29 May 2013 by Kuwait Times

CR IP TI ON BS SU

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

Russia to send Syria missiles as spillover fears grow

Foreign workers queue to quit Saudi Arabia after amnesty

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RAJAB 19, 1434 AH

Pakistani TV smashes taboos with its answer to ‘Glee’

Swann’s six-haul bowls England to victory

Assembly refers interior minister grilling to panel MPs demand action against former oil minister

Max 41º Min 28º High Tide 03:25 & 13:58 Low Tide 08:42 & 21:37

By B Izzak conspiracy theories

Committees season By Badrya Darwish

badrya_d@kuwaittimes.net

tried hard to remain silent on the Dow deal for the past few weeks. I think that it was wrong to cancel the mega project in the first place. However, the decision was taken after pressure was exerted on the then prime minister by the opposition. I think that when the deal was cancelled, it was not Sheikh Nasser’s job to look into the matter. Since that day I do not know who to blame - the ministers, lawyers, those who agreed to scrap the deal without reading thoroughly the contract or those who signed it. Now we all suffer. Dow is the prevalent subject in the media. More to the point, Dow has opened the Pandora’s box of dirty linen hanging in the public sphere and is also doing rounds in the diwaniyas. It showed the worst of men. The worst of it all was exposed on social networks. Do not ignore social networks. It is the sharpest and strongest weapon of this age. Social networking can topple governments and make revolutions. We saw that in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and now we see it in Syria. Social networking helped 90 percent in the change of regimes. It doesn’t mean, however, that whatever is posted on social networks is accurate. As humans we have a tendency to believe gossip and rumours without verifying them. Even if they are verified and the person clears his name, you will see that tweeters and social network posters are not bothered. Everything goes hush-hush. Back to the Dow deal now. This is one of the most nutritious food items for social networks. Since the Dow investigation started, there has been a lot of reshuffling in the government, in the oil sector and in key oil positions. There were not much explanations about the reasons for this reshuffling. What about the constant setup of new committees? There is one committee that is formed and another one that exists to supervise it. Then a third committee oversees what is going on in the two committees. Is this the season of committees these days? After a committee is formed, we would like to know the progress and secrets they uncover. Sadly, no one tells us anything. In such cases we are left with no other option but to become victims of social networks and find out what the main news in the country is from them. We wait for a Whatsapp that is usually flooded with rumours. We do not know if they are even half right or totally wrong. I hope that in the coming holy month of Ramadan, the Dow deal inquiry will be over and we will all go back to normal. We will just be stuck with traffic, deportations and the new shark attacks on illegal residents.

French victim of MERS dies 5 new Saudi cases LILLE/RIYADH: France’s first victim of a SARS-like virus, which the 65-year-old man is thought to have contracted in Dubai, has died, health officials said yesterday. “ The first patient is dead,” said a spokesman with the Directorate General for Health, referring to the man who was hospitalised on April 23 following digestion problems after his return from Dubai. The virus had claimed two lives in Europe already: one in Britain and the other in Germany. The new virus has killed 24 people around the world so far, mainly in Saudi Arabia. Continued on Page 15

KUWAIT: Prime Minister HH Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah attends a session at the National Assembly yesterday. (Inset) Interior Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Sabah speaks during the session. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

KUWAIT: The National Assembly yesterday agreed with a comfortable majority to refer the grilling against Interior Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Sabah to the legal and legislative committee to study if it breached the constitution. Forty-six MPs voted in favour of the request made by Sheikh Ahmad at the start of a heated debate sparked by strong accusations made by MP Safa AlHashem, who ﬁled the grilling along with MP Youssef AlZalzalah. The minister said the grilling contained a number of suspected violations of the constitution, especially with regards to allegations that former Kuwaiti MPs were accused of being members of a terror cell associated with a similar cell in the United Arab Emirates. The minister also insisted that parts of the accusations in the grilling refer to actions that were taken before he was appointed to the post about two years ago which contradicts a ruling by the constitutional court. The parliamentary committee was given one month to discuss the grilling and ﬁnd out if it breached the constitution. The postponement came as expected with the next date for debating the grilling falling after June 16 when the constitutional court is scheduled to make a very crucial verdict regarding the amendment of the electoral law. Among possible verdicts is that the court may nullify the December elections and order the dissolution of the National Assembly like it did with the previous opposition-dominated Assembly. MPs Hashem and Zalzalah strongly objected to the minister’s request to delay the grilling debate and Hashem launched a scathing attack against the minister for allegedly failing to control the security situation and not applying the law against the opposition. MP Ali AlOmair supported the request and accused the two grillers of exaggerating the issue about the UAE terrorist cell, saying the grilling includes false information. Continued on Page 15

Rebels give Hezb 24-hr ultimatum DUBAI: Syrian rebel chief Salim Idriss warned yesterday that if ﬁghters from Lebanon’s Shiite party Hezbollah do not stop their aggression in Syria, where they are backing government troops, “we will take all measures to hunt” them, “even in hell”. “If the attacks of Hezbollah against Syrian territory do not stop within 24 hours, we will take all measures to hunt Hezbollah, even in hell,” he told Al-Arabiya news channel, addressing Lebanese President Michel Sleiman, Arab League chief Nabil Al-

BAB AL-SALAM, Syria: US Senator John McCain (left) is seen with Syrian rebel leader Gen Salim Idriss in this border town on Monday. — AFP (See Page 8)

Arabi and UN chief Ban Ki-Moon. “I will no longer be bound by any commitments I made, if a decision to stop the attacks... is not taken and implemented,” said Idriss, a brigadier general who heads the supreme military council of the Free Syrian Army. “I can no longer restrain the fighters” of the FSA, he added without saying what concrete action they might take. “We are being subjected to a genocide conducted by Hezbollah,” charged Idriss. “I hope that everyone will excuse the Free (Syrian) Army” for retaliating, he said. Iran-backed Hezbollah, a close ally of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, sent almost 1,700 fighters to the central Syrian town of Qusair more than a week ago to support the regimke’s assault on the rebel stronghold. Initially Hezbollah said it wanted only to defend 13 Syrian villages along the border where Lebanese Shiites live, and the Sayyeda Zeinab shrine near Damascus, which is revered by Shiites around the world. However, its fighters later encircled Qusair with regime troops before the launch of a withering assault on the strategic border town that is home to 25,000 people. — AFP

China ‘steals’ plans of US weapons, Aussie spy HQ WASHINGTON/SYDNEY: Chinese cyber hackers have breached networks containing designs for an array of advanced US weapons programs, from stealthy fighter jets to missile defense systems, officials said yesterday. The breaches were part of a broad Chinese campaign of espionage against US defense contractors and government agencies, according to a Pentagon report, said officials, confirming a Washington Post account. The Defense Science Board, a senior advisory group with government and civilian experts, concluded digital hackers managed to gain access to designs for two dozen major weapons systems critical to missile defenses, combat aircraft and naval ships, according to a Pentagon document cited by the Post.

The cyber spying gave China access to advanced technology and could weaken the US military’s advantage in the event of a conflict, the report said. The Pentagon advisory report stopped short of accusing Beijing of stealing the designs, but the conclusions help explain recent US warnings to the Chinese government. Precisely how much sensitive technical information the hackers may have obtained was still uncertain, said a defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “It’s not clear how much of our stuff they got,” the official told AFP. The latest revelations of suspected cyber espionage came before China’s President Xi Jinping was due to meet President Barack Obama in Continued on Page 15

JINHUA, China: This frame grab shows rescue workers breaking away bits of a pipe to remove a newborn baby boy stuck inside in this city in the eastern province of Zhejiang. — AFP

Baby rescued from toilet pipe in China BEIJING: A newborn baby boy was rescued from a sewage pipe in a Chinese apartment building after becoming stuck down a toilet, local police said yesterday, in a case that provoked a shocked online reaction. The mother of the baby, 22 and unmarried, hid her pregnancy from neighbours for fear of being ostracised, a police oﬃcer in Jinhua in the eastern province of Zhejiang, told AFP. She gave birth unexpectedly when she went to the lavatory yesterday, and the newborn fell into the squat toilet, said the oﬃcer, who declined to be named. The mother telephoned her landlord, claiming she heard “weird noises” in the pipe, and the proprietor called in police after

spotting the infant. But according to the state-run news site Zhejiang News, a tenant heard the baby’s sounds in the public restroom of the residential building and notiﬁed authorities. The landlord of the building told Zhejiang News that it was unlikely the birth took place in the toilet room because there was no evidence of blood and she was not aware of any recent pregnancies among her tenants. Attempts to pull the baby out failed, so rescuers sawed away a section of the 10-cm diameter conduit with the baby inside and took him to a local hospital, according to Chinese media reports. Continued on Page 15

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

LOCAL

KUWAIT: Ambassador of Lebanon to Kuwait Dr Khedhr Halawi hosted an event at the embassy building on Monday in celebration of Lebanon’s Liberation Day, which was attended by ambassadors and other dignitaries. —Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Lebanon urges Kuwait to reconsider travel advisory Kuwait-Lebanese ties deep-rooted: Suleiman KUWAIT: Lebanese president Michel Suleiman stressed that Kuwaiti-Lebanese relations are deep-rooted and both countries have many joint achievements to their credit. He also hailed Kuwait’s financial and spiritual support to his country and expressed hope that Kuwait would reconsider its decision to call upon the Kuwaitis to leave Lebanon immediately. ‘The current circumstances in Lebanon and the entire region are very critical,’ he reit-

erated, urging Lebanese to cooperate and consolidate to face foreign disturbances that have been having negative impact on Lebanese domestic issues. Domestically speaking, Suleiman emphasized that he would contest any parliamentary decision to extend the Lebanese parliament’s tenure by more than six months. ‘Moderation has not failed yet but extremist positions have been proving a hindrance and not letting it work,’ he underlined.

Responding to a question about whether it would be wise to let the Lebanese parliamentary elections take place under the current circumstances, Suleiman said that ‘nothing was impossible.’ “We will manage to organize the elections despite all regional turbulences, if we have the will,” he added. Notably, the Lebanese caretaker cabinet decided to call the elections on June 16 and has already started preparing for these. — Al-Jarida

Unified education plan gets nod KUWAIT: The Ministry of Education has approved the final touches to the unified secondary system, in force since 2006, to bring it up to date and ensure it was suitable for today’s needs and challenges. In this connection, Undersecretary Mariam Al-Wateed said that certain basic amendments have been made to the unified secondary system. She pointed out that the most important amendment was in respect to the accumulated average where it becomes 10% for 10th class, 15% for

11th class, and 75% for 12th class. She said that Minister of Education Dr. Nayef Al-Hajraf has informed the Undersecretaries that the council of ministers has approved the decision to retire those who have served for 30 years or more. She also said that the minister has asked the administrative sector for names of such officials so that these can be discussed in the next meeting. In the meantime, Assistant Undersecretary Mohammad AlKandary said that mathematics and science subjects will be taught in English

language from next year 2014/2015. He said in this respect, a memorandum will be prepared by the public education sector for the secretaries’ council in the coming days. Al-Kandary said that teaching mathematics and science in English language was a global necessity and the ministry wanted that Kuwait’s students must be able to compete with the rest of the world. The first step will be to translate certain words for numbers and some phrases into English language in the subject of mathematics.

KUWAIT: The South African Embassy in Kuwait hosted a reception at the Radisson Blu Hotel - Abdul Hussein Marafie Ballroom yesterday under the theme “Celebrating the Role of Women in South Africa’s Democratic Transition”. — Photos by Joseph Shagra

South African embassy celebrates role of women in democratic transition KUWAIT: The South African Embassy in Kuwait hosted a reception at the Radisson Blu Hotel - Abdul Hussein Marafie Ballroom yesterday under the theme “Celebrating the Role of Women in South Africa’s Democratic Transition”. The event formed part of South Africa’s Freedom Day celebration as well as the 50th anniversary commemoration of the establishment of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). The event was well attended by women from various sectors of Kuwaiti society, South Africa nationals, spouses at foreign diplomatic missions and representatives from the expatriate community in Kuwait. In his welcoming remarks the Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa Delarey Van Tonder commemorated the contribution of South Africa women in the struggle for South Africa’s freedom and democracy. He reminded the guests of the saying created by oppressed women in South Africa to unite against the human rights abuses of Apartheid” You strike a woman- You strike a rock” ( Watint Abafazi Watint Imbokodo). Ambassador Van Tonder pointed out that South Africa will celebrate its 20 years of freedom next year while the African Union (AU) is celebrating its golden Jubilee since the establishment of the Organization for African Unity (OAU) fifty years ago in the ancient African State of Ethiopia. The theme of the 50th anniversary is “Pan Africanism and African Renaissance” which also reflect positively on the role of Women in Africa’s soda-economic development. “I wish to acknowledge that in its short life, democratic South Africa has carved out significant milestones towards improving the status of women and substantively increasing their role in national governance and economic life of the country. Equally Women in Africa continue to fulfill their respective roles and overcome many challenges towards unity, peace, security and sustainable development on the African Continent.” Ambassador Van Tonder also paid tribute to the con-

KUWAIT: Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa Delarey Van Tonder (right) with his wife Sebella Van Tonder during the celebration. structive role of Women in Kuwait society and congratulated Sheikha Naima Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Chairperson of the Organizing Committee for Women Sport in the GCC for receiving the GCC Sport and Environment Award. He also acknowledged the continued efforts of Sheikh Salman Al-Sabah, the Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs to strengthen the participation of young people in sport and culture as well as the promotion of the environment.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

LOCAL

MoI and MoD sent 2,798 for treatment abroad in a year

KUWAIT: The Ambassador of the Republic of Albania, Kujtim Morina visited Kuwait Times and discussed matters of mutual concern with Editor-in-Chief Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan.

KUWAIT: Nearly 2,800 Kuwaitis were sent for treatment abroad on trips paid by two ministries in the course of one year, a local newspaper reported quoting official statistics. MP Askar Al-Enizy had sent two separate requests to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Ahmad Al-Khalid Al-Sabah, as well as First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Ahmad Al-Hmoud Al-Sabah, to provide the number of people sent abroad for treatment by their respective ministries between January 1, 2012 and January 31, 2013. Al-Rai newspaper published the defense minister’s response yesterday, which indicates that

1143 were sent by his ministry during the specified period. The number includes 558 people sent to London, 254 to France, 111 to Thailand, 69 to the United States, 39 to Saudi Arabia, 16 to the United Arab Emirates, ten to Jordan, two to Cairo, one to Lebanon and one to the Czech Republic, in addition to 37 sent to private hospitals in Kuwait. The defense minister ’s response further explains that the patients were sent for treatment of complicated conditions that included heart diseases, arteriovenous malformation, organ transplants, chronic diseases, brain tumor and neurosurgery, cancer, and serious injuries resulting from accidents. The minister added that

the number of applications submitted during the specified period reached 2058, of which 914 were rejected. Meanwhile, Al-Rai’s report also quoted Sheik h Al-Hmoud’s answer which indicates that the Interior Ministry sent 1655 people for treatment between January 1, 2012 and January 31, 2013. They included 817 sent to London, 306 to France, 172 to the United Arab Emirates, 127 to Saudi Arabia, 54 to Jordan, 35 to the United States, 23 to Germany, nine to Egypt, two to Lebanon in addition to 110 to private hospitals in Kuwait. The minister also indicated that his ministr y received 3111 applications during the specified period. —Al-Rai

Raids take the beauty out of Kuwait salons Women complain about safety standards in parlors By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: Some women complain about coming across salons where service standards leave much to be desired when it comes to minimum preferred hygiene norms. They wonder about what kind of standards they are entitled to, and to whom they can complain, especially if shoddy services prove harmful to them in any way. The Kuwait Municipality is the institution in charge of keeping a check on the salons, and it has women inspectors who carry out inspections. Basically the inspectors pay random visits to these salons in various governorates. In case of any specific complaint by a customer, they will check out the salon once again even if it comes just after a regular check. The inspectors check out different parameters at the salon. “First of all, we check the health license of the salon. The commercial license should be hung on a wall where it is visible. We also check the health IDs of the workers. Then, we also check the products used in the salon such as the creams and different masks to ensure that nothing is past its expiry date and that the products are approved by the Ministry of Health. We also check out the hygiene procedures followed by the workers, whether the tools used are properly utilized, especially those meant for manicure and pedicure, as well as the towels used,” the head of the Food and Meat inspection sector for the Ahmadi Governorate, Hawiya Al-Ajmi, said. Some salons are providing services for which they don’t have a license. “Some salons provide laser services for different procedures, but they are not authorized to provide these services in the salon. Also, some salons that don’t have spa are providing the Moroccan Bath, while they are not equipped and prepared to do so. Of course, smoking is forbidden in the salons,” she added. The condition of the working staff is very important. “We always check the hygiene of the staff, their clothes, hands if not injured or burnt, their skin to ensure that they don’t have any allergy or acne, and their health condition even if they hold a valid health ID. In addition to all this, the staff should be always wearing a uniform so that they are recognizable and look distinct from the customers. The employer is obliged to provide the uniform, otherwise they will be penalized. In case the owner provided the uniform but the employee didn’t wear it, then the employee will be ticketed,”

NBK’s volunteers clean Shuwaikh Beach

Unhygienic equipments and gloves seized from a salon

KUWAIT: A lady inspector at a beauty salon during a raid.

explained Al-Ajmi. Unsatisfied customers can complain to different authorities. “Customers can complain at the Kuwait Municipality, at the Consumer Protection Department of the Ministry of Commerce, or file a report at the police station. If a customer complained about certain mixed product used on her hair or skin, for instance, we will take a sample of this material and refer it to a laboratory. Also, we will give the customer the report about this material,” she stated. Last week the inspectors in all six governorates registered 38 violations during the course of a single day. “We received a complaint from one of the customers that she lost her hair and almost went bald as a result of using some mask on her hair. Another customer complained that the salon worker caused her a burn on her back by wrongly using the hair straightener. Also, a customer complained that her hair were damaged due to poor coloring procedure. Mostly, the salons either offer a medical treatment to the customer who suffered harm or have to pay financial compensation,” stressed AlAjmi. The violating salons can be subject to different sanctions. “The sanctions depend on the nature of violation, and these are classified into one that can be settled and others that cannot be settled. For minor violations, the salon may pay a financial fine

varying between KD 100 - 900. In more serious cases or repeated violations, the salon may be ordered to shut down. In case a majority of employees were found working without health IDs, the salon will be closed. The same applies if the salon worked without a license,” she concluded. Farida, a salon owner, faced some complications in the beginning when she started her business, but now she is not complaining about the inspections. “The inspectors are doing their job. They check the licenses and the cleanliness of the salon. When the salon was new, I faced problems especially since I’m a Filipina and didn’t know many of the rules, particularly those of the Ministry of Commerce. For instance, I was selling shampoo in the salon and this was forbidden, so I was penalized. Also the competing salons next to me tried to create problems for me in the beginning, but now after nine years in the field, I’m fine,” she pointed out. There are many rules that the salons have to follow. “With time, I learnt that I have to strictly apply the hygiene norms in the salon. For instance, I don’t use the same towel for more than one customer. Sometimes, I end up using three towels for the same customer when doing pedicure for her. I have to ensure cleanliness to keep my customers satisfied and safeguard my reputation,” stated Farida.

KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) recently organized a beach cleanup event at Shuwaikh Beach. This cleanup initiative undertaken by NBK staff and volunteers comes as part of NBK’s annual environmental awareness campaign to help keep Kuwait beach clean during the summer season. “Shuwaikh Beach cleanup campaign is one of similar events that will be planned by NBK throughout this summer. said Yaqoub Al Baqer, NBK Public Relations officer. “The planned environmental campaign is another manifestation of NBK’s deep commitment to the community.” Al Baqer added: “ This year NBK’s

social media network will take part in this campaign and post photos through NBK Official Page on Facebook or NBK Twitter and Instagram account @NBKPage covering this initiative.” NBK’s team spent their time cleaning the beach and informing the visitors about the importance of keeping the beach clean. NBK is an environment-friendly bank and has launched a range of initiatives in its continuous efforts to build awareness on the growing environmental challenges being faced by Kuwait. These initiatives include: electricity conservation and paper recycling- aimed at promoting environmental awareness.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

LOCAL In my view

Letter to Badrya

Hackers look for a job to do

Housing blues badrya_d@kuwaittimes.net

By Labeed Abdal

labeed@kuwaittimes.net

he latest cyber attack on several official Saudi Arabian websites being run under the supervision of the Ministry of Information underlines the need for an effective regional cyber defence mechanism. Cyber policing requires steps within the country as well as outside to combat organized cyber crimes that could prove to be a big threat for indi-

Even, in a situation where a battle is raging in Syria, both sides are trying to secure their place in the cyber world and even to ensure that channels of communication stay open for any party to make an approach for peace or calling a truce. Life has changed tremendously, and everything has a replica in the form of a copy on the e-cloud. viduals, companies and public bodies. Cyber security should be updated with latest technological advancements and services of the highly intelligent hackers can be availed of for this purpose. In many countries, these select e-smart hackers are actually hired and highly paid to help thwart threats and challenges and thus safeguard the country against cyberspace risks. Ministries like oil, interior, defense, media etc. have been a common target internationally, and many cyber criminals attack these. Even, in a situation where a battle is raging in Syria, both sides are trying to secure their place in the cyber world and even to ensure that channels of communication stay open for any party to make an approach for peace or calling a truce. Life has changed tremendously, and everything has a replica in the form of a copy on the e-cloud. For sure, there is a big cyber empire in the skies in the form of search engines, predictive language and artificial intelligence. Also, we need to ensure that our privacy is safeguarded and marketing strategies using information databases and the technological explosion in the world does not affect life to an individual’s disadvantage. Without doubt, nothing must be allowed to reduce us to start living a robotic life and lose our human identity.

kuwait digest

The tribe as an institution By Abdullatif Al-Duaij

t looks like some young tribesmen have recently haps some political, roles in the past, the story has exhibited a sort of ‘rebellion’ against orthodox changed today with the advent of civil institutions tribal traditions. It also seems that this feeling that have legally and ac tively assumed these stems from a disappointment that followed the responsibilities. recent stance adopted by a majority of tribal chiefs Tribalism is essential in primitive societies to proregarding the political situation. vide protection and care for individuals. But in modThe tribe is a traditional institution which, by its ern societies, labor unions represent their members, inherent nature, is in contrawhile social security institudiction with the concept of tions provide care and servTribalism is essential in primitive ice to individuals. This any modern day institution. It is therefore an ideal plat- societies to provide protection and means that the role of the form to serve the interests of care for individuals. But in modern tribe has simply been ‘traditionalists’ or people societies, labor unions represent replaced with these instituwho do not prefer to see any their members, while social security tions that are more capable changes in the society. The of serving individuals. An same people who applauded institutions provide care and serv- individual in democratic tribal chiefs for their support ice to individuals. This means that societies is supposed to to the election boycott are the role of the tribe has simply been receive protection and care today criticizing tribal tradi- replaced with these institutions from state institutions that tions since tribal chiefs have guarantee justice and become closer to the govern- that are more capable of serving equality among citizens. ment than to youths’ political individuals. Therefore, an individual in a groups. democratic state does not I have maintained an unchanged position about need to fall back upon tribalism or to seek out a the tribe being an old-fashioned institution that tribe for protection and guarantees. serves traditionalists. However, some have confused The tribe as an institution has faded away in between my position and my stance towards tribes- democratic societies, but of course there are many men. I am against the tribe as a lasting institution, people who still find the best way to achieve their not tribesmen, as some people imagine. Every interests, cover up for their arbitrariness or distinhuman being around the world is of tribal or primi- guish themselves from others. That is how tribes tive descent. The difference is that some people had managed to survive till date. Their influence remains the opportunity to evolve and urbanize before oth- linked to the level of democratic development ers. Tribalism or partisanship on tribal basis contra- which is opposed by those who are negatively dicts with the institutions and foundations of mod- affected by the decreasing importance of tribes as ern societies. While tribes possessed social, and per- an institution. — Al-Qabas

kuwait digest

MPs in cover-up job

A clear case of political offside By Saad Al-Maattash

hen I saw a photograph showing a bird enter the mouth of a crocodile, I was surprised as to how the crocodile did not swallow that bird. But after following the programs shown on Al-Arabi TV Channel, I came to know that the phenomenon is normal and many creatures serve other creatures despite the difference in their species. For instance, the shark is usually accompanied by other fish that keep its teeth clean. Similarly, another snake-like fish uses some kinds of shrimps, without killing them, to clean its teeth. Since the phenomenon of “cleaning” exists among all animals and creatures, it is logical that it should also be there among humans. I would like to double-check the names of those who refused to form a committee to investigate the Dow Chemical case, in order to find out who all are responsible for our

It is natural that the government should vote against the formation of an investigation committee in order to cover up the weaknesses of some pro-government MPs. But these MPs were the cause of the failure of the deal, which was also seen as a failure of the government. losses. If you do, then you will come to know that those wild crocodiles are only butterflies in comparison to some Kuwaiti crocodiles who cleaned their teeth after committing a crime against Kuwait. It is natural, then, that the government should vote against the formation of an investigation committee in order to cover up the weaknesses of some pro-government MPs. But these MPs were the cause of the failure of the deal, which was also seen as a failure of the government. Therefore, the government’s move in this regard is something illogical and unbelievable.

By Thaar Al-Rashidi

ustoms officers always maintain that the But if we review this entire period of excitement smuggling attempts that they foil and the right from the beginning, we will discover that the contraband that they confiscate, comprise case came into the limelight for two reasons. only 25 percent of what is smuggled into the counThe first was that it came in handy to attack the try, including drugs and alcohol. If we apply this 25 opposition on the one hand and make them fight percent as a rule of thumb to gauge the scale of amongst themselves, especially the “HADAS” and corruption and thefts of public resources, then we the “Popular bloc”, on the other hand. can say without any further need of proof that the By accusing the opposition of being the main thefts and violations involving the state exchequer reason behind this financial penalty, the cause of comprise only 25 percent of the real total thefts in the truth is not being served. Perusing the minutes the state. o f t h e m e e t i n g s r i g h t f ro m w h e n t h e D ow The problem is that even this one quarter of the Chemical row erupted, we discover that the party total violations happening in Kuwait comes in for responsible was neither the government nor the political bargaining in most cases. In case of any MPs, but a group of “oil men” who were neither violation being discovered, it comes to light that working in the interest of the government or the one or the other sitting or MPs but their own, or some former MP is somehow conthird par t y. This matter So, from now on, if anyone tells ne e d s a t horough a nd nected to it, and then one political group uses it to bar- me that raising this issue or any oth- transparent investigation. gain. A cover up operation er case of corruption is in the public The second reason why follows under the direction the issue was being raised interest, I will first ask him to show of someone influential who so vociferously now was claims it was all an issue of me any thief caught for stealing a because the detrac tors no importance. At an appro- million dinar and sent to jail. wanted to hit at the Jaber priate time, the case is again Al-Mubarak government dug out to serve some vested political interest. by attacking its ministers. Generally speaking, if You can describe it in Kuwaiti language or the target was the Oil Minister Hani Hussain, then Arabic language, the truth is that our people are why did they not object to his appointment when actually trading in corruption. Politics has come to the time government was formed? And why did be intertwined with corruption in public funds. they not raise the issue before giving orders to pay Dow Chemical, for example, is presented as win- the fine? ners, in spite of the fact that everyone, big and So, from now on, if anyone tells me that raising this small, knows about the verdict, and is clear that we issue or any other case of corruption is in the public are under obligation now to pay the $2 billion plus interest, I will first ask him to show me any thief fine. Suddenly, everyone has woken up to the caught for stealing a million dinar and sent to jail. cause in the NA Council as well as outside, and is NOTE: Finally, we have a ministry for youth and its all ready to fight. biggest achievement is that it has announced it is When any neutral and objective outsider will going to decide on its emblem through a competition. look at the case, he will discover that there was a It took them three months to look for an emblem. If clear case of political offside that had not been they start looking for something more serious, how noticed by the referee, the audience or the players. long will they need - 30 years? —Al-Anbaa

Salam, Actually you should thank Allah that your government grants KD70,000 for building a house. I understand that Kuwaitis generally have a large family and it is difficult to live comfortably in apartments or small villas. I am writing this to point out an anomaly in this regard. As more and more buildings are coming up as high rises in place of spacious 3-4 floor buildings, the size of the flats is shrinking and rents are rising without any commensurate rise in the income of us expatriates. The kitchen, the bath and what we have all come to accept as a ‘hall’ is pathetic. Many owners have now started partitioning the so called hall into two and renting it as a two bedroom flat. Then there is this mafia of haris (building watchman). He takes commission for ensuring that whenever vacated, the flat would be ours. Majority of buildings do not undergo any maintenance. Even when a tenant moves in, the flat is not refurbished in most buildings. Shifting to another building is a nightmare. We have to vacate on 25th of any month while the flat in which one is to shift becomes available only on the 26th. So what do we do? There is absolutely no sympathy or professionalism. There is no parking place. What’s worse is that many haris (watchman) have the audacity to deny flats to people with children. So Badrya, when you whine about KD70,000, remember us. It will make you happy. Thanks for standing up for expats. Regards, Khalid

kuwait digest

Forever Number One By Jaafar Rajab

ayern Munich won the UEFA Champions League last Saturday, a news that not everyone might be interested in. Not even football fans who believe that the sport is only about ‘Real Madrid vs Barcelona’, a bunch of screaming play-by-play commentators and superstars featured in sponsors’ ads. Football is not the subject of my column today, but I want to talk a little bit about Bayern Munich. When players were crowned as champions, they hoisted the trophy while a man stood behind by the name of Uli Hoeness. This man is a former German National Team player and is currently the President of Bayern Munich. It caught my attention when players tried to hand him the Champions League trophy and he refused to take it at first, but eventually accepted after players insisted. This is completely the opposite of what we have here where officials accept trophies on behalf of their players and keep them perhaps in their cars’ trunk. Anyway, what is important here is to know that the former football player, whose career is known for wasting the most crucial penalty kick in the German National Team’s history, has become the key to Bayern Munich’s success in the past decade.

It took Bayern Munich only two and a half years as well as nearly 250 million euros to build its new stadium that is one of the best in the world. Of course, the construction was not supervised by any public works ministry or public authority for youths and sports, and the president of Germany’s football federation did not stand in the middle of the stadium after the match was over to promise championship glory, something that happened when the Jaber Stadium was constructed in Kuwait. In addition to Hoeness as chairman, Bayern Munich’s current board includes Adidas AG chairman Herbert Hainer, Audi AG chairman Rupert Stadler, Former Minister-President of Bavaria Dr. Edmund Stoiber, Telekom AG chairman Timotheus Hottges, and Volkswagen AG chairman Dr Martin Winterkorn. It does not include, of course, any ruling family member, or a merchant with influence that helps them control government contracts, or members who are hired on tribal or sectarian basis. Bayern Munich is credited for charitable works all over the world. It had also helped save competitors facing financial crises. Ten years ago, it contributed to financially support Borussia Dortmund - its archrival and the same team it faced in the Champions League final - when it was on the verge of collapse. Bayern Munich is not only a sports club, but has transformed itself to become an integrated social institution. It took Bayern Munich only two and a half years as well as nearly 250 million euros to build its new stadium that is one of the best in the world. Of course, the construction was not supervised by any public works ministry or public authority for youths and sports, and the president of Germany’s football federation did not stand in the middle of the stadium after the match was over to promise championship glory, something that happened when the Jaber Stadium was constructed in Kuwait. This is how they think, plan and build their country. This is why Bayern Munich fans sing ‘Forever Number One’, while we should be singing ‘Forever Number Zero’. — Al-Rai

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

LOCAL

Foul play suspected in death of Egyptian expat Man held for ‘romantic involvement’

Arab expat who hid 20,000 pills in cloth pads around his legs.

Bid to smuggle in 20,000 pills foiled Duo held with hashish By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: Customs officials foiled an attempt to smuggle 20,000 pills of Tramadol, made by an Arab expat who tried to smuggle the drugs in a new way by wrapping pieces of cloth around his legs. General Director of customs praised the customs officials for their effort and for following the new inspection procedure. Customs supervisor Sulaiman Al-Fahad said the female customs inspectors proved their mettle with the success of the operation. The suspect and the drugs were sent to the authorities concerned.

The arrested duo with the contraband.

Two citizens caught Anti-drugs officials arrested two citizens for being in illegal possession of 250 grams of hashish, as well as guns and bullets. Earlier, anti-drugs authorities were tipped off that one of the two was actively involved in illegal drugs trade. After the police verified the information and confirmed its truth, legal approval was taken to arrest the suspect. When the suspect’s house was searched, 150 grams of hashish, two guns and some bullets were found. When asked about the source of those things, the suspect said he got them from another citizen, who was later arrested near a commercial complex after the police found him in possession of 100 grams of hashish. The two suspects and the hashish were sent to the authorities concerned. Diesel smuggling Customs sources revealed that some customs officials foiled an attempt to smuggle diesel in a trailer on its way to Kuwait through Al-Abdaly border point. The sources said Abdaly customs have sent a sample of petroleum products to Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) in order to verify whether those products are allowed to be exported from Kuwait. The customs officials stopped the trailer at the border before it was to leave Kuwait. The driver, who is an Asian expat, said the products he was carrying were allowed to be exported from the state and that he was working for a company that specialized in transporting oil products.

KUWAIT: Police is investigating into the death of an Egyptian man following evidence of foul play found during an examination of the apartment where his body was found on Monday. Officers reached the Bneid Al-Gar building after a friend reported that the Egyptian man had not left his apartment for two days, and that he feared for his safety. A warrant was issued to break into the apartment after no one answered the door. Eventually, the police went in and found man lying motionless with blood spots nearby. Preliminary examination revealed that the victim was hit on his head which could have caused his death. The body was taken to the forensic department after investigators examined the scene. Hunt for rapists on Abu Halifa police are trying to identify and arrest two suspects accused of sexually and physically assaulting a man they kidnapped from the area. In his statements to police, the Filipino national said that he sat in the suspects’ black SUV after they identified themselves as police investigators and told him that he was wanted for questioning. The suspects drove to a remote location where they first beat him up, then sodomized him before driving away. He gave descriptions of the suspects and the vehicle they used. Held for adultery One man was arrested while police is looking for another who escaped after being caught inside a Kuwaiti man’s house where

The KCCC website aligns with the center’s Strategic Plan for 2013 - 2018, that aims to provide access to relevant, accurate cancer care related information for patients, families, referring doctors and community in order to become a strong reference in Kuwait for knowledge and information about cancer. “The successful completion of the KCCC internet and

Kuwait needs to know about cancer prevention, care and treatment. This bilingual website has been a KCCC-UHN Partnership initiative since early 2012 and is designed around the same framework that displays the UHN, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre website, combining more than six years of experience from UHN in patient-centered user-interface development.

intranet would not have been possible without the commitment of both parties in the KCCC-UHN Partnership. We are working hard to bring KCCC to the twentyfirst century by maximizing on technology that improves communication on the subject of cancer in Kuwait.” Stated Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi, Director of the Kuwait Cancer Control Center.” The experience and specialization brought in by the University

Search for ingrate son Search is on for a teenager wanted for threat to murder charge pressed by none other than his own father. Police were approached by a senior citizen who explained that that an argument with his 17-year-old son ended with the boy pointing a knife and verbally assaulting him, before damaging his car and escaping. He gave the boy’s description and other information for detectives to find him. Two deported for police bribe An inmate locked up at the Jahra police station was shifted to the detention centre where those to be deported are kept. He was sent

there along with a compatriot after the two tried to bribe the police to secure a prisoner’s release. According to the police report, a man approached an officer with an offer of KD500 to release an Asian man detained for unspecified reasons. The officer informed the Jahra Security Department Director Major General Ibrahim Al-Tarrah about the development, who gave him orders to lure the suspect into a trap in order to catch him red-handed. The man arrested along with KD500 that he planned to hand over to the officer, after which Maj Gen Al-Tarrah released an order to deport him as well as the prisoner who tried to mediate for his release. Motorcyclist dies A motorcyclist died in an accident with a car reported recently in Al-Qurain. The 58year-old Iranian was already dead by the time paramedics arrived at the scene, according to the preliminary examination. The car’s driver, a Kuwaiti college student, reportedly tried to resuscitate the victim but in vain, at which point he reported the accident to the police. Woman shot A woman narrowly escaped death in Jahra after she was hit by a stray bullet on Monday. The girl, who is in her twenties, was brought to the Jahra Hospital by her family and was immediately taken to the operation room to take out the bullet that hit her in the back. The surgery was successful and the girl’s condition was described as stable. A case was filed for investigations.

Kuwait wants Iraq to honor Chapter 7 norms: Official KUWAIT: In the first reaction from Kuwaiti side to the visit of Iraq’s Foreign Minister to discuss the closure of Chapter 7 and release Iraq from restrictions imposed under it, an official source at the foreign ministry said Kuwait encouraged Iraq to implement all resolutions under Chapter 7 and also lauded Iraq for doing so in the past. He said Kuwait does not oppose transferring the issue of the missing personnel and POWs from chapter seven to Chapter

Kuwait Cancer Control Center launches its new website KUWAIT: The Kuwait Ministry of Health and the Kuwait Cancer Control Center (KCCC), in partnership with the University Health Network (UHN)today announced the launch of the first KCCC website. The newly launched website has information about the center, its latest news, department details and initiatives, as well as important facts that the population in

they had sneaked in past midnight to meet the domestic workers there. According to the police report, at around 2.30 am when the homeowner was trying to sleep, he heard some strange noises. His attempt to find the source led him to the room where two housemaids stayed. When he opened the door, he found them in a compromising situation with two men who were strangers to him. He caught one of them while the other ran away. The police were called and they arrived soon afterwards at the house in Mishref. An Arab man was arrested along with two Filipina housemaids. The man admitted during investigations that he and his friend were romantically involved with the two women and that they had hosted them in their room. The three remain in custody pending legal procedures while search was on for the fourth suspect based on information his friend provided.

Health Network and the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre has allowed us, through this partnership, to bypass many years of development and testing, allowing us to positively impact our patients and the Kuwaiti community as soon as possible.” The front page shares the Center’s values and important links to frequently asked topics under the title “How Can We Help?”. These topics include information for new cases and details about how to get a medical report or be considered for Medical Boarding. Adil Khalfan, Executive Regional Director of the UHN Kuwait team adds, “Today’s patients want and are able to access a large amount of health information and education, electronically. This tool is another way to empower patients and families to take control of difficult situation and be informed of the most current and consistent information regarding cancer treatment.”Visitors can browse the website at: www.kuwaitcancercenter.com Earlier this year, the KCCC-UHN Partnership launched an internal corporate site that only KCCC staff can connect to when on duty and at KCCC. This valuable and powerful resource provides access to 300+ KCCC policies, procedures and operational plans and 150+ scanned forms that are required daily for the medical team to provide patient-centered care. This tool also provides access to an online staff directory as well as a directory of all Ministry of Health hospitals and clinics. It is accessible through computers located across the buildings of KCCC and has had over 4000 hits since its launch in February 2013.

Arab expat held for possessing hashish KUWAIT: An anti-drugs official arrested an Arab expat for being in illegal possession of 1 kilogram of hashish. Earlier, the antidrugs authorities had been tipped off about a man being active in the business of illegal drugs. After the authorities collected the necessary information and took the legal permission to carry out their operation, an undercover agent approached the suspect to buy some hashish from him. Then, the suspect was caught red-handed while delivering the drugs, with numbered bank notes in hand, which he confessed were the proceeds of the sale of one joint of hashish. After searching his house, police found about 1 kilogram of hashish. The man and the drugs were sent to the authorities concerned.

6 under the patronage of the United Nations, as it is considered a purely humanitarian issue. Meanwhile, the training course in the field of the International Humanitarian Law began in Kuwait on Monday under the title “Boosting the role and efforts to protec t Human R ights.” The course is organized by the permanent committee tasked with following up on the implementation of the five year plan and the government’s program, run under the for-

eign ministr y in cooperation with the I nternational Red Cross Committee. Chairman of the permanent committee, Ambassador Khalid Al-Maghamis said the foreign ministry in cooperation with IRCC and other concerned bodies aims to achieve its goals through holding such specialized courses. He said the courses will prepare individuals who will be adept in basic aspects of human rights, and be able to convey their country’s views on this issue professionally.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

LOCAL

Bahrain praises Kuwaiti leaders’ ties with people Kuwait envoy meets Dy PM in Manama

KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received a letter yesterday from Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Leonid Kozhara on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries.—KUNA

Kuwait praises Manila for cherishing Islam KUALA LUMPUR: Kuwait’s Ambassador to the Philippines Waleed Al-Kandari praised yesterday the Philippines’ efforts to cherish Islamic principles by continuously holding Holy Quran reading competitions. Kuwait praises the role played by the Philippines government to encourage Muslim youth to read and study Quran, the Ambassador who is participating as a guest of honor and speaker in the opening ceremony of the 39th Annual Quran Reading

Competition, organized by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), told KUNA. Secretary of the NCMF Mehol Sadain also praised Kuwait’s support for Muslims in his country, for sponsoring the competition and developing relations between the two countries. The contest was attended by ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps, members of the House of Representatives and officials in the Philippines. —KUNA

Kuwait to attend 10th Asia Media Summit

MANAMA: A senior official of the Kingdom of Bahrain hailed yesterday keenness of the Kuwaiti leadership in maintaining close ties with the people of Kuwait. The praise was made by Bahraini Deputy Prime Minister Jawad Al-Areed during a meeting with the Kuwaiti Ambassador to the Kingdom, Sheikh Azzam Mubarak AlSabah. Minister Al-Areed heaped praise upon the Kuwaiti leaders for their keenness on maintaining communications with the ordinary citizens of the Gulf country. He also hailed the substantial role of Sheikh Azzam with regard of boosting the warm and brotherly ties between Kuwait and Bahrain. For his part, the ambassador affirmed depth of these close ties in various sectors, noting the common historic experience of the two peoples as well as the joint destiny bounding them. Ties between Kuwait and Bahrain date back to hundreds of years ago. The two regional countries are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, founded in the early 80s to cement ties and cooperation in diverse fields. The other members are Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Oman. —KUNA

MANAMA: Bahraini Deputy Prime Minister Jawad Al-Areed during a meeting with the Kuwaiti Ambassador to the Kingdom, Sheikh Azzam Mubarak Al-Sabah. —KUNA

Azmi tribesmen call for national unity KUWAIT: A number of senior men from the Azmi tribe called for inducing a sense of national unity and supporting the Kuwaiti leadership to steer away from any friction in the fabric of the society. In various statements to KUNA, the tribesmen expressed appreciation to His Highness the Amir of Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for attending a dinner banquet that was held on their honor yesterday. “ The Kuwaiti people have always stood behind Al-Sabah family since they began their rule,” Fehhad Matir Mubarak Al-Mil’abi noted. “Animosity and tension are detrimental to the wholeness of the

society; therefore, these unwanted acts should be avoided to keep the cohesiveness of national unity.” Ahmad Abdullah Al-Shatli, meanwhile, said that the attendance of Their Highnesses to the dinner banquet was a translation of the closeness of the leadership to its people. “It is an indication to the close connection between the ruler and the ruled.” “This connection is ongoing since the beginning of Al-Sabah rule. It is a familiar sight to see the Amir of Kuwait connects with the people on different occasions,” Faraj bin Durai Al-Azmi, another leading tribesman, stressed. He wished prosperity and unity to the Kuwaiti leadership and its people against all hardships. — KUNA

Arab Media Forum holds heritage event KUWAIT: The Arab Media Forum held on Monday a Kuwaiti heritage event for Kuwaiti journalists, aimed at highlighting importance of preserving traditions and culture of the Gulf country. The “Heritage of a Nation” event was held in Bait AlOthman Museum in cooperation with Kuwait Heritage Team and Kuwait society for media and communication. Arab Media Forum secretary general Madhi Al-Khamees said Kuwaiti heritage was full of genuine values “which compel everybody to preserve them and pass them to future generations.” He said Bait Al-Othman was one of the key places in heritage, and it was symbolizing literature, values and traditions. Head of Kuwait Heritage team Anwar Al-Rifae underlined importance of development and modernity but without forgetting “our heritage and tradition.” The Kuwaiti heritage, he added, was based on love between community members. Al-Rifaee called for sticking to the heritage and traditions “which are the backbone of society.” He said the heritage also meant views, ideas, poetry, arts and artifacts. — KUNA

Kuwaiti envoy to Spain delivers credentials KUWAIT: Kuwait is taking part in the 10th Asia Media Summit (AMS) that will kick off on Mindanao Island in Indonesia today themed “‘Challenges for Radio in the Digital Age”. A large number of representatives of media, radio and TV stations and outlets, Arab, Asian, and European organizations are taking part in AMS, including the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU), said Assistant Undersecretary of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Information for Radio Affairs Youssef Mustafa said yesterday on sidelines of the event. The three-day summit, organized by Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD), in cooperation with Indonesia Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, will include vari-

ous workshops preceding the official opening of the event, he added. The workshop will address various vital issues including media changes and “road to the future,” media ethics in the social communications era, usage of three Giga technologies by media, and challenges facing radios in the digital era, he affirmed. This summit will contribute to determining the challenges facing media and suggested solutions by media figures, besides increasing requirements of using digital radio technology, he stated. It will also promote job opportunities for announcers through working exchanging program, besides exchanging of expertise and information between the participating countries. —KUNA

MADRID: Kuwaiti Ambassador to Spain Adel Hamad Al-Ayyar has delivered his credentials to the Foreign Minister of the Principality of Andorra, Gilbert Saboya Sunye, as the first non-resident diplomat of the Gulf State to the Principality. Ambassador Al-Ayyar discussed, during the credentials handover meeting with the minister means of boosting bilateral relations in various spheres between the two friendly countries for service of joint interests. The two sides also examined various regional and international issues of common concern. The Kuwaiti ambassador relayed greetings of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah to Minister Sunye, who reciprocated similarly and expressed desire to visit Kuwait as soon

as possible to meet Sheikh Sabah AlKhalid. The meeting between the ambassador and the minister, held last Thursday, was attended by the Second Secretary of the Kuwaiti Embassy in Madrid, Yaacoub Ahmad Al-Nasrallah, and a number of eminent figures representing the country. Andorra is a small country located in the eastern Pyrenees mountains and bordered by Spain and France. It is the sixth smallest nation in Europe, having an area of 468 km2 (181 sq mi) and an estimated population of 85,000. Its capital, Andorra la Vella, is the highest capital city in Europe, at an elevation of 1,023 metres (3,356 ft) above sea level. The official language is Catalan, although Spanish, Portuguese, and French are also spoken. —KUNA

Gulfmart inaugurates 19th branch in Khaitan KUWAIT: Gulfmart, the fastest growing retail chain in Kuwait further expanded its reach on Monday 27 May with the launch of their 19th branch, which is their second in Khaitan. Following the soft launch in the morning, Preethi Mehta, the wife of Satish C Mehta, the Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, cut the ribbon to officially inaugurate the mini-market at 7pm

amidst loyal customers, well-wishers and top Gulfmart management. The new branch, as all the others, is dressed in the brand’s refreshing green hues - an image that was adopted late last year as part of Gulfmart’s reinvigorated, dynamic facade that is based on its underlying policy of fresh product. “With the opening of yet another outlet, one that is over 10,000 square feet,

Gulfmart continues to express its commitment to its patrons and its gratitude for their support and cooperation over the years,” said Dr Remesh T A, Country Head of Gulfmart. The outlet carries products that cater to all segments of the community in Khaitan with fresh produce, dairy, meat as well as beauty products from a wide variety of brands. Arif Sheikh, Director of Gulfmart Group, said, “We are extremely thankful to all our customers who have patronized Gulfmart over the years. By opening our 19th branch in Khaitan, we are meeting the long-standing demand by customers in this area for easy access to quality products at affordable prices.” The retailer has plans for several more outlets in the coming months in different size formats to suit the needs of customers in different areas across Kuwait, proposing to take the total Gulfmart branches to 25 by end of 2013. Dr Remesh said, “In the immediate future, the 20th branch - the third in

Fahaheel - of 30,000 sq ft will be inaugurated in June. The next outlet in the pipeline will be the third in Hawally.” The management team at Gulfmart expresses the view that the new branch in Khaitanis in response to clearly defined needs of customers in the area, and that the mini-supermarket format

would prove to be as successful as the other outlets opened in various locations. Gulfmart continues to presenting customers in niche residential areas with enormous value through wide selection, competitive prices and excellent service, along with great offers and superb promotions.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

Iran candidates clash over nuclear approach

Protests at Uganda’s closure of newspapers Page 10

Page 9

BAGHDAD: A street vendor inspects his destroyed juice cart at the scene of a bomb attack in Sadr City yesterday. — AP

No letup in Iraq attacks Cabinet talks security • Death toll passes 500 in May BAGHDAD: Attacks killed 16 people in Iraq yesterday, officials said, as the cabinet discussed how to curb violence that has left over 500 dead this month and raised fears of all-out sectarian conflict. The UN envoy to Iraq meanwhile urged the country’s feuding leaders to meet to resolve long-running political crises that have paralysed the government and been blamed for its inability to reduce the violence. As yesterday, 519 people have been killed and over 1,300 wounded in May, making it the deadliest month in at least a year, according to AFP figures based on reports from security and medical sources. May is the second month in a row in which more than 400 people have been killed, for a total of almost 1,000 dead in less than two months - a toll that continued to mount yesterday. In the deadliest attack, a bomb exploded on a bus in Sadr City, a Shiite area in north Baghdad, killing five people and wounding at least 26, security and medical officials said. In Tarmiyah, north of Baghdad, a suicide bomber driving an explosives-rigged truck killed four people and wounded eight, while gunmen killed two Sahwa anti-Al-Qaeda militiamen and wounded

two more near Tikrit. And four police died in clashes in Mosul, while a bombing near the northern city killed senior police intelligence officer Lieutenant Colonel Faris Al-Rashidi and wounded three other police. The attacks come a day after a wave of violence, including bombings in Baghdad that mainly targeted Shiite areas, killed 58 people and wounded 187. As the violence raged, the Iraqi cabinet discussed the country’s “security challenges” and ways to address them, afterwards announcing a series of measures aimed at stemming the bloodletting. These measures included “pursuing all kinds of militias”, calling for a meeting of the country’s political powers to discuss developments, providing unspecified support to security agencies, and warning the media against inciting sectarian strife, a cabinet statement said. Iraq has already suspended the licences of 10 satellite television channels for allegedly inciting sectarianism, although an official in the country’s media regulator said yesterday that at least some of those channels would have their licences restored “soon”. It was not clear what immediate

impact the announced measures would have on security, if any, especially given that authorities have unsuccessfully struggled for years to curb the violence plaguing the country. United Nations envoy Martin Kobler called yesterday for Iraq’s leaders to engage in dialogue and stop the bloodshed. “I once again urge all Iraqi leaders to do everything possible to protect Iraqi civilians. It is their responsibility to stop the bloodshed now,” Kobler said in a statement. “It is the politicians’ responsibility to act immediately and to engage in dialogue to resolve the political impasse and not let terrorists benefit from their political differences,” he said. Iraq is faced with various long-running political crises over issues ranging from power-sharing to territorial boundaries, that have paralysed the government. The country has seen a heightened level of violence since the beginning of the year, coinciding with rising discontent among Iraqi Sunnis that erupted into protests in late December. Although the violence has fallen from its peak at the height of the sectarian conflict in 2006 and 2007, when thousands died each month, the body count has begun to rise again in recent months. — AFP

3 Lebanese soldiers killed near border BEIRUT: Gunmen killed three Lebanese soldiers at an army checkpoint in the eastern Bekaa Valley yesterday before fleeing towards the Syrian border, Lebanese officials said. It was not clear who carried out the attack, the latest incident in a frontier region which has been increasingly drawn into the violence in neighbouring Syria. The Syrian civil war has divided Lebanon, with most Lebanese Shiites supporting Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and many Sunnis backing his Sunni rebel foes, putting the Lebanese army under extra pressure to keep a lid on sectarian tensions. Most Sunni groups in northern and eastern Lebanon blame the army for hindering their efforts to support rebels in Syria with guns and fighters and at the same time failing stop the Shiite Hezbollah militant group from sending fighters to support Assad. Yesterday’s shooting took place before dawn near the town of Arsal, in an area used by Syrian rebels and their Lebanese backers to smuggle arms and fighters into Syria. The military was searching for the gunmen, who may have fled into neighbouring Syria, Defence Minister Fayez Ghosn said. President Michel Suleiman condemned the killings which he said were “part of a series of criminal terrorist acts trying to spread turmoil in the country”. Hezbollah also called them a “terrorist crime” which threatened the whole country. Several rockets have been fired into the mainly Shiite town of Hermel in the past 24 hours, about 30 km north of Arsal. One of them killed a woman and wounded two people, the army said. Brigadier Selim Idris, head of Western-backed rebel front, said yesterday that unless Hezbollah attacks were halted within 24 hours, the rebels would “chase down” Hezbollah. “We will chase them all the way to hell if a decision is not taken to stop Hezbollah’s attack on Syrian land,” he told Al Arabiya Television. The army has confronted gunmen before in the Bekaa Valley town of Arsal. In February, at least two soldiers and two gunmen were killed in a shootout after the army entered the area to arrested a suspected member of the al Qaedalinked Nusra Front. — Reuters

