, saying technical ability has little to do with entertaining a crowd.

Speaking at the Silver Clef awards in London, he added: “I think it’s increasingly easy with technology to just press buttons, but it’s still knowing which buttons to press at the right time. I personally still like to DJ with CDJs. DJing has always been more about playing the right tune at the right moment rather than whether or not you or a computer has mixed it.”

T

he 54-year-old actress - who is currently dating 27-year-old model Martin Mica - believes people should get used to older women dating younger men like she is because they are finding themselves in a new “position in society”.

She told Britain’s OK! magazine: “Do I look great or am I in denial because I’m just pretending that it isn’t what it is - I’m getting older? “But I think because of bunch of 25 year olds are asking me on dates, I do look better. “I mean, women are the major breadwinners now, more than 50 per cent.

Kim Kardashian gets

Women are talking over this new position in society and they’re becoming magnetic.

That’s just what’s going to happen.”

However, she does admit the US has a “downtrodden” image of women as they get older. She said: “Outside of America, people don’t have that downtrodden concept of body image that’s like, unless you’re spray painted and 15, you can’t wear a bathing suit.”

pulled over by police he ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’ star was stopped by the California Highway Patrol. Kim’s brand new $300k custom Rolls Royce Ghost was pursued by the vehicle with lights and sirens in the afternoon as she was driving on the 101 Freeway in Los Angeles. Sources told website TMZ.com, that Kim was released without punishment when she showed officers that she secretly keeps her license plates in the glove compartment of her motor. Kim did not receive a ticket in order to pay a fine and may have been let off because paparazzi had been following her from a nearby gym. Kim traded her old white version of the car which apparent costs about $250,000 at a base price, for her new black vehicle only a couple of weeks ago. The 31-year-old reality TV star - who is dating rapper Kanye West - recently said her mother and manager Kris Jenner doesn’t need to approve all of her decisions. She said: “My mum has been there for me throughout every single minute of my life and is always a constant source of strength.”I certainly listen to her opinions but I don’t need her approval for a boyfriend.”

—Bangshowbiz

T

Victoria Beckham tries not to think about how famous she is he Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer and her husband David Beckham are one of the most photographed couples in the world but Victoria admitted interest in her personal life makes her uncomfortable.

She told British Airways’ Business Life magazine: “I think I’d be freaked out if I thought about that too much. Honestly I wake up every morning and pinch myself. I appreciate how lucky I am. I don’t take anything for granted. I have an amazing family and a job I love. It’s all so incredible.” Although she has reached worldwide fame through first her music career and now her own fashion label, Victoria has no plans to slow down and is instead considering new areas to branch out in. She said: “[I might design] shoes next. Or something surprising in technology perhaps.

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All I know right now, is that I’m enjoying the journey.” Victoria - who has four children, Brooklyn, 13, Romeo, nine, Cruz, seven, and one-year-old Harper, with soccer star husband David - says she never set out to be a huge business brand and just designed clothes because she enjoyed it. She said: “I didn’t set out to create a big brand or business. I just set out to design, to have a creative outlet. It’s what I like to do. I love fashion. It’s my hobby that’s turned into a successful business. Of course I have to work hard at it. I’m up early and most of the night as well.”

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SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

LIFESTYLE

Pet hotel thrives as Koreans seek canine companions C hecking into one of Seoul’s newest luxury clinics just because your companion needs a shower may seem extravagant, but Cho Hang-Min said he had no other choice. “Other places won’t do it,” said Cho, a student, explaining why he and his Border Collie have stopped off at Irion. The two-storey establishment in the city’s wealthy Gangnam district is a luxury hotel and clinic for pampered pets-a rising trend in South Korea where dogs were once treated as guard animals or as something to eat.

These days younger Koreans are spending more on their pets, enabling the rise of a high-end industry out to ensure that canine companions are just as pampered as their style-conscious owners. Irion, which means “Come here” in Korean, opened in February 2011 as a one-stop complex offering a veterinary clinic, grooming salon, cafe, shop, daycare centre, an exercise area and “hotel” rooms for dogs and cats.

“I opened Irion because I saw the demand in the industry, to keep pace with the growing animal companion culture in Korea as the economy develops,” Park So-Yeon, head of the DBS company which runs the facility, told AFP. “These facilities are necessities, not luxuries, for people raising animals. Unfortunately I couldn’t find facilities good enough to feel safe and satisfied before I opened Irion.”

Irion offers 36 rooms of varying sizes and high-end clinical equipment

including computer tomography, Xray and ultrasound machines. At the front door a shop sells everything from snacks to pet strollers. Hotel fees range from 40,000 won ($35.26) to 200,000 won a night. “People say it’s

specialists for different body parts, even a herbal medicine vet and hightechnology equipment that smaller hospitals don’t possess.” Despite the price, Park said about 2,000 dogs and cats come to Irion every month for all

This photo shows an Irion employee cutting the nails of a pet dog at the luxury hospital-cum-hotel for pampered pets in Seoul. —AFP photos nonsensical to spend all that money on animals, but we provide daily health checkups, a hygienic environment, large hotel rooms and an exercise area and I’m pretty sure this is not a high price,” said Park.

“And as for the clinic, we have vet

sorts of services. During the summer vacation season, rooms are booked out.

Cho, 19, was not quibbling about cost after reclaiming his newly fragrant pooch. “The hospital is big and clean...I like it here and plan to come

here once every two weeks to shower my dog,” he said. Another patron, Lee Ji-Hyun, said price was not a problem in return for good care. “Services are great and my babies love the place,” she said of her two Maltese terriers

Administration estimates the pet dog industry was worth 1.8 trillion won ($1.58 billion) as of 2010 and growing at an average annual rate of 11 percent.

Nearly 20 percent of households

This photo shows an Irion employee taking care of pet dogs at the luxury hospital-cum-hotel for pampered pets. and a Yorkshire terrier.

Off the menu Increasingly affluent and urbanised South Koreans in recent decades have been cherishing dogs as companions.

The state-run Rural Development

have pets, according to official statistics, with about 95 percent of them owning dogs. But Park thinks the country still has some way to go.

“Korea is relatively slow in pet industry growth because it has unique traditions, such as raising animals out of

the house, and some other extreme ones,” she said, referring to eating dogmeat.

“But those are changing nowadays.” Eating dogs is a longstanding custom. But growing numbers of Koreans oppose the practice and consider it an international embarrassment. In June last year the Korea Dog Farmers’ Association cancelled a planned dogmeat festival following protests from animal rights activists.

The Rural Development Administration said Koreans have begun seeing dogs as partners for life rather than toys and started treating them as family members.

Park said there is still room for improvement in petiquette (pet etiquette) such as always using a lead outdoors and training dogs to behave.

“Owners still need to learn petiquette because I don’t think we are quite there yet in terms of animal culture compared to other countries like the US and Japan,” she said. “What’s so sad is that even up to now the largest number of dogs and cats are being adopted at Christmas and Children’s Day...people must consider whether they are responsible enough to raise animals.” Park now operates four Irion multi-complexes and four which provide only veterinary treatment. She says she plans to open more in coming months. —AFP

Reviews

3 mysteries for summer reading plex characters in an explosive cocktail. The next Capra novel cannot come fast enough.

“The Last Minute”

by Jeff Abbott What would you do to save your son? Sam Capra experienced betrayal and loss in Jeff Abbott’s “Adrenaline.” In Abbott’s new thriller, “The Last Minute,” Capra’s wife is in a coma and he is desperate to find his infant son. An ex-CIA agent, Capra has the skills and resources for the search. The kidnappers are part of a cartel called the Novem Soles (Nine Suns), and they have their hands in law enforcement and government agencies around the world. They even have allies in the CIA. Capra is also confronted with a moral dilemma: The ransom demand isn’t for money, but for the execution of an innocent person.

Deliver proof of this man’s death and Capra can have his son back.

He cannot count on his former allies for assistance, and his new boss is in hiding with a price on her head. It doesn’t matter why the Novem Soles want this man dead. All that matters to Capra is the opportunity to get his son back. Abbott is one of the best thriller writers in the business, and he delivers action and com-

This photo shows Kent Couch lifting off from his gas station in Bend, Ore., riding a lawn chair rigged with more than 150 giant party balloons for a flight that ended 235 miles away in an Idaho farm field.

“Discretion”

by Allison Leotta A high-priced escort arrives at the US Capitol for a rendezvous with one of her regular clients, a long-term Congressman. A short time later, she falls to her death from the balcony. Anna Curtis works for the US Attorney’s office and Jack Bailey, the chief homicide prosecutor, is her boyfriend, though their colleagues are kept in the dark about their relationship. Their joint investigation quickly hits a wall. Congressional attorneys are afraid of legislative secrets leaking, and other clients of the escort service don’t want their activities revealed to their spouses. Leotta, a federal former prosecutor, writes with authority and authenticity. Imagine one of the best episodes of the TV series “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit,” but set in Washington, DC, instead of New York City. Besides the realistic feel of the courtroom machinations, Leotta also takes readers on a journey inside the elite of Washington and the world of escort services. How can such

Ohio woman turns 90, celebrates on roller coaster n Ohio woman has spent her 90th birthday doing one of her favorite things: whizzing around the tracks of a roller coaster at 80 mph. The Kings Island amusement park says Thelma Gratsch took a ride on the Diamondback coaster to celebrate her milestone birthday on Friday. The 230-foot-high steel ride is the tallest and fastest coaster at the park near Cincinnati.

The Mount Lookout woman guesses she’s ridden the Diamondback more than 100 times since it debuted in 2009. Park officials believe she’s the oldest guest to have taken a spin on the ride. Gratsch has had a Kings Island season pass every year since they were introduced in 1979. —AP

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an obvious prostitution enterprise operate immune from the law?

Curtis and Bailey find their relationship tested as people in power will use everything and everyone at their disposal to keep their private lives a secret.

‘Lawn chair’ balloonist sets sail from Oregon “The Last Refuge: a Dewey Andreas Novel”

by Ben Coes Ben Coes has created a hero who ranks with the protagonists in a Vince Flynn or Brad Thor thriller.

Dewey Andreas is a former SEAL who was forced out of active duty.

When his life was in peril, a team of Israeli commandos led by Kohl Meir saved him. When Meir uncovers irrefutable evidence that Iran has developed a nuclear device and plans to detonate it in Tel Aviv, he goes to Dewey for help.

Dewey and Kohl develop a plan to sneak into Iran and destroy its nuclear facility. An officer high up in the Iranian government learns of the plan and captures Kohl.

Dewey must rescue his friend - and save the world. “The Last Refuge” is a winner, and it will keep readers turning the pages. —AP

balloonist who once flew 235 miles (378 kilometres) in a lawn chair tied to a bouquet of helium-filled party balloons was set to fly again yesterday, this time with a co-pilot, seeking to set a Guinness World Record for the longest two-man cluster balloon flight. Gas station owner Kent Couch, dubbed the “lawn chair balloonist,” was to set off from his Stop & Go station in Bend, Oregon, carried by 350 multi-colored balloons and guided only by the wind. With him is with Iraqi national Fareed Lafta, with whom he is preparing to partner in a similar flight from Baghdad in October.

The pair will have parachutes in case of emergency. Previous flights have taken Couch as far as Cambridge, Idaho, in 2008 - his personal best. “It’s a preflight for our trip to Iraq to bring more awareness to the orphans,” Couch said. He said Lafta contacted him a year ago and asked to join him on a cluster balloon flight to raise funds for children orphaned by the US-led war in Iraq.

Couch, who hopes to make it to Montana this time, invited Lafta to pick out a comfortable lawn chair and join him. “A lot of people have contacted me over the years about flying, but Fareed was by far the most sincere,” Couch said. “I went to the orphanages with him and

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saw the children there. And Fareed also has lots of sky-diving experience. Now I’ll have someone to share my inflight experiences with.”

Couch lays informal claim to most of the world’s records for cluster balloon flight, including highest altitude achieved

you, you feel no wind at all.” Does he ever contemplate meaning-of-life issues as the balloon rises above the earth? “I am a God-fearing man,” he said. “But I don’t consider cluster balloon flight deathdefying. When people say that it kind of just eggs me on.”

This file photo shows Kent Couch riding a lawn chair rigged with giant party balloons after taking off from his gas station in Bend, Ore. —AP and furthest distance traveled. This time, he wants to set a new distance record.

But to Couch, the real appeal of cluster balloon flight is the sensation of being in the open air at 15,000 feet (4.6 km).

“There is perfect peace up there,” he said. “Even though the breeze is carrying

“Balloon flight is really quite simple.

You have 1,400 pounds (635 kilograms) of lift in the balloons, and 1,350 pounds (612 kg) of weight and ballast. What goes up must come down.” The only question this year, as in the past, is exactly where Kent Couch will come down. —Reuters

For Cumming’s Macbeth, a mad, mad world indeed n these days where celebrity divorce is in the headlines, you’ve gotta tip your hat to the enduring and iconic marriage of Macbeth and his Lady. He’s got the ambition, she’s got the boundless nerve, and together, they can achieve the unthinkable. But wait what if they were simply two parts of the same person? That’s the head-spinning - or should we say, head-splintering - question raised by the newest “Macbeth” to hit New York, with the charismatic Scotsman Alan Cumming as both Mr. and Mrs. McB. But the production, which comes from the National Theatre of Scotland via the Lincoln Center Festival, doesn’t stop there.

Cumming also plays Macduff, and King Duncan, and Banquo... oh, and the three witches, too. He plays all the main characters, and they’re all parts of a shattered personality, belonging to an unnamed man who’s committed an unnamed crime and is now in a mental ward.

Yes, it’s a very cool concept, and one that sounds well-nigh irresistible when combined with the undeniable talents of Cumming, a Tony winner for 1998’s “Cabaret,” and his directors - John Tiffany, fresh off a Tony win

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for the musical “Once,” and Andrew Goldberg. But while the production is handled with great skill and has plenty of riveting moments, the concept often seems to limit rather than enhance both the accessibility and the sheer drama of this famous Shakespearean play.

The biggest challenge are the transitions from character to character - as absorbing as Cumming is to watch, and even though the play has been trimmed significantly, following these transitions demands a lot of focus and concentration from the audience. And if you’re not very familiar with the play, you’ll likely get hopelessly lost trying to figure out who is who, since the character shifts are inevitably subtler than usual, with no costume changes, set changes or indeed personnel changes to announce them.

Theatergoers be advised: It’s essential to brush up on that Shakespeare before attending.

The stage at the Rose Theater, normally home to Jazz at Lincoln Center, has been transformed into a cold and antiseptic hospital ward. In a silent beginning, Cumming’s mental patient arrives and is processed by

two attendants who remove his clothes and take swabs of DNA. Kudos to set designer Merle Hensel: This ward is a spooky place indeed, all tiled and sickly green, with only a cot, a bathtub, a sink and mirror, a big chair and a table to spruce up the place. There’s a window high above the patient, through which his keepers monitor him - and a closed-circuit TV system with three large screens that show his rantings.

Those screens are especially effective when Cumming plays the three witches.

Also effective is the way he uses a mere towel, after one bathtub moment (yes, the bathtub is filled, and Cumming gets wet more than once) to differentiate between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. A mirror is a clever device to reflect a conversation between characters. Other useful props include a small boy’s sweater, to indicate the ill-fated son of Macduff, and a black raven that comes to a pretty disgusting end. A doll is used as a stand-in for Malcom, Duncan’s son; it even gets a little curtain call at the end, aided by Cumming.

Myra McFadyen and Ali Craig, as the attendants, speak only late in the play, and

their contribution, especially when setting up Lady Macbeth’s “Out, damned spot!” speech, is welcome. Music by Max Richter, sound by Fergus O’Hare, and lighting by Natasha Chivers all add to the sinister nature of the proceedings. But the production’s best asset is Cumming, who is even called on, during what one could call an intense marital discussion, to have sex with himself.

Cumming has said that an initial idea for the production, later jettisoned, was to have him play Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in alternate performances, switching off with an actress.

That would also have been interesting, and perhaps a way to explore this terrific actor’s versatility while mining a bit more of the inherent drama in the play. In the end, due to its creative but challenging guiding concept, this “Macbeth” is more chilling and spooky than tragic or terrifying. —AP

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

lifestyle

(From left) The M.C. Bat Commander, Crash McLarson, Ricky Fitness, EagleBones Falconhawk and Jimmy the Robot, of the band The Aquabats, participate in “The Aquabats! Super Show!” panel.

Comic-Con:

Daytime pop culture, night-time parties

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omic-Con isn’t just a daytime affair.

After the convention center closes for the night, the streets of downtown San Diego come alive with parties galore - dozens of events over the four-day fan festival. “The Con is for the fans,” said comic artist Eric J as

Kane Hodder and Hatchet Man arrive at the Fear Net and Resident Evil Party at Voyeur Nightclub.

he navigated between party destinations.

“For the professionals and exhibitors, it’s also for networking and making contacts, and that happens at the parties. Even though everyone’s having a great time, more business gets done after hours. And it’s not just business. There are friendships made at the convention and at the parties that last a lifetime.”

The festivities began on the eve of ComicCon with Wednesday’s gathering for “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2,” which drew crowds to the Hard Rock Hotel’s rooftop bar. The next night, it hosted a party for “The Expendables 2,” where Arnold Schwarzenegger made an appearance, and Microsoft’s Xbox 360 gathering, where guests previewed games like “Dance Central 3,” “Deadlight” and “Halo 4.”

Partygoers also played around at Ubisoft’s soiree inside a sprawling suite overlooking Petco Park stadium. Celebrants such as “Hart of Dixie” and “Friday Night Lights” star Scott Porter tried out games like “Assassin’s Creed III” and “ZombiU” as they nibbled on cheese puff-crusted fish sandwiches. The stadium itself was home to a massive party Thursday: VH1’s “Dawn of the Con,” which was open to all Comic-Con pass holders and hosted by rocker Rob Zombie.

The Wired Cafe atop the Omni Hotel held a celebration for TV’s “Dexter,” where guests sipped “killer cosmos” and “dark defenders” while chowing down on pasta next to a wallsized portrait of the lovable serial killer and his sister made entirely of different kinds of knives. Yvonne Strahovski, who is guest-starring in the upcoming sixth season, kept court in a corner booth with her former “Chuck” co-

A Comic-Con attendee wins entry into the exclusive. star Vik Sahay. Friday brought another round of networking and partying opportunities, including Creative Arts Agency’s joint event with Samsung at the Hard Rock Hotel, which inspired a spontaneous vampire gathering: Alexander Skarsgard and Deborah Ann Woll of “True Blood,” and Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder of “The Vampire Diaries” were among the revelers. The Hard Rock also held events Friday for Warner Bros. Television, “Halo 4” and Spike TV. Maxim magazine and Fox at Home took over the rooftop of the nearby Andaz Hotel,

Kodi Smit-McPhee attends the “ParaNorman” press line at Comic-Con.

recreating Paddy’s Pub from the comedy series “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” Cast members snacked on hot dogs and sliders, while Christopher Mintz-Plasse was engrossed in conversation with a DJ spinning hip-hop.

Yesterday’s soirees included Entertainment Weekly’s annual poolside party, and a Playboy and “True Blood” event that promises to recreate the restaurants and landmarks from the popular HBO show.

Meanwhile, the trailer for the upcoming season of “The Walking Dead” was released

from custody Friday at Comic-Con. Footage from the AMC zombie drama’s third season focused on the survivors working together to clear the undead from that ominous prison glimpsed at the end of the last season. “The intensity level is incredible,” executive producer Gale Ann Hurd said of the third season.

“We’ve got our cast inoculated now. The new people realize just what they’re in for and the level that we expect. They’ve become just as passionate about ‘The Walking Dead’ as we all are.” The footage also showcased katanawielding new character Michonne (played by Danai Gurira) slicing through zombies and teaming up with Laurie Holden’s Andrea. In one scene, the pair came across a crashed Army helicopter before being taken to an ominous survivalist commune called Woodbury that’s run by a shady character known as the Governor (David Morrisey). “It’s a very different season for Andrea,” said Holden. “She’s separated from the group.

She’s met this alpha female, and they become very good friends. It’s great storytelling, as they’re battling the elements in this postapocalyptic world.” The trailer ended with a shot of Michael Rooker’s scumbag Merle, who escaped from a pair of handcuffs by slicing off his appendage back in the first season. In the third season footage, Merle sports a knife for a right arm. The next season of “ The Walking Dead” premieres Oct. 14. Comic-Con continues through today. — AP

Fan Stuart Mazzeo, dressed as the Joker, poses for photographers.

Film producer Richard D. Zanuck dies at age 77 Kennedys honor

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eteran Hollywood executive Richard D. Zanuck, the prolific producer behind the blockbuster shark thriller “Jaws,” the best-picture Oscar-winner “Driving Miss Daisy” and a string of Tim Burton fantasies, died on Friday of a heart attack at age 77. Zanuck, son of famed 20th Century Fox chieftain Darryl F. Zanuck, who was named by his father at age 28 as Fox’s head of production, making him Hollywood’s then youngest-ever studio boss, died at his home in Beverly Hills, a spokesman said.

No further details were immediately available about the circumstances of his death. Zanuck, who spent the bulk of his career as an independent producer, earned numerous awards during more than 50 years in filmmaking. Among his accolades were the Academy Award he shared with his wife and collaborator, Lili Fini Zanuck, for their work on “Driving Miss Daisy,” and the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for his work with longtime associate David Brown.

Steven Spielberg, with whom Zanuck collaborated on “Jaws,” called the producer “a cornerstone of our industry, both in name and in deed.” “In 1974, Dick Zanuck and I sat in a boat off Martha’s Vineyard and watched the mechanical shark sink to the bottom of the sea,” Spielberg recalled in a statement. “Dick turned to me and smiled. ‘Gee, I sure hope that’s not a sign.’”

That moment of wry humor proved to be far from prophetic, as “Jaws,” the tale of a great white shark that terrorizes a small New England beach town, became one of the biggest hits of its era and helped launch Spielberg’s career as a director. Born in Los Angeles, Zanuck, whose mother was actress Virginia Fox, joined his father as a story and production assistant on two 20th Century Fox films, “Island in the Sun” and “The Sun Also Rises.”

He debuted as a full-fledged producer at age 24 on 1959 feature film “Compulsion,” which starred Orson Welles. Four years later, he was placed in charge of produc-

tion at his father’s studio. During his eight-year tenure there, the studio cranked out a series of critical and commercial successes, “The Sound of Music,” “Patton” and “The French Connection,” all of which won best film Oscars.

Other Fox hits from that period include the original “Planet of the Apes” series, the Paul Newman and Robert Redford western “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and the Korean War satire “M*A*S*H.”

Hollywood hits and misses But a handful of big-screen musical flops “greenlighted” for production by Zanuck, among them “Doctor Dolittle,” “Hello Dolly” and “Star,” cost the studio dearly and ultimately led to his ouster in 1970 by his father. From there,

In this July 27, 2010 file photo, producer, Richard Zanuck, and his wife Lili Fini Zanuck arrive at the premiere of the film ‘Get Low’ in Beverly Hills, Calif. — AP

Zanuck and Brown moved briefly to Warner Bros., where they oversaw the making of the religious thriller “The Exorcist” and Mel Brooks’ parody western, “Blazing Saddles” before starting their own production company.

It was the Zanuck/Brown label that made Spielberg’s 1974 film directorial debut, “The Sugarland Express,” and his 1975 blockbuster “Jaws,” which earned Oscars for film editing, score and sound. Other Zanuck/Brown successes included “The Sting,” a Depression-era tale of grifters that reunited Newman and Redford and won seven Academy Awards, including best picture; courtroom drama “The Verdict,” which earned five Oscar nominations, and “Cocoon,” which won Oscars for best supporting Oscar (Don Ameche) and visual effects.

Zanuck earned his greatest personal filmmaking accolade for the first movie produced under his own Zanuck Company label, the 1989 film “Driving Miss Daisy,” about the relationship of a stubborn old Jewish woman (Jessica Tandy) and her black chauffeur (Morgan Freeman) in the American South. The film earned four Oscars, including best actress for Tandy and best picture for Zanuck and his wife.

The latter stretch of Zanuck’s career was marked by a close collaboration with director Tim Burton, starting with a 2001 remake of “Planet of the Apes,” released by 20th Century Fox. Others included the 2005 hit “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” the critically acclaimed 2007 musical “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” and the 2010 success “Alice in Wonderland,” all starring Johnny Depp. The last film of Zanuck’s career ended up being his sixth collaboration with Burton, the critical and commercial bomb “Dark Shadows,” also starring Depp and based on the 1960s television series about lovelorn vampire. In addition to his wife, Zanuck is survived by his sons Harrison and Dean, and nine grandchildren. — Reuters

Taylor Swift with ‘social change’ award

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hart-topping country star Taylor Swift is to be honored by the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights for her “commitment to social change,” the nonprofit organization said Friday. Swift, 22, a multiple Grammy winner who spent the July 4 holiday with the Kennedy clan on Cape Cod, will receive the center’s Ripple of Hope Award at a black-tie dinner December 3 in New York hosted by actor Alec Baldwin. Getting the same laurel-whose past recipients include U2 front man Bono, actor George Clooney and, last year, former vice president Al Gore-on the same night will be Wall Street investment banker Vincent A. Mai. “Taylor Swift’s dedication to advocacy at such a young age continues to inspire me, and I’m delighted to honor her as one of our 2012 Ripple of Hope Award recipients,” the center’s president Kerry Kennedy said in a statement. She cited Swift’s support for arts education and disaster-stricken communities as the motivation for the prize.

“As a young person, Taylor has already accomplished so much, and I look forward to watching all that she will do to help build a brighter, more peaceful world for us all.” A spokeswoman for the center, in an email to AFP, said the Ripple of Hope Award “lauds leaders of the international business, entertainment, and activist communities who demonstrate commitment to social change.”

Kerry Kennedy is a daughter of Robert Kennedy, a civil rights activist and US attorney general under his brother, slain president John F. Kennedy, who was himself shot dead in 1968 when he was running for the White House. Her mother, Ethel Kennedy, founded the center, which also gives out a human rights award in recognition of international social justice champions. —AFP

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

lifestyle

One of the cool shopping venues in Southern California beach towns is Aviator Nation, which sells T-shirts and hoodies with retro, 70s beachy graphics and slogans like “Pray For Surf ” and “California is for Lovers.” — MCT photos

One of the cool shopping venues in Southern California beach towns is Dawn Bake, a more contemporary boutique.

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ith summer in full swing, it’s time to hit the beach - for sunning, yes, but also for shopping. There’s a new level of sophistication in shopping along the coast. Locally owned boutiques with a curated point of view are changing the flavor of beach towns from break haunts to chic retail and dining destinations. The style renaissance is fueled in part by the success of Venice’s Abbot Kinney Boulevard, which this spring was dubbed by GQ magazine the chic-est street in America. With stores in Craftsman-style houses and beach bungalows, along with ping-pong tables and comfy outdoor seating that encourage visitors to linger, even the retail scene has a friendly sense of community.

“Abbot Kinney has an energy that you cannot find anywhere else in LA,” says fashion maven Jeannie Lee, who recently opened a second outpost of her popular 3rd Street boutique Satine on Abbot Kinney Boulevard, selling $500-plus designer clothing by Jenni Kayne and Alexander Wang alongside wetsuits by Cynthia Rowley for Roxy. “No matter what day of the week or time of day, there are always people on the street. Since we have been open I noticed that we have little to no down time. The level of traffic coming into the store is intense.”

Stylish, new independent boutiques have been cropping up in Manhattan Beach (Dawn Baker), Hermosa Beach (Deep Pocket Jean Co.) and Long Beach (Port, Long Beach Trading Co.) too, as fashion industry vets have moved from LA to the beach cities and designers and merchandisers who came of age working for surf and skate industry giants have left to start their own lines and retail endeavors.

“Hermosa is filled with authentic creativity,” says David Borgatta, who opened Deep Pocket Jean Co. on Pier Avenue in Hermosa eight months ago after working as a designer for 25 years at Quicksilver, Guess, Hollister and other brands. “The old Hermosa is changing. It’s more about lifestyle, and not just partyers and drunks. We also have a lot of pro athletes living here.”

We surveyed the scene and came up with coastal shopping

at Guild (1335{ Abbot Kinney), where you’ll find Band of Outsiders lace shorts, distressed Greg Lauren jackets and Ronald Pineau studded clutches. Salt (1138 Abbot Kinney) is less rock ‘n’ roll, with modern-looking clothes from Elaine Kim, Hache and Hartford.

Mona Moore (1112 Abbot Kinney) is the place to find cuttingedge shoes by Balenciaga, Marni and Martin Margiela, while Waraku (1225 Abbot Kinney) has hard-to-find kicks for men and women, like gingham check Nikes, Marimekko print Converse and split-toe Sou-Sous, alongside Japanese streetwear brands.

For leather accessories, San Francisco-based designer Kendall Conrad (1121 Abbot Kinney) specializes in bags that incorporate

Ocean-adjacent boutiques have moved past the beachwear cliches to offer sophisticated takes on SoCal style

One of the cool shopping venues in Southern California beach towns is Alternative Apparel on Abbot Kinney in Venice, a lifestyle apparel brand with Hand-crafted vintage softness t-shirts, and crocheted surf board covers that are displayed in the windows.

One of the cool shopping venues in Southern California beach towns is Deep Pocket Jean Company, an American-made denim collection and classic men’s store located in Hermosa Beach, California, featuring a barbershop and cigar shop. itineraries that sample stores in Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, the South Bay and Long Beach. But let’s start with the most chic of streets, Abbot Kinney. On Abbot Kinney, just steps away from the sand, the boardwalk and the drum circles, high-end fashion and design stores sit alongside pot pharmacies and bike shops.

Although the area is steeped in the powerful legacy of the surfskate culture stretching back to the neighborhood’s 1970s Dogtown days, even its beach T-shirt shops have been elevated now to something more special. It adds up to an eclectic mix of shopping opportunities from Venice to Westminster boulevards.

With a bright blue exterior painted with two bunnies by local graffiti artist Jules Muck, the new Satine (1508 Abbot Kinney) can’t be missed. Jeannie Lee’s vision of luxury fashion in Venice comes in a relaxed beach bungalow setting. There are cheery Thakoon dresses, cuddly Jenni Kayne sweaters, Ancient Greek Sandals footwear, Eugenia Kim straw hats, Meredith Wendell macrame clutches and sleek Rochas totes, as well as eclectic goodies such as green tea Kit Kats and crochet iPhone covers, inspired by Lee’s love of Japan.

At the other end of the street, Heist (1104 Abbot Kinney) was one of the first fashion boutiques to open on Abbot Kinney at the dawn of the street’s renaissance, in 2004. It has a European flavor, featuring Isabel Marant floral dresses and fringed sweaters, Of Two Minds tweed jackets, Dieppa Restrepo booties, K. Jacques sandals, Jerome Dreyfuss totes and Pippa Small semiprecious stone jewelry.

Pamela Barish (1327 Abbot Kinney) also opened her store in 2004. A die-hard Venice local, Barish has adopted her own 100mile-radius rule, and all of her clothes are made within it. Her spring collection includes picnic-ready gingham, eyelet and polka dot fit ‘n’ flare dresses, solid sheaths, skirts and tops with Peter Pan collars.

There’s lots here for the more avant-garde set too, beginning

traditional techniques of Spanish saddlery, including sleek styles with fringe, tassel or whipstitch trim and brass hardware, as well as leather wallets and cuff bracelets.

You’ll find men’s canvas totes, messenger bags and accessories at Jack Spade (1132 Abbot Kinney), and Lucite bracelets and other fashion jewelry at Alexis Bittar (1612 Abbot Kinney). And for an olfactory treat, Venice-based Strange Invisible Perfumes (1138 Abbot Kinney) and New York-based Le Labo (1138{) recently formed a “Perfume Commune,” co-existing in side-by-side storefronts where they spritz the art of custom perfumery.

The Stronghold (1625 Abbot Kinney), LA’s first denim brand circa 1885, worn by Charlie Chaplin in the “Little Tramp” and Henry Fonda in “Grapes of Wrath,” has its flagship on Abbot Kinney. The place has an old-fashioned vibe and features the house-label jeans, alongside goods from other American heritage brands, including Alden shoes, Russell moccasins, Filson bags and Dickies shirts. Don’t miss the chic carpet bags for women either.

Steven Alan (1601 Abbot Kinney) has a preppy vibe, with button-down shirts for men and women, Lauren Moffatt cotton dresses in delicate prints, Clare Vivier envelope bags and Soludos espadrilles. In Venice’s boho spirit, LA designer Karyn Craven recently opened her first Burning Torch (1627 Abbot Kinney) store here. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with breezy tunics in bright silk prints, exotic beaded bed jackets and dresses, woven leather tops, upcycled blouses and chunky necklaces.

Principessa (1323 Abbot Kinney) also has the gypsy look down with Mara Hoffman tribal print dresses, and Winter Kate kimonos, Mexican blanket bags by Totem and cutoff, concho-decorated boots by Luxury Jones. There are lots of home design and gift boutiques along the way too. Zengara Trading (1507 Abbot Kinney) is the place to go for global, fair-trade home goods, including baskets made in Senegal, and papel picado in Mexico, as well as upcycled cashmere sweaters with whimsical appliques and Sven clogs. Firefly (1409 Abbot Kinney) has Kerry Cassill and Pink Chicken tunic stops and Work Custom jeans, plus gifty items, books and candles.

Huset (1316 Abbot Kinney) specializes in Scandinavian design, including Malene Birger dresses and housewares by Marimekko.

And A + R (1121 Abbot Kinney), owned by Rose Apodaca, a fashion writer and former LA Times editor, and her husband Andy Griffith, is a global bazaar of fun with recycled paper speakers, Globe outdoor barbecue grills, Tanya Aguiniga rope jewelry and lots of other goods.

On Abbot Kinney, even the beach T-shirt shops have been elevated to a stylish new level. Alternative Apparel (1337 Abbot Kinney) may be based in a suburb of Atlanta, but the design studio is in LA and the flagship store is in a Craftsman house in Venice, which shows off the super-soft jersey T-shirts, tanks, dresses and sweats, along with flip-flops, friendship bracelets and canvas bags in a tranquil setting with a landscaped garden in back.

The crocheted surfboard covers in the window were created in the spirit of the Yarn Bombing movement, by the store’s interior design team Danny Gonzalez and Hope Thurman.

Prairie dogs with wings and bicycles with Western saddles instead of seats are two examples of the quirky graphics you will find on the organic cotton T-shirts at Topo Ranch (1219 Abbot Kinney), a Venice-based brand inspired by the historic Topo Ranch between Monterey and San Benito counties, where many westerns were filmed. Across the street, Aviator Nation (1224 Abbot Kinney) is the creation of Paige Mycoskie, sister of Toms shoes

founder Blake Mycoskie. The born-in-Venice brand is built on 1970s-inspired, retro sporty cool T-shirts, sweats and hats with slogans such as “Pray for Surf” and “California Is for Lovers.” No pretentiousness here: The sales staff can go barefoot if they want and there’s a bar in back for keg parties, complete with Aviator Nation koozies.

For lunch, you can’t go wrong at Gjelina (1429 Abbot Kinney).

And now, there’s a takeout counter too if you want to grab a bite at the beach or on the sidewalk. Just a few blocks from the harbor, 4th Street in Long Beach has been a vintage-lover’s paradise since grande dame Kathleen Schaaf opened vintage emporium Meow in 1986. Along “retro row” between Cherry and Junipero avenues, you’ll find tiki mugs, rockabilly crinolines, roller derby skates. But that’s not all. In the last couple of years, new independent retailers have brought the hipster-heritage look to the area too.

One of the newcomers is Port (around the corner at 402 St. Louis Ave.), which opened last year and has a weathered utilitarian vibe. The store stocks skate-surf brands like Matix and FreshJive, along with Herschel Supply bags, Raen Optics and Pointer shoes. Port also has its own branded T-shirts, caps, sunglasses and beach towels inspired by Long Beach’s nautical heritage. Don’t miss the Ebbets Field flannel hats for Port in store now.

Another newish player on the Long Beach retail scene is skate industry vet John Tubbs, who opened the East Village clothing store Dixie, celebrating vintage motorcycle culture, on Linden Avenue in 2011. Long Beach Trading Co. (2148 E. 4th St.) followed in February, focusing on workwear made in the USA. Moxi Roller Skate Shop (2132 E. 4th St.), opened by Long Beach roller derby queen Estro Jen, specializes in quad roller

skates that are anything but basic. “Fashion on wheels” is how she describes the designs in leopard print, hot pink suede or featuring Hello Kitty graphics. Or you can customize your own. Songbird (2240 E. 4th St.) specializes in novelty gifts (pirate-themed BandAids, sushi pens) and clothing, including pin-up-style dresses by Sailor Jerry and Bernie Dexter, and “I Love Ghetto Long Beach” tees. Flirty and feminine is the mood at Blu Button (2112 E. 4th St.), which stocks retro-inspired dresses by Tulle, Down East Basics and Yumi, along with shoes by Seychelles. Almost everything in the store is less than $100, and there are also a few vintage items in the mix.

Imonni (2106 E. 4th St.) also mixes the old with the new, offering a well-edited selection of vintage dresses, tops and sweaters, along with upcycled elastic waist skirts in colorful prints and embellished denim jackets, vintage jewelry from YSL and Chanel, Jeffrey Campbell shoes and cute sun hats.

When it comes to vintage, Meow (2210 E. 4th St.) is a blast from the past, with 1,800 square feet of psychedelic print sundresses, acid-washed jean jackets, ladylike beaded cardigans, Mexican print circle skirts, Osh Kosh overalls and Snoopy scarves.

The store specializes in vintage dead stock for men, women and children, and you’re always sure to turn up a quirky find. On a recent visit, I spotted a creepy-cool sweater with Ronald McDonald’s mug on the front. One of the more affordable vintage stores on the strip, La Bomba (2222 E. 4th St.) has on-trend denim cutoffs dyed in neon colors, retro dresses from the 1940s to the 1960s and lots of things for men, including Pendletons and bowling shirts. (Most items are less than $50.) The monthly “Style in a Pile” sales, where shoppers paw through heaps of polyester and other stuff and everything costs $2 to $5, are legendary. —MCT

Pet hotel thrives as Koreans seek canine companions

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

37

Amsterdam

Fashion Week

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Models display creations by designer duo Spijkers during the Amsterdam Fashion Week, on July 13, 2012. — AFP

ichelle Obama said the nation’s top designers in fashion, architecture, landscapes and technology were making life better through their everyday work and honored them at the White House on Friday. The first lady joined the Smithsonian’s Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum in hosting a luncheon in the East Room for winners of the National Design Awards. The New York City-based museum presents the awards, along with a design fair for Washington teens to meet some of the nation’s top creative minds.

Richard Saul Wurman, who created the popular TED conferences for discussing technology, entertainment and design ideas, won the Lifetime Achievement Award. The first lady added that he was “quite dashing and sassy” after meeting him Friday.

Thom Browne, who designs the Black Fleece line for men and women by Brooks Brothers, was honored for his fashion design that evokes the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Winners were also named interior design, product design and other sectors. Obama told a crowd of designers from companies like Facebook, Nike and New York’s fashion scene that the design winners help improve daily life through their work.

“Every day, these visionary designers are pushing boundaries, creating and revealing beauty where we least expect it and helping us all lead healthier, more sustainable lives,” Obama said. “From the clothes we wear to the technologies we use to the public spaces we enjoy, their work affects just about every aspect of our lives.” The first lady hailed the nonprofit design firm Design that Matters in Cambridge, Mass., which partners with social entrepreneurs to address needs in developing countries, including a neonatal incubator made of spare car parts and a projector for nighttime adult literacy classes in Africa. The company won the design award for corporate and institutional achievement.

She also saluted Wurman, who is an architect and author known for his travel guidebooks. He began TED conferences in 1984 and they would introduce such innovations as the first Mac computer, the Segway and the first announcement of Google, among other creations. Obama said Wurman has spent his career transforming information into knowledge to help people better understand the world.

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First lady Michelle Obama smiles as she honors the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award winners, Friday, July 13, 2012, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. — AP “But in the end, as he put it,” Obama said, “he does this work ‘not for fame, fortune or money,’ but ‘just really to do something good.’” After the ceremony, Wurman said he treasured the award and cried when he heard he was receiving the honor. Atlantabased architects Mack Scogin and Merrill Elam, a husband-and-wife team, won the top award for architecture. Scogin said it was a unique honor to receive at the White House but that design has historically been part of the US presidency.

“Thomas Jefferson is still one of the great - he was not an architect - but he was one of the great architects in American culture,” Scogin said.

“His interest in the visual and making spaces is always to this day still original thinking.” The architects joined a teen design fair at the Smithsonian earlier in the day to share their careers with teens from Washington and New York City. Elam said there’s great design around the world now, so the nation needs to cultivate its next generation of innovators.

“There’s no reason that American design shouldn’t be the most inventive,” she said.

“We have the most freedom of any place on the face of the earth, and our design work should just reflect that on and on and on.”

Other winners included: Design Mind Award: Janine Benyus, a biologist and innovation consultant working to use biomimicry, looking to nature to create sustainable designs.

Design Patron: Red Burns, an arts professor and chief collaborations officer for the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University for her innovations in communications technology.

Communication Design: Rebeca Mendes, a professor in media arts at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Interaction Design: Evan Roth, an artist who visualizes and records often unseen moments in public spaces and collaborated with Jay-Z on the first open-source rap video.

Interior Design: Clive Wilkinson Architects, a Los Angeles-based firm whose clients have included Google, Disney and 20th Century Fox. Landscape Architecture: Stoss Landscape Urbanism, a Boston studio that works in both landscape design and urban planning.

Product Design: Scott Wilson, founder of the Chicago-based studio Minimal that collaborated with Microsoft to design Kinect for Xbox 360 and who created TikTok watches for the iPod Nano. — AP

Dapper dame

wen Stefani was a fashion icon to her “No Doubt” fans long before she launched her L.A.M.B. and Harajuku Lovers labels. The platinum blonde was the poster girl for skaters everywhere. She was frequently photographed in a mix of crop tops, baggy pants, studded belts and chains.

Over the years, it’s been fun to witness the singer transform into a more polished version of her ska rocker self in pieces from her own L.A.M.B. line.

Stefani recently attended the opening of For a bold silver cuff, get the the Exposure 2 photo exhibition in Los Hammered cuff by Hive & Honey Angeles, donning a menswear-inspired out- from Piperlime.com for $18. fit that was a little of the old “No Doubt” Gwen and her new fashion designer persona mixed together. She wore a pair of Rag & Bone leather pants, white blouse with contrast collar, square-tip tie and cap-toe heels. A silver cuff was a nice touch, and Stefani’s best accessory tends to be her signature ruby red lips. The zipper-embellished pants, silver cuff and contrast collar are rocker chic, while her heels and red lips appear sleek and feminine. The tie adds a funky menswear twist - perhaps it’s a throwback to when Stefani would wear a plain black tie with her bikini tops or with an Oxford shirt and sweater like a school girl.

For a similar blouse with a contrast collar, try the Asos blouse with double collar for $31.48 from Asos.com. Piperlime.com offers a sleeveless version with the Peter Pan collar blouse by Ark & Co. for $49. Tuck your blouse into the Mum trousers from Zara for $59.99.

The jean’s metallic sheen gives a look similar If you don’t mind mixing your to leather without the high price tag. The gold and silver, go for a sleeker Gitman Bros. burgundy knit silk slim tie from black and gold version with the Bluefly.com for $68 offers a fun retro style, or Asos Sydney pointed high heels any borrowed skinny tie from a boyfriend or with metal cap toe. husband can also do the trick. —MCT

Tuck your blouse into the Mum trousers from Zara for $59.99.

Piperlime.com offers a sleeveless version with the Peter Pan collar blouse by Ark & Co. for $49. —MCT photos

The next wave in men’s beachwear W

arriors of Radness, an irreverent take on Southern California’s cliched sunand surf-soaked image, has been quietly building buzz since its 2007 launch with a men’s beachwear collection of bold, brightly colored graphic T-shirts, color-blocked shorts, casual pants, button-front shirts and light outerwear pieces inspired by the surfwear of the 1970s and ‘80s. Now, it’s riding a wave of momentum into the summer of 2012, with a special collection for Opening Ceremony and an exclusive four-piece selection for retailer Ron Herman.

“Creatively and momentum-wise, we’re in a really good place,” says Warriors of Radness founder and head designer Rick Klotz, who was among the 2011 finalists in GQ’s annual search for the best new menswear designers in

America. “Things are pretty solid.”

Part of the reason for that momentum is that

Pieces in WOR’s (Warriors of Radness) Summer 2012 collection. — MCT

Warriors of Radness (Klotz refers to the brand by its acronym WOR, which he pronounces “war”) keys into two current fashion trends: the resurgence of ‘80s style and the ever-increasing appetite for made-in-America goods. “It was important to me that I was able to make the line here,” Klotz says. “And 99.9 percent of it is made here in Los Angeles, just like the stuff was in the heyday of vintage surf fashion.” Klotz, 44, whose clothing company CV includes launching the Freshjive streetwear label, grew up skating and surfing in Southern California. Those fond memories of growing up in the ‘70s and ‘80s inspired him to create WOR. “Surf fashion at the time was unique, original and inspirational,” Klotz says.

“And now it’s not ... everybody’s making the same trunks.” —MCT