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SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
Globally, people resigned to little privacy online
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ANKARA: Protesters take part in a demonstration in the center of the capital yesterday. — AFP
Turkey rules out early polls
ISTANBUL: Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s AK Party yesterday ruled out early elections as thousands of anti-government demonstrators defied his call for an immediate end to protests. Huseyin Celik, deputy chairman of the Justice and Development (AK) Party founded by Erdogan just over a decade ago, said local and presidential elections would be held next year as planned, and a general election in 2015. “The government is running like clockwork. There is nothing that
necessitates early elections,” he told reporters after a meeting of the party ’s executive committee in Istanbul. “The world is dealing with an economic crisis and things are going well in Turkey. Elections are not held because people are marching on the streets.” A few kilometres away, tens of thousands of Turks defied Erdogan’s call on Friday for an immediate end to anti-government demonstrations, massing again in the central Taksim Square, where riot police backed by
helicopters and armoured vehicles first clashed with protesters a week ago. Tourists and curious locals swelled their numbers around a makeshift protest camp in Gezi Park, a leafy corner of the square where activists have been sleeping in tents and vandalised buses, or wrapped in blankets under plane trees. What began as a campaign against government plans to build over the park spiralled into an Continued on Page 15
CAIRO: The Egyptian cl Hezbollah’s Shiite fighter crush Syrian rebels, he wa Sunnis across the Middle jihad.” Speak ing on a S Mohammed El-Zoghbi call Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Kuw Syria to fight. “We must a infidel regime, with its Sh southern Lebanon and Ir appearance on Al-Khalij Lebanon’s Hezbollah milit side of its ally Assad has sh throughout the Middle Eas Fighters from the Shii Syrian forces batter the re three weeks until they fina significant victory for As hardliners have taken He declaration of war by Shiite have dangerous implicatio flict but for the entire regio Calls for jihad by Sunn flow of foreign militants i the rebels. Sunni Arab po other Gulf countries, wh break the influence of Assa up weapons supplies to S ance Hezbollah. Already se tants - from across the Ara Chechnya and Somalia among the rebels. Some Their presence has been States is reluctant to help a It could also fuel the fire bors. Hezbollah’s interve bring that countr y ’s co Lebanon, where rebels ha attacks on the Shiite gro enraged Sunnis in Leban political domination in t government’s inability to r northern Lebanese city o founder of the hardline Lebanon, Sheikh Islam AlSunnis to fight back agains control of Lebanon throug occupation of Lebanon mu ing every Sunni family and defend his faith, his home ly targeted,” he said. Iraq has also seen a dan attacks and bombings bet recent weeks, raising fears slaughter of 2005-2008. S with Iraq: Al-Qaeda’s branc jihadi fighters in Syria an trade resources.
Obama, Xi seek new Mandela in ‘serious but stable’ state KABUL: This photo taken on June 5, 2013 shows a six-month-old lion sitting in the sun on a rooftop of a residential neighbourhood in central Kabul. — AFP
$20,000 lion lives on Kabul rooftop
KABUL: For Kabul’s wealthy elite some things are de rigueur: armed guards, a marble-clad mansion, a blacked-out SUV. But one man has taken the flamboyant lifestyle a step further and bought a lion. Mohammad Shafiq, a 42-year-old businessman, is very proud of his growling pet, which spends its days prowling a roof terrace at his sprawling home in a posh residential area of central Kabul. “A friend said he had a lion in Kandahar and wanted to sell it to me,” Shafiq, who runs a construction company, told AFP. “He knew I loved dogs and birds, but this was more than what I was expecting. I had seen lions on television and in the zoo,
but never this close. So without any hesitation, I said I will buy it. To me, lions are brave and I respect them. Knowing I could buy one was very exciting.” The lion, still unnamed, is not chained up and has no collar and spends much of the day lying quietly in a corner of the roof terrace above a storeroom, coming down each evening to eat. Shafiq says he spends about $1,000 a month employing a caretaker to feed it fresh meat bought from a butcher and also paying a vet to check its health regularly. Tens of billions of dollars have flowed into Afghanistan in the 12 years since the US-led invasion Continued on Page 15
PRETORIA: Nelson Mandela was back in hospital yesterday in a “serious but stable” condition, triggering an outpouring of concern from around the world for the beloved South African hero. Mandela, who turns 95 next month, was whisked to a Pretoria hospital in the early hours of yesterday with a renewed lung infection. It is his fourth hospital stay in seven months. “The truth of the matter is a simple one. Madiba is a fighter and at his age as long as he is fighting, he’ll be fine,” presidency spokesman Mac Maharaj told AFP, using Mandela’s clan name. His wife Graca Machel was at his bedside in hospital after calling off a trip to Nelson Mandela London. The anti-apartheid icon was once again suffering from pneumonia, after he was discharged in April for the same condition, said Maharaj. “His condition deteriorated to the point where it was found necessary to hospitalise him,” he said. “But I am told by the doctors that he is breathing on his own, so I think that is a positive side,” he added. The announcement, calling his condition “serious”, sparked a buzz on Twitter.”Stay strong mr Mandela heaven isn’t ready for you quite yet!,” was one plea. Continued on Page 15
RANCHO MIRAGE, California: US President Barack Obama and China’s President Xi Jinping met for a second day yesterday, grasping for a personal understanding that could ease often prickly US-China relations. Obama and Xi spent nearly six hours together at a secluded desert oasis in California on Friday, wrestling with the future shape of relations between America and the rising Asian giant and the new flashpoint of cyberhacking. They got back down to work yesterday morning, strolling through a lush landscape at the Sunnylands retreat together, followed by
translators. Faithful t Sino-US ties they eased t business cas collared blue and brown shirt, open “Terrific,” Oba asked how unusually pu and Obama reporters Chinese Inte
RANCHO MIRAGE, California: US President Barack O President Xi Jinping at the Annenberg Retreat of t terday. — AP
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
LOCAL
Oasis Team marks launch of ‘Kuwait Green Wall Project’ Project aims to plant 315,000 trees along borders By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: On the occasion of the United Nations’ mandated World Environment Day on June 5, the Kuwait Oasis Team of the Environmental Voluntary Foundation celebrated the launch of the ‘Kuwait Green Wall’ Project at the Kuwait Journalists’ Association office premises on Wednesday. Khaled Al-Kulaib, Head of the
Kuwait Oasis Team, made a presentation about the project including its conception, beginning, the achievements, future plan, and a documentary about the Kuwait Green Wall, which was produced by the sponsors of the project. “Our message is to plant trees in the desert, especially since the environment was damaged by many factors such as the military operations, civilization, and the annual activity of camping in the desert,” said Khaled Al-
Kulaib during the ceremony. The project aims to plant 315,000 trees along the borders of Kuwait along a 420 km stretch within the next ten years. “We will plant three rows of trees around the Kuwaiti borders. We have received all official approvals for this project which is to be executed in the next ten years. Through the Kuwait Green Wall Project, we aim to educate the society about the importance of trees. We also aim to expand
KUWAIT: Khalid Al-Kulaib during the presentation at the KJA.
the operations beyond Kuwait, and to set the standard for NGO operations. It is a program with great ambitions,” he noted. This program will have an impact on many fronts. “The program will improve the air quality, as the oxygen will increase, and we will measure how much difference each tree makes. In addition, it will absorb carbon dioxide. It will also affect the microclimate and will produce more moisture and rain, a fact that was proved by the rain fall this year in May, not a common factor in Kuwait. Furthermore, the project will also contribute towards biodiversity preservation,” he explained. The program was very well executed and planned. “Only indigenous trees have been sourced. We will also be using the utility boxes to conserve water as per a Dutch technology to save water. We are relying on public’s support to fuel our cause, so people can support us by spreading word about this program. Similarly, the students and their parents, or their neighbors can extend support morally or materially,” Al-Kulaib pointed out. People can contact through Twitter and Instagram: @Kuwaitoasis. Or on our website: www.Kuwaitoasis.com This celebration is part of showing our gratitude towards all those who have supported the project to realize and execute this national environmental project. As a mark of appreciation, the sponsors of this project were awarded at the end of the event.
KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is scheduled to patronize and attend the inaugural ceremony of the National Electronic Legislations Conference. The convention opening ceremony is due at Regency Hotel at 10.30am today. —KUNA
Hopes soar on release of Kandari from Gitmo KUWAIT: Colonel Barry Wingard, the lawyer designated by the Pentagon to defend the Kuwaiti Gitmo detainee, Fayez Al-Kandari, recently quoted the latter as saying that he was optimistic that he would be soon released from Gitmo along with Fauzi AlOudah if the efforts being currently exerted went well. Wingard, who is currently visiting AlKandari at Gitmo, said that Fayez had spent almost one third of his life - he just turned 38 - at Gitmo. He also expressed regret at the continuing bad conditions that the prisoners were passing through at Gitmo. Meanwhile, the Council of Ministers has formed a committee comprising First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Ahmad Al-Hmoud, Second Deputy Prime
News
Kuwait University announces minimum admission rates KUWAIT: The minimum rates for the admission of high school students at Kuwait University’s (KU) Scientific and Arts faculties are set at 70 and 78 percent respectively, the Deanship of Admission and Registration at KU announced here yesterday. Acting Dean for Admission and Registration Dr Sabih Al-Mukhaizeem said in a press release that registration for the first semester of 2013-14 would allow students attaining 75 percent or above to enter scientific faculties, adding that students who achieved 80 percent or above upon graduation from high-school would be admitted into arts studies faculties. High-school graduates from Kuwait and abroad must provide their graduation certificate or a photocopy of it to the deanship, said Al-Mukaizeem, adding that other documents such as the civil ID card for Kuwaitis, the security ID for illegal residents (Bedoon), and passport photocopies for non-Kuwaitis should be
MoI gears for summer season KUWAIT: Public Relations Director and Acting Security Media manager at the Ministry of Interior Colonel Adel Ahmad Al-Hashash said that the ministry has made all necessary arrangements for the summer vacation and travel season. The arrangements include required distribution of security patrols and linking these with the operations room to receive reports and complaints, apart from ensuring cooperation mechanism with other security offices to monitor security issues in the different areas to prevent thefts etc. Often, thefts take place due to the absence of owners who are traveling during the vacation period. Al-Hashash said that security personnel will be in a state of readiness to receive calls from citizens and expats who can intimate their travel plans abroad and ask for an enhanced security for their houses and organizations. Further, citizens and expats who are traveling should inform their neighbors and relatives about their travel schedule, so that they can cooperate in protecting their properties during their absence and till their return to their homes.
available during registration. The official indicated that the admission fee was set at KD10, adding that each applicant should provide a recent photo to the deanship. Al-Mukhaizeem said that online registration for the first semester will be on July 13-24, noting that transfer students from other universities and education faculties would be allow to register online on August 22. The same regulations will apply on graduates from English and American private schools and they could submit their papers in the meantime and continue the process until their results are announced at the end of August, affirmed Dr Al-Mukhaizeem. The official called on high-school graduates to abide by the regulations set by the Deanship of Admission and Registration for the first semester and calling on them to refer to Kuwait University’s (KU) website for more information. —KUNA
MoH says 9% of Kuwaitis depressed KUWAIT: According to a recent WHO report on psychiatric medicine, the Middle East region topped the list when it came to the number of people suffering from depression, as depression rates varied between 5-9 per cent of its total population. Kuwait also falls in this region. The report also said that over 75 per cent of the people in developing countries do not receive proper treatment for psychiatric diseases, including depression. In this regard, the head of MOH’s genecology department Dr Waleed Al-Jassar said that in collaboration with Kuwait Center for Psychological Health, a number of psychology clinics would be opened at the maternity hospital to tend to the patients for during and post pregnancy depression. He added that the clinics would receive pregnant women seeking psychological advice twice a week and that all patients’ files and information would be dealt with confidentially. Further, Al-Jassar noted that 50-80 per cent of women suffer post labor depression due to changes in their hormone levels. —Al-Watan
Minister and Minister of Finance Mustafa AlShamali and state minister for council affairs and municipality minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah to discuss the observations made by the Auditing Bureau against Kuwait security system project and avoid any adverse outcomes. Sources said that the steps taken by the Ministry of Interior so far have lead to financial commitment binding on the Kuwait government which was in violation of the Audit Bureau’s regulations. The Audit Bureau demanded that the Ministry of Interior refrain from signing a project till it is approved by the Bureau as per the prior auditing memorandum. The Bureau is currently studying the financial commitments and plans to take necessary action. —Al-Watan
in brief
Record MEW collection KUWAIT: The Ministry of Water and Electricity collected KD232 million as dues in the current financial year of 2013-14, up KD5.5 million from the previous year. The earnings included KD125 million in electricity bills, KD75 million in water bills and KD24million in fees for providing electricity connection to consumers’ houses and buildings. An amount of KD565,000 was collected - as lease due to the ministry - from cafeterias and telecom companies that occasionally erect towers on ministries’ outlets and buildings.
Dive Team clears boat wreckage KUWAIT: Kuwait Dive Team was able to lift the wreckage of a 20-metre long wooden boat that had drowned after catching fire at the Northern coast of Usharge in Doha Area. Waleed Al-Shatti, in charge of the marine projects in the team, said that the wreckage posed a threat to navigation in that area, as boat’s remnants could have scattered all along the sea at high tide time, especially since the boat was burnt, thus necessitating its removal to ensure the safety of those sailing in the Kuwaiti bay. The rescue and lifting operations were
carried at low tide time, so that the team could access the wreckage and deal with it properly. The team used heavy equipment belonging to the other team that deals with removing violations, and towed the wreckage to the coast with the help of Coast Guards. Al-Shatti thanked the violation removal committee for its immense help in carrying out this operation. He said it was part of the efforts to preserve an environment conducive to the marine life in Kuwaiti bay.
Absentees KUWAIT: Sources at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor said a committee of the ministry has in the first five months of this year has examined about 349 reports of absentees and solved about 213 cases thereof amicably between laborers and employers. The committee has also finalized an understanding between the two parties in 41 cases, one of which was sent to the authorities concerned and two referred for criminal investigations. The sources said the committee does not usually receive any absentee report except under certain circumstances, when the laborer does not report to work for seven consecutive days without citing a reason or for 20 separate days during the course of the year. As per Article 41 of Labor Law, the laborer will be considered to have resigned in such cases. MoH budget KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health is currently preparing the budget plan for the financial year of 2014-15. The plan involves estimating the costs of various projects, clearly categorised under short-term, mid-term and longterm goals, as per the general policy of the state. In addition, financial information on various related activities, involving consumables and furniture, will be provided. Furthermore, health sources revealed that the ministry has finalized about 600 applications for equipments and medical consumables, through the permanent committee for medical equipments, which was formed by health minister Dr. Mohammad Al-Haifi three months ago. The committee is working on finalizing another 500 applications for equipments and consumables before the month of Ramadan.
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
LOCAL
Fiscal deficit risk could start in 2021: Report Move to scuttle children’s allowance seen
ALGIERS: National Assembly Speaker Ali Al-Rashed concluded his visit in Algeria in Algiers yesterday. —KUNA
Speaker hails outcome of Algeria’s visit ALGIERS: National Assembly Speaker Ali Al-Rashed has commended outcome of his talks with senior Algerian officials and MPs which dealt with bilateral ties, Arab and international issues of mutual interest. “The results of this positive visit will appear on the ground soon, and will work on boosting relations and activating mutual cooperation in political, parliamentary, economic and investment domains,” AlRashed told reporters before wrapping up his visit to the north African country on Friday. Al-Rashed, who thanked his Algerian hosts for their hospitality, is concluding his three-country tour that took him to Armenia and Morocco. Meanwhile, a meeting of the KuwaitiAlgerian parliamentary committee called for more efforts to boost ties between the two Arab countries. On the sidelines of the current visit by Al—Rashed to Algeria, a meeting of the parliamentary committee was held with
the participation of Kuwaiti and Algerian MPs, Kuwaiti parliamentarian Faisal AlDowaisan said, adding that the meeting discussed a range of issues concerning relations and means to bolster them. Al-Dowaisan indicated that both parties were willing to further bolster relations, revealing that Speaker Al-Rashed, during his meetings with the Algerian People’s National Assembly Speaker Mohammad AlArabi Weld Khalifa and his Algerian counterpart Abdelkader Bensaleh, invited Algerian lawmakers to visit Kuwait next November to seek more cooperation within parliamentary domain. On his part, Algerian National Assembly Deputy Speaker Ibrahim Botakhil lauded Kuwait’s democracy, affirming that it was the most transparent and developed within the Arab context. The Algerian parliamentarian called for bolstering relations with all possible domains, indicating that both countries have much to offer to each other. —KUNA
Commerce minister hails speedy law amendment WB revises reform plan for Kuwait KUWAIT: Minister of Commerce and Industry Anas Al-Saleh yesterday expressed satisfaction at speedy amendment of commercial laws namely legislations on indebted defaulters. Minister Al-Saleh, who has recently met a visiting team of the World Bank, called in a statement for broad reforms to press ahead with transformation of Kuwait into a regional financial hub to lure financial resources, businesses and secure work for professional citizens. Government cooperation program with the WB, endorsed by the Cabinet in February, addresses various crucial issues, namely issuance of a new law for restructuring and liquidation of companies, re-schedule of corporate debts and amendments to the law for facilitating dealing in additional, transferred assets, he said. A law is currently being drafted for preparing credit reports and expanding jurisdictions of the country’s courts to rule in complex commercial cases, the minister said, also indicating at prospect of enacting a special law for Sukuks (Islamic bonds). The minister indicated at cooperation with the WB in “these realms,” noting that first stage of
this process would end in the middle of next year. The Kuwaiti government and the World Bank are “committed to adoption of comprehensive measures for basic reforms,” he affirmed. WB experts have revised proposed and alternative reforms with a number of representatives of the private sector as part of workshops that have been organized by the Central Bank of Kuwait, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Union of Investment Companies. This work with the WB is being done according to a timetable, Al-Saleh said, adding that the next stage of the process, scheduled to discuss at length proposed draft laws, would be launched late October. For his part, Riz Mokal, the head of the visiting WB delegation, had said the WB was committed to aiding the Kuwaiti authorities in tackling commercial and economic problems. He also noted that the WB aimed at aiding Kuwait enact and modify such legislations in a manner that conforms with the country’s culture and systems. Kuwait has established “partnership” with the WB to update the national commercial laws to match international ones. —KUNA
CBK launches Instagram contest for customers
Amani Al-Wara
KUWAIT: The Commercial Bank of Kuwait announced an Instagram competition in which customers will be asked to upload pictures expressing ‘joy of success’ beginning today (Sunday). In this regard, Assistant General Manager - Public Relations and Media Department Amani Al-Wara said that the idea behind the one-month long campaign was prompted by the “the CBK’s commitment to stay in touch with its customers and encouraging them to express their opinions and interests through social networks.” People can participate in the competition by uploading a photo on their Instagram accounts using the hashtag #CBKgrads, AlWara said, adding that the last day for participation is July 8, 2013 “after which a judging panel will choose the top three finalists.”
Oil ministry website wins Arab Web Award KUWAIT: Kuwait Oil Ministry’s website has won the Arab E-governments Award for 2013, Head of the Petroleum Media Control Depar tment at the M inistr y Mudhi Al-Shamari said yesterday. Al-Shemari added that the Arab award is presented by Arab e-Government Web Awards Organization in cooperation with the Arab Administrative Development Organization (ARADO). “The awards will be officially presented to winners in a ceremony to be held in the United Arab Emirates on June 29,” he told KUNA. He revealed that the website is characterized by creative design and interactive tools. The Pan Arab Web Awards aims to serve as an inspiration, archive and at the same time reward creators for their skills so that they continue to improve it, to promote the innovative spirit of web
designers to meet professional and international standards, to promote intellectual and production opportunities, as well as to develop an interactive proactive and reactive community that aims at providing recognition to this e-sector in the most superlative way,” he said. “Furthermore, Pan Arab Web Awards is an encouragement for all sectors to showcase their websites and be more involved in the IT.” The competition offers five awards including; the award of Creative infrastructure, Technical Creativity, Creative Design, Visual Creativity and finally the Creative Interactivity Award. These awards are given to the official organization and government sites in the Arab countries. It is worth mentioning this is the second time the Oil Ministry website won the same award, the first was in 2009. —KUNA
KUWAIT: Kuwait’s state budget could face a true deficit between 2021 and 2029, Al-Qabas newspaper reported yesterday quoting statistics from the fiveyear Development Plan currently in its fourth year 2013/2014. The statistics were based on projections of the general budget which state that the risk remains a probability despite surpluses projected between 2020 and 2028. The annual plan’s report cites ‘long bureaucratic procedures’, ‘mismanagement’ and ‘inability to execute’ among the reasons behind repeated failure in pushing the development process forward. Among efforts to reform the state’s financial structure, the plan proposes increasing non-oil income through revenues that include taxes, increased fees on public services, increased investment spending and reduced general spending. Meanwhile, a newspaper reported that the cabinet plans to foil parliamentary efforts to pass a bill increasing the child allowance from KD50 to KD75 for a maximum of seven children based on Public Institution for Social Security study which indicates
that the proposal would have a ‘negative impact’ on the social security funds. “While MPs are pushing for laws with populist nature that can boost their popularity, the government looks more determined to avoid passing too many laws with high financial cost that can have an impact on public funds,” Al-Rai reported yesterday quoting parliamentary insiders. Currently, a Kuwaiti man is entitled to receive a KD50 monthly allowance for every child in a family with a maximum of seven children. The allowance continues to be paid for a male child until he reaches the age of 24 or finds employment before that age, and for a female child until she gets married or becomes employed. A KD100 allowance is paid for children with disabilities. MPs had initially proposed increasing the allowance to KD100, which according to the institution’s statistics, would have cost an additional KD1,64 billion annually. The KD74 law passed in its first hearing costs KD825 million. In other news, MP Ahmad Lari said that amend-
US mission confirms Kuwaitis’ well-being KUWAIT: Kuwaiti citizens in Los Angeles are safe and none has been hurt in the deadly shooting spree, the diplomatic mission has affirmed. The Consulate of the State of Kuwait in Los Angeles said in a statement that all Kuwaiti citizens, including students, were not hurt in the random gunfire shooting that also targeted Santa Monica College. A number of Kuwaiti students study at this US college. The Consulate, in cooperation with the Cultural Office, held contacts with the Kuwaiti students to inquire about their well-being. The diplomatic mission urged the students to be cautious and abide by instructions of the local authorities. The Kuwaiti diplomats hurriedly inquired about condition of the Kuwaiti citizens and students after news broke about a lethal shooting spree at several spots. —KUNA
ments to the build-operate-transfer (BOT) law are not expected to be passed before the end of the current term “even if the financial committee finishes studying the proposal before that time.” Sources quoted by Al-Jarida yesterday said that the cabinet is likely to request that the amendments are included in the schedule for Tuesday’s session for voting if the financial committee finishes its report on the subject during its meeting today. However, panel member Lari told the same newspaper said that “debates expected over various notes on the draft law” could push it to the next term. Meanwhile, a member of the public funds protection committee, MP Saud Al-Huraiji, announced that the panel is also unlikely to finish its report about its investigations into the Dow Chemical deal before the end of the current term. Al-Huraiji further told AlJarida that the committee could summon former prime minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohamamd AlSabah “if necessary” and former oil minister Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah for investigations. —Al-Qabas, Al-Rai and Al-Jarida
Online swindling on rise in Kuwait: Official cials ready to deal with such KUWAIT: Acting General Director for crimes. We need specialists to Criminal Detectives Administration deal with such new kinds of Brig Mahmoud Al-Tabbakh has stated crimes, which claim millions of that acts of online swindling have victims annually around the increased, so all individuals and world. Billions of dollars are lost in organizations should take steps to such crimes. It is difficult to deal prevent falling into the traps of those with such crimes, because of the who use different websites on the great advancements in the use of internet to cheat people. He said: internet. “While security officials are doing Therefore, some misuse this their best to deal with security and technology and form specialized traffic problems in order to reduce gangs in order to catch victims by crimes, accidents and violations, the convincing them of quick and phenomenon of online swindling has Brig Mahmoud easy wealth.” Al-Tabbakh noted started affecting the economy. Such that electronic swindling started crimes are a new burden for all securiAl-Tabbakh in the 80s, when swindlers started ty offices worldwide. Therefore, necessary legislations and laws sending messages to people all over the world to should be put in place. Training in information tech- invest in the oil sector. The phenomenon spread nology should be provided to make security offi- swiftly around the world after that.
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
LOCAL
Trio who erected political signs released on bail Bid to smuggle out bullets thwarted KUWAIT: Sharq police released three people on bail following investigations after they were arrested for putting up political signs inside a mall in the area. The three Kuwaitis faced charges of breaking in and damaging property after they were arrested based on a report filed by the mall management’s attorney. The three were released on bail on Friday morning and were greeted by supporters who had gathered outside the Sharq police station where they were subjected to investigation. KUWAIT: The car and painting garage in Al-Rai area yesterday after a fire gutted it.
Fire ravages Al-Rai garage By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: A fire broke out in a car repair and painting garage in Al-Rai area yesterday noon was brought under control by firefighters swiftly before it could spread to neighborhood areas.
As a report about fire came in around 11.30 am yesterday, personnel from the Shuwaikh Industrial Area fire center and Ardiya fire center responded immediately. On arrival they found that the fire was at a car painting facility spread over 250 square meter area. Firemen
evacuated the garage and started fighting the blaze. As inflammable materials like paints etc were stored there, firemen proceeded cautiously and managed to bring the fire under control in nominal time, without suffering any causality. Investigations were on to know what caused the fire.
Attempted murder A man was taken to the Farwaniya Hospital with a stab wound while police arrested two suspects following a fight reported in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh. The Syrian man was rushed to a hospital in an ambulance that arrived at the scene, accompanied by policemen. The police arrested his compatriots. The suspects were charged with attempted murder and referred to the proper authorities for further action. Battery charges Investigations were on in a case in which three police officers traded battery charges with three other people
after a dispute that marred the elections to a co-op society board in Al-Andalus recently. Local police were first approached by three colleagues who pressed physical assault charges and provided medical reports diagnosing them as having suffered contusions. Shortly afterwards, a disabled citizen arrived at the police station and filed a case accusing the three officers of instigating the quarrel by physically assaulting him which prompted his two cousins to jump to his aid. The man also provided a medical report showing contusions he said sustained as a result of the officers’ assault. (Rai) Bid to smuggle ammo foiled A man was forced to miss his flight as he was arrested on Friday for possessing bullets that he was trying to smuggle out of the country. Staff members at the Kuwait International Airport grew suspicious of a suitcase that was unusually heavy, prompting an extensive search. Police arrested the bag’s American owner after recovering 25 rounds from the bag. The man was referred to the Jleeb AlShuyoukh police station for questioning. Hero saves the day A Good Samaritan Kuwaiti citizen recently saved a drowning child who had slipped into a swimming pool of a hotel. The Kuwaiti man was alerted by the cries of a couple shouting for help after their child fell into the pool. The man jumped into the water and successfully brought out the five-year-old who was rushed to the Amiri Hospital later for a medical checkup. Delivery man held A child was seriously injured after a delivery car ran over him in Saad Al-Abdullah recently. The accident happened outside a Kuwaiti man’s house when the delivery man was reversing his car having made a delivery, and ended up hitting the customer’s son who was lurking behind the vehicle. The child was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance and the delivery man was taken into police’s custody for further action. Suspected suicide A domestic worker was hospitalized in a critical condition after she consumed some poisonous substance in an apparent attempt to commit suicide. The Ethiopian woman was brought to the Adan Hospital late Thursday night by her employer who found her unconscious at his house. The woman was admitted to the intensive care unit while the medical staff called the police. The officers questioned the Kuwaiti employer who said she found the woman in her room with paint lying nearby, suggesting that she had consumed the liquid in a bid to end her life. A case was filed for investigations.
ALECSO needs structural reforms: Chief TUNIS: The Arab League Education, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) should undergo structural reforms to improve its performance on the field, its chief said on Friday. Director General Dr Abdullah Hamad Mhareb, at a news conference at ALECSO’s Tunis-based headquarters, said the organization should use up-to-date communication technology and reconsider its employment policy. He said 60 percent of the organization’s budget should be spent on projects and 30 on salaries, noting that ALECSO suffered from failure of many member states to pay their arrears that totalled $63 million. Mhareb hoped ALECSO’s $11 million budget would be increased to at least $50 million to carry out programs and projects on the ground for the service of culture, civilization and Arabic language. He said the Arab countries should have compulsory education programs for all children, which would mean punishing every family banning its children from education at the age of six. Mhareb attributed “acts of extremism and terrorism” in the Arab world to illiteracy, but they would diminish with the spread of science and culture. “The continuation and terrible spread of illiteracy in many Arab countries is a clear failure of ALECSO 40 years after its establishment.” Mhareb said ALECSO would attempt to improve the Arab national all the way to improving education quality. He called on member countries to establish specialized educational institutions to improve quality of education to “build the Arab human being” away from politics and to focus on moderation, openness and forgiveness. The ALECSO chief said the organization was also paying special attention to education in Palestine and Syria, and Arab language programs in Sudan, Somalia and other African countries. — KUNA
Arab world hails UNHRC’s plan on Israeli rights issue GENEVA: UN Human Rights Council members welcomed UNHRC’s President’s announcement on Friday that Israel would attend a meeting later this year to discuss its human rights file. UNHRC President Remigiusz Henczel opened the council’s evening session and announced that he convinced the Israeli delegation to discuss their human rights file in UNHRC’s session on October 29. He said he explained to the Israeli delegation the importance of dealing with the UNHRC and its mechanisms which compel countries of the world to cooperate including Israel. Deputy head of the Palestinian delegation to the UN Emad Zuhairi commended Henczel’s “endeavors to persuade Israel to stop its boycott of the council deliberations and mechanisms. He said it was important to condemn Israel because it was the only country which had officially informed the UN of its boycott of the UNHRC sessions. Egypt said the letter of the Israeli ambassador did not include any commitment to cooperate with the UNHRC mechanism. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) commended UNHRC President’s endeavors, while the African Group underlined importance of having a constructive interactive dialogue to improve human rights around the world. — KUNA
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
LOCAL
Expat deportations will continue: Traffic chief 11,800 deported in two-and-a-half months
Zain participates in ‘1000 Projects, Challenge Goes On’ exhibition KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommunications company in Kuwait, announced yesterday its participation and support of the ‘1000 Projects and the Challenge Goes On’ exhibition. The exhibition will be under the Patronage of His Highness The Amir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, and organized by the Restructuring of the Kuwaiti Workforce Program. The exhibition will be attended by a number of ministers along with key economic figures in Kuwait to encourage and motivate the youth to implement their projects as well as advising them on how to take their projects forward. The exhibition is to take place at the Mishref International Fairgrounds, hall 6, from 5 June to 8 June 2013. In a press statement, Zain highlighted that its participation and support of this exhibition is sprung from its core commitment of improving the human resources element as well as expand the national labor force in Kuwait. Additionally, the company’s participation falls under its overall
vision of its long-term and comprehensive economic advancement of local income, especially that Zain believes that the private sector and small businesses are two key sectors that affect the economy of the state. Commenting on Zain’s participation and support of the exhibition, Waleed Al-Khashti, Zain’s Corporate Communications and Relations Manager said: “Zain is sparing no effort to develop the human resources element and hone the skills of the Kuwaiti youth; this is reflected ultimately through the support of various initiatives and events that stimulate their creativity and develop their skills.” “Our continuous support of exhibitions such as the ‘1000 Projects and the Challenge Goes On’ exhibition demonstrates our commitment to invest in youth’s energies. Our participation certainly stresses our concern of the rehabilitation of human competencies to further provide career opportunities that are suitable for
youth and by which complies with their creative energies, especially that nowadays Kuwaiti youth have developed excellent skills and capabilities due to the high level of education that they have been receiving and which abides by the requirements of today’s market,” added Al-Khashti Zain plans to continue investing in events and activities that inspire young individuals and encourage them. The company is keen to strengthen its strategic partnerships with various institutions and entities that adopt sublime objectives of supporting different areas affecting the society, as part of its core responsibility towards the community. For more information about Zain’s numerous competitive promotions, customers are advised to visit any of Zain’s 72 branches located across Kuwait, visit the company’s website on www.kw.zain.com, contact its 24 hour call center at 107, or visit the company’s social media channels.
ment investigations”. In the series of crackdowns that started late April, at least 2,000 traffic violations were registered, including 1,000 tickets issued directly on the street, while thousands of people were repor tedly deported. Moreover, Maj Gen Al-Ali revealed that the ministry collected KD4 million, out of the KD24 million owed in traffic fines, during the same period. In that regard, the senior official pointed out that only KD8 million worth of fines are registered against individuals, while the rest are against companies and state departments. Out of the KD8 million, KD6 million is registered against expatriates, Maj Gen Al-Ali said. “Cases are soon to be filed with the traffic court in order to issue travel ban orders against people with more than KD80 in fines owed to the ministry,” he added. Al-Rai published Maj Gen Al-Ali’s statement yesterday, along with a transcript of an interview with Al-
Watan TV during which he defended the ongoing campaigns. “Our procedures are necessary to save lives, with average statistics indicating that 450 people are killed and 3,000 are injured annually due to traffic accidents,” he explained. During the interview, Maj Gen Al-Ali insisted that all drivers are equal when it comes to implementation of the law. “There have been doctors among the people deported, including a surgeon caught driving without a license for three years,” he said, before confirming news reports that he had taken a decision to impound a vehicle owned by Minister of Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah on grounds of repeated violations committed by his personal driver. Meanwhile, the senior official urged any person who had obtained a license through illegal means to dispose of it “because once caught, they are going to be charged with forgery”. —Al-Rai, Al-Watan
TEHRAN: The Iran-Kuwait friendship parliamentary committee delegation, headed by MP Ahmad Abdulmohsen Al-Mulaifi, in Tehran yesterday.
Zour plant seen ‘crucial’ KUWAIT: The government believes that canceling a project to build a new power plant in Al-Zoor could harm its plans to supply adequate amount of electricity in the next few years, a local newspaper reported yesterday quoting a ‘ministerial source’. This conclusion is set to be included in a letter the cabinet has assigned its financial and legal committees to prepare in response to a parliamentary committee which recommended that the North Zoor Power Plant contract be terminated. “Canceling the project is very difficult at this stage because it would put Kuwait on a path where it will face a crisis in supplying energy,” said the source who spoke to Al-Anba on the condition of anonymity. He further indicated that the project became even more necessary as new residential areas have been connected to the electricity grid. A Ministry of Electricity and Water study in the meantime revealed that electricity and water production is going to use up to 20 percent of Kuwait’s oil
KUWAIT: Major General Abdulfattah Al-Ali’s name has become synonymous with extensive traffic campaigns, aimed at enforcing the law at all costs, including implementation of mass deportations. The senior Interior Ministry official, who takes pride in deporting 11,800 people and impounding 3,000 vehicles during his tenure as head of the Ahmadi Security Department over the past two and a half years, told a local daily that deporting expatriates for serious violations will continue without an end date. “Administrative deportation of violating expatriates is not going to stop, especially of those carrying passengers illegally, in which case a person would be in violation of traffic and labor regulations,” Maj Gen Al-Ali, the Interior Ministr y ’s Assistant Undersecretary for Traffic Affairs, told Al-Rai on Friday. He added that any ticket can be disputed “by a request to refer the case for traffic depart-
production by 2017 with a total cost of KD6 billion a year as per current oil sale ratios. “The increasing rate of petroleum products used to produce energy puts Kuwait at the risk of facing crises both on the financial side as well as with regards to electricity distribution,” reads a study quoted by Al-Jarida yesterday. The study suggests utilizing renewable energy in order to reduce dependency on oil to produce energy in the future. Separately, Undersecretary Assistant for Distribution Networks, Jassem Al-Lenqawi, reassured that the MEW is ready to “tackle challenges expected during the holy month of Ramadan and the rest of summer” as far as meeting the increasing demand for electricity and water was concerned. He added in statements published by Al-Jarida that his department has 100 diesel-powered 1800 kilovolt generators that can be used in case of power cuts. — AlAnba and Al-Jarida
Kuwait adds strings toclose Iraq file UNITED NATIONS: With the post of Gennady Tarasov, the High-level Coordinator for the missing Kuwaiti nationals and property, being vacant for almost six months, Kuwait expressed readiness to accept Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s proposal to fold those humanitarian issues under the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), but with strings attached. Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs Sabah Khaled AlHamad Al Sabah wrote in identical letters circulated on Friday to Ban and Security Council President that Kuwait supports Ban’s proposal contained in his latest report to ask UNAMI to “follow up on those two issues, in accordance with Chapter VI of the Charter of the United Nations.” But he suggested that when the Council adopt a resolution to put an end to the post of the High-Level Coordinator, which was created by resolution 1284 of 1999, it makes sure the follow-up of those issues will not end with the termination of UNAMI mandate, that the Secretary General’s periodic reports on those issues should be submitted on dates other than those of the activities of UNAMI, and that UNAMI designates an official whose “sole responsibility” will be to follow up on those issues. He said Kuwait attaches “great importance to the issue of missing persons because of its ethical, legal and humanitarian implications, and the issue of missing Kuwaiti property, including the national archives ... I t is our desire that the United Nations and the Governments of the State of Kuwait and the Republic of Iraq should continue their efforts to resolve those questions.” — KUNA
Iran-Kuwait friendship panel arrives in Iran TEHRAN: The Iran-Kuwait friendship parliamentary committee delegation, headed by MP Ahmad Abdulmohsen AlMulaifi, arrived here yesterday on a three-day visit. “Our visit to Iran strengthens the ties and cooperation between the two sides at all levels,” Al-Mulaifi told KUNA. He added “As MPs, representing our country’s diplomatic wing, whether in Iran or Kuwait, we would like to strengthen the bilateral relations even between the peoples of the region.
“This visit comes as part of a series of visits done to bolster such ties and exchange expertise, opinions and ideas between us.”“As MPs, we need to cooperate with each other and discuss regional issues, because the situation, stability and elevation of the region are important to us all,” AlMulaifi concluded. The delegation included MP Abdulhamid Abbas Dashti, MP Ahmad Haji Lari, MP Saud Nashmi Al-Huraiji, MP Abdullah Ibrahim Al-Tamimi and MP Adnan Sayed Abdulsamad. — KUNA
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
LOCAL
In my view
In my view
The fourth pillar
Labor unions in GCC
By Abdallah Abbas Bwair
By Labeed Abdal
local@kuwaittimes.net
labeed@kuwaittimes.net
S
T
he UAE’s decision to issue orders for deportation of around 50 migrants for joining a workers’ strike at the Giant Construction Company, even though thousands of other Asian workers had started it and it ended last week, is yet another sign that the work environment in GCC countries needs major reforms. Undoubtedly, contractors want to meet deadlines to build big projects as per their contractual terms and conditions signed with the government or main contractors from whom they subcontract projects. If strikes are banned across GCC nations, as is the common practice, and there is no minimum wage standardization and no labor organization, then it does beg a rather pertinent question: What will those workers do if they are forced to sleep and work on hungry stomachs without pay and no one they can tell their tale of woes
Across all GCC countries, we must move towards reforming the sponsorship system and make the state responsible for the fate of workers. Moreover, when the state will be a sponsor, it will be more caring and responsible, and it would become possible to work collectively towards other tangible improvements. to? If these are low paid workers, then there should be certain automatic minimum benefits for them, like daily meals and accommodation; no one is asking for a first class ticket. Just as what we have in Kuwait, the UAE authorities must initiate penal procedures against those companies who have experience in the business of construction and are well aware of the nitty-gritty of work. Across all GCC countries, we must move towards reforming the sponsorship system and make the state responsible for the fate of workers. Moreover, when the state will be a sponsor, it will be more caring and responsible, and it would become possible to work collectively towards other tangible improvements. Further, labor unions must represent the thousands of Asians and other laborers and act to articulate their concerns. They must become their collective voice. No one should be left alone at a time when everyone is working to build financial centers and tax free zones. Eventually, these workers must be guaranteed a decent source of living under the umbrella of basic international human rights. It should be possible for everyone to live in a country where every individual can enjoy justice, respect and dignity.
kuwait digest
Dow and unanswered questions
kuwait digest
Our views on freedoms By Mubarak Al-Duwailah
L
iberals often bring up the subject of liberties oped society. in any context when they have to criticize The Islamist political view sees freedom in its Islamist political movements and argue about broader sense, which is a reflection of how people the inability of Islamists’ views to keep pace with used to live during the early years of Islam when development. They often resort to citing argu- freedom to criticize and say what could seemingly ments that ‘enforcing Sharia Law and Islamization be unpalatable was established as an acceptable of regulations is a step backwards.’ This argument, notion of freedom. in my opinion, reflects a lack While hundreds of peoof understanding about the ple are questioned today for The Islamist political view sees having expressed their concept of freedom and its limits in Islam. freedom in its broader sense, which opinion, we look back at Most liberals believe that is a reflection of how people used to lessons learned from Islamic freedom means that anyone history that is replete with can do whatever they want, live during the early years of Islam many incidents that underwear whatever they desire, when freedom to criticize and say line the importance of jusdrink whatever they take what could seemingly be unpalat- tice, equality and freedom fanc y to, etc. Meanwhile, able was established as an accept- of expression. We learn the Islamists believe that freeconcept of freedom from dom is doing whatever you able notion of freedom. the relationship between want as long as the society the ruler and the people is not negatively affected by your actions. Drinking during the early years of Islam. In the meantime, alcohol is forbidden in Islam, but it does not say liberals’ perception of freedom remains limited to that a person who drinks inside his house should things like allowing a girl to live with her boyfriend be punished because in that case his judgment is before marriage, opening night clubs and casinos left for God in the afterlife. Likewise, a person can to ‘boost tourism’, and even going as far as, accorddon revealing clothes within the four walls of his ing to demands made by western human rights house where he enjoys privacy but at the same organizations, allowing same-sex marriages as a time, the society be secure from the effect of such a ‘vested right’. The liberals are to blame for our loss behavior. of legitimate rights due to their shallow view of the The problem with many liberals is that they meaning of freedom and justice. While they have almost only see freedom if the behaviour is nega- recently taken a step forward to cancel the ban on tive, and demand that it be allowed on a general coeducation in higher educational institutions, it is basis to achieve a ‘democratic and civil society’ noted that the same lawmakers who approved that even if it leads to immoral behavior among the bill had previously demanded legal action against people. On the other hand, we (Islamists) believe people who expressed views on Twitter or in public that controlling the effects of intoxication, for rallies. This is their perception of personal and pubexample, helps achieve an advanced and devel- lic freedoms. —Al-Qabas
heikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah was brought up in the basic Arabic traditions of hospitality, and is a man who firmly believes in the traditional Arabic proverb that says: “It is disrespectful to finish food before your guest does.” Sheikh Nasser is known for staying in touch with the citizens and attending their gatherings in times good or bad. His former position as the state’s prime minister was therefore an acknowledgement by HH the Amir of his gracious personality, something evident in his cooperation extended to the parliament which led HH the Amir to reappoint him even after he resigned following a political turmoil in 2007. During his recent meeting with tribal chiefs whom he had invited for a luncheon, Sheikh Nasser reiterated Kuwait’s story of ‘love, harmony, cohesion, and integration’. He further underlined the importance of tolerance as being a basic component of Kuwaiti tradition, and underlined it further by declaring that he has forgiven all his political enemies. “Kuwait is one family that lives on the basis of a feeling of mutual love and appreciation between the people and their rulers. The Kuwaiti people accepted Al-Sabah dynasty as their rulers, and in return, the Sabah dynasty vowed to keep the Kuwaiti people in their hearts,” he said. During his recent visits to diwaniyas around the country, Sheikh Nasser also expressed a sense of gratitude for the “hospitality and appreciation” he received from the Kuwaiti people. “Rest assured, we (the ruling family) always return the love, appreciation and respect, and always believe that despite some differences of opinion, all Kuwaitis will forever be one family,” he said. Sheikh Nasser’s recent visits were in the footsteps of his forefathers, and anyone who knows anything about the history of the Kuwaiti people knows that such meetings are nothing new. “We are blessed by the fact that no matter how different our views might become, we will always be brothers, and our gatherings these days must continue as a symbol of Kuwaiti character that we are all proud of,” he said. The late Amir HH Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah once addressed Kuwaitis during a time of dispute by insisting that we are all children of one land. Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah followed him to impart a lesson in equality by declaring that “there is no difference between citizens; all are equal as far as rights and duties are concerned.” Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah came after that and said, “My people and I are one, and my duty is to serve the people.” Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, meanwhile, taught us a lesson in patriotism when he insisted that the Kuwaiti traditions of tolerance and morality always serve as a means of salvation in times of dispute. HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah are the pillars of the system of modern Kuwait. I believe that Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah is the fourth pillar that keeps intact the system which protects Kuwait.
kuwait digest
Honoring majority’s choice kuwait digest
By Hamad Al-Sarie
Moral crisis
T
he government is trying by all means to close the Dow Chemical case and sweep under the carpet all evidence of political crime. The case has been mishandled in its criminal aspects as well as administrative handling. The government began to do so quickly after paying the compensation and was sure it had made a procedural mistake. The first step came when a press release was issued indicating that the issue would be pursued and those who caused the Dow Chemical loss would be held accountable. It did not explain whether accountability would be fixed about who accepted the conditions unfavorable towards Kuwait, or those who cancelled the deal, or those who paid the fine or who those who signed an undertaking not to do anything against the interests of the company? The second step came with the government sending the report to the public prosecutor and retiring all officials who had anything to do with the deal, citing two reasons. The first reason was that they had completed 30 years in service, and the second reason was to keep them away from a position that could have enabled someone to tamper with the papers. The minister’s resignation was also accepted, so that other things remained hidden, and few could come to know about these. The NA Council supported its member MP Yacoub Al-Sanie who posed questions to the government seeking to know the details right from the very start to the last chapter which is still not finished. The government rejected the NA Council’s suggestion to freeze the appointments made later or open an independent investigation by the council. The MPs demanded a special session, similar to the session about housing or borrowings or security issues, to discuss the case which, in my opinion, was more dangerous than all other cases. MP Yacoub Al-Sanie’s suggestion about holding a session garnered a lot of support. It was aimed at enquiring from the government details of the crime or at least an open talk about the case. All the MPs should participate in such a session if they are serious about public funds. The questions posed by the MP are very clear, and if the government was to answer those questions directly, to him or in an open session, then it will bring before the Kuwaiti people who played with their money and spent it left and right. —Al-Anbaa
By Saad Al-Rushaidi
By Dr Aseel Al-Awadhi
I
n my previous article, I talked about the conSuch contradictions can be cited endlessly. It is tradiction between deeds and words in the a state of schizophrenia that some people suffer form of very serious moral deviations domi- from and they cannot discern between what they nating our societ y, which strangely are also demand and what they actually practice in their socially acceptable at the same time. Such devia- daily lives. However, the right diagnosis of such tions can be easily detected amongst university cases should be left to specialized psychiatrists. students, though it is a social phenomenon What matters to us are moral contradictions that found everywhere. At a time when people do many people suffer from. It is unacceptable that not go to work without a due excuse, when oth- the aforementioned phenomena have become ers get paid without putting in any work and widespread and are socially tolerated now. when third parties register At times, such contrathemselves in fake compadictory demands are conThe ignorance of many people in s i d e re d a s r i g h t s a n d nies simply to receive the terms of ethics and ethical activi- some people shamelessly national labor support incentives and allowances, ties. Their ignorance of what turns d e m a n d t h e m . At t h e the very same people also any conduct into a moral issue same time, the same peoissue exhortations to ple speak of moral corrupmaking some people morally con- tion manifestations, as if enforce the law, respect the constitution and do justice. demn certain personal behavior these are only limited to At a time when certain peo- that has nothing to do with ethics. smoking Shisha, wearing p l e s e x u a l l y a b u s e a n d The opposite applies to justifying a swimsuit, attending a harass weak children and some immoral behavior only concert or attending cod o m e s t i c l a b o re r s, t r y to education classes. push girls into the world of because it could be widespread and The real problem lies in v i c e, fo rc e t h e i r m i n o r is socially approved. The second t wo t h i n g s. Fi r s t , t h e daughters to marry, but still part of the problem is the lack of ignorance of many people loudly defend notions like moral and ethical awareness and in terms of ethics and ethhonor and virtue and ical activities. Their ignod e m a n d t h a t m a l e a n d logic in moral decision-making. rance of what turns any female students at universiconduct into a moral issue ty auditoriums be made to sit separately and making some people morally condemn certain decency laws be made applicable. personal behavior that has nothing to do with At a time when votes are on sale during elec- ethics. The opposite applies to justifying some tion season, lawmakers’ secretaries are deputized immoral behavior only because it could be wideto work in parliament simply to avail of fully paid spread and is socially approved. The second part vacations from their original jobs without having of the problem is the lack of moral and ethical to do anything in real terms, when others seek awareness and logic in moral decision-making. the Wasta route, exceptions and many illegal priv- These are the reasons behind the contradictions ileges, the same voices also loudly call for fighting between what people believe and say and what corruption and protecting public funds. they actually do.—Al-Jarida
I
fail to understand why some MPs were so vocal in voicing their rejection after the parliament voted in favor of the cabinet’s request to refer a grilling motion filed against First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Hmoud Al-Sabah to the legislative committee. Normally, parliament members should honor democracy, especially since that is the reason they came to be in the National Assembly. While it is unusual to see MPs agree unanimously about a subject, it is also illogical to see a minority in the parliament criticizing and even attacking the majority opinion. When the current parliament was labeled by many as falling short of being a true representative of the people following a widely boycotted election, MPs argued that ballot centers were opened for everyone to cast their votes, and even claimed that a majority of Kuwaitis had voted. If MPs believed that the elections were legitimate because these were held freely and with the participation of a majority of the electorate, then why do the same MPs reject a decision taken by a comfortable majority in the parliament? Another question came to my mind while checking details of the Interior Minister’s grilling motion. I noticed that not even one question about the Iranian espionage cell was asked, whereas the motion addresses alleged connection between Kuwaitis and a Muslim Brotherhood network currently on trial in the United Arab Emirates. With all due respect to MPs’ right to file the interpellation, this question raises suspicions that the Interior Minister’s grilling could have been motivated by personal reasons. Elements like the contents of the grilling motion, its timing and the background of the MP filing it, are all factors that could help determine whether the motion was filed to serve the general good or personal interests, or just for the purpose of some showoff in the media. I believe there is a need to change the culture in which certain MPs seem to prefer the parliamentary device of filing interpellations to fight corruption. While a grilling motion is one of the most prominent and active auditory tools to check any malpractices in the governmental work, it does not mean that any MP must use it every time he finds himself in disagreement with a minister. The MPs have a right to say that they disagree with the decision to forward the grilling motion against the Interior Minister to the legislative committee. However, they are required to honor the decisions of the majority in the parliament in order to avoid wasting valuable time. After all, this is the time that could be utilized to achieve sustainable development in the legislative, economic and social fields. —Al-Rai
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
Germany battles floods as Hungary braces for deluge
Yemen begins new talks, Hadi hails progress Page 8
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LOS ANGELES: In this April 24, 2013 file photo, transportation engineer associate Abeer Kliefe works at the Los Angeles Department of Transportation’s Automated Traffic Surveillance and Control Center. —AP
People resigned to little privacy online Dearth of local Web tools means many are stuck with US sites CARACAS: US government snooping does not surprise global Internet users, who say they already have few expectations of online privacy as governments increasingly monitor people’s digital lives and Internet companies often acquiesce. Privacy activists concerned over the US National Security Agency’s selective monitoring of Internet traffic called on people to better protect their digital data. But most people eschew encryption and other privacy tools and seemed resigned to the open book their online lives have become. “It doesn’t surprise me one bit. They’ve been doing it for years,” said Jamie Griffiths, a 26-year-old architect working on his laptop in a London cafe. “I wouldn’t send anything via email that I wouldn’t want a third party to read.” From Baghdad, to Bogota, Colombia, many said they already censor what they write online and assume governments are regularly spying, be it as part of global counterterrorism or domestic surveillance efforts. “The social networks and email have always been vulnerable because tech-savvy people know how to penetrate them,” said Teolindo Acosa, a 34-year-old education student at Venezuela’s Universidad Central who was leaving a cybercafe in Caracas. Leaked confidential documents show the NSA
and FBI have been sifting through personal data by directly accessing the US-based servers of Google, Facebook, Microsoft, AOL, Skype, PalTalk, Apple and YouTube. US President Barack Obama said Friday that the surveillance did not “target” US citizens or others living in the US - which does not mean their communications were not caught up in the dragnet. But that didn’t dampen the outrage of people who resent what they consider Washington’s selfanointed role as the world’s policeman. “To the United States, everyone is suspicious, even the pope!” said leftist Colombian Sen Alexander Lopez. “Everyone is under observation these days and this should be taken up by the United Nations.” Lopez said he has no plans to close his Google and Microsoft email accounts. He figures he’ll be spied on no matter what he does. The revelation of global data vacuuming could hurt US technology companies if Internet users become disillusioned and abandon them in favor of homegrown alternatives that offer greater security. US privacy activist Christopher Soghoian said he finds it “insane” that so many politicians outside the United States use Gmail accounts. “This has given the NSA an advantage over every other intelligence system in the world. The Americans don’t have to hack as much, because
Sudan orders halt to South Sudan oil KHARTOUM: Sudan’s president has ordered the stoppage of cross-border oil flows from South Sudan from today, state radio said, just months after the long-time foes settled bitter disputes and agreed to restart the vital crude exports. The Sudanese station gave no more details yesterday. The government later said it would issue a statement today relating to its long-standing accusations that South Sudan supports rebels. A confirmed stoppage would dash hopes of an economic lifeline to both underdeveloped African countries, which in the past relied on oil exports and associated fees for a large part of their state incomes. Sudan and South Sudan - which separated into two countries in 2011 after decades of war - agreed in March to resume crude exports from the
landlocked south through Sudan to the Red Sea after resolving an argument over transit fees. “(President Omar Hassan Al-)Bashir orders the oil minister to stop oil flows from the south through Sudanese territory from tomorrow,” state radio said in a text message sent to mobile phone users. Sudanese state news agency Suna said Information Minister Ahmed Belal Osman would hold a news conference today “regarding the cooperation deal with South Sudan in the face of the government’s accusations against Juba for supporting the terrorism of the so-called Sudanese Revolutionary Front”. South Sudan denies accusations it backs rebels in Sudanese territory who have sought to topple Bashir. —Reuters
everyone in the world sends their data to American companies,” he said. Hossam El-Hamalawy, a blogger with Egypt’s Revolutionary Socialists, one of the Egyptian groups that helped spearhead the 2011 uprising, said the dearth of locally developed Web tools means many are simply stuck with US sites, even if they know the government is monitoring them. “The problem is that there is no alternative,” he said. “If you don’t use Facebook, what is the alternative social network available for the Internet user who is not an IT geek?” Soghoian predicted an increasing push by governments and companies in Europe in particular, where privacy has been a much bigger issue for voters than in the United States, away from storing data in US-based server farms. Indeed, under US law it is not illegal for the NSA to collect information on foreigners. The disclosure of the NSA data-vacuuming program known as PRISM is only the latest “of many US government programs created to infringe on personal freedoms,” said Carlos Affonso Pereira de Souza, a technology policy professor at FGV think tank in Rio de Janeiro. Going back well into the 20th century, the United States, Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand ran a secret satellite communications inter-
ception network that became known as Echelon and searched information including telexes, faxes and emails, according to experts including US journalist James Bamford. The system was the subject of a 2001 European Parliament inquiry. According to a UN report released this week, such surveillance has been on a global upsurge with governments increasingly tapping into online personal data and even discouraging online anonymity by passing laws prohibiting it. The governments of China, Iran, Bahrain are among other nations that already aggressively oversee online activity, in many cases putting people in prison for political blog posts and other messages. Israel’s attorney general in April upheld a practice allowing security personnel to read email accounts of suspicious individuals when they arrive at the airport, arguing it prevents militants from entering the country. China has long imposed tight control over media and spied on private communications among its citizens, especially government critics and activists, sifting through their email, listening in on their phone conversations and snooping on their cyber activities. Major Internet companies employ internal reviewers who regularly censor content posted by users and scrub off offensive language, including
political topics the authorities do not wish to be publicly discussed. South Korea, one of the most wired countries in the world, has a law that allows authorities to ask telecommunications companies without a court order to provide information such as names, resident registration numbers, addresses and phone numbers of their subscribers. But this doesn’t involve the substance of conversations users had using communications software provided by the companies. Ko Young-churl, a journalism professor and communications expert at Jeju National University in South Korea, said most South Koreans are complacent about security for their personal data online ... “and most South Koreans don’t realize authorities could use such tools against them.” The UN report said such activity has been expanding as technology advances, and that countries should prioritize protecting people’s online rights. “In order to meet their human rights obligations, States must ensure that the rights to freedom of expression and privacy are at the heart of their communications surveillance frameworks,” the report reads. Its author, Guatemalan Frank La Rue, calls for legal standards to ensure “privacy, security and anonymity of communications” to protect people including journalists, human rights defenders and whistleblowers. —AP
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
I N T E R N AT I O N A L
Yemen begins new talks, Hadi hails progress SANAA: Yemen began the second round of its national dialogue in Sanaa yesterday, as President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi hailed progress made during talks in March. The UN-backed dialogue aims to draft a new constitution and prepare for elections in 2014, after a two-year transition led by Hadi. Yesterday’s dialogue was part of a UN-brokered deal that eased former strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh from power after an 11-month uprising against his 33-year rule. “We are holding our second open session amid changes, developments and positive achievements,” Hadi said at the opening of the dialogue in Sanaa. He added the talks had taken steps towards “drawing the outlines of a new Yemen where justice, equality and freedom prevail.” Nine work groups have been created since April whose members met nearly 11,000 personalities representing officials and civil society from across Yemen. These groups have made recommendations which delegates will discuss in the next phase of dialogue, Hadi said. Saturday’s session was attended by UN envoy to Yemen Jamal Benomar and Gulf Cooperation Council chief Abdullatif AlZayani - who both played key roles in sealing a power transfer deal that eased
Saleh from office. Zayani reiterated the support of Yemen’s Gulf neighbours for Hadi’s “leadership in all the decisions, measures and steps he had taken to implement the Gulf Initiative”. The Gulf Arab states “support all consensus agreements the National Dialogue will reach and which will reflect the overall will of the Yemeni people and ensure Yemen’s unity, sovereignty and stability.” The dialogue kicked off on March 18 and is due to run for six months. It brings together 565 representatives from Yemen’s various political groups, ranging from southern secessionists to Zaidi Shiite rebels in the north, as well as representatives from civil society organisations. “Yemen can no longer withstand more crises and there are many challenges,” said Hadi, adding that “terrorism” in the country poses a particular problem. Yemen is home to Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which the US classifies as the deadliest franchise in the network and which exploited central government weakness during the uprising in 2011 to seize swathes of land in the south. The army, backed by US drones, has managed to regain control of those territories. But extremists have regrouped in several areas and are accused of carrying out hit-
SANAA: Yemen’s President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi (left) and Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Abdullatif Al-Zayani take part in the opening session of the second national dialogue conference in the Yemeni capital yesterday. — AFP and-run attacks on security forces. The talks, originally scheduled to open last November, were delayed mainly due to the refusal of some factions in the Southern Movement - which seeks autonomy or secession for the formerly inde-
pendent south - to join the initiative. Most agreed to take part after months of negotiations and UN pressure. But hardliners led by South Yemen’s former president Ali Salem Al-Baid have insisted on negotiations between two independent states in
the north and south. Hadi warned yesterday that those calling for the boycott of the talks for their own political gains “will face the anger of the Yemeni people who see dialogue as their only hope”. Supporters of southern independence often stage demonstrations against national dialogue. Last month, a Southern Movement leader, Ahmed bin Farid AlSuraimah, withdrew from the talks in protest at what he said was a “plot against the southern cause”. Hadi had accused Iran of backing a southern faction seeking to secede by force of arms. State news agency Saba quoted Zayani as saying yesterday: “We, alongside President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi, condemn foreign interference in Yemen from Iran and others.” Benomar, meanwhile, urged Yemenis to reach out to the southern groups and to “resolve legitimate demands”. “We insist that there is no choice but to achieve the success of the dialogue through... resolving the southern issue... and achieving national reconciliation,” the UN envoy said. After the former North and South Yemen united in 1990, the south broke away in 1994, triggering a civil war that ended with the region being overrun by northern troops. — AFP
Syria regime takes last rebel bastion in Qusair Rebels, refugees cross into Lebanon
CAIRO: Ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak (center) and his sons Alaa (right) and Gamal are seen behind the defendants’ cage during their retrial at the Police Academy yesterday. — AFP
Court adjourns Mubarak trial, bars lawyers CAIRO: An Egyptian court in the retrial of fallen dictator Hosni Mubarak for alleged complicity in the killings of protesters barred lawyers in civil cases from the proceedings at a brief session yesterday. Presiding judge Mahmoud Al-Rashidi adjourned the court to tomorrow, shortly after opening the second hearing in Mubarak’s retrial, a criminal case. Mubarak, 85, watched the proceedings while sitting up on a stretcher inside the defendants’ cage, shared with seven of his former security commanders and his two sons. His original trial led to a life sentence for Mubarak and his interior minister Habib Al-Adly, and acquittals for six police commanders. But an appeals court ordered a retrial, citing procedural errors. Rashidi yesterday barred lawyers filing civil suits against Mubarak and his codefendants from attending hearings in the retrial. Those filing civil suits had been allowed to attend the first trial. One of the main lawyers filing civil suits, Sameh Ashur, told AFP Rashidi’s ruling would not have a major impact on the proceedings. But the decision angered the lawyers in the makeshift court in a police academy lecture hall outside Cairo. “The people demand the cleansing of the judiciary,” they chanted. Mubarak’s lawyer Farid Al-Deeb
appeared visibly satisfied with the ruling. He had demanded the same of the judge in Mubarak’s first trial. Before adjourning the session, Rashidi said the court would examine a request to jail three out of six police commanders on trial with Mubarak for their alleged involvement in the deaths of protesters during the early 2011 uprising. The three police commanders have not been remanded in custody but attend every hearing. All of the defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. In the retrial’s opening session on May 11, Rashidi issued an emotional appeal for order, saying he understood “frustration” with the process. He also said there would be new evidence presented in the case, which now includes 55,000 pages of documents. In the first trial, the court had contended with patchwork evidence gathered by the prosecution, which blamed police for not fully cooperating in the investigation. Egyptians remain polarised by the legacy of the former leader, as the country struggles to move forward under the new regime of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi, elected in June 2012. Today the country is in disarray, with Morsi’s tenure marked by political division, repeated violence and a crippling economic crisis. — AFP
Somali warlords battle over key southern port MOGADISHU: At least eight people have been killed in fighting between rival Somali warlords battling for control of the southern port city of Kismayo, witnesses said yesterday. Gunmen from the Ras Kamboni militia of former Islamist warlord Ahmed Madobe recently self-appointed “president” of the southern Jubaland region - battled against forces loyal to Iftin Hassan Basto, another leader claiming to be president. Fighting broke out Friday evening, paused overnight, but resumed yesterday. “Fighting started when soldiers from Ras Kamboni attacked and tried to arrest me,” Basto told reporters. “But my men fought back and defended me.” Several rival factions claim ownership of Kismayo, a former stronghold of the AlQaeda-linked Shabab, where Kenyan troops in an African Union force are now based. Kenyan troops, who invaded Somalia in 2011, back Madobe’s control of the strategic and economic hub, but neither the title of “president” nor the region of Jubaland is recognised by the weak central government in Mogadishu. Witnesses said eight people were killed in the clashes, while several wounded people were seen being taken to hospital. “I saw eight dead, three of them civilians, but the toll could be higher as many were wounded,” said Mohamed Farey, a witness. “Battles have continued... we can hear heavy fire.” Another resident, Jama Bile, said that
three of his neighbours had been killed, and two others wounded. “It’s chaotic here... people are frightened,” Bile told AFP. Jubaland lies in the far south of Somalia and borders both Kenya and Ethiopia, and control is split between multiple forces including clan militia, the Shabab, Kenyan and Ethiopian soldiers. Jubaland joins other semiautonomous regions of the fractured Horn of Africa nation, including Puntland in the northeast - which wants autonomy within a federation of states and Somaliland in the northwest, which fiercely defends its self-declared independence. Ras Kamboni spokesman Abdinasir Serar insisted his troops were in full control of Kismayo. “We will end the fighting soon, after we arrest those who were preparing for attacks,” Serar said. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who holds little sway in the port city, said all sides should end the fighting. “We call on both parties to practise restraint,” he said in a statement. Kenya’s and Somalia’s presidents met this week, discussing among other issues Nairobi’s role in Jubaland, which has a lucrative charcoal industry, fertile farmland as well as potential off-shore oil and gas deposits. Kenya views the region as a key buffer zone to protect is borders, but in Jubaland, has ended up backing a warlord opposing the central government it is mandated - and funded by the UN and European Union - to support. — AFP
DAMASCUS: Forces loyal to President Bashar AlAssad have now seized all of the Qusair area in central Syria, state television claimed yesterday, as wounded rebels and scores of refugee families straggled into Lebanon. The reports come a day after the United Nations launched a record humanitarian aid appeal for Syria, warning of a regional “explosion” if fighting does not stop. Yesterday’s seizure of Eastern Bweida village, the last rebel bastion in the area, brought the entire Qusair region near the border with Lebanon back under regime control. It came four days after the town of Qusair, which had been in insurgent hands for a year, fell to the army and forces from Lebanon’s powerful Shiite Hezbollah movement. Hundreds of people who fled the fall of Qusair took refuge in Eastern Bweida, 14 km to the northeast, but Syrian state television broadcast footage of a desolate village devoid of signs of life. It was not immediately known where all the people had gone, but some have crossed the border into Lebanon. Hezbollah also announced the news of Eastern Bweida’s fall on its own television channel, Al-Manar. Its correspondent said: “Qusair’s countryside is finished... The army has taken back the whole Qusair region”. The regime “staged a war of nerves by bombarding (Eastern Bweida) all night long”, the reporter added. “We have entered a new phase” in the conflict. The army and Hezbollah launched a vast offensive on Qusair nearly three weeks ago, in the clearest sign yet of the Lebanese group’s commitment to the Assad regime. Scores of fighters were killed on both sides. Qusair, only 10 km from Lebanon, is strategic for the regime because of its proximity to the border and because it lies on a route linking Damascus to the coast. For the rebels, it was an important conduit from Lebanon for men and materiel. Dozens of Syrians and Lebanese from the rebel side wounded in the battle for Qusair have been evacuated to Arsal, a border town in northern Lebanon, and to Baalbek in the east, security officials said. Among them were Lebanese Sunni Muslims who had crossed into Syria to join the predominantly Sunni-led rebellion. At the same time, scores of families fleeing the area have also braved a dangerous journey to safety in Arsal, a local official said. “Their situation is very bad. They arrived exhausted. They have nothing. Some came here on foot,” local official Ahmad Al-Hojeiri said, adding that local authorities were short of funds and “only managing to provide basic assistance.” Meanwhile, Syrian helicopters fired rockets at
an area near Arsal, whose residents back the rebels. The raid late on Friday was the second such strike against the Sunni-majority border areas in less than a week. More than 500,000 Syrians fleeing the conflict have sought refuge in Lebanon, which is being increasingly sucked in to the war. Elsewhere yesterday, a car bombing near an army post in nearby Homs city killed at least seven people, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. “It has so far been impossible to verify their identities,” the Britain-based group said, adding that regime forces have begun bombarding areas north of the city. Dubbed by anti-regime activists as the “capital of the revolution, Homs and its province have suffered massive destruction over the course of Syria’s 26-month conflict. After Qusair fell, regime forces were expected to turn their sights on Homs, the countryside around Damascus and the northern province of Aleppo. The latest vio-
lence comes as the United Nations said a total of $3.8 billion was needed to help refugees who have spilled across the country’s borders to escape the fighting. The figure needed for operations inside Syria was put at another $1.4 billion. “If the fighting doesn’t stop, we risk an explosion in the Middle East for which the international community is not prepared,” UN refugee agency head Antonio Guterres said. More than 94,000 people have been killed and some 1.6 million Syrians fled the country since the civil war began in March 2011 after Assad cracked down on prodemocracy protests, according to Observatory figures. The number of refugees is expected to reach at least 3.45 million by the end of this year, according to the UN appeal. Inside the country, 6.8 million people, most of them displaced from their homes, are forecast to need aid this year. — AFP
BUWEIDA, Syria: Syrian army soldiers patrol a street in this village north of Qusair in Syria’s central Homs province yesterday. — AFP
Iran media praises presidential debate TEHRAN: Iran’s media yesterday hailed the latest televised debate of presidential candidates, highlighting sharp exchanges among them on topics such as the nuclear issue and political freedom. “The differences among the candidates are clear. The final sprint has begun,” said leading economic daily Donya-
e Eqtesad about the debate on Friday evening. Reformist daily Arman hailed the discussions, saying they “showcased differences”. The eight men vying for the presidency clashed in the heated exchange over nuclear talks with world powers, with pointed criticism aimed at top nuclear negotia-
TEHRAN: Hassan Rowhani, a moderate Iranian presidential candidate and former top nuclear negotiator, waves as he attends his campaign rally yesterday. — AFP
tor and hardline candidate Saeed Jalili, a frontrunner in the June 14 election. “I would have liked to have written that the winner of last night’s debate was (moderate) Hassan Rowhani or (reformist) Mohammed Reza Aref, but I have to say (conservative) Ali Akbar Velayati was the real winner,” wrote political analyst Sadegh Zibakalam in reformist daily, Etemad. “On the one hand, he defended the foreign policy of (expresident Akbar) Hashemi Rafsanjani and, on the other, he openly criticised the attitude of Jalili in nuclear negotiations. Nobody can accuse Velayati of being uninformed, or linked to the West... or as not part of the conservative camp”. Velayati, an adviser to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had lashed out at Jalili for his handling of nuclear negotiations with world powers. “The art of diplomacy is that we save the nuclear right, while at the same time, we reduce the sanctions,” Velayati said. Under the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran has been slapped with several rounds of
sanctions targeting its ailing economy, leading to raging inflation and high unemployment. The reformist daily Bahar said “reformers (Rowhani and Aref ) showed their unity, while the conser vatives showed their differences” during the debate. Aref criticised what he said was political pressure on his supporters. “Is it normal to prevent my supporters from showing portraits of Mohammad Khatami?” he asked during the debate referring to the reformist ex-president accused of backing opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi in the 2009 presidential election. Mousavi and Karroubi had denounced as fraudulent the result of that election, and tens of thousands of their supporters took to the streets opposing Ahmadinejad’s return to office for a second term. The two have been under house arrest for more than two years. Most of the candidates have reportedly asked for a fourth and final debate before the election, in what is seen as a sign of success of Friday ’s televised exchanges. —AFP
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
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Swedish princess weds New York banker STOCKHOLM: Swedish Princess Madeleine fell in love in the Big Apple. Now she has said “yes” to New York banker Christopher O’Neill in a lavish and emotional wedding ceremony in Stockholm. Madeleine was wearing a stunning white lace-top dress designed by Valentino Garavani when she tied the knot to British-American O’Neill yesterday in front of around 470 European royals and top New York socialites. O’Neill fought back tears as Madeleine walked down the aisle with her father, King Carl XVI Gustaf, to a traditional Swedish wedding march performed by a children’s choir. The bride and groom were visibly moved as the ceremony proceeded with hymns in both Swedish and English, and performances by Roxette singer Marie Fredriksson and Broadway’s “Phantom of the Opera” star Peter Joback. With a smile on her face, Madeleine read out the wedding vows in Swedish while O’Neill read his in English. Madeleine, 30, is the youngest of Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia’s three children and fourth in line to the throne. The
38-year-old O’Neill works as a partner and head of research at Noster Capital, a hedge fund with offices in London and New York. The couple met through mutual friends in New York, where they both live, and were first spotted together having lunch at the Central Park Boathouse in Jan 2011. They announced their engagement in Oct 2012. Guests at the wedding include the UK’s Earl and Countess of Wessex, Prince Edward and Sophie; Princess Takamado of Japan and princes and princesses from Norway, Denmark, Greece, Luxembourg and Monaco. O’Neill has also invited many of his super-rich friends, such as Opel heir Georg von Opel, Cadbury chocolate heir Joel Cadbury, Colombian billionaire Alejandro Santo Domingo, and Aidan and Fizzy Barclay. Other well-known invitees are Duran Duran band member John Taylor, the CEO of fashion retailer H&M, Karl-Johan Persson, and golfer Jesper Parnevik. Outside the palace, several thousand royal fans had gathered in the sunshine waving Swedish flags and hoping to catch a
glimpse of the couple. “We hope she will be very happy in the future, the princess Madeleine,” said Julia Huelsman, who had traveled from Munich, Germany for the occasion. The marriage is the latest in a series of glamorous royal weddings that have mesmerized Europe in the past years. In June 2010, Madeleine’s older sister Crown Princess Victoria wed her personal trainer Daniel Wesling in a grand ceremony in Stockholm and the year after Britain’s Prince William and Kate Middleton tied the knot in extravagant fashion in front of an estimated 2 billion television viewers. Also in 2011, Prince Albert II of Monaco wed Charlene Lynette Wittstock and in 2012, Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg united with Belgian Countess Stephanie de Lannoy. The Swedish royal family has only ceremonial duties, such as attending award ceremonies, promoting Swedish businesses abroad and supporting charities. As the head of state, the king also receives foreign dignitaries on formal visits to Sweden. — AP
STOCKHOLM: Princess Madeleine of Sweden and Christopher OíNeill smile during their wedding ceremony at the Royal Chapel yesterday. — AP
Germany battles floods as Hungary braces for deluge Death toll hits 18, scores evacuated
PARIS: People take part in a demonstration yesterday in honour of a young anti-fascist activist killed in a fight with skinheads in central Paris on June 5. — AFP
Murder charge sought in Paris activist death PARIS: The Paris prosecutor said yesterday he is seeking an investigation for murder against a 20-year-old far-right militant suspected of being involved in the killing of an anti-fascist activist in Paris this week. Prosecutor Francois Molins said authorities were also seeking charges against the suspect, identified only as “Esteban,” and three other alleged accomplices among a group of skinheads for group violence in the brawl between far-right and anti-fascist activists that led to the death of 18-yearold university student Clement Meric. Authorities had previously said he was 19 years old. The four suspects were being held, and a fifth suspect, a 32-year-old woman named Katya who was said to be Esteban’s girlfriend, was facing the prospect of preliminary charges for complicity in group violence, Molins said. He said the suspects were linked to a far-right group known as “Troisieme Voie” - or Third Way. Militant extreme -right groups have become increasingly visible in France, and France’s Socialist-led government said after Meric’s death that it wants to ban fascist and neoNazi groups. Yesterday, Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault’s office said in a state-
ment that he had asked the interior minister to “immediately” take steps, under a 77year-old domestic security law against farright hate groups, toward dissolving a farright group known as “Jeunesses nationalistes revolutionnaires” - or revolutionary nationalist youth. Reached by The Associated Press, an Interior Ministr y spokeswoman said JNR was considered the security unit of Third Way. The fight erupted outside a clothing store where members of the two groups had run into each other by chance on Wednesday, Molins said, citing witness accounts and testimony by the suspects during police questioning. The suspects claimed to have responded to alleged provocation by the group that included Meric, a student at the prestigious Paris political science university known as Sciences-Po, he said. “ The one named Esteban acknowledged to police that he had struck Clement Meric twice - bare-fisted, he claimed - including the blow that caused him to fall to the ground,” Molins said. “A friend of Clement Meric said he saw him (Esteban) with brass knuckles, while another witness of the scene referred to a ‘shiny object’ in his hands.” — AFP
Assange: US justice suffering collapse LONDON: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said Friday that the US justice system was suffering from a “calamitous collapse in the rule of law”, as Washington reeled from the sensational exposure of vast spy agency surveillance programs. Speaking in an interview with AFP at Ecuador’s London embassy, where he has been holed up for almost a year, the founder of the whistleblowing website accused the US government of trying to “launder” its activities with regard to the far-reaching electronic spying effort revealed on Thursday.
Julian Assange “The US administration has the phone records of everyone in the United States and is receiving them daily from carriers to the National Security Agency under secret agreements. That’s what’s come out,” said the 41-year-old Australian. Two newspaper exposes have laid bare the extent to which President Barack Obama’s intelligence apparatus is scooping up enormous amounts of
personal data on telephone calls, emails, website visits - on millions of Americans and foreigners. Obama has defended the programs, saying they are legal, necessary to combat terror, and balance security with privacy. Assange, whose website has enraged Washington by publishing hundreds of thousands of US diplomatic cables and classified files on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, said the Obama administration was engaged in a bid to “criminalise all national security journalism in the United States”. US soldier Bradley Manning is being court-martialled for leaking the huge cache of government files to WikiLeaks, while there has been an outcry in the US media after the government seized the phone records of journalists at the Associated Press and Fox News in a bid to root out government sources. Commenting on Washington’s spying on journalists and members of the public, as well as his own treatment by US authorities, Assange said: “Over the last ten years the US justice system has suffered from a collapse, a calamitous collapse, in the rule of law. We see this in other areas as well - with how Bradley Manning has been treated in prison, with US drone strikes occurring - even on American citizens - with no due process.” Manning’s long-awaited military trial finally began on Monday at the Fort Meade military base outside Washington. Assange blasted the court martial as a “show trial” and warned that the future of journalism was at stake over US prosecutors’ argument that by leaking the files, 25-year-old Manning had helped Al-Qaeda. Aiding the enemy is punishable by death in the US, though prosecutors are not seeking this sentence in Manning’s case. “What’s at stake in this trial is the future of press in the United States and in the rest of the world,” Assange told AFP. — AFP
BUDAPEST: Flood waters rose in eastern Germany yesterday, forcing the evacuation of homes and a hospital, as Hungary propped up its defences against central Europe’s worst floods in a decade. Elsewhere, the Austrian interior ministry confirmed that four people had been killed and two were still missing, raising the death toll in Europe from the past week’s floods to at least 18, including 10 in the Czech Republic, which has warned of renewed flood risks. Legions of soldiers and volunteers worked through the night to reinforce dykes and repair leaks in eastern Germany and in Hungary. Throughout the German state of SaxonyAnhalt, thousands of residents have been evacuated from their homes as water levels on the Elbe river - already at record levels in the past few days - continued to rise by some two centimetres every two hours, according to officials. In Bitterfeld, patients had to be removed from a hospital as a dyke threatened to burst, and in the nearby medieval city of Magdeburg, flooded roads forced the evacuations of several old people’s homes. In Muehlberg, a town in Branbenburg state that was already evacuated in the last few days, the situation remained “very tense,” said local police spokeswoman Ines Filohn. Some 900 soldiers and volunteers overnight there had to build an emergency road so hundreds of trucks could gain easier access to a dyke that needed to be reinforced. “We need to protect the dykes no matter what,” said Wolfgang Brandt, a spokesman of the Brandenburg state crisis centre. Along the Danube, Hungary was next in line to suffer from the rising waters, with the flood expected to peak tomorrow morning in Budapest. “It is now certain that the water level will not exceed 9.0 metres in Budapest,” Mayor Istvan Tarlos said yesterday. However, this would still surpass the 2006 historical record of 8.60 m. Some 1,500 people had already been evacuated in the northwest of Hungary, where the river has reached record levels in several locations.
Emergency workers and volunteers worked overnight to reinforce leaking dykes, build missing barrier sections or remove water, and extra truck drivers were called in to help transport sandbags to affected areas. “We will defend every section of dyke and protect every single person, we won’t leave anybody in danger in their houses,” Prime Minister Viktor Orban said at a press conference yesterday. By Saturday morning, Orban said 972 people - including 188 people in Budapest - had been evacuated by authorities from their homes. “We’re doing well, as we haven’t lost any lives, or suffered serious injuries yet,” he added. Meanwhile, the bridge linking Slovakia and Hungary at Esztergom was closed to traffic early
yesterday. The Danube was still rising in southern Slovak towns and villages, downstream from Bratislava, and was expected to culminate in the afternoon. In the Czech Republic, the clean-up effort was under way to remove the thick layer of muck left behind by the retreating waters, but Prime Minister Petr Necas warned that “the floods are not over”. With more heavy rains expected in the next few days, the soaked ground would not be able to absorb any more water and anti-flood precautions were to stay in place, according to the authorities. Meteorologists in western Austria, one of the first regions hit by the floods last weekend, also warned that new rain in the coming days could trigger more flooding and landslides in the alpine valleys. — AFP
MAGDEBURG, Germany: Inhabitants carry belongings through the floods of river Elbe yesterday. — AP
Geographers publish atlas on sexuality PARIS: Where are people most unfaithful? On a darker level, where is child rape more prevalent? French geographers have tried to answer these questions and others in a global atlas on sexuality. From legislation and the dynamics of couples to prostitution and violence, the book maps out the evolution of sexual habits and acts around the world by collating various surveys, figures and reports already available. “Sexuality is everywhere on our city walls and on our screens, in lighter news or in darker events,” said Nadine Cattan, research director in geography at France’s National Center for Scientific Research. “We wanted to cover all this worldwide to try and understand it a bit better,” she said, adding the research had lasted 18 months. The atlas covers multiple areas, such as what it calls a “sexual and amorous transition” happening in Europe, where infidelity is on the rise. Using
data drawn across five European countries from the 1.5 million members of Gleeden - a dating site for married people who want affairs - the atlas pinpoints Paris as the city where most people are unfaithful. According to the data, more than half of those who cheat on their partners are highly educated, and 22 percent work in finance, banking or insurance. The major reason cited for infidelity is a desire to test their seduction power. In its chapter on couples, the atlas also explores other sexual habits, such as the frequency of sexual intercourse or the level of satisfaction. In Greece, Poland and Brazil, some 80 percent of the population think sex is very important, while in Thailand and Japan just 38 percent do, it says. In Europe, people in Britain, Norway and Sweden are the most avid users of sex toys, citing a report by condom maker Durex, while
southern countries including France are not that interested. On the much darker side of the matter, the atlas collates figures on prostitution, sexual violence and discrimination. Sweden held a European record for the number of registered rape complaints in 2008 - or 53.2 out of 100,000 inhabitants - although the atlas points out the country’s legal definition of rape is much broader than in other nations. It adds that many countries have taken measures to address sexual harassment, such as womenonly bus lines in Mexico and similar initiatives in cities in Brazil, Egypt and Japan. But in Europe, only 14 percent of rape complaints lead to a conviction, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says. And on that same continent, Northern Ireland held the unenviable record in 2008 of complaints of sexual assaults on minors, according to the same organisation. — AFP
Mali holds crisis talks with rebels OUAGADOUGOU: Malian authorities and armed ethnic Tuareg rebels began talks yesterday aimed at resolving the conflict in the north to enable planned nationwide elections to go ahead next month. “The aim is to find a durable solution to the grave crisis engulfing Mali,” said President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso which is mediating the negotiations. “Security is vital for the holding of free and transparent elections,” he said, calling for a cessation of renewed hostilities between government troops and rebels. Tensions remain high in the north after heavy fighting erupted on Wednesday near the rebel-held city of Kidal, stoking concerns about the staging of the presidential election scheduled for July 28. Kidal, which is prized by the Tuaregs, has been occupied since the end of January by the rebel National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) which has been accused of “ethnic cleansing” in the town. Fighting erupted in the town of Anefis south of Kidal which left 30 rebels dead and two Malian soldiers wounded, according to the army. The battles
flared after more than 100 black inhabitants were expelled from Kidal, while many others were arrested by the lighter-skinned Tuaregs of the MNLA in an act denounced as “ethnic cleansing” by the Bamako government. But Mali’s army has declared its intention to recapture Kidal before the election in Mali, once a model democracy in troubled west Africa until a coup in March last year. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s special representative to Mali, Bert Koenders, said he did not believe that the fighting would undermine the talks in the Burkina Faso capital Ouagadougou. Koenders told reporters in Bamako on Friday that he placed “great hope in the Ouagadougou negotiations”. The talks had been due to get under way on Friday, but were postponed at the last minute at Bamako’s request, a diplomatic source said. Armed ethnic Tuaregs from MNLA rose up to fight for independence for the north in January last year and overwhelmed government troops, leading frustrated mid-level officers to launch a coup that toppled elected president Amadou Toumani Toure. — AFP
OUAGADOUGOU: Burkina Faso’s President Blaise Compaore (right) shakes hands yesterday with Alghabass Ag Intalla, leader of the Ansar Dine delegation, before the start of a meeting on the Malian crisis. — AFP
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
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5 dead, 5 injured after Calif shooting rampage Gunman fires at police cars, bystanders, pedestrians SANTA MONICA: The gunman, dressed all in black and carrying a semi-automatic rifle, walked calmly through the Santa Monica College campus after killing his father, brother and another person, authorities said. He would kill a woman outside the library moments later, before dying from police gunfire. Trena Johnson, a longtime administrative assistant working in the dean’s office, looked out the window around noon
when the gunman opened fire at a house where two bodies were found, police Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks said. Two officials said the killings began as a domestic violence incident and the victims in the home were the gunman’s father and brother. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the case. As the house burst into flames,
injuries. One had shrapnel-type injuries and the two others had injuries not related to gunfire. They were treated at a hospital and released. The gunman also fired on police cars, bystanders and pedestrians, police said. From there, the chaos shifted to Santa Monica College, a two-year college with about 34,000 students located among homes and strip malls more than a mile inland from the city’s
SANTA MONICA: Priscilla Morales cries as she is consoled by a parking enforcement officer in Santa Monica, Calif. —AP Friday and saw a man with a “very large gun.” “We saw a woman get shot in the head,” said Johnson. “I haven’t been able to stop shaking.”Before the rampage was over five people, including the gunman, were killed and five more were injured, police said. The violence, which lasted just about 20 minutes, started about mile away
the man, wearing what appeared to be a ballistic jacket, carjacked a woman at gunpoint and directed her to drive to the college campus, having her stop so he could shoot along the way, police said. He wounded one woman in a car who was in critical condition late Friday. He fired on a city bus where three women were left with minor
famous pier, promenade and expansive, sandy beaches. In a faculty parking lot on the edge of campus, he fired on two people in a red Ford Explorer that crashed through a block wall. The driver was killed, police said, and a passenger was in critical condition after undergoing surgery UCLA Medical Center, doctors said. College
employee Joe Orcutt was in the lot and said he saw the gunman, looking calm and composed. “He’s just standing there, like he’s modeling for some ammo magazine,” Orcutt said, “seeing who he could shoot, one bullet at a time, like target practice.” The gunman walked on to campus and shot the woman in front of the library, who appeared to be in her 50s and carried a bag of recyclables, police spokesman Richard Lewis said. She died at the hospital about three hours later. The gunman went inside the library and kept shooting but apparently hit no one, Seabrooks said. Dozens of students, who had been studying for final exams, ran for the exits. “I was totally scared to death and I can’t believe it happened so fast,” said Vincent Zhang, a 20year-old economics major. Officers entered the library and shot the gunman moments later, Seabrooks said. He was carried to a sidewalk, where he was declared dead. His body remained there many hours later as coroner’s investigators examined the scene. His name and the names of his victims’ were being withheld while the coroner’s office notified relatives. Nine crime scenes were under investigation by officers from 11 different law enforcement agencies, said Lewis, the police spokesman. On the gunman they found a canvas bag that included a rifle, a handgun and magazines of ammunition, Lewis said. A small cache of ammunition found in the house that had burned. Police had said earlier that seven people were killed, including the gunman, but they revised the death toll to five at a news conference late Friday. Lewis said there were conflicting descriptions of some victims and they were counted twice. Police detained a second man but released him and said he was not a suspect, expressing confidence the crisis had ended. “Santa Monica is very safe tonight,” Lewis said. —AP
Martin’s character on trial in Zimmerman case MIAMI: To his supporters, Trayvon Martin was a typical teenager: flawed yet full of promise, a boy on the verge of becoming a man with dreams of piloting planes. If he differed from his peers it was because he embraced public displays of affection from his parents. To defenders of the man who killed him, Martin was a gun-loving fight enthusiast with a marijuana habit, a representative of the dark side of the “gangsta” culture popularized by hip-hop music and urban crime mythology. For all the attention paid to a homicide that captivated the United States for much of 2012, those competing narratives still cloud much of the public’s understanding of Martin, who was three weeks past his 17th birthday when he was shot dead by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman on Feb 26, 2012. “We never said he was an angel, but he was ours,” said Martin’s mother, Sybrina Fulton, a bureaucrat for Miami’s housing authority who was thrust into the media spotlight by her son’s death. “Trayvon had his ups and downs, his good days and bad days like every teenager.” Zimmerman, 29, was due to go on trial for second-degree homicide on Monday, when jury selection was set to begin. He has pleaded not guilty, contending he acted in self defense during their confrontation in a gated community in the central Florida town of Sanford. The case inspired national debates on race and guns and the law. Celebrities tweeted and demonstrators marched around the United States in protest when police initially declined to arrest Zimmerman, saying he acted in self-defense. President Barack Obama sympathized with the victim, seeming to acknowledge racial profiling in America when he said, “If I had a son, he’d look like Trayvon.” The controversy forced the police chief to step down, the chief prosecutor to remove himself from the case, and the governor to appoint a special prosecutor who brought the murder charge against Zimmerman. In the face of such a maelstrom, Zimmerman’s defense lawyers argued that Martin’s character was relevant to their case. So far, the judge presiding over the case has resisted admitting such arguments. “We have a lot of evidence that marijuana use had something to do with the event,” Zimmerman’s lawyer, Mark O’Mara, told a pre-trial hearing late last month. An autopsy revealed marijuana in Martin’s system. Supporters of Zimmerman say he has been unfairly tainted as racist, noting the neighborhood was on heightened alert after a series of break-ins in the community. Zimmerman’s lawyers argue Martin’s family has tried to present a “totally inaccurate” picture of the boy, hiding a darker side of his interest in drugs, guns and fights. “From the defense perspective it’s extremely important because of their proposition that Zimmerman was defending himself and that Trayvon was an aggressor,” said David Weinstein, a Miami lawyer and former state prosecutor. “On the prosecution side you want to downplay that and keep Trayvon’s character
from being a central theme,” he added. The judge ruled at a pre-trial hearing last month that photos and texts from Martin’s cellphone and social media posts, as well as his suspension from school for suspected marijuana use, cannot be mentioned in opening arguments. Martin’s parents have argued from the start their son was an innocent victim who was stalked by Zimmerman while walking back to the gated community near Orlando with candy and soft drinks he had bought at a convenience store. They accuse Zimmerman of being a vigilante, whose decision to pursue their son provoked the struggle that resulted in Martin’s death. As long as the prosecution stays close to the narrative of what happened that night, lawyers say it will be tough for the defense to bring up any possible negative baggage in the dead boy’s past. Martin’s parents say they are not the least bit worried should his character be brought up at trial. “You can’t condemn every teenager that has been suspended from school because you would be throwing rocks at a lot of kids,” said Martin’s mother, Fulton, 47. She is on a leave of absence from her Miami Dade county housing job until the trial is over. A career in aviation Martin’s parents say his suspension and marijuana use were rare blemishes. Martin, who had no criminal record, was eagerly exploring many typical teenage pursuits sports, music, roller skating and the movies and was interested in pursuing a career related to aviation, they said. “He was at that age that he thought there was nothing he couldn’t do,” his mother said. Martin would have graduated high school this month. For two summers in middle school he juggled his passion for American football with attending a science and math summer camp led by Barrington Irving, a Miami pilot and educator who in 2007 at age 23 became the youngest person - and the first African American - to fly solo around the world. Irving said Martin was most interested in the mechanical side of aviation, building and fixing aircraft, but also took to the air with Irving. “He kind of reminded me of myself a little bit as it relates to his love of football and then going into aviation,” the aviator said. “He actually showed his commitment, going to a summer program and then going to football practice.” Martin was introduced to aviation by his uncle, Ronald Fulton, who had been studying to be an aviation mechanic when a car accident in 2001 left him a paraplegic. “If something would break he would always find a way to make it work,” the uncle said. Martin’s school friends said he was known by the nicknames ‘Slimm’ and ‘So Skinny’ due to his narrow frame and baggy clothes. They described him as a popular kid who steered clear of trouble. “I knew who to avoid, who the bad kids were, and Trayvon was definitely not one of them,” said Malcolm Hawkins, 16. The judge has blocked efforts by the defense to obtain Martin’s school records, but his friends and teachers say he was a good student with a special interest in science. —Reuters
LOSA ANGELES: This undated file photo shows the booking photo of serial killer Richard Ramirez. —AP
Serial killer Richard Ramirez dies LOS ANGELES: Richard Ramirez, the demonic serial killer known as the Night Stalker who left satanic signs at murder scenes and mutilated victims’ bodies during a reign of terror in the 1980s, died early Friday in a hospital, a prison official said. Ramirez, 53, had been taken from San Quentin’s death row to a hospital where authorities said he died of liver failure. Prison officials said they could not release further details on the cause of death, citing federal patient privacy laws. Ramirez had been housed on death row for decades and was awaiting execution, even though it has been years since anyone has been put to death in California. At his first court appearance, Ramirez raised a hand with a pentagram drawn on it and yelled, “Hail, Satan.” His marathon trial, which ended in 1989, was a horror show in which jurors heard about one dead victim’s eyes being gouged out and another’s head being nearly severed. Courtroom observers wept when survivors of some of the attacks testified. Ramirez was convicted of 13 murders that terrorized Southern California in 1984 and 1985 as well as charges of rape, sodomy, oral copulation, burglary and attempted murder. The killing spree reached its peak in the hot summer of 1985, as the nocturnal killer entered homes through unlocked windows and doors and killed men and women with gunshot blasts to the head or knives to the throat, sexually assaulted female victims, and burglarized the residences. He was dubbed the Night Stalker by the press while residents were warned to lock their doors and windows at night. Some of the crimes were grisly beyond imagining: A man was murdered in his bed and his wife was raped beside the dead body. The killer beat a small child and attempted to sodomize him. There were also signs of devil worship - a pentagram drawn on the wall at one murder scene and survivors’ accounts of being ordered to “swear to Satan “ by the killer. Ramirez was finally chased down and beaten in 1985 by residents of a blue-collar East Los Angeles neighborhood as he attempted a carjacking. They recognized him after his picture appeared that day in the news media. The trial of Ramirez took a year, but the entire case - bogged down in pretrial motions and appeals - lasted four years, making it one of the longest criminal cases in US history. —AP
NORTH CAROLINA: Paul Jackson with CNN’s storm coverage team waits to do a live shot under Johnnie Mercer’s Pier in Wrightsville Beach, NC, Friday, June 7, 2013. —AP
Storm Andrea brings rains, flood watches to East Coast RALEIGH: The first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season drenched the Southeastern US but caused no major damage on Friday, marching up the East Coast as it brought the threat of weekend flooding as far north as New England. After bringing rain, strong winds and even tornadoes to Florida, Andrea was losing its tropical characteristics on Friday even as it still packed maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (72 kph). It was blamed for one traffic-related death in Virginia. Tropical storm warnings remained in effect for North Carolina and southern Virginia, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said at 8 pm EDT Friday. The storm’s low-level center was losing definition but remained a threat to the East Coast while “evolving into a low-pressure center,” said Darin Figurskey, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Raleigh, N.C. What was left of the storm center was 75 miles (121 kilometers) southwest of Ocean City, Md., and moving northeastward at 35 mph (56 kph). Forecasters say Andrea could bring high winds, heavy rainfall, and localized coastal flooding through across the mid-Atlantic states and New England. Rainfall accumulations of 2 to 4 inches were possible along the Eastern Seaboard into coastal Maine, the hurricane center said. Winds near gale force were possible along the coast from the Delmarva Peninsula north to southern New Jersey, as well as coastal Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. Officials in the Mid-Atlantic region and Northeast were bracing for the storm. New York City activated its flash flooding plan, while flash flood watches were issued for northern Delaware, several Maryland counties, southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and parts of New England. The weather service reported that small streams and creeks in southeastern Pennsylvania were going over their banks Friday night. New York City’s airports were experiencing flight delays, and Connecticut was reporting numerous lane closures on highway as cars spun out amid heavy rain. The rainy weather washed out events such as NASCAR’s Sprint Cup qualifying and the Washington Nationals Friday night home game. Authorities in Virginia blamed heavy rain from the storm’s outer bands for a fatal accident on Interstate 77 in the state’s western mountains. William Petty, 57, of Lexington, S.C., died when a car in which he was a passenger hydroplaned while passing a tractor-trailer. He survived the crash, only to be killed moments later when the car was struck by second tractor-trailer, authorities said. During the morning rush hour in
Charleston, S.C., there was little evidence that the center of the storm was passing to the northwest beyond a few downed tree branches, gusty winds and some puddles in the street. The sun occasionally peeked through. Derrec Becker with the South Carolina Emergency Management Division said the storm brought only a severe thunderstorm Friday. No injuries were reported, and there had been no reports of significant damage. Mike Sprayberry of North Carolina Emergency Management told the Weather Channel that there had been some flash flooding and local road closures in the state but that “so far we have been quite fortunate.” Thousands of power outages were also reported. Florida Gov Rick Scott had warned Thursday of the risk of tornadoes, and officials said that eight were confirmed across the state. Forecasters didn’t expect major problems, however, along the most vulnerable parts of the coast such as North Carolina’s Outer Banks, a popular tourist destination. David Tweedie, 41, of Ocracoke, said an early-morning burst of rain and the forecast of another three hours or so of rain and wind on the Outer Banks island has done little to alter the day’s routine for the roughly 1,000 year-round residents. The Friday fish fry that kicks off the island’s annual folk music and arts festival was moved indoors to the island’s only public school, and a musical performance of the three-day event was shifted to the community center. But the tropical system was otherwise forcing no changes to the Ocrafolk Festival that normally draws more than 2,000 visitors, Tweedie said. “The weather is looking pretty good for blowing out and for us having a good day tomorrow,” said Tweedie, the festival coordinator. Authorities in coastal Bertie County, NC, said a school bus with 32 elementary students on board slid off the road and into a ditch about 8 am. No injuries were reported. A Coast Guard cutter and HC-130 Hercules airplane were called to rescue four adults aboard a 35-foot sailboat about 65 miles off Charleston, SC. The sailboat’s engine was disabled during the storm and left rocking in 15-foot seas and 35-mph winds. Beach vacationers were keeping a close eye on the storm. Tan Sanders, 20, of Goldsboro, brought his surfboard, hoping for bigger-than-usual waves during his vacation at North Myrtle Beach, SC. The newcomer to surfing got more than he wanted. “I went out for probably about 20 or 30 minutes, but it was beating me to death so we come back in,” Sanders said. —AP
Local gang suspect in Mexico mass kidnapping MEXICO CITY: The mysterious disappearance of 12 people from a Mexico City after-hours bar nearly two weeks ago was the work of a local gang, authorities said, with the possible motive being a dispute between rival groups over drug dealing. There has been no word of the 12 since they vanished in broad daylight on May 26 just a block from Mexico City’s leafy Paseo de Reforma. City Prosecutor Rodolfo Rios showed a surveillance videotape to reporters late Friday that disputes witness’ accounts that the missing people were taken by masked commandos with large guns and SUVs. The videotape shows several compact cars pulling up, and people being herded in just a couple at a time. The men taking them are in civilian clothes, and there are no signs of weapons or force, explaining why so many people could disappear without detection in the middle of a busy Sunday. There was both a mass bike ride and 5-kilometer (3.1 mile) foot race less than a block away when they were seen leaving the bar about 11 a.m. Rios said the abduction involved at least 17 people in eight vehicles. He said so far authorities can only place eight of the 12 at the afterhours bar known as Heaven, which was located on a small side street in an upscale business district of towering high-rises. Four people have been detained so far in the crime, including an owner of the bar and two employees. The missing all lived in Tepito, one of Mexico City’s most dangerous neighborhood’s and home to its largest black market. Four people were gunned down in a gym late Thursday night in the same neighborhood, raising fears that a wave of cartel-style violence was hitting the city. Two men were
detained but later let go, Rios said. Mexico City authorities spent all day Friday assuring residents that the two crimes were not related and that the incidents are not signs of largescale drug violence seen in other parts of Mexico. The crime in the gym, an assassination targeted at two brothers, is not related to the disappearance of the young, he added. “I don’t have any indication of any cartel in Mexico City,” Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera told the Televisa television network. “It’s not a cartel. What we have in Tepito is an upswing in violence, and an upswing in some gangs.” A witness to the alleged kidnapping told authorities that is was the result of a dispute between two rival groups of drug dealers operating in Tepito, Rios said, but added that it’s just one line of investigation. Tepito is the main clearinghouse for millions of dollars of contraband, from guns and drugs to counterfeit handbags that come through Mexico City. Mancera said authorities were investigating whether the alleged mass kidnapping might have been related to the execution on May 24 of a low-level drug dealer outside a bar in the trendy Condesa neighborhood. A public security official who was not authorized to be quoted by name had said that the killing of the dealer outside the “Black Bar” was related to the disappearances two days later, and that both may have been part of a turf battle between drug gangs. The Heaven bar and the Black bar have some threads in common, which prosecutors are investigating,” Mancera said. “These two events could lead us to the conclusion that they are related.” But he said “we have found nothing to connect” the Thursday gym shootings with the bar case. —AP
I N T E R N AT I O N A L
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
But wait, there’s more: A domestic spying Q&A WASHINGTON: Wait, there’s more? Yes, this was the week that America’s intelligence secrets spilled out: Classified court orders. Top secret Power Point slides. Something called PRISM. It’s pretty important stuff, if you can make sense of it. Here’s what you need to know. Q: The past two days have been packed with coverage about domestic surveillance. I have no idea what I’m hearing. A: That’s not a question. So let’s start from the beginning, which in the national security world these days means going back to 9/11. Shortly after the attacks, Congress hastily approved the USA Patriot Act. That gave the government wide new powers to collect information on Americans. In the first few years, news coverage focused on how the FBI would use these new powers to seize phone, bank, library records and more. Separate from the Patriot Act, though, President George W. Bush authorized the National Security Agency to conduct a highly classified wiretapping program. Normally, the government needs a warrant to spy on Americans but Bush allowed the NSA to eavesdrop on U.S. citizens, read their emails and collect their phone records - all without warrants. In 2005, The New York Times revealed the existence of that program. Amid the furor, the rules changed. The wiretapping operation and the collection of phone records could continue, but a judge had to sign off on them. The scope of those programs was never fully known. But the government assured people that the spying was narrow and kept them safe. Congress voted to keep the authority Then this week arrived. The Guardian newspaper published a classified court document from April authorizing the government to seize all of Verizon’s phone records on a daily basis a trove of millions of numbers. The government didn’t eavesdrop on anyone (under this court order, at least) but it received all outgoing and incoming numbers for every call, plus the unique electronic fingerprints that identify cellphones. The court document showed that, now that warrantless surveillance was off the table, the government was using its Patriot Act authority to seize the phone records of American citizens. A program that the government said was narrow was suddenly revealed as vast. Under Bush and then President Barack Obama, the National Security Agency has built a colossal database of American phone calls. Q: That’s a lot to digest. Is that it? A: Nope. A day after the court document surfaced, the Guardian and Washington Post published stories and secret Power Point slides revealing another classified spying program. Unlike the effort to collect phone records, this one hadn’t even been hinted about publicly beforehand. This program, code-named PRISM, allowed the NSA and FBI to tap directly into the servers of major US Internet companies such as Google, Apple, Microsoft, Facebook and AOL.
Like the phone-records program, PRISM was approved by a judge in a secret court order. Unlike that program, however, PRISM allowed the government to seize actual conversations: emails, video chats, instant messages and more. Q: How does that work? A: You’re going to hear a lot about PRISM and, when you do, it’s important to remember two things: First, it’s no less than astonishing that reporters obtained such highly classified, detailed documents about an ongoing intelligence-gathering program. Second, for all the incredible details, we still know relatively little about the program. The Power Point slides appear to be from an internal NSA presentation explaining the value of PRISM to analysts. So they don’t get very technical and they leave a lot unanswered. Imagine someone trying to understand the way a company works using only the Power Point slides from the most recent staff meeting. That’s what this is. From the documents, it’s clear that the NSA receives data directly from the Internet companies. The information varies by company but includes emails, your social networking activity, the files you receive, even family photos. Q: What do they do with that stuff? A: It’s not clear from the documents but, like with phone records, the NSA appears to be building a database of much of the Internet traffic. The companies participating in PRISM produce enormous amounts of data every day so storing it would require computing power the likes of which the public has never seen. People who study technology and security believe that’s why the NSA has been building a 1-million square-foot data center near Salt Lake City. The datacenter will reportedly cost about $2 billion to construct and another $40 million a year to power such a wide swath of supercomputers. Forget megabytes, gigabytes and terabytes. According to a report last year by Wired magazine, the Utah facility will be able to handle so much information that its storage capacity is measured in what are known as yottabytes. A yottabyte is so big as to be nearly inconceivable by casual computer users: It’s enough information to fill 200 trillion DVDs. It’s more information than moves through the entire Internet in a single year. Computer scientists don’t have a name for whatever is bigger than a yottabyte. It’s so big, they don’t need one yet. Q: Does this apply to Americans? A: Yes, definitely. Q: But Obama said Friday that Americans are not targeted by this program. A: That’s also, true. It all comes down to the word “targeted.” Here’s why. The agency can’t target Americans. But targeting is different from collecting. PRISM dumps massive
amounts of data into the NSA’s computers and much of that comes from the accounts of American citizens. All this information lives on NSA computer servers. At this point, the government has your information but can still say it hasn’t targeted you. The NSA hasn’t targeting someone until it reaches into its database and pulls records on
Because the authorization came from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, all the legal justification is classified. The court was created by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 and is known in intelligence circles as the FISA court. Cases are heard inside vaults in a Washington federal courthouse. And court rulings are almost never
PRISM, there apparently was a FISA court order authorizing this effort. And PRISM does not require direct access to company servers. More likely, in fact, the NSA or the companies would set up a designated route to transfer data to the government. That’s easier for the company and less legally problematic for the NSA. Other companies issued similar statements that don’t necessarily preclude their involvement in PRISM. But certainly they raise more questions about what, exactly, was going on. And the company’s statements are another reminder that we still don’t know much about how PRISM worked. Q: Just last week we were talking about how the administration seized the phone records from the AP and Fox News. Was that part of this program? A: No. Surveillance authorized by the FISA court can only be used to gather intelligence. It isn’t supposed to be used for law enforcement. In these cases, the Justice Department is investigating who provided the news organizations with classified information. It’s part of Obama’s unprecedented crackdown on officials who speak to journalists without the government’s blessing. Since the goal is to bring criminal charges against someone, the Justice Department seized records using run-of-themill court orders.
UTAH: A military no trespassing sign is seen in front of Utah’s NSA Data Center in Bluffdale, Utah, Friday, June 7, 2013. — AP someone. Basically, PRISM might have all your emails but, until someone reads them, you haven’t been targeted. NSA analysts are only supposed to focus on non-US citizens outside the United States. According to the Post, though, “incidental” collection of American data is common, even at the targeting stage. Let’s say analysts are looking at a suspected terrorist. They pull his emails and all his Facebook friends. Then they take all those people and pull their data, too. According to NSA training materials obtained by the Post, analysts are required to report to their superiors whenever this results in collection of U.S. content but, “it’s nothing to worry about.” Q: How is this legal? A: Again, the PRISM documents don’t spell out the whole program. James Clapper, the director of national intelligence, said late Thursday that the program was approved by a judge and is done in accordance with US law.
made public. It’s not clear whether the companies agreed to be part of PRISM voluntarily or were under court order but, either way, the companies almost certainly signed legal agreements with the government spelling out their cooperation. The Post reported that the government has the authority to force companies to participate. Q: But the companies are denying all this, right? A: Sort of. Apple, for instance, issued a statement saying it had “never heard of PRISM.” That’s not surprising. PRISM is a government codename for a collection effort known officially as US-984XN. There would be no reason for the NSA to share the code name with the companies. Apple’s statement continued, “We do not provide any government agency with direct access to our servers, and any government agency requesting customer data must get a court order.” From what we know about
Q: Is this keeping America safe? A: The Obama administration, like the Bush administration before it, says yes. But because both the phone data program and PRISM remain classified, it’s impossible to thoroughly verify these claims. The president can choose what he wants to declassify, which gives him an advantage in the debate for public opinion. And the politics of national security are stark: Terrorist threats tend to raise demand for new, more aggressive surveillance tactics; the absence of attacks helps justify the surveillance. The documents obtained by the Post and Guardian show that PRISM has been a major source of intelligence, one that provides more information than to the president’s morning briefing book than any other program. Obama said Friday that Congress was well aware of these programs and a FISA judge approved them. Q: So what’s the scandal here? A: This week, Americans have gotten a glimpse at a government sur veillance machine that has been churning for years, gathering information on its own citizens. These stories are important not because they show rogue, illegal government spying. They matter because they reveal, in such stark fashion, what the government has made legal over the past decade and where that has taken the country. — AP
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
I N T E R N AT I O N A L
Insider attack kills 3 US troops in Afghanistan Argument leads to shooting in army base
MULTAN: Pakistani protesters from the United Citizen Action torch a US flag during a protest yesterday. — AFP
Pakistan govt summons US envoy over drone strike ISLAMABAD: Just days after taking power, Pakistan’s new government summoned a top US envoy yesterday to lodge a protest over a US drone strike, suggesting that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s team fully intends to make good on its promise to aggressively push for an end to such strikes. Friday night’s drone strike near the Afghan border, which was said to have killed seven militants, came two days after Sharif was sworn in as premier and the same day his Cabinet members took their oaths. Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim LeagueN handily won general elections last month and is expected to govern with a relatively strong mandate because it doesn’t need to rely on coalition partners. Sharif, who wants to pursue peace talks with militants threatening his country, has insisted the US stop the drone strikes, saying they violate Pakistan’s sovereignty and are counterproductive because they often kill innocent civilians and stoke anti-U.S. sentiment in this nation of 180 million. The US insists the CIA-run strikes primarily kill alQaida and other militants who threaten the West as well as efforts to stabilize Afghanistan. In a recent speech, President Barack Obama pledged more transparency and restrictions on the highly secretive program. Sharif adviser Tariq Fatemi, acting on the premier’s instructions, summoned US Embassy Charge D’Affaires Richard Hoagland to the Foreign Office yesterday to complain about the latest drone strike, according to a Pakistani government statement. US Ambassador Richard Olson was out of Pakistan at the time. “The importance of bringing an immediate end to drone strikes was emphasized,” the government statement said. “It was also stressed that these drone strikes have a negative impact on the mutual desire of both countries to forge a cordial and cooperative relationship and to ensure peace and stability in the region.” A US Embassy official confirmed the encounter but did not provide further details. He requested anonymity because he was not authorized to publicly talk about diplomatic discussions. Issuing the summons so quickly after taking power indicates Sharif wants to quickly carve out as much political space as he can domestically and in his relations with the US. It could also be a fairly calculated move in this country, where the military retains significant power and where political rivals have gained traction by being even more vocal against drones.
While the previous government of the Pakistan People’s Party did, on occasion, summon US envoys over drone strikes, it usually stuck to routine press releases denouncing them. It was also widely believed that many People’s Party leaders privately supported the drone strikes. At the same time, Sharif has to strike a balance in his approach to a powerful ally such as the US, which has provided Pakistan with billions in military and humanitarian aid over the years, said Babar Sattar, a political and legal analyst in Pakistan. “Reaction more stringent than this with an ally and friend would obviously have the possibility of disrupting the relationship - and he’s made it clear that’s not what he wants,” Sattar said, noting that Sharif has not, for example, backed calls by some activists that Pakistan shoot down the drones. Sharif also has been far more careful than his People’s Party predecessors in his rhetoric about militancy in Pakistan and has said he wants to enter a dialogue with the Pakistani Taleban. That has raised concerns in the West that he might be too sympathetic to the Islamist extremists, but he also may simply want to exhaust the option of peace talks so as to later gain public support for military action, Sattar said. A stop to drone strikes could give him more space in that process. In its first drone strike in Pakistan after the country’s recent election, the U.S. in late May killed Waliur Rehman, deputy leader of the Pakistani Taleban. The Pakistani Taleban, who have killed thousands of people in bombings and other attacks across the country, confirmed Rehman’s death and promptly said they would not talk peace with Sharif. Sharif - while not naming Rehman or the Taleban - spoke out against that drone strike, and his party in a statement noted that it was “highly regrettable” that it came after Obama’s speech. The drone strike Friday night struck a compound in Mangrothi village in the Shawal area, along the border dividing the North and South Waziristan tribal regions, two Pakistani intelligence officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information on the record. The tribal regions are nearly impossible to access for foreign and many Pakistani journalists, so the report could not be independently confirmed. But North and South Waziristan are known to be havens for multiple militant groups, including the Pakistani Taleban. The US has launched hundreds of drone strikes in Pakistan since 2008, though the frequency has fallen significantly in recent years. — AP
Arsonist behind China bus fire BEIJING: An arsonist who wanted to “vent personal grievances” is suspected to have caused a horrific bus blaze in China which left 47 people dead, state media said yesterday. Police in Xiamen found notes at the house of a local man saying he planned the arson attack, which saw a bus being engulfed in flames within minutes during Friday’s evening rush hour in the southeastern coastal city, Xinhua said. Chen Shuizong, who was born in 1954, planned the attack as he was “unhappy and pessimistic”, the official state news agency said, quoting a statement from the local government. The statement also said DNA evidence found that Chen was the key suspect in the tragedy, one of China’s deadliest individual acts of violence in recent years. Chen died in the inferno, the statement said. City officials had earlier told a news conference that a criminal probe had been launched after initial investigations showed the accelerant was petrol, while the bus was equipped with a diesel engine. The investigation by experts and police also showed that the tyres and tank of the bus “remained complete”, Xinhua said. There have been previous reports of attacks on public transport in China, by people aiming to air personal grievances or settle scores with authorities. In 2009, a bus in China’s southwestern city of Chengdu was set ablaze by an unemployed man with gasoline, killing 28 people and injuring more than 70. Online reports said there was heightened security at bus stops in Xiamen yesterday. Xinhua said there were 90 passen-
gers on the bus when it caught fire, five less than the vehicle’s capacity. Thirty-four people were hospitalised following the blaze on the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) vehicle. Witnesses said the bus was destroyed within 10 minutes by the fire, and some heard a series of explosions. Jiang Xiatong, who was sitting near the back window of the bus, told the state-run Global Times newspaper that she smelt a “peculiar odour” before the vehicle caught fire. “While I was climbing, I felt my legs being pressed by someone, and then I felt a hot wave burn my legs,” she told the newspaper. Another survivor told domestic media that passengers were asking “Who brought petrol on the bus?” moments before it caught fire. The bus operated on a nine metre (30 foot) elevated road, in what was believed to be China’s first overhead rapid transport system when it was launched in 2008. The network of three lines covers 67 kilometres (42 miles), and carries 265,000 people a day, with buses often crowded during rush hour. A total of 15 students were on board the bus, and seven of them are receiving medical treatment in hospital, Xinhua said. Eight students remain missing, according to the Xiamen Municipal Education Bureau. Xinhua also said that two candidates for the gaokao, China’s national university entry examination, were among those being treated at hospital. The two-day exam began on Friday. “It was rush hour, the train was full and it was a total mess after the explosion,” a student surnamed Lu told the local Fujian web portal fjsen.com. —AFP
KABUL: A man in an Afghan army uniform turned his weapon on American trainers working with him in the country’s east yesterday, killing three of them, while an attacker with a grenade killed an Italian soldier in the west, officials said. The shooting in Paktika province was the latest in a string of so-called “insider attacks” in which Afghan forces open fire on their own comrades or international troops. The incidents threaten to shake the confidence and trust of the two sides as the 2014 withdrawal of most of the international forces approaches. An argument between the Afghan soldier and his trainers appeared to have led to yesterday’s shooting on an Afghan National Army base in Paktika’s Kher Qot district, according to a statement from the provincial governor’s office. The international military coalition in Afghanistan said two American service members and one US civilian died. It had initially identified them as three US military personnel. The angry Afghan soldier opened fire during the argument, killing the three foreign trainers and wounding three others, according to the governor’s statement. The foreigners returned fire and killed the Afghan soldier, who had no known connection to the insurgency. So far this year, there have been five insider attacks on foreign forces, with a total of eight troops and one US contractor killed. However, the number of such attacks has eased after soaring last year - in 2012, there were at least
29 insider attacks, killing 62 international troops. Afghan security forces also are targets of such attacks. Last month, two recently rehired Afghan police opened fire on their commander at a checkpoint in a remote district in the country’s south, killing him and six of his men. The Taleban insurgents claim most of the insider attacks, saying they have infiltrated Afghan security forces or persuaded soldiers and police to join their side. However, the international coalition has said many of them are sparked by personal disputes. In the western province of Farah, meanwhile, an Italian soldier was killed and three others wounded in a grenade attack on their armored vehicle in western Afghanistan. The Italian Defense Ministry said the attack in Farah province came as the Italian soldiers were returning to their base from training Afghan security forces. The Italian convoy of three armored vehicle apparently had been slowed by traffic near an intersection when an attacker ran up and threw an explosive device into the lead vehicle, the ministry said. It added that the three wounded soldiers’ injuries were not life-threatening. The Taleban quickly took responsibility for the attack, with spokesman Qari Yousef Ahmadi claiming that the attacker was an 11year-old boy. But Farah province provincial government spokesman Abdul Rahman Zhawandai says an adult man was seen throwing a grenade, then escaping by blending into the crowd at a nearby vegetable market.
Yesterday’s deaths brought to 16 the number of international troops killed in Afghanistan this month. On Thursday, seven Georgian soldiers died in a truck bombing at their base in the south. Taleban insurgents have launched intense attacks across the country as Afghan forces take over most security responsibility ahead of most foreign troops’ withdrawal next year, more than a decade after the Americanled invasion to oust the Taleban regime for sheltering al-Qaida’s leadership after the Islamic extremist group launched the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S. Countries in the NATO alliance met in Brussels this week to lay out a new plan for shifting into a training and assistance role, but they did not agree on how many noncombat troops it will maintain in Afghanistan after 2014. There are now about 100,000 international troops in Afghanistan, including 66,000 from the United States. Most of the pullout is set for this winter. The remaining smaller force is expected to be mostly American advisers. However, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said yesterday during a surprise visit to Kabul that the German government is thinking about leaving behind 600-800 troops after 2014. “The departure of our troops from Afghanistan will happen as planned but at the same time we will not forget about Afghanistan in the years after 2014,” Westerwelle said, adding, “We will engage with them in a different way.”— AP
18 arrested in India after brutal witchcraft killing GUWAHATI: At least 18 tribal villagers in India’s northeast were arrested for hacking to death a man they suspected of practising witchcraft, police said yesterday. They claimed they were told to kill the victim by a Hindu goddess who appeared in their dreams. Mobs have killed at least 200 people over the past five years who they have accused of practising sorcery and witchcraft-mainly in tribal-dominated areas of western and northern Assam state, Indian police say. The killing took place on Friday at a tea estate village in Assam’s Cachar district, 300 kilometres (180 miles) south of the impoverished state’s main city of Guwahati. Cachar district police chief Diganta Bora told AFP by telephone that the attack was “barbaric with a group of hysterical villagers sacrificing the man by piercing his neck with sharp weapons and chanting religious hymns”. The villagers who took part in the killing of the 55-year-old man believed the victim was practising witchcraft and were seeking to “appease the goddess Kali”, the Hindu deity of destruction, Bora said. “Villagers said during police questioning the goddess told them in their dreams to kill this man to prevent disease and other ills from spreading into their village,” Bora said. Superstitious beliefs, black magic and demonology are integral to tribal customs in parts of Assam, Tripura and other northeastern
NARAYANPUR BASTI, Guwahati: Indian police arrest a villager suspected to be involved in the killing of the 55-year-old man after they claimed they were told to kill the victim by a Hindu goddess who appeared in their dreams. — AFP Police in the state have set up a states, authorities say. “Most of the inspired by superstitious beliefs,” people were drunk and dancing Bora said. Assam’s police inspector programme, called Project Prahari with the dead body in front of general, Kula Saikia, called such (Vigilance), that involves communithem and later they buried him a killings “a really big problem” for ty policing and holding regular pit,” the police official said, adding authorities. “Most of these cases are education campaigns among tribal the investigation into the death inspired by superstition. It is shock- chiefs and village elders. “Simply ing to hear about such incidents in enforcing the law and punishing was still under way. “ We will soon pick up some this modern world,” he said, adding the guilty are inadequate measures. more people directly involved in that the victims are often killed There has to be an attitudinal change,” Saikia said. — AFP this heinous crime that was “very brutally”.
Hardline Modi set to be frontman of India’s oppn PANAJI: Controversial opposition politician Narendra Modi’s hopes of becoming India’s next prime minister could get a big boost this weekend when his party chooses its frontman for next year’s general elections. Modi, chief minister of the thriving western state of Gujarat for more than a decade, is widely expected to be named as head of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) election panel at a two-day meeting that begins Saturday in the coastal state of Goa, despite opposition from some senior colleagues. Lal Krishna Advani, the 85-year-old veteran of the BJP who mentored Modi is now opposed to his elevation due to what some party officials say is the Gujarat politician’s arrogant style. Party officials said Advani
called in “sick” and skipped a crucial meeting on Friday. But observers say he might relent and attend the last day of the conclave to symbolically validate Modi’s new role and show party unity. Another senior leader, Uma Bharti, is also not attending the meeting of some 300 party members. Bharti had earlier expressed reluctance to support Modi as the prime ministerial candidate, despite his rising voter popularity. The Hindustan Times in a front-page article titled “Goa First Steps in Modi’s March to Delhi” said the right-wing Hindu nationalist politician was gaining ground. “The scales are tipping in favour of a clear picture that Narendra Modi will be the BJP’s face in the run-up to the Lok Sabha (parlia-
VASCO: India’s Gujarat state Chief Minister Narendra Modi greets supporters following his arrival at the Dabolim airport at Vasco in Goa, on June 7, 2013. — AFP
ment) polls,” the mass-circulation English daily said, reflecting similar views in other newspapers Friday. If Modi is made head of the Hindu nationalist party’s election campaign, he will be expected to canvass around the country, forge strategies to attack the left-leaning ruling Congress party and build support for being the BJP’s candidate for prime minister. But the ghosts of anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat just over a decade ago could be a stumbling block in Modi’s ambitions to lead India. As many as 2,000 people -mainly Muslims-were killed during the month-long unrest, according to rights groups. One of Modi’s former ministers was jailed for life for taking part in instigating the killings but several investigations have cleared the hardline politician of personal responsibility. Ahead of the meeting, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, a senior BJP leader, said Modi had shown his leadership qualities. “Modi is a popular leader of the country and has proved his leadership with his performance,” he said. In March, the 62-year-old Modi was named a member of the BJP’s parliamentary board, a party decision-making body. Some observers expect a showdown between Modi and Rahul Gandhi, the 42-yearold scion of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty which is at the helm of the Congress party and is hoping to win a third straight term in office. Congress has painted Modi as a communally divisive figure as it seeks to retain the important Muslim vote in the elections that must be held in the first half of 2014. Analysts said refraining from announcing Modi as the party’s prime ministerial candidate could be a safe political ploy that would protect the BJP politician in the event of electoral defeat. “If the BJP wins, then he is the star and if the party loses, he can safely go back to Gujarat,” said Sanjay Kumar, a research fellow at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, an independent think-tank in New Delhi. — AFP
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Arab Americans making progress By Dr James J Zogby wo events this past week pushed me to reflect on my community and the trajectory of our progress in American life. On Wednesday, after delivering a briefing for the Arab League Ambassadors on developments in Washington, one ambassador asked me a rather pointed question about the Arab American community - our organizations and accomplishments. I answered the question, I hope to his satisfaction, noting the progress we had made during the past four decades: organizing ourselves and securing our identity; defending our heritage against defamation and ourselves against discrimination; and developing the capacity to provide services and support to our community. A better answer to the ambassador’s question sat around a table the next day as my office hosted a luncheon for our summer interns. Sixteen in all, they are an impressive group. Most are Arab Americans, diverse in their backgrounds - Christian and Muslim, native born and recent immigrants from a variety of Arab countries. Some of our interns have come to us directly from the Arab World - Yemen, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Tunisia. And there are a few who are not of Arab descent, but who have come to learn more about our community and our work. This year’s collection of interns, graduates from prestigious colleges and law schools, were selected from hundreds of applicants seeking an opportunity in public service. One intern is working at the US Mission to the United Nations. Four have taken posts at Washington think tanks. Still others are working in Congress, media institutions, and advocacy groups. To understand what this outstanding group of committed young folks means to an old-timer like me, I must take you back three and one-half decades to when I first came to Washington to run the Palestine Human Rights Campaign - a group I had cofounded in 1977. Back then, there were only four Arab Americans working in community-based organizations in Washington. Most think tanks and advocacy groups who worked on our issue concerns had no Arab Americans on staff. To be quite blunt about it, back in the 1970’s, there really wasn’t much of an Arab American community. Most people of Arabic descent didn’t even identify as “Arab American”. Instead, they used their country of origin, or religion, as their preferred self-identifier. It is important to understand what has been accomplished since then. We’ve built institutions that have, first and foremost, enabled us to define ourselves as a community. In the process of doing this, we had to face down many challenges: some internal from those who wanted to emphasize our differences of religion/sect/country-of-origin; and others external - from those who made a determined effort to exclude us and side-track our efforts to be recognized and included in the mainstream. One simple measure of our success can be demonstrated by our polling which shows that in just the last twenty years, the percentage of people of Arab descent calling themselves “Arab American” has doubled. We also developed the capacity to provide services that have enabled us to: defend those whose rights have been violated; assist recent immigrants with basic needs; use our established networks to help young Arab Americans advance in government and public service; work with local communities to develop strategies that will support their empowerment; and defeat those who seek to defame our heritage or exclude us from full participation in civic life. And finally, and maybe most importantly, we have been able to elevate public service, especially service to the community, as a career option for hundreds of young dedicated Arab Americans. The Washington I see today is dramatically different than the city I came to 35 years ago. Today we have two vital national Arab American organizations - the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) and the Arab American Institute (AAI). Next weekend ADC and AAI will host a joint meeting during the ADC Convention. They have invited the participation of over 40 local Arab American groups in an effort to foster coordination on programs and policy matters of shared concern. Most major think tanks and important advocacy groups now have Arab Americans in residence or on staff. We are part of coalitions dealing with foreign and domestic policy concerns - something that was denied to us three decades ago. And most significantly, there are Arab Americans working, at all levels, in every branch of government, at most major think tanks and advocacy groups, and playing leadership roles in both political parties. To be clear, we are fully aware of our limitations and areas where we have not met goals we set for ourselves. But we also recognize what we have, in fact, accomplished. A friend with a slightly more negative take on our work once chided me saying “Zogby, let’s just say you see the glass half full, and I see it half empty’”. I did not agree with that characterization and responded, “a better way to look at our progress is to remember that just a short time ago we didn’t even have a glass. Now we do, and we’re filling it up, slowly but surely”. And so to those who say “what have you done?” I am proud to say “come to our offices and ask our interns why they are there and what they are doing”. Despite hailing from a rich variety of backgrounds - with families from every part of the Arab World - they have come together with a commitment to serve their community. That consciousness, that commitment, and those opportunities to serve didn’t even exist 35 years ago. Now they do and, as a result, good work is being done by and for Arab Americans. That is the kind of progress of which we can all be proud. NOTE: Dr James J Zogby is the President of the Arab American Institute
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Spying row complicates cybersecurity efforts By Andrea Shalal-Esa and Joseph Menn he Obama administration’s cybersecurity agenda, which includes expanding the military’s Cyber Command and beefing up protection for critical infrastructure, faces more intense scrutiny after two vast domestic surveillance programs were exposed last week. Civil liberties groups say the revelations give new life to several privacy lawsuits against the National Security Agency, which hit the headlines twice in two days for secretly monitoring Americans’ phone records and internet activity. Renewed concerns about the spy agency’s domestic surveillance programs could also hamper efforts to give it a broader role in defending the country’s infrastructure, and put pressure on lawmakers to update laws protecting online privacy, say congressional aides and defense and security experts. “They’re going to make it harder to do the work that is now going on,” said former chief Pentagon weapons buyer Mike Wynne, who also served as Air Force secretary from 2005 to 2008. Wynne said growing unease about domestic surveillance could have a chilling effect on proposed cyber legislation that calls for greater informationsharing between government and industry. Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Dutch Ruppersberger, who are top lawmakers in the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, had rewritten the cyber bill to designate the civilian Department of Homeland Security, and not the NSA, as the hub of information exchange between the government and private sector. But the bill still allows sharing of information with the NSA, which could prove troubling to some lawmakers disturbed by the scope of the intelligence agency’s surveillance powers. The Democratic-controlled Senate already represented a steep obstacle for the cyber bill, which has been passed by the Republican House, even
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before this week’s revelations. While support for strong national security measures is one of the few issues that crosses Washington’s party lines in the aftermath of the Sept 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, a few lawmakers did call for probes or closed-door hearings on the NSA’s surveillance programs. “Our investment in protecting American lives and liber ties simultaneously is not a blank check,” said Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski, who called on Friday for a “thorough vetting of this policy.” President Barack Obama on Friday staunchly defended the sweeping US surveillance of Americans’ phone and internet activity, calling it a “modest encroachment” on privacy that was necessary to defend the United States from attack. Since news of the surveillance programs broke in the Guardian and Washington Post, more lawmakers have signed on to legislation that would strengthen privacy protections in the Electronic Communications Privacy Act in 1986, according to the offices of the bill’s backers. Republican Senator Rand Paul became the latest supporter of the Senate version of the bill, co-sponsored by Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy and Republican Senator Mike Lee. Leahy and Lee have said the law should be strengthened so that law enforcement authorities need a search warrant if they want to read personal emails stored with third-party providers. Currently, government investigators only need a subpoena, which has a lower threshold than a warrant because it does not need a judge to sign off. A subpoena can give investigators access to emails that are more than 180 days old, and sometimes newer emails if they are already opened by recipients. Companion legislation in the House garnered 16 co-sponsors this week, said Matt Manda, spokesman for the bill’s co-author, Republican Kevin Yoder. Some security industry insiders said this week’s news
could also increase pressure on the Pentagon to appoint separate officials to head Cyber Command, the military command that oversees offensive and defensive operations in cyberspace, and the NSA. Both hats are now worn by Army General Keith Alexander. “This concept of civilian control over the military applies here,” Wynne said. Alexander has pushed to elevate Cyber Command to an independent military entity and to quadruple its size. But the latest controversy could make officials skittish about what some already see as a dangerous power grab. “It’s definitely going to make people think twice about expanding and elevating Cyber Command and new cyber legislation,” said Jesselyn Radack, a lawyer who represented NSA whistleblower Thomas Drake. “People are going to take a more careful look now, and those overreaching laws will be blocked.” Civil liberties groups that have sued the government over suspected call-record programs and wiretapping, said they would use this week’s new disclosures to bolster their cases. In particular, they plan to argue against two of the main defenses used by the Justice Department to date - that a full trial on the issues would be impossible without revealing “state secrets” and that consumers lack standing to sue because they cannot show impact from the spying programs. But privacy advocates say such arguments have been punctured by the disclosures of the surveillance programs, which have been largely confirmed by federal authorities and lawmakers. “I hope it means that the court will agree that we need to get to the bottom of this,” said Cindy Cohn, legal director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, which is suing the NSA in a San Francisco case. “It would be a terrible tragedy if we can talk about it in the press and in the halls of Congress, and the courts decide they can’t hear it.”— Reuters
Golan fighting spells trouble for Israel By Maayan Lubell rush fires from stray mortar bombs were still ablaze on the occupied Golan Heights on Friday as Israeli farmers returned to their fields, a day after battles in Syria’s civil war reached a UN-manned border crossing. Once the smoke clears, Israel could find itself facing more trouble from multiple threats on its northern front. On Thursday, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces beat back rebels who seized the Quneitra crossing on the Golan, a strategic plateau captured by Israel in a 1967 Middle East war. The battles sent UN peacekeepers to their bunkers and prompted Austria to announce it was pulling its men out of the mission. Israel is now concerned the entire United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) is on the brink of unravelling - a scenario that could bring further escalation along what has been for decades a quiet frontier with Syria. The peacekeepers, in place under a 1974 disengagement agreement after Israel and Syria fought a second war on the Golan, had mostly found their biggest enemy to be boredom. But their quiet presence has been highly symbolic - an affirmation of a status quo under which the two countries, which last held peace talks 13 years ago, avoided direct conflict that could lead to all-out war. “If there are no Austrians there is no UNDOF. They were the core force,” an Israeli diplomatic source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said. “It will be very hard to find a replacement.” Russian President Vladimir Putin, an Assad ally, said on Friday that he was willing to send troops to fill in for the Austrians. On high alert over escalating fighting between Assad’s forces and his enemies in the Syrian-controlled parts of the Golan, Israel has started in recent months to adjust its deployment along the front. Shelling and machinegun fire have occasionally spilled over into Israeli-held territory. The Israeli military has revived once-aban-
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doned outposts on the Golan and sent up regular forces to take the place of reservists. Israeli leaders have spoken particularly of a future threat posed to peace on the Golan by jihadi fighters now battling against Assad’s forces. Israel has launched air strikes on Syria to prevent weapons transfers to arch-enemy Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Lebanese militant group fighting on Assad’s behalf. However, it has shown few other signs of preparing to intervene in the civil war and has avoided taking sides. Unlike his Western allies, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stopped short of calling for an end to Assad’s rule. Bad news for Assad is generally seen as good news for Israel, which views him as the centre of a network of enemies linking Iran to Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Hamas, the Islamist movement which controls the Gaza Strip. “From a selfish Israeli point of view, what is happening in
Syria is a huge positive development for Israel. This axis of radicalism is now broken,” said Amos Yadlin, head of Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies. But Israel also knows that its enemy’s enemy is not necessarily a friend. “A complete victory by either side would not be an optimal situation,” said Uzi Rabi, head of the Moshe Dayan Centre for Middle East Studies. “The current situation is in a way optimal for Israel ... and it will most likely go on for months if not years.” On the Golan on Friday, Israeli firefighters put out brush fires from Thursday’s fighting. As gunfire from Syria echoed at times in the distance, Israeli and Druze farmers tended to their cherry orchards. Israeli settlers peered through binoculars and watched shells on the Syrian side send up clouds of smoke. Along one road, two Israeli soldiers, one of them armed with an anti-tank missile, crouched on the ground, gazing in the direc-
A picture taken from the Israeli side of the Israel-Syria ceasefire line in the Golan Heights shows an Israeli firefighter fighting the flames from brush fires set off by stray mortar bombs fired during fighting between forces loyal to the Syrian regime and rebels opposed to Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad near the Quneitra border crossing between Israel and Syria on Friday. — AFP
tion of Syria. Israel has struck inside Syria at least three times in the past few months, each attack against what it believed to be weapons for Hezbollah, whose leader Hassan Nasrallah has threatened to open a new front against Israel on the Golan. One senior Israeli official briefed on intelligence said Nasrallah’s words seemed to be backed by action. “Hezbollah appears to be making inroads on the Syrianheld Golan too. This would seem consistent with what Nasrallah pledged. There aren’t Hezbollah ‘boots on the ground’ there yet but the infrastructure is being built,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The official added that Hezbollah had much to gain from fighting on behalf of its longstanding patron Assad. Hezbollah, he said, was acting under assurances it would be rewarded