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

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

Syria village gives up secrets after killings BAIDA, Syria: Awakened by the sound of gunfire, Ahmad could hear the armed men knocking on his brother’s door, shouting insults and calling the family “dogs”. Ahmad’s sister-in-law said the gunmen told her husband to “bow to your god, Bashar” - the Syrian president. She and her husband and their two teenage sons were dragged towards the village square. “She told me her son’s knees were bloodied as they kicked and dragged him,” Ahmad said. When the violence was over, Ahmad ventured out from his hiding place in an attic. In less than two hours, Baida, his picturesque village near the Mediterranean, had become the scene of one of the worst mass killings in Syria’s two-year-old war. As the country fragments under the weight of civil strife, troops loyal to Bashar Al-Assad have made gains against rebel fighters in a counteroffensive to secure a corridor linking the capital Damascus with the president’s clan heartland on the coast. Baida, a tiny pocket of rebel sympathisers surrounded by pro-Assad villages, was an ideal place for the government to deliver a harsh message. International peace talks are expected to be held in Geneva next month, but there is little hope of a breakthrough to end a war that has already killed 80,000 - and left Baida a shell. A few steps from his home, somewhere near the main village square, Ahmad discovered his brother’s body. “He had been stripped of his clothes,” he said, reading from his own record of what he saw. He paused and composed himself. “He had been shot in the head, and the bullet left a gaping hole the size of a hand. His blood had been shed on the ground.” For almost 90 minutes, Ahmad described how he found torched bodies and evidence of mass killings: in one case 30 men, and in another, 20 women and children who had hidden in a small room. He read out the names of the dead,

their occupations, ages and relations to each other, and the positions of their bodies. The attack left dozens of his relatives and neighbours dead. Ahmad recorded every detail so that history might judge. It was May 2, a Thursday and the start of a six-day holiday. Many students had come home, and the men of the village had no plans to venture down to the coast to sell their vegetable crops, as many usually do. Children had no school that day. The roosters had already crowed when armed men entered Baida, a close-knit village of narrow alleyways that was home to 5,000 mostly Sunni Muslims. Baida, visible from surrounding Alawite villages with whose inhabitants it had coexisted well enough before the war, sits just outside the small town of Banias, which overlooks Syria’s coastline from the hills. According to opposition activists, what came later was a sectarian bloodbath followed by another in Ras al-Nabaa, the next village along. The attack on Baida came shortly after rebels had attacked a bus carrying proAssad militiamen, killing six. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in Britain, says at least 300 were killed in Baida and Ras al-Nabaa. Victims were buried in mass graves, activists say, and thousands fled. The International Criminal Court in The Hague, which deals with war crimes, cannot investigate in Syria unless it receives a referral from the United Nations Security Council - something Russia and China have blocked. The Syrian government has kept silent about Baida. But a Syrian intelligence officer, speaking anonymously, acknowledged that the perpetrators were government loyalists, including some from the surrounding Alawite villages. The mainly Sunni Muslim villages of Baida and Ras alNabaa had aligned themselves with the rebels, putting them in a precarious position amidst the mainly Alawite, staunchly

government loyalist villages that surround them. Baida and Ras al-Nabaa became havens for army defectors, and many young men also joined the rebel Free Syrian Army. Today, like Ras al-Nabaa, Baida is a ghost town. Houses have been torched and hardly any women and only a few men remain. Except for a few chickens, most livestock has disappeared. Tightly controlled by government security, the only way for a stranger to enter Baida is through a dirt back road that snakes through the hills. Reuters made the journey to gather eye-witness testimony. “I woke up to the sound of bullets before 7 am,” Ahmad said in his modest but immaculately tidy home. He fetched from another room his notebook, where he had meticulously recorded in neat handwriting everything he saw. Ahmad withheld his full name and exact occupation in the public sector for fear of reprisal. “None of us knew what was happening. We couldn’t tell where the shells were falling,” he said, reading from his account. His wife and children hid in the basement, and Ahmad went to his brother’s home, located on the first floor of the family’s two-storey building. When the sound of gunfire kept getting closer, Ahmad’s mother urged her sons to hide. Over the past two years, whenever government security forces raided the village, usually only men with suspected ties to rebels were arrested. Women and children were left alone. But this time, something urged Ahmad to hide, even though he had done nothing wrong. He went up to the attic, but his brother stayed put, arguing with their mother. “He kept telling her ‘Why should I run away? I haven’t done anything wrong. It’s best I stay put at home. They have nothing on me,’” Ahmad recalled. The list of victims included women and toddlers, the

elderly and community leaders. Mohammad Taha, 90, was for decades the village shoemaker, even after he lost a leg in a car accident. There was Sheikh Omar Biyasi, 62, whose body Ahmad found alongside the Sheikh’s slain wife and son, Hamzah, a medical student. Sheikh Biyasi had been the village imam for 30 years. He was a government loyalist who alienated local people with his political views before resigning two years ago. “Even though he always opposed the protests, they still killed him,” said Ahmad. The Biyasi family suffered some of the worst losses, with 36 documented deaths. Ahmad found bodies belonging to the family in one small room; a mother and her three daughters and young son, who was at the local school with Ahmad’s children. “They were leaning on each other,” Ahmad recalled. Before dark set in, Ahmad stumbled upon another chilling sight. Three charred bodies lay one on top of the other. “Smoke was still rising from one of them,” he said. They were identified the next day, when the Red Crescent came in with a government official. One of the charred victims was Ibrahim Al-Shoghri, 69, who was mentally disabled. The bloodshed has left many Syrians wondering if the Syrian government is preparing for an Alawite state along the coast. The coast is home to the majority of the country’s Alawites, a Shiite offshoot sect to which Assad and his clan belong. One Alawite anti-government activist, who goes by the nom de guerre Sadeq, said it was unlikely Assad would establish a separate Alawite state, or that he would homogenize it ethnically. But an autonomous Alawite region, something like Kurdistan, might be viable. So far, there have been no direct clashes between rebels and government forces along the coast. Many Alawite villagers did not

believe the rebels could make it to the mountains. So when the rebels started to make verbal threats against the coast over the past few weeks, alarms went off, explained Sadeq. The sectarian killings in Baida and Ras al-Nabaa were a message from the Assad government to the rebels. “It’s a reminder that the coast is a red line. That if they so much as think they can attack the coast, this is what will happen to the pockets of Sunni Muslims here,” he said. “It was ethnic cleansing, and the objective is to frighten.” Ahead of the killings, tensions had been rising in Alawite villages, where many serve in the Syrian army and security forces. Alawites have mourned hundreds of their dead. During a drive through some of the Alawite villages, larger-than-life posters of the town’s fallen hung on lampposts along main roads. The few men remaining in Baida agreed that the massacre was something of a payback for the village’s pro-uprising stance. “Let us speak the truth. We support the uprising, and they don’t,” said one young man. It was not clear to what extent news of what had happened in Baida and Ras alNabaa travelled along the coast. In the town of Banias, people were too nervous to discuss the topic. In Latakia, the news travelled only in hushed conversation among the Sunni Muslims. Sadeq, the Alawite activist, said the Alawite community was “in denial about it”. “They believe it was a fight against terrorists from Chechnya or something like that,” he said. But there is little doubt that details of the massacre are known among the ranks of Syrian intelligence. In Tartous, a hefty, tattooed man who works for state intelligence, “in the cyber security branch”, and is a member of the pro-government shabbiha militia, said his chain of command knew exactly what had unfolded in Baida and Ras Al-Nabaa. —Reuters

Fears of foreign-fueled arms race grow in Syria Russia plans to send air defence system to Syria

US Sen John McCain visits rebels in Syria. — AP

McCain makes surprise trip to visit Syria rebels WASHINGTON: Leaders of Syria’s opposition forces got a chance to make their case for increased US support directly with Sen John McCain when he slipped into that country for a surprise visit. “We are peaceful people, we would like to see our country liberated from this dictatorship, liberated from this murder regime, and we would like to have the best relations with all the countries in the world,” Gen Salim Idris, chief of the Supreme Military Council of the Free Syrian Army, said yesterday in an interview with AP. Idris accompanied McCain on Monday as the senator made an unannounced trip to Syria, the first US senator to travel to the country since the civil war began more than two years ago. McCain has been a forceful proponent of military action against the forces of President Bashar Al-Assad and a critic of President Barack Obama’s handling of the situation. McCain spent about two hours in Syria, crossing over the border from Turkey, and met with about 10-15 rebel commanders, Idris said in a telephone interview from inside Syria. His discussions focused on the fighting on the ground, the need for military assistance, humanitarian aid and medical care. “The security of Mr McCain was very important to us. We did not go very far from the border, to keep him secure,” Idris said. McCain, a

member of the Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees, favors providing arms to rebel forces in Syria and creation of a no-fly zone. He has stopped short of backing US ground troops in Syria. A State Department official said the department was aware of McCain crossing into Syrian territory Monday, but referred further questions to McCain’s office. McCain spokeswoman Rachael Dean confirmed the Monday trip, but declined further comment. The visit took place at the same time as meetings in Paris involving efforts to secure participation of Syria’s fractured opposition in an international peace conference in Geneva. And in Brussels, the European Union decided late Monday to lift the arms embargo on the Syrian opposition while maintaining all other sanctions against Assad’s regime after June 1, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said. Two years of violence in Syria have killed more than 70,000 people, according to the United Nations. President Barack Obama has demanded that Assad leave power, while Russia has stood by Syria, its closest ally in the Arab world. Last week, the Foreign Relations Committee voted to provide weapons to rebels in Syria, as well as military training to vetted rebel groups and sanctions against anyone who sells oil or transfers arms to the Assad regime. —AP

Syria opposition makes no progress on peace talks ISTANBUL: A week into marathon talks aimed at presenting a united front on a proposed peace conference, Syria’s opposition remains more divided than ever, pulled apart by regional power grabs and unpopular with rebels on the ground. Despite going into several days of overtime at a key meeting in Istanbul, the main Syrian opposition group, the National Coalition, has failed to agree on a whether to join a proposed peace conference aimed at ending a more than two-year civil war that has cost some 94,000 lives. Coalition members and other dissidents say progress at the meeting has been ground to a halt by conflicting bids for influence by Saudi Arabia, which wants to water down the Muslim Brotherhood’s strong role in the Coalition, and Qatar, which wants to protect the influential Islamic movement’s clout. Amid the bickering, the Coalition has failed to find consensus on whether to join the proposed peace conference in Geneva being pushed by the United States and Russia. “It is impossible, there will never be an agreement. Each Coalition member is a piece on a chess board, playing for the state that backs him,” said a dissident who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity. The main backer of the Coalition as it stands is Gulf state Qatar, which supports the Muslim Brotherhood, an organisation outlawed in Syria that is nevertheless its best-

organised opposition group. Conservative Saudi Arabia, which supports more radical rebel groups on the ground and wants to downsize the Brotherhood’s influence, has pushed the Coalition to accept new members. “Saudi’s pressure is enormous. It wants to control the Coalition. It is threatening to cut off the weapons supply to rebels” in the key central Syrian city of Homs, said a Coalition member. Analysts say the majority of weapons flowing into Syria have come from Saudi Arabia and Qatar in competing bids for influence. The Istanbul meeting was aimed at reaching a decision on the proposed Geneva conference, choosing a new Coalition president, agreeing on an interim government and voting in new members to join the group. The Coalition’s paralysis has raised concerns in the West that it cannot be trusted with increased military support. While the European Union yesterday lifted an arms embargo on Syria to allow weapons to be channelled to the rebels, no member state plans to send any arms immediately for fear of endangering the prospects of the Geneva peace conference - which Washington and Moscow are trying to convene as early as next month. A French official in Paris stressed that “this is a theoretical lifting of the embargo. In concrete terms, there will be no decision on any deliveries before August 1”.—AFP

BRUSSELS: Fears grew yesterday of a foreign-fed arms race in Syria as European Union nations decided they could give weapons to the outgunned rebels and Russia disclosed it has a contract to sell the Syrian government sophisticated antiaircraft missiles. Each development could significantly raise the firepower in a two-year civil war has already killed more than 70,000 people in Syria and sent hundreds of thousands fleeing the country. It also comes as the U.S. and Russia are preparing for a major peace conference in Geneva that diplomats have called the best chance yet to end the bloodshed under Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad’s regime. The EU move late yesterday lifting an arms embargo on Syria sparked broad political fallout within hours. Russia, which has been a strong supporter of the Syrian government, criticized the EU decision and acknowledged its anti-aircraft missile sale. Israel answered Russia’s pledge by warning that it would be prepared to attack any such missile shipments. EU nations continued to express divisions within their 27-member bloc over sending arms to the rebels while both sides fighting in Syria spoke out on the decision. Analysts, however, said the EU’s move would have little immediate impact on the fighting. In Moscow, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov called the EU’s decision “a manifestation of double standards” that will hurt prospects for the Geneva talks, which are expected to happen nex t month. France and Britain, meanwhile, hope the new EU position can help prod the two sides to the negotiating table in Geneva. EU diplomats have said the two nations are considering providing equipment to the rebels. Ryabkov confirmed yesterday that Russia has signed a contract with Assad’s government to provide state-of-the-art S-300 air defense missiles, which he said were important to prevent foreign intervention in the country. Ryabkov would not say whether Russia has shipped any of the missiles to Syria yet. Israel has been pressing Moscow not to go through with the delivery of S300s, fearing the missiles could slip into the hands of hostile groups like Hezbollah. Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon said yesterday that Israel believes the Russian missiles have not yet been shipped, but the Israeli military “will know what to do” if they are delivered. Ryabkov said Russia understood other nations’ concerns about providing such weapons

In this undated file photo, a Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missile system is on display in an undisclosed location in Russia. — AP

to Syria, but said his country believes they may “help restrain some hotheads considering a scenario to give an international dimension to this conflict”. The fighting in Syria has threatened to drag in neighbors like Turkey and Lebanon. An official in Britain’s Foreign Office, firing back after Russia’s announcement, said: “We have stated that we have made no decision to supply arms to Syria. At the same time, Russia has acknowledged publicly that it is providing weapons to the Assad regime. Of course we disapprove strongly of continued arms sales to the regime.” Britain believes the focus should now be on the “political track”, including the Geneva conference, the official said in a statement. In Damascus, a Syrian lawmaker criticized the EU move, saying that efforts to arm the rebels will discourage the opposition from seeking a peaceful solution to the conflic t. The comments by Essam Khalil, a member of the ruling Baath Party, were the first by a Syrian official. In contrast, Louay Safi, a senior figure in the main Western-backed Syrian opposition group, the Syrian National Coalition, called the EU move a “positive step”. Speak ing in Istanbul, where the opposition has been holding talks, he warned that any delay in deciding to provide weapons meant further deaths of Syrian civilians. David Hartwell, a Middle East analyst for IHS Jane’s, said in a note that the EU move has “more diplomatic than military weight” so far and will have “little immediate impact on the battlefield”. He noted news

reports in neighboring Lebanon reporting that Assad’s forces are planning an offensive to retake rebel-held par ts of Aleppo, Syria’s largest city. The Syrian rebels may get Western arms “too late to prevent further government victories, a scenario that might cause the Syrian government to rethink its decision to par ticipate in the Geneva peace conference,” Har twell wrote. US Sen John McCain, meanwhile, made an unannounced visit to rebel forces in Syria, putting more pressure on Assad to seek a negotiated settlement. There’s no certainty, however, that the warring sides will come to the table in Geneva. Assad’s regime has provided no sign of any willingness to cede power in Syria, a key opposition demand before entering any talks. Meanwhile, the opposition could try to make a public show of willingness to attend the talks, only to demand that weapons deliveries from Europe start right away if the hoped-for Geneva process breaks down. The Syrian opposition itself remains badly divided. The AlQaeda-affiliated Jabhat al-Nusra is the most power ful Syrian rebel fighting group, and the United States and other Western powers fear that any European weapons could fall into the hands of extremists. “We have no guarantees about the end user,” Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders told a public broadcaster yesterday. “So it is perfectly possible to see arms disappear in the hands of extremists and jihadists. And, second, it is a real proliferation. There are enough arms in the

field, not only in Syria but also in the neighboring countries.” France and Britain so far have not specified what weapons they might send in. German Foreign M inister Guido Westerwelle told Die Welt newspaper yesterday: “Germany will not deliver any weapons to the Syria conflict and we note that no other European country has expressed the intention to do so in the near future.” France and Britain acted amid growing concerns that Assad’s government may have resorted to using its vast chemical weapons stockpile against the rebels. French military authorities on Tuesday were analyzing medical samples from patients who had been hospitalized after inhaling poison gas in Syria to see if they could determine if such weapons were used. The French daily Le Monde said its reporters who traveled to Syria recently submitted the samples, taken by Syrian doctors, to the French government for analysis. The newspaper said patients’ symptoms “resemble the effects produced by neurotoxic agents present in the Syrian chemical arsenal”. The French Defense M inistr y has confirmed it is analyzing the samples, but would not comment further. The White House has said that US intelligence concluded that Assad’s regime has probably used deadly chemical weapons at least twice - but US officials said the intelligence wasn’t strong enough to justify sending significant US military support to the rebels. President Barack Obama has said the use of chemical weapons in Syria would cross a “red line”. —AP

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

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Iran candidates clash over nuclear approach Hardliners criticise deal to suspend some atomic work

BENGHAZI: In this Feb 17, 2013 file photo, Libyan interim president Mohammed Magarief flashes the victory sign to the crowd during the celebration of the second anniversary of the Libyan revolution. — AP

Libya congress chief steps down after ban TRIPOLI: The head of Libya’s national assembly said he was stepping down yesterday following the passing of a law banning anyone who held a senior post in Muammar Gaddafi’s regime from government, regardless of their part in toppling the dictator. In a televised speech to congress, Mohammed Magarief announced his resignation after the passage of the “political isolation” law, which critics and diplomats fear could strip government of experienced leaders, further complicating the transition to an orderly democracy. “The people’s representatives have expressed their word - the political isolation law - and it must be respected,” he said, adding he was the first to conform to the new law, which comes amid worsening security in the North African country. “I place my resignation in your hands. I leave with my head held high and my conscious clear.” The law was adopted on May 5 at the demand of armed factions who helped end Gaddafi’s 42-year rule in 2011. Analysts fear the decision to hold the vote under duress could embolden armed groups to use force again to assert their will over congress. The heavily armed groups had besieged two ministries before the passing of the law, which comes into effect on June 5 and prohibits former officials from holding any high position. It does not make provisions for those who spent decades in exile and actually became instrumental in toppling Gaddafi. An economist and former ambassador to India under Gaddafi, Magarief was born in 1940 in the eastern city of Benghazi, where the 2011 uprising broke out. He lived in exile from the 1980s and became a leading figure in Libya’s oldest opposition movement, the National

Front for the Salvation of Libya. He was elected to the General National Congress on the ticket of the National Front Party, an offshoot of his old opposition movement, in Libya’s first free elections for decades last July. His tenure has not been smooth - protesters have stormed sessions several times as well forced the assembly out of its headquarters for a month. In March, gunmen in a crowd of protesters calling for the new law shot at his car. This came after he survived a gun attack at his home in the remote desert south in January. Armed violence and lawlessness caused in part by militia groups who often do as they please has hobbled governance in wide areas of the oil-producing state. Magarief received a standing ovation from congress members after his speech, which touched on his exile and opposition to Gaddafi and which paid tribute to the former rebel fighters who ousted the dictator. Congress members say the law could be applied to more than 20 people in the congress of around 200 members. “We hope that all those who are affected by this law will follow what he has done,” congress member Mohammed Amari said. Congress spokesman Omar Hmaidan told reporters Magarief ’s first deputy Giuma Attaiga would be acting congress president until an election for a successor was held. Diplomats in Tripoli said it was still too early to identify any frontrunners. In a sign of Libya’s disarray, a group from the Tibu tribe blocked off the airport in the southern desert town of Sabha yesterday in protest at what they said was the disappearance of a local brigade leader, a military spokesman said.— Reuters

DUBAI: A former Iranian nuclear negotiator who is running for president used his first television appearance of the campaign to reject accusations he had been too soft in negotiations with world powers. The most prominent moderate candidate in an election dominated by hardliners, cleric Hassan Rohani, nuclear negotiator from 2003 to 2005, oversaw an agreement to suspend Iran’s fledgling uranium enrichment-related activities. Iran has since stepped up the nuclear program that many countries, particularly in the West, fear is aimed at acquiring weapons capability, something Tehran denies. Hardliners see the nuclear program as a sign of national pride and any concession to outside pressure an affront to Iran’s sovereign rights. The current nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, is running for president on his record of giving no ground in talks. Western powers are watching the June 14 election to see whether President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s successor will set a new tone in talks - several rounds of which in the last year have failed to defuse tensions over the nuclear program which Israel has said it could use military force to stop. In a spirited exchange on state television on Monday evening, Rohani said allegations he had halted nuclear development were “a lie” and suggested his interviewer was “illiterate”. “It’s good if you study history,” a smiling Rohani, dressed in the traditional clerical garb, told the besuited interviewer. “We suspended it? We mastered the (nuclear) technology!” The 64-year-old argued the Islamic Republic had expanded uranium enrichment during his tenure while demonstrating the program’s peaceful nature and preventing a US military attack. “We didn’t allow Iran to be attacked,” he said, referring to the US military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq. “They (the US) imagined tomorrow or the day after, it would be Iran’s turn.” Nuclear policy is ultimately decided by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and all candidates emphasise Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy and deny

Foreign workers queue to quit Saudi Arabia RIYADH: Tens of thousands of foreign workers are trying to leave Saudi Arabia after the government of the world’s No. 1 oil exporter said they would be forgiven any fees or fines for visa violations such as overstaying or switching jobs. Riyadh is pursuing sweeping labour reform that would tackle domestic unemployment by pushing firms to hire Saudi nationals - who now hold only about one in 10 private sector jobs - instead of some of its roughly 9 million foreign residents. The disproportion of foreigners in jobs arises, some firms say, from the fact Saudis demand higher wages and are harder to sack than expatriates. Other firms, particularly those in fields involving manual labour, say they cannot attract Saudi workers. Earlier this year the kingdom began to crack down on the many foreign workers who violated their visa terms with surprise inspections on streets and in company offices, followed in some cases by the deportation of offenders. Saudi Arabia, whose total population is 28 million, has long turned a blind eye to the impact of its rigid foreign worker laws, resulting in a huge black market for expatriate labour. Yesterday, thousands queued in blazing sunshine outside the main passport office in Riyadh to secure exit visas, with many people saying they had waited in line for more than 24 hours. “I just want to go back to Nepal because my salary is no good only 600 riyals ($160) a month. I came here yesterday afternoon, slept on the ground and didn’t eat anything. But when I got to the front of the line they said my papers were incorrect,” said Dinesh Kumar Sar, 25, a labourer. Local media quoted the spokesman for the Saudi passport office as saying 124,000 people had left the country since early April when the government announced a three-month grace period for illegal workers to rectify their status. The economic impact of such a foreign exodus is not yet clear. Arab News said yesterday that roadworks in Riyadh had been delayed because of a foreign worker shortage. However, economists in the kingdom have previously said Saudi companies tend to overemploy due to the low cost of foreign labour.

The kingdom has large numbers of workers from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Indonesia, Yemen, Ethiopia and other Arab states, many of which benefit from high levels of remittances. Saudi law says expatriates must work for a designated Saudi sponsor in the professional field registered on their residency permit, or iqama. Expatriates brought in to work for Saudi companies often complain they are paid much less than was promised or are denied exit visas by sponsors who hold their passports. Many subsequently break the law to find work with a better employer. Another common illegal practice is the so-called “free visa” system, under which a sponsor allows workers to find alternative employment but charges them a commission to renew their residence permit or seek an exit visa. The Labour Ministry started cracking down on such practices after imposing rules last year to force companies to employ more Saudis, with fines and hiring restrictions imposed on firms that do not meet localisation quotas. Local newspapers on Monday quoted the labour minister as saying the new rules had localised 600,000 jobs so far. In early April King Abdullah announced a three-month grace period for workers to rectify their residence status by changing their sponsor or profession without facing the usual penalties. That period will end on July 3, when the Labour Ministry has said it will renew the crackdown. However, many have been unable to switch their sponsor to their current employer or to change their residence papers to show their current profession because doing so would put their company in breach of localisation rules. Others have reported that their sponsor demanded large sums of money to transfer sponsorship. “We don’t have any law to punish sponsors who are asking for money or commission. What we can do is to just warn expats not to pay,” Arab News quoted Labour Ministry spokesman Hattab Al-Enizi as saying. Many expatriates have just decided to return home. Officials have said if they leave within the grace period, they will be allowed to apply for another visa to work in the kingdom.— Reuters

UAE, Canada end visa row OTTAWA: The United Arab Emirates will nix costly visa requirements imposed on Canadian travelers as of June 1, officials said yesterday, ending a row between the two countries that started in 2010 over aviation rights. Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and his UAE counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, had agreed last month to restoring the previous visa regime. The agreement has now been formalized, Baird told reporters, calling it “a tremendously important signal to the world that bilateral relations between our two countries are strong and getting stronger each and every day”. “We are on an upward trajectory,” he said. The UAE in Jan 2011 started charging Canadians $1,000 for a six-month multiple entrance visa, while three-month and one-month visas cost $500 and $250 respectively. The steep hikes in obtaining a visa for the UAE came as the two countries had been at odds over landing rights in Canada for UAE-based carriers and the closure of a UAE military base to Canadian use. Canada was forced a few months earlier to close a military base in Dubai that was part of a key supply route to Afghanistan after refusing to grant the UAE’s two national carriers more landing rights.—AFP

TEHRAN: Iranian presidential candidate conservative former chief of the Revolutionary Guards Mohsen Rezai (center) walks through the old main bazaar in the capital following a press conference yesterday. — AFP that it plans to build nuclear weapons. Analysts say voters are more likely to decide on candidates based on how they would reinvigorate an economy suffering from high unemployment and inflation. But the nuclear issue has been “used to discredit rivals” in the early days of the campaign, said Dina Esfandiary, an Iran analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Jalili’s camp is trading on its hardline attitude to the nuclear program. In the last five years, Jalili, seen as rigidly devoted to Iran’s Islamic revolutionary ideals, has overseen a hardening stance in talks with world powers. “Our national interests and security were tarnished and hurt,” said Ali Bagheri, Iran’s deputy nuclear negotiator who is supporting Jalili’s campaign, in a recent speech, referring to Rohani’s tenure under reformist President Mohammad Khatami. “The fate of that period was unhappy and God forbid it should be a period that we return to.” Several rounds of nuclear talks between Iran and six world powers have failed to reach an agreement. On Monday, European Union foreign

policy chief Catherine Ashton, who represents the six powers at the talks, suggested the next round should take place after the election. “I think we have to wait and see how the elections turn out, because depending on who’s elected, there may be differences,” she said. A former commander of Iran’s Revolutionar y Guard hoping to become the country’s next president said yesterday that nuclear talks with world powers are “fruitless” because of the tightening Western sanctions against Tehran. The candidate, Mohsen Rezaei, said that if elected, he would seek to change the course of the current dialogue between Iran and the six powers. In his remarks yesterday, Rezaei blamed the United States for the failure of the talks so far, saying Washington has pursued a policy of tightening sanctions against Tehran in order to bring about concessions at the negotiating table. “I will liberate the nuclear talks from this fruitless status,” said Rezaei. “It’s buying time for the USto see more effects of the sanctions.” Rezaei, 58, ran for president in 2009,

but finished fourth. Speaking to reporters in Tehran’s old bazaar, Rezaei said he would seek to strengthen Iran’s economy to defuse Western sanctions while launching a new diplomatic push over the nuclear file. He said he would also broaden the talks with the US to include issues such as environmental problems in the Gulf and Afghan drug trafficking. The former Guard commander declined to give further details, saying he would reveal more after becoming president. International sanctions, led by the U.S. and European Union, have sharply increased in recent years, targeting Iran’s vital oil exports and limiting its access to global financial networks. The sanctions, compounded with domestic fiscal mismanagement, have locked Iran in a downward economic spiral, with unemployment at nearly 14 percent and a 32 percent inflation rate. “We will uproot inflation and unemployment,” Razaei pledged as he visited the bazaar, apparently in an effort to reach a wider audience and underscore the “importance of the economy.”—Agencies

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Italy comic’s rising star wanes in local polls ROME: A comic’s anti-establishment political movement that scored a stunning success in elections for parliament has flopped in crucial local ballots across Italy - raising questions about how much growth potential there is for a grassroots phenomenon that only weeks ago seemed destined to be a major power broker. Beppe Grillo’s upstart 5-Star Movement was touted as a new political force when it emerged from February elections with a quarter of the vote. But its refusal to engage in coalition building at a time when Italy needs in decisive leadership, coupled with a paucity of positive ideas, appears to have cost it support. Confirmation of that may have come with this week’s mayoral races. Final results across the nation dealt Beppe Grillo’s upstart 5-Star Movement a dramatic setback, leaving it scrambling Tuesday for explanations. The movement failed to win any significant races or make it into runoffs in hundreds of small towns slated for June. The May 26-27 elections saw a sharp drop in turnout, deepening a trend of apathy among voters angered by a ruling class that has failed to revive a stagnant economy or deliver on promises to reform corruption-plagued politics.

Grillo led the final campaign rally for the 5-Star candidate in Rome last week. But the comic, who peppers his tirades against traditional parties with insults, sarcasm and obscenity, drew a crowd in the capital far smaller than what he had attracted in his barnstorming campaign for parliament. In Rome, by far the biggest City Hall up for grabs, the two top vote-getters were from Italy’s two biggest parties. The center-left and center-right parties are bitter rivals forced into an awkward coalition after the February elections yielded no clear winner. Finishing a distant second, with 30.3 percent, but with enough to earn a runoff spot, was media mogul Silvio Berlusconi’s candidate - the right-wing incumbent Gianni Alemanno. Ahead with 42.6, but short of the 50 percent-plus needed to clinch a first round victory, was Ignazio Marino, a former transplant surgeon who is a prominent figure in Premier Enrico Letta’s center-left Democratic Party. The 5-Star Movement shook up longestablished parties when its electoral triumph allowed it to become the thirdlargest national force. But many political analysts were quick to wonder if it risked squandering its popularity through its post-election strategy of refusing dialogue

with the main parties. Its Rome candidate finished third among the 19 candidates on the ballot, taking 12.4 percent. That was a steep plunge among Roman voters, compared to the 27.3 percent the 5-Stars polled in the capital in the national elections three months earlier. Like all of the 5-Star movement’s candidates, Marcello De Vito emerged after an “online primary” among supporters. The 5-Star Movement, which rails against generous state funding for political parties and boasts that it has been the only major party to give back millions of euros in taxpayer-funded assistance, blamed tight campaign budgets in part for its poor showing in the municipal balloting. In a sarcastic post-mortem of the election results, Grillo claimed that those who voted for the biggest vote-getters proved that there are “two Italys” - an Italy of elites that wants to preserve the status quo and Grillo’s “second, Class B Italy”, which lives precariously in the financial crisis. Political commentators and mainstream politicians had wondered for weeks whether the 5-Star Movement would score well in the local vote, especially since much of its campaigning consisted of blasting the establishment and offering few con-

crete ideas for how the 5-Stars would rule cities and towns worried about local jobs, crime, public transport and other services in cash-strapped municipalities. One analyst noted on state radio yesterday that

many of Grillo’s campaign stump speeches this time were “almost deserted”. The movement, said prominent political journalist Nicola Graziani, “must decide what it wants to do when it grows up”. —AP

ROME: This file photo dated Feb 22, 2013 shows Italian comic-turnedpolitical agitator Beppe Grillo, leader of the anti-establishment 5 Star Movement, delivering a speech during a final election rally. — AP

Protests at Uganda’s closure of newspapers Independent media gagged over leaked letter

ABIDJAN: Members of a drug squad arrest suspected users and drug dealers during a raid on a drugs den yesterday. The number of drug users has increased exponentially in the Ivory Coast capital with many cartels using West Africa as a transit point for narcotics from Latin America to Europe and Asia. — AFP

Boko Haram claims victories over army KANO: The leader of Islamist extremist group Boko Haram claims in a video obtained by AFP yesterday that Nigerian soldiers have retreated during an ongoing military offensive and insurgents have sustained little damage. The video marks the first public comments from Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau since the start of a sweeping offensive by the Nigerian army on May 15 and also includes a call for foreign Islamists to join the fight in Nigeria. Shekau’s whereabouts cannot be determined in the video, in which he is shown seated while dressed in camouflage with a turban, an AK-47 at his side. His comments contradict statements from the military, which has claimed major successes during the offensive, including the destruction of Boko Haram camps and dozens of arrests. It has been impossible to verify the claims of either side independently, with the military having cut mobile phone service in much of the country ’s northeast and access to remote locations restricted. “Since we started this ongoing war which they call state of emergency ... in some instances soldiers who faced us turned and ran,” Shekau said in the hour-long video. He claimed Nigerian forces “threw down their arms in flight ”. He called on like -minded Islamists in countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq to join the fight to create an Islamic state in Nigeria. “We call to us our brethren in these countries I mentioned. Oh! Our brethren, come to us,” he said in the video, which alternates between Arabic and the Hausa language spoken across nor thern Nigeria. The video later purports to show vehicles and weapons seized from Nigerian soldiers. Shekau, designated a global terrorist by the United States last year, repeats earlier statements that Boko Haram “will not stop the kidnap of your women and children until you set free our women and children, and our brethren”. He also says Boko Haram’s goal is either the creation of an Islamic state or “martyrdom”. The video was delivered to AFP

through an intermediary in a manner similar to previous Boko Haram messages. The images of Shekau in the video are consistent with those previously released. Nigeria launched the offensive against Boko Haram after President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in three states in the country’s northeast, the Islamist insurgents’ stronghold. Several thousand troops were deployed and fighter jets hit alleged Boko Haram camps. On May 20, the military said it had re-established control in five remote areas of the northeast where Islamist insurgents had seized territory. It had also claimed the arrests of 120 suspected insurgents. The military’s latest statement says 25 insurgents were arrested and three killed during operations at the weekend, including one identified as “Abba” included on a most-wanted list. One soldier was also killed, it said. “Troops of the special forces have intercepted messages sent to fleeing insurgents urging them not to give up but fight to the end,” the statement said. “The attempt by some of them to heed the call was foiled during the weekend as they were trailed to some settlements and towns towards the border where they plan to regroup.” Last week, the military also said it had freed three women and six children abducted by Boko Haram. Nigeria’s government has also pledged to release certain suspects held in connection with the insurgency as a peace gesture, including all women and children. Boko Haram has waged its insurgency since 2009, with an estimated 3,600 people left dead, including killings by the security forces. The group has pushed for the creation of an Islamic state in Africa’s most populous nation and largest oil producer, though its demands have repeatedly shifted. It is believed to include various factions with differing aims. Nigeria’s military has come under heavy criticism over its response to Boko Haram, including allegations of extra-judicial killings, arbitrary arrests and unlawful detentions.— AFP

KAMPALA: Ugandan police fired tear gas yesterday at journalists protesting at the week-long closure of key independent media, after they reported arguments among army generals over whether the president’s son is to succeed him. Riot police scattered around 100 journalists, their supporters and human rights activists who tried to gather outside the offices of The Daily Monitor and Red Pepper newspapers, which were closed on May 20 by armed police. “This is a violation of media freedom and economic sabotage,” rights activist Geoffrey Ssebaggala shouted at police. The closure of the two papers leaves only one major operating newspaper, the government-owned New Vision. Two radio stations in the Monitor’s offices also remain off air. “Instead of arresting criminals killing people in the country, you are here terrorising us,” journalist Moses Ouma told police as they dragged him away from outside the Monitor’s offices. “The police are turning violent yet this is a peaceful demonstration,” said Simon Anguzu, a protestor outside the Red Pepper. The closures came after the newspapers in early May printed a leaked confidential memo by a senior general, David Sejusa Tinyefuza, alleging that President Yoweri Museveni was grooming his son Muhoozi Kainerugaba to succeed him. Tinyefuza said there were plots to assassinate those opposed to the plan. Muhoozi, a brigadier who now commands Uganda’s special forces, has recently enjoyed rapid promotion through the ranks, although Museveni has made no mention of plans for him to succeed. Tinyefuza has reportedly fled to London, while last week Museveni reshuffled top army commanders. Ugandan police chief Kale Kayihura said that police searching newspaper offices would leave once journalists “cooperated”. Last week army chief Aronda Nyakairima listed in a leaked memo as allegedly opposing Muhoozi’s possible takeover - was shifted to a civilian post as minister of internal affairs. Nyakairima, along with other generals, has since condemned Tinyefuza’s memo. The United Nations and European Union have both con-

demned the newspaper closures. “It’s disturbing that intimidation and harassment are being used in retaliation against the exercise of freedom of expression,” the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said last week. “Ahead of the 2016 elections, the current events may serve to reinforce self-censorship and severely constrict freedom of opinion and expression at a key moment in Uganda’s political development.” It is not clear if Museveni - an army general himself who rose to power as guerrilla commander - plans to run again for the presidency in 2016. Uganda law blocks anyone aged over 75 from running for the country’s top job. The veteran Ugandan leader claims he does not know his exact date of birth but says he was born in 1947 - making him 66. Activists, however, say he is older. Media watchdogs including the USbased Committee to Protect Journalists, France-

based Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF - Reporters Without Borders) and the Foreign Correspondents’ Association of Uganda have all also condemned the closures. Despite the closure of its presses, The Red Pepper managed to sneak out black market copies, but police last week even arrested vendors selling the paper. The Sejusa case has riveted many in this East African country that once was prone to violent takeovers of power but which has seen relative stability under Museveni. But the president now faces growing pressure within and outside his party to retire when his current term expires in 2016. Some say Tinyefuza, a decorated hero of the bush war that brought Museveni to power in 1986, may be positioning himself to become of the leader of those within the military who want to discourage Museveni from hanging onto power. —Agencies

KAMPALA: A Ugandan policeman beats up a journalist yesterday outside the Daily Monitor and Red Pepper newspapers. — AFP

Kenya MPs hike pay to 130 times minimum wage

NAIROBI: Kenyan members of parliament, already among the world’s best-paid lawmakers, voted yesterday to increase their salaries to more than 130 times the minimum wage in defiance of government plans to cut them as part of spending reforms. President Uhuru Kenyatta, who won a closely fought March 4 election on an economic growth agenda, has implored lawmakers to accept pay cuts and help rein in public sector salaries to free up cash to create jobs. Many Kenyans view members of parliament as symbols of a greedy political culture, seeking public office as an opportunity for personal gain at the expense of a country mired in poverty and where the unemployment rate stands at 40 percent. Lawmakers on both sides of the house voted overwhelmingly for higher pay. “They have taken away our dignity and we must reclaim it,” member of parliament Jimmy Angwenyi told the assembly, backing a motion to overturn a legal notice slashing their pay and to increase it to an average of 851,000 shillings ($10,000) a month, up from 532,000. The average monthly wage in Kenya is 6,498 shillings ($76). Many Kenyans expressed outrage at the pay increase. “Did we vote in the wrong guys? This is nonsense! What work have they done in the last two months to deserve this?” prominent businessman Chris Kirubi said on Twitter. The president has no direct

power to determine MP salaries, and the legislators’ decision is expected to be challenged in court by civic rights groups. The lawmakers’ move to overturn a reduction in their pay decided by the state Salaries and Remuneration Commission before the election has caused anger that has led to street protests. But lawmakers said the pay cut was imposed illegally. They argued they needed high wages because constituents expected them to provide charitable support. Some also said that MPs could be vulnerable to bribes if their salaries were set too low.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) said it would go to court seeking to challenge whether the MPs can set the new salaries. “The supreme law (Constitution) ended the era when elected leaders could use their muscle to illegally determine their remuneration,” LSK chairman Eric Mutua said in a statement. Kenyans are worried that by increasing their pay, the lawmakers could provoke demands for higher wages from local officials in the country’s newly-demarcated counties, as well as teachers, police and doctors. Kenyatta, who made an election pledge to achieve double-digit economic growth in his five-year

term, wants a slimmer government as part of efforts to make savings. He has proposed a cabinet of 18 members instead of the maximum 22 granted by law. Officials say the economy will grow 6 percent in 2013, up from 4.6 percent last year. Kenya’s public sector wage bill stands at 50 percent of annual government tax revenue. The International Monetary Fund puts the global benchmark at about 35 percent. Kenyatta’s Jubilee coalition has promised to deliver free maternity care, laptops to primary school children, better roads and a million new jobs a year. —Reuters

UAE begins construction of second nuclear reactor ABU DHABI: The oil-rich UAE began construction yesterday of a second nuclear power plant, one of four reactors aimed at cutting carbon dioxide emissions by some 12 million tonnes a year in 2020. Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp (ENEC) said it poured the first part of safety concrete for Unit 2, in a ceremony attended by visiting Korean Trade, Industry and Energy Sang-jick Yoon. In 2009, an international consortium led by the state-run Korea Electric Power Corp won a $20.4 billion deal to build four nuclear power plants in Baraka, west of Abu Dhabi. Under the biggest single contract Seoul has ever won abroad, South Korean firms including Samsung, Hyundai and Doosan Heavy Industries will build the four 1,400-megawatt reactors. Work began last year on

the first plant, which is expected to enter service in 2017 after further regulatory approvals. Unit 2 is to begin commercial operations in 2018. In addition to diversifying the UAE’s energy supply once operational, the four plants should cut 12 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually by 2020, ENEC said. ENEC said it had applied in March to the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation for construction licences for Units 3 and 4, but did not indicate when work would begin. The UAE sits on a large wealth of oil and gas, and pumps 2.8 million barrels per day of crude oil. In March, Abu Dhabi opened the world’s largest operating plant of concentrated solar power, which has the capacity to provide electricity to 20,000 homes. — AFP

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

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

Fire breaks out aboard Caribbean cruise ship

WASHINGTON: In this file photo FBI Director Robert Mueller (from left) National Intelligence Director James Clapper, CIA Director John Brennan, and Defense Intelligence Agency Director Lt Gen Michael Flynn testify on Capitol Hill in Washington at the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on worldwide threats. — AP

US intelligence embraces debate in security issues WASHINGTON: In the months leading up to the killing of Osama bin Laden, veteran US intelligence analyst Robert Cardillo cast doubt that the terror network leader and mastermind was actually in a high-walled compound in northern Pakistan. President Barack Obama ultimately decided to launch a May 2011 raid on the compound that killed bin Laden. But the level of widespread skepticism that Cardillo shared with other top-level officials which nearly scuttled the raid - reflected a sea change within the US spy community, one that embraces debate on tough national security decisions. The same sort of high-stakes dissent was on public display recently as intelligence officials wrestled with conflicting opinions about threats in North Korea and Syria. And it is a vital part of ongoing discussions over whether to send deadly drone strikes against terror suspects abroad - including US citizens. The three cases provide a rare look inside the secretive 16 intelligence agencies as they try to piece together security threats from bits of vague information from around the world. But they also raise concerns about whether officials who make decisions based on their assessments can get clear guidance from a divided intelligence community. At the helm of what he calls a healthy discord is Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, who has spent more than two-thirds of his 72 years collecting, analyzing and reviewing spy data from war zones and rogue nations. Clapper, the nation’s fourth top intelligence chief, says disputes are uncommon but absolutely necessary to get as much input as possible in far-flung places where it’s hard for the US to extract - or fully understand ground-level realities. “What’s bad about dissension? Is it a good thing to have uniformity of view where everyone agrees all the time? I don’t think so,” Clapper said in an interview Friday. “...People lust for uniform clairvoyance. We’re not going to do that.” “We are never dealing with a perfect set of facts,” Clapper said. “You know the old saw about the difference between mysteries and secrets? Of course, we’re held equally responsible for divining both. And so those imponderables like that just have to be factored.” Looking in from the outside, the dissension can seem awkward, if not uneasy - especially when the risks are so high. At a congressional hearing last month, Rep Doug Lamborn read from a Defense Intelligence Agency report suggesting North Korea is able to arm longrange missiles with nuclear warheads. The April 11 disclosure, which had been mistakenly declassified, came at the height of Kim Jong Un’s sabre-rattling rhetoric and raised fears that US territory or Asian nations could be targeted for an attack. Within hours, Clapper announced that the DIA report did not reflect the opinions of the rest of the intelligence community, and that North Korea was not yet fully capable of launching a nuclear-armed missile. Two weeks later, the White House announced that U.S. intelligence concluded that Syrian President Bashar Assad has probably used deadly chemical weapons at least twice in his country’s fierce civil war. But White House officials said the intelligence wasn’t strong enough to justify sending significant US military support to Syrian rebels who are fighting Assad’s regime. Because the US has few sources to provide first-hand information in Syria, the intelligence agencies split on how confident they were that Assad had deployed chemical weapons. The best they could do was concluded that the Syrian regime, at least, probably had undertaken such an effort. This put Obama in the awkward political position of having said the use of chemical weapons would cross a “red line” and have “enormous consequences,” but not moving on the news of chemical weapons use, when the occasion arose, because the intelligence was murky. Lamborn said he welcomes an internal intelligence community debate but is concerned that the North Korean threat was brushed aside. “If they want to argue among themselves, that’s fine,” said Lamborn, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. However, he also said, “We should be cautious when evaluating different opinions, and certainly give credence to the more sobering possibilities. ... When it comes to national security, I don’t think we want to have rose-colored glasses on, and sweep threats under the rug.” Current and former US intelligence officials say the vigorous internal debate was spawn from a single mistake about a threat - and an overly aggressive response. Congress demanded widespread intelligence reform after the Sept 11, 2001, terror attacks to fix a system where agencies hoarded threat information instead of routinely sharing it. The CIA generally was considered the nation’s top intelligence

agency, and its director was the president’s principal intelligence adviser. The system was still in place in 2002, when the White House was weighing whether to invade Iraq. Intelligence officials widely - and wrongly - believed that then-dictator Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction. By December 2002, the White House had decided to invade and was trying to outline its reasoning for doing so when then-CIA Director George Tenet described it as “a slam-dunk case.” The consequences were disastrous. There were no WMDs, but the US wound up in a nearly nine-year war that killed nearly 5,000 American soldiers, left more than 117,000 Iraqis dead and cost taxpayers at least $767 billion. The war also damaged US credibility throughout the Mideast and, to a lesser extent, the world. Tenet later described his “slamdunk” comment as “the two dumbest words I ever said.” Two years later, Congress signed sweeping reforms requiring intelligence officials to make clear when the spy agencies don’t agree. Retired Amb. John Negroponte, who became the first US national intelligence director in 2005, said if it hadn’t been for the faulty WMD assessment “we wouldn’t have had intelligence reform.” “It was then, and only then that the real fire was lit under the movement for reform,” Negroponte said in a recent interview. “In some respects it was understandable, because Saddam had had all these things before, but we just allowed ourselves to fall into this erroneous judgment.” To prevent that from happening again, senior intelligence officials now encourage each of the spy agencies to debate information, and if they don’t agree, to object to their peers’ conclusions. Intelligence assessments spell out the view of the majority of the agencies, and highlight any opposing opinions in a process similar to a Supreme Court ruling with a majority and minority opinion. The result, officials say, is an intelligence community that makes assessments by majority vote instead of group-think, and where each agency is supposed to have an equal voice. In effect, officials say, the CIA has had to lean back over the last decade as officials have given greater credence to formerly marginalized agencies. Among them is the State Department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research, which warned before the 2003 Iraq invasion that the CIA had overestimated Saddam’s prospects to develop nuclear weapons. Also included is the DIA, which has increased its ability during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to gather ground-level intelligence throughout much of the Mideast and southwest Asia. In an interview, DIA director Lt Gen Michael Flynn would not discuss his agency’s debated assessment on North Korea, but described a typical intelligence community discussion about “ballistic missiles in namethat-country” during which officials weigh in on how confident they feel about the information they’re seeing. “In the intelligence community we should encourage, what I would call, good competition,” Flynn said. He added: “The DIA, in general, is always going to be a little bit more aggressive. ...As a defense community, we’re closer to the war-fighting commanders; it may be in that part of our DNA.” Without the all the varying strands of information pieced together from across the intelligence agencies, officials now say the bin Laden raid would not have happened. The CIA was running the manhunt, but the National Security Agency was contributing phone numbers and details from conversations it had intercepted in overseas wiretaps. The National Geospatial Intelligence Agency provided satellite imagery of the Abbottabad compound - from years past and more recently - to get a sense of who might be living there. And it produced photos for a tall man walking the ground inside the compound - even though they were never able to get a close look at his face. One of the compound’s balconies was blocked off by a wall, Cardillo said, raising questions about who might want his view obscured by such a tall barrier. Officials also were keeping tabs on the people who lived in the compound, and trying to track how often they went outside. Cardillo was vocal about his skepticism in each strand of new information he analyzed during the eight months he worked on the case. “I wasn’t trying to be negative for the sake of being negative,” Cardillo, a deputy national intelligence director who regularly briefs Obama, said in an interview Friday. “I felt, ‘Boy, we’ve got to press hard against each piece of evidence.’ Because, let’s face it, we wanted bin Laden to be there. And you can get into group-think pretty quick.” To prevent that from happening, officials encouraged wide debate. —AP

BALTIMORE: A fire that broke out aboard a Royal Caribbean ship did enough damage that the rest of the cruise was canceled and the company said the more than 2,200 passengers will be flown from the Bahamas back to Baltimore where the trip began. The fire that began at 2:50 am Monday was extinguished about two hours later with no injuries reported. A cause wasn’t immediately known. The Grandeur of the Seas, which left Baltimore on Friday, never lost power and was able to sail into port in Freeport, Bahamas, Monday afternoon. It had been planned to be a seven-night cruise. It was the latest trouble for Carnival Corp., whose Triumph ship was disabled by an engine room fire during a February cruise in the Gulf of Mexico. Thousands of passengers endured cold food, unsanitary conditions and power outages while the ship was towed to Mobile, Alabama. It remained there for repairs until early May when it headed back to sea under its own power. Royal Caribbean said on its website and through social media that executives met with passengers from the Grandeur of the Seas in port and that the cruise line is arranging flights for all 2,224 guests on Tuesday. It said passengers will receive a full refund of their fare and a certificate for a future cruise. Aboard ship early Monday, the captain announced that passengers needed to go to their muster stations, rousing Mark J. Ormesher from his stateroom. Ormesher said in an email to The Associated Press that immediately after the announcement, his room attendant knocked on the door and told him and his girlfriend to grab their flota-

tion devices. The attendant said it wasn’t a drill. Ormesher, a native of England, who lives in Manassas, Virginia, said he and his girlfriend smelled acrid smoke as they went to their muster station, the ship’s casino. The crew quickly provided instructions. “This encouraged calm amongst the passengers,” he said. Passengers were required to remain at their stations

for four hours, he said, and the captain “provided us as much information as we needed to stay safe.” Ormesher, who is 25 and making his first cruise, said the air conditioner had been shut off, and as the hours passed and the ship got hot, bottled water was distributed. The crew and passengers remained calm, and helped those who needed it. Crying babies were given for-

FREEPORT: The fire-damaged exterior of Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas cruise ship is seen while docked in Freeport, Grand Bahama island. — AP

mula and held while their parents used the bathrooms. In Freeport, Bahamas, passenger Andrea Sanders of Washington, DC, said she slept on the deck with hundreds of other passengers as smoke billowed out of the stern of the ship. “I was terrified with it being my first cruise,” Sanders told The Freeport News as she ate lunch in port. Royal Caribbean said all guests and 796 crew were safe and accounted for. Royal Caribbean spokeswoman Cynthia Martinez said in an email that the company was arranging 11 different charter flights for passengers. Photos show a substantial area of the stern burned on several decks of the ship the length of about three football fields. The company in a statement on its website said it is “deeply sorry for this unexpected development in our guests’ vacation. We understand that this may have been a very stressful time for them. We appreciate their patience and cooperation in dealing with this unfortunate situation.” On the Grandeur, after passengers were allowed to leave their stations, Ormesher said he saw water on the outside of deck 5 and in the hallways. The mooring lines were destroyed he said; crew members brought new lines from storage. The damage at the rear of the ship “looks bad,” Ormesher said; burned out equipment was visible. The ship will stay docked in Freeport at least overnight. The National Transportation Safety Board said in a tweet that it will join the US Coast Guard in investigating the fire. Martinez said in a news release that a cruise set aboard the Grandeur of the Seas for May 31 has been canceled so the ship can be repaired.—AP

Venezuela’s President accuses CNN of seeking to foment coup CARACAS: Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro on Monday accused US-based news network CNN en Espanol of working to promote a coup d’etat as part of a wider media war against his socialist government. “CNN en Espanol is a network controlled by those seeking destabilization, which openly urges people to carry out a coup d’etat in Venezuela, and which is delivering a distorted version of our nation’s political and social life,” Maduro said in an address carried on national television. The Spanish-language US network is part of a wider campaign of “brutal psychological warfare” led by the “fascist right-wing” seeking his government’s demise, Maduro said. “CNN en Espanol has become the spearhead for promot-

ing intervention against our nation,” Maduro warned, charging “it is broadcasting 24 hours a day not to tell what’s going on in the world but rather to make Venezuela look bad.” Maduro-who won a disputed presidential poll held last month following the death of leader Hugo Chavez-has been enraged by reports of splits within the ruling party leadership, maintaining that they are false. Last week he denounced a leaked audio recording that purports to show a power struggle among key followers of Chavez, who lost a long battle with cancer in March. In the recording, which has set off a sensation since it was made public by an opposition lawmaker, a well-known government newscaster is heard accusing National Assembly

speaker Diosdado Cabello of conspiring against Maduro. The newscaster, Mario Silva, dismissed the recording as a montage pieced together from his television show. He later announced he was suspending the show indefinitely for undisclosed health reasons. The recording purports to capture a conversation between Silva and Aramis Palacios, a Cuban intelligence chief, that purportedly was held days after Venezuela’s April 14 presidential election. Maduro was declared the winner by a narrow margin, but the results are being contested by opposition candidate Henrique Capriles, who says the election was stolen. Maduro was hand-picked by Chavez to succeed him, and Cabello has assumed the role of the loyal number two.— AFP

Americans honor fallen service members ATLANTA: Susan Jimison was 14 in the summer of 1969 when her older brother, Warrant Officer Mark Clotfelter, was shot down on a mission in Vietnam. He was later confirmed dead. Forty-four years later, she’s writing a book about her brother and his company. “It’s written as a letter to him,” she said. “The title is ‘Dear Mark.’” On Monday, as Americans across the country celebrated Memorial Day with parades, tributes and traditional observances, including President Barack Obama laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, Jimison helped christen a new veterans park in Atlanta. From a canteen used by a soldier in World War II, she poured onto the park grounds water collected from oceans and waterways significant to American military history. Retired Army Lt Col Rick Lester, who helped organize the event, said the water symbolized the tears shed by the families of soldiers, airmen, Marines and seamen slain over generations of conflict. Jimison joined others who sprinkled what Lester called reminders “of our country’s timeline of freedom.” At Arlington, as combat in Afghanistan approaches 12 years, Obama urged the nation to remember. “Let us not forget as we gather here today that our nation is still at war,” Obama said after laying the tradition wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. “When they give their lives, they are still being laid to rest in cemeteries in quiet corners across our country, including here in Arlington,” he

said. He told the stories of three soldiers who had died. Each had been devoted to their mission and were praised by others for saving lives. In Atlanta, sprinkled at the park grounds was dirt from the banks of the Delaware River, where General George Washington crossed during the Revolutionary War. Soil came from Germany and France for the Great War now known as World War I. For its successor a generation later came water from Pearl Harbor, sand from the beaches of Normandy, dirt from the island of Iwo Jima. Chunks of earth came from Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. Even pieces of the Berlin Wall for those who served throughout the Cold War. There was none from the Civil War, Lester, said, because “that was a time that our country was divided.” Before they were sprinkled, the soil samples were mixed in a helmet Lester’s father wore on DDay in France during World War II. It was sprinkled from metal cups his uncle, a Marine, used throughout the same war. His father survived. His uncle did not. The importance of the military refrain “never forget” seared into his mind, he said, as a child, as he watched his uncle’s fellow Marines visit his grandmother. A pilot in Vietnam, he recalled in detail the numbers of men lost from missions he flew. “All I can think about is how those were some of the greatest guys I ever met and what they would have done for this country once they got back,” he said. For Jimison, Monday’s commemoration was a

ARLINGTON: Visitors to Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery gather around President Barack Obama (center) during his visit there on Memorial Day in Arlington, Va. Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans are buried in Section 60.— AP

far cry from how her family and friends handled her brother’s death when it happened. “Nobody talked about it,” she said, recalling how politically unpopular American involvement in Vietnam had become and how that affected how veterans and military families were viewed publicly. So it took many years before she learned much about her brother’s service. “My brother died doing what he loved doing,” she said. “He was a pilot, and he flew for his country.” At the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, about 20 bicyclists clustered around veteran and museum volunteer Tom Blakey. The paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division jumped at Normandy on D-Day - June 6, 1944 - and in May 1945 helped liberate the work camp at Wobbelin in northwest Germany. “Most of us wondered why we were there, killing people and being killed,” he said. “We didn’t do anything to deserve it. When we got to that camp and saw what was there, the lights came on.” The cycling group makes regular weekend training runs, and on Monday started a Memorial Day ride about seven miles away at the national cemetery in Chalmette, where the Battle of New Orleans - the last in the War of 1812 - was fought.In the nation’s heartland, a veterans park that usually would have been a spot for Memorial Day barbecues instead drew volunteers staffing a medical clinic and cleaning up debris in Moore, Okla. Homes east and west of the park were destroyed in last week’s tornado, and flying debris damaged park equipment and ripped out countless trees - some 50 feet high. Out West, once again aboard the historic USS Hornet, 83-year-old Dale Berven reflected on his tour of duty in Korea as a naval aviator as he took in the commemoration. As the bugle corps warmed up, Berven looked out from the now-decommissioned aircraft carrier docked in Alameda, across the bay from San Francisco, which ferried him around the world in a goodwill tour in 1954, the year after the Korean War ended. At just 23 years old, Berven said he flew dozens of sorties as a lieutenant junior grade with the 91st Fighter Squadron. “I was young and single, I had volunteered and I wanted to do that type of work,” said Berven, now a docent at the USS Hornet Museum. “That is how people are now. They’re not drafted, so you have 18-, 19-year olds who are giving up their lives for the freedom of this country. We ought to honor all those service men and women and not bring politics into it.” The holiday weekend also marked the traditional start of the US vacation season. AAA, one of the nation’s largest leisure travel agencies, expected 31.2 million Americans to hit the road over the weekend, virtually the same number as last year. Gas prices were about the same as last year, up 1 cent to a national average of $3.65 a gallon Friday.— AP

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

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

China graft buster orders staff to ditch VIP cards BEIJING: China’s top anti-corruption official has demanded his staffers ditch their VIP cards, commonly given out by Chinese businesses to grant access to discounts or exclusive services, state media said on Monday, as part of the country’s push to defeat graft. VIP cards in China can offer everything from cheap deals at massage parlors to free gifts in department stores and preferential seat-

ing at popular restaurants, and hence offer countless opportunities for abuse by corrupt officials and businesspeople. “Although membership cards are small (objects), they reflect big problems of working style,” the official Xinhua news agency cited Wang Qishan, head of the ruling Communist Party’s anti-corruption bureau, as saying at a meeting. Officials and employees working in disci-

plinary and supervisory departments should discard all their VIP cards by June 20 and follow this order “seriously and earnestly”, the report added. This campaign is a way for graftbusters to act by example for other party members by showing they have high standards, Wang said. “The demands of the campaign are not onerous, but they have to be followed and are totally

doable,” he added. “Men of honor need to show that they are honorable.” Since becoming Communist Party boss in November, and president in March, Xi Jinping has made battling pervasive corruption a top theme of his administration, warning the problem is so severe it could threaten the party’s survival. A major theme of that fight has been an austerity drive that has emptied top-

Myanmar powerful Wa rebels seek ‘own state’ United Wa State Army commands 30,000 troops MANGPAN: Myanmar’s most heavily-armed and powerful rebel group has said it is looking to carve out a legitimate state, as experts say it is flexing its muscles amid tense relations with the government. The United Wa State Army, which commands an estimated 30,000 troops, holds sway over a remote mountainous area on the northeast border with China that is believed to be awash with drugs and has long been aloof from central Myanmar control. Shielded from the reach of the previous junta by its close links to Beijing and formidable military might, observers say the group is using political openings under a new government to push for greater official acknowledgement. The Wa self-administered region consists of six townships in the rugged borderlands of Shan state, but UWSA spokesman Tone Sann told AFP that the current arrangement was “not enough”. “We want them to be acknowledged as a state,” he said on the sidelines of a religious ceremony in northern Shan that marked a rare public appearance for officials from the rebel group. The UWSA has upheld a ceasefire agreement with the government since 1989, one of the longest such deals in a country that has been riven by pockets of ethnic rebellion since independence in 1948. A raft of tentative new ceasefires have been inked by the new quasi-civilian government that replaced military rule two years ago as part of reforms that have raised hopes of greater federalism in a nation long gripped by junta insistence on unity and conformism. “The Wa have proven adept, in the past, at garnering the concessions they need,” Nicholas Farrelly of the Australian National University told AFP, adding that the group’s military, economic and political resources makes them a “force to reckon with”. “Moreover, given they run what often feels like an independent borderland fief, it is logical that the Wa leadership would be the first to test a new style of decentralisation.” Ethnic Wa make up about one percent of the Myanmar population, with about 800,000 people of various ethnic groups in the self-administered region, according to Tone Sann. He said the UWSA made an official request for their region to be upgraded to “Wa State” in talks with a government peace team this month, adding they received

assurances it would be considered in the country’s parliament. Myanmar has seven ethnic minority states and seven regions, mainly of the majority Burman ethnicity. Tone Sann said the Wa want their region to be recognized as a state to take advantage of regional development, as resource-rich

there have been heightened tensions between the UWSA and the military for two years, when the group was asked to join a so-called border guard force under the command of the Myanmar army. The Wa claim comes as the country’s military is locked in a deadly conflict with

rapid rearmament”-a claim denied by both Beijing and the Wa. Tone Sann said some aircraft had been bought as “samples” to put on display to the public. “These are not real ones and cannot be used. We just wanted to attract more people to visit our museum,” he said.

MANGPAN: Photo shows local ethnic Palaung women attending a religious ceremony by the ethnic Shan militia group in Mangpan in Myanmar’s northeastern Shan State. Ethnic Wa make up about one percent of the Myanmar population, with about 800,000 people of various ethnic groups in the self-administered region. —AFP and strategically located Myanmar looks to reap the rewards of ending decades of isolation. Sai Pao Nap, an upper house MP from the Wa Democratic Party said the group is also keen to deal directly with the central government, rather than the current arrangement of communicating through authorities in Shan state. “I do not think their demand to be a state can cause any complication,” said the politician, who is also a chairman of the parliament’s National Races Affairs Committee. But he added that

rebels in neighboring Kachin, where a 17year ceasefire collapsed soon after the new government came to power in 2011. Peace talks with the Kachin, which were set to continue yesterday, have stumbled at several hurdles and the unrest has continued amid suspicions that the army is determined to bring all the insurgents to heel once and for all. A recent report by analysts IHS Jane’s said the UWSA ceasefire was “fragile” and suggested the group had purchased armed helicopters from China as part “a program of

“It is not true that we bought helicopters from China,” he added, also rejecting persistent claims of widespread opium and methamphetamine production in Wa territory as “just accusations”. Farrelly said China was the “sponsor and facilitator of Wa success”, a situation that the Myanmar government may “resent” but would have little opportunity to counter. “It is a borderland defined by its entanglements and ambiguities, with the Chinese playing an inevitable role in what they consider their own backyard.” —AFP

Chinese defaces Egypt temple; sparks outcry BEIJING: A Chinese teenager who defaced an ancient temple in Egypt with graffiti has come under fire at home where his vandalism prompted public fretting about how to cultivate a good image overseas as more newly affluent Chinese travel abroad. The teen scratched “Ding Jinhao visited here” in Chinese on a temple wall in the ancient city Luxor, and the incident came to light when another Chinese tourist posted a photo of it on a popular microblog with the comment: “My saddest moment in Egypt. Ashamed and unable to show my face.” The photo quickly caught the attention of the Chinese public, attracting thousands of comments, and someone was able to identify the person responsible for the graffiti as 15year-old Ding Jinhao from the eastern city of Nanjing. Many criticized Ding’s act as an embarrassment to the country. “Why there are so many citizens who go abroad and humiliate us? How many generations will it take to change this kind of behavior?” Xuan Kejiong, a prominent journalist with Shanghai Television, wrote on his microblog. The sentiment was echoed by the mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party, the People’s Daily newspaper. “Nowadays, people in China no longer want for food and clothing, and even in the luxury shops abroad, there are advertisement posters in Chinese,” the paper wrote in a commentary. “But many people also feel as though their ‘hands are full but hearts are empty.’ In the process of modernization, how have the people come to lack modern manners and consciousness?” The outcry prompted Ding’s parents to publicly apologize. In an interview with a Nanjing newspaper, Ding’s father said “the child has committed a mistake and the main responsibility falls on the adults. It was because we did not supervise him well, and have not taught him well.” The soul searching comes as Chinese tourism overseas has seen an explosion in growth over the past decade, fueled by rising incomes and the relaxation of government restrictions on citizens’ ability to travel abroad. China has been the fastest-growing source of international tourists in the world for the past 10 years, the World Tourism Organization, a U.N. agency, said in April. The organization said the volume of international trips by Chinese tourists has grown from 10 million in

LUXOR: The Chinese words “Ding Jinhao visited here” is seen on bas-relief in the 3,500-year-old Luxor temple in Luxor, Egypt. A Chinese teenager who defaced the ancient temple in Egypt with graffiti has come under fire at home where his vandalism prompted public fretting about how to cultivate a good image overseas as more newly affluent Chinese travel abroad. —AP 2000 to 83 million in 2012 - accompanied by a nearly eightfold increase in spending. Last year, China surpassed Germany to become the largest spender in international tourism, with tourists’ expenditure amounting to a record $102 billion, the organization said. But Chinese travelers, many of whom join tour groups, are frequently criticized for rude behavior. Deputy Premier Wang Yang earlier this month during the passage of a tourism law urged Chinese travelers to mind their manners. “They make a racket in public places, carve words at scenic spots, cross the road when the light is red, spit, and do other uncivilized things,” Wang was quoted as saying. “This is detrimental to the image of the country’s people and leaves a bad impression.” Associated Press researcher Fu Ting contributed to this report from Shanghai. —AP

Singapore tightens rules on websites SINGAPORE: Singapore’s official media watchdog yesterday announced licensing rules for news websites, including the local Yahoo! portal, that will subject them to the same regulations as traditional media. From June 1, websites which have more than 50,000 unique visitors from Singapore every month and publish at least one local news article a week must obtain an annual license from the Media Development Authority (MDA). Websites granted a license will have to remove “prohibited content” such as articles that undermine “racial or religious harmony” within 24 hours of being notified by the authority, the MDA said in a

statement. “This will place them on a more consistent regulatory framework with traditional news platforms which are already individually licensed,” it said. Yahoo! has gained popularity as an alternative news and opinion source in Singapore, where the mainstream media is widely perceived as progovernment. It has also become a magnet for strident anti-government and anti-foreigner comments posted by readers in reaction to some news stories. The MDA said it expected “no change in content standards” since websites must already comply with content restrictions under current regulations. —AFP

end restaurants and dented the sale of expensive food and drink, as the party tries to allay criticism of the extravagant lifestyles of some officials. However, there has been little apparent progress to get officials to publicly disclose their assets, and the party has given no indication it will allow the establishment of a fully independent judicial body to tackle corruption. —Reuters

News

in brief

Armenia troops kill Azerbaijani soldier BAKU: Armenian forces have killed an Azerbaijani soldier in the latest outbreak of border violence over the disputed Nagorny Karabakh region, the defense ministry in Baku said yesterday. Soldier Namig Hamidov died on his way to hospital Monday after been heavily wounded as a result of a “ceasefire violation” by Armenian forces in the Tartar district on the volatile frontline, the ministr y said. Armeniabacked separatists seized Nagorny Karabakh from Azerbaijan in a 1990s war that killed 30,000 people. Despite years of negotiations since a 1994 ceasefire, the two sides have still not signed a peace deal. Azerbaijan has threatened to take back the disputed region by force if negotiations do not yield results, while Armenia has vowed to retaliate against any military action. North Korea building world-class ski resort SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has inspected work on a “world class” ski resort being built as rival South Korea prepares to host the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, state media reported. Kim visited the construction site on Masik hill in the northeast of the country on Monday, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. The resort, which could be operational by the end of the year, will boast 110 kilometers of multi-level ski runs, a hotel, heliport and cable cars, KCNA said. During his inspection, Kim said it was the firm determination of the ruling Workers’ Party “to build the skiing ground into a world class one” and he urged workers to complete construction by the next winter season. Praising the site chosen for the resort, the Swiss-educated Kim said it would be “more fantastic to see the ground covered with snow”, KCNA reported. The South Korean resort of Pyeongchang will host the 2018 Winter Olympics, and there has been speculation that the South and North might attempt to field a unified team. The two nations marched together at the Summer Games in Sydney in 2000 and Athens in 2004. 7 dead in landslide PACHUCA: A landslide in central Mexico smothered a road with rocks, mud and trees, killing seven people driving on the motorway, police said. Sunday’s accident happened in the central state of Hidalgo when part of a hill slid down onto the road, Federal Police said. A local resident in the nearby town of Tepeji del Rio had warned via Twitter that the land above the road looked unstable. Hidalgo governor Jose Francisco Olvera said the deaths could have been avoided. But he added that assessing the state of the hill when the warning was received would have been difficult due to the torrential hailstorm. However, highway officials said the warning tweet had been acted upon but had turned out to be inaccurate. Earlier Sunday 16 people died in another highway accident in Hidalgo when a bus ran into a wall. Outspoken Japanese mayor cancels US trip TOKYO: The outspoken mayor of Japan’s Osaka city said yesterday he had cancelled a trip to the United States after sparking a furor by saying “comfort women” played a “necessary” wartime role. Toru Hashimoto, the joint leader of the national Japan Restoration Party, had been set to visit San Francisco and New York to meet local politicians and businessmen starting from June 10. But yesterday he told reporters the trip was off. “Travelling to the United States under the present circumstances will not bring any merit and will cause difficulties for local people,” he said. Hashimoto prompted outrage at home and abroad by suggesting battle-stressed soldiers needed the services of up to 200,000 sex slaves from Korea, China, the Philippines and elsewhere who were forcibly drafted into Japanese brothels during World War II. The US denounced his remarks as “outrageous and offensive”, while countries across Asia responded similarly and many at home sought to distance themselves from the comments. Seeking to contain the fallout from his remarks, the lawyer-turnedpolitician said Monday Tokyo should apologize to former comfort women for past wrongdoing. But he still insisted that Japan’s wartime soldiers were not unique in brutalizing women.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

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

Colombia peace still distant despite a first deal BOGOTA: A land reform deal reached by Colombia’s government and leftist FARC rebels marked a major step forward in their peace talks, but they still face a long slog to end Latin America’s oldest conflict. The land dispute was among the thorniest issues being negotiated between the administration of President Juan Manuel Santos and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, whose rebellion began as a peasant insurrection in 1964. After six months of negotiations in Cuba, which is facilitating the talks along with Norway, the two sides announced late Sunday a deal on “land access and use” and the “regularization of property.” Land distribution is an old and extreme source of tension in Colombia, where one percent of the population holds half of the rural land. Santos released some details Monday night, saying the agreement would involve “comprehensive rural reform” based on four pillars.

He said these are distributing land to peasants who have none or not enough, via a “major land fund”; special development programs for areas most affected by the inequality; nationwide plans to improve health, education, housing and other services in rural areas; and food and nutritional security for rural people via greater food production. The agreement won praise. “It is a very important message for Colombians. Previous discussions with the FARC never went this far,” Alejo Vargas, political expert at National University of Bogota, told AFP, stressing that the agrarian dispute was the “most complicated” issue of the conflict. The government’s three previous attempts at peace talks in the past 30 years never achieved such a result and ultimately failed. In 1984, the rivals managed to agree on a ceasefire, but it ended three years late after a wave of assassinations of elected officials close to the FARC. Vargas

said the land reform deal will create “some trust between the delegation” and has given the two sides a “way of working that works.”The fact that an agreement emerged on anything in the negotiations proves that communist Cuba was the right location for the talks, he said. “It’s been very useful. Cuba offers security guarantees and allows the delegations to work in peace. This wouldn’t have been possible if journalists and cameras were present every day to ask about the progress,” Vargas said. The international community and the United Nations welcomed the agreement, while Santos described it as a “fundamental step” towards a full agreement to end a conflict that has left 600,000 people dead and 15,000 missing. The handshake between government negotiator Franck Pearl and senior FARC member Pablo Catatumbo in Havana became a symbol of hope. The rebel

leader even made the surprising suggesting that he would favor Santos winning reelection next year in order to “give continuity to the peace process.” But the negotiations are taking place without a ceasefire and they still face many obstacles, including whether the rebels can avoid jail before returning to civilian life, the FARC’s role in drug trafficking, disarmament and compensation for victims. “We must be prudent and realistic because tougher questions that are even more divisive will come up,” Javier Ciurlizza, regional director of the International Crisis Group, a non-governmental organization specialized in conflict resolution, told AFP. “The path is still full of thorns and rocks,” he said. Implementing the land deal could prove tricky in the first place since legislation is needed to modify property rules. “It’s an enormous challenge because Colombia historically has had a deficit when it comes to agricultural property reg-

istries,” Ciurlizza said. The complex conflict once included far-right paramilitary militias that were created by wealthy landowners in the 1980s to combat the guerrillas and which officially demobilized in 2006. Almost four million Colombians have been driven from their homes in the past five decades and the government has launched a plan to return two million hectares of land that was seized and another four million that was abandoned. Ciurlizza said the redistribution of land will face “very important interests,” while major investments will be needed to make it succeed.”You need universal access to rural credit and techniques for these lands to be productive,” he said. “This will require a lot of time and money.” The peace talks resume June 11. The next issues on the agenda include getting the rebels involved in politics, the drug trade, disarming the guerrillas and reparations to victims of the war. —AFP

‘Tragedy’ Pakistan has nukes but no power Gunmen kill female polio worker In Venezuela, the voice of dissent lowering volume CARACAS: Venezuela’s only TV channel that has been openly critical of the socialist government was in turmoil Monday after a popular talk show host was fired and the opposition’s leader said he was being denied live coverage. Changes in Globovision’s editorial line had been expected after new owners took over the broadcaster earlier this month and signaled they would tone down the channel’s confrontational stance. But there had been no sign of a sharp deviation from Globovision’s anti-government line until Henrique Capriles, who emerged as the chief political rival to the dying President Hugo Chavez last year, said Sunday that the channel no longer allowed live broadcasts of his speeches. Prior to this year’s presidential election, which Capriles narrowly lost to Chavez’s hand-picked successor, Nicolas Maduro, Globovision often carried live speeches by the opposition leader that were ignored by state media. Another sign of the editorial shift came Monday when Francisco “Kico” Bautista, a popular talk show host, said he was fired for questioning Globovision’s new leadership. “This is a country of dreams and it deserves a government and a democracy that is better than what we have,” Bautista said at a news conference. “It cannot be that what you dream of is the life that we have, where there’s not even toilet paper,” he said, referring to chronic shortages of basic necessities. Globovision did not immediately answer a request for comment, though its legal consultant, Ricardo Antela, tweeted Monday that he would advocate preserving an editorial line “independent of the government and other interest groups.” Antela also said he would attempt to fight for “the rights of citizens to receive truthful and opportune information, and opinions, without censorship.” Raimundo Urrechaga, an information ministry official, did not respond to an email seeking comment on Capriles’ allegation that Globovision’s new owners were pressured by authorities to prohibit the broadcast of his live speeches. Critics lashed out at the channel on social media and wondered whether it would fire other editorial staff members who criticize the

government. Globovision’s Twitter account, one of Venezuela’s most popular, was losing 10,000 followers by the hour Monday. Tinedo Guia, president of Venezuela’s largest journalists association, said he asked for a meeting with Globovision’s new owners to find out “first-hand what editorial line they want to pursue.” A major change would mean “that democracy is finished in Venezuela, that everything will go down one single road ... The government can impose its editorial line on all stations, besides those it controls,” Guia said. Press freedom activists had criticized Chavez, who died in March, of taking restrictive measures to gradually weaken the country’s private news media. Concerns have mounted over more tightening under Maduro. Little is known about the political affiliation of the Venezuelan businessmen who bought a majority stake in Globovision earlier this month, Juan Domingo Cordero, Raul Gorrin and Gustavo Perdomo. In a series of tweets, Capriles said they are linked to the government, calling them “enchufados” - people with political connections. Capriles routinely uses the term in a denigrating way against the representatives of officialdom in Venezuela. After a meeting with Maduro last week, Cordero said Globovision would remain a news channel, but would also work to reduce conflict and promote peace in Venezuela. “We will transmit the news, exclusively the news, and telling the truth,” he said. Signaling a less confrontational stance against the government, he said: “You know the reasons why Globovision didn’t come to this palace (under the previous owners). That’s not going to happen again with Globovision.” A website dedicated to Cordero describes him as a “brilliant economist” who was a board member on the Caracas Stock Exchange and the board of trade in the state of Miranda. It says he also served on a commission the Central Bank established “to integrate the activities of the stock market in the metropolitan area.” The site says Cordero took over the Seguros La Vitalicia insurance company with partners Gorrin and Perdomo in 2008. —AP

23 missing after boat flips on Borneo river KUALA LUMPUR: Twenty-three people are missing in remote Borneo island after a boat overloaded with holidaymakers heading home for a festival capsized yesterday in treacherous rapids on a jungle river, Malaysian police said. The accident occurred on Malaysia’s longest river, the Rajang, which flows from deep in the rugged interior of Borneo in the state of Sarawak. Sarawak police chief Acryl Sani Abdullah said 181 people had been rescued, but 23 were still unaccounted for after the accident Tuesday morning. The boat was supposed to carry a maximum 74 passengers. “So far no bodies have yet been found until 6 pm this evening when we stopped the operation because there is no light anymore. We will resume our operation tomorrow,” he told AFP. The overturned boat remains in the river and there are fears that some people may have been trapped inside. Acryl Sani said some may have been swept downstream and managed to climb ashore. The accident happened near the town of Belaga, deep in the wild and sparsely populated interior of Sarawak, one of two Malaysian states located on Borneo. Rom Kulleh, an aide to a local Belaga politician, told AFP by phone that he saw the overturned and mostly submerged boat in the river while flying over the area in a helicopter. “The boat was stuck in the water. It was upside down,” he said, adding that some of those rescued were plucked from the water by passengers aboard other boats plying the river. Most passengers

were believed to be heading home for the coming weekend’s Gawai festival, a major cultural and religious observance for indigenous Borneo tribes that triggers heavy travel in Sarawak. Officials have said the boat, which set off at the Bakun dam, was heading downstream and was believed to have struck a rock while navigating one of many rapids on the 560-km waterway. Sarawak is Malaysia’s largest state by area but also one of its least developed. Gawai is one of the most important festivals celebrated each year by Borneo’s dozens of indigenous tribes and other ethnic groups, with thousands travelling to meet family and friends for the occasion. Boat operators often come under intense pressure from travellers demanding to be allowed on board so they can reach their destinations in time for the festival, said Belaga police chief Bakar Anak Sebau. “The operators are sometimes threatened with assault if they refuse to ferry passengers,” he said. Many members of the indigenous tribal groups who predominate in Sarawak still live in traditional wooden longhouses in the jungle, where fast-flowing rivers are the quickest mode of travel. Thirteen people died in the last major boat accident in Sarawak two years ago. Indigenous groups, typically Christian or animist, make up about half of Sarawak’s 2.4 million people, in contrast to far more developed and populous mainland Malaysia, where Muslim ethnic Malays are the majority group. —AFP

LAHORE: Pakistan’s incoming Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said yesterday it was a “tragedy” that a country with a nuclear arsenal was crippled by chronic electricity shortages. Years of mismanagement, underinvestment and corruption in the power sector have led to blackouts of up to 20 hours a day in the blistering heat of summer, when temperatures reach up to 50 Celsius. Sharif vowed to build new power plants to tackle the problem, which acts as a huge drag on the economy-shaving up to four percent of GDP, according to the Planning Commission. But he warned there would be no quick fix. In a speech marking the 15th anniversary of Pakistan’s first successful nuclear weapons test, Sharif-who was prime minister at the time-said it was shameful that the country struggled so badly just to keep the lights on. “It’s a tragedy that a country with atomic weapons is deprived of electricity and has no electricity for even 20 hours a day. How can a country develop in such a situation?” he said. The hated power cuts, known euphemistically as “loadshedding”, were arguably the single biggest voter complaint in the runup to the May 11 general election, which Sharif’s party won-a far bigger daily concern than Taleban violence. Violent protests over power cuts erupt every summer. On Monday thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, pelting police with stones. Wealthy steel magnate Sharif said his government would build more dams to exploit Pakistan’s huge hydroelectric potential, as well as more coalfired power stations, and would seek help from allies China and Turkey. He said foreign firms setting up power projects would be allowed to repatriate profits, but warned against expectations of a swift end to the crisis. “Please do not expect that we will solve this energy problems in days,” he told an audience in the eastern city of Lahore. “We will try our best and will use all our resources to solve this problem but you will have to show patience. I cannot give you an exact timeframe but I will struggle and will do my best.” POLIO WORKER SLAIN In another development, gunmen shot dead a female polio worker and wounded another in Pakistan’s northwest yesterday, the latest attack against people involved in efforts to eradicate the crippling disease from this violence-torn country. The attacks have made it harder for Pakistan to join the vast majority of nations declared polio-free, and yesterday, government officials were debating whether to suspend the UN-backed vaccination campaign in the northwest. No group has claimed responsibility for the latest killings, but some Pakistani militants have alleged in the past that the polio workers are US spies and that the vaccine makes people sterile. Reinforcing those suspicions was the disclosure that the CIA used a Pakistani doctor to run a hepatitis vaccination campaign to try to get blood samples from Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden’s family before US commandos killed him there in May 2011. The two women were attacked yesterday in

Kaggawala village on the outskirts of the main nor thwest city of Peshawar, police officer Mushtaq Khan said. Senior police official Shafiullah Khan said two attackers on foot fired a pistol at the women. He said police have started a search operation. Health, municipal and other officials in the nor thwest KhyberPakhtunkhwa province met yesterday evening to discuss whether to suspend the vaccinations, according to a provincial government official who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter with reporters. The World Health Organization, the UN agency that oversees much of the polio vaccina-

tion work in Pakistan, condemned the attack. It said it was in touch with Pakistani officials in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa as they discussed what to do next. Dr Nima Saeed Abid, acting WHO country head for Pakistan, said the safety of his polio workers, many of whom are women, was paramount. “I hope the government will provide them with the requested security for the health workers,” he said. “And after careful assessment, they should resume their activities.” Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari blasted what he called a “cowardly” attack, and resolved that “the government will not permit militants to deprive our children of basic health care.” —Agencies

LAHORE: Pakistan’s incoming Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif speaks during a ceremony in Lahore, marking the 15th anniversary of Pakistan’s first successful nuclear weapons test. —AFP

PESHAWAR: Pakistani paramedics move the body of a female polio health worker to a hospital following an attack by gunmen in Peshawar yesterday. —AFP

India rules out talks with Maoists rebels

NEW DELHI: Indian United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government Chairperson and Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi (left) and Congress Party Vice President Rahul Gandhi (center) arrive to pay tribute to congress leaders and persons killed in a Maoist attack in Chhatisgarh state, during a ceremony at Congress Party Headquarter in New Delhi. —AFP

NEW DELHI: The Indian government yesterday ruled out peace talks with Maoist rebels who killed 24 people in a daring attack over the weekend in an eastern state. Indian Junior Home Minister RPN Singh said the government had offered to hold talks with the insurgents in the past, but no one came forward. The Maoists instead demanded that the government first withdraw thousands of paramilitary soldiers deployed to fight the rebels in a number of states. “The time for talking is over,” Singh told the CNN-IBN television news channel. “I think that’s how we need to review the situation.” India’s Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh described the rebels as terrorists. “They are spreading fear, terror,” Ramesh said in an interview with New Delhi Television news channel. The rebels, known as Naxalites, have been fighting the central government for more than four decades, demanding land and jobs for tenant farmers and the poor. Since 2005, more than 6,000 people including civilians, security troops and the rebels themselves - have died in Maoist violence across the country, according to data compiled by the Institute for Conflict Management. Singh’s comments came as thousands of troops searched for the attackers in the densely forested stronghold of the Maoist rebels in Chhattisgarh state. The ambush on Saturday came despite claims by the government that it has greatly weakened the guerrilla insurgency it termed the nation’s greatest internal security threat. The Maoist attack targeted Congress party politicians returning from an election campaign event with the indigenous tribal community in a rebel stronghold. Four

state leaders of the Congress party and eight police officers were among the 24 people killed. The other victims were party supporters. The state leaders included Mahendra Karma, a Congress official who founded the much-criticized Salwa Judum militia to combat the rebels. The Salwa Judum had to be reined in after it was accused of atrocities against the tribal people it claimed to be protecting. The BBC said it received a note late Monday from the rebels saying they carried out the attack to protest the government’s “anti-people policies.” The BBC said the rebels apologized for the deaths of some innocent people in the attack. Also yesterday, Indian Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh called for a “very tough security and police action in the areas highly affected” by the insurgency. He said the government’s focus was on development in insurgency-hit areas and addressing problems tribal people face, particularly relating to land acquisition. The rebels have ambushed police, destroyed government offices and abducted government officials. They have blown up train tracks, attacked prisons to free their comrades and stolen weapons from police and paramilitary warehouses. The insurgency began in 1967 as a network of leftwing ideologues and young recruits in the village of Naxalbari outside Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal state. The Naxalites are now estimated to have 30,000 fighters and have pledged to violently overthrow the Indian government. They control vast swaths of the so-called Red Belt in central and eastern India, where troops and officials rarely venture. The rebels are thought to operate in 20 of India’s 28 states. —AP

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

ANALYSIS

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Issues

Europe’s austerity to growth shift largely semantic By Paul Taylor o listen to some European leaders, especially in France, you would think the era of austerity was over and the euro zone was going full steam ahead to revive economic growth. In a striking change of tone, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said last month that austerity - the policy of cutting public debt by reducing spending and raising taxes - had reached the limits of public acceptance. In reality, the shift is more in words than deeds. The rhetoric has changed but there has been no policy Uturn. To be sure, the European Commission is granting governments more time to reduce their budget deficits to EU limits, chiefly because recession had made those targets unattainable. Euro zone states have a breathing space because bond markets have ceased to panic since the European Central Bank said last year it would act decisively if necessary to preserve the euro. The EU emphasis is now on reducing “structural deficits” - an elastic measure meant to take account of the economic cycle - and on reforming labour markets and pension systems, opening up more sectors to competition and easing business regulation to improve countries’ growth potential. Small initiatives are in the works, amid great political fanfare, to combat the scourge of mass youth unemployment which threatens southern Europe with a lost and alienated generation. The ECB is exploring ways to ease lending to smaller businesses in the hardest-hit peripheral countries of the euro zone. But while it is keeping the liquidity taps to banks open, it has no intention of following the US, British and Japanese central banks into massive money printing to try to spur growth. “It is not that we are letting austerity policies go,” said Carsten Brzeski, European economist at ING in Brussels. “It’s only about the pace of adjustment and a shift towards structural reforms to avoid ending up in a downward spiral of austerity.” While the ECB could perhaps do a bit more to increase the supply of credit to business in depressed southern Europe, the main inhibitor to investment there was the lack of demand, for which there was no easy solution, he said. EU policymakers and central bankers say highly indebted countries will have no alternative for several years to curbing public spending and shrinking the state, however politically unpalatable that may be. “Growth is the key to getting out of the crisis, we all agree on that,” German Bundesbank chief Jens Weidmann, the ECB’s leading hawk, said in a speech to French businessmen last week. “But renouncing budget consolidation will not bring us closer to that objective.” Barroso’s April 22 recognition of the political limits of austerity recalled his predecessor Romano Prodi’s 2002 comment that the EU’s budget rules were “stupid” because they were too rigid. “While I think this policy is fundamentally right, I think it has reached its limits,” Barroso said. “A policy to be successful not only has to be properly designed, it has to have the minimum of political and social support.” To some, that sounded a bit like the pope questioning the existence of God. It prompted gleeful “austerity is over” headlines in countries such as Ireland that have endured harsh cuts, and irritated several European governments. In Brussels, a senior official in regular contact with national leaders said Barroso had “miscommunicated” and there was no alternative to austerity, even if the word was avoided. “The idea that there will now be deficit spending, that the age of austerity is finished, is misleading,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of his position. “On the margins, we can postpone budget consolidation by a year, or by two years, but it’s not really the answer. The answer is growth, and that is only going to come through structural reform and improved productivity.” German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has used Berlin’s financial clout since the start of the crisis to press for fiscal discipline, made clear that austerity and growth were not opposites and that budget savings must continue. In a veiled criticism of close ally France, which has so far raised revenue rather than cut public spending to narrow its budget gap, Berlin says governments should avoid increasing the tax burden because that harms growth. Two events in the economics profession have sapped the theoretical case for so-called front-loaded austerity - making drastic public spending cuts at the start of an economic adjustment program. First IMF chief economist Olivier Blanchard acknowledged that cutting government spending may have had a bigger impact than previously calculated on reducing economic output. Then US economists found flaws in data underpinning the influential theory of Harvard economists Kenneth Rogoff and Carmen Reinhardt that public debt above 90 percent of GDP stunts growth. That leaves the economics of austerity murkier today than when the euro zone debt crisis struck in 2010, while the politics just keep getting harder.—Reuters

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France and Britain roll dice on Syria By Luke Baker ritain and France claimed victory yesterday with an EU decision to let them supply arms to Syrian rebels but it brings many risks and was cast by other diplomats and regional experts as a “miscalculation”. Shortly after midnight, after more than 12 hours of negotiation, the EU’s 27 member states failed to agree on how to renew their Syrian arms embargo. That means the restrictions expire as of June 1, allowing EU states to export arms if they want, although only Britain and France are inclined to do so. It is the most fundamental internal disagreement over foreign policy the European Union has had since the Iraq war 10 years ago and casts doubt on efforts to carve out a common stance that would help bind its members more closely together. But more immediately, it has raised questions about what impact Britain and France - the EU’s leading military powers - can expect to have on the ground in Syria, what it means for a negotiated peace and whether it begins a slippery slope towards far deeper involvement in the world’s most combustible region. British Foreign Secretary William Hague described Tuesday’s outcome as “the right decision”, even though the overwhelming majority of EU nations, led by Austria, opposed not only the lifting of the arms embargo but also any notable easing of it. A French official highlighted the confrontational tone, saying Vienna would not be allowed to “dictate Europe’s foreign policy”. By holding to their position, Paris and London made any consensus impossible, forcing the embargo’s collapse. Diplomats and EU officials were surprised by how unbending the two proved to be, describing the mood in the negotiating room as downcast and the result as a “bad day for Europe”. Italy’s foreign minister, Emma Bonino, called the outcome “inglorious” and laid the blame in part on EU foreign

policy chief Catherine Ashton. The Briton, whose role is to represent a common diplomatic approach by the Union, had offered states many options but no one proposal they could back, Bonino said. Some analysts described a far wider fallout, worrying that the decision will scupper what little chance there was of success at US- and Russian-sponsored peace talks in Geneva next month, and will invigorate the flow of arms to President Bashar Al-Assad from his Russian and Iranian allies. “I would call it a serious miscalculation,” Daniel Levy, the head of the Middle East and North Africa programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations in London, said of the Franco-British push that dismantled the EU arms embargo. “The risk is that escalation begets escalation,” he said, setting out the likelihood that Russia will ramp up its own arms supplies to Assad with weapons that come with far less oversight or restriction than any arms the EU may supply to the rebels. “There’s a strong chance that things will be made worse, and then there’s the risk of mission creep, especially when the Syrian opposition are very clear that that’s what they’re after, that they want more Western skin in the game.” France and Britain say they have taken no decisions yet on supplying arms, saying they first want to see what comes of the Geneva talks. But they also emphasised on Tuesday that they now have legal authority to send weapons to Assad’s opponents if they want, which they hope will pressure him to negotiate. “Our focus in the coming weeks is the Geneva conference,” said Hague. “What this is doing is sending that signal loud and clear to the regime and ... being very clear about the flexibility that we have if it refuses to negotiate.” Yet some analysts see that calculus as faulty. If the EU had decided to extend its arms embargo ahead of the Geneva talks, it might have called upon Russia to follow suit, de-escalating an arms race inside Syria and giving more scope for negotiation. Instead, the opposite is

happening, with weapons now set to bolster either side on the battlefield while the political track faces many obstacles. Russia’s foreign minister accused the EU of undermining the Geneva peace efforts. Coming in a week that has seen Moscow supply more missiles to Damascus and a declaration by Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia that it stands with Assad, the EU dropping its arms embargo has ended up looking much more warlike than pacific. “The EU decision to allow members their own discretion - within limits - of arming the Syrian rebels is the third shoe to drop in a week that will be considered the full internationalisation of the Syrian war,” said George Lopez, a professor of peace studies at the University of Notre Dame. There may be further pitfalls for Britain and France, too. If the Geneva talks fail - and many diplomats fear they will - then the two allies, who worked closely together to help Libya’s rebels, will have little choice but to show they can follow through on commitments in Syria too. The rebels will expect it. London and Paris say they would supply arms to “moderate” factions only, which means careful monitoring on the ground by European observers. The last thing Prime Minister David Cameron or President Francois Hollande want are headlines revealing that British arms have ended up in the hands of Al-Qaeda. They also face strict limits on the type of weaponry they can send since longstanding EU law proscribes the export of any equipment, whoever the recipient, that would “provoke or prolong armed conflicts or aggravate existing tensions”. Bound by those rules, there is little chance Britain or France could match the arms Russia or Iran might supply. That is one reason why Israel, still in a cold war with Damascus but also wary of the rebels, opposes weapons being sent to either. “At the end of the day, Britain and France are playing bluff in a game of poker,” said Levy of the European Council on Foreign Relations. “But they’ve got a transparent hand.”—Reuters

A nation of co-existing, conflicted values By Liz Sidoti he Obama administration kills four US citizens in counterterrorism drone strikes overseas. It helps pay for the New York Police Department’s controversial surveillance program against Muslim Americans. It says a journalist seeking national security information may have been a criminal “coconspirator.” All this as it wages the war on terrorism at certain, perhaps necessary, costs to our rights. This president offers no apologies. “Americans are deeply ambivalent about war, but having fought for our independence, we know a price must be paid for freedom,” Barack Obama said last week. Even so, he added, “Our commitment to constitutional principles has weathered every war, and every war has come to an end.” Every American president has faced the same central questions: What is the appropriate relationship between security and liberty? When should the scales tip one way or the other? We have never found a universal answer, which says as much about the enormous challenge our elected leaders accept as it does about who we are and what we value. Presidents often do what they insist needs to be done to protect their people - and gamble that they’ll be forgiven for the inevitable erosion of rights. Congress and the public typically fall in line, particularly in the post-9/11 world. And the nation moves on until the next situation flares. In general, both presidents and their people inherently believe in America’s ability to remain true to its identity and not let others define it, as long as it abides by the country’s founding principles. The trouble, or perhaps the gift, is that the framers of our Constitution made sure to include leeway in the ability for leaders to tip the security-vs.-liberty scales when the situation demands. Benjamin Wittes, a fellow at the Brookings Institution, is among those who don’t believe

in an exact balance even though a lot of political rhetoric suggests each value carries equal weight. “Presidential actions to ensure the security of the country do have implications in both directions for people’s liberty,” Wittes says. “Most things that make you more secure, make you more free. And most things that make you less secure, also make you less free.” This debate inevitably intensifies in wartime. During 1798 and following the French Revolution, John Adams, the second president, signed into law the Alien and Sedition Acts. That move gave him powers to restrict speech critical of the government and, without a hearing, detain or deport immigrants considered dangerous to the US. In 1862, as the Civil War raged, Abraham Lincoln wanted to deter people from helping the Confederacy. So he suspended the Writ of Habeas Corpus, which ensures prisoners their rights to appear before a judge. He also said Southern sympathizers disrupting Union activities would be subject to martial law. Just weeks after the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D Roosevelt created a censoring operation and allowed the government to use private census information to round up Japanese-Americans in internment camps - authority granted by Congress’ passage of the first and second War Powers Acts. And in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, President George W Bush - with overwhelmingly bipartisan support on Capitol Hill and throughout the terror-stricken nation signed into law the USA Patriot Act. It loosened restrictions on wiretapping, searches and seizures. It also quickly became controversial. Backers argued that the government needed sweeping powers to root out terrorists; critics claimed civil liberties were needlessly restricted. Obama inherited the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and many of Bush’s policies. Some, like torture and secret prisons, Obama reject-

ed. But he largely kept intact the Patriot Act, signing a four-year extension in 2011. Both the Bush and Obama administrations have said America is in a war with no foreseeable end. What does that mean for the tension between safety and rights? Outlining the next phase of America’s posture against terrorism, Obama last week said some of the policies “compromised our basic values” while others “raised difficult questions about the balance that we strike between our interests in security and our values of privacy.” A day after his administration acknowledged that it had killed four American citizens abroad in drone strikes since 2009, Obama said, “For the record, I do not believe it would be constitutional for the government to target and kill any US citizen - with a drone, or with a shotgun - without due process.” Yet, he also said citizenship should not “serve as a shield” when a US citizen goes abroad to actively plot to kill Americans. Left unsaid: According to the government, three of the four killed were not specific targets. Obama also talked about the need to review law-enforcement powers to ensure the government can intercept new types of communication while also protecting against privacy abuses. He didn’t mention that large federal anti-terrorism grants have gone to the New York Police Department, and that a White House anti-drug program helped pay for some surveillance equipment used in the controversial - and, some Muslims say, unconstitutional - targeting by the NYPD of entire Muslim neighborhoods. At the same time, the president referenced multiple investigations into the unauthorized disclosure of classified national security information to journalists, saying both that some information must be kept secret and the tenets of a free press should be upheld. “Journalists should not be at legal risk for doing their jobs,” Obama added. He made those comments as his administration took

bipartisan heat over the Justice Department’s secret seizure of Associated Press journalists’ phone records and following the disclosure by The Washington Post that the FBI, in court documents, said a Fox News journalist, whose records it also took, had broken the law, “at the very least, either as an aider, abettor and/or co-conspirator.” After Obama’s speech, Republicans complained that he generally wasn’t taking the security challenges seriously enough, while the American Civil Liberties Union suggested that he had much further to go to ensure rights are protected. Of course, neither complete safety nor absolute freedom is ever truly plausible. Nor would a nation want either; that could produce unforeseen, even more consequential, problems. So, like most presidents, Obama straddled the issues. “He aligned himself rhetorically with critics of his administration as much as he could while not backing off his administration’s ability to do the things it needs to do and that is a difficult dance,” Wittes says. “He really identifies with the conscientious objectors to his policies even as he pursues those policies and in some senses defends those policies.” That could be precisely what the founders wanted presidents to do - be mindful of both sides, while tipping toward security when necessary. After all, they set up a system with perpetual tension baked into the responsibilities of government: Keep us safe and keep us free, or - depending on your philosophy - keep us free and keep us safe. Or maybe they were even more calculated. Maybe the framers thought that by ensuring a continual debate between security and freedom, they would ensure that Americans would always need to discuss who we are at our core, and let those principles guide us as we monitor our leaders, regardless of who might be living in the White House at any particular moment. If that was their intent, it’s still working today. — AP

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

A student stands inside the installation “Dots Obsessions” by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama at the “Obsessions” exhibition held at the Japanese Foundation centre in Hanoi yesterday. The exhibition is part of celebrations of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Year 2013. — AFP

Baby rescued from toilet pipe in China Continued from Page 1 Firefighters and doctors spent nearly an hour taking the tube apart piece by piece with pliers and saws and finally recovered the newborn, whose placenta was still attached, the reports said. From the time he was found until when he was taken out, the baby was stuck in the tube for two to three hours, according to the policeman. “The woman was on the scene during the entire rescue process... and admitted (she was the mother) when we asked her,” he said, adding they were still looking for the boy’s father. “We need further investigations to find out if she had any malicious intentions” before deciding whether the young mother would be charged, he added. The 2.3-kg boy suffered some cuts to his face and limbs and was put in an incubator at the hospital, according to earlier reports - which alleged the newborn had been deliberately dumped down the toilet. According to the officer his condition had improved. “The baby is very healthy now and can be released from the hospital,” he said. But the mother was in a serious condition due to complications from the delivery, he

added. Despites the oﬀers to adopt the child - named Baby No. 59 from the number of his hospital incubator a doctor at the hospital said the boy would be handed over to social services if his parents do not claim him, Zhejiang News said. The incident triggered hundreds of thousands of comments on China’s hugely popular weibos, services similar to Twitter, with users astonished by the circumstances and expressing good wishes for the baby. “What? A baby was dropped in a toilet pipe? It goes beyond my imagination,” said a user with the pseudonym Long Live Little D. Another user, If-Free, said watching the rescue left her distraught. “Seeing the little one wriggling and groaning as the pipe was torn apart bit by bit wrings my heart... You’ve lived through the hardest moment in your life and your future will definitely be smooth,” she wrote. “The parents who did this have hearts even filthier than that sewage pipe,” wrote another user. Chinese babies born out of wedlock are sometimes abandoned because of social and financial pressures. The country’s one-child policy can also mean heavy fines for couples who have more than one baby. — Agencies

Assembly refers interior minister grilling... Continued from Page 1 In another development, MPs strongly criticized former oil minister Hani Hussein who resigned to avoid questioning over the payment of a $2.2 billion penalty to US’ Dow Chemical. Lawmakers also criticized the massive changes Hussein undertook in the oil sector just

days before quitting his post, saying the decisions are illegal and must be stopped. MP Khaled AlAdwah said Hussein must be referred to the ministers’ trial tribunal to tr y him for the payment which he described as an “all-time robbery”. MP Yacoub Al-Sane said he will ﬁle a criminal lawsuit against

Hussein and other oil officials who were involved in the payment of the fine. MP Saadoun Hammad said the massive reshuffle in the oil sector is illegal and the minister should not have done it when he knew he was leaving. MPs called on Finance Minister Mustafa Al-Shamali, who is also acting oil minister, to suspend the oil appointments.

French victim of MERS dies Continued from Page 1 Another man in France, who shared a hospital room with him for three days, was later found to have the virus, a cousin of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) that sparked a health scare around the world in 2003. The virus, which until now has been known as the novel coronavirus, or nCoV-EMC, was redubbed the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, or MERS. The other man, who is in his 50s, has been in hospital in the northern city of Lille since May 9. Hospital authorities said in a statement that both men had been placed in isolated rooms and that “all human and material means had been deployed to treat” the dead man. The second man “was in a serious but stable condition,” it said. Both patients were given cardiac and respiratory support oxygen, which is administered to patients whose hearts and lungs are so severely diseased or damaged that they cease working, the statement added. French Health Minister Marisol Touraine expressed sadness over the death, adding: “Authorities remain on alert but ... there is no new situation in our country regarding the epidemic.” Like SARS, the virus appears to cause an infection deep in the lungs, with patients suffering from a temperature, cough and breathing difficulties, but it differs from SARS in that it also causes rapid kidney failure. Meanwhile, the Saudi health ministry said yesterday it has recorded five new cases of MERS in the east of the oil-rich kingdom. It identified those affected as elderly

people aged between 73 and 85 who had been grappling with chronic illnesses. Saudi Arabia counts by far the most cases of the new virus, with more than 30 confirmed infections and 18 fatalities. Cases have also been detected in Jordan, Qatar, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, and Britain. SARS erupted in east Asia 10 years ago, leaping to humans from animal hosts and eventually killing some 800 people. Like SARS, the new virus appears to cause an infection deep in the lungs, with patients suffering from a temperature, cough and breathing difficulty, but it differs from SARS in that it also causes rapid kidney failure. Scientists at the Erasmus medical centre in Rotterdam have pointed to bats as a natural source for the virus. Bats were also pinpointed as a likely natural reservoir for SARS in a 2005 study, and are known carriers of the deadly haemorrhagic fever Ebola. The WHO said Friday that much uncertainty remained surrounding MERS, stressing that it aimed to work closely with Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and perhaps other Middle Eastern countries to determine how great the risk is. Professor Ian Jones, a virologist from the University of Reading, sought to play down fears of infection. “Apart from the unusual circumstances of very close containment with already hospitalised persons, it does not seem to transfer among people,” he said. “As a result, the overall risk remains very low and the most pressing need is to identify where the virus is coming from so that these occasional infections can be prevented.” — Agencies

KNPC in $516m deal with Korean Daelim KUWAIT: Kuwait National Petroleum Co said yesterday it has signed a $516 million contract with South Korean Daelim Industrial for the repair and expansion of sulphur processing facilities at the state’s largest reﬁnery of Mina AlAhmadi. Daelim will undertake all processes from design, engineering, and construction to test run, besides installing new equipment that includes large tanks for liqueﬁed sulphur, KNPC spokesman Mohammad Al-Ajmi said in a statement. The contract also includes modernising the sulphur plat-

form and navigation systems at Mina Al-Ahmadi, the main crude oil exporting terminal in Kuwait, Ajmi said. Daelim said on its website that when completed in 2015, the project will raise Kuwait’s annual sulphur output from 850,000 tonnes to two million tonnes. OPEC member Kuwait has three reﬁneries with a daily production capacity of around 930,000 barrels a day, almost half of which comes from Mina Al-Ahmadi. The state has already initiated building of a new state-of-the-art reﬁnery with an output capacity of 615,000 bpd at a cost of around $14 billion. — AFP

China ‘steals’ plans of US weapons, Aussie... Continued from Page 1 California next week. White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters yesterday cyber security will feature in the leaders’ talks. The list of weapons programs affected were outlined in an undisclosed, secret section of a previously released report by the Defense Science Board. The designs hacked included the advanced Patriot missile system; a US Army system for shooting down ballistic missiles and the Navy’s Aegis ballistic missile defense system. The cyber spying also targeted designs for combat aircraft and ships, including the stealthy new F-35 fighter, the F/A-18 warplane, the V-22 tilt-rotor Osprey, the Black Hawk helicopter and the Navy’s new Littoral Combat Ship. A public version of the report disclosed in January had warned the United States was ill-prepared in the case of a full-scale cyber war. The Pentagon said yesterday the department had “growing concerns” about cyber espionage. The spying posed “a global threat to economic and national security from persistent cyber intrusions aimed at the theft of intellectual property, trade secrets and commercial data, which threatens the competitive edge of US businesses like those in the Defense Industrial Base,” it said in a statement. If the report is accurate, “it means the US military is less effective and the Chinese military is more effective,” said James Lewis, a cybersecurity expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “It tilts the balance.” Lewis, a former US government official, said it was not clear when these breaches took place, but noted that “people did wake up to this issue in the last couple of years and made it harder.” But he said that “between 1999 and 2009 it was an open door for Chinese (cyber) espionage.” The weapons programs affected are built by major defense contractors including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Northrop Grumman. Lockheed Martin said in a statement that it “has made significant investments in countering cyber security threats and we remain confident in the integrity of our robust, multilayered information systems security.” Separately, Chinese hackers have stolen top-secret blueprints of Australia’s new intelligence agency headquarters, a report said yesterday, but Foreign Minister Bob Carr insisted ties with Beijing would not be hurt. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation said the documents taken in the cyber hit included cable layouts for the huge building’s security and communications systems, its floor plan and its server locations. Carr said the government was “very alive” to the threat of cyber attacks on national security, adding that “nothing that is

being speculated about takes us by surprise”. But he refused to confirm or deny any cyber attack, or whether China was behind one, saying he wouldn’t comment “on whether the Chinese have done what is being alleged or not.” “I won’t comment on matters of intelligence and security for the obvious reason: we don’t want to share with the world and potential aggressors what we know about what they might be doing, and how they might be doing it.” For its part, China noted that it was “very difficult to find the origin of hacker attacks”, with foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei questioning “where the evidence is for the relevant media to make such reports.” “China pays high attention to the cyber security issue and is firmly opposed to all forms of hacker attacks,” Hong told reporters in Beijing. “Since the cyber security issue is a problem faced by the whole world, so we should have an even-tempered discussion on this issue and make joint efforts to maintain a peaceful, secure, open and cooperative cyberspace. Groundless accusations will not help solve this issue.” While Australia has a longstanding military alliance with the US, which has traded accusations with Beijing over cyber espionage, China is its key trade partner and the two countries have been forging closer ties. Carr insisted that the relationship would not be damaged by the allegations, which follow several other hacking attacks on government facilities in the past two years. “It’s got absolutely no implications for a strategic partnership,” he said. “We have enormous areas of cooperation with China.” Opposition politicians called for an independent inquiry into the “sorry saga” but Prime Minister Julia Gillard declined to comment on what she called “inaccurate” and “unsubstantiated reports”. The state broadcaster’s investigative program “Four Corners” said the cyber attack on a contractor linked to the new Canberra headquarters of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation was traced to a server in China. It cited security experts as saying the theft exposed the agency to being spied on, and may be the reason for a cost blowout and delays to the opening of the building, which was supposed to be operational last month. Des Ball, from the Australian National University’s Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, said the blueprints would show which rooms were likely to be used for sensitive conversations, and how to put devices into the walls. “Once you get those building plans you can start constructing your own wiring diagrams, where the linkages are through telephone connections, through wi-fi connections,” he was quoted as saying by ABC. — Agencies

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

S P ORTS

Lotus still backing Grosjean

High court suspends Ashraf

Everton target Martinez

LONDON: Lotus are backing Romain Grosjean to come good despite the Frenchman picking up a 10 place grid penalty for next week’s Canadian Grand Prix after crashing out of Sunday’s Monaco showcase race. Formula One stewards ruled that Grosjean, who was suspended for last year’s Italian Grand Prix after an accident, had caused the collision with Toro Rosso’s Australian Daniel Ricciardo and punished him strongly. “We will sit down with him and go through the weekend,” said team principal Eric Boullier. “It’s always the same story, especially in Monaco. “He had the pace, we could see it. It’s even more frustrating because of that.” Grosjean — whose team mate Kimi Raikkonen is second in the championship — crashed heavily in Thursday practice in Monaco and then did the same on Saturday morning, giving his mechanics a race against time to fix the car for qualifying. In qualifying, he complained bitterly that Ricciardo obstructed him and prevented him reaching the crucial final phase. “We just need to keep cooling him down and have a proper discussion back at the factory,” said Boullier. “He did a great job over the winter and fixed all the problems he had last year. But there is some frustration some time when he knows he can be fast. He just needs to build himself saying he is fast, and he can deliver some big results.”—Reuters

KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Zaka Ashraf was suspended by the Islamabad High Court yesterday over what it described as the “polluted” process to elect him to the post. The decision came after a petition filed by a former coach of the Pakistan Army team, Ahmed Nadeem, who said the board of governors which elected Ashraf was illegal as it had no representation from Punjab, the country’s largest province. “Since the election of Ashraf is illegal, we have also asked the court to order fresh elections,” advocate Faiz Ahmed, representing Nadeem, told Reuters. “But today it passed an order restraining him from working as PCB Chairman till the next hearing which is next week.” He read a portion of the order passed by Justice Shaukat Aziz which said: “The petitioner has a good arguable case in his favour as the entire process of the election of the PCB chairman appears to be motivated and polluted.” Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has also filed a petition against the elections in Sindh High Court. Ashraf was directly appointed chairman of the board in October 2011 by president Asif Zardari under the old constitution of the board. But under the new constitution, remodelled on more democratic lines as a result of an International Cricket Council directive, Ashraf was elected for a fouryear term on May 8 by the board of governors. —Reuters

LONDON: Roberto Martinez asked to leave Wigan Athletic yesterday having guided the club to FA Cup glory days before being relegated from the Premier League, with Everton already making contact about his signature. The Spaniard had been in charge since 2009, having previously helped turn Swansea City into one of Britain’s most attractive sides. Wigan pulled off a series of relegation escapes under Martinez while winning admirers for their attacking football and he turned down an approach from Aston Villa two years ago. The underdogs then managed a 1-0 FA Cup final triumph over Manchester City earlier this month to win their first major trophy but were relegated three days later after eight years in the top flight. “He wanted permission to move so I’ve given that. He has 12 months left on his contract, so whoever comes in for him must pay the remainder of his contract,” Wigan owner Dave Whelan told the BBC. “He feels he’s not the man to lead us into the Premier League. I’ve got to accept what he feels. He loves Wigan and the fans. We have to move on now and want applications for the job.” The 39-year-old Martinez is wanted by Everton, who have lost manager David Moyes to champions Manchester United after Alex Ferguson’s retirement. “I did tell Roberto before I spoke to him this morning that Everton chairman Bill Kenwright had rung me on Friday and asked for permission to speak to him,” Whelan added.—Reuters

Nationals thrash Phillies WASHINGTON: In a showdown of aces with disappointing records, Stephen Strasburg and Cole Hamels matched each other until the Washington Nationals scored five runs in the seventh inning of a 6-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday. Strasburg (3-5) allowed five hits in eight innings, walked none and struck out a season-high nine, giving up a run in the eighth on his first big league balk. Making his latest no-support start, Hamels (1-8) struck out six and allowed only three hits through six innings. Ryan Zimmerman’s infield single started a rally that included a pair of errors and Steve Lombardozzi’s two-run double. Hamels has lost five straight starts, has had only 20 runs of support scored all season when he’s been in the game and hasn’t pitched with a lead since April 7.

LOS ANGELES: Second baseman Mark Ellis No. 14 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws to first to complete a double play after forcing out Chris Nelson No. 8 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the ninth inning. —AFP

Angels roll over Royals KANSAS CITY: Josh Hamilton started the Angels’ comeback when he homered leading off the seventh inning, and Los Angeles beat the Kansas City Royals 5-2 Sunday for its eighth straight win. The Angels were unable to get into their dugout until about 90 minutes before the game because bees swarmed into it. A beekeeper was summoned to solve the problem. Jerome Williams (4-1) then allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings for the Angels, on their longest winning streak since taking eight straight from May 22-29 last year. Kansas City has lost nine of 10 and 16 of 20, dropping to 21-26. In only three of those 16 losses have the Royals scored more than three runs. Los Angeles trailed 2-0 before Hamilton homered on the first pitch of the seventh from Wade Davis (3-4), giving the former AL MVP home runs in consecutive games for only the third time since signing with the Angels during the offseason. RED SOX 6, INDIANS 5 In Boston, Jacoby Ellsbury hit a game-ending, two-run double on Joe Smith’s first pitch, capping a four-run, ninth-inning rally that lifted the Red Sox over the Indians. Boston won three of four against Cleveland, managed by Terry Francona in his first series back at Fenway Park since leaving the Red Sox after the 2011 season. Cleveland led 5-2 entering the ninth, when Chris Perez (2-1) walked Dustin Pedroia leading off. David Ortiz doubled, and Mike Napoli and Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit consecutive RBI groundouts. Walks to Jonny Gomes and Jose Iglesias around Stephen Drew’s single loaded the bases. Perez fell behind Ellsbury 2-1 in the count and left with an arm injury. Ellsbury then doubled to left-center. Craig Breslow (2-0) allowed one run and two hits in two innings. OAKLAND 6, HOUSTON 2 In Houston, Bartolo Colon struck out a seasonhigh nine in seven scoreless innings, and the Athletics won their ninth straight against the Astros this season. Oakland’s Nate Freiman, who was with the Astros in spring training as a Rule 5 selection, had a double and home run with three RBIs for the A’s. Dating to 2007, Oakland has won 11 straight against Houston, tied for the third longest winning streak against one team in A’s history. Colon (5-2) won his second straight start, scattering nine hits two day after turning 40. The Astros are 14-36 in their first year in the AL, their worst 50game start in club history. After leaving runners on third in two of the first three innings, Oakland sent nine batter to the plate in a five-run fourth against Dallas Keuchel (1-2). TIGERS 6, TWINS 1 In Detroit, Max Scherzer pitched six solid innings to remain undefeated this season, and Avisail Garcia broke the game open with a bases-loaded triple, leading the Tigers over the Twins. Scherzer, who retired his last 22 batters in a win at Cleveland on Tuesday, allowed a run and three hits Sunday in improving to 7-0. He struck out six and walked three. Torii Hunter homered for the Tigers, and Prince Fielder drove in a run with a fourth-inning double. Garcia, pinch-hitting in the sixth, cleared the bases

to make it 6-1. Mike Pelfrey (3-5) allowed five runs and five hits in 5 2-3 innings. He walked three and struck out five. Minnesota has lost 11 of 12. BLUE JAYS 6, ORIOLES 5 In Toronto, Munenori Kawasaki hit a game-ending two-run double in a four-run ninth inning, lifting the Blue Jays to a victory over the Orioles. Trailing 5-2 to begin the ninth against Orioles closer Jim Johnson (2-5), the Blue Jays got a leadoff double from Edwin Encarnacion, a single from Adam Lind and an RBI single by J.P. Arencibia. Brett Lawrie flied out and Anthony Gose walked to load the bases for Mark DeRosa, who made it 5-4 with a fielder’s choice. That brought up Kawasaki, who lined a double up the alley in left-center, scoring Arencibia and DeRosa from first with the winning run. The blown save was Johnson’s fourth of the season and fourth in five chances. Steve Delabar (4-1) got the win despite allowing Matt Wieters’ two-run double in the ninth. RAYS 8, YANKEES 3 In St. Petersburg, Alex Cobb took a three-hit shutout into the ninth inning and led the Rays to a win that extended CC Sabathia’s winless streak to five, one short of his career high. Cobb (6-2) lost his shutout bid when Brett Gardner homered leading off the ninth and he wound up allowing two runs and five hits in 8 1-3 innings with eight strikeouts. Sabathia (4-4) dropped to 0-2 with a 4.85 ERA since he beat Toronto on April 27. He allowed seven runs and seven hits in seven innings and is 10-11 in 31 starts against the Rays, including a 3-10 mark since joining the Yankees. His overall ERA is 3.96. Sabathia’s career-high streak for consecutive winless starts is six, from July 3-Aug. 1, 2002, and March 31-April 27, 2003, according to STATS. MARINERS 4, RANGERS 3 In Seattle, Jason Bay hit a two-out RBI single in the 13th inning, lifting the Mariners to a victory over Texas that snapped an eight-game skid. Bay came through after he was robbed of a game-winning homer in the 11, when David Murphy leaped above the fence in left-center field to catch Bay’s drive. Raul Ibanez tied it at 3 earlier in the 11th with a home run. AJ Pierzynski had given Texas a 3-2 lead in the top half with a pinch-hit RBI single off Oliver Perez. Yoervis Medina (1-0) worked out a jam in the top of the 13th. Michael Kirkman (0-1) was the loser. INTERLEAGUE WHITE SOX 5, MARLINS 3 In Chicago, Dayan Viciedo and Alex Rios each threw out a runner at the plate, and the White Sox beat Alex Sanabia and Marlins to sweep their weekend series. The White Sox have won five of six and nine of 12 to climb back to .500 for the first time since they were 4-4 on April 10. Dylan Axelrod (3-3) benefited from a two-run homer by Adam Dunn and a tiebreaking two-run double from Alejandro De Aza to pick up his third consecutive victory. Sanabia (3-7) pitched into the seventh inning against the Phillies to end a personal five-game losing streak. But he was unable to sustain that success against Chicago (24-24). —AP

CUBS 5, REDS 4 In Cincinnati, Alfonso Soriano hit a tying two-run homer in the eighth inning and Welington Castillo had a goahead double in the 10th, helping the Cubs rally from a four-run deficit in a win over the Reds that stopped a seasonhigh, six-game losing streak. Soriano singled in the seventh and scored Chicago’s first run off Johnny Cueto on Luis Valbuena’s two-out single. Anthony Rizzo hit an RBI double against Logan Ondrusek in the eighth - his third double in two games - and Soriano followed with his fifth homer of the season and first since May 13, a 394-foot drive to left-center. JJ Hoover (0-4) walked Scott Hairston with two outs in the 10th, and Castillo followed with his double into the leftfield corner. Kevin Gregg (1-0) pitched 1 1-3 hitless innings, stopping the Reds’ five-game winning streak. METS 4, BRAVES 2 In New York, Ike Davis busted out of his prolonged slump with a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning and the Mets rallied past the Braves to end an eightgame losing streak at home. Shaun Marcum struck out a careerhigh 12 and Lucas Duda homered for the Mets, who stopped Atlanta’s eightgame winning streak and avoided a three-game sweep. The Braves had won 15 of 18 against New York and five in a row at Citi Field. Pinch-hitter Justin Turner led off the eighth with a single against Cory Gearrin (1-1). David Wright struck out but Duda punched a ground-rule double to left and John Buck’s run-scoring single tied it at 2. Pinch-hitter Mike Baxter was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Davis, who pulled a two-run single through the right side for a 4-2 Mets lead. LaTroy Hawkins (1-0) worked a scoreless inning and Bobby Parnell struck out two in the ninth for his seventh save. It was a spirited and heartening win for the Mets heading into their Subway

run homer and Kyle Blanks also had two RBIs for the Padres.

Series against the crosstown-rival New York Yankees beginning Monday night.

Gallardo (3-5) labored through just four innings.

CARDINALS 5, DODGERS 3 In Los Angeles, Matt Carpenter drove in the go-ahead run with an infield single and Pete Kozma hit a three-run double against Clayton Kershaw, leading the Cardinals to a victory over the Dodgers. The Cardinals improved the major league’s best record to 32-17 and increased their NL Central lead over Cincinnati to 1 1/2 games. Seth Maness (4-1) got credit for the victory in relief of starter Shelby Miller despite retiring only two of the six batters he faced. Edward Mujica pitched a perfect ninth inning for his 14th save in 14 attempts. Kershaw (5-3) gave up four runs, seven hits and three walks in seven innings and struck out five as his ERA rose from 1.35 to 1.68.

PIRATES 5, BREWERS 4 In Milwaukee, Wandy Rodriguez won his fourth consecutive start, Pedro Alvarez had a two-run double and the Pirates built an early four-run lead before holding off the Brewers. The Pirates have won 13 of 15 and are a season high 12 games over .500 . Rodriguez (6-2) gave up three earned runs on seven hits in five innings to earn the victory. He struck out four and didn’t walk a batter. Jason Grilli pitched a scoreless ninth for his major leagueleading 20th save. Pittsburgh got to Milwaukee starter Yovani Gallardo for a run in the second on Jordy Mercer’s two-out triple, which scored Michael McKenry, who walked.

DIAMONDBACKS 6, PADRES 5 In Phoenix, Patrick Corbin worked six innings without his best stuff to become the first Arizona left-hander to start with eight straight wins, Martin Prado matched a career high with four hits and the Diamondbacks beat the Padres. Corbin allowed more than two runs for the first time this season, but helped himself with a run-scoring single in the fifth inning off Tommy Layne (0-1) to become the third Arizona pitcher to start a season 8-0. Eric Chavez homered for the second straight game, Prado drove in a run in the seventh inning after getting three hits the night before and Heath Bell worked a perfect ninth for his eighth save. Carlos Quentin hit a two-

GIANTS 7, ROCKIES 3 In San Francisco, Brandon Belt hit a tiebreaking, two-run double in the fifth inning to back a shaky outing by Matt Cain, and the Giants rallied past the Rockies. Buster Posey homered and Andres Torres added two hits and an RBI to help the Giants close a six-game homestand with consecutive wins. The defending World Series champions play 14 of their next 18 games on the road. Cain (4-2) matched his season high of five walks but allowed only two runs and two hits in five innings. In his first appearance at AT&T Park, Jon Garland (3-6) allowed five runs - two earned seven hits and four walks in five innings. —AP

BOSTON: Andrew Miller No. 30 of the Boston Red Sox pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the interleague game at Fenway Park. —AFP

MLB results/standings Baltimore 6, Washington 2; Detroit 6, Pittsburgh 5; Cincinnati 4, Cleveland 2; St. Louis 6, Kansas City 3; Minnesota 6, Milwaukee 3; Houston 3, Colorado 2 (12 innings); Tampa Bay 10, Miami 6; Arizona 5, Texas 3; Oakland 4, San Francisco 1; Seattle 9, San Diego 0; Toronto 9, Atlanta 3; Boston 9, Philadelphia 3; Chicago Cubs 7, Chicago White Sox 0; NY Mets 2, NY Yankees 1; LA Dodgers 8, LA Angels 7; Arizona 5, Texas 4.

Boston NY Yankees Baltimore Tampa Bay Toronto

American League Eastern Division W L 32 20 30 20 28 23 26 24 22 29

Central Division Detroit 29 20 Cleveland 27 23 Chicago White Sox 24 25 Kansas City 21 27 Minnesota 20 28

Texas Oakland LA Angels Seattle Houston

Western Division 32 20 29 23 23 28 22 29 15 36

PCT .615 .600 .549 .520 .431

.592 .540 .490 .438 .417

.615 .558 .451 .431 .294

GB 1 3.5 5 9.5

2.5 5 7.5 8.5

3 8.5 9.5 16.5

Atlanta Washington Philadelphia NY Mets Miami

National League Eastern Division 30 20 26 25 24 27 19 29 13 38

.600 .510 .471 .396 .255

4.5 6.5 10 17.5

St. Louis Cincinnati Pittsburgh Chicago Cubs Milwaukee

Central Division 33 17 32 19 31 20 20 30 19 30

.660 .627 .608 .400 .388

1.5 2.5 13 13.5

Arizona San Francisco Colorado San Diego LA Dodgers

Western Division 30 22 28 23 27 24 22 28 21 28

.577 .549 .529 .440 .429

1.5 2.5 7 7.5

Blackhawks avoid elimination CHICAGO: Jonathan Toews and Andrew Shaw scored power-play goals in the second period as the Chicago Blackhawks avoided elimination with a 4-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday in Game 5 of their second-round NHL playoff series. Shaw added his third career playoff goal in the third as the Blackhawks stopped the Red Wings’ three-game winning streak by creating chaos in front of Jimmy Howard, who had shut down Chicago’s attack while moving Detroit to the brink of the Western Conference finals. With the sellout crowd chanting “Ho-ward! Ho-ward!” in an attempt to shake him, the standout goalie made 41 saves in another solid performance. But the Blackhawks created enough quality chances that he simply couldn’t stop all of them. Bryan Bickell scored the first goal of the game and Corey Crawford had 25 stops for Chicago, which managed only two goals during its first threegame losing streak of the season. Daniel Cleary scored for the second straight game for Detroit, which will have another chance to close out the top-seeded Blackhawks in Game 6 on Monday night. That will be at home, too, where the Red Wings are 4-1 in this postseason. BRUINS 3, RANGERS 1 In Boston, Tuukka Rask stopped 28 shots and Gregory Campbell scored twice as Boston beat New York to advance to the Eastern Conference finals. The Bruins will face the Pittsburgh Penguins for the right to play for the Stanley Cup. Torey Krug scored his fourth goal of the series for Boston, which reached the third round of the NHL playoffs for the second time since 1992. The other time was 2011, when the Bruins won the sixth Stanley Cup in franchise history.

DETROIT: Michal Rozsival No. 32 of the Chicago Blackhawks tries to control the puck in front of Cory Emmerton No. 25 of the Detroit Red Wings in Game Six of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. —AFP Dan Girardi scored and Henrik Lundqvist made 29 Lundqvist was pulled for an extra skater. saves for the Rangers, who lost to New Jersey in last The Rangers fell behind 3-0 in the series before winning Game 4 on Thursday to avoid a sweep. They took an year’s East finals. Campbell broke a 1-1 tie in the second period, then early lead Saturday but couldn’t send the series back to added an empty-netter with 51 seconds left after New York for a sixth game. —AP

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

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8 sports bidding to make 2020 Olympics ST. PETERSBURG: Capsules of eight sports bidding for inclusion in the 2020 Olympics. The International Olympic Committee executive board today is expected to recommend a shortlist from which the full IOC membership should choose one sport in September: Baseball-Softball • Now united as the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) after IOC vote defeats in 2005 and ‘09. Then, both ran for inclusion as separate Olympic sports. • Bid proposes separate men’s baseball and women’s softball events of eight teams each, played as back-to-back six-day tournaments. • With 296 total athletes, would add substantially to the overall Summer Games quota compared to other bidding sports. • Both were last played at 2008 Beijing Games - having gained full medal status at the 1992 Barcelona Games (baseball) and 1996 Atlanta Games (softball). • Both were dropped from the 2012 program in a 2005 vote, then failed to be readmitted four years later when IOC members chose golf and seven-a-side rugby. • Baseball previously criticized for not delivering top players to the Olympics. Unlike the NHL’s concession to the Winter Games, MLB commissioner Bud Selig says the season won’t be stopped to free players for the Summer Games. • Officials promoting the bid include WBSC vice president Antonio Castro, son of former Cuban president Fidel Castro. Karate • Another third-time candidate after missing out in the 2005 and ‘09 IOC votes. • Originated in Japan and seeks to be the third combat martial art on the Olympic program after judo and taekwondo.

• Came very close in 2005 when, along with squash, just failed to get support from two-thirds of IOC members in the final round. Four years later, golf and seven-a-side rugby were voted on to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games program. • World Karate Federation (WKF) is leading a campaign called “The K is on the Way.” • First world championships held in 1970. WKF claims 10 million athletes in 185 countries. Roller Sports • Like karate and squad, roller sports is back for a third consecutive bid. • Bid presented by the International Roller Sports Federation (FIRS), and its Italian president Sabatino Aracu. • Olympic proposal features only inline skating speed races where athletes reach speeds up to 60 kph (37 mph). • Proposal is for 10 medal races, five each for men and women, over sprint and marathon distances from 300 meters to 15 kilometers. • World championships held since 1937, and featured athletes from more than 100 countries last year. • 17 nations won medals at 2012 worlds held in Italy. • Athletes Cecilia Baena of Colombia and Kalon Dobbin of New Zealand will help make the presentation to the IOC board. Sports Climbing • First-time bidder which proposes an event combining the three disciplines of speed climbing, lead climbing and bouldering. • Three disciplines, say bid supporters, together epitomize the Olympic motto: Faster, Higher, Stronger. • In lead climbing, competitors scale an artificial wall while secured by ropes as they

traverse the route. No ropes are used in bouldering. • Bid presented by 81-nation World Climbing Federation (IFSC), representing 25 million climbers worldwide, led by President Marco Scolaris of Italy. • Bid will stress appeal to youth with athletes aged 20 on average, and unique look claiming that it looks unlike any other Olympic sport. • A young sport with first world championships held in 1991. However, mountaineering was a discipline in the Military Patrol event at the inaugural Winter Olympics held in 1924 at Chamonix, France. • Presentation in St. Petersburg is exactly 60 years - May 29, 1953 - since Edmund Hillary of New Zealand led the first expedition to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Squash • Looked like the clear favorite until February when wrestling joined this contest after being dropped by the IOC board as a core sport in Olympic program. • Just missed Olympic status in 2005 and then in ‘09, when golf and seven-a-side rugby were voted on. • World Squash Federation created in 1967, represents 185 countries with all five continents having produced men’s and women’s world champions. • Women’s world number one Nicol David of Malaysia and men’s top-ranked player Ramy Ashour of Egypt will help present the bid to IOC board. • Proposals call for men’s and women’s tournaments, each of 32 players, played over five days. • Matches would be played in two glass courts, which could be set up in telegenic locations. • Modernized presentation by using video review for refereeing decisions, and showing

replays to spectators on giant screens. • Bid has been supported by tennis superstars Roger Federer, Andre Agassi and Kim Clijsters in bid to join their sport and badminton as the third racket sport at the Olympics. Wakeboarding • A first-time candidate hoping to profit from the IOC’s wish to appeal to young athletes and audiences. • Bid proposed by the International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation, founded in 1936 and now with almost 100 member countries. World championships held since 2000. • IWWF’s Swiss president Kuno Ritschard hopes to link wakeboarding to the success and appeal of snowboarding in the Winter Games since 1998. • Wakeboarding requires a specially built cablepark to host competitions over two or three days. • Just 60 athletes - 30 men, 30 women would be added to Summer Games quota. • Riders score up to a maximum of 100 performing tricks and jumps while pulled by cable on flatwater course. Seven judges give mark, athlete’s score is the average of middle five. Wrestling • Strong contender after the original Olympic sport was stunningly rejected in February. The IOC board had been predicted to drop modern pentathlon from the core program at the 2020 Summer Games. • Even the official IOC website acknowledges “with the possible exception of athletics, wrestling is recognized as the world’s oldest competitive sport.” • Governing body FILA reacted quickly to the IOC snub, which was seen as punishing complacent leadership as well as failings with

the freestyle and Greco-Roman disciplines. • Serbian official Nenad Lalovic has won praise as new FILA president, elected after Swiss predecessor Raphael Martinetti was ousted within days of the IOC’s rejection. • This month in Moscow, FILA members decided to modernize the sport by simplifying scoring, rewarding attacking tactics and increasing women’s medal classes if Olympic status is retained. • FILA campaign has brought the United States and Iran together to support wrestling. • Russian state president Vladimir Putin has supported the bid and is scheduled to meet with Olympic officials in St. Petersburg this week. • Presentation on Wednesday will include Jim Scherr, a former wrestler and one-time U.S. Olympic Committee CEO, and Canadian freestyle wrestler Carol Huynh, a medalist at past two Summer Games. Wushu • Another martial art, though wushu is proposing the noncombat artistic discipline for Olympic approval. • A likely outsider which would perhaps have a stronger chance going by its better known name of kung fu. • Wushu originated in China and retains its strong links there. The 119-nation International Wushu Federation (IWUF) was founded in China in 1990 and its president, Yu Zaiqing, is Chinese. • A wushu tournament was held in Beijing during the 2008 Summer Games to increase its visibility. • Bid proposes the technical form of wushu, known as taolu, in which athletes use swords and staffs to perform artistic moves. • Supporters compare wushu to gymnastics for its grace and artistic appeal, rather than contact martial arts such as karate, judo and taekwondo. —AP

Hamilton knows he needs to get his act together

Ali Al-Baghli giving the award to the best player

ABK felicitates ‘Best Player’ at Volleyball Championship KUWAIT: Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait is keenly involved in lending support to the youth of Kuwait, and has always taken an enthusiastic interest especially in their sport programs. In line with this ABK has, in several tournaments instated the ‘Best Player’ prize, in order to felicitate the best player of the tournament. Recently, ABK presented a cash prize to the best player at the Kazma vs AlSahel Sporting Clubs final game during the Volleyball Championship. Sultan Khalaf Mabrook from Kazma Sporting Club was

chosen as the best player. Ali Al Baghli, Assistant Manager, Public Relations stated, “We congratulate Sultan Khalaf, the winner in the Volleyball championship, whose display of talent and sportsmanship is exemplary!” He added, “ABK is eager to participate in several youth activities, with an emphasis on sport, under the Bank’s CSR banner “Our Society...Our Responsibility.” Activities under this are designed to engage in and support social initiatives at various levels and for different segments of society.

Lancaster hails young guns LONDON: England head coach Stuart Lancaster praised his exciting youngsters after they showcased their potential in an emphatic 40-12 rout of the Barbarians at Twickenham. Lancaster is now licking his lips at the prospect of letting the same collection of raw talent off the leash against Argentina in the coming weeks as the England squad prepare to fly out to South America today. Lancaster certainly hopes he has unearthed a few sparkling young diamonds in the likes of Freddie Burns, Marland Yarde, Kyle Eastmond and Christian Wade, who all scored tries in the crushing defeat of a disappointing Baa-Baa outfit on Sunday.

Freddie Burns The opposition may not have been up to the usual Baa-Baas standard, but England’s inexperienced team produced a thoroughly professional job. Billy Twelvetrees also crossed the line for England as they thrilled the 60,601 crowd and Lancaster had a broad smile as he said: “There were quite a few outstanding performances out there and I was delighted by the control and dominance of the overall performance. “It was a case of objective achieved with people coming in and pushing themselves forward for future chances in the team. “Marland scored a fantastic try and showed both his running skill and power plus his defensive qualities as well. “The fact he has good upper body strength gives

him an extra dimension to some wings. You can see his potential, as you can of some of the other young lads. “Christian took his try well and he’s such a hard runner to stop once he gets up a head of steam. Freddie’s kicking from hand and ground was excellent and he controlled the game well. It was a strong performance from him.” Burns, making the most of his chance at fly-half with Owen Farrell set to go with the British and Irish Lions to Australia and Toby Flood given the summer off to rest, was certainly impressive as he scored a try after just 39 seconds and kicked 13 more points. The Baa-Baas, coached by Dai Young, failed to sparkle in the first half and only briefly threatened to cross the England line as the home side dominated for most of the game. Yarde’s try was outstanding, the London Irish wing cutting through the Baa-Baas defence with ease, and the 21-year-old could give Lancaster a real selection headache for the November internationals if he impresses in Argentina. Former St Helen’s rugby league player Kyle Eastmond made an instant mark on his debut. Just a few minutes after coming on as a replacement, he cut in from the right flank and raced over the line. Wade darted over the line and Twelvetrees followed as England ran riot for over an hour. Veteran South African hooker Schalk Brits and London Wasps and England Saxons full-back Elliot Daly salvaged some late pride with tries but it was a day the BaaBaas will want to forget. Daly said: “The game didn’t go to plan but it was still a great honour to wear the famous Baa-Baas jersey. To score a try was a great experience as well, and something special. “We just could not match England in physicality or use the ball as well as they did.” Bath hooker Rob Webber, captaining England in place of the “rested” Chris Robshaw and unavailable Tom Wood, added: “It was an honour and privilege to lead the side out at Twickenham. But it certainly helps when you walk off having won and won well.” —AFP

LONDON: Lewis Hamilton is calm about what could happen to Mercedes if they are hauled before a Formula One tribunal to explain their secret tyre test, but he is worried about his own form. “I’m not concerned about it, that’s for the team to worry about,” the 2008 world champion said of his team’s apparent breaking of a ban on in-season testing by putting in 1,000 km with Pirelli in Spain. “I just have to focus on myself and try and get my shit together,” he told reporters after Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix. Hamilton started on the front row and finished fourth behind team mate Nico Rosberg who won from pole. It was the second race in a row the Briton had started in second place and failed to make the podium. In Spain — where he finished 12th — it was all about the tyres “dropping off” dramatically in performance, but in Monaco it was more about Hamilton. With Mercedes deciding to pit both drivers once the safety car had been deployed for the first time, Hamilton was told to keep a six-second gap to ensure a smooth stop without losing places. But he slowed down too much and slipped behind Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber. Hamilton apologised to the team for the loss of what might have been a one-two finish and vowed to work harder. “I don’t put it down to bad luck. I just wasn’t good enough over the weekend. The whole weekend has been a missed opportunity,” he said. “I’ve got lots to sort out on my side of the garage, and within myself, and I’ll take time to do that. I’m not quick enough, not on it enough, so I need to get on it.” After qualifying on what remains

one of his favourite tracks, Hamilton had shed more light on the problems he is having in his first season at Mercedes after what seemed like a lifetime at McLaren. While loving the freedom he has been given by his new team, and defending himself against critics ques-

“Actually, even in winter testing I was struggling,” he said. “The setup they have on the car in terms of brake cylinders and all this kind of thing, the steering wheel, it’s a lot different to what I obviously experienced before, where I was very comfortable. I’d been there for years so I

he had struggled to get heat into the tyres, it was a confidence thing. “It’s just a general feeling with me,” he explained. “It’s difficult to really explain it. I’ve just not been on it all weekend. “It’s not through not being focused, it’s not through not being

MONACO: Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton drives during the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix in this file photo. —AFP tioning a lifestyle that includes bringing his pet bulldog Roscoe to races, Hamilton recognised he was still adjusting to his new surroundings. Despite two podiums this season, the Briton said he had not felt fully comfortable in the car since the opening race in Australia.

Woods to play in Turkish Open ANTALYA: World number one Tiger Woods is to compete in the inaugural Turkish Open in Antalya in November, the European Tour said yesterday. The $7 million event at the Montgomerie Maxx Royal course in Belek will form part of the new Final Series on the Race to Dubai, Europe’s lucrative end-of-season equivalent of the U.S. Tour’s FedExCup competition. Fourteen-times major winner Woods also featured in last year’s unofficial World Golf Final in Turkey played at the nearby Antalya Golf Club. That invitational eight-man tournament was won by Justin Rose who claimed a first prize of $1.5 million after he defeated fellow Briton Lee Westwood by one stroke in the final. “I had a great time during my first visit to Turkey,” Woods said in a news release. “The fans who came to watch made it a really special event and I’m looking forward to playing there once again.” The Turkish Open is to be held from Nov. 7-10 and will have a 78-strong field. The European Tour’s inaugural Final Series also comprises two events in Shanghai, the $7 million BMW Masters from Oct. 24-27 and the $8.5 million WGC-Champions Tournament from Oct. 31-Nov 3. The series offers a combined prize fund of $30.5 million and ends with the $8 million DP World Tour Championship in Dubai from Nov. 14-17. —Reuters

Tiger Woods

was used to it, it was always the same. “That’s been the slight weakness for me this year. Even in the first few races, but particularly in the last couple, I’ve been pretty poor,” he said. Hamilton said the problem was less to do with the engineers and more for him to deal with. Although

centred. It’s just feeling comfortable in the car. At McLaren I had 100 percent confidence in the car ... particularly on this track where you need 100 percent confidence in the car beneath you. “It’s just that I’ve been struggling with getting that confidence.” —Reuters

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

S P ORTS

‘Mussell’ Russell still loving the old routine PARIS: For Michael Russell it was a familiar routine. The Houston-based 35-yearold had just been forced to retire from his first-round match at Roland Garros with a hamstring injury and was heading back to his hotel to begin patching up his body again. It has been like that for 15 years for a player whose nicknames include “Iron Mike” and “Mussell”. Russell is thankful he has played in an era graced by Pete Sampras, Roger

despite missing out on the chance to face Nadal in the second round. “Tennis is full of what-ifs, and whys,” the third oldest player in the men’s draw told Reuters. Injuries have been part and parcel of Russell’s life and he says he is lucky that his wife Lilly is a physiotherapist. It’s also fortunate that Russell’s first love is “working out”. “Hence the nickname. Even though my life is consumed in tennis when I get

Michael Russell Federer and Rafael Nadal yet, for the most part, his path has been far from the bright lights enjoyed by the sport’s elite. He has never got higher than 60th in the world and has reached only one ATP semi-final, but a graph of Russell’s ranking is a flat line nearly always inside the top 100 - where the money is made. At 1.73m, Russell is dwarfed by the giants who shred the felt off tennis balls these days, yet through hard graft and “hours each day icing and stretching” he continues to hold his own. Talking in the bowels of Philippe Chatrier Court, Russell remained upbeat after retiring against Martin Klizan,

an injury I get frustrated because I can’t work out. “I’ll start tonight, I’ve got special tools and machines that help me recover from injuries so I’ll be doing that tonight,” he said. “I’ll be fine in three or four days.” Russell’s greatest claim to fame is having match point against Gustavo Kuerten at Roland Garros in 2001. The Brazilian eventually won through and went on to take a third title. “Playing Guga was amazing,” he said. “To be that close to beating a player like that. I remember winning my opening service game and thinking at least I’m not losing 0-0-0.

“It was a high and a low moment, being so close. “Playing (Lleyton) Hewitt on centre in Australia in 2007 and taking him to five when I had just come back into the top 100 was pretty neat too. Being on that big stage again. “I’ve played in all the four big stadiums and not many players can say that. But facing Rafa at Wimbledon was probably my favourite moment. I lost 4, 2 and 2 but it was a fun match with lots of entertaining points and diving around.” While those moments are for the scrapbook, Russell’s bread and butter is making enough money to pay his way. “I love the competition and as long as I can stay in the top 100 and get in the tournaments I want, I can make money,” he said. “If I wasn’t in the top 100 then maybe it would be time to start doing something else. “I thought about quitting in 2012. My ranking was 130 or so, I was unhappy with my equipment, but then I got to the semis in Houston and three weeks later I was back in the top 100. “It’s not just the physical side of the tour, it’s the mental side with all the travelling - it’s like groundhog day.” Should he decide to step off the tennis treadmill, Russell is already primed for a new career after gaining a BA in business administration while globetrotting on the tour. “I remember at the Australian Open I played (Juan Martin) Del Potro, a threehour match that ended at 9.30 at night...then I had to come home and do a three-hour exam paper. Not many players have to deal with that.” “I got a 3.94 average too,” he adds bashfully. Clearly cut out for more than what he describes as the “me, me, me” world of tennis, Russell says he could have earned far more than the $1.9 million he has pocketed in prize money had he followed his brother’s path to Harvard. But it might not have been so much fun. “I think I’m smart enough to have worked my way up in the business world,” he said. “But I love the sport. And I will walk away knowing I gave it my all.” —Reuters

Photo of the day

Matthias Dandois performs during Red Bull Design Quest in Milan, Italy. —www.redbullcontentpool.com

The Andretti Curse lives on INDIANAPOLIS: Marco Andretti poked across the finish line, his family curse firmly intact at the Brickyard. Somehow, you just knew the Indianapolis 500 would end this way. While it was hard to complain about Tony Kanaan ending his own Indy heartache with a hugely popular win on Sunday, you had to feel for the thirdgeneration racer in the No. 25 car. Andretti wanted a chance to be there at the end, and that’s just what he got when the green flag waved with three laps to go on a fall-like day filled with more back-and-forth racing than we’ve ever seen around this place. The 26-year-old was running fourth and daringly swerved to the inside coming down the front straightaway, looking for a way to surge all the way to the front. It was a bold move. Too bold. The opening closed up quickly and Andretti wisely backed off, while Kanaan drove around Ryan HunterReay for the lead. Rookie Carlos Munoz went on past, too, to take the second spot. No problem. There were still about seven miles to go, still plenty of time for Andretti to make another move for the front. Only this is Indy, where the “Andretti Curse” reigns supreme. Marco never got another chance to challenge for the front. Back in the field, defending race winner Dario Franchitti slammed into the wall b effectively ending the race. Kanaan spent the final 2 laps on a victory parade, the yellow flag waving and no one able to pass. Andretti settled for fourth behind Kanaan, Munoz and Hunter-Reay. It was another gut-wrenching blow for a guy who gave a glimpse of just what this place means to him when he tweeted the day before the race: “I have never wanted something so badly. ... Let’s give it hell!” Andretti sure drove that way. He led 15 times for a total of 31 laps, more than anyone except for pole-sitter Ed Carpenter (37) and Kanaan (34). Watching from the pits, Mario Andretti really thought his grandson had what it took to end up in Victory Lane. “Of course,” Mario said. “I mean, this

is what we all strive for, and I know how badly he wants it as a driver. When you’re up front, you know you’re a legitimate contender. It’s just positioning, and I still thought we had a shot before the very last yellow because his car was fast enough that with any kind of break, he was a contender.” Contending at Indy? The Andrettis have that down pat. Winning the race? That’s an entirely different story. On pit road afterward, Marcob’s eyes were moist. He dabbed at his nose with a tissue. Sure, he’s now leading the IndyCar standings after five races, having finished no lower than seventh in any of

trying futilely to do it again. Even though he led a total of 556 laps over 29 starts “third-most behind four-time winner Al Unser and Ralph DePalma. “Andretti never got another taste of milk. Sadly, the most common words at Indy turned out to be, bMario is slowing down.” Then along came son Michael, a championship driver in his own right. Except at Indy, where he led in nine races for a total of 431 laps without ever winning the 500. No driver has come close to setting the pace for so many laps without actually finishing ahead of everyone else. Sometimes, Michael was

INDIANAPOLIS: Tony Kanaan, of Brazil, pumps his fist in front of Marco Andretti to celebrate after winning the Indianapolis 500 auto race in this file photo. —AP them. That’s not what drives him. Not at all. He wants his face on that BorgWarner Trophy. “Consistency is great, but Indy is a championship in itself,” he said. “It’s good to be leading the overall points, but it came down to the last couple of laps shootout. I think if it would have stayed green, we would have been in a prime position. But it’s the way the cards fell today.” Boy, does that sound familiar. Mario won the 500 in 1969 and spent the rest of his long, brilliant career

doomed by a mechanical failure beyond his control. Other times, he made an inexplicable mistake that cost him the race. Even though Michael has won twice as a car owner b with Franchitti and the late Dan Wheldon “it’s clear the family won’t be redeemed until one of their own gets back to that place where Mario stood 44 long years ago. Which brings us to Marco, who now carries that burden. Given his youth, he’s got plenty of time to reach the goal that’s been there

essentially since the day he was born. Much like his father and grandfather, he’s becoming quite an all-around driver, working hard during the offseason to improve his road racing skills, which is why he’s leading the standings after the first four races were held on road and street courses. But with each excruciating Indy setback, you have to wonder if he’ll start believing his family is truly jinxed. You have to wonder if he’ll ever reach his full potential. As a 19-year-old rookie in 2006, Marco was passed on the last straightaway by Sam Hornish Jr., losing by less than a half-second in the second-closest finish in Indy 500 history. The next year, the youngster was knocked out by a collision while contending for the lead late in the race. In 2008, he led 35 laps on the way to a third-place showing, and there was another third-place finish in 2010. Last year, Marco led a race-high 59 laps before striking the wall with 13 laps to go. Now, another close call. I mean, seriously, how does this keep happening to one family? The odds, it would seem, are totally irrelevant. In those closing laps Sunday, Andretti Autosport “Michael’s team” had three guys contending for the victory: Marco, Munoz and Hunter-Reay. Even if his son didn’t win it, Michael thought one of his other cars would surely bring it home. Silly man. ‘Unfortunately,’ Michael Andretti said, “the racing gods took control of it and didn’t allow that to happen. It would have been quite interesting, to be honest with you.” Through the pain, Marco tried to be magnanimous in defeat. He noted that Kanaan, his former teammate and a dozen years his senior, was a deserving winner after finishing second in 2004, third two other times, and coming into this year’s race having led 221 laps without winning” more than anyone except Michael Andretti and Rex Mays. “He’s been knocking on the door a little bit longer than me,” Marco said. “Good for him.” One curse lifted. Another lives on. For the Andretti family, it’s the same ol’ story. Wait “until next year.” —AP

Lance Armstrong

Nike cuts ties with Armstrong charity LOS ANGELES: Nike has ended its partnership with disgraced cycling champion Lance Armstrong’s anti-cancer charity Livestrong, the campaign group said yesterday. The Austin, Texas based Livestrong Foundation thanked the global sportswear giant Nike -which broke all ties with Armstrong himself last October-saying it had helped raise over $100 million for it since 2004. The Foundation “is deeply grateful to Nike not only for the time and resources it invested in helping us improve the lives of people affected by cancer.. but also the creative drive it brought to our nine-year partnership. “While the Foundation created and owns the Livestrong brand, Nike shone a spotlight on the spirit of courage and resilience it represents,” it said in a statement. The charity played down the potential impact on Livestrong, saying: “ This news will prompt some to jump to negative conclusions about the Foundation’s future. “We see things quite differently. We

expected and planned for changes like this and are therefore in a good position to adjust swiftly and move forward with our patient-focused work. “Because of our sound fiscal health, the Foundation is well-positioned to continue to grow our free ser vices for cancer patients and survivors that improve quality of life and access to care.” It added: “Because 14 million Americans face the daily challenges of living with cancer, our mission has never been more critical and for some, it will mean the difference between life and death.” Armstrong was an inspirational figure for millions after recovering from testicular cancer and then winning the world’s most celebrated cycling event, the Tour de France, seven times in a row. But the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) banned Armstrong and took away his titles last year after he chose not to fight the doping accusations. He admitted taking banned performance enhancing substances in an interview with US talk show host Oprah Winfrey in January.—AFP

Lions eye glory Down Under SYDNEY: Australia is billing the British and Irish Lions tour as “12 years in the making” but the 37 tourists know that if they return with a series win, their names will live on in rugby folklore for a lot longer than that. Some fine players have pulled on the famous red jersey and some great matches been played on the tours to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in the 16 years since Martin Johnson’s side beat the Springboks 2-1 in 1997. The latest aspirants to rugby greatness - 15 Welshmen, 10 Irishmen, nine Englishmen and three Scotsmen - arrived in Hong Kong on Tuesday for the first leg of the tour, which starts with a match against the Barbarians on Saturday.

Some will be injured, others will be destined for the midweek ‘dirt-trackers’ side but the two dozen or so who do make the test arena have a chance to join the immortals of 1971, 1974, 1989 and 1997 as winning Lions tourists in the modern era. “Until you win a series it’s difficult to place yourself in that elite group of great Lions players,” Irish centre Brian O’Driscoll told local media before embarking on his fourth attempt to win a tour. “It’s not enough to produce one-off performances or be nearly-men. You’ve got to win a series to be properly remembered.” Hoping O’Driscoll can achieve his goal will be

a horde of 30,000 red-shirted fans helping contribute to what the Australian Rugby Union estimates will be a $100 million boost to the local economy. Hard playing surfaces, sometimes hostile crowds and provincial players keen to make a name for themselves by “softening up” the tourists await the Lions in their six tour matches around Australia. Then there are the tests in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney against a Wallabies side with all the traditional attributes of Australian rugby with ball in hand but resolute in defence and with perhaps fewer weaknesses up front than teams past. Australia has only been deemed worthy of its

own tour since 1989, existing previously as a stopover on the visits to New Zealand with the Wallabies providing practise fodder for the Lions. The Australia side which lost 2-1 to the Lions on the 1989 tour, however, went on to become world champions two years later, while the Wallabies held the Webb Ellis Trophy when they came from behind to win the 2001 series 2-1. Both series were thrillingly close and Australia coach Robbie Deans is expecting a brutal battle without parallel in Six Nations, Rugby Championship or even World Cup. “It’s going to be vibrant like no test match you’ve ever seen,” Deans said last month. “The ante’s gone up. You look at the change in the

body shapes now since 2001. They were racing sardines and now the backs are built like the forwards were. “And then you bring the enthusiasm that will come with the teams and the context with the crowd and noise, it’s going to be a great spectacle.” The tour could be a defining moment for Deans with defeat likely to signal the end of his five-year reign as Wallabies coach. Deans has already lost David Pocock and 2001 series veteran George Smith, both openside flankers, to knee injuries, while one of his best backs, Kurtley Beale, continues his battle with his personal problems. —Reuters

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

SPORTS

Iraq footballers stumble as Baghdad rocked by bombs BAGHDAD: It was the 60-minute mark in Iraq’s football friendly against Liberia and fans in Baghdad were nervously hoping against hope that their national side would ward off defeat. Then explosions just a short distance from the stadium yanked their minds back to what is an all-too-familiar story in the violence-plagued city. Two car bombs went off about 20 minutes apart at used car dealerships in Habibiyah, both echoing through the stadium as Iraq battled to overcome a 1-0 deficit on Monday afternoon. The second, which sounded even closer than the first, sparked shouts from the thousands of spectators of “La ilaha ila Allah,” or “There is no God but God,” a chant typically reserved for funerals or news of deaths. At what was only the second international to be played in Baghdad in

two years, fans scrambled to the top of the stands, looking to see where the blasts had struck, while two sides on the pitch gamely played on. But after the final whistle, with Iraq down 1-0, frustration with the national side mixed with resignation over the continuing violence in Baghdad, where more than a dozen bombings killed 55 people on Monday. “In the middle of these explosions, we live our lives,” said Ghazwan, walking out of Baghdad’s Shaab stadium, as smoke hung over nearby areas. “We are not afraid of these explosions; we are afraid of this terrible team.” As spectators passed by, cursing Iraq’s players and coaches, the 35year-old stopped and simply said of the victims of Monday’s violence, “God have mercy on those who were sacrificed.” While he paused, another fan walked nearby, screaming, “Explosions

hit us on the roads, and our team loses on the field!” “Is there anything worse than this?” The car dealerships targeted by the bombs were surrounded by soldiers and policemen, all trying to convince the crowd that had gathered to disperse, fearful of a follow-up attack, a common feature of violence in Iraq. No group has claimed responsibility for the carnage, but Sunni militants linked to Al-Qaeda often set off coordinated attacks in Baghdad. They typically target Shiite Muslims, whom they regard as apostates, or the government or security forces in a bid to raise tensions and undermine confidence in the authorities. Anwar, owner of one of the dealerships, scanned the damage to his and other businesses, which had been targeted by the first blast. The 57-year-old tried to calm his fellow businessmen, repeatedly telling

them, “Thanks be to God for safety,” and “God will compensate you.” “A car came here while we were busy watching football, and it went off,” he told AFP. “They (militants) took advantage of our love for football.” As Anwar spoke, 47-year-old dealer Fadhel Hanun interrupted by launching into a tirade. “Guards are here, and a car explodes here! How can we understand this? This is a failed state.” Nearby, at the site of the second explosion, 27-year-old Rabiyah recounted the moments following the blast, when he had been in his car. “I threw myself to the ground,” he said, standing among more than a dozen destroyed cars, all of which had been for sale. “I felt so much fear that it pushed me to open the door and run.” “I was only here to sell my car,” he said. Also at the site of the attacks, a heavyset man who looked to be in

shock sat down, resting one arm on the blackened chassis of what had been a car. When his phone rang, he immediately handed it to another man, telling him, “I think I have lost my hearing in the explosion. Please answer whoever is calling, and tell them that I am okay.” The atmosphere was a far cry from the hope espoused ahead of the match in Shaab stadium, where the Liberian side were positive about the future for Iraq. “As human beings, we were afraid of coming here, but football for us represents a path to solving any crisis,” said team spokesman Henri Flomo. Referring to his country’s own brutal civil war, Flomo said, “In Liberia, we had an internal crisis for 14 years, but we came back, and now we are united.” “We are sure that Iraqis can achieve this.”—AFP

Britain hands back FIFA position after 67 years

QATAR: Real Madrid’s goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas poses for a photograph after the signing of a partnership between the Aspire Academy Foundation and the Spanish goalkeeper, at the Aspire Academy of Sports Excellence, in Doha. —AFP

Rain damages Brazil stadium RIO DE JANEIRO: Heavy rains in the northeastern city of Salvador tore through the roof of a newly constructed venue for Confederations Cup soccer games starting next month, a warm-up before Brazil hosts the World Cup next year. The downpour ripped a large swath out of one of 36 panels of plastic stretched above the seating in the stadium, local authorities said. Televised images showed a large triangular tear in the covering that dwarfed workers gathered around the rim of the hole to inspect it. Stadium administrators said maintenance workers had mistakenly bent part of the roof, causing excessive rainwater to accumulate. Although officials say the roof will be repaired before Confederations Cup games begin on June 15, the damage underscores concerns about Brazil’s preparedness to host the World Cup in 12 cities next year and the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Other major venues have also suffered problems in recent weeks as Brazil, which has invested billions of dollars on construction of new facilities, races to meet deadlines set by organizers of the events. Much of the area around Rio’s Maracana stadium, which is one of the best-known soccer arenas in the world and has been totally rebuilt for the forthcoming events, remains a construction

site. Attendees at a re-inauguration of the stadium last month had to be bused in from a nearby facility. Visitors at other stadiums have complained of unfinished bathrooms, leaky plumbing and other problems that critics blame on hasty preparations. Engenh„o, another big Rio stadium which was built from scratch before the 2007 Pan-American Games and is slated to host Olympic events, has been closed after inspectors discovered structural flaws in its roof. Botafogo, the club that used the stadium for home matches, has been unable to play there since March. Brazilian officials say all stadiums and other infrastructure will be ready for the big events. In a weekly radio chat broadcast on government radio, President Dilma Rousseff on Monday expressed delight at having christened, often by kicking a ball at midfield, all six Confederations Cup venues. “These six stadiums show that the (Brazilian) people have the determination, capacity and competence to host the best World Cup of all time,” she said. The 50,000-seat Salvador stadium, known as the Fonte Nova, has been rebuilt at a cost of 600 million reais ($293 million). Disaster struck at a previous arena on the same site in 2007, when part of the structure gave way during a match, killing seven people. Salvador is Brazil’s third-largest metropolitan area and a popular tourist attraction. —Reuters

Key match-fixing suspect questioned in Singapore SINGAPORE: Singapore yesterday said key match-fixing suspect Dan Tan is helping with enquiries after he was charged in Hungary in relation to the alleged manipulation of 32 games across three countries. Dan Tan, whose full name is Tan Seet Eng, is “currently assisting the Singapore authorities in their investigations”, said a joint statement from the city-state’s police and anti-corruption agency. Singapore is also working with Hungarian authorities over the case, which is the result of a four-year probe into games in Hungary, Italy and Finland. As well as Dan Tan, 44 Hungarians have also been charged. “The Singapore authorities are in touch with the Hungarian authorities,” the statement said. “We have in fact sent an official request to the Hungary authorities in mid-April 2013 to interview a witness in connection with the case, as well as to seek more information on their investigation findings.” Dan Tan is also wanted in Italy over the “calcioscommesse” scandal and emerged as a key suspect in February when the European police agency Europol said Asian-linked fixers had targeted hundreds of games around the world. Last week, he was charged in absentia by Hungarian prosecutors who also

issued European and international arrest warrants for him. Apart from Dan Tan, all the others charged are Hungarians, and include former players, players still active, referees, club owners, managers and coaches. “The Singapore authorities are also in contact with a few European countries for more information on their investigation findings,” the Singapore statement said. “In addition, a team of German police officers visited Singapore in early May 2013 to exchange information. Investigations are ongoing.” Police did not directly answer questions about whether Dan Tan has been charged or arrested. In previous cases in Singapore, people who were described as assisting investigations have been charged or appeared as witnesses. The latest developments follow the arrests in April of three Lebanese referees and a businessman in Singapore over allegations that the officials received sexual bribes in return for agreeing to fix an AFC Cup match. Singapore is considered at the heart of international football match-rigging, fuelled by illegal gambling, after fixers learned their trade in the local and Malaysian league before venturing into Europe in the 1990s.—AFP

PORT LOUIS: Britain’s once-untouchable position on FIFA’s executive committee will be swept away after 67 years at this week’s reformdriven Congress of world soccer’s governing body. England, and to a lesser extent Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, have had a lovehate relationship with FIFA from the time it was formed in 1904 and none of them were among the founding fathers. This has been due partly to the permanent vice-president’s seat on the executive committee that Britain enjoys, but that seat is to be handed back at the Congress in Mauritius. The affable Jim Boyce of Northern Ireland will be the last British vice-president and he is not unhappy about the change. “The time has come, it was a bit of an anachronism, but I do not think our influence will be diminished in the slightest,” he said. FIFA has six vice-presidents and the removal of the British one should go some way to placating nations who have long regarded Britain, and the English in particular, with suspicion. The English Football Association, the world’s first, was founded in 1863, some 41 years before FIFA, and is celebrating its 150th anniversary this

year. The British associations collectively dismissed the idea of joining FIFA at the outset and the repercussions of this aloofness still resonate to this day. Two years ago at the Congress in Zurich, FIFA vice-president Julio Grondona of Argentina called the English “pirates” after they attempted to delay the election of Sepp Blatter as president for a fourth term. A number of delegates took the floor to berate the English for suggesting the vote should be delayed because Blatter was standing unopposed in the wake of Qatari Mohamed Bin Hamman’s withdrawal from the presidential race. The guaranteed vice-presidency was written into the statutes in 1946 when the four nations rejoined FIFA after they had left in the 1920s in a row over players’ payments. They returned in the immediate aftermath of World War Two when Stanley Rous, then general secretary of the English FA and later the president of FIFA, promised the impoverished world governing body all the gate receipts from a Britain v Rest of the World match in Glasgow. That helped put FIFA back on its financial feet and, in return, Britain were handed the seat. Like Boyce, English FA chief executive Alex Horne is

not upset over the handing back of the seat. “It is perhaps a long overdue move and we are happy about it happening,” Horne told Reuters. “What is far more important to us now, is that we continue to have a major influence in the International Board. “There are also other positives in handing over the British vice-presidency to a European representative through which we still hope to have a say on the top table.” In other words, the British nations will continue, along with FIFA, to keep a controlling hand on the laws of the game that was invented and nurtured in Britain through the International Football Association Board (IFAB). The seat’s return is one of a number of changes that will become part of a new FIFA statute book being written once the dust has settled after the Congress on this tropical Indian Ocean island. Something that will not change is England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland continuing as four separate nations. Some Asian and African nations are unhappy about that but, as Blatter says when challenged on the matter: “That is not up for discussion and, as far as FIFA is concerned, it never will be.”—Reuters

Monaco close in on record Falcao deal MONACO: Atletico Madrid’s Colombian striker Radamel Falcao was in Monaco yesterday negotiating a transfer to the principality club as Real Madrid’s Portuguese defender Ricardo Carvalho completed his move to the Ligue 2 champions. Sources close to Monaco said the duo were set to undergo their medicals later, but added that Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes was not present despite also being close to a move to the Stade Louis II. Monaco are believed to have agreed a fee of some 60 million euros (£51.3m, $77.2m) for Falcao, which would make him the most expensive player in French football history. Falcao, 27, won the 2012 Europa League and has netted 28 goals this season for Atletico, whom he also helped to glory in the Spanish Copa del Rey. The Colombian international initially made his name in Europe with Portuguese club FC Porto, helping them win the Europa League in 2011 before moving to Atletico for a reported fee of 40 million euros. Meanwhile, Carvalho, 35, has signed a oneyear contract with the option of a further year after his deal with Real Madrid expired. “I am delighted to join Monaco and participate in this new adventure. It is a new challenge for me,” said Carvalho, who played in the Porto team that beat Monaco 3-0 in the Champions League final in 2004. Valdes, 31, was believed to be in the Mediterranean principality on Monday but his current club Barcelona are yet to finish their season and he took part in their training session on Tuesday. Valdes has a year remaining on his contract at the Camp Nou but announced in January that he wanted to leave for a new challenge elsewhere after spending his entire career to date in Catalonia. However, his agent, Gines Carvajal, is believed to also be weighing up an offer from a Premier League club. Monaco’s reemergence as

a major power in the French game has come since Russian billionaire Dimitri Rybolovlev — the world’s 100th-richest man according to Forbes magazine — bought the club in December 2011. Their Russian sporting director, Vadim Vasilyev, has been given carte blanche to spend big since their promotion to Ligue 1 was sealed recently and last Friday they announced the double signings of James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho from Porto for a combined fee of 70 million euros. However, Vasilyev has sought to play down expectations in an interview with L’Equipe. When asked if his team could compete for the Ligue 1 title next season, he said: “No, no...PSG have a great team. There are others too like Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Lille...It will be difficult. It is still too early to envisage being French champions.” On the club’s transfer policy, and despite the huge sums already spent, Vasilyev added: “We don’t want to pay more than the market price. If we give the impression that we can spend without counting, it’s not the case.” Indeed, doubts have been raised as to how they can sustain such a policy as UEFA seeks to implement its Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, which encourage clubs to live within their means, only spending money they earn rather than living off donations from wealthy owners. Monaco are one of the most successful clubs in French football history, with seven league titles to their name, but FFP looks set to pose a serious problem to a club whose average attendance this season was just 5,295. Even when they reached the Champions League final in 2004, their average domestic gate that season was just 10,394. “These are the rules, so we must follow them,” Vasilyev told L’Equipe. “But to begin a project, you need to be able to invest in order to

Atletico Madrid’s Colombian forward Radamel Falcao make a profit afterwards.” Monaco also currently benefit from the favourable tax laws in place in the principality. Foreigners playing for the club do not pay income tax, while French players have paid less in national insurance contributions than they would at other clubs in France. However, a decision taken in March by the French football league (LFP) means Monaco will be subject to the same tax laws as other French clubs from June next year.—AFP

Jagielka eager to seize England chance LONDON: Everton defender Phil Jagielka says England’s players will all have points to prove when they tackle old rivals the Republic of Ireland in an end-of-season friendly at Wembley Stadium today. England travel to Rio de Janeiro after the game for a glamour fixture with Brazil, and the two matches represent opportunities for players to convince manager Roy Hodgson

that they can play key roles in the weightier games to come. Following another friendly with neighbors Scotland in August, England will resume their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign with a double-header against Moldova and Ukraine in early September. With only three games scheduled before Moldova come to Wembley on September 6, Jagielka is hoping

LONDON: England’s manager Roy Hodgson (center) and England midfielder Frank Lampard (right) attend a press conference at Sopwell House Hotel. England are to play Republic of Ireland in a friendly match at Wembley today where defender Ashly Cole will captain the England team. —AFP

to prove he deserves a chance to become one of England’s first-choice centre-backs. “We don’t really know what the starting XI will be, so it’s all about putting down a marker this week,” said the 30-year-old, who has not played for his country since October because of injury. “There are no points available, but I’m sure everyone will be trying to cement their place ahead of the games in August and September. “Previous players nailed down that position for three or four years, so it will be interesting.” Andy Carroll, Tom Cleverley and Kyle Walker have all pulled out of the squad due to injury, with injuries to captain Steven Gerrard and Jack Wilshere leaving England particularly light in central midfield. Although Hodgson drafted Jack Rodwell into his squad to provide cover last week, it is more likely to open the door to a starting place for Cleverley’s Manchester United col-

league Michael Carrick. Carrick was one of the outstanding performers in United’s league title triumph, earning a place in the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Team of the Year, but he says he is bemused by suggestions that he has enjoyed a breakthrough season. “It slightly amuses me when I see or hear people saying different things, as if I have suddenly appeared from nowhere,” he said. “I have maybe played a little bit better than I have done in the past, but I have been happy with my form for a long time really.” Today’s game marks the start of a run of four matches in two weeks for Ireland, who host Georgia in a friendly on Sunday before meeting the Faroe Islands in a World Cup qualifier on June 7. They finish the season with a prestige friendly in New York against world and European champions Spain, who beat them 4-0 at last year’s European Championship.—AFP

Monaco close in on record Falcao deal

Woods to play in Turkish Open

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

Iraq footballers stumble as Baghdad rocked by bombs

Page 19

LEEDS: England’s Ian Bell (second left) catches New Zealand’s Doug Bracewell during the fifth day’s play in the second international cricket Test match between England and New Zealand at Headingly. — AFP

Swann spins England to victory LEEDS: Graeme Swann bowled England to a commanding 247-run win in the second Test against New Zealand in Leeds yesterday, with rain unable to save the tourists. Off-spinner Swann took six for 90, for a Testbest match return of 10 for 132, as New Zealand were dismissed for 220. This win gave England a 2-0 win in the two-match series after their 170run victory in the first Test at Lord’s. Swann’s figures topped his previous Test match-best of 10 for 181 against Sri Lanka in Colombo last year. The scale of New Zealand’s task was that their victory target of 468 was 50 more than the Test record fourth innings winning total of 418 for seven made by the West Indies against Australia in Antigua in 2002/03. For man-of-the-match Swann, who missed England’s recent 0-0 drawn series in New Zealand as he recovered from elbow surgery, his match-haul was particularly notable as he was left out of last year’s corresponding Headingley Test against South Africa. “I never thought I’d do it at Headingley. I actually agreed with the decision not to pick me here last year as I bowled like a drain at The Oval and it looked a seamers’ pitch,” Swann told BBC Radio. This was England’s last Test before they begin the defence of the Ashes against Australia in July and Swann added: “I know we’re not allowed to

say the ‘A’ word but it was great to get some wickets ahead of the Ashes.” England captain Alastair Cook, who extended his own England Test century record to 25 on Monday with 130 in a second innings total of 287 for five declared, praised Swann’s efforts. “We all know how good a bowler he is, he doesn’t need the help from the footmarks but when he gets it he’s nigh-on unplayable.” Rain, as much as New Zealand’s lower-order batting, was the biggest obstacle to England recording a thumping win on the final day. But the weather held off long enough for England to take the four wickets they needed yesterday and New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum said batting collapses had cost his side dear. “Our bowlers have been outstanding, but our batters still have work to do, both individually and as a group.” McCullum added: “Credit where credit’s due, England have some class bowlers Graeme Swann was outstanding and showed why he’s one of the premier bowlers in the world.” New Zealand, 158 for six overnight, resumed with McCullum nought not out and paceman Tim Southee four not out. But McCullum was out for one when he chipped a full toss back low to Stuart Broad.

However, an eighth-wicket stand of 56 in 41 balls between Southee and Doug Bracewell delayed England. Southee, on 24, was dropped by Jonathan Trott at slip off Swann. But Swann had his man when Southee, on 38, edged to slip and this time Trott held the catch. When rain forced an early lunch, New Zealand were 219 for eight. Play resumed at 3pm local time (1400GMT), albeit under leaden skies and with drizzle falling. Bracewell was out soon afterwards, well caught at silly point by Ian Bell off Swann. Number 11 Trent Boult gamely made a 26minute nought before he was last man out, caught behind off James Anderson’s third ball Tuesday as the paceman equalled the late Fred Trueman’s mark of 307 Test wickets on the Yorkshire great’s home ground. England’s first innings 354 featured new Yorkshire hero Joe Root’s 104, his maiden Test hundred achieved on home turf. In reply, New Zealand made 174, with Swann taking four for 42.Cook opted against enforcing the follow-on but, ultimately, his caution did not harm his side. Swann thanked surgeon Shawn O’Driscoll for saving his career after his Test-best match haul saw England to a crushing win over New Zealand.

SCOREBOARD LEEDS, England: Scoreboard after England beat New Zealand by 247 runs to win the second and ﬁnal test at Headingley yesterday: 38 England first innings 354 (J.Root 104, T.Southee c Trott b Swann J.Bairstow 64; T.Boult 5-57. D.Bracewell c Bell b Swann 19 England second innings 287-5 dec (Cook N.Wagner not out 0 130, Trott 76) T.Boult c Prior b Anderson 0 New Zealand first innings 174 (G.Swann 4Extras (b-2 lb-11 w-1) 14 42) Total (all out, 76.3 overs) 220 New Zealand Second innings Fall of wickets: 1-21 2-40 3-65 4-144 5-153 P.Fulton c Bell b Broad 5 6-154 7-162 8-218 9-220 H.Rutherford c Root b Swann 42 Bowling: Anderson 11.3-4-28-1 Broad 11-3K.Williamson lbw b Swann 3 26-2 Finn 19-5-62-1 (1W) Swann 32-12-90-6 R.Taylor b Swann 70 Root 3-2-1-0. D.Brownlie c Bell b Finn 25 Result: England won by 247 runs M.Guptill c Trott b Swann 3 England win the series 2-0 B.McCullum c & b Broad 1

Surgery in the United States under the guidance of O’Driscoll, who also treated England seamer Tim Bresnan for a similar injury, proved a success and man-of-thematch Swann was duly grateful. “The elbow feels great, I’m very thankful to the surgeon Shawn O’Driscoll — he probably saved my career, good man,”

Swann told Sky Sports. Swann was left out of the corresponding Headingley Test against South Africa last year, when England opted for an all seam attack. “The world should have left-armers in their team, left-hand batsmen or bowlers, it’s better for me,” Swann said. — AFP

Patience pays for Djokovic as Tomic sticks with dad

PARIS: Serbia’s Novak Djokovic returns the ball to Belgium’s David Goffin during their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium. — AP

PARIS: Novak Djokovic, bidding to win a first French Open and become just the eighth man to complete a career Grand Slam, played a game of patience with the Paris rain yesterday and it paid off. The world number one only got onto Court Philippe Chatrier just after 1830 (1630GMT) after a marathon women’s match and a four-hour total rain stoppage left him kicking his heels. But the top seed came out fired-up to beat David Goffin of Belgium 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, 7-5 to reach the second round. “Thanks to all the fans for waiting. It was a good match, David is a good player and has a lot of talent,” said Djokovic, who next faces Guido Pella of Argentina. “I’m happy to win and hope to continue like this.” Djokovic, the runner-up to Rafael Nadal in 2012, would have been wary of the challenge posed by Goffin, who made the last 16 in 2012 after coming through qualifying. But the world number 58 lacked the firepower to consistently trouble the world number one. On a day when 13 matches of the 40 scheduled were held over until Wednesday and three were uncompleted, it was troubled Australian Bernard Tomic who found himself at the centre of attention during the cool and damp afternoon. Tomic, 20, retired from his first round match against Victor Hanescu with a muscle

tear. The world number 61 then launched a passionate defence of his father, and coach, John Tomic who is facing criminal charges in Spain after being accused of assaulting his son’s training partner. “My dad is in Paris, he’s still my dad and he will remain my coach. I love him a lot,” said Tomic, who dropped the ﬁrst two sets against Hanescu before quitting in the third to hand a 7-5, 7-6 (10/8), 2-1 win to his Romanian opponent. John Tomic was banned from attending the tournament after he was accused of attacking Thomas Drouet, in Madrid on May 4. Drouet was left with a broken nose after a brawl outside the hotel where players in the Madrid Masters were staying. Highly-rated Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, dubbed ‘Baby Federer’ because of his similar style to the 17-time Grand Slam winner, went through when Colombian opponent Alejandro Falla retired with the Bulgarian 26th seed 6-4, 1-0 to the good. The 22-year-old Dimitrov, the boyfriend of Maria Sharapova, could face Djokovic in the third round. “These are the kind of matches I always want to play in. I feel good on the big courts and playing against good players,” said the Bulgarian, who beat Djokovic in Madrid and pushed Rafael Nadal to three sets in the Monte Carlo Masters quarter-ﬁnals. Dimitrov will attempt to reach

PARIS: Slovakia’s Daniela Hantuchova returns to Serbia’s Jelena Jankovic during their French Tennis Open first round match at the Roland Garros stadium. — AFP the third round of a Grand Slam for the ﬁrst time when he faces French wildcard Lucas Pouille, the world number 324. World number 83 Kimiko Date-Krumm, who played her ﬁrst Roland Garros in 1989 — three years before Dimitrov was bornprobably wished it had kept on raining on Tuesday. The 42-year-old Japanese lost 6-0, 6-2 to Australian ninth seed Samantha Stosur, the 2010 runner-up and former US Open winner. Date-Krumm became the third oldest player to compete in women’s singles in the tournament-Martina Navratilova holding the record at 47 and 232

days from her 2004 showing. Fully 57 players in this year’s women’s singles draw were not even born when DateKrumm made her Roland Garros debut. “Stosur is so strong and she’s a specialist on clay,” said Date-Krumm. “Today she didn’t make mistakes because I couldn’t put her under pressure.” Elsewhere, in the rain-hit programme, French women’s number one Marion Bartoli, the 13th seed, needed three hours and ﬁve match points to beat Olga Govortsova of Belarus, 7-6 (10/8), 4-6, 7-5. Bartoli, a semi-ﬁnalist in 2011, also saved two match points. — AFP

Business

Youth in crisis-hit Spain becoming ‘lost generation’ Page 22 China is pressuring European govts: EU Page 22

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

Toyota consolidates position as the brand Current account surplus, financial outflows at all-time high: Kuwait of choice in Gulf Page 23 Page 26

DOHA: Visitors look at a model during the second day of the “Qatar Cityscape” real estate exhibition yesterday. Cityscape Qatar aims to serve as a platform to bring together regional, international and local investors, architects and designers involved in property development in Qatar.— AFP

Qatar eyes shifting to dollar peg Economy needs to diversify, local markets should develop first DUBAI: Qatar may change its peg to the dollar when the economy becomes less dependent on hydrocarbons and local financial markets deepen, although no changes are currently being considered, its central bank chief said. Asked by Reuters which economic conditions needed to be met for Qatar to consider changing its currenc y regime, Central Bank Governor Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud AlThani said: “ With increasing integration in international trade, services, and asset markets, a higher degree of exchange rate flexibility may become more desirable to ensure external stability and international competitiveness of our exports. “Moreover, our financial markets would have to deepen and develop fur ther in order to provide the appropriate instruments for hedging of risk in a more flexible exchange rate environment.” It was the first time a Qatari policymaker has publicly suggested that the country may one day change its dollar peg, although Sheik h Abdullah emphasised that nothing was currently in the works. “We continue to reiterate our faith in the dollar peg and (are) not contemplating any change for the time being,” he said yesterday in written answers to Reuters’ questions. “The

dollar peg provides a credible anchor for our monetary policy as almost all of Qatar’s export contracts and invoicing are done in the dollar. Thus, a stable exchange rate renders stability to our foreign expor t earnings, the main component of government revenue.” Qatar and other Gulf Arab monarchies adopted fixed exchange rate regimes in the past to stabilise their currencies and import low inflation from overseas. Spiralling inflation in 2007 and 2008 put the viability of pegs under fire at the time. Sheikh Abdullah said, however, that the economy benefited from the dollar peg for most of the time and inflation remained modest despite the greenback ’s fluctuations in recent years. “With our emphasis on greater economic diversification, we aspire to develop the non-hydrocarbon sector over a period of time so as to reduce our reliance on the hydrocarbon sector. Till such time, our exchange rate framework would continue to be characterized by the dollar peg,” he said. Qatar adopted a currency peg after gaining independence from Britain in 1971. It has kept the riyal pegged at 3.64 riyal to the dollar since 2001. The world ’s top liquefied natural gas exporter had been questioning merits of the peg in 2008, when it reeled

under a record 15 percent inflation, and in 2009. Last week , the central bank ’s research and monetary policy director Khalid Alkhater told a forum that Qatar and other Gulf states should consider moving to a more flexible exchange rate regime to better manage inflation risk in the next decade. One-year riyal for wards dropped 45 points to 30 points, the lowest level since June 2012, on his comments. They have recovered most of the losses since then, floating at around 65 points bid yesterday. Currency basket Sheikh Abdullah said the arguments for a greater monetary policy independence had their limitations in Qatar’s case. “Since our financial markets are in a formative stage and the monetary transmission mechanism is yet to evolve fully, it would constrain the effectiveness and efficiency of an independent monetary policy,” he said. I mpor ted inflation pressures in Qatar have been restricted due to limited low pass-through effects achieved through price controls on select items, Sheikh Abdullah added, pointing to a modest inflation recently. “Therefore, we are confident of our abilities in keeping inflation under check and

anchoring inflation expectations even with the dollar peg,” he said. Inflation in Qatar climbed to 3.7 percent on an annual basis in April, the highest level since at least 2009, f ue l l e d by r i s i ng re nt a l cos t s. The International Monetary Fund sees it edging up gradually to reach 5.0 percent in 2017 and 2018. Sheik h Abdullah said it would be premature to comment on whether pegging to a basket of currencies, Alkhater suggested as an option, would be a good alternative to the dollar peg. While pegging to a currency basket woul d re d uce m one t a r y p ol i c y dependence on the United States, it has a disadvantage that traders would have to bear the exchange rate risk, he said. “In a relatively underdeveloped financial market, hedging exchange rate risk would be difficult and costly.” Out of six Gulf Arab oil producers only Kuwait does not peg its currency to the dollar. I ts dinar has traded against a basket of undisclosed trading partners’ currencies since 2007 but is believed to be heavily dollar dominated. The oil and gas sector accounted for 58 percent of Qatar’s economy and 59 percent of expor ts in 2012. Hydrocarbon receipts represent some 70 percent of the government budget income. — Reuters

France, Germany declare war on youth job crisis PARIS: France and Germany joined hands yesterday to confront a jobs crisis blighting the lives of millions of young people in the euro-zone, saying that the key to creating work lies with small businesses. “Give youth a chance,” declared German Labour Minister Ursula von der Leyen at a conference in Paris preparing the way for a joint drive in a month’s time to open doors for young people. Opening the conference, French President Francois Hollande called for an “offensive” to avoid what he called a generational “rupture”. Unemployment among young people is a critical problem in many countries in the eurozone, particularly those enacting tough reforms to restructure their economies and reduce debt. In some of these countries the unemployment rate among youth exceeds 50 percent. “We have to act immediately, six million youths are (officially) unemployed in Europe,” Hollande said, adding that “nearly 14 million are without work, not studying and are not apprentices.” French

Labour Minister Michel Sapin said a blueprint-dubbed the New Deal by the media in reference to US president Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Great Depression recovery plan-would target small- and mediumsized businesses to create jobs. “It is the small and medium businesses that create the most jobs for youth, it is them we have to support,” Sapin said, promising a “concrete and very strong initiative”. The German minister said: “Many small and medium businesses, which are the backbone of our economies, are ready to raise production, but they need capital. They can only access it at exorbitant rates. It’s a vicious circle.” Hollande said a complete plan would be presented at a EU summit on June 27 and 28. “This plan must mobilise the private and public sectors and social partners... it must develop training programmes and ease mobility in Europe,” Hollande said in a statement. And German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble warned that “no short-term promises should be made to youths

which are not tenable for a longer term.” Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have taken divergent stands on tackling the crisis. The French leader has urged less austerity while Merkel is pushing for cutting debt and reform of labour markets to create employment. Reported role for the EIB Hollande, who is under pressure to reform his recession-hit economy, is also facing the heat from the left-wing of his Socialist Party, which is strongly critical of Germany’s influence on economic policy in the European Union, and indirectly on France. Germany’s Rheinische Post daily said earlier this month that the initiative to create jobs for the youth would see billions of euros (dollars) in loans from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to promote education, training and job placements for young people. The newspaper said the blueprint built on a six-billion-euro ($7.8 billion) initiative by the European Union to combat youth unemployment. That money could

be leveraged and used as guarantees to raise up to 10 times more in loans, said the report. Werner Hoyer, the president of the Luxembourg-based EIB, has said that credits could be provided to companies creating jobs. He said Germany’s socalled dual system of formal education and on-the-job training could be introduced in southern Europe. The European Commission said this month in a forecast that the euro-zone economy will likely shrink for a second year while unemployment will rise to a record 12.2 percent. A Eurostat report on April 30 said that a total of 5.6 million people aged under 25 were registered as unemployed in the 27-member European Union in March, of whom 3.5 million were from the euro-zone. Germany has the lowest rate of youth unemployment in the European Union, with only eight percent of the working population aged between 15 and 24 without work. In France the figure is 24 percent, while it is more than 55 percent in Greece and Spain. — AFP

Egypt’s OT hits 56-mth high on Altimo offer DUBAI: Egypt’s heavyweight Orascom Telecom (OT) surged to a 56-month high yesterday after Russia’s Altimo said it would go ahead with a smaller stake-purchase if the regulator allowed. Most regional markets rose. OT shares jumped 6.1 percent to 6.85 pounds ($0.98), their highest close since September 2008. Altimo failed to secure a majority stake in the Egyptbased telecom operator by a Monday deadline. Shareholders with 15.9 percent of Orascom Telecom stocks listed on the Egyptian Stock Exchange offered to sell shares during the tender offer, but the total came in below the minimum 26.6 percent required for a buyout. Altimo launched an offer in April to buy out minority shareholders of the Egypt-based company for $0.70 per share, which OT’s board said undervalued the stock. Bluechips Commercial International Bank Egypt and Orascom Construction Industries added 1.9 and 1 percent respectively. Foreign buyers returned, lifting Cairo’s measure by 1.7 percent, the second rise in the last five sessions. In Saudi Arabia, real estate and related stocks and banks rose in a shift back to fundamentally strong firms that have lagged gains in small-cap stocks, which are usually targetted for short-term gains. “There are expectations of improvement and stabilization in net interest margins in the second quarter for banks,” said Sleiman Aboulhosn, investment analyst at ING Investments. “Lending and deposits year-on-year growth in double-digits for April is very solid. Retail lending is still robust, and mortgage lending should continue growing gradually, so these are the key drivers.” The kingdom’s construction sector is reaping the benefit of heavy government spending on housing and infrastructure and moves to develop the mortgage sector. In late February, Saudi Arabia issued final regulations for real estate financing under its planned mortgage law, which the government hopes will help to rectify a housing shortage. Samba Financial Group added 2 percent, helping lift the sector’s index by 0.9 percent. Developers Jabal Omar rose 2.9 percent and Dar Al Arkan climbed 2.8 percent. The index advanced 0.7 percent to hit a new one-year-high and extended year-to-date gains to 8.5 percent. Elsewhere, Dubai Financial Market, the Gulf only listed bourse, surged 8.9 percent to a 27-month high in heavy trade as it played catch up with bluechip stocks. DFM accounted for more than a fifth of total market trading. The stock gained 44.1 percent year-to-date. Market heavyweight Emirates NBD added 0.7 percent and is up 91.6 percent in the same period. “DFM stock has been a lagger, monthly turnover has been high in second-quarter so people are expecting strong results,” said Marwan Shurrab, vice-president and chief trader at Gulfmena. “We’ve seen money circulating out of bluechips and into laggers. There’s a lot of upward potential on DFM given that the turnover remains strong going forward.” —Reuters

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

BUSINESS

China is pressuring European govts: EU Beijing warns it will not ‘sit on sidelines’ BRUSSELS: The European Union’s trade chief bluntly told China yesterday it was wasting its time trying to put pressure on him to drop plans to impose punitive import duties on Chinese solar panels. The European Commission, the EU’s executive, accuses China of flooding Europe with cheap solar panels sold at below the cost of production, and intends to impose duties. That has prompted energetic lobbying from Beijing against the move and divisions have emerged in Europe on the issue, foreshadowing a bruising internal battle over how to respond to China’s trade practices. A majority of European countries, led by Germany and Britain, oppose EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht’s plans to levy tariffs of 47 percent on solar panel imports from China next month, according to a survey by Reuters. De Gucht, who met Chinese ViceMinister of Commerce Zhong Shan in Brussels on Monday, confirmed there was widespread resistance among member states, but said governments were clearly being lent on by Beijing. “ They (the Chinese) are not going to impress me by putting pressure on member states,” De Gucht, a Belgian lawyer, told the European Parliament’s influential trade committee. “I couldn’t care less whether that happens with ... the biggest and most populous state in the world. For me it is the same. So they can try to put pressure on member states, but they will waste their time trying to do so

with me,” De Gucht said. The solar case is the largest the Commission has undertaken, with about 21 billion euros ($27 billion) of Chinese-made solar panels sold in the European Union. The split between the Commission and EU member countries, as well as division among the bloc’s 27 governments, sets the European Union up for a potentially debilitating dispute over how to deal with China, its second largest trade partner. France and Italy support De Gucht and say China’s rapid rise in solar panel production - to more than total global demand - could not have happened without illegal state support. They blame Chinese overproduction for the loss of thousands of EU jobs in the sector. But countries such as Germany, Britain, Sweden and the Netherlands do not want duties on Chinese solar panels because they are worried about retaliation from China and being shut out of its lucrative markets. Chinese diplomats in Brussels said in a statement late on Monday that if the European Commission were to impose sanctions “the Chinese government would not sit on the sidelines, but would take necessary steps to defend its national interest”. ‘Don’t blink now’ The case also has implications for how Europe handles another complex dispute, over Chinese telecoms equipment makers. The

Libya to move state oil firm HQ BENGHAZI: Libya plans to move the headquarters of its state oil firm to Benghazi, the city that started the uprising against Muammar Gaddafi and now wants greater influence, if a plan to restructure the corporation is approved by the national assembly. Despite about 80 percent of Libya’s oil being located in the east, Gaddafi moved the state oil firm to the capital Tripoli and starved the eastern region of investment. “The headquarters will be in Benghazi,” said deputy oil minister Omar Shakmak, referring to the terms of a new plan being finalised for approval by Libya’s highest political body. Easterners have been calling for greater control over the country’s oil reserves - estimated to be the largest in Africa - since the uprising began in their region in early 2011. At the start of the year, eastern workers and activists rejected a compromise by the government to move refining and petrochemicals to the east and even considered staging protests to threaten oil output. Several assembly members told Reuters that easterners had since been promised the National Oil Corporation (NOC) headquarters would also move to Benghazi, but it was difficult to say when this would happen as they had not seen official paperwork yet. “ The prime minister then went to Benghazi and promised to move the NOC back to the city but no official resolution on this has been seen by the General National Congress (GNC) committee yet,” said a member of the assembly’s energy committee. The wrangling over how to split the state oil firm has added to broader discontent in Benghazi over the prospect of further marginalisation of the east by Tripoli and fuelled calls for greater autonomy. The NOC’s predecessor, the Libyan General Petroleum

Company, was set up in Benghazi in 1968. The NOC was established in 1970, a year after Gaddafi came to power, and relocated to Tripoli. NOC Chairman Nuri Berruien said Prime Minister Ali Zeidan had promised to relocate the headquarters to Benghazi, but said it was a government issue. “Moving an NOC or establishing an NOC has to be done by the government,” Berruien said in Istanbul. “There have been promises, (but) I don’t know if there’s been any action.” Security threats Oil is Libya’s lifeblood, which pumps at a rate of around 1.6 million barrels per day and has made the country rich despite its troubles.While Benghazi led the uprising against Gaddafi, the city is far from being welcoming to foreigners these days. In September, the US ambassador and three other Americans were killed in an assault on their diplomatic mission, while an Italian consul was shot at in his armoured car in January, escaping unscathed. The United Nations and Red Cross missions have also been targeted by violence. Various governments, including Britain and the United States, advise against travel to Benghazi, although British oil firm BP and some embassies have also pulled staff out of Tripoli, where government control has started to slip. Shakmak said Zeidan had already signalled his support for the plan to move the headquarters. “I have discussed this with Zeidan and he confirmed it was clear to him that this is his intention, and (the move) is only a matter of time,” Shakmak told Reuters. Zeidan’s office said it could not comment and advised speaking with the oil ministry, which is in charge of the industry’s regulatory framework. —Reuters

Commission accuses Huawei and ZTE of dumping in Europe and gaining almost a quarter of the EU market by unfair means, a sensitive security issue as more and more European firms rely on cheaper Chinese equipment to run their mobile networks. European manufacturers Ericsson, AlcatelLucent SA and Nokia Siemens Networks also fear retaliation if the Commission acts against Huawei and ZTE. Division over Europe’s strategy on China is even more difficult to resolve because in the solar panels case the Commission has set in motion a process within European Union law that cannot be stopped easily. A group of European firms led by Germany’s Solar World complained of Chinese dumping last year and the Commission launched an investigation in September. The Commission is now legally obliged to act, because it has found clear evidence of dumping by Chinese producers, according to a copy of its solar investigation obtained by Reuters. De Gucht has also calculated that imposing duties for a trial period from June is the best way to force China’s new president, Xi Jinping, to engage in finding a solution. “It is about giving us leverage with China,” said one EU official, speaking on condition of anonymity. “If we blink now, in one fell swoop, the Chinese will have broken our trade defence system,” the official said. —Reuters

Greek banker Sorotos is Bank of Cyprus CEO NICOSIA: Greek banker Christos Sorotos was appointed yesterday as interim CEO of the island’s largest lender, Bank of Cyprus, to guide it through tough restructuring under Cyprus’ bailout terms, the central bank said. Britain-based Sorotos, 61, is an expert in corporate restructuring who has worked in Greece, the United States, Bulgaria and Romania, said a statement said. It is hoped his experience in restructuring banks in trouble will help steer the Bank of Cyprus - currently under central bank control-through the island’s worst economic meltdown. “He previously served as deputy governor of the National Bank of Greece and was responsible for the management of non-performing loans and the creation of a ‘bad bank’ contributing to the restructuring of the bank and its exit from the crisis,” said the central bank. Sorotos also served as country corporate officer at Citibank and general manager at Eurobank, both in Greece. His appointment comes into effect from Wednesday. To secure a 10-billion-euro EU-IMF rescue package Cyprus has had to severely cut back its bloated banking sector, and businesses struggle to survive without sufficient working capital as the eurozone’s first capital controls remain in place. Banks have been operating under stringent capital controls since they reopened on March 28, after a near two-week lockdown prompted by fears of a run on deposits. A bail-in from depositors was a key element of a deal Nicosia struck with its EU partners and the International Monetary Fund last month to help fund a 23 billion euro rescue package. Bank of Cyprus depositors have seen a 37.5 percent loss on deposits over 100,000 - exchanged for shareswith another 22.5 percent frozen until the final cost of restructuring is determined. This process is expected to be complete by the end of July in deciding whether all or part of the 22.5 percent will also be converted into shares. Savers at the now defunct Laiki Bank will have to wait years to see any of their cash over 100,000 euros. Laiki was split into a “good” and “bad” bank, the healthy part - insured deposits and serviceable loans - were absorbed by the Bank of Cyprus. —AFP

MADRID: The Cibeles statue holds a flag from Spain’s second republic that somebody placed during a march. —AP

Youth in crisis-hit Spain becoming ‘lost generation’ MADRID: Despite having a bachelor’s degree, five years of professional experience and speaking three languages, Paloma Fernandez has joined the swelling ranks of Spain’s “lost generation” that can’t find work in a grinding recession. The 28-year-old, who has a degree in translation, lost her job of four years at the justice ministry in December 2011 and as of last month she lost the right to collect unemployment benefits. Since losing her job she has sent out dozens of resumes for jobs as a translator, administrative assistant or receptionist but has not had any luck. “Sometimes you feel like yelling: ‘I want a job, I want to have a routine!’ We always complain about routines but when you don’t have it, you miss it,” said Fernandez. Many other Spanish youths find themselves in the same situation. The unemployment rate for those between the ages of 16 and 24 has soared to 57.22 percent, and a record 27.16 percent overall, at the end of the first quarter as the country struggles through a double-dip recession sparked by the collapse of a decade-long building boom in 2008. “It is probably a generation, I don’t know if you should call it lost, but which will mark a before and after the crisis” in terms of consumption and lifestyle habits, said Sara Balina, chief economist for Spain at Madrid-based consultancy Analistas Financieros Internacionales. As an example she points out that young people are putting off the age at which they move out of home since they struggle to find stable employment. Fernandez shares a bright but sparsely decorated flat that she rents for 400 euros ($520) a month from her family in Moratalaz, a Madrid suburb, with her boyfriend who is also unemployed, and a cat called Rayo. “It is very unstable and I don’t know what my life plan is. I apply for jobs and I can’t make major long-term plans, not even shortterm plans,” she said, adding thinking of having children now “would be crazy”. Fernandez, who is already fluent in English and French in addition to her native Spanish, tries to keep busy by learning Japanese, attending fitness classes and tutoring

students in languages to earn some money. ‘I will look for work wherever ‘ Rocio Alarcon, who completed a degree in political sciences last year with the third highest grade in her class, shares her worries. The 23-yearold, who lives with her parents in Getafe, a Madrid suburb, had hoped to find a job to contribute to the family’s budget and to save to pay for a master’s degree which she will begin in September. “I didn’t aspire to work as a political scientist from the beginning. But the fact is that out of all the resumes I sent, I have not been called for any interview,” said Alarcon, adding employers usually ask for a high level of English and previous work experience. “It is a curious thing to ask for previous experience from young people who have just finished their studies. They have not given us time to get any experience.” Like many young out of work Spanish youths, Alarcon plans to look for work abroad once she completes her master’s degree if she can’t find a job in Spain, a trend that worries experts who fear the country is losing its talent. “I will look for work wherever. If it is in Spain great and if it is abroad I would have no problem,” she said. Fernandez said she had always been open to working abroad but now sees it as a necessity. “Going abroad attracts me but right now it is not a question of tastes, it is the only option I have. The feeling that you are being forced to go or that you have no option is the hardest part,” she said. From the beginning of 2012 to the end of March, some 365,000 Spaniards between the ages of 16 and 29 have left the country, according to the National Statistics Institute. With Spain in need of a change in its economic model, the loss of young people with university studies represents the loss if “one of the key elements for growth, which is human capital,” said Balina. “We can’t have a situation where young people with higher education who can help revitalise sectors that Spain needs to grow, are the ones to abandon the country,” she added. —AFP

Ex-RBS MENA CEO joins Abu Dhabi bank DUBAI: Royal Bank of Scotland’s former chief executive of its Middle East and Africa regional investment banking business is joining Abu Dhabi-based First Gulf Bank (FGB), two banking industry sources said yesterday. Penney, who resigned from RBS in March, will join FGB as head of its wholesale banking division, the sources said. At RBS he was replaced by James Miller. FGB declined to comment, while Penney could not immediately be reached for comment. One of the sources said an internal circular was sent out by FGB recently confirming Penney’s appointment.

While Western banks have scaled back their operations in the region mainly due to issues back home, local banks, who are flush with liquidity, have been aggressively expanding and taking away market share from international banks in lending and other capital markets activity. Banks such as Qatar National Bank and Dubaibased Emirates NBD have also acquired some of the assets of European lenders in the last year to diversify regionally and attracted several senior bankers from global banks to look at opportunities in local firms.

EXCHANGE RATES Commercial Bank of Kuwait US Dollar/KD GB Pound/KD Euro Swiss francs Canadian Dollar Australian DLR Indian rupees Sri Lanka Rupee UAE dirhams Bahraini dinars Jordanian dinar Saudi riyals Omani riyals Egyptian pounds 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 Philippine Peso

.2770000 .4310000 .3680000 .3020000 .2780000 .2940000 .0040000 .0020000 .0771240 .7513970 .3930000 .0720000 .7366120 .0370000 CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES .2841000 .4338920 .3707360 .3043390 .2795430 .0497330 .0443660 .2963730 .0365940 .2291130 .0029600 .0000000 .0000000 .0000000 .0000000 .0773800 .7538810 .0000000 .0757800 .7382100 .0000000

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Japanese Yen Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht

ASIAN COUNTRIES 2.837 5.168 2.918 2.272 3.286 229.200 37.017 3.679 6.906 9.580

.2880000 .4470000 .3760000 .3170000 .2920000 .3020000 .0069000 .0035000 .0778990 .7589480 .4110000 .0770000 .7440150 .0440000 .2862000 .4370990 .3734770 .3065880 .2816100 .0501010 .0446940 .2985640 .0368650 .2308060 .0028810 .0052870 .0022880 .0029190 .0036810 .0779520 .7594530 .4048090 .0763400 .7436660 .0069870

Malaysian ringgit Irani Riyal Irani Riyal

Omani Riyal Qatari Riyal Saudi Riyal

94.221 0.271 0.273

ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash 40.200 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 40.438 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.341 Tunisian Dinar 174.200 Jordanian Dinar 405.950 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.929 Syrian Lier 3.123 Morocco Dirham 34.006 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 287.350 Euro 374.560 Sterling Pound 437.580 Canadian dollar 281.270 Turkish lira 158.750 Swiss Franc 302.000 US Dollar Buying 286.150 GOLD 298.000 150.000 77.500

20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

SELL DRAFT 285.82 282.25 281.89 300.90 374.24 286.35 436.82 2.87 3.688 5.125 2.262 3.215 2.910 78.03 762.14 40.38 407.53

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 286.750 282.465 436.890 370.980 295.860 759.185 78.050 78.710 76.430 404.225 40.419 2.269 5.174 2.908 3.680 6.954 703.420 3.795 9.710 4.095 3.330 94.935

Bahrain Exchange Company COUNTRY

UAE Exchange Centre WLL COUNTRY Australian Dollar Australian Dollar Canadian Dollar Swiss Franc Euro US Dollar Sterling Pound Japanese Yen Bangladesh Taka Indian Rupee Sri Lankan Rupee Nepali Rupee Pakistani Rupee UAE Dirhams Bahraini Dinar Egyptian Pound Jordanian Dinar

748.000 79.500 77.000

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd

GCC COUNTRIES 76.657 78.986 746.650 763.520 78.276

Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

744.69 79.07 76.49

SELL CASH 283.000 283.000 283.000 299.000 372.000 288.000 438.500 3.300 3.740 5.400 2.460 3.420 2.985 78.800 763.500 40.500 415.000

British Pound Czech Korune Danish Krone Euro Norwegian Krone Scottish Pound Swedish Krona Swiss Franc Australian Dollar New Zealand Dollar Uganda Shilling Canadian Dollar Colombian Peso US Dollars Bangladesh Taka Cape Vrde Escudo Chinese Yuan Eritrea-Nakfa

SELL CASH Europe 0.4278481 0.0062612 0.0457656 0.3664124 0.0452526 0.4235148 0.0392353 0.2939051 Australasia 0.2677639 0.2246165 0.0001140 America 0.2713010 0.0001462 0.2850000 Asia 0.0036421 0.0031866 0.0457618 0.0166100

SELLDRAFT 0.4368481 0.0182612 0.0507656 0.3739124 0.0504526 0.4310418 0.0442353 0.3009051 0.2797639 0.2346165 0.0001140 0.2803010 0.0001642 0.2871500 0.0036971 0.0034166 0.0507618 0.0197100

Guinea Franc Hg Kong Dollar Indian Rupee Indonesian Rupiah Jamaican Dollars Japanese Yen Kenyan Shilling Malaysian Ringgit Nepalese Rupee Pakistan Rupee Philippine Peso Sierra Leone Singapore Dollar Sri Lankan Rupee Thai Baht Bahraini Dinar Egyptian Pound Ethiopeanbirr Ghanaian Cedi Iranian Riyal Iraqi Dinar Jordanian Dinar Kuwaiti Dinar Lebanese Pound Moroccan Dirhams Nigerian Naira Omani Riyal Qatar Riyal Saudi Riyal Sudanese Pounds Syrian Pound Tunisian Dinar UAE Dirhams Yemeni Riyal

0.0000446 0.0344513 0.0051002 0.0000244 0.0028724 0.0027581 0.0033556 0.0896040 0.0030879 0.0028905 0.0064572 0.0000733 0.2231395 0.0022314 0.0092030 Arab 0.7552440 0.0384730 0.0129538 0.1460100 0.0000799 0.0001765 0.3994455 1.0000000 0.0001762 0.0219552 0.0012248 0.7348357 0.0782176 0.0760400 0.0466918 0.0027765 0.1723211 0.0767591 0.0012958

Al Mulla Exchange Currency 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

Transfer Rate (Per 1000) Transfer Rate (Per 1000) 286.600 373.000 435.800 279.700 2.875 5.160 40.430 2.268 3.672 6.890 2.912 762.200 78.000 76.500

0.0000506 0.0375513 0.0051642 0.0000295 0.0038724 0.0029381 0.0035856 0.0966040 0.0032879 0.0029305 0.0069272 0.0000763 0.2291395 0.0022734 0.0098030 0.7637440 0.0405030 0.0194538 0.1478000 0.0000804 0.0002365 0.4069455 1.0000000 0.0001962 0.0459552 0.0018598 0.7458357 0.0790006 0.0766800 0.0472418 0.0029965 0.1783211 0.0782031 0.0013958

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

BUSINESS

Kuwait: Current account surplus, financial outflows at all-time high NBK ECONOMIC BRIEF

DHAKA: A Bangladeshi street vendor prepares for customers in front of a closed shop. —AFP

Uniqlo not ready to join B’desh garment safety pact DHAKA: Japanese clothing chain Uniqlo said yesterday it had so far declined to sign up to a new safety pact for Bangladesh’s disaster-hit garment factories as the US urged brands to help improve workers’ conditions. US retailers such as Gap and Walmart have already refused to sign up to the “Accord on Fire and Building Safety” which has been promoted by workers’ rights groups. European brands such as H&M, Zara, Marks & Spencer and major supermarket buyers have committed to the agreement and its fire and building inspection regime in the wake of last month’s garment factory tragedy. “We are continuing to study whether to sign (the deal). We have not reached a conclusion at the moment,” said a spokesman for Fast Retailing, which owns the Uniqlo brand. “While giving it serious consideration, we have started doing what we can do now,” the spokesman said in Japan, adding the firm had this week begun checks on fire prevention and other safety measures at its Bangladeshi suppliers.More than 1,100 workers were killed when a building housing several factories collapsed last month in Savar just outside the capital, highlighting the poor safety record of the world’s second-biggest garment exporter after China. A visiting United States delegation to the capital Dhaka urged Bangladesh to learn the lessons from its tragedy and undertake a “transformation” in the industry. US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman also said brands had a “critical role” to improve an industry plagued by accidents and “sweatshop” conditions for workers, who are paid less than $40 a month. “Absolutely the buyers have a critical role. We will continue to work in every way to get the buyers to come to the table and every appropriate way to play the

part that they must play for a sustainable solution,” she said Monday. Francois Zimeray, France’s ambassador for human rights who ended his two-day visit to Bangladesh yesterday, also called on retailers to face up to their responsibilities. “We must put an end to the era of fashion cynicism. In terms of industrial responsibility, the Savar tragedy is a watershed in the garment sector like the Bhopal disaster in the chemical industry,” he told a press briefing. Zimeray, who held talks with the government, unions and victims of the tragedy, asked the brands whose labels have been found in the rubble of the nine-storey factory complex to pay compensation to the victims. International workers’ associations such as Swiss-based UNI and IndustriALL Global Union have pressured Western retailers to sign up to the legally binding Accord on Fire and Building Safety. IndustriALL’s Bangladesh affiliate, the National Garment Worker Federation, criticised Uniqlo’s delay in making a decision, saying it was an “irresponsible move from a very responsible company”. “By not signing the agreement, Uniqlo is sending a wrong message to their consumers that they are indifferent to workers’ safety in Bangladesh,” NGWF president Amirul Haque Amin told AFP. The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, which represents 4,500 garment factories, has welcomed the agreement as “a reflection of Western retailers’ long term commitment to Bangladesh”. It says retailers accounting for about half of the country’s $20 billion apparel sales have now signed up. Walmart, which accounts for 10 percent of orders in Bangladesh, is the most significant player to opt out. —AFP

French central bank urges government to cut spending PARIS: The French central bank waded into troubled and highly controversial waters yesterday, urging the government to cut spending and avoid raising taxes further. The head of the central bank, Christian Noyer, issued his admonishment in a letter a day before the European Commission states its view of the performance and outlook for reforms of EU economies. The Commission is widely expected to press France to do more, and quickly, to restructure its public finances and economy. France, together with Germany, is one of the two main pillars of the euro-zone. Noyer, who also sits on the monetary policy council at the European Central Bank, urged the government to set about cutting the number of people with public-sector, civil servant status, and he defended the line taken by EU bodies demanding radical action to correct public finances. In a letter to President Hollande and to the presidents of the Senate and the National Assembly, Noyer declared: “To achieve the announced targets, it is now necessary to concentrate efforts on public spending, given the high level of tax pressure attained and the impossibility of increasing charges on businesses without worsening activity and employment further.” Noyer said he expected growth of the French economy to be “close to zero” this year. The ECB, together with the Commission and the International Monetary Fund, forms the “Troika” of auditors which ensures that those countries which have received bailout help apply radical reforms in order to qualify for each slice of funding. France is not among the countries rescued and is able to borrow at exceptionally low interest rates, but there is concern, notably in Germany, about the pace of reform in France. In a reference to what are commonly termed austerity policies, Noyer said that those who objected to what they considered “excessive constraints” had got it wrong and had an “erroneous” vision of the situation. He said: “If rules for European discipline exist, it is because they are necessary for the cohesion and the balance of the euro-zone.”

Pension reform “ineluctable” At the beginning of May, the European Commission granted France en extra two years, until 2015, to reduce its public deficit to within the ceiling limit of 3.0 percent of gross domestic product. But this was on condition that the government push ahead with structural reforms to raise efficiency. Such talk is anathema to forces on the left in the majority supporting the Socialist-Green government elected a year ago. On one area of particular sensitivity, the length of contributions to pension systems and the retirement age, Noyer urged the government to undertake “wide-ranging” reforms to bolster the pension budgets, which are heading into big deficits. On a recent visit to Germany, Hollande praised the courage of reforms by a previous, Social Democratic government in Germany, widely credited with putting the German economy in its relatively strong position today. An increase of pension contributions, or of the retirement age, appeared “ineluctable”, Noyer warned. Regarding social welfare spending overall, he said that temporary or partial action not to increase allowances in line with inflation could be justified. Noyer, who himself is in the midst of restructuring the central bank, said that there should be a drive at every level of public administration in France to increase productivity and to apply a “shock” to simply administration, as President Francois Hollande has promised. The objective should be to to do away with “multiple layers of structures” so as to gain in terms of efficiency and to save money. “Therefore the strategic long-term objective must be a trend of reducing the number of civil servants which is very high in France with regard to comparable countries,” he said. Noyer’s remarks come after a recent report by the prestigious public audit office, chaired by a Socialist, found that a main plank of the government’s policy, the recruitment of 60,000 teachers, went in the wrong direction and that the focus should be on reforming the education system and getting value for money. —AFP

KUWAIT: Latest data from the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) show a further strengthening in Kuwait’s already robust external position in 2012. Strong oil revenues lifted the surplus in the current account to a new high, and financial flows to investments abroad continued their post-financial crisis growth. The current account - a measure of net international trade in goods, services, factor income and transfers saw a record surplus of KD 22.2 billion in 2012, surpassing the previously set record of KD 18.5 billion in 2011. A record goods trade surplus more than offset record deficits in services and remittance outflows. As a percentage of GDP, the surplus stood at 45 percent, up from 42 percent in 2011. The rise in the current account surplus was mainly attributed to a KD 4.8 billion surge in the balance of goods. Goods exports rose by 18 percent to KD 33.4 billion on the back of a 12 percent y/y expansion in oil production levels and record oil prices, which averaged $109 per barrel in 2012. Meanwhile, goods imports rose at a much slower pace of 3 percent y/y to KD 6.3 billion. The services account deficit continued to widen to KD 2.7 billion, led by KD 2.4 billion imports of travel services. Year-on-year, imports of construction services saw the largest rise of around KD 0.3 billion - and could rise even further this year as the government speeds up execution of projects. Meanwhile, net investment income edged up slightly to KD 2.6 billion - up KD 0.1 billion from the previous year. These inflows comprise receipts from income-generating assets primarily held by the government. Income from portfolio and direct investments were down slightly, but these were more than offset by a large 50 percent y/y rise in inflows from ‘other investments’. Outflows from current transfers rose by some KD 0.8 billion in 2012, as workers’ remittances surged by 21 percent y/y to a record KD 4.4 billion. The rise is much stronger than expected given the 3 percent increase in the number of expatriates in the workforce during the year. The reasons for this are not clear, but it is possible that it reflects increased remittances from Kuwait’s large Egyptian diaspora in light of the weak Egyptian economy, and larger transfers by Indian expatriates taking advantage of the weak rupee. Looking forward, this year we expect the surplus in the current account to be trimmed to around 35 - 40 percent of GDP as a result of softer exports and stronger imports. Lower oil prices and cutbacks in production levels are likely to limit oil exports. Meanwhile, an improvement in non-oil sector growth is likely to help imports pick-up in 2013. Capital and financial account The combined capital and financial accounts record the net change

in ownership of foreign assets - be they debt or equity, currencies and deposits, or other items. For the most part, these changes broadly mirror changes in the current account - but in the opposite direction: a rise in the current account surplus generates a rise in the deficit on the capital and financial account. Since Kuwait traditionally runs a current account surplus, it has tended to see large outflows of capital, representing an increase in the country’s investments abroad. 2012 was no exception. The combined capital and financial accounts saw a deficit of a record KD 22.9 billion in 2012 - a whopping KD 6.1 billion higher than the previous year. The widening deficit was mainly attributed to the ‘portfolio investments’ component of the financial account, which saw outflows rise by KD 5.1 billion in 2012. Net investments in foreign securities reached KD 7.2 billion - their highest postfinancial crisis level. Most of this increase came from increased Kuwaiti investments in foreign debt securities, which saw the reversal of a KD 0.4 billion repatriation of investments in the previous year. The ‘other investments’ account which has constituted the single largest source of outflows since 2009 - saw its deficit widen further to a record KD 15.4 billion in 2012. This volatile account is mostly made up of investments in shorter-term deposit accounts and net overseas loans. The majority of the increase in outflows came via a KD 2.0 billion increase in government investments in foreign currencies and deposits - a trend that has persisted over the past three years. This could reflect a switch in the government’s accumulation of foreign assets towards safer and more liquid investments after the financial crisis. Only the ‘direct investments’ component - or long-term equity stakes saw reduced outflows, whereby net investments abroad fell back by some KD 0.6 billion to KD1.6 billion. Lower net outflows were due to the combined effect of a KD 0.3 billion reduction in investments by Kuwaitis abroad, alongside a KD 0.3 billion increase in foreign direct investments (FDI) in Kuwait. The latter reached their highest ever level at KD 0.5 billion, likely driven by Qtel’s purchase of shares in local telecom company Wataniya. Meanwhile, the smaller capital account saw inflows edge up to KD 1.2 billion in 2012 - an all-time high. This account is largely driven by UN compensation payments to Kuwait. Balance of payments surplus and foreign reserves Combining all of the above, the surplus in the balance of payments reached KD 0.9 billion in 2012, compared to KD 1.2 billion in the previous year. This is also equivalent to the change in reserve assets held by the CBK. Reserves accumulated for the ninth consecutive year.

Czech govt split on energy project PRAGUE: A project cost in billions of euros to expand a Czech nuclear plant has been undermined by the effects on energy prices of the shale gas revolution in North America, and is splitting the government. Several politicians are echoing experts who say that the tender process for the huge contract should be delayed or abandoned. A fall in energy prices, driven largely by the huge expansion of shale gas in North America, has thrown the economics of the Temelin expansion project into controversy. The International Energy Agency said this month that the shale-oil and gas revolution in North America is a shock for global energy markets. The Temelin plant, built with technology from the time of the Soviet Union, is also problematic in neighbouring Austria where there are concerns over the safety of the facility. The Czech state-run power group CEZ has opened the tender to build two new units at the Temelin plant, and this has lured American, Russian and French bidders. The eventual contract would be worth an estimated 200 billion to 300 billion koruna (8-12 billion euros, $10-15 billion). But the benefits of the two units due to come online in 2025 are questionable, experts say, pointing to a fall of the price of energy and particularly of coal, and of the price of carbon pollution permits. These factors raise the economic benefits of other sources of energy. “It would pay off to consider expanding energy sources cheaper than nuclear plants,” David Marek, an analyst with Prague-based investment bank Patria Finance, told AFP. “Temelin simply doesn’t pay off with the current energy prices. The market is regulated through carbon permits, and if they are as cheap as they are, coal-fired plants are more profitable,” he added. —AFP

Al-Noor eyes $50m acquisition in UAE ABU DHABI: UAE healthcare provider Al-Noor Hospitals Group aims to raise some $150 million through an initial public offering (IPO) of shares on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) to finance planned acquisitions. The Abu Dhabi-based group, the largest private healthcare provider in the oil-rich emirate, is looking at several acquisition opportunities within the UAE, including a $50 million specialty treatment centre, said Sami Alom, chief strategy officer, declining to provide further details. Al-Noor is the second UAE healthcare company to launch an IPO and list on the LSE. In 2012, NMC Healthcare raised 117 million pounds ($186.9 million), joining a growing list of Gulf companies seeking overseas

listings in preference to moribund regional equity markets. “Demand for healthcare is set to grow rapidly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (and) the IPO is to pursue expansion and ... growth opportunities,” Alom said on a conference call with reporters. The company plans to issue new and existing shares to secure a free float of readily tradable shares of 30 to 45 percent of the total. It gave no further detail on the pricing and number of shares to be sold. Al-Noor chose to list in London to gain access to international investors, Alom said, adding bookbuilding for the IPO and listing would be in the latter half of next month. Deutsche Bank AG and Goldman Sachs are mandated joint sponsors and

global coordinators, with HSBC Holdings as joint bookrunner for the IPO. Al-Noor is owned by Ithmar Capital and its affiliates with 50 percent, and its two founders, Sheikh Mohammed bin Butti Al-Hamed and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Kassem Alom with 35 percent and 15 percent respectively. In December, Reuters reported that the consortium which owns half of Al-Noor planned to revive a sale of its stake through a stock market listing in 2013. The group operates three hospitals and nine medical centres and has the largest market share among private healthcare providers for both outpatients and inpatients, according to the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi’s latest report. —Reuters

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

BUSINESS

Money laundering distorts Colombia’s economic comeback Govt struggles to contain problem PUERTO NUEVO: Rotting wooden planks heave as dozens of barefoot Wayuu Indians carry washing machines, fans and stereos on their backs from the hull of a cargo ship docked on the tip of northern Colombia. Throughout the night, they unload thousands of boxes piled 30 feet (10 meters) high and haul them down the battered ramp to waiting trucks. By torchlight, customs director Claudia Gaviria rips open a box at the makeshift wharf at Puerto Nuevo on the La Guajira peninsula. She counts the number of fans against documents supplied by the ship. “If there’s more than the paperwork says, we will seize the merchandise and investigate because it could be contraband or even money laundering,”

said Gaviria, taping the box up and reaching for another. “We found some doctored papers on this ship.” Contraband smuggled into Colombia is part of multi-billion-dollar money laundering operations that damage legitimate businesses, undermining Colombia’s bid to reinvent itself as a thriving economy after decades of political and drugs violence. In complicated schemes, Colombian traffickers receive drug money from overseas dealers in the form of goods, often shipped along with legitimate merchandise. Once the goods are sold and a sales receipt given, the drug money is clean. The amount of money laundered from the trafficking of drugs, arms and human beings in Colombia is estimated

by experts to be as much as $17 billion a year more than 5 percent of the economy’s total value and more than total foreign direct investment last year. Much of the merchandise unloaded by the Wayuu - the bulk of it legitimate - will make its way to the desert town of Maicao, a Wild West type of place that sells cheap designer perfumes and whiskey at half the retail price, alongside knock offs of Prada and Giorgio Armani label goods. “That goods are sold at lower prices than they are produced in the factory says it all,” said national tax agency head Juan Ricardo Ortega. Last year, as much as $128 million worth of contraband was seized by authorities, less than 10 per-

cent of the amount estimated to come into Colombia, according to government data. “It’s an impossible task,” said Luis Carlos Canas, head of the tax office in northern Maicao, as he inspects ingots of aluminum on an 18-wheeler crossing the border from Venezuela. “We just don’t have the human resources to check everything.” Exports also are part of the laundering business. Fake paperwork is created for overseas sales that do not exist. Once the paperwork is filed at the customs office, cash from international drug deals can enter without raising suspicion. Colombia’s official annual gold exports are reported to be as much as 70 tons, Ortega said, although the industry only produces 15 tons. While there is a considerable amount of artisanal gold that could account for some of the extra, Ortega suspects the bulk is fictitious sales. Distortions So while Colombia continues to transform its image from a violence-plagued nation to an investment magnet with booming oil and mining industries, the economy is skewed by the money laundering of traffickers’ cocaine sales abroad. Colombia has for decades struggled to reduce crime linked to the drug trade, waging a U.S.backed war against Marxist rebels, right-wing paramilitary groups and cocaine cartels. But crime gangs have become more wily in duping authorities. Back in the days of Colombia’s best-known drug lord, Pablo Escobar, in the 1980s, so much laundered cash simply came in by plane from the United States that dealers just buried it around their homes. Now things are far more sophisticated. There are three main ways the gangs clean their money: smuggling undeclared physical cash across the border; through the financial system; and via contraband. It is not just the proceeds from drug trafficking - about $8.8 billion a year - that gets laundered. Money earned from corruption, gun running, prostitution, and illegal gold mining also needs to be cleaned. Once it makes it into Colombia’s $330 billion economy, it can inflate economic growth numbers by several basis points, said Luis Edmundo Suarez, head of the UIAF, a government body that looks into suspicious money movements and sends them for investigation. “The launderer is only interested in injecting the money into the system,” Suarez said at his Bogota office. “It creates suffering, distorts the economy and alters reference prices as he doesn’t care if he loses money, just that it’s cleaned.” Ortega reckons a large range of official data

from inflation to real estate, retail, exports, imports and agricultural output may be different than reported due to fake or overstated sales from laundering. The problem for ordinary Colombians, Ortega says, is that laundered goods are mostly sold at below-market prices, which elbows out and often shutters competitors. Conversely, it can create price bubbles in certain sectors when criminals pay excessive amounts for goods like farms or bill extra through restaurants and stores. “For a poor country, the social impact is brutal,” Ortega said. “It limits growth and destroys opportunity for legitimate business.” Cattle ranching, for example, is a common financing vehicle along with drugs for left-wing rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC, as well as other drug cartels. Cutting cattle prices They often pay above value for cattle farms and that in turn pushes up prices for neighboring property. Then they liquidate assets, the cattle, to receive quick cash, cutting the price of livestock in the area. Many agriculture businesses in central Meta province, for example, are looking to sell off and get out because they cannot compete with the low livestock prices on offer. “You can tell from the price of beef in some rural areas when a crime gang is selling its stock of cattle,” Suarez said. Farmers are intimidated into selling their land and offered cash sums they can’t refuse, according to a cattle rancher with land in Meta who requested anonymity for security reasons. “It’s hard to refuse the drug dealers,” the rancher said. “And we also face herds of cattle coming in illegally from Venezuela as contraband that slashes the price of the beef.” The government says the FARC is among the biggest owners of cattle - assets that are easy to turn into cash to buy weapons or food and clothing for their 8,000-strong fighting force. Colombia’s financial system, surprisingly, is among the most rigid and successful in protecting against money launderers. Red flags go up with any unusual movement of cash. Banking clients complain about the charges levied each month and the mountain of paperwork needed to open an account, but Maria Mercedes Cuellar, head of the Asobancaria banking union, says that is what keeps the system safe. “Colombia has more controls in its system than most places in the world, even more than in the US,” she said. But that also causes its own set of problems, she says, since it facilitates a cash-based economy that enables launderers. They simply work outside the system, she said. — Reuters

KARACHI: Pakistani stockbrokers watch the latest shear prices on a digital board during a trading session at the Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) yesterday. The benchmark KSE-100 index was 21266.43, with increase of 307.57 points in mid of the day’s session. — AFP

How Fed could ruin your summer holiday NEW YORK: Have your summer vacation all booked? Hoping to ignore your phone for a while, feeling safe in your investments and secure in the knowledge that the world’s financial authorities aren’t planning any surprises just yet? Think again. US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke made it clear in congressional testimony this week that the central bank could very well entertain a change in policy sooner than many had predicted. That would mean providing less stimulus to the economy by cutting back on its bond buying program. The result was an unsettling bout of volatility, with Treasury yields jumping while stocks slid, as investors feared the Fed’s support might start to recede. And that means this could be a summer when investors may find the waves are not only on the beach. While Fed-watchers are hard-pressed to see a turning point at the bank’s June policy meeting, there are plenty of other spots this summer when the Fed could start to prepare markets for change. Besides the June meeting, there is a policy meeting in July and the release of minutes from both those meetings that will follow. There are three Fridays where monthly jobs data will be released, and plenty of inflation readings and other, lesser economic datapoints. And of course, there are other potential flashpoints. Will an heir to Bernanke emerge? Will the annual monetary policy symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, this August matter without Ben Bernanke? Here’s what to watch for this summer on the Fed front. Fed meetings and minutes Fed policymakers meet twice more before the Sept 2 Labor Day holiday this year: June 18-19 and July 30-31. In addition, the minutes of those Federal

Open Market Committee meetings will be released three weeks later. The June meeting is likely “as good a target as any” for a signal from the Fed about their future plans, said Omer Esiner, chief market analyst at Commonwealth Foreign Exchange in Washington, DC. The Fed doesn’t want to startle investors, because that would be disruptive. Expect plenty of flags, through meeting statements and minutes, before policymakers make any movements. Data deluge: Jobs vs inflation The Fed’s dual mandate means that both jobs and inflation data will be key. Labor data has been more encouraging of late, with the unemployment rate down to 7.5 percent. The Fed has said it wants to see the rate fall to 6.5 percent before it raises interest rates. The data has been spotty enough that policymakers could want more consistency. Nonfarm payroll growth has averaged about 208,000 monthly over the past six months but has dipped below that level in some months. Chicago Fed President Charles Evans said he would like to see growth of 200,000 each month before cutting back on bond purchases, also referred to as quantitative easing. Also far from target is inflation. The Personal Consumption Expenditures index, which is the measurement most watched by the Fed, was only at 1 percent in March. The April reading is due on May 31. “They would be more comfortable with inflation at 2, 2.5 percent,” said Wilmer Stith, co-manager of the Wilmington Broad Market Bond Fund in Baltimore. With inflation hardly threatening, there are few price pressures to argue for ending the flood of easy money, and the data only goes to underscore the relative weakness of the economy, Stith noted.—Reuters

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

BUSINESS

With debt cancelation, Brazil touts growing Africa interest Congo-Brazzaville has $352m debt cancelled

Renault Unveils Twin’Run at 71st Monaco Grand Prix Twin’Run drove its first laps in front of spectators at the Monaco Grand Prix. Monaco, with its legendary track, is the ideal theatre for the concept car’s debut. Twin’Run is a sports car through and through and further cultivates the Renault brand’s passion for racing, picking up where the famous R5 Turbo and Clio V6 left off. The public at Monaco got to see the three racers in action in a pursuit race organized to celebrate Renault motorsport history. Twin’Run led the way with Carlos Tavares, Chief Operating Officer, at the wheel, tailed by a Clio V6 driven by F1 star Charles Pic and a Maxi 5 Turbo with its celebrated driver, Jean Ragnotti, at the helm. Twin’Run: Compact, potent and playful! Twin’Run ties in perfectly with the series of concept cars illustrating Renautl’s design strategy. The diamond-dominated front end underscores the brand identity in line with Renault’s new styling approach. Like Twin’Z, Twin’Run gets blue paint in reference to the “Play” petal of the fifth stage in the brand’s design strategy. Twin’Run’s stomping ground is the world of motorsport. “Twin’Run is a cocktail of energy, passion and athleticism, rekindling the memory of emblematic Renault racing cars,” says Laurens van den Acker, Senior Vice President, Corporate Design at the Renault group. “Following its twin, Twin’Z, a stylish urban concept car, Twin’Run shows that personalisation is a core strategy at Renault.” Twin’Run, has a compact, ultra-dynamic body. The wheels set in the far corners, minimal overhang and high waistline underscore the dynamic feel and promise a great drive. Blue and red The blue paint finish on Twin’Run features taut, graphically drawn lines with emphatic shoulders enhanced by touches of red on the strip running all the way along the body and above the rocker panel, as well as two red bands on the roof. Red also figures at the front, where it underlines the grille and air intakes, and on the ultra-slim door mirrors and the tips of the rear airfoil. A red surround emphasises the circumference of the black and white wheel rims. Homage to a prestigious forerunner The “5” on the doors refers to the R5 Turbo, the emblematic 1980s rally car. A host of details pay homage to this illustrious forerunner, including the design of the headlights and the generous haunches at the back. The four additional, extra-flat headlights with LED technology are a modern-day take on the light racks used in nighttime rally specials. The fully customisable light sequences are controlled by an incar system. The development of this system was a real challenge as the designers had to provide a powerful light source in a lamp measuring just 25 mm deep. Shod in 18inch Michelin sport tires, Twin’Run sits firmly on the track. “Twin’Run embodies the mad genius Renault has been known for over the decades, to the delight of motor sports enthusiasts. No one has forgotten the R5 Turbo and the Clio V6. Twin’Run is the true heir of those racing cars that had so much appeal,” says Axel Breun, Head of Concept Car Design. Twin’Run: A real racing car Twin’Run was developed with the assis-

tance of Tork Engineering/Poclain Vehicules, a French firm specialised in the preparation of chassis for competition. The concept car is a real racing car that has benefited from that competition expertise. The bodywork in composite material covers a multi-tube steel chassis powered by a mid-engine engine derived from MÈgane Trophy. A V6 engine for competition Twin’Run is fitted with the V4Y engine from the Renault-Nissan Alliance, which is used on the road for Laguna, Espace and Latitude but also used in competition with MÈgane Trophy. Mounted longitudinally ahead of the rear axle centerline, the V6 3,498 cc power plant delivers 320 hp at 6,800 rpm and torque of 380 Nm at 4,850 rpm. The engine is full-bodied and generous from low revs, delivering linear acceleration and providing excellent traction around bends and in acceleration. The V6 is mated to a SADEV six-speed sequential gearbox with limited slip differential, enhancing Twin’Run stability and traction in curves. The twin metallic clutch is also borrowed directly from competition. The air intake vents are positioned at the level of the rear wheel arches. Air extractors in the rear quarter lights help keep the engine cool. The cooling system has received special treatment with polished aluminum pipes set visibly into the cabin floor. The engine is separated from the driving position by a plexiglass panel. To ensure good weight distribution despite the mid-engine architecture, various components were positioned under the bonnet. These include the fuel tank, the radiator and the hydraulic system. The concept car is well balanced with a 43/57 weight distribution. Composite body The bodywork in a glass-polyester composite has also benefited from racing expertise. This includes carbon fibre for the front blade, roof, rear vent and wheel arches. Carbon fibre technology combines aesthetics and efficiency, while keeping costs down. Competition aerodynamics The two-box architecture of Twin’Run creates lift at high speeds. The aerodynamics have received special attention with a vent channeling the air flow under the car and a fixed airfoil for enhanced aerodynamic support at high speeds. A racing chassis Twin’Run rests on a multi-tube highperformance steel chassis derived from aeronautics and used in competition. The chassis was developed entirely by Tork Engineering. The ground link is provided by front and rear axles fitted with double-wishbone suspension with independent pivots. The four pivots, in solid aeronautical quality aluminum, deliver high performance on the track. For filtering and body stability, Twin’Run is fitted with OHLINS spring shock absorbers at the front and rear. The axles have an anti-roll bar with a diameter of 22 mm at the front and 25 mm at the rear. Roll is perfectly controlled for agility and responsiveness. The aluminum wheel covers with a special hub with a central bolt can be dismounted in three parts and fit 18” Michelin tires.

Reality gap widens on EU car fuel efficiency claims BRUSSELS: The gap has widened between the fuel-efficiency that carmakers declare for their models and the reality for drivers, with luxury German vehicles showing the biggest divergence, a study has found. Research by the nonprofit International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) found “real-world” carbon emissions for new cars based on fuel consumption are about 25 percent higher on average than carmakers say, compared to 10 percent a decade ago. The findings will add to pressure to reform vehicle testing procedures at international level and stoke ongoing EU debate on how to enforce 2020 car emissions goals for the 27member bloc. BMW reported vehicle emissions figures on average 30 percent lower than those found in actual use, said the report, published yesterday. But BMW questioned whether the research was representative.

“The number of vehicles per carmaker that have been analysed varies considerably and is based on only a very small and subsequently less representative section of our customer base,” the carmaker said in a statement. The ICCT, which aims to improve efficiency in transportation to benefit public health and mitigate climate change, said its report was based on data from nearly half a million private and company vehicles across Europe. Volkswagen AG’s luxury unit Audi had the second widest disparity, reporting emissions 28 percent below actual use, while Mercedes showed a gap of 26 percent. Figures for emissions from Toyota vehicles were found to be about 15 percent less than in real use and Renault and PSA Peugeot Citroen’s published data was about 16 percent lower than for vehicles on the road.—Reuters

BRASILIA: Brazil’s move to cancel or restructure $900 million worth of debt from 12 African countries is a further sign of its growing strategic interest in a booming region where it is competing for influence with China. President Dilma Rousseff announced the decision Saturday in Addis Ababa where she attended African Union celebrations to mark 50 years of the continental bloc. It was her third trip in three months to Africa, a continent with which Brazil has close cultural and economic affinities. “Brazil is fully aware that Africa is the last frontier of the global economy, where we will see high growth rates in the next decades,” Oliver Stuenkel, a professor of international relations at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, told AFP. “This reflects an economic but also political interest: There are 54 African countries in the United Nations, where Brazil is seeking a permanent seat in the Security Council, and they recently helped elect a Brazilian as head of the World Trade Organization,” he pointed out. Rousseff stressed that the debt cancelation was part of Brasilia’s efforts to boost economic ties with Africa, home to some of the world’s fastest growing economies. Among the 12 countries whose debts were canceled, CongoBrazzaville was the highest with a $352 million debt cancelled, with Tanzania’s $237 million debt the second largest. Rousseff noted that Brazil was also setting up an agency to support investments in industry and development in Africa and Latin America. This country, which has the world’s second largest black population after Nigeria, enjoys very close cultural and historical ties with Portuguesespeaking African countries such as Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde. And its interest in Africa is part of a larger trend boosting so-called South-South cooperation. With a population of nearly 200 million people, this South American giant is one of five members of the BRICS bloc of emerging powers along with China, India, Russia and South Africa. With a GDP of $2.425 trillion in 2012, Brazil is the world’s seventh largest economy and is forecast to grow 3.5 percent this year. Rousseff is continuing a policy launched by her predecessor Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, who made Africa a priority in Brasilia’s foreign policy. “We are indebted to Africa,” Lula told business

and political leaders at the Economist Summit in Nigeria last March, highlighting the historic ties between Africa and Brazil, where more than half of the population has African roots. And Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan cited Brazil as a model for what he termed his drive to curb poverty in Africa’s most populous country and top oil producer. Brazil’s trade with Africa jumped from $5 billion in 2002 to $26.5 billion in 2012 and Brasilia now has 37 embassies on the continent. Brazilian mining giant Vale, the world’s biggest iron ore producer, has investments of $7.7 billion in nine African countries while the state-owned BNDES development bank has allocated 682 million dollars in 2012 for Brazilian companies operating in Africa, 46 percent more than in 2011. Brazil’s state-owned oil company Petrobras has also invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Nigeria’s coal, oil, natural gas and alternative energy sectors. Although Brazil’s presence in

Africa is relatively small compared with that of deep-pocketed China, its projects fit well with the continent’s current economic development, particularly technical cooperation in the farming sector, food security, biofuel production and social programs to eradicate poverty. Brazil is notably sharing its broad expertise in tropical agriculture, which has helped it become one of the world’s leading food exporters. “In the past decade, Brazil had become a major player on the continent, competing with China and India for influence” although as a resource-rich country itself, it is less interested in African natural resources and more in a “promising market for its goods and services,” said a report released by Britain’s Chatham House Royal Institute of International Affairs. It noted that Brazil’s involvement in Africa should not be seen as a “purely economic strategy” but as a reflection of its ambition to be recognized as a “main player” on the international scene. — AFP

SAO PAULO: Digital art is projected on the facade of the Fiesp building, headquarters of the Industry Federation of Sao Paulo, during the “Brazil-Germany: Cultures Connected” exhibition as part of the year of Germany in Brazil. — AFP

Brussels expected to increase pressure for economic reform BRUSSELS: The European Commission is expected today to increase the pressure on several countries, particularly France, to speed up structural reforms seen as the only reliable way to boost growth and job creation. With Europe still mired in recession, the Commission will today release its latest economic recommendations for member states-except for those under bailout programmes: Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Cyprus. During the debt crisis Brussels has gained additional powers to police the economic policies of the member states. If persuasion fails it can impose sanctions, although this weapon has yet to be wielded. The Commission prefers the carrot to the stick, a European source said, favouring a constant dialogue with member states. However certain countries, like France and Spain, are expected to face added pressure. In exchange for an extra two years to bring their budget deficits back within the 3 percent EU ceiling they should commit to undertake reforms that, according to Brussels, have been put off for too long. The Commission would like in particular to see France further liberalise its labour market and reform its pension system. French President Francois Hollande pledged to undertake reforms when he visited Brussels earlier in May and met with European commissioners. “We have implemented competitiveness reforms and we will continue to do so, not because Europe requests us to, but because it is in the interest of France,” said Hollande at a joint news conference with Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso. The case of France, which has just tipped into recession, is crucial. If the euro-zone’s number two economy continues to contract it will make it difficult for the region as a whole to rebound. France will not be alone in the spotlight, however. Slovenia’s troubles have been mounting due to problems with its banks, and since Cyprus was forced to seek help it has warned of a double-digit contraction in GDP this year. The British government has been intent on carrying out austerity policies, despite advice from the IMF to moderate the programme. The Netherlands could get a delay in the deadline to bring its deficit back within EU limits. The Commission will also update today its forecasts on deficit reduction efforts by member states. This could see Italy escape the excessive deficit procedure, if the Commission judges that efforts Italy has pledged to undertake are sufficient to keep the country under the agreed 3.0 percent threshold. Italy has been forecast to reduce its public deficit to 2.9 percent this year and 2.4 percent in 2014. However the country with a massive debt of 130 percent of annual output must account for how it plans to finance 10 billion euros ($13 billion) recently announced by the new prime minister, Enrico Letta. Belgium will come in for criticism for not having reduced its deficit sufficiently, according to the Belgian daily L’Echo, although with France and Spain having been granted delays it appears sanctions are unlikely. Furthermore, the Commission has been talking about adjusting how it calculates budget deficits, inorder to offer greater leeway. It has been widely criticised for targeting nominal deficit levels, which countries have had difficulty meeting under the impact of austerity measures they implement and a longer and deeper recession in Europe. Spokesman Simon O’Connor said Monday that the Commission would reflect on the issue in the coming weeks and present options to European leaders at their June summit. The leaders are expected to discuss the Commission’s recommendations at the summit at the end of June before they are formally approved later by finance ministers of the 27 EU member countries. — AFP

170,000 plus living in subdivided flats in HK HONG KONG: More than 170,000 people in Hong Kong are living in cramped subdivided flats, a government-commissioned study has found, underlining the scale of the city’s housing crisis. Tens of thousands of lowincome families and immigrants are forced to live in the tiny subdivided units, unable to afford sky-high rents in the crowded city of seven million. Hong Kong’s Beijing-backed leader Leung Chun-ying has promised to make tackling the housing problem a “top priority” by boosting the number of new homes for Hong Kong people. But the study showed the problem is even greater than previously thought, with an estimated 171,300 people living in 66,900 subdivided flats. “About 30,600 such units do not have essential facilities such as kitchen facilities, independent toilet and water supply,” Secretary for Transport and Housing Anthony Cheung told reporters late Monday. The study was carried out from January to April by Policy21, a survey organisation comprising academics from the University of

Hong Kong. The Census and Statistics Department last October estimated 64,900 people live in subdivided flats, cubicles, caged bed spaces and cocklofts, which are usually around 40 square feet (3.72 square metres). The smallest of these cubicles cost less than HK$200 ($26) a month. But poor workmanship and lax standards in subdivided apartments often create structural dangers, hygiene problems and fire hazards. In 2011 a fire which started in a street market killed nine people from a nearby tenement after they became trapped as they tried to escape cubicle-style flats through a maze of narrow hallways. Many of the victims died of suspected smoke inhalation in a stairwell that appeared to have been blocked. The Asian financial centre has some of the highest property prices in the world, driven by limited supply and speculation from wealthy mainland Chinese investors. The government has raised real-estate purchasing and resale costs for non-local buyers in an attempt to cool the overheating market. — AFP

HONG KONG: This picture shows high rise buildings in Hong Kong. — AFP

South African growth slows down suddenly JOHANNESBURG: The South African economy suddenly slowed down in the first quarter to show growth of 0.9-percent, a five-year low, official data showed yesterday. Growth of gross domestic product (GDP) fell from 2.1 percent at the end of last year, with a 1.2 percent fall of output by manufacturing industry, data from Statistics South Africa showed. The quarterly growth was the worst since a 1.7percent contraction in 2009. The South African economy, the biggest in Africa, grew by 2.5 percent in 2012. Analysts, shocked at lower-than-expected figures, revised projected annual growth downwards. “We were looking at 1.9 percent,” said Nicky Weimar, Nedbank senior economist. “Obviously we are extremely disappointed.” Nedbank expects 2.2 percent-growth this year, down from its earlier 2.6-percent esti-

mate. Meanwhile Dawie Roodt from financial services firm Efficient Group forecast an under-two percent growth after the “shocker” announcement. The national currency the rand-already at its lowest point in four years fell to 9.73 to the dollar following the release of the latest growth figures-compared to 9.59 at the close of trading on Monday. Maintenance shutdowns in notably petroleum and other industries contributed to a 7.9-percent slump in manufacturing and overall negative 1.2-percent quarterly growth in manufacturing, said Stats SA’s Gerhardt Bouwer. “There were a few weeks they stopped for maintenance,” he told AFP. Output by the sector of agriculture also contracted slightly, “but the pace of activity in most other sectors slowed noticeably over the quarter,” Nedbank said in an analysis. —AFP

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

BUSINESS

Toyota consolidates position as the brand of choice in Gulf Toyota announced strong growth performance in the Gulf Region, selling 158,223 units in Q1 2013, which resulted in the brand further consolidating its leadership with a 39.6 percent market share. In achieving this performance, Toyota registered a 23 percent increase in sales as compared to the same period in Q1 2012. This impressive first quarter growth in the GCC follows the record sales performance of Toyota last year when over 593,000 units were sold. According to Nobuyuk i Negishi, Chief Representative of Middle East & Nor th Africa Representative Office, Toyota Motor Corporation “With our strong lineup of products backed by our acclaimed after sales service, our impressive sales growth in the first quarter continues the strong momentum in sales at the close of 2012. Toyota’s emphasis on developing exciting new design and product innovations for our vehicles is also having a favourable impact on customers. With the confidence of our expanding customer base in Toyota’s reliability and product quality and their implicit trust in our brand, I look forward to partnering with our dealers and our staff across the region to continue Toyota’s success story.” Toyota’s SUV product range did exceptionally

well in Q1 reflecting the demand for this category of vehicles among consumers in the GCC. Toyota PRADO sold 18,443 units to post a 56 percent growth in unit sales y-o-y, while the new look RAV4 sold 3,057 units for a 51 percent increase in sales during the same period. In terms of sedans, the new Toyota Avalon received tremendous response from customers in the region recording sales of 3,998 units to register a 58 percent increase while the Yaris also recorded an impressive sales growth with 9,221 units to record a 56 percent increase in sales. In terms of new launches in 2013, Toyota introduced the 2013 Avalon in the GCC market in Q1 signaling the entry of a world class sedan with a unique combination of more emotional styling, improved dynamic per formance, and greater refinement. Toyota also launched the 2013 RAV4 which is a bold reinvention of the world’s original crossover sport utility vehicle offering customers sophisticated and strong styling, refined, premiumquality interior design and a new Dynamic Torque Control 4WD, in addition to a more engaging and fun drive with fuel efficient powertrain. Gulf Region includes Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain.

Dewa Projects Pvt Ltd signs MoU with Reliance Property Solutions The Dewa Group (Cochin, Kerala) today signs an MoU with Reliance Property Solutions to market their project Dewa Pier 20, located at Marine Drive, Kochi. Reliance Property Solutions and Dewa Projects Pvt Ltd Cochin will jointly market the project ‘Dewa Pier 20’ and it is the first MoU signed by Reliance Property Solutions with a builder in Kerala. The Dewa Group Cochin, established in 2005, is promoted by a group of accomplished NRI businessmen. The Group has an asset base of Rs.1400 Crore and capital of Rs 225 Crore. Based in Kerala, the Dewa Projects Pvt Ltd has its Registered Office in Thiruvananthapuram and Corporate Office at Cochin. The company has marketing offices at Kuwait, Mumbai, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram. The Rs 1,400 crore Dewa Group is headed by K Venugopalan Nair, Chairman and Managing Director, who has over 35 years of hands-on experience in project management in the Middle East. Dewa Pier20, Cochin is the prestigious project of Dewa Projects that meets world-class comfort fac-

(From left) Abdulqader Alhenawi, Abdulwahab Al-Nakib, Nasser Al-Meslim, and Hamad Al-Selmi

FASTtelco wins bid to provide ‘The Gate Mall’ with services KUWAIT: FASTtelco, the leading internet service provider in Kuwait, specializing in providing innovative internet and data communications solutions, announced that it has successfully won and signed a KD 500,000 bid offered by Qurain international Real Estate Company - a subsidary of Shuwaikh Gate Holding - to convert “The Gate Mall” into a smart and integrated building, through connecting all its vital systems such as fire alarms, security and CCTV systems through the installation of high-tech and innovative integrated solutions and infrastructure. It is worthy to mention that “The Gate Mall” is located in Al-Aqeelah area, in Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governorate and AlAhmadi, with a rental area exceeding 58,000 square meters, hosting major international and regional brands, marking it as the second largest shopping mall in Kuwait. Through the establishment and installation of this innovative integrated solutions infrastructure, many services will be provided to corporate entities and mall shops such as, the internet services, data transfer solutions, advanced phone services and communications network, and security systems. Abdulwahab Ahmad Al-Nakib, Chairman and Managing Director of Al-Deera Holding, and CEO of FASTtelco, said that “FASTtelco is keen to deliver its expertise in the field of advanced and integrated communications to provide its individual or corporate clients with the latest innovative and modern communication means, to facilitate their businesses and aid them to

achieve their sought goals.”. Al-Nakib added, “ Winning this bid among the other major bidders affirms FASTtelco’s expertise in the integrated solutions field. We are set to “Share” our expertise in developing highly sophisticated integrated solutions and infrastructures in the Kuwaiti market, which provides us the opportunity to contribute to the development of the Kuwaiti market in general. Al-Nakib asserted that “FASTtelco” strives to offer value added services to the mall tenants, and promises them with more smart solutions which are to be revealed to the public at the opening day, adding more facilitation to their commercial activities. On the other hand, Nasser Al-Meslim, CEO of Qurain International Real Estate Co., expressed on behalf of the company and their anticipation to work with FASTtelco in this project, and turning The Gate Mall in to becoming one of the most advanced and internationally compliant smart buildings. AL-Meslim continued “ We have placed our choice in partnering with FASTtelco in this particular project due to the high reputation in holds in the data and communication field, and due to its vast and outstanding expertise in the integrated systems technologies. We look forward to commence this project, and highly consider this successful partnership as a strong base for a prosperous future”. Al-Nakib asserted that “FASTtelco” strives to offer value added services to the mall tenants, and promises them with more smart solutions which are to be revealed to the public at the opening day, adding more facilitation to their commercial activities.

tors realised on a grand scale. The project was officially launched in 2012 and more than 100 apartments was sold out within a very short period of time. The construction and bookings are in full swing. Perfectly located on the magnificent Cochin Marine Drive, Dewa Pier20 is the largest and tallest apartment project in that location. Only Dewa Pier20 offers 2 BHK apartments in Marine Drive which is coming up few minutes away from the High Court Junction. The 605 apartments are clubbed in 7 towers are individually designed to provide water view from the private terrace and equipped with facilities expected by today’s modern buyers. Dewa Pier20 is the only project in Marine Drive having largest landholding proudly promising ‘all apartments with a water view’. The project includes 2 BHK and 3 BHK apartments and 4 BHK and 5 BHK Duplex Penthouses. Dewa Pier20 has limited edition apartments of 6,500 sq ft inclusive of 1,000 sq. ft. master bedroom. The Sky Club at 24th and 25th floors which includes

American Mattress summer sale is up to 60% KUWAIT: Staying true to its annual tradition, American Mattress has started the summer season off with a bang with its special summer promotion that reaches up to 60 percent off on the storeís mattresses and accessories. The sale also comprises world-renowned brands including Adjustables, Natura, Visco Pro, Kluft, Luxury Latex, Aireloom, Stylution and other high quality brands. The sale started on May 20 and will end on June 28, 2013. American Mattress has always been committed to providing its client base in Kuwait with the highest quality by carefully selecting leading global brands. One of the quality brands that the company carries is Aireloom, an American brand that provides a wide range of luxurious, hand made mattresses that are created with natural cotton, silk and latex so as to comfortably cushion its usersí times of slumber. Another brand, Kluft, provides mattresses that lie on the exact point where luxury merges with elegance. Made with durable and high quality New Zealand wool and natural Egyptian cotton, Kluft has become a highly favored choice for all due to its attention to detail and delivering comfort with every stitch. American Mattress also carries other globally known brands that have been chosen by many luxury hotels, resorts as well as homes. Apart from the wide range of natural and luxurious mattresses, American Mattress also provides a selection of medical mattresses including Aristocrat Mattress, Doctorís Choice, Dreamer, Health Care and other orthopedic mattresses including adjustable ones that provide the spinal cord the essential support it needs and balances the bodyís position during sleep. When it comes to pillows, American Mattress provides a vast assortment of accessories as well as the chance for customers to touch, feel and use the pillows inside American Mattressí showroom. Due to the many services it provides such as its delivery and warrantee services, American Mattress has grown to become the store of choice for many hotels, resorts, chalets as well as homeowners who all seek the truest forms of luxurious comfort. Discover the many features and offers that American Mattress provides including globally renowned mattress brands that are all offered at a discounted price. Benefit from this limited time offer by visiting the stores that supplies American Mattressí products including Good Night in Shuwaikhís Pepsi Street, Kids Mattress located in the Creative Design Center in Shuwaikh, block 2, American Mattressí showroom in Tunis Street and Boland Mall in Farwaniya.

Central bank promise lifts shares LONDON: Investors seized on clear pledges of policy support from Japanese and European central banks yesterday to drive world shares higher, sending the yen down sharply against the dollar and boosting oil prices. That put Wall Street on course for a higher open when trading resumes after Monday’s Memorial Day holiday, reversing the trend that saw all three major stock indexes end last week in negative territory. Heightened expectations the US central bank could soon taper its stimulus programme unleashed turbulence across the markets last week, leaving it to central banks in Japan and Europe to reassure investors their liquidity taps remain open. “There is still some nervousness, but investors are also feeling that equities are the best asset class,” Keith Bowman, analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, Equity markets around the world hit their highest levels in many years this month due to the cheap funding from the Fed and other central banks. But the comments by Fed chairman Ben Bernanke suggesting a US recovery could bring a shift in policy have made investors question prospects for further gains. “We have had a significant move higher and

water facing party hall, exclusive lounge, guest rooms and service apartments; the largest landscaped garden in Cochin; the 25,000 sq ft indoor sports centre with options for playing including indoor cricket, basketball, volleyball, squash, badminton, swimming and table tennis; the largest Infinity pool in Cochin etc are the main features of Dewa Pier20. “Dewa Pier20 is the best opportunity to own a waterfront luxury apartment in Marine Drive, Cochin at affordable price” said Ranjit Jacob, Director, Dewa Projects Pvt Ltd. Reliance Property Solutions is a vertical of Reliance Home Finance Ltd and is a technology-led end-to-end real estate service provider that strives for excellence in customer satisfaction. It is a onestop-shop for all property needs including Buying, Selling or Leasing. Reliance Property Solutions brings a formidable combination of global outlook with local expertise having expertise in Site Selection and Transactions, Valuation and Consulting, Investments and Alliances and Project Marketing.

now it’s time for taking stock and deciding whether we continue to go higher or we are due a correction,” Michael Hewson, senior market analyst at CMC Markets said. The question is being asked most about the Japanese market, where the Nikkei stock index had reached a 5-1/2-year high before dropping 7.3 percent last Thursday - its largest one-day loss since the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. The Nikkei steadied yesterday, ending 1.2 percent higher after long-serving board member Ryuzo Miyao said the Bank of Japan would finetune market operations to ensure its unprecedented easing campaign is not derailed. European Central Bank officials also weighed in to help ease investor’s nerves, sending the broad FTSE Eurofirst 300 index up 1.25 percent by midday, its best day in a month. ECB Executive Board member Peter Praet said the bank could still cut interest rates further to stimulate the economy if needed. His comment echoed that of ECB Executive Board member Joerg Asmussen on Monday who said the loose policy would stay as long as necessary. Yesterday’s rebound took Germany’s DAX up 1.2 percent to near recent record highs. In London, the FTSE 100

index was up 1.6 percent, led by banking stocks.MSCI’s world equity index had risen 0.4 percent by mid-morning, reversing four days of losses. Safety abandoned The dollar rose 1.0 percent to 102.00 yen, up more than a full yen from a two-week low of 100.66 hit on Friday. While against the Swiss franc, another currency seen as a safe haven, the dollar up 0.5 percent to 0.9675 francs. “The yen and Swiss franc have dropped noticeably this morning, essentially because risk assets seem to be stabilising,” said Societe Generale currency strategist Alvin Tan. The euro was little changed at $1.2940 against the dollar, trading well within its recent range of $1.28-1.32. Investors also turned away from German government bonds though the talk of future ECB rate cuts lent support. The yield on the 10-year bond was flat at 1.43 percent. The rally in equity markets and signs of rising Middle East tension lifted oil prices sharply. US crude futures gained 0.8 percent to $94.78 a barrel and Brent rose 1.5 percent to $104.16 a barrel. “Oil has made gains today on the back of friendly equity markets,” said Carsten Fritsch, senior oil analyst at Commerzbank in Frankfurt. — Reuters

TOKYO: A man and a woman pass before a share prices board yesterday. — AFP

Japan retains status as top creditor nation TOKYO: Japan kept its position as the world’s largest creditor nation for the 22nd straight year in 2012, government data showed yesterday, as the dollar’s gains helped inflate the value of overseas assets. Tokyo was followed by mainland China and Germany in third place in the ranking, which reflects the difference between the value of assets held abroad, including foreign debt and property, minus a nation’s liabilities, such as foreign purchases of its own debt and domestic assets. In Japan’s case, net overseas assets stood at 296.3 trillion yen at the end of last year, or $2.9 trillion at yesterday’s rate, from 86.32 yen at the end of the year, according to the finance ministry. Japan’s currency has tumbled since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe swept landslide December elections on a pledge to boost the world’s thirdlargest economy with a plan that includes big government spending and aggressive central bank monetary easing, which tends to weigh on the unit. A weaker yen means that assets denominated in another currency, such as the dollar, would become more valuable when calculated in yen terms. But analysts said there were no guarantees Japan would retain the title going forward as it faces big trade deficits, fuelled by surging dollar-denominated energy imports in the wake of the Fukushima atomic crisis, while carrying a massive public debt. Abe’s pro-spending measures threaten to inflate a debt pile, which at more than twice the size of the economy is the worst among industrialised nations. “The exchange-rate effect provides only a temporary boost,” said Tsuyoshi Nakazawa, foreign investment analyst for Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities in Tokyo. “Whether Japan can stay as a major creditor nation will depend on its economic competitiveness and energy consumption pattern... Japan is living off its legacy right now,” he told Dow Jones Newswires. Mainland China’s net overseas assets were 150.3 trillion yen last year, followed by Germany with 121.9 trillion yen, Switzerland at 84.7 trillion yen and Hong Kong with 63.4 trillion yen, the Japanese government figures showed. Separate data released by the Bank of Japan yesterday showed China last year remained the biggest foreign holder of Japanese debt, raising its holdings by 14 percent from 2011 to 20 trillion yen.

Meanwhile, Tokyo stocks finished 1.20 percent higher on Tuesday in another volatile session with the market casting off early losses as a weakening yen helped push the market back into positive territory. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index closed up 169.33 points to 14,311.98, while the broader Topix index of all first-section shares was 1.23 percent, or 14.20 points, higher to 1,168.27. “Investors are buying back cyclicallysensitive stocks helped by the strengthening dollar as they were sold off in previous sessions,” said Kenichi Hirano, operating officer at Tachibana Securities. “Players are betting on a strong Wall Street performance later in the global trading day.” However, the Nikkei may slip to the 13,500 level in the coming weeks after months of rapid rises, said Yoshihiro Okumura, general manager of research at Chibagin Asset Management. “We’ll be in a correctionary phase for a month or two,” he said. “Broader sentiment is profit-taking rather than dip-buying.” Others said the Tokyo market’s underlying uptrend remains intact. “The Japanese economy has experienced a 20year long bear market, and the problems caused by the collapse of the bubble, such as bad debt, have been resolved,” Daiwa Securities said. “Given these conditions, long-term stock market rallies may well emerge if the government and the Bank of Japan (BoJ) implement appropriate reflationary measures.” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe swept December elections on a pledge to boost the world’s third-largest economy and conquer deflation with a mix of big spending and aggressive central bank monetary easing, which has helped weaken the yen. That, in turn, makes Japan’s exporters more competitive overseas and boosts the value of repatriated foreign income. Yen weakness has been a major driver of the Tokyo market’s meteoric rise in recent months. Europe’s stock markets closed on a positive note on Monday while the London and New York markets were closed for holidays. Japanese automakers outperformed the broader indices yesterday, led by Toyota which was up 4.89 percent to 6,210 yen, while Honda gained 3.86 percent to 4,035 yen. In Tokyo forex trading the dollar bought 102.00 yen, gaining from 101.09 yen in Europe late Monday, while the euro strengthened to 131.80 yen against 130.69 yen in Europe. — Agencies

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

technology

BERLIN: German Chancellor Angela Merkel touches a Mercedes E-drive electric car next to Daimler AG CEO Dieter Zetsche during the Electric Mobility conference of German government in Berlin. —AFP

New tech palaces: visionary HQs, or cursed trophies? SEATTLE: While much of corporate America is retrenching on the real estate front, the four most influential technology companies in America are each planning headquarters that could win a Pritzker Architecture Prize for hubris. Amazon.com last week revealed plans for three verdant bubbles in downtown Seattle, joining Apple’s circular “spaceship,” Facebook’s Frank Gehry-designed open-office complex and a new Googleplex on the list of planned trophy offices. “It signals a desire, a statement, to say that we’re special, we’re different. We have changed the world and we are going to continue to change it,” said Margaret O’Mara, associate professor of history at the University of Washington, who has written about the building of Silicon Valley. “It’s also a reflection of robust bank accounts. They have a lot of cash.” Historically, however, when a company becomes preoccupied with the grandeur of its premises, it often signals a high point in its fortunes. These fantastical buildings may end up as little more than costly monuments to vanity and a loss of focus on the core business that made for success in the first place. “I’ve been thinking the Apple spaceship is going to get nicknamed the ‘Death Star’ because the project is so big and the timing is so bad,” said hedge fund manager Jeff Matthews of Ram Partners. The building is coming to fruition just as Apple’s product cycles may be maturing, he explained. “It is such a classic contrary indicator that you just get the shakes.” He no longer holds Apple stock. Walter Price, who runs technology investment funds at RCM Capital Management LLC, shares the outlook: “When companies build big headquarters it’s usually when they’re doing really well and have strong outlooks, and that often coincides with a peak in their stock.” Apple, Amazon, Google and Facebook are battling to recruit tech talent, and attractive campuses help with that, he added, but Apple’s plan has not gone down well with investors. RCM’s tech funds no longer hold shares. PROJECT RUNAWAY Amazon’s design, presented to Seattle city planners last week, includes three steel and glass spheres almost 100 feet (30 meters) high, which will serve as the centerpiece for three new skyscrapers that will house a rapidly growing workforce in downtown Seattle. The plans call for “a series of intersecting spheres with ample space for a wide range of planting material, as well as individuals working alone or in groups.” Amazon declined further comment. Google Inc, the world’s largest Internet search company, has outgrown its original headquarters in Silicon Valley’s Mountain View and is planning to build a 1.1 million square foot Googleplex nearby. Called Bay View, it will have nine rectangular buildings, horizontally bent, with living roofs surrounded by courtyards and connected by bridges. No employee will be more than a two-and-a-half-minute walk away from any colleague, a design aimed at encouraging collaboration. A Google spokeswoman declined further comment. Facebook Inc is taking the collaborative idea a step further, with plans for Facebook West, an addition to its main campus in Menlo Park, California, that will be the size of seven-and-a-half football fields. Facebook hired Gehry to bring his trademark style of unexpected angles and understated drama to what is essentially one enormous openplan office, where a worker can wander from one end to the other without ever going through a door. The rooftop serves as a park. An earlier version of the building plan featured flares on the ends of the structure like butterfly wings, but Facebook decided not to go ahead with them, said Rachel Grossman, associate planner for the city of Menlo Park. Facebook spokesman Tucker Bounds said the expansion will be “extremely cost-effective” and is needed to help the company develop new products for its users. He declined to comment further. Apple has the most ambitious idea, a 2.8 million square foot glass ring on 176 acres. It

would be in part a monument to former Chief Executive Steve Jobs, who described it as like a spaceship and was closely involved in the plans before he died in 2011. The project, which could cost up to $5 billion according to reports, would house about 12,000 Apple employees. An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment. TEMPTING FATE The technology sector has amassed large cash piles in recent years, leaving many companies over-capitalized, said Bill Smead, head of Smead Capital Management, which oversees $465 million in assets and does not own shares of Apple, Amazon, Facebook or Google. “Over-capitalized companies often don’t perform well, and leaders of over-capitalized companies sometimes squander the money,” he said. Apple, Amazon and Facebook are not getting tax breaks or other similar financial incentives for their plans, according to local officials. It is not clear if Google is receiving any incentives. While these plans radiate optimism, they risk bringing down a curse that has befallen big companies just as they construct pyramid-scale palaces. AOL-Time Warner started building the Time Warner Center, a 2.8 million square foot structure on the edge of New York’s Central Park featuring two towering glass skyscrapers, right as the tech stock bubble popped in 2000, destroying more than three-quarters of the Internet and media company’s value. The New York Times Co, Wall Street bank Bear Stearns and chemical company Union Carbide also built ambitious headquarters just before their businesses hit tough times. The “campus curse” has claimed several tech victims as well. In the early 1990s, Borland Software once the second-largest independent software company - spent more than $100 million on offices just south of Silicon Valley that featured ponds, tennis courts and a swimming pool. By 2008 the company had been hammered in the market by Microsoft and was worth less than the cost of the complex. Since then, Yahoo Inc, MySpace, Inktomi, Sun Microsystems and Silicon Graphics have either hatched plans for or moved into swaggering headquarters, only to hit the skids. Google moved into Silicon Graphics’ campus and Facebook took over Sun’s headquarters. Salesforce.com Inc got the shakes in time. In late 2011 the stock had fallen from a July high, and analysts were criticizing the company for excessive spending on sales and marketing. Earlier approved plans to build a $2 billion high-tech campus in San Francisco were canceled by the following February. PRODUCTIVITY PREMIUM? Despite these cautionary tales, some say the new breed of tech companies are smart to construct their own buildings, which match the collaborative way they work and can yield long-term productivity and energy-efficiency benefits. “As they see energy prices going up they recognize that these buildings have to last longer, and they need to be more in control of the operation costs of these buildings. A property developer does not focus on such long-term things,” said John Barton, director of the architectural design program at Stanford University. “Employees are more productive in the right kinds of environments. That may be more expensive, but if it pays back in a 5 percent productivity increase, that may be really smart,” he added. O’Mara at University of Washington suggests the new tech giants are emulating the workplace innovations of the famous Bell Labs, the historic research arm of AT&T that gave birth to the transistor, the laser and technology behind mobile phones over many decades. Bell’s legendary facility, designed by modernist architect Eero Saarinen in the late 1950s, might not be the right role monument. Now owned by global telecom giant Alcatel Lucent, the quartermile-long mirrored box lies empty, and is likely to end up being turned into a medical center - or razed. —Reuters

BERLIN: A Smart forvision concept car is pictured in front of the Electric Mobility conference of German government in Berlin. —AFP

Electric vehicles slow to gain traction in Germany Electric cars can help clear the air in congested cities BERLIN: Germany plans to have one million electric vehicles on its roads by 2020, but so far that goal seems remote as the nation’s motorists have shown little love for the quietly humming vehicles. So far, the number of electric vehicles registered in Germany is just some 7,000. Chancellor Angela Merkel put on a brave face in light of the statistics, speaking Monday at a government-organized international forum in Berlin, where she affirmed that she is a believer in electric mobility. “Our plans are ambitious,” she conceded about the one-million goal pronounced by her government in 2009. “But we have a good chance of sticking to the timetable.” Her government has spent almost 1.5 billion euros ($1.9 billion) to subsidize research and development in electric mobility and is promoting the models by scrapping car registration tax for the first 10 years. However, unlike neighboring France, Germany does not offer bonuses for the purchase of electric vehicles. Electric cars produce no exhaust pipe emissions and can help clear the air in congested cities, while their carbon footprint ultimately depends on the type of energy used to charge their batteries. Problems so far include the high cost of the batteries, usually lithium-ion types, and limited networks of charging stations, which make drivers

fear being left on the side of the road with dead batteries. After Japan’s 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident Merkel rang in an ambitious energy transition away from fossil fuels and nuclear power toward renewables such as wind, solar and biofuels. Speaking on Monday, she said the push for electric cars would dovetail with that plan, to ensure that the power that drives electric cars is produced from clean, alternative energy sources. She said electric cars could be a “core sector of our industrial production”, with the auto sector making up one quarter of Germany’s exports. But so far Germans, used to putting their gas pedals to the floor on the famous autobahn highways, have been slow to accept electric cars. In the first four months of the year, only about 1,500 electric cars were newly registered, after a total of about 3,000 last year. There are also 65,000 registered hybrid vehicles with both electric and fuel engines. Henning Kagermann, coordinator of the Platform for Electric Mobility that evaluates the electric car strategy, said that, under current conditions, 600,000 electric vehicles is a more realistic figure for 2020.”Electromobility is treading water,” said Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, director of the automotive research centre of the University of Duisburg-Essen. He said so far the market

share of electric and hybrid cars is just 0.13 percent, calling it “less than a niche of a niche market”. But proponents say the boom is just around the corner. German carmakers plan to launch about 15 electric car models by late 2014, with plans to move into mass production by 2017. Over the next three to four years, German industry is set to invest about 12 billion euros to develop alternative fuel engines. VW chief Martin Winterkornwhose company this year launches its new electric Golf-said at the weekend that the government must help by improving infrastructure, such as a network of charging stations and incentives such as electric-car-only lanes. In comments to the newspaper Bild am Sonntag, he said the one-million goal was realistic if prices fall with mass production, adding: “I am convinced that that can happen.” Transport Minister Peter Ramsauer also insisted “the government sees no reason to step back from the goal of one million electric cars by 2020. The first steps are usually the hardest, but sales will increase rapidly.” Philippe Varin, chief executive of PSA Peugeot Citroen, said “it will be a gradual process over 10 years” to convince consumers to embrace first hybrids and plug-in hybrids and finally 100 percent electric vehicles. —AFP

Kaspersky Internet Security shows high efficiency in Real-World Protection Test DUBAI: Kaspersky Lab announces that its security solution Kaspersky Internet Security 2013successfully repelled the overwhelming majority of malicious attacks in a RealWorld Protection Test conducted by the authoritative Austrian antivirus test laboratory AV-Comparatives in April 2013. The Real-World Protection Tests designed to test the ability of security solutions to manage attacks in real-world conditions by replicating scenarios that commonly occur during everyday computer use. Such scenarios typically involve web browsing and working with popular applications such as Adobe

Reader, Flash, Java etc. Testing of each security solution was conducted on a computer running under Windows 7. The test designers prepared a total of 545 infection scenarios involving the most recent vulnerabilities and malware samples. Kaspersky Internet Security 2013 was among the best performers, missing just one malware sample. As well as Kaspersky Lab’s product, 20 other popular security solutions from other manufacturers participated in the testing. “With each new set of test results our product repeatedly demonstrates a high level of protection from real-world threats. This is thanks

to a number of advanced antivirus technologies implemented in Kaspersky Internet Security 2013.We place great emphasis on developing proactive antivirus technologies to combat the ever-growing number of threats. The results of the Real-World Protection Testshowthat this is the right approach,” said Nikita Shvetsov, Deputy CTO (Research) at Kaspersky Lab. Kaspersky Internet Security 2013 has regularly proved to be highly effective in real-world conditions. In March this year, the product achieved a 100% result in a similar test conducted by AV-Comparatives. In December 2012, Kaspersky

Internet Security 2013 earned AV Comparatives’ top Advanced+ rating following the results of a similar, more rigorous test conducted from August-November 2012. The product’s previous edition, Kaspersky Internet Security 2012, also won the top award from AV-Comparatives following a Real-World Protection Test conducted in June 2012. AV-Comparatives’ Real-World Protection Test is one of the most authoritative professional tests in the sphere of IT security. This year, it has been nominated for the Austrian government’s Constantinus Award 2013, a leading award in computer science.

Google’s recipe for excitement CALIFORNIA: Even though its ubiquitous Internet search engine practically mints money, Google Inc. was widely seen as a company whose best days were behind it. It was written off as the next Microsoft Corp - a staid high-tech giant in the shadows of Apple Inc. and Facebook Inc that had lost its sense of urgency and innovative edge. But that sentiment has shifted dramatically over the last year, and when Google swings open the doors to its annual conference for software developers, it won’t just be showcasing its latest products. It will be showing off the newest version of Google. “A year ago, everyone thought Google was just going to collect its pension checks” from search advertising, said Steven Levy, author of the book “In the Plex: How Google Thinks, Works, and Shapes Our Lives.” “Now it’s the hot company again.” One of the main reasons Google is the company that everyone is talking about: big ideas. Google has long been known for making long-term bets on audacious ideas, some of which evolve into indispensable parts of our everyday lives: photographing every street on Earth to create a digital replica of the planet, say, or providing instant translations of websites in any language. Under Larry Page, the Google co-founder who took the reins two years ago from longtime Chief Executive Eric Schmidt, Google is experimenting even more. Building artificial intelligence software to power driverless cars. Wiring homes with super-speedy broadband. Developing futuristic glasses that when spoken to or touched let users take photos and snippets of video or send email. Google even has a small group of researchers coming up with a simulation of the human brain, part of its effort to bore so deeply into

people’s habits and lives that it can understand what they want - sometimes before they themselves know it. “There’s not much competition” when it comes to exploring technological frontiers, Page said during the company’s first-quarter earnings call, “because no one else is crazy enough to try.” These attention-getting projects have reinvigorated Google’s image in Silicon Valley and beyond. The company has a starring role in a new Vince Vaughn-Owen Wilson movie coming out June 7, “The Internship,” which showcases Google products and casts Google as “the greatest place to work in America.” And it has again become the dar-

ling of Wall Street. Analysts still fret that searches on desktop computers, Google’s most lucrative way to sell ads, will cool off before it can come up with its next big moneymaker. But they say Page has impressed investors by running this $50 billion business of nearly 54,000 workers with hardheaded discipline. Page has sharpened the company’s focus on a handful of product areas to deliver, in his words, “one consistent, beautiful and simple Google experience,” something Google executives say will be on display at its developers’ conference this week. As rivals Apple and Facebook each experienced their own bruising falls, Google stock

CALIFORNIA: A team member can see what software developer Monica Wilkinson is writing on a white board while she wears Google Glass at Crushpath in San Francisco. The electronic glasses are not available to the public yet, but some developers have been able to buy them to prepare apps. —MCT

has shot up 65 percent since Page took charge. Google recently surpassed the market cap of Microsoft. Prospects could get brighter if Page realizes his big ambitions for Google. Page wants Google to be on every screen and every device so online advertisers can reach consumers wherever they are and whatever they are doing. Analysts aren’t sure Page can pull off that feat. And not everyone sees Google through such rose-colored glasses. Google must crack the code on making money on mobile devices. It also faces growing pressure to show investors it can turn all this costly technological wizardry into moneymaking businesses. “If you look at the revenue of core Google.com sites, we have had three quarters in a row of year-over-year growth below 20 percent,” BGC Partners analyst Colin Gillis said. “If you go back and look at what the revenue used to be, it was a rocket ship. The rocket ship is slowing down.” Google faces major obstacles on other fronts, too. As the technology giant has grown ever bigger and more powerful, worming its way into every detail and facet of people’s lives, it has drawn heavy scrutiny from government regulators and consumer watchdogs the world over. Google emerged largely unscathed from an antitrust probe in the US. But its privacy practices are under attack in Europe, where it could face fines or restrictions on its operations. And Google’s competitors are trying to undermine an agreement the company reached with European antitrust authorities, which could force major concessions or scuttle the deal. Still, these days the criticism is more muted, and more investors are betting on Google than against it. “Google can do no wrong right now,” said Anthony Valencia, media analyst at TCW Group. —MCT

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

China province to abolish teacher HIV tests: Report BEIJING: A Chinese province is likely to abolish mandatory HIV tests for teachers, state media said yesterday, making it the first region on the mainland to eliminate the measures long-branded as discriminatory. HIV carriers are excluded from civil service jobs including teaching and policing in many provinces across China, leading to accusations of prejudice from rights groups. But the state-run China Daily said that HIV tests had been removed from a draft

list of health standards for teaching candidates in Guangdong, in the south of the country. The announcement represents a “breakthrough” in a campaign to overturn discriminatory laws and brings Chinese policy into line with international norms, said Lu Jun, head of Beijing-based human rights group the Yi Ren Ping Centre. “It’s the first time (Chinese authorities) has made a change. Such rules are unimaginable in other countries and having them

changed is inevitable,” he told AFP. Kong Lingkun, of AIDS advocacy group Beijing Rainbow Centre, said provincial testing policies were at odds with central government statements, adding: “Guangdong’s move is more one of correcting their mistakes.” The China Daily quoted a lawyer as saying that people with HIV have filed an increased number of anti-discrimination lawsuits which have raised awareness of the issue, though most have been unsuc-

cessful. An HIV-positive teacher in Jiangxi province, which neighbors Guangdong, won 45,000 yuan compensation after suing his local education department for employment discrimination, China’s Xinhua news agency reported in January. “There are now many more influential voices in China calling for the revision or complete removal of the pre-employment health check system,” Hong Kong-based labour rights group China Labour Bulletin said in a commentary on the case. As of

the end of 2011 there were an estimated 780,000 people with HIV/AIDS in China, according to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, out of the country’s total population of about 1.35 billion. The first 10 months of 2012 saw more than 34,000 new cases of AIDS reported in China, up 12.7 percent over the same period last year, the state-run Global Times reported, citing a health ministry document. — AFP

Mom’s obesity surgery may help break cycle in kids Children with fewer risk factors for diabetes, heart diseases

SHUANGXI: Former construction worker and pneumoconiosis sufferer Xu Zhihui holding up an x-ray of his chest as he sits on his bed at his home in the village of Shuangxi, Hunan province. Safety standards are poorly enforced and according to experts, millions of those workers are now ill with pneumoconiosis, the incurable lung disease that has left many waiting to die. —AFP

Ladybird can be pest in disguise LOS ANGELES: The harlequin ladybird was once a stalwart ally of greenhouse growers around the world. Native to Japan, Korea and other parts of eastern Asia, the bright red ladybugs were prized for their aphideating abilities - until they caused serious declines in other ladybug populations. Now researchers have discovered the harlequin ladybird’s secret weapon: a deadly parasite that lives harmlessly in its body but kills other species with abandon. The findings, published this week in the journal Science, demonstrate how things can go awry when a foreign creature is introduced into an ecosystem, even when done with the best intentions. Ladybugs are beloved by humans and are valuable to gardeners, who deploy the spotted beetles to eat plant-munching aphids rather than spray their shrubs, flowers and crops with harsh chemical pesticides. It’s a prime example of an environmentally friendly agricultural practice known as biological control. But one particular ladybug, Harmonia axyridis, has proved to be a two-faced friend. These bugs gobble up aphids at jaw-straining speeds but spread like wildfire once they escaped the greenhouse, quickly taking over native ladybugs’ turf in large parts of Europe and North America, among other regions. In Europe, swarms of the pests have started taking wintertime shelter in houses, said study co-author Heiko Vogel, a biologist at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Germany. Vogel’s own mother’s residence has been plagued by the beetles, which can fly through windows, slip under carpets and burrow into any crevice a human home has to offer. “Thousands of beetles - even if they are nice-looking - crawling into your house is not fun,” Vogel said. Scientists aren’t sure why some species are able to thrive and dominate when introduced to a new environment. In extreme cases, the invaders wipe out the resources of native predators and throw the ecosystem wildly out of balance. The Harmonia ladybug has been studied for years, but scientists hadn’t uncovered many clear answers that explain their success. To take another crack at the question, German researchers analyzed the ladybugs’ hemolymph - its blood, essentially - under a microscope. They knew from earlier work that the beetles’ hemolymph contained an alkaloid compound called harmonine,

which has very strong anti-microbial properties that allow the beetles to resist infections. (It’s so strong, in fact, that it’s being studied as a way to help fight microbes like Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Plasmodium falciparum that cause serious diseases in humans.) Was harmonine a secret ladybug bioweapon? It was a plausible theory: Previous research showed that native ladybugs who fed on Harmonia eggs and larvae became sick and died. Invasive Harmonia ladybugs, on the other hand, could feed on the young of other species without suffering any ill consequences. But the harmonine alone couldn’t be poisoning the native species because when Vogel’s team pumped the beetles full of synthetic harmonine, they survived just fine. Something else in the harlequin ladybirds’ blood was causing the deadly effects. “There must be some other player in the game,” Vogel said. “That’s why we started to look more closely into the hemolymph.” When researchers examined the Harmonia beetles’ blood, they found extremely high spore counts of a parasitic, single-celled fungus related to Nosema thompsoni. The counts were so high that they thought they had made a mistake. With so many spores in their hemolymph, “you should be dead,” Vogel said. But his team found the same high levels in hundreds of individual beetles. The researchers soon realized that this must be the key to the Harmonia beetles’ success. Somehow, their immune systems had managed to tame the spores - they weren’t eradicated, but remained in a handy, inactive state. Then, when gobbled by another species of ladybug, the spore would infect and perhaps spread through the native population. “It was a surprise,” said Stuart Reynolds, an evolutionary immunologist with the University of Bath in England, who was not involved in the study. “The harlequin ladybird is one of the best studied invasive insects there is, and nobody had any idea.” The findings offer a cautionary tale for biological control, which has been used to control invasive pests, the scientists said. Even with rigorous testing, there may be unpredictable factors that could allow a foreign species to alter a native environment in unforeseen ways. “You should think twice before you introduce an alien species into a new environment, even if it’s for a good reason,” Vogel said.—MCT

Women more at risk than men of smoking, drinking: Study PARIS: Women who smoke and drink heavily are at a higher risk of early death than men who do the same, a study said yesterday. Data taken from a Europe-wide survey of some 380,000 people aged 40 and older, revealed that women faced a disproportional risk from the already well-known ill effects of heavy alcohol and tobacco use. Of the group, followed over an average period of 12 years, 26,411 died during the study period, said a report by French researchers published in the journal Bulletin epidemiologique hebdomadaire (BEH). On a risk scale that places neversmokers on level “1”, the death risk rose to 1.38 for men who smoked one to 15 cigarettes per day, 1.86 for those who smoked 16 to 26, and 2.44 for those who smoked more. For women, the equivalent risks were similar: 1.32, 2,04 and 2.44 respectively, said

the study. But the picture changed drastically when alcohol was thrown into the mix. For men who smoked more than 26 cigarettes and drank the equivalent of more than 30 grams of alcohol per day, the death risk on a separate scale was 2.38 compared to men who never smoked and drank up to a maximum of five grams of alcohol. For women the risk rose to a massive 3.88. “Women who consume excessive amounts of alcohol have a significantly higher risk from tobacco use than those who consume little or no alcohol,” the study authors wrote. They did not elaborate on the possible reasons for the stark difference. The study also confirmed earlier findings that current smokers have mortality rates around 1.5 to three times higher than people who never smoked. — AFP

WASHINGTON: Obese mothers tend to have kids who become obese. Now provocative research suggests weight-loss surgery may help break that unhealthy cycle in an unexpected way - by affecting how their children’s genes behave. In a first-of-a-kind study, Canadian researchers tested children born to obese women, plus their brothers and sisters who were conceived after the mother had obesity surgery. Youngsters born after mom lost lots of weight were slimmer than their siblings. They also had fewer risk factors for diabetes or heart disease later in life. More intriguing, the researchers discovered that numerous genes linked to obesity-related health problems worked differently in the younger siblings than in their older brothers and sisters. Clearly diet and exercise play a huge role in how fit the younger siblings will continue to be, and it’s a small study. But the findings suggest the children born after mom’s surgery might have an advantage. “The impact on the genes, you will see the impact for the rest of your life,” predicted Dr Marie-Claude Vohl of Laval University in Quebec City. She helped lead the work reported Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Why would there be a difference? It’s not that mom passed on different genes, but how those genes operate in her child’s body. The idea: Factors inside the womb seem to affect the dimmer switches that develop on a fetus’ genes - chemical changes that make genes speed up or slow down or switch on and off. That in turn can greatly influence health. The sibling study is “a very clever way of looking at this,” said Dr. Susan Murphy of Duke University. She wasn’t involved in the Canadian research but studies uterine effects on later health. She says it makes biological sense that the earliest nutritional environment could affect a developing metabolism, although she cautions that healthier family habits after mom’s surgery may play a role, too. It’s the latest evidence that the environment - in this case the womb - can alter how our genes work. And the research has implications far beyond the relatively few women who take the drastic step of gastric bypass surger y before having a baby. Increasingly, scientists are hunting other ways to tackle obesity before or during pregnancy in hopes of a lasting benefit for both mother and baby. What’s clear is that obesity is “not just impacting your life, it’s impacting your child,” Duke’s Murphy said. More than half of pregnant women are overweight or obese, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. But it’s not just a matter of how much moms weigh when they conceive - doctors also are trying to stamp out the idea of eating for two. Gaining too much weight during pregnancy increases the child’s risk of eventually developing obesity and diabetes, too. What’s too much? Women who are normal

weight at the start of pregnancy are supposed to gain 25 to 35 pounds. Those who already are obese should gain no more than 11 to 20 pounds. Overweight mothers-to-be fall in the middle. Sticking to those guidelines can be tough. The National Institutes of Health just began a five-year, $30 million project to help overweight or obese pregnant women do so, and track how their babies fare in the first year of life. Called the LIFE-Moms Consortium, researchers are recruiting about 2,000 expectant mothers for seven studies around the country that are testing different approaches to a healthy weight gain and better nutritional quality. They range from putting pregnant women on meal plans and exercise programs, to weekly monitoring, to peer pressure from fellow parents trained to bring nutrition advice into the homes of low-income mothers-to-be. It’s best to get to a healthy weight before conceiving, noted Dr. Mary Evans of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, who oversees the project. Just how much mom has to lose for a healthier baby is “obviously a research gap,” she said. Monday’s research findings from Canada may shed some new light. Consider: Overweight mothers have higher levels of sugar and fat in the bloodstream, which in turn makes it to the womb. Fetuses are “marinated, and they’re differently

marinated” depending on mom’s weight and health, said Dr. John Kral of New York’s SUNY Downstate Medical Center, who co-authored the Canadian study. That may do more than over stimulate fetal growth. Scientists know that certain molecules regulate gene activity, attaching like chemical tags. That’s what Laval University lead researcher Dr. Frederic Guenard was looking for in blood tests. He took samples from children born to 20 women before and after complex surgery that shrank their stomachs and rerouted digestion so they absorb less fat and calories. On average, they lost about 100 pounds. Guenard compared differences in those chemical tags in more than 5,600 genes between the younger and older siblings. He found significant differences in the activity of certain genes clustered in pathways known to affect blood sugar metabolism and heart disease risk. Only time will tell if these youngsters born after mom’s surgery really get lasting benefits, whatever the reason. Meanwhile, specialists urge women planning a pregnancy to talk with their doctors about their weight ahead of time. Besides having potential long-term consequences, extra pounds can lead to a variety of immediate complications such as an increased risk of premature birth and cesarean sections. — AP

MICHIGAN: Women walking down the street on Michigan in Chicago, Illinois. Members of the World Health Organization (WHO) gathered since May 20, 2013 for a general assembly and took commitment to halt the rise of obesity in the world by 2020. — AFP

Poland dumps old garbage system for greener setup Municipal disposal tax for s service coming WARSAW: With too many people chucking their garbage into neighbors’ bins-or worse, the woods-to avoid paying for disposal, Poland has taken on a massive overhaul of its laissez-faire waste management system. The new greener setup, which enters into force in July, will lower the incentive to litter by requiring everyone to pay a municipal disposal tax for a service that up to now has been left up to each household to coordinate. While Poland has a long way to go to catch up to green superstars like Austria or Germany-which recycle or compost over 60 percent of their rubbish the new system should help bring Warsaw into line with EU norms. “It will be revolutionary,” says Tadeusz Arkit, head of a parliamentary commission in charge of waste management for the EU member of 38 million people. Present laws leave it up to each household and business to sign a contract with one of the many garbage collection companies, but the model has proven difficult to implement and oversee. The system is “fair in theory” because everyone pays for his own share, Arkit told AFP. “But it’s not effective since there are many people who, to avoid paying, dump their trash into others’ garbage bins or toss it outdoors.” Last year, the European Commission rapped Poland and 11 other eastern and southern EU members for lagging on the environmental front. Though Poland generates less municipal waste per person than the EU average, more of it winds up being left untreated and illegally tossed into the wild. Of the 315 kilograms (695 pounds) of waste each Pole produced in 2011, 60 kilograms wound up as litter, according to the Eurostat data agency. That compares to the EU average of 503 kilograms of waste per person and 17 kilograms litter. But perhaps even more telling is what Poland does with the 255-kilogram majority that it treats: it dumps 71 percent into landfills, burns one percent, and recycles or composts 28 percent. The EU average, in comparison, is 37 percent landfilled, 23 percent burnt, and 38 per-

cent recycled or composted. The new system is expected to both cut down on litter and increase the recycling rate. Starting July 1, municipalities-and not individual households-will be responsible for coordinating garbage collection and recycling for their district as a whole. Most are expected to hold tenders to contract out the services. Households will pay a monthly tax calculated by each municipality based on its criteria of choice: number of residents, home square footage, water usage, flat rate. “Now, once the tax is paid, people won’t have a reason to empty their garbage cans in the woods,” Arkit said. The change will particularly affect homes, since apartment buildings already have communal garbage bins whose cost is included in the rent. The new system, while eco-friendly, has not won over everyone, with Warsaw’s mayor forced to lower certain planned taxes because of complaints. And Poles are still coming up with ways to cheat the system. To pay a lower tax rate, some apartment owners have claimed fewer residents on forms. “Based on the declarations submitted to my housing co-op, I think only

600,000 people will pay for garbage disposal, of Warsaw’s total population of two million,” Zbigniew Gawron, head of an association of Warsaw housing cooperatives, was quoted as saying by the Gazeta Wyborcza daily. The Constitutional Court has already received several complaints over the legislation. “In Warsaw, the new law is a mess,” said Jaroslaw Krajewski, a spokesman for the main opposition party PiS. But industry officials stress that it will promote infrastructure development and open up new markets in the country. In March, French water and waste management group Veolia Environnement opened a giant sewage treatment plant in the capital, together with a Polish subsidiary of Vinci and Germany’s WTE. Warsaw funded 60 percent of the 565-millioneuro ($730-million) investment, while EU funds covered the rest. Last month, France’s Suez Environnement inked a 850-million-euro contract to build and run an incinerator for 25 years in the western city of Poznan, which will double as a heating plant. —AFP

Philippines drops ‘SEX’ for health slogan MANILA: The Philippine Health Department said yesterday it had dropped a cheeky slogan that recommended ‘SEX’ for call centre workers after the industry failed to find it funny. The SEX tagline, which stood for “Stressfree, Eat the right foods and Exercise”, was supposed to encourage the country’s army of call centre workers to lead healthier lifestyles, said Health Undersecretary Enrique Tayag. “We thought it would be funny. They used (the acronym) SEX to make it a simple message,” he

said. However representatives of the call centres objected, saying their sector was already being stigmatized by reports that HIV infections were higher among their workers, Tayag told AFP. He said he also did not expect newspaper headlines such as “Call Center Agents need to have more SEX: Department of Health.” The department is still continuing the campaign but with the tamer slogan of “Live Well, Work Well”, Tayag said. — AFP

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

Cockroaches adapt to sugar-based traps LOS ANGELES: In the war against pests, the lowly cockroach makes for a fearsome adversary. It can go weeks without water, survive decapitation for a time - and, like any proper supervillain, can send humans screaming from a room. Now researchers have discovered how some roaches have eluded humans’ once-infallible traps: They have evolved so that glucose-sweetened bait tastes bitter. The discovery, published in Friday’s edition of the journal Science, solves a 20-year mystery even as it sheds light on the cockroach’s powerful ability to adapt. “These roaches are unbelievable,” said Walter Leal, a chemical ecologist at the University of California, Davis, who was not involved in the study. “There’s an arms race here.” Cockroaches are an inevitable companion to human civilization. They infest dark corners of homes, feed on all types of food - not to mention hair, glue and soap and skitter away quickly when spotted. They can fill homes in the tens of thousands. Exterminators once responded to the onslaught by spraying a home’s baseboards with strong insecticide, but this risked exposing children and pets to harsh chemicals. The baited trap solved this dilemma in

the mid-1980s. Placed under sinks and in cupboards, the traps lured in hungry cockroaches with sugary temptations and then poisoned them quickly with insecticide. But by 1993, exterminators started noticing something strange: The traps seemed to have lost their power. Somehow, cockroaches were thriving in baited homes. Jules Silverman, an entomologist, got on the case. His employer at the time, The Clorox Company, owned a bait-making business, and he began taking the traps apart, testing the ingredients one by one on Blattella germanica, the German cockroach. Silverman could see that the pesticides still killed the roaches; clearly, the problem had to be with the sweet baits. They were sweetened with a formulation of high-fructose corn syrup that was about 55 percent fructose and about 45 percent glucose - a simple sugar that serves as standard energy currency in living things. Companies switched baits to favor fructose, and the traps have seemed to work since. But the cause of cockroaches’ glucose boycott remained a mystery. Silverman revisited the question two decades later, after he had joined the faculty of North Carolina State University in Raleigh. Using a network of cockroach collectors around the

world who picked up samples from infested homes in the US, Puerto Rico and Russia, he and his colleagues gathered 19 different populations of German cockroaches and tested the bugs for the anti-sweet-tooth. This was easy enough: Normal cockroaches will gladly dig into a batch of sweet, sticky jelly, while glucose-averse roaches will jump back, as if repulsed. Sure enough, the glucose-haters cropped up in seven of the populations studied, said Coby Schal, an entomologist at NCSU and senior author of the Science study. “It’s really interesting how they jump away from it,” he said. “It’s like an electric shock, almost.” The cockroach’s taste system is much more decentralized than that of humans, Schal said. They have taste buds on several facial appendages, and even on their feet. The researchers focused on the paraglossae, which sit closest to the cockroach mouth and allow the critters to taste objects before eating them. The paraglossae are lined with hair-like sensilla, just a few micrometers long, that contain taste receptor neurons. The researchers stuck tiny glass electrodes onto these sensilla and then had the cockroaches taste a variety of sweet and bitter compounds, including fructose (the sugar found in fruit) and caf-

feine (whose bitterness is used by plants to deter predators). Then they watched the electrical signals the neurons sent to the brain. Signals for “sweet” had a very different shape than

those for “bitter,” Schal said. That gave the scientists a fingerprint of each taste. Next they fed the cockroaches a glucose-laced solution and watched the electrical signals.—MCT

NEW JERSEY: Hanan Davidowitz holds up an acetate rendering of a cockroach. Scientists at NEC research institute in Princeton, New Jersey have figured out how cockroaches manage to scurry away just as people get ready to swat them. Tiny hairs sense a change in wind speed and direction, according to the scientists, who monitored the nerve impulses in a roach they’ve embedded in wax and stuck in a wind tunnel. — MCT

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

W H AT ’ S O N

EQUATE sponsors American Safety Society’s beach cleanup

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QUATE Petrochemical Company sponsored the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) Kuwait Chapter beach cleanup day. As part of ongoing bilateral collaboration, EQUATE’s sponsorship of this initiative for the second year is an extension of its sustainability driven Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts with several organizations within and outside Kuwait. Reflecting EQUATE’s “Partners in Success” tagline, EQUATE and ASSE have enjoyed much cooperation in several initiatives for a number of years. Established in 1995, EQUATE is an international joint venture between Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC), The Dow Chemical Company (Dow), Boubyan Petrochemical Company (BPC) and Qurain Petrochemical Industries Company (QPIC). Commencing production in 1997, EQUATE is the single operator of a fully integrated world-scale manufacturing facility producing over 5 million tons annually of high-quality petrochemical products which are marketed throughout the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe.

appy Birthday to our son Syed Danial. We wish you all the happiness and success in your life. With lots of love and best wishes from Mom and Dad, Sister Yasmin Syed and Aisha Syed.

Announcements Legal awareness camp ichar Bharathi Kuwait in association with the Indian Lawyers Forum will hold a ‘Legal Awareness Camp’ on May 31 at the United Indian School from 10am to 1230pm. The program will be inaugurated by Adv Labeed Abdal who will also will join our experts panel. The participating lawyers from Indian Lawyers Forum are Adv. Thomas Panicker, Adv Sumod MK, Adv Mohammed Basheer, Adv Thomas Stephen. The function will be organized in three sessions, as follows. Subject presentation by the Lawyers Panel, on the following topics: Creating expatriate awareness on basic Kuwait Labor/Civil/Criminal Laws. And creating expatriate awareness on basic Indian Civil/Criminal Laws.

15th CBSE Kuwait Cluster Volleyball Tournament IMAX

IMAX film program Wednesday: ** 9:30am Showtime Available for Groups To The Arctic 3D 10:30am Tornado Alley 3D11:30am, 6:30pm, 9:30pm Flight of Butterflies 3D 12:30pm, 7:30pm Journey to Mecca 5:30pm Born to be Wild 3D 8:30pm Thursday: ** 9:30am Showtime Available for Groups Flight of Butterflies 3D 10:30am, 5:30pm, 8:30pm Born to be Wild 3D 11:30am Tornado Alley 3D 12:30pm, 7:30pm, 9:30pm To The Arctic 3D 6:30pm Friday: Fires of Kuwait 2:30pm Tornado Alley 3D3:30pm, 5:30pm, 8:30pm To The Arctic 3D 4:30pm, 7:30pm Flight of Butterflies 3D 6:30pm Born to be Wild 3D 9:30pm Saturday: ** 9:30am Showtime Available for Groups Flight of Butterflies 3D 10:30am, 1:30pm, 8:30pm Tornado Alley 3D 11:30am, 2:30pm, 5:30pm, 7:30pm, 9:30pm To The Arctic 3D 12:30pm, 6:30pm Born to be Wild 3D 3:30pm Journey to Mecca 4:30pm Notes: All films are in Arabic. For English, headsets are available upon request. “Fires of Kuwait” is in English. Arabic headsets are available upon request. Film schedule is subject to changes without notice.

Write to us Send to What’s On upcoming events, birthdays or celebrations by email: local@kuwaittimes.net Fax: 24835619 / 20

he 15th CBSE Kuwait Cluster Volleyball Tournament was hosted by Carmel School Kuwait. It was inaugurated by the principals of

the host school, Sr Maria Lytta and Sr Serena on March 21, 2013. Six schools competed for this championship over a span of three days. In the spirit of true sports-

manship, UIS and CSK emerged in the finals with UIS being victorious in the battle. Congratulations to the champions

ICSK inducts new members to the board of trustees

he Board of Trustees of the Indian Community School, Kuwait unanimously elected prominent Consultant cardiologist Prof Dr CG Suresh and academician Dr S Neelamani and as members of the Board.Dr CG Suresh is a Senior Consultant Cardiologist at Mubarak Hospital and Lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine. Dr S Neelamani is a Senior Research Scientist & Program Manager in Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR). Before coming to Kuwait he was a Faculty member

at IIT Madras. Every year new dedicated individuals from the Indian community, who wish to contribute to the betterment of the school, are inducted and placed on the Board. The management, students and staff of the Indian Community School, Kuwait extend a hearty welcome to esteemed new members of the Board of Trustees and appreciate them for taking up this honorary position. ICSK Dr S Neelamani

Dr CG Suresh

en.v introduces participants of NGO capacity building program at media round table

he en.v initiative, a leading Kuwaitbased organization dedicated to promoting social responsibility in the Arab world, today announced the finalization of the first phase of training of the STAND Program. STAND (Support for Training, Advocacy and Networking in Development) is a regional program which aims to build the capacity of the local civil society sector through training, funding, and networking opportunities. The announcement was made at a media roundtable, which was held at the Safir Hotel. STAND is funded by the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) through a non-profit organization, PARTNERS (PDC), and implemented in collaboration with The en.v Initiative in Kuwait. The two-year program utilizes an integrated approach to capacitybuilding, which combines small grants, training and mentoring. The program’s main objectives are to provide access to learning tools and skills sets for emerging Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and contribute to the creation of a more transparent, accountable and professional third sector in Kuwait, the civic sector. “At en.v, we are proud to be spearheading a program that supports and trains the individuals and organizations that are dedicated to furthering Kuwait as a country and a community,” stated Zahed Sultan, Managing Director of the The en.v Initiative. “We aim to continue to raise visibility and

build the capacity of local civil society initiatives as we begin to play an active role in shaping the field of social development on a regional level as well.” The STAND program is divided into three primary phases: Bedaya, Injaz and Ta’awun. During the first phase, which was recently completed, 10 local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) received training in NGO Governance, Leadership Development, Strategic Planning and Cooperative Advocacy. Participating CSOs will soon be receiving a small grant to implement a project and apply their newly-acquired skills. en.v will then assess the participating CSOs, and seven of them will be selected to graduate to the next phase. The 10 organizations which were selected to participate in the first phase of the program are: Deera, a non-profit project aiming to promote greater civic engagement and good governance in Kuwait; Equait, a local youth group fighting against discrimination in all of its forms; Fursa, a non-profit initiative aiming to promote local SMEs; Group 29, a local activist organization promoting the rights of Kuwaiti bedoons (stateless citizens) through campaigning, lobbying and advocacy; INJAZ Kuwait, an organization promoting youth entrepreneurship and education; K’S PATH, an animal welfare organization; Kuwait Transparency Society, an NGO dedicated to fighting against corruption; Sout Al Kuwait,

an organization promoting awareness of the Constitution and the rights enshrined within it; Spread the Passion, a leading Kuwaiti volunteer center, and Thmeen, a local selfempowerment group aiming to create greater visibility for positive Kuwaiti role models . During the next two phases of the STAND program, selected CSOs will receive training in: IT for Office Administration, Fundraising and Proposal-Writing, Financial Management, Project Management,

Monitoring and Evaluation, Coalition Building, Networking, Communications, Social Media, and Conflict Management. They will also receive larger grants to continue working on their local projects, while utilizing the skills acquired through their accumulated training. The ultimate goal of the program is to empower participating organizations to be more effective and structured in their work, as well as promote collaboration and networking across the civic sector.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

W H AT ’ S O N

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 Consulate-General 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. nnnnnnn

The British Academy of Sport is organizing a summer swim camp which is sponsored by Sebamed and Kefan Optics.

The British Academy of Sport is organizing a four-week Ramadan camp which is sponsored by Sebamed and Kefan Optics.

AUK successfully concludes Spring 2013 Senior Capstone Exhibition

he Art& Graphic Design Program (GDES) at AUK hassuccessfully concluded itsSpring 2013 Senior Capstone Exhibition on May 23. The exhibition, which was one of the largest in AUK history, witnessed a significant visitor turnout and was juried by renowned advertising experts. Over a course of 3 days, the GDES Capstone Exhibition showcased the creative work of AUK students, reflecting their abilities to design concepts and develop themedcampaigns on a wide variety of topics including, social and cultural awareness, corporate identity, health and safety, and national consciousness. Under the supervision of AUK GDES professors, Maryam Hosseinnia and Rita Merheb Khair,the participating students were able to investigate a topic of their choice, research and analyze it, and come up with interesting communication tools, addressing their target audi-

ences through the medium of Graphic Design. The displayed projects reflected a culmination of semester-long, self-initiated, and largely self-directed ideas implemented through diverse applications. The students were graded based on their creativity and presentation, theirability to conduct and use graphic design research strategy effectively, and their ability to plan and implement a compelling graphic design exhibition. Held oncea year in May, the Capstone exhibition brings together visitors from the field of graphic design, includingexpertsfrom graphic design studios, publishing houses, film and video production companies, advertising, and multimedia firms. Hosseinnia sees this as anopportunity for Graphic Design majors to showcase their learning, talents and commitment to excellence all at once. “The students have worked hard for four years; this exhibition is their goal and their celebration,”

Hosseinnia said. Amongst the projects that attracted visitors during this year’s exhibition wereproject “Constitution Awareness Center” which aims to raise awareness on the constitution of Kuwait; and project “Clinic” that proposed creative ways to facilitate the operation of Kuwait’s governmental clinics. Also featured during the exhibition were branding projects for “Failaka” and “The Kuwait Opera House”. As the exhibition concluded, Khair stressed in an interview with Al Watan TV that “the exhibition is an opportunity for students to present themselves, their creative capabilities, and their technical skills through a project in which they have utilized everything they have learned over the past four yours of study at AUK.” As one of the final year courses, the GDES Capstone course is designed to teach graduating students how to visualize the complex intersection between

personal voice, conceptual understanding, and the use of research for a graphic design exhibition. According to Sharon Lawrence, Chair of the Department of Art and Graphic Design, “the Capstone is meant to be the culmination of four years of learning for our Graphic Design majors, showcasing their talents, abilities, and learning. I’m very pleased to say I think this is the best one yet. The faculty of Art and Graphic Design is constantly working to improve the learning environment for our students. This Capstone shows the hard work and earned expertise of our students as well.” The American University of Kuwait (AUK) is an independent, private, equal opportunity, and co-educational liberal arts institution of higher education. The educational, cultural and administrative structure, methods and standards of AUK are based on the American model of higher learning.

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) appoints new Area General Manager

EMBASSY OF CANADA The Embassy of Canada in Kuwait does not have a visa or immigration department. All processing of visa and immigration matters including enquiries is conducted by the Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Individuals who are interested in working, studying, visiting or immigrating to Canada should contact the Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, website: www.UAE.gc.ca or www.goingtocanada.gc.ca, E-mail: abdbi-imenquiry@international.gc.ca. The Embassy of Canada is located at Villa 24, Al-Mutawakei St, Block 4 in Da’aiyah. Please visit our website at www.Kuwait.gc.ca. The Embassy of Canada is open from 07:30 to 15:30 Sunday through Thursday. The reception is open from 07:30 to 12:30. Consular services for Canadian citizens are provided from 09:00 until 12:00, Sunday through Wednesday. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF CYPRUS In its capacity as EU Local Presidency in the State of Kuwait, the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus, on behalf of the Member States of the EU and associated States participating in the Schengen cooperation, would like to announce that as from 2nd October 2012 all Schengen States’ Consulates in Kuwait will use the Visa Information System (VIS). The VIS is a central database for the exchange of data on shortstay (up to three months) visas between Schengen States. The main objectives of the VIS are to facilitate visa application procedures and checks at external border as well as to enhance security. The VIS will contain all the Schengen visa applications lodged by an applicant over five years and the decisions taken by any Schengen State’s consulate. This will allow applicants to establish more easily the lawful use of previous visas and their bona fide status. For the purpose of the VIS, applicants will be required to provide their biometric data (fingerprints and digital photos) when applying for a Schengen visa. It is a simple and discreet procedure that only takes a few minutes. Biometric data, along with the data provided in the Schengen visa application form, will be recorded in the VIS central database. Therefore, as from 2nd October 2012, first-time applicants will have to appear in person when lodging the application, in order to provide their fingerprints. For subsequent applications within 5 years the fingerprints can be copied from the previous application file in the VIS. The Cypriot Presidency would like to assure the people of Kuwait and all its permanent citizens that the Member States and associated States participating in the Schengen cooperation, have taken all necessary technical measures to facilitate the rapid examination and the efficient processing of visa applications and to ensure a quick and discreet procedure for the implementation of the new VIS. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF ITALY The Board of the Kuwait Italian Business Group (KIBG), will unveil the KIBG website on 28 May 2013. The event starts at 18:00 with registration and socialization and includes a welcome address at 19:00 by the Ambassador of Italy to Kuwait followed by the formal presentation of the KIBG website. The event will end at 20.00. Event Location Italian Embassy Jabriya Block 9 Street 1 Villa 84. Valet service will be provided . No mobiles nor equivalent devices are allowed in the Embassy. nnnnnnn

HG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has appointed Carlos Malliaroudakis as Area General Manager for InterContinental Kuwait and Holiday Inn Kuwait Down Town effective May 1, 2013. Carlos, a Greek national born in Beirut, brings with him 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry in different countries such as Greece, Lebanon, Jordan, Qatar and Kuwait. He has been working with IHG in different brands and roles for more than 13 years (6 years as General Manager) and was prior to this current appointment General Manager for InterContinental Kuwait (A position he is still holding). Carlos, speaks English, French, Arabic and Greek. In 2009 he was elected as General Manager of the year for IHG in EMEA region. Carlos was recently involved as well in different projects related to career development, hotels opening, and hotels quality evaluation.

Punalur project for homeless

unalur NRI association Kuwait chapter began its home for poor. The program was held at United Indian Sschool on May 23, 2013, Thursday evening 6:30 pm. The aim of this program is for a” home for homeless” and poor and needy in Pathanapuram Thaluk. The program was officially launched by the vice president of Kerala’s ruling party, Bharatheepuram Sasi, a well known social and Indian political leader from Punalur. The chairman of the NRI association, Jacob Channapetta said the home construction program for the poor and needy is a one year long project. As per the scheme, the 10 selected people from the poor and homeless section of the society are the beneficiaries for this program. The inaugural function was presided over by Mintu Cherian. Markos William, Nelson Sebastian, Somu Mathew, Thomas Mathew Kadavil, K Abubaker, Basheer Batha, Murali Krishna, Saji Jacob Maliyil spoke at function. The prominent personalities/dignitaries from Kuwait and India, and members of various organizations, large number of Indian public from all fields/areas of Kuwait attended Punalur Fest 2013. Georji George, Rajan Edamulackal, Bovas Kulathupuzha, Abey M Babu, Mathew Alex, Shijin Jose, Achen Kutty Anchal, Joju Thomas, Shaji Rasheed Punalur, Alexander, Philip, John K Abraham, Stanley John Mathew, Biju Mathew, Prathapan, and Ajay Kumar led the program.

EMBASSY GREECE The Embassy of Greece in Kuwait has the pleasure to announce that visa applications must be submitted to Schengen Visa Application Centre (VFS office) located at 12th floor, Al-Naser Tower, Fahad Al-Salem Street, AlQibla area, Kuwait City, (Parking at Souk Watia). For information please call 22281046 from 08:30 to 17:00 (Sunday to Thursday). Working hours: Submission from 08:30 to 15:30. Passport collection from 16:00 to 17:00. For visa applications please visit the following website www.mfa.gr/kuwait. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF SOUTH KOREA The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Kuwait will organize 2013 K-POP Contest on Thursday, June 6, 2013 at 6:00 pm. The aim of the contest is to provide an opportunity to the participants to showcase their exciting talents to the audience. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the contest. Application forms can be downloaded from the Embassy’s website: http://kwt.mofa.go.kr (Select English from the menu at the top of the page then Bilateral Relations) or visit the “Korean Culture Diwaniya” Facebook Group. Interested applicants must send their application forms to Kuwait@mofa.go.kr by 24 May 2013.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

TV PROGRAMS

00:45 Monsters Inside Me 01:35 I’m Alive 02:25 Wildwives Of Savannah Lane 03:15 Gator Boys 04:05 World Wild Vet 04:55 Shamwari: A Wild Life 05:20 Echo And The Elephants Of Amboseli 05:45 Dolphin Days 06:10 Dolphin Days 06:35 Wildlife SOS 07:00 The Really Wild Show 07:25 Karina: Wild On Safari 07:50 Karina: Wild On Safari 08:15 Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 09:10 Chris Humfrey’s Wildlife 09:35 Chris Humfrey’s Wildlife 10:05 Wildwives Of Savannah Lane 11:00 Animal Cops Phoenix 11:55 Shamwari: A Wild Life 12:20 Wildlife SOS 12:50 SSPCA: On The Wildside 13:15 SSPCA: On The Wildside 13:45 Animal Precinct 14:40 Wildwives Of Savannah Lane 15:30 Echo And The Elephants Of Amboseli 16:00 The Really Wild Show 16:30 Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 17:25 Weird Creatures With Nick Baker 18:20 Groomer Has It 19:15 Escape To Chimp Eden 19:40 Bondi Vet 20:10 Shamwari: A Wild Life 20:35 Echo And The Elephants Of Amboseli 21:05 Charles & Jessica: A Chimp Tale 22:00 Wildest Africa 22:55 Galapagos 23:50 Animal Cops Houston

00:40 Come Dine With Me 01:30 Masterchef: The Professionals 02:15 Gok’s Clothes Roadshow 03:05 Mitch And Matt’s Big Fish 03:30 Cash In The Attic 04:15 Bargain Hunt 05:00 House Swap 05:45 Gok’s Clothes Roadshow 06:35 Mitch And Matt’s Big Fish 07:00 The Roux Legacy 07:40 Nigel Slater’s Simple Cooking 08:05 Homes Under The Hammer 09:00 Bargain Hunt 09:45 Antiques Roadshow 10:40 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 11:25 MasterChef Australia 12:10 Come Dine With Me 13:00 The Roux Legacy 13:30 New Scandinavian Cooking With Andreas Viestad 13:55 Bargain Hunt 14:40 Cash In The Attic 15:25 Antiques Roadshow 16:15 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 17:00 Homes Under The Hammer 17:55 Baking Mad With Eric Lanlard 18:20 Food And Drink 18:45 The Hairy Bikers USA 19:10 New Scandinavian Cooking With Andreas Viestad 19:45 Come Dine With Me 20:35 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 21:20 Antiques Roadshow 22:15 Bargain Hunt 23:00 Homes Under The Hammer

00:00 00:30 01:00 01:30 01:45 02:00 02:30 02:45 03:00 03:30

BBC World News America BBC World News America Newsday Asia Business Report Sport Today Newsday Asia Business Report Sport Today Newsday Asia Business Report

03:45 Sport Today 04:00 BBC World News 04:30 Asia Business Report 04:45 Sport Today 05:00 BBC World News 05:30 Asia Business Report 05:45 Sport Today 06:00 BBC World News 06:30 Hardtalk 07:00 BBC World News 07:30 World Business Report 07:45 BBC World News 08:00 BBC World News 08:30 World Business Report 08:45 BBC World News 09:00 BBC World News 09:30 World Business Report 09:45 BBC World News 10:00 BBC World News 10:30 World Business Report 10:45 BBC World News 11:00 BBC World News 11:30 Hardtalk 12:00 BBC World News 12:30 World Business Report 12:45 Sport Today 13:00 BBC World News 13:30 BBC World News 14:00 GMT With George Alagiah 14:30 GMT With George Alagiah 15:00 BBC World News 15:30 World Business Report 15:45 Sport Today 16:00 Impact With Mishal Husain 16:30 Impact With Mishal Husain 17:00 Impact With Mishal Husain 17:30 Hardtalk 18:00 Global With John Sopel 18:30 Global With John Sopel 19:00 Global With John Sopel 19:30 World Business Report 19:45 Sport Today 20:00 BBC World News 20:30 BBC Focus On Africa 21:00 World News Today With Zeinab Badawi 21:30 World News Today With Zeinab Badawi 22:00 World News Today With Zeinab Badawi 22:30 World Business Report 22:45 Sport Today 23:00 Business Edition With Tanya Beckett 23:30 Hardtalk

00:45 01:35 02:00 02:25 02:50 03:00 03:30 03:55 04:20 04:45 05:00 05:25 05:45 06:00 06:25 06:50 07:15 07:40 08:05 08:30 08:55 09:20 09:45 10:10 10:35 11:00 11:25 11:50 12:15 12:40 13:00 13:25 13:50 14:20 14:45 15:10 15:35 16:00 16:25 16:50 17:15 17:40 18:05

Wacky Races Duck Dodgers Duck Dodgers Dastardly And Muttley Dastardly And Muttley Dexter’s Laboratory Wacky Races Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries Tom & Jerry The Garfield Show Bananas In Pyjamas Gerald McBoing Boing Jelly Jamm Ha Ha Hairies Bananas In Pyjamas Lazytown Krypto: The Super Dog Baby Looney Tunes Gerald McBoing Boing Cartoonito Tales Ha Ha Hairies Lazytown Baby Looney Tunes Krypto: The Super Dog Cartoonito Tales Jelly Jamm Gerald McBoing Boing Lazytown Baby Looney Tunes Jelly Jamm Tom & Jerry Kids A Pup Named Scooby-Doo Moomins Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries The Looney Tunes Show The 13 Ghosts Of Scooby-Doo Taz-Mania Tiny Toon Adventures Moomins Tom And Jerry Tales What’s New Scooby Doo The Looney Tunes Show The Garfield Show

18:30 18:55 19:20 19:45 20:10 20:35 21:00 21:25 21:50 22:15 23:05

Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries The 13 Ghosts Of Scooby-Doo Tom And Jerry Tales What’s New Scooby Doo Tiny Toon Adventures Puppy In My Pocket What’s New Scooby-Doo? Looney Tunes Dexter’s Laboratory Tom & Jerry Tales Pink Panther And Pals

00:30 Grim Adventures Of... 01:20 Johnny Test 02:10 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 02:35 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 03:00 The Amazing World Of Gumball 03:25 Regular Show 03:50 Ben 10: Omniverse 04:15 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 04:40 Powerpuff Girls 05:05 Evil Con Carne 05:30 Cow & Chicken 06:00 Casper’s Scare School 06:30 Angelo Rules 07:00 Dreamworks Dragons Riders Of Berk 07:25 Johnny Test 07:45 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 08:10 Evil Con Carne 08:55 Adventure Time 09:45 Regular Show 10:35 Angelo Rules 11:25 Ben 10: Alien Force 11:50 Ben 10: Alien Force 12:15 Hero 108 12:40 Hero 108 13:05 Mucha Lucha ! 13:30 Angelo Rules 14:20 Evil Con Carne 15:10 The Amazing World Of Gumball 15:35 Adventure Time 16:00 Regular Show 16:30 Johnny Test 17:00 Ben 10: Omniverse 17:25 Dreamworks Dragons Riders Of Berk 17:50 Gormiti New 18:15 Young Justice 18:40 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 19:05 Total Drama Island 19:30 Total Drama Island 19:55 Mucha Lucha ! 20:20 Ben 10: Omniverse 20:45 The Amazing World Of Gumball 21:10 Adventure Time 21:35 Regular Show 22:00 Ben 10 22:25 Ben 10 22:50 Mucha Lucha ! 23:15 Mucha Lucha ! 23:40 Powerpuff Girls

00:00 Amanpour 00:30 World Sport 01:00 Piers Morgan Live 02:00 CNN Newsroom Live From Hong Kong 03:00 Anderson Cooper 360 04:00 Piers Morgan Live 05:00 Quest Means Business 06:00 The Situation Room 07:00 World Sport 07:30 News Special 08:00 World Report 09:00 World Report 10:00 World Sport 10:30 Inside Africa 11:00 World Business Today 12:00 World One 12:30 News Special 13:00 Amanpour 13:30 CNN Newscenter 14:00 Piers Morgan Live 15:00 News Stream 16:00 World Business Today 17:00 International Desk 18:00 Global Exchange 19:00 World Sport 19:30 News Special

TRANSFORMERS DARK THE MOON ON OSN ACTION HD

20:00 International Desk 21:00 Quest Means Business 22:00 Amanpour 22:30 CNN Newscenter 23:00 Connect The World With Becky Anderson

00:15 Dual Survival 01:10 Yukon Men 02:05 Moonshiners 03:00 Mythbusters 03:55 Border Security - Series 6 Specials 04:20 Auction Hunters 04:50 Storage Hunters 05:15 How Stuff Works 05:40 How Stuff’s Made 06:05 Sons Of Guns 07:00 Mythbusters 07:50 Ultimate Survival 08:45 Gold Rush 09:40 Border Security - Series 6 Specials 10:05 Auction Hunters 10:30 Auction Kings 10:55 How Stuff Works 11:25 How It’s Made 11:50 Dual Survival 12:45 Yukon Men 13:40 Moonshiners 14:35 Border Security - Series 6 Specials 15:05 Auction Hunters 15:30 Auction Kings 16:00 Jesse James: Outlaw Garage 16:55 Gold Rush 17:50 Mythbusters 18:45 Sons Of Guns 19:40 How Stuff Works 20:05 How It’s Made 20:35 Auction Hunters 21:00 Storage Hunters 21:30 Unchained Reaction 22:25 James May’s Man Lab 23:20 Mythbusters

00:05 How Tech Works 00:30 Sci-Fi Science 01:00 Prototype This 01:50 Sport Science 02:45 Unchained Reaction 03:35 Prototype This 04:25 Engineered 05:15 The Gadget Show 05:40 How Tech Works 06:05 Voyage Dans L’espace-Temps 07:00 Stephen Hawking’s Grand Design 07:50 Bad Universe 08:40 The Gadget Show 09:05 How Tech Works 09:30 Scrapheap Challenge 10:25 Future Weapons 11:20 Superships 12:10 Meteorite Men 13:00 Bad Universe 13:50 Sci-Fi Science 14:20 The Gadget Show 14:45 How Tech Works 15:10 Stephen Hawking’s Grand Design 16:00 Scrapheap Challenge 16:55 Future Weapons 17:45 Engineered 18:35 Voyage Dans L’espace-Temps 19:30 Stephen Hawking’s Grand Design 20:20 Bad Universe 21:10 The Gadget Show 21:35 The Tech Show 22:00 Stephen Hawking’s Grand Design

00:00 00:20 00:45 01:05 01:30 01:50 02:15 02:35 03:00 03:20 03:45 04:05 04:30 04:50 05:15 05:35 06:00 06:25 06:45 07:10 07:35 07:55 08:20 08:45 09:05 09:30 09:55 10:15 10:40 11:05 11:25 11:50 12:15 12:35 13:00 13:25 13:45 14:10 14:35 14:55 15:20 15:45 16:10 16:35 17:00 17:20 17:45 18:10 18:30 18:55 19:20 19:40 20:05 20:25 20:50 21:15 21:40 22:00 22:25 22:50 23:10 23:35

Hannah Montana Hannah Montana Brandy & Mr Whiskers Brandy & Mr Whiskers Emperor’s New School Emperor’s New School Replacements Replacements Brandy & Mr Whiskers Brandy & Mr Whiskers Emperor’s New School Emperor’s New School Replacements Replacements Brandy & Mr Whiskers Brandy & Mr Whiskers Prankstars Suite Life On Deck Dog With A Blog A.N.T. Farm Austin And Ally Jessie Good Luck Charlie Doc McStuffins Mickey Mouse Clubhouse A.N.T Farm Jonas So Random Hannah Montana Sonny With A Chance Kim Possible Shake It Up Shake It Up Wizards Of Waverly Place That’s So Raven Austin And Ally Jessie A.N.T. Farm Suite Life On Deck So Random Good Luck Charlie Jessie Shake It Up A.N.T Farm Austin And Ally Suite Life On Deck Suite Life On Deck Cory In The House Wizards Of Waverly Place That’s So Raven A.N.T. Farm Good Luck Charlie Jessie Shake It Up A.N.T Farm So Random Hannah Montana Jonas Los Angeles Sonny With A Chance Sonny With A Chance Wizards Of Waverly Place Wizards Of Waverly Place

00:00 Opening Act 00:55 Style Star 01:25 THS

03:15 03:40 04:10 05:05 06:00 07:50 08:20 09:15 10:15 12:05 12:35 13:05 14:05 York 14:30 York 15:00 15:30 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 22:30 23:30

Style Star Extreme Close-Up THS THS THS Style Star Opening Act Opening Act THS Married To Jonas Married To Jonas Playing With Fire Kourtney & Kim Take New Kourtney & Kim Take New Style Star THS Extreme Close-Up Chasing The Saturdays E! News Fashion Police E!es Kourtney And Kim Take Miami Chasing The Saturdays E! News Chelsea Lately

00:05 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 00:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 00:55 Unwrapped 01:20 Unwrapped 01:45 Food Wars 02:10 Food Wars 02:35 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 03:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 03:25 Food Wars 03:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 04:15 Unique Eats 04:40 Chopped 05:30 Iron Chef America 06:10 Food Network Challenge 07:00 Guy’s Big Bite 07:25 Guy’s Big Bite 07:50 Reza, Spice Prince Of India 08:15 Unique Sweets 08:40 Kid In A Candy Store 09:05 Barefoot Contessa 09:30 Food Network Star 10:20 Extra Virgin 10:45 Extra Virgin 11:10 Cooking For Real 11:35 Food Crafters 12:00 Ultimate Recipe Showdown 12:50 Grill It! With Bobby Flay 13:15 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 13:40 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 14:05 Food Wars 14:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 14:55 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 15:20 Guy’s Big Bite 15:45 Chopped 16:35 Barefoot Contessa 17:00 Barefoot Contessa 17:25 Food Wars 17:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 18:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 18:40 Guy’s Big Bite 19:05 Reza, Spice Prince Of India 19:30 Chopped 20:20 Chopped 21:10 Amazing Wedding Cakes 22:00 Charly’s Cake Angels 22:25 Charly’s Cake Angels 22:50 Unique Sweets 23:15 Unique Sweets 23:40 Food Wars

00:30 01:20 02:05 02:55 03:45 04:30 05:20 06:10 07:00 07:50 08:15 08:40 09:05 09:30 10:20 11:10 12:00 12:50 13:15 13:40 14:30 15:20 15:45 16:10 17:00 17:50 18:40 19:30 20:20 21:10 22:00 22:50 23:40

Dr G: Medical Examiner A Haunting Couples Who Kill Deadly Women I Almost Got Away With It Dr G: Medical Examiner A Haunting Nightmare Next Door Mystery Diagnosis Street Patrol Street Patrol Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth Did I Marry? On The Case With Paula Zahn Undercover: Double Life Disappeared Mystery Diagnosis Street Patrol Street Patrol Forensic Detectives On The Case With Paula Zahn Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth Did I Marry? Disappeared Undercover: Double Life Forensic Detectives On The Case With Paula Zahn Disappeared Nightmare Next Door Couples Who Kill Nightmare Next Door Nightmare Next Door I Almost Got Away With It

00:15 Kimchi Chronicles 00:45 George Clark’s Amazing Spaces 01:40 Market Values 02:05 Market Values 02:35 Banged Up Abroad 03:30 Dive Detectives 04:25 My Sri Lanka With Peter Kuruvita 04:50 My Sri Lanka With Peter Kuruvita 05:20 Long Way Down 06:15 Gone to save the planet 06:40 David Rocco‚Äôs Dolce Vita 07:10 Delinquent Gourmet 07:35 Kimchi Chronicles 08:05 George Clark’s Amazing Spaces 09:00 Market Values 09:25 Market Values 09:55 Banged Up Abroad 10:50 Dive Detectives 11:45 My Sri Lanka With Peter Kuruvita 12:10 My Sri Lanka With Peter Kuruvita 12:40 Travel Oz 13:05 Travel Oz 13:35 Gone to save the planet 14:00 David Rocco‚Äôs Dolce Vita 14:30 Delinquent Gourmet 14:55 Kimchi Chronicles 15:25 George Clark’s Amazing Spaces 16:20 Market Values 16:45 Market Values 17:15 Banged Up Abroad 18:10 Dive Detectives 19:05 My Sri Lanka With Peter

A SEPERATION ON OSN CINEMA Kuruvita 19:30 My Sri Lanka With Peter Kuruvita 20:00 Delinquent Gourmet 20:30 Kimchi Chronicles 21:00 Gone to save the planet 21:30 David Rocco‚Äôs Dolce Vita 22:00 Long Way Down 22:55 Gone to save the planet 23:20 Market Values 23:50 The Frankincense Trail

00:00 Elfie Hopkins-PG15 02:00 House Of The Rising Sun-18 04:00 Ice Road Terror-PG15 06:00 True Justice: Violence Of Action-PG15 07:45 Transformers: Dark Of The Moon-PG15 10:15 The Man Inside-PG15 12:00 True Justice: Dead Drop-PG15 13:45 Transformers: Dark Of The Moon-PG15 16:30 X-Men: First Class-PG15 18:45 True Justice: Dead Drop-PG15 20:30 Covert One: The Hades FactorPG15 23:30 Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings-18

01:15 The Marc Pease ExperiencePG15 03:00 Horrid Henry-PG 05:00 A Separation-PG15 07:15 When Love Is Not Enough-PG15 09:00 The Marc Pease ExperiencePG15 11:00 The Vow-PG15 13:00 Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close-PG 15:15 A Dog Named Duke-PG15 17:00 Something Borrowed-PG15 19:00 In Time-PG15 21:00 The Hangover 2-18 23:00 The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo-R

00:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 01:00 The Colbert Report 01:30 The New Normal 02:00 Out There 02:30 The Big C 03:00 Last Man Standing 03:30 Friends 04:00 Seinfeld 04:30 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 05:30 Hope & Faith 07:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 08:00 Seinfeld 08:30 Hope & Faith 09:00 Last Man Standing 10:00 Men At Work 11:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 12:30 Seinfeld 13:00 Hope & Faith 14:00 Friends 14:30 Men At Work 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 16:00 The Colbert Report 17:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 18:00 Ben And Kate 18:30 The Simpsons 19:00 Modern Family 19:30 The Mindy Project 20:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 21:30 The Colbert Report 22:00 Weeds 22:30 It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia 23:00 The Ricky Gervais Show 23:30 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

01:00 02:00 04:00 07:00 07:30 08:00 09:00 11:00 12:00 12:30

American Horror Story The Americans House Of Cards Emmerdale Coronation Street The Finder The Ellen DeGeneres Show The Americans Emmerdale Coronation Street

13:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00

The Ellen DeGeneres Show Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show The Finder Touch Bones Castle The Client List

00:00 Killer Elite 02:00 Elfie Hopkins 04:00 House Of The Rising Sun 06:00 Ice Road Terror 08:00 True Justice: Violence Of Action 09:45 Transformers: Dark Of The Moon 12:15 The Man Inside 14:00 True Justice: Dead Drop 15:45 Transformers: Dark Of The Moon 18:30 X-Men: First Class 20:45 True Justice: Dead Drop 22:30 Covert One: The Hades Factor

00:00 Grabbers-PG15 02:00 The Romantics-PG15 04:00 The Smurfs-PG 06:00 While You Were SleepingPG15 08:00 Bushwhacked-PG 10:00 The Waterboy-PG15 12:00 The Smurfs-PG 14:00 Police Academy 6: City Under Siege-PG15 16:00 The Waterboy-PG15 18:00 The Winning Season-PG15 20:00 Take Me Home Tonight-18 22:00 Grabbers-PG15

01:00 03:00 05:00 07:00 09:15 11:15 13:15 PG15 15:00 17:00 18:45 21:00 23:00

Resolution 819-PG15 The Last Samurai-PG15 The Evening Star-PG15 The Way-PG15 Wuthering Heights-PG15 Page Eight-PG15 Taken Back: Finding HaleyWuthering Heights-PG15 Black Forest-PG15 Oscar And Lucinda-PG15 White Irish Drinkers-PG15 Ripley’s Game-PG15

01:00 A Little Bit Of Heaven-18 03:00 Dead Lines-PG15 05:00 Christmas Comes Home To Canaan-PG15 07:00 Senna-PG15 09:00 The Big Year-PG 11:00 Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story-PG 13:00 Certain Prey-PG15 15:00 A Mother’s Choice-PG15 17:00 The Big Year-PG 19:00 Safe House-PG15 21:00 Saving Grace B. Jones-PG15 23:00 A Dangerous Method-18

01:15 Pacific Pirates 02:45 D’Fenders 04:30 Vickery’s Wild Ride 06:00 Crab Island 08:00 Kong Return To The Jungle 10:00 Cheaper By The Dozen 11:45 Blue Elephant 2 13:30 Little Einsteins: Rocket’s Firebird Rescue 14:30 D’Fenders 16:00 The Tooth Fairy 2 18:00 Cheaper By The Dozen 20:00 Olentzero Christmas Tale 22:00 Kong Return To The Jungle 23:30 Little Einsteins: Rocket’s Firebird Rescue

00:00 MSNBC Hardball With Chris Matthews 01:00 MSNBC Politicsnation 02:00 Live NBC Nightly News 02:30 ABC World News With Diane Sawyer 03:00 MSNBC All In With Chris Hayes 04:00 MSNBC The Rachel Maddow Show

05:00 MSNBC The Last Word With Lawrence O’Donnell 06:00 NBC Nightly News 06:30 ABC World News With Diane Sawyer 07:00 Live NBC Nightly News 07:39 ABC Nightline 09:00 MSNBC The Last Word With Lawrence O’Donnell 10:00 ABC World News Now 10:30 Live ABC World News Now 11:00 NBC Early Today 11:30 ABC America This Morning 12:30 Live ABC America This Morning 13:30 MSNBC First Look 14:00 Live NBC Today Show 18:38 Live MSNBC The Ed Show 19:19 Live MSNBC The Rachel Maddow Show 20:00 MSNBC Andrea Mitchell Reports 21:00 MSNBC Newsnation 22:00 MSNBC The Cycle 23:00 MSNBC Martin Bashir

01:00 Test Cricket 08:00 AFL Premiership Highlights 09:00 Super Rugby Highlights 10:00 Top 14 12:00 Super League 13:30 PGA Tour Highlights 14:30 PGA European Tour Highlights 15:30 ICC Cricket 360 16:00 NRL Full Time 16:30 Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters 20:00 Futbol Mundial 20:30 PGA PGA European Tour Weekly 21:00 Inside The PGA Tour 21:30 Trans World Sport 22:30 AFL Premiership Highlights 23:30 Super Rugby Highlights

00:00 WWE Bottom Line 01:00 NRL Full Time 01:30 Futbol Mundial 02:00 Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters 05:30 NRL Full Time 06:00 Super Rugby 07:00 AFL Premiership Highlights 08:00 PGA European Tour Highlights 09:00 Ladies European Tour 10:00 Super Rugby 12:00 AFL Premiership Highlights 13:00 Top 14 15:00 NRL Full Time 15:30 NHL 17:30 Futbol Mundial 18:00 Ladies European Tour 19:00 Super Rugby 20:00 HSBC Sevens World Series 23:00 PGA Tour Highlights

00:30 Top 14 Highlights 01:00 World Pool Masters 02:00 World Cup Of Pool 03:00 Super Rugby 05:00 PGA European Tour Highlights 06:00 Trans World Sport 07:00 Golfing World 08:00 Top 14 10:00 Top 14 Highlights 10:30 World Pool Masters 11:30 World Cup Of Pool 12:30 Golfing World 13:30 Trans World Sport 14:30 ICC Cricket 360 15:00 AFL Premiership Highlights 16:00 World Pool Masters 17:00 World Cup Of Pool 18:00 AFL Premiership 20:30 Super League 23:30 ICC Cricket 360

02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 13:00 15:00 16:30 17:30 19:30 22:30

Mass Participation Ironman Ping Pong World US Bass Fishing NHL WWE Vintage Collection WWE NXT Ping Pong World US Bass Fishing NHL WWE SmackDown Mass Participation Ironman European Le Mans Series UFC Prelims UFC Prizefighter

Classifieds WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

Kuwait SHARQIA-1 PHANTOM (DIG) PHANTOM (DIG) AT ANY PRICE (DIG) AT ANY PRICE (DIG) AT ANY PRICE (DIG) AT ANY PRICE (DIG) PHANTOM (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:00 PM :00 PM :00 PM 9:00 PM 11:00 PM 1:00 AM

SHARQIA-2 FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) DINO TIME (DIG-3D) THE GREAT GATSBY (DIG-3D) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED SHARQIA-3 THE CALL (DIG) SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG) STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS (DIG) SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG) SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG) STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED

MARINA-1 PHANTOM (DIG) PHANTOM (DIG) STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS (DIG) PHANTOM (DIG) STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS (DIG) PHANTOM (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED

12:30 PM 2:30 PM 4:30 PM 7:15 PM 9:15 PM 12:05 AM

MARINA-2 FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED

12:30 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM 12:30 AM

MARINA-3 DINO TIME (DIG-3D) DINO TIME (DIG-3D) AT ANY PRICE (DIG) THE GREAT GATSBY (DIG-3D) AT ANY PRICE (DIG) AT ANY PRICE (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:30 PM 10:15 PM 12:15 AM

12:45 PM 2:45 PM 5:15 PM 7:15 PM 9:45 PM

AVENUES-1 FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED

12:45 PM 3:30 PM 6:15 PM 9:00 PM 11:45 PM

1:00 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM 12:15 AM

AVENUES-2 STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS (DIG) STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS (DIG) STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS (DIG) STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS (DIG) STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:45 PM 6:30 PM 9:15 PM 12:05 AM

1:30 PM 3:30 PM 6:00 PM

AVENUES-3 SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG) SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG) SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG) SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG)

12:30 PM 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:45 PM 10:15 PM 12:45 AM

12:30 PM 2:30 PM 4:45 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM

MUHALAB-2 SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG) PHANTOM (DIG) SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG) SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG) STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS (DIG)

12:30 PM 2:45 PM 4:45 PM 7:00 PM 9:15 PM

FANAR-2 PHANTOM (DIG) IRON MAN 3 (DIG) PHANTOM (DIG)

8:00 PM 10:30 PM 12:30 AM

1:15 PM 4:00 PM 6:00 PM 8:45 PM 10:45 PM 12:45 AM

1:30 PM 4:15 PM 6:15 PM 8:15 PM 10:15 PM

FANAR-1 SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG) SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG) THE CALL (DIG) SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG) SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG) SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED

IRON MAN 3 (DIG) PHANTOM (DIG) IRON MAN 3 (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED FANAR-3 STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS (DIG) AT ANY PRICE (DIG) STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS (DIG) AT ANY PRICE (DIG) AT ANY PRICE (DIG) AT ANY PRICE (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED

MUHALAB-1 THE GREAT GATSBY (DIG) AT ANY PRICE (DIG) AT ANY PRICE (DIG) AT ANY PRICE (DIG) AT ANY PRICE (DIG)

MUHALAB-3 DINO TIME (DIG-3D) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) DINO TIME (DIG-3D) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG)

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (23/05/2013 TO 29/05/2013) SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG) SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED

10:30 PM 12:45 AM

360º- 1 FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) 12:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) 3:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) 6:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) 8:45 PM NO THU Special Show“FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG)” 8:45 PM THU FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) 11:30 PM NO SUN+ TUE+WED 360º- 2 STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS (DIG) STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS (DIG) STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS (DIG) STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS (DIG) PHANTOM (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED

2:00 PM 4:45 PM 7:30 PM 10:15 PM 1:00 AM

360º- 3 DINO TIME (DIG-3D) DINO TIME (DIG-3D) DINO TIME (DIG-3D) DINO TIME (DIG-3D) DINO TIME (DIG-3D) SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED

2:15 PM 4:15 PM 6:15 PM 8:15 PM 10:15 PM 12:15 AM

AL-KOUT.1 IRON MAN 3 (DIG-3D) 1:00 PM DINO TIME (DIG-3D) 3:30 PM DINO TIME (DIG-3D) 5:15 PM STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS (DIG-3D) 7 : 0 0 PM STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS (DIG-3D) 9 : 4 5 PM IRON MAN 3 (DIG-3D) 12:30 AM NO SUN+ TUE+WED AL-KOUT.2 AT ANY PRICE (DIG) AT ANY PRICE (DIG) SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG) AT ANY PRICE (DIG) SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG) AT ANY PRICE (DIG) AT ANY PRICE (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED AL-KOUT.3 FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM

12:30 PM 2:30 PM 4:30 PM 6:45 PM 8:45 PM 11:00 PM 1:00 AM

2:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:45 PM 10:15 PM 12:45 AM

BAIRAQ-1 DINO TIME (DIG-3D) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) DINO TIME (DIG-3D) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED

12:30 PM 2:30 PM 5:00 PM 7:00 PM 9:45 PM 12:30 AM

BAIRAQ-2 AT ANY PRICE (DIG) AT ANY PRICE (DIG) THE GREAT GATSBY (DIG) AT ANY PRICE (DIG) AT ANY PRICE (DIG) AT ANY PRICE (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:45 PM 11:00 PM 1:00 AM

BAIRAQ-3 THE CALL (DIG) SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG) SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG) THE CALL (DIG) SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG) SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 9:30 PM 11:45 PM

ACCOMMODATION Fully furnished 2 bedroom, 2 bath, salah with satellite, internet, telephone, sea view closet, near Burger King, Blagat Street, from 016-2013 to 20-08-2013, rent KD 270. Contact: 50687350. 28-5-2013

FOR SALE

PLAZA FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG)

5:45 PM 8:15 PM 10:45 PM

LAILA IRON MAN 3 (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG)

5:30 PM 8:00 PM 10:30 PM

AJIAL.1 LADIES & GENTLEMAN (DIG) LADIES & GENTLEMAN (DIG))

6:30 PM 9:30 PM

AJIAL.2 AT ANY PRICE (DIG) SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG) AT ANY PRICE (DIG)

6:00 PM 8:30 PM 10:45 PM

AJIAL.3 ISHKQ IN PARIS (DIG) (HINDI) ISHKQ IN PARIS (DIG) (HINDI) ISHKQ IN PARIS (DIG) (HINDI)

5:30 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM

METRO-1 FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) SAMEER ABOO ELNEEL (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG)

5:30 PM 8:00 PM 10:30 PM

METRO-2 LADIES & GENTLEMAN (DIG) LADIES & GENTLEMAN (DIG)

6:30 PM 9:30 PM

For sale Honda model 2001, gold color, good condition, price KD 750/-. Contact: 50952218. (C 4426) For sale Mercedes Benz C300, model 2009, mileage 54,000km, body kit AMG, Price KD 7,500/-. Contact: 97479763. 28-5-2013

CHANGE OF NAME I, Moidin Kunhi Badiyar Husan, S/o Husan Kunhi Urmene Moidin holder of Indian Passport No. F4932532 have changed my name to Mohammed Mohideen for all purposes. (C 4427) 26-5-2013

No: 15823

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Airlines

Arrival Flights on Wednesday 29/5/2013 Flt Route

Time

QTR JZR ETH GFA UAE JZR ETD FDB MSR OMA QTR THY DHX TMA FDB BAW FDB UAE ETD ABY KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC JZR JZR QTR IRM FDB IRA ETD GFA MEA IAW MSC IRM KNE UAE MSR THY CLX KNE QTR FDB KAC KAC KAC JZR JZR IRC MSR

148 267 620 211 853 539 305 67 612 643 138 770 170 213 69 157 53 855 933 125 302 352 382 206 344 555 529 132 1186 55 603 301 213 404 157 403 1188 470 871 610 766 792 480 140 57 790 412 284 165 561 6692 575

00:15 00:20 01:45 01:55 02:25 00:40 02:30 03:10 03:15 03:20 03:30 04:35 05:10 03:45 05:50 06:30 07:45 08:25 08:30 08:50 07:50 08:05 07:30 07:25 08:20 06:20 06:40 09:00 09:10 09:15 09:25 09:30 10:40 10:55 11:00 11:20 11:45 12:15 12:45 13:00 13:10 13:15 13:20 13:45 13:50 13:55 11:00 12:05 11:35 12:00 14:00 14:15

DOHA BEIRUT ADDIS ABABA BAHRAIN DUBAI CAIRO ABU DHABI DUBAI CAIRO MUSCAT DOHA ISTANBUL BAHRAIN BEIRUT DUBAI LONDON DUBAI DUBAI ABU DHABI SHARJAH MUMBAI COCHIN DELHI ISLAMABAD CHENNAI ALEXANDRIA ASSIUT DOHA TEHRAN DUBAI SHIRAZ ABU DHABI BAHRAIN BEIRUT BAGHDAD ASSIUT MASHAD JEDDAH DUBAI CAIRO ISTANBUL LUXEMBOURG TAIF DOHA DUBAI MEDINAH MANILA DHAKA DUBAI SOHAG MASHAD SHARM EL SHEIKH

SVA RJA QTR IYE ETD UAE ABY GFA SVA UAL KNE NIA QTR FDB GFA MSC MSR JAI OMA FDB ABY MEA AXB KLM ALK UAE ETD QTR GFA QTR JAI FDB AIC UAL DLH KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC JZR JZR JZR JZR JZR JZR JZR JZR JAI THY

500 640 134 824 303 857 127 215 510 982 462 251 144 63 219 405 606 572 647 61 129 402 489 417 229 859 307 136 217 146 576 59 975 981 636 538 674 786 166 542 788 102 774 618 777 787 177 535 135 357 185 239 574 772

JEDDAH AMMAN DOHA SANAA ABU DHABI DUBAI SHARJAH BAHRAIN RIYADH WASHINGTON DC DULLES MEDINAH ALEXANDRIA DOHA DUBAI BAHRAIN SOHAG LUXOR MUMBAI MUSCAT DUBAI SHARJAH BEIRUT COCHIN AMSTERDAM COLOMBO DUBAI ABU DHABI DOHA BAHRAIN DOHA COCHIN DUBAI CHENNAI BAHRAIN FRANKFURT SHARM EL SHEIKH DUBAI JEDDAH PARIS CAIRO JEDDAH NEW YORK RIYADH DOHA JEDDAH RIYADH DUBAI CAIRO BAHRAIN MASHAD DUBAI AMMAN MUMBAI ISTANBUL

14:30 15:55 16:15 16:30 16:35 16:55 17:10 17:20 17:20 17:25 17:45 18:00 18:25 18:55 19:05 19:20 19:30 19:35 20:00 20:00 20:05 20:15 20:35 21:05 21:10 21:15 21:30 21:35 21:45 22:00 22:05 22:20 22:25 22:40 23:10 15:50 19:25 18:30 18:40 18:15 15:00 19:35 19:25 19:10 17:50 16:15 17:30 16:10 23:00 16:50 22:40 22:30 23:20 23:45

Airlines AIC JAI UAL DLH THY ETH UAE FDB MSR OMA ETD QTR QTR TMA JZR FDB GFA THY JZR KAC BAW FDB KAC JZR KAC ABY KAC UAE FDB QTR ETD IRA IRM ETD JZR GFA KAC MEA IAW KAC MSC JZR KAC JZR KAC IRM KNE JZR MSR THY KNE UAE FDB

Departure Flights on Wednesday 29/5/2013 Flt Route 982 AHMEDABAD 573 MUMBAI 981 WASHINGTON 637 FRANKFURT 773 ISTANBUL 621 ADDIS ABABA 854 DUBAI 68 DUBAI 613 CAIRO 644 MUSCAT 306 ABU DHABI 139 DOHA 149 DOHA 225 DUBAI 560 SOHAG 70 DUBAI 212 BAHRAIN 771 ISTANBUL 164 DUBAI 537 SHARM EL SHEIKH 156 LONDON 54 DUBAI 117 NEW YORK 534 CAIRO 789 MADINAH 126 SHARJAH 787 JEDDAH 856 DUBAI 56 DUBAI 133 DOHA 302 ABU DHABI 602 SHIRAZ 1187 IMAM KHOMEINI 934 ABU DHABI 356 MASHHAD 214 BAHRAIN 541 CAIRO 405 BEIRUT 158 AL NAJAF 175 FRANKFURT 406 SOHAG 776 JEDDAH 103 LONDON 786 RIYADH 785 JEDDAH 1189 MASHHAD 461 MADINAH 176 DUBAI 611 CAIRO 767 ISTANBUL 481 TAIF 872 DUBAI 58 DUBAI

Time 00:05 00:20 00:25 00:30 02:20 02:45 03:45 03:50 04:15 04:20 04:20 04:25 05:15 05:15 05:35 06:30 07:00 07:10 07:25 08:00 08:25 08:25 09:05 09:10 09:15 09:30 09:35 09:50 09:55 10:00 10:15 10:25 10:30 10:30 11:00 11:25 11:30 11:55 12:00 12:10 12:20 12:25 12:30 12:50 13:00 13:10 13:10 13:20 14:00 14:10 14:10 14:15 14:30

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

CLX QTR IRC MSR KAC SVA KAC KAC RJA JZR QTR ETD IYE JZR ABY UAE GFA SVA JZR JZR UAL KNE NIA QTR FDB GFA JZR MSC MSR JAI FDB ABY KAC KAC OMA KAC MEA DHX KLM ETD ALK UAE KAC QTR KAC GFA KAC FDB QTR JAI JZR KAC KAC JZR

792 141 6693 576 673 503 617 773 641 238 135 304 824 538 128 858 216 511 184 266 982 471 252 145 64 220 134 404 619 571 62 120 331 361 648 351 403 171 417 308 230 860 381 137 301 218 205 60 147 575 554 283 415 528

GIALAM DOHA MASHHAD SHARM EL SHEIKH DUBAI MADINAH DOHA RIYADH AMMAN AMMAN DOHA ABU DHABI SANAA CAIRO SHARJAH DUBAI BAHRAIN RIYADH DUBAI BEIRUT BAHRAIN JEDDAH ALEXANDRIA DOHA DUBAI BAHRAIN BAHRAIN ASSIUT ALEXANDRIA MUMBAI DUBAI SHARJAH TRIVANDRUM COLOMBO MUSCAT KOCHI BEIRUT BAHRAIN DAMMAM ABU DHABI COLOMBO DUBAI DELHI DOHA MUMBAI BAHRAIN ISLAMABAD DUBAI DOHA KOCHI ALEXANDRIA DHAKA KUALA LUMPUR ASSIUT

14:45 14:55 15:00 15:00 15:05 15:45 15:45 16:00 16:55 17:05 17:20 17:20 17:30 17:40 17:50 18:15 18:20 18:20 18:30 18:40 18:40 18:40 19:00 19:25 19:35 19:50 20:05 20:20 20:30 20:35 20:40 20:45 20:50 20:50 20:55 21:05 21:15 21:50 22:05 22:15 22:20 22:25 22:30 22:35 22:40 22:45 23:00 23:00 23:05 23:05 23:20 23:45 23:50 23:55

stars CROSSWORD 204

STAR TRACK Aries (March 21-April 19) You spend a great deal of time helping others. You will be in a position to communicate to your co-workers and people apart from work as well. You will flourish by pursuing your own standards and your deepest dreams of what you want in your life. Don’t be afraid to plan and make those dreams real. Ideas of group cooperation could further your career. You excel at professions that allow you to be in contact with many different people and to travel to new and exciting locations. If your job does not do this, think about how you can make changes that would point you in that direction. Your sensitivity may be a bit off at this time so be aware of the probability that you could be easily misled. Romance is possible tonight.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Avoid the tendency to be fooled by others as you may sometimes find yourself ignoring what is underneath a conversation. Your intuition is very strong and may lead to new insights. This may be the best time to talk over future plans or goals. Big changes, like a move or large purchase or quitting a job just now, may not be a good idea. Others may challenge the direction you want to take. You may find, however, that someone close to you understands and is supportive of your decisions. This evening you may really decide to get serious about some vitamin diet, exercise program, etc. There is an instinctive urge to get serious about taking care of yourself now. Deep within you is everything that is perfect, ready to radiate through you and out into the world.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

ACROSS 1. The unit of frequency. 4. A plaster containing powdered black mustard. 12. (informal) Of very poor quality. 15. A former agency (from 1946 to 1974) that was responsible for research into atomic energy and its peacetime uses in the United States. 16. Lack of strength or vigor esp from illness. 17. (Irish) Mother of the ancient Irish gods. 18. A master's degree in business. 19. The amount of cargo that can be held by a boat or ship or a freight car. 20. A user interface in which you type commands instead of choosing them from a menu or selecting an icon. 21. A genus of Ploceidae. 23. A Nilotic language. 24. An antibiotic (trade name Nebcin) that is especially effective against gram-negative bacteria. 28. Feeling or showing extreme anger. 29. Constituting the full quantity or extent. 33. An international organization of European countries formed after World War II to reduce trade barriers and increase cooperation among its members. 34. An intensely radioactive metallic element that occurs in minute amounts in uranium ores. 35. Put (things or places) in order. 36. A New England state. 37. Make fit for, or change to suit a new purpose. 41. Type genus of the family Aplysiidae. 43. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine. 46. American novelist (1909-1955). 47. The 23rd letter of the Hebrew alphabet. 48. Surpassing the ordinary especially in size or scale. 50. Small arctic whale the male having a long spiral ivory tusk. 51. A Greek epic poem (attributed to Homer) describing the siege of Troy. 53. Highly excited. 54. A body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land. 55. Of a vivid red to reddish-orange color. 58. The elementary stages of any subject (usually plural). 60. (Greek mythology) Greek goddess of the night. 61. Pompous or pretentious talk or writing. 63. An associate degree in applied science. 65. A Russian prison camp for political prisoners. 69. Open-heart surgery in which the rib cage is opened and a section of a blood vessel is grafted from the aorta to the coronary artery to bypass the blocked section of the coronary artery and improve the blood supply to the heart. 71. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey). 75. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey). 76. The capital of Eritrea. 80. In or of the month preceding the present one. 81. A cut of pork ribs with much of the meat trimmed off. 83. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism. 84. Small cubes with 1 to 6 spots on the faces. 85. Low stingless nettle of Central and South America having velvety brownish-green toothed leaves and clusters of small green flowers. 86. A slight amount or degree of difference. DOWN 1. Providing sophisticated amusement by virtue

of having artificially (and vulgarly) mannered or banal or sentimental qualities. 2. Having nine hinged bands of bony plates. 3. Any of a number of fishes of the family Carangidae. 4. A island in the Netherlands Antilles that is the top of an extinct volcano. 5. An artificial language that is a revision and simplification of Esperanto. 6. City in Sudan. 7. (Babylonian) Consort of Anu. 8. Smaller than Florida pompano. 9. The United Nations agency concerned with international maritime activities. 10. A city of central China. 11. A Brazilian river. 12. An indehiscent fruit derived from a single ovary having one or many seeds within a fleshy wall or pericarp. 13. Not set afire or burning. 14. A state in New England. 22. Any supernatural being worshipped as controlling some part of the world or some aspect of life or who is the personification of a force. 25. An awl for making small holes for brads or small screws. 26. Tropical American tree bearing a small edible fruit with green leathery skin and sweet juicy translucent pulp. 27. A radioactive element of the actinide series. 30. Of or pertaining to or characteristic of Nepal or its people or language or culture. 31. Analgesic drug (trade name Talwin) that is less addictive than morphine. 32. Any plant of the genus Reseda. 38. The ninth month of the Hindu calendar. 39. Having or as if having especially highpitched spots. 40. A character printer connected to a telegraph that operates like a typewriter. 42. The branch of computer science that deal with writing computer programs that can solve problems creatively. 44. Small buffalo of the Celebes having small straight horns. 45. A motley assortment of things. 49. Any of various long-legged carrion-eating hawks of South and Central America. 52. A former copper coin of Pakistan. 56. A small pellet fired from an air rifle or BB gun. 57. A silvery ductile metallic element found primarily in bauxite. 59. A white metallic element that burns with a brilliant light. 62. Living quarters reserved for wives and concubines and female relatives in a Muslim household. 64. An enclosed space. 66. Large sweet juicy hybrid between tangerine and grapefruit having a thick wrinkled skin. 67. Being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time. 68. A short labored intake of breath with the mouth open. 70. Capital city of the Apulia region on the Adriatic coast. 72. Any of various small biting flies. 73. Goddess of the dead and queen of the underworld. 74. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind. 77. A health resort near a spring or at the seaside. 78. An adult male person (as opposed to a woman). 79. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth. 82. Being nine more than ninety.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

Correct choices and the best path for you may be at odds with your sense of values. You may not appreciate the easy way or clear-cut option and may choose instead, a more difficult path. Your thirst for experience and growth keeps you always on the move. You work through an enormous amount of change compared to the average person. You adjust and change your ideals often and struggle not to become too carried away with each new vision. The world of your imagination is a major focus of change. Expect a sense of support and goodwill from those around you. Avoid unnecessary risks—your movements are impulsive and it would be easy to stumble and fall. This evening would be the perfect time for a leisurely meal with your loved one.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) You are at your best concerning practical matters and work-related affairs. Events may create opportunities to place you in a power-oriented position. If you have a point to make, people will be listening. A promotion or recognition for accomplishments could be imminent. You could find that co-workers appreciate your ability to respond to your work in positive, upbeat ways and to accomplish much. This is possibly a time in your career that may require some careful thought and good judgment on your part; an upgrade or new proposition is in the making. The current flow of events indicates your best talents and abilities are respected. Never sell yourself short; your professional goals are within reach. Old projects will come to a positive end.

Leo (July 23-August 22) Career decisions are uncomplicated at this time. You make your way though ideas, concepts and you can communicate and express them to others. Group projects in the workplace and community concerns in the neighborhood could play a key role that influences your professional and perhaps political progress. Altruism and humanitarian efforts can affect your work and life-path. This is a time of good fortune when things open up in a very natural way. Situations are almost tailor-made and it is easy to see which path is the one to take. You may find yourself able to do most anything. Taking chances can bring big rewards. You are unusually affectionate this evening and you will likely have your affections reciprocated.

Virgo (August 23-September 22) Work moves along smoothly and you have a talent for finding and working through problems. March and April had you busy trying to balance finances, emotions and responsibilities. This month is making the way easier for better progress toward your goals; there are fewer demands—you may enjoy getting home at a decent hour for a change. You can use the time between daylight and dark to your advantage by working a little in the yard or with some potted plants. You might enjoy experimenting with some herbs this summer. The healing properties in the herbs and the good smells will give you many days of enjoyment. Working with nature always gives a unique satisfaction. Read about alfalfa for help with allergies.

Word Search

Libra (September 23-October 22) New discoveries will provide that wonderful feeling of enthusiasm at this time. These could be scientific discoveries or new combinations of products. This will be very stimulating, but do not count on the day working out as you had planned. If you are not flexible, this could be a very nerve-wracking time. Your concentration may be shot this afternoon; steady. Show your appreciation to a colleague by picking up a little something like flowers or perhaps those sports tickets that you know would be appreciated. Some form of art or a little exercise will help you to relax after the workday is over. Consider taking the family or a friend out to a nice dinner. Don’t take your important home relationships for granted. Continue to learn and grow.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) A co-worker or customer may cause you to stop your own work in order to help another. You may be asking too many questions. By asking many questions, the person in question may go another direction. Perhaps you will understand whatever answers you need by just sitting back and listening. Education, late nights, changing residence and many stressful tests make you stop and appreciate just how much you have accomplished in the last few years. A creative ability that you alone possess comes in handy as you solve a problem at work. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to succeed. You have a friend that has had a lucky break today and you may find yourself invited to the celebration. Take a listening ear.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) You work hard and have a very strict schedule. Today is one of those days when you may find yourself huffing and puffing, either between classes, appointments or some business transactions. Others have a difficult time keeping up with you. You may be thinking about an upcoming professional goal most of this day—pre-planning. This afternoon you may decide to bring your work home. Work at planning a time budget that will leave you with more opportunities to relax and enjoy each day. What you achieve and what you gain in monetary possessions is nothing compared to what you gain with regular attention to relationships or your physical well-being. Enjoy the feeling of laughter with a friend or loved one this evening.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) CAPRICORN Work, achievement and ambition are the things that mean a lot to you. This is a perfect time to be assertive and to move forward in your career decisions. You have all the determination and desire to achieve that which will get you where you want to go. It should be easy to channel your mind and focus. You will find the path is clear. This is a time when you can expect a little boost with some sort of extra support or recognition from those around you. You may feel that you are in touch and in harmony with others and friendships are strong. The support you need is available. You may find yourself helping friends this afternoon. You will enjoy the company of a loved one today. You and your loved one will enjoy a walk after the evening meal.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) This may not the best time for career or vocational decisions and practical advice to others. It is a good time for clearing away whatever is left unfinished. At last, you see a reward in the making. Your commitment in the workplace now will show the most positive of results. You realize that making a commitment and sticking with it is worthwhile. You could have trouble holding onto money, through bad investments, unpaid debts, which may surface now, or through a loan or giving to charities that solicit your aid. You must be cautious and try to discriminate between those who truly need help financially and those engaged in rip-offs. Take a walk with your loved one after the evening meal—enjoy the wonderful, fragrant smells of the season.

Pisces (February 19-March 20) Needing to feel secure in your business is very important to you. There is nothing better than to know you are useful and needed in the profession that you have chosen. If you have been looking for a good job or a job advance, this just might be your lucky day. Your power is expressive and emotive and you are concerned with awareness and a sense of pride and ownership. Being in the spotlight is common now and it would be good to take a humble attitude and see where your work or talents can best help others. There is always a sense of confidence from which your strong expressive ideas originate. You can feel free to exert your charm this evening as you will find many opportunities to be around animals and children, and perhaps enjoy sports with friends.

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku

Yesterday’s Solution

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

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

PHARMACY

ADDRESS

PHONE

Ahmadi

Sama Safwan Abu Halaifa Danat Al-Sultan

Fahaeel Makka St Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd

23915883 23715414 23726558

Jahra

Modern Jahra Madina Munawara

Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 Jahra-Block 92

24575518 24566622

Capital

Ahlam Khaldiya Coop

Fahad Al-Salem St Khaldiya Coop

22436184 24833967

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

lifestyle G o s s i p

he ‘Breaking Bad’ star - who popped the question in Paris in early January 2012 - married the documentary film director and activist at the Cottage Pavilion at Calamigos Ranch in front of guests including co-stars Bryan Cranston,Dean Norris, Anna Gunn, and Giancarlo Esposito and burlesque star Dita Von Teese. Bryan acted as groomsman for the ceremony which was followed by a 1920s style carnival masquerade reception. After the wedding, a besotted Aaron tweeted: “A day will never go by without me reminding you how special you are. Thanks for last night my pretty little

lthough the couple had appeared to put Kristen’s infidelity behind them - following her fling last year with married director Rupert Sanders - the relationship reportedly fell apart earlier this month because Robert felt Kristen had become “too dependent” on him. A source told HollywoodLife.com: “Through the years, Kristen definitely became too dependent on Rob saving the day and taking her back. He had to constantly feel in charge of Kristen and eventually it just became too tiring.” Friends also believe Robert, 27, and 23-yearold Kristen are at different points in their lives right now. The insider added: “Kristen is too concerned about being a Los Angeles hipster and he’s preoccupied with working these days. Rob’s ready to focus on his career and take it to the next level; Kristen’s priorities obviously don’t line up with that. He felt like an adult taking care of a child” at times. Now he’s glad to only have to be in charge of himself... He thinks she has a lot of growing up to do.”

bird (sic).” Aaron previously revealed he begged Lauren to marry him. He said: “I’m the luckiest man on the planet. It doesn’t make sense to me. The way she looks at me ... she has that magical glow about her. “We got engaged over New Year’s and I walked from the Eiffel Tower to St Germain recently and I went to the stoop, the little step where I proposed to Lauren - and I took a picture of it and I sent it to her.

he ‘Don’t Wake Me Up’ singer reportedly refused to hand over his driver’s license and insurance information when he crashed his Range Rover into the back of a Mercedes at a set of traffic lights in Beverly Hills, California last week and police are now looking into the incident, according to TMZ. Chris, 24, is still on probation for violently assaulting his then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009, leaving her face battered and bruised, and this alleged hit-and-run could trigger a violation. This is not the first time the ‘Fine China’ hitmaker - who was en route to a recording studio with his former lover Karrueche Tran - has been involved in a car accident. In February, Chris wrecked his Porsche 911 after he hurtled into a wall claiming he was cut off by “aggressive” paparazzi photographers in Los Angeles, California. A spokesman at the time said: “The occupants jumped out, with cameras, and aggressively approached his vehicle. In an effort to remove himself from the situation, he [Chris] began to back down an alley at which point his was cut off by two additional vehicles.

he 37-year-old actress and her fiance Brad Pitt want the actor’s parents, Jane and William, to join them at their Chateau Miraval estate in Provence, France, after the family bonded following Angelina’s decision to have a double mastectomy to prevent her from getting breast cancer. Jane has been a rock to Angelina throughout the ordeal and now the couple want Brad’s parents to be nearer them and their six children - Maddox, 11, Pax, nine, Zahara, eight, Shiloh, six and four-year-old twins, Knox and Vivienne. A source told the new issue of Britain’s Grazia magazine: “Angelina’s illness has brought the whole family closer together. Jane has really been there for Ange. They never used to spend a lot of time together, but now Ange is really keen to have her close by ... The shock of Angelina’s experience has really forced them to bond.” Brad, 49, and Angelina - who are believed to be getting married in the summer - have started renovating their abode to cater for Brad’s parents and want to create them a permanent, private living space so they can come and go as they please from their home in the US.

he 27-year-old actress feels incredibly proud when she reads messages from teenagers and women who say they are inspired by her curvier figure, and she strives to be a positive role model for girls who struggle with their body image. Speaking on British TV show ‘Lorraine’, Gemma said: “I’m really passionate about it (being a role model) because women are wonderful and we come in all shapes and sizes and that’s OK. “I think we’re so inundated by images of what people think is beautiful, but if we start putting things out there that aren’t [perfect], I think its good for girls to see things differently. “I’ve had the most wonderful letters - it makes me cry weekly - from girls saying, ‘I used to have an eating disorder and I look at you and you inspire me to be normal [sized].’ “It’s like, ‘Oh my gosh!’ It’s so important.” Gemma’s latest role in fantasy thriller ‘Byzantium’ sees her play a bloodsucking vampire called Clara, who raises daughter Eleanor (Saoirse Ronan) alone.

he 26-year-old actress was charged with attempted evidence tampering, reckless endangerment and marijuana possession in court last week, after being arrested at her New York City apartment, but Amanda insists she did nothing wrong and was unfairly targeted by police. In a lengthy rant on Twitter, she wrote: “For once and for all, this is the last thing I’ll say about the mistaken arrest. I’m suing NYPD for illegally entering my apartment, lying about drugs on me and lying about me tampering with non existent drug paraphernalia, then I’m suing for being put into a mental hospital against my will, then locked up overnight for coming home after a facial and working out with my trainer like the good girl that I am. I’m allergic to alcohol and drugs and don’t partake in any of the above. “I’m so offended by all of this but so proud to not be a drug or alcohol user. I don’t need to talk about this anymore. My lawyer and I are taking this offense so seriously! Everything they did was against the law and The judge saw that there was no drugs on me or proof of any type of bong or mental illness (I was so offended to even be taken to a mental hospital and they would not let me call my lawyer until the next day after being in jail all night, then I went to court and was immediately released because the judge saw that I was wrongly arrested.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

lifestyle G o s s i p

he ‘Les Miserables’ actor saved the day at Southampton Village farmers’ market in the Hamptons when he rescued a damsel in distress who was struggling to set up her food stand. The Hollywood hunk swept in to help erect vendor Donna McCue’s Fat Ass Fudge Company tent in the windy weather before it got blown away. An eye witness told the New York Post newspaper: “He very kindly helped set up the tent in the wind and even posed for pictures afterwards.” The star also bought fudge and power bars from Donna, who failed to recognize him at first. When Donna realized she was being

assisted by one of Hollywood’s most famous leading men, the actor joked he deserved some cash for his hard-earned work. He quipped: “You know I get $7.50 an hour.” The 44year-old star is no stranger to charitable deeds, and kept everyone’s spirits up on the ‘Les Miserables’ set by treating the crew and his co-stars - including Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe and Amanda Seyfried - to fun gifts like lottery tickets.

he 32-year-old hotel heiress and her boyfriend River Viiperi almost had to abandon their romantic trip to the tropical island of Maui after problems with their flight from London to California left the pair stranded at Heathrow airport for four hours. The socialite vented her frustration on Twitter after being delayed in UK: “So annoyed. Still at airport, flight has been delayed 4 hours. So not going to make our connection flight from LA to Maui. #Brutal (sic)” The lovebirds made it back to Los Angeles, California, just in time and have finally touched down in the Valley Isle to enjoy a “relaxing vacation.” She tweeted: “Aloha! Just landed in Maui. Excited for a beautiful and relaxing vacation with my love. #Hawaii (sic)” Paris took to the social networking site to inform her fans of the holiday events, tweeting: “Amazing 1st day in Maui. Beautiful lunch on the beach, swimming, shopping & just had an amazing facial & massage in the spa. So relaxed. (sic)” Before adding: “Can’t wait to go ziplining again with @riverviiperi. So much fun! I love going on adventures @ Maui. (sic)”

he 49-year-old actor convinced the casting director of his forthcoming scifi thriller ‘Transcendence’ - which sees him star opposite Morgan Freeman, Cillian Murphy and Rebecca Hall - to employ two people living on the streets after he spotted them while out and about in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A source told The Sun newspaper: “Johnny always likes to help out the community when on location. “While scouting out the area around Albuquerque, he came across these two characters. He was straight on the phone to the casting director.” It is not the first time Johnny has helped out people living on the streets after he bought a hat from a homeless person in 2011 to add to his vast collection of headgear. However, Vanessa Paradis - the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ star’s partner at the time although they split last June after 14 years together was said to be furious at the Hollywood actor for purchasing so many hats.

he 31-year-old star is currently dating legal researcher David Lucado, 27, and one of the reasons things are going so well between the pair is because of the lack of legal ties between them, unlike with her former fiancÈ Jason Trawick. A source told Life & Style magazine: “Britney’s relationship with David is night and day from her relationship with Jason. “Not only was Jason her agent, for a lot of their relationship he was also her conservator. Business was wrapped up in the romance in a really weird, confusing way.” Britney - who has sons, Sean Preston, seven, and Jayden James, six, from her marriage to Kevin Federline - was set up with the businessman by her father Jamie Spears and the blonde beauty is enjoying the “fun” side of their relationship. The source added: “With David it’s just all fun, just because they like each other. It must be a breath of fresh air for Brit.” It was previously reported David underwent a background check and signed a non-disclosure contact as a means of precaution recommended by Jamie, who is co-conservator of his daughter’s affairs.

he 38-year-old sportsman - who recently retired from professional soccer - and TV chef have reportedly joined forces with business tycoon Steve Wynn to open an eaterie in his luxury hotel down the city’s Strip. Gordon, 46, already has three joints in the hot spot - a BurGR joint at Planet Hollywood, a steak house at Paris and a Pub & Grill at Caesars Palace - but Steve believes David’s star touch will help generate popularity for the new sports bar and grill. A source told The Sun newspaper: “The Strip has never seen such fierce competition for food, but Gordon’s places are full seven nights a week. He’s one of the best chefs in the world, so it’s only natural that Steve feels he should have a place in his hotel

as it’s the most luxurious on The Strip. “When you add David Beckham’s global status into the mix it has the potential to be the most talked about restaurant in Vegas. “[Steve’s] ambition is quite simply to have the best hotels in the world. He spent more than £2billion doing that with the Wynn Resort and thinks Gordon and David can make it even better.” David - who has sons Brooklyn, 14, Romeo, 10 and Cruz, eight, as well as 21-month-old daughter Harper with his wife Victoria - is already set to open the Union Street Cafe with Gordon near London’s Borough Market this September and revealed how excited he is about the venture last year.

he ‘Oblivion’ actor - who has a seven-year-old daughter Suri with his ex-wife Katie Holmes, as well as 20-year-old daughter Isabella and 18-year-old son Connor with his ex-wife Nicole Kidman - played the doting dad on Sunday evening when he turned up at Hyde Lounge on Sunset Strip in West Hollywood to watch his adoptive son show off his skills on the decks. An insider told the New York Post newspaper: “He drank sparkling water the entire night. Tom was focused on watching Connor spin. He was beaming with pride and he was extremely gracious to everyone.” The 50-year-old star was as discreet as ever as he pulled up in a black SUV with ‘Rock of Ages’ music producer Adam Anders at midnight. The pair slipped into the club via a

back door with a bodyguard. Connor might be trying to forge a career as a DJ, but Tom recently hinted he could see his kids choosing an acting career because of their fascination with films, thanks to both ‘Dawson’s Creek’ star Katie and A-list actress Nicole being in the industry as well as Tom. He said: “Suri, Connor and Isabella have grown up on movie sets - the door is always open for them.”

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

lifestyle

“L

ook at these people, this wildlife.” As the partying journalist of Paolo Sorrentino’s “The Great Beauty,” Toni Servillo was surveying Rome’s colorful nightlife, but he might as well have been contemplating the Cannes Film Festival. The 66th edition of the Cote d’Azur extravaganza drew to a close Sunday, awarding the sensual, heartbreaking lesbian romance “Blue is the Warmest Color: The Life of Adele” the festival’s top honor, the Palme d’Or. The Cannes Film Festivale is a 12-day circus of perpetual red-carpet flashbulbs, beachside soirees and, yes, a feast of some of the finest, wildest movies the world has to offer. The most exotic creatures weren’t the high-heeled ones parading the Croisette, they were the ones gracing Cannes’ pristine movie screens. This year, the festival was a particularly captivating coterie of rare birds. There was Tilda Swinton as a white-haired, centuries-old vampire (Jim Jarmusch’s “Only Lovers Left Alive”); Joaquin Phoenix as a 1920s pimp, sticking out his jaw like Marlon Brando (James Gray’s “The Immigrant”); a sequin-covered Michael Douglas as Liberace (Steven Soderbergh’s “Behind the Candelabra”); a battered and bloodied, but still cool Ryan Gosling (Nicolas Winding Refn’s “Only God Forgives”); and the disabled but acrobatic dancer Souleymane Deme (Mahamat-Saleh Harouns “Grigris”). There was literal wildlife, too, including a cat named Hercules (the Coen brothers’ “Inside Llewyn Davis”), a vanishing giraffe (“The Great Beauty”) and an unfortunate pooch caught up in Mexico’s brutal drug war (Amat Escalante’s “Heli”). Cannes, alas, is a dog eat dog world. A strong, deep slate of films in competition left some mystery before Steven Spielberg’s jury named “The Life of Adele” tops of the festival. The three-hour coming-of-age tale, by Tunisian-born director Abdellatif Kechiche, emerged as a landmark film not for its lengthy, graphic sex scenes, but for its tender intimacy. It won the Palme on the same day thousands marched in Paris protest-

ing France’s recent legalization of gay marriage. The global stage of Cannes immediately catapults Kechiche to greater international renown, inducting him into the prestigious group of Palme d’Or winners, from Francis Ford Coppola to Terrence Malick. But this year’s festival boasted many breakout stars, including the two daring actresses of “Life of Adele,” Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux, who, in a twist, also shared in the Palme d’Or. As a bitter, sarcastic 1960s folk singer in “Llewyn Davis,” newcomer Oscar Isaac also shined in Cannes’ spotlight. Familiar faces turned in some of their best work including Berenice Bejo, as a single mother juggling a new man and an old one in Asghar Farhadi’s shifting domestic drama “The Past”; Kristin Stewart Thomas, as Lady Macbeth meets Donatella Versace in the stylish Bangkok noir “Only God Forgives”; and Bruce Dern, as a gruff, aging father in Alexander Payne’s black-andwhite Midwest road trip “Nebraska.” Screenings at Cannes begin with the festival intro of red steps ascending from the sea up to the heavens, but for the first half of Cannes, it felt as though the festival was stuck underwater. Constant rains dampened the French Riviera atmosphere in the early days, and the films - though full of intriguing entries didn’t quite catch until the Coens premiered their melancholy story of a frustrated artist passed over by history. Reality also threatened to overshadow the movies. On the same night as the premiere of Sofia Coppola’s “The Bling Ring,” a film about Los Angeles teenagers who rob the houses of celebrities, news broke that $1 million worth of jewelry had been stolen in a Cannes hotel. Never mind that its value turned out to be significantly less: The world had already conjured cinematic images of Cary Grant nimbly tiptoeing on Riviera rooftops. Hollywood’s noisiest intruder was “Catching Fire,” the “Hunger Games” sequel that used Cannes’ platform to stir up worldwide fervor for the next installment of the Jennifer Lawrence blockbuster. American

Director Anthony Chen (left) is presented the Camera d’Or award for Ilo Ilo by director Jane Campion during an awards ceremony at the 66th international film festival, in Cannes, southern France. — AP films - including those by the Coens, Payne, Jarmusch, Soderbergh and Gray - were among some of the best entries at the festival. “Inside Llewyn Davis,” “Nebraska” and perhaps the Ellis Island melodrama “ The Immigrant” will likely be players in this fall’s Oscar season. Soderbergh’s “Behind the Candelabra” marks the director’s final film, at least for a time, as he’s withdrawing from filmmaking. Soderbergh, whose film

was broadcast on HBO, is planning to work more in television - an arena many directors discussed in Cannes, claiming its quality and cultural relevance now equals or even surpasses movies. While that may be true in many parts of the world, it isn’t in Cannes. At the annual glamour fest, the big screen - and all its varied vitality - still reigns supreme. — AP

Street billboard advertising double-jaw surgery at a subway station in Seoul. — AFP photos

outh Korea’s obsession with plastic surgery is moving on from standard eye and nose jobs to embrace a radical surgical procedure that requires months of often painful recovery. A stream of celebrities boast on TV shows how it gave them a “new life,” while advertisements extolling its cosmetic benefits are everywhere from street billboards to subway stations, magazines and popular Internet sites. But there’s nothing really “cosmetic” about double-jaw surgery. A radical solution to congenital facial deformities or for people unable to chew properly due to excessive over or underbite, the operation involves realigning the upper and lower jaws. One result of the bone-cutting procedure is often a slimmer jawline-and that’s what caught the attention of South Korea’s booming beauty industry. A small face with a “Vshaped” chin and jawline is considered a mark of feminine beauty in much of East Asia, along with a high-bridged nose and big eyes. “This surgery alters your look far more dramatically than, say, Botox or a nose job because it changes your entire facial bone structure,” said Choi Jin-Young, a professor in dentistry at Seoul National University. “But it’s a very complex, potentially dangerous surgery ... it’s disturbing to see people with no real dental flaws daring to go through it just to have a small, pretty face,” Choi said. The procedure, which involves general anaesthesia and takes months to recover from, carries the risk of various complications including permanent facial numbness or even paralysis. Data from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons suggests South Korea has one of the highest percapita rates of plastic surgery procedures in the world. Cut throat competition among the growing number of plastic surgeons has driven some to promote more radical procedures

uly will see the return of the multiaward winning hit series Hareem Al Sultan to OSN screens with a brand new and highly anticipated third season. The most talked about series of the year is guaranteed to satisfy fans with more romance and betrayal, power struggles, secrets and new characters in a season that promises to be even more epic than the first two. The lavish Turkish drama chronicling the life of Suleiman the Magnificent premieres on Monday, 1st July exclusively on OSN Yahala! HD and will screen from Saturday through Wednesday dubbed in Arabic and subtitled in English. A smash hit with viewers in the Middle East and Africa, Hareem Al Sultan is a fictional portrayal of life in the Ottoman royal court and is a visual majestic masterpiece of this incredible period. The epic series makes its regional premiere exclusively on OSN Ya Hala! HD from July 1st at 21:00 KSA - the perfect treat for viewers this Ramadan. Khulud Abu Homos, Senior Vice President of Programming at OSN added:

that others might not offer. A number of celebrities, some reportedly paid by doctors, underwent double-jaw surgery and later appeared on TV talk shows saying it had provided a “turning point” in their career and personal lives. There is no official data on how many double jaw surgeries are performed. One recent study estimated the annual figure at 5,000, but it did not differentiate between cosmetic and medically prescribed procedures. Some 52 percent of those who had taken the surgery suffered sensory problems such as facial numbness, the study said. Seoul’s consumer protection agency saw the number of registered complaints surge from 29 in 2010 to 89 last year, though many more cases of postoperative problems are believed to go unreported. “My mouth keeps moving leftward and the jaw area has gone numb,” wrote one user of a medical consumer online forum, showing photos of her skewed mouth. “I can’t even feel when saliva keeps dripping out of my mouth,” she said. Last August, a 23-year-old college who underwent double-jaw surgery killed herself. She left a suicide note explaining her desperation after the surgery left her unable to chew food or stop crying due to nerve damage in a tear duct. Shin Hyon-Ho, a medical malpractice lawyer in Seoul, said he had seen cases where the surgery had resulted in chronic jaw pain, a skewed mouth, misaligned teeth and an inability to chew or smile. “The number of plastic surgery-related cases is growing ... with complications becoming more serious,” Shin said. A doctor with the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons said the procedure took off around four years ago when a Seoul dental clinic ran a major ad campaign promoting the cosmetic benefits. As it became popular, plastic surgeons began offering the surgery, causing the price to fall and making it more afford-

“The second season of Hareem Al Sultan was a huge hit with our viewers across the region and we are delighted to bring the third season to OSN screens before it airs anywhere else in the region keeping true to our promise that you always see it first on OSN. “In addition to showing this epic series exclusively from 1st July, we have also produced a special behind-thescenes show reel for OSN viewers starting later this month. I am confident that the third season will be one the biggest TV events of the year and beyond doubt is the crowning glory of our Ramadan offering this year. Plus, OSN subscribers will get to enjoy the costumes and visual effects in true HD only on OSN Ya Hala! HD.” In the much awaited third season, the struggles for power and games of intrigue in the harem gain strong momentum. New characters appear and tensions reach new heights. What does destiny have in store for Feryal and Ibrahim Pasha’s newborn son? Will a new favourite emerge from within the Harem;

able to more people. “If we are seeing more complications, that’s largely because the sheer number of people getting the surgery has increased rapidly in such a short period of time,” said the doctor, who declined to be identified. “Yes, it was originally invented to correct a dental deformity, but you can’t blame someone for getting the surgery to look good, especially in a place like the South where beauty, especially for women, pretty much trumps it all,” the doctor said. Advertising for the procedure is prevalent and unambiguous. “The double jaw surgery clinic chosen by the pickiest ladies,” reads one typical poster on a Seoul subway station wall, with large before and after photos. “Everyone but you has done it,” admonishes another on a metro bus. A Seoul lawmaker in January proposed setting a minimum age limit for plastic surgery, noting the danger of “bone-related surgeries” in particular. But Lim In-Sook, professor of sociology at Korea University, said legislation couldn’t tackle the root causes that push some women to risk their health for a prettier face. “This is a highly male-dominated nation where women need both brains and beauty, or often beauty more than brains, to get a job, get married and to survive in all aspects of life,” she said. Plastic surgery, according to Lim, has become just another accepted way of giving yourself an edge in what is a super-competitive society. “So every single part of our bodies becomes an object for nip and tuck,” Lim said. “Today it’s your jaw, but who knows what we’ll have to fix tomorrow?” — AFP

who will steal Sultan Suleiman’s heart? Tune in to find out exclusively on OSN where you always see it first.

eith Urban is no different than the rest of us: He has no idea what’s going on with “American Idol.” Urban’s got plenty to distract him while he waits for the popular TV singing contest to decide whether he’ll return for a second season as a judge. The New Zealand-born, Australian-raised country music star has set a Sept. 10 release date for his new album, “Fuse,” and that means he’s got to finish it. Urban thinks he’s got a few months of work left to do on the follow-up to 2010’s “Get Closer,” but leaves on tour in mid-July and hasn’t left himself much of a cushion. “I have no official information of anything,” the 45-year-old country singer-guitarist said. “I’m pretty much in the same boat as everybody else here with the rumors that have been floating around. I don’t know anything more about what’s happening next season. It was like this before I signed on ... so it’s not unusual for the ‘Idol’ folks to be in this place of figuring out what they want to do, then they always pull it together.” These things usually don’t take so long, but Urban is using a new approach with “Fuse.” He is branching out from his longtime partnership with producer Dann Huff. While Huff is still onboard on a handful of songs, Urban signed up Jay Joyce, known best in country music for his work with Eric Church and Little Big Town, and Taylor Swift collaborator Nathan Chapman. He’s also enlisted rocker Butch Walker. Urban went to their studios, used their engineers and players, and tried to expand and infuse his sound with their energy. He released the first single, the Chapman-produced “Little Bit of Everything,” on May 13, and country radio responded positively. “It’s just been really creatively liberating to me,” Urban said. “I love collaborating. It’s the thing I’ve always loved doing, whether it’s writing or performing or being in the studio, I love the collaborative process. I think finding people’s strengths is the thing I love the most.” That sensation is what would bring him back to “Idol,” if asked. It’s one that sustained him through a difficult season that culminated with the Fox singing contest’s lowest ratings and the departures of original judge Randy Jackson and lightning rod Nicki Minaj. “I did as much as I could in the environment we had,” Urban said of the judges. Yet he was able to find some satisfaction working with the contestants: “I love artists. I love the beginnings of artists when all they’ve got is raw talent and nothing else. They’ve got no star power, just nothing going on but just this raw talent that’s just beautiful to see, and you look at them and just go, ‘All you’re needing is life experience ... because you’ve got everything else ready to go.’”— AP

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

lifestyle

“I

f you try to grow other crops here they will fail,” says Ahmed, surrounded by lush green fields of cannabis, the illegal plant he and thousands of other poor farmers in Morocco’s Rif Mountains depend on. The country’s most notorious export has been cultivated in the traditionally rebellious northern region for centuries, where the climate for growing cannabis, or “kif”, is considered ideal above an altitude of about 1,200 metres. Along the stunning valley that runs between the towns of Taounate and Issaguen, women work in the fields tending this year’s emerging crop, while young dealers ply the 70-kilometre (43-mile) road in their cars looking for customers. But after a massive bust in Spain this month, the attention of European drug agencies is likely to focus again on the continent’s main source of hashish-and on Moroccan efforts to stem the supply. Spanish police found 32 tons of the drug in a truck carrying melons from Morocco at the end of April, and this month the same force discovered 52 tons at a warehouse in the southern Spanish city of Cordoba, setting a European record. Also in April, Egypt said more than 20 tons of hashish from Morocco were found aboard a ship in the Mediterranean which a gang of Egyptians and Syrians had been trying to smuggle into the country. Morocco’s interior ministry insists it has spent heavily on tightening border controls and combating trafficking, while deploying “enormous human and material resources” to eliminating cannabis cultivation. And there are indications Morocco’s onceunchallenged title as the world’s number one producer is finally under threat, but only due to a rise in Afghan cultivation. Its continued importance as a top hashish exporter is not, however, in doubt, despite Rabat’s efforts to encourage farmers to diversify. The International Narcotics Control Board said in its latest report, published in March, that 72 percent of cannabis resin seized by customs authorities worldwide in 2011 originated in the north African country. “Implementing a policy of alternative development is the cornerstone of our strategy in the fight against the supply of drugs,” the ministry said in an email to AFP. But on the Taounate-Issaguen road there are few signs other sources of livelihood are emerging, and Ahmed, the 55-year-old farmer, dismisses talk about the government pushing the region’s farming community to quit the habit. “There is no pressure on us to change.” “Kif is the only crop that can support my family, even though it’s not enough, because at the end of the year we need credit,” explains the father of eight, who says he earns 40,000 dirhams ($4,700; 3,600 euros) per year. According to figures cited by the interior ministry, an estimated 90,000 households, or 760,000 Moroccans, depend on kif production, which is concentrated in the northern regions of Al-Hoceima, Chefchaouen and Ouazzane. RAISED ON KIF Aberrahmane Hamoudani, 64, a former mayor of Issaguen, or Ketama as it used to be known, is an ardent advocate of cannabis cultivation in the Rif, which he believes dates back to the time of the Phoenicians, who brought the seeds from the east. “Kif doesn’t kill you, but hunger does,” he quips.

Authorized by the Spanish, who ruled northern Morocco as a protectorate from 1912, the crop remained legal until the 1970s. “Ketama used to be a hippie Mecca,” says Hamoudani, as he takes a sniff of kif-enhanced snuff. Since it was banned, efforts have been made to introduce alternative forms of agriculture around Issaguen, including tending to livestock such as cows and goats from Europe. But farmers insist there is not enough grass for livestock, and that it is too cold to grow other crops. And there is little by way of tourist infrastructure around Ketama, despite its spectacular scenery, snow-capped peaks and famous local product, though the picturesque town of Chefchaouen 100 kilometers west is a renowned destination for dope smokers. Hamoudani says cannabis farming is basically tolerated here “as long as things go smoothly,” but if there’s a big bust, for example in Casablanca, “then they send in the police.” “So here we have a lack of development-the people are poor-but the farmers live with this pressure and fear.” Those fears are justified by official figures, according to which Morocco has seized 1,089 tonnes of hashish since 2005 and reduced the area of land

dedicated to producing the drug by 60 percent over the past decade to around 50,000 hectares (125,000 acres). Noureddine Mediane, an MP with the Istiqlal party who has lobbied on behalf of the producers, told AFP 30 percent of those serving time in Moroccan jails are drug traffickers and cannabis farmers. He called on the government to initiate an open dialogue on kif cultivation, “which is a reality, whether we like it or not.” “It is still there because it is a part of the culture of the people of the mountains. The farmers were born with kif. Their parents and grandparents grew it, as they have done for centuries.” “The majority of these peasant farmers can barely feed themselves for three to four months of the year. We know them and we know how they live. The people who profit are the traffickers, the exporters and the distributors,” he said. — AFP

he fruity flavor of raspberry and the sweet aroma of vanilla can trigger positive associations and therefore have a genuinely beneficial effect on our physical and mental balance. Our ability to remember flavors is even greater than our ability to remember things we have seen. Pleasant aromas have an amazing ability to soothe our senses and aid relaxation. New Labello Lip Butter is an aromatic treat for the lips. It comes in an innovatively designed tin and three different flavors, each uniting trendy aromas with a unique lip care experience. The rich formula with shea butter, almond oil and Hydra IQ melts on the lips, restoring suppleness and adding a silky gloss.

THREE TRENDY FLAVORS Raspberry Rose, Vanilla & Macadamia are the new Labello Lip Butter flavors with aromas that smell absolutely scrumptious. Products with aromas instead of conventional scents are not just a

n 1982, Giorgio Armani created his first fragrance for women. Inspired by the rhythmic geometric patterns of Art Deco, the bottle designed by Pierre Dinand is a clear, pure block of sculpted glass adorned with vertical black lines. Light plays a key role: through the transparent design, it illuminates each side of the bottle and the fragrance takes on the color of

liquid amber. In 2012, Giorgio Armani reinterprets the bottle of his first fragrance. In the hands of master crystal workers in Saint Louis, the initial block of glass is transformed into a precious block of crystal. Each step is the result of century-old expertise. The Saint Louis Crystal Works is a world of its own, where almost nothing has changed since its creation in 1767. The totally transparent bottle holds a drop of amber and, in keeping with classic perfumery tradition, a black crystal rod allows you to extract the fragrance drop by drop. A celebration of light, this bottle exclusively offers only 100 women the opportunity to rediscover the fragrance created in 1982 by Giorgio Armani. Giorgio Armani has taken has taken a traditional Chypre accord and wrapped it with a generous garland of flowers. The scents of corollas of narcissi, jasmine flowers, rose petals and the scapes of tuberoses blend together ñ fresh, delicate, and heady in turn. They add suppleness and bring clarity and a delightful feminine dimension to the woody character of patchouli and sandalwood. They perfectly illustrate the fragile balance between feminine and masculine, the powerful signature of the couturierís creations. The Crystal Edition is an exceptional showcase for this fragrance: with the same exacting standards, luxury, Haute Couture, Fine Perfumery and Crystal Glass-making come together to offer a unique object symbolic of their expertise. 100 numbered pieces will be sold in a deluxe coffret containing two 30-ml refills, available in a very exclusive selection of retail outlets.

major trend; they also treat the user to a far more authentic flavor and fragrance experience. An Original Lip Butter for people who prefer neutral lip care with no aroma is also included in the new range. A rich formula containing shea butter and natural almond oil ensures that the new Lip Butter melts the moment it touches the lips, which feels fantastic. Among others the shea butter is responsible for the butter’s creamy consistency. It is obtained from the nut of the African shea tree and is exceptionally well tolerated by the skin. The formula with shea butter, which is rich in vitamins, protects the sensitive skin of the lips against the elements. Mild almond oil with a vitamin E content helps to condition and calm even very dry skin for unique and long-lasting softness. The practically designed tin delivers a brand new, luscious Labello lip care experience. Nadim Gholam Brand Manager Labello Lip Care commented, “the new Lip Butter engages all the senses, smell, taste, sight and touch! Not only do the lips feel soft and silky, they also taste and smell wonderful. We are very excited

A general view shows a field of cannabis plants in Issaguen in the traditionally rebellious northern region of Morocco.

A Moroccan woman holds up a cannabis plant in Issaguen in the traditionally rebellious northern region of Morocco. — AFP photos

about launching this new and fun product, we are sure it will be in the handbags of many women in the region soon!” New Labello Lip Butter is available in the flavors of Raspberry RosÈ, Vanilla & Macadamia and Original and can be purchased from all leading supermarkets and pharmacies for AED 10.

High in the Rif, Morocco’s kif culture thrives

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013

A couple ride their Citi Bike bicycles from a station near Union Square as the bike sharing system is launched May 27, 2013 in New York. About 330 stations in Manhattan and Brooklyn will have thousands of bicycles for rent.

A man gets his Citi Bike bicycles from a station near Union Square as the bike sharing system. — AFP photos

en months behind schedule, New York City on Monday launched what aims to be one of the world’s biggest bike share programs, following in the path already taken by Paris, Montreal, London and Barcelona. New Yorkers will now be able to move around on the 6,000 blue “Citi Bikes” distributed among 333 stations in Manhattan and Brooklyn-the first phase of a network that is supposed to grow to 10,000 bikes at 600 stations. Light traffic because of the Memorial Day holiday made for ideal conditions to try out the new subscription-based service on quiet city streets. Organizers said that as of 5:00 pm (2100 GMT), more than 6,000 separate trips had been made, with riders traveling a total of 13,750 miles (22,000 kilometers). About 14,000 New Yorkers have paid an annual $103 fee entitling them to unlimited rides of 45 minutes. Daily and weekly plans will be available as well from June 2. Alex Nash, who pedaled into Union Square on his first “Citi bike” ride at 8:30 am, said he was delighted by the experience despite some glitches. “To start with, it was a lit-

tle bit difficult to put it back. ... But it’s great. I love it,” the software engineer said. He said he wants to use the bike share program every day to get around Manhattan. The rollout, which has caused changes in traffic patterns and in the urban landscape, have caused some grumbling among New Yorkers who have seen parking places disappear and complain the bike racks look ugly. And there is raging debate over the risks posed by a higher degree of road sharing among cars and bikes in a city not known for patience. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who formally launched the program Monday with city transportation commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, told riders it was “important to be careful” on the Big Apple’s streets. “It will take some time for walkers and drivers to get accustomed to seeing thousands more bikes on the streets,” Bloomberg said. The initiative operates under the same basic scheme adopted in other cities with bike share programs, with users offered daily, weekly and annual plans at varying rates for

unlimited 30 to 45 minute rides. There is a charge for rides that last longer. The program, sponsored by Citibank, was supposed to have begun in July 2012 but it was postponed twice, initially for logistical reasons, and later because some equipment suffered flood damage during Superstorm Sandy in October. The city has added hundreds of miles of dedicated bike lanes in recent years. When it reaches full strength, the New York bike share program will be the third largest in the world, after the Chinese tourist hotspot of Hangzhou, which has 60,000 bikes on offer, and Paris, with more than 20,000 cycles. Many other cities around the world have launched similar initiatives including Berlin, Boston, Brisbane, Hamburg, Melbourne, Mexico City, Milan, Munich, Stockholm, Tel Aviv and Washington. — AFP

Pakistani drama artist seen prior to shooting a scene in the play “Taan” in Lahore.

ay romance, Islamic extremism and a soundtrack of classic love songs make for Pakistan’s taboo-breaking answer to the hugely successful US television series ‘Glee’. Like its smash hit forerunner, ‘Taan’ follows the lives and loves of a group of young people who regularly burst into song. But this time they attend a music academy in Lahore, instead of an American high school. Taan-which is a musical note in Urdu-tackles subjects considered off limits in Pakistan’s deeply conservative Muslim society, with plotlines including love affairs between two men and between a Taleban extremist and a beautiful Christian girl. The plan is for the 26-episode series to air in September or October, and while producer Nabeel Sarwar insisted the program was not a “political pulpit”, he is determined to take on the tough issues. “Nobody wants to have controversy for the sake of controversy, nobody wants to have an assignment to violence, nobody wants to push a button that would result in a disaster for anyone,” he told AFP. “But the truth has to come out somewhere. Where are we going to put a line in the sand and say, ‘Look, this is what we are’?” Taking a public stand to defend liberal values like this is rare in Pakistan, where forces of religious conservatism have risen steadily in recent years. Risque scenes in foreign films are routinely cut by the authorities and the team behind Taan are acutely aware that they must tread carefully with their challenging material. In

one scene the two gay lovers dance and sing in a small room but never embrace-their relationship is suggested rather than overtly shown. The moment is interrupted when a radical Islamist character bursts in. Director Samar Raza said representing the lives of gay characters was difficult in a country where homosexuality is still illegal. “Let’s say in a certain scene, there are two boys talking to each other, they are not allowed to show their physical attachment to each other,” he said. “So I bring a third character who says: ‘God designed Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve’.” It is not only the sensibilities of the censors the producers must navigate. While 70 percent of Pakistan’s population is under 35, a huge and potentially lucrative audience for advertisers, it is the head of the household who decides what families watch on TV, explains Sarwar. “The head of the household during the day is the matriarch and the head of the household at night is the patriarchthey control access to TV,” he told AFP. “You have to find programming that allows the matriarch and the patriarch to join in and participate, but there has to be room for the younger audience.” In a bid to appeal to older viewers the makers of Taan have licensed around 100 classic Pakistani songs, some by legendary artists such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and have reworked them to suit modern tastes, as Glee does. “We try to find music that resonates with the older generation which control the access to the TV but we contem-

Pakistani female artists seen prior to shooting a scene in the play “Taan” in Lahore. — AFP photos

Sheryl Yvette rides a Citi Bike bicycle near Union Square from her home in Brooklyn. — AFP

porise that music so that the younger audience does not feel left out,” Sarwar said. The show hopes that by taking on difficult issues in a light-hearted way it will both reflect the changing nature of Pakistani society and attract a young audience currently hooked on imported Turkish soap operas. Local dramas struggle to compete with the likes of “Manahil and Khalil” and “Ishq-e-Mamnu” (Forbidden Love) Turkish serials starring Westernised characters with fair skin and dubbed into Urdu. Turkish soaps are widely watched across the Muslim world, but the popularity of “Ishq-e-Mamnu” has prompted a lively debate about the “Turkish invasion” of the small screen in Pakistan, with local production companies complaining that they do not have the resources to rival them. Yasmin Huq, one of the stars of Taan, told AFP a homegrown show could speak more clearly to Pakistanis than foreign imports. “Today’s generation is watching Turkish and Indian dramas,” she said. “But no one can make a musical story like Pakistanis. Even if you watch the Turkish and Indian dramas, you will see that nobody can talk about Pakistan like Pakistanis.”— AFP

Female Pakistani drama artist Yasmin Huq has her makeup done prior to shooting a scene in the play ‘Taan’ in Lahore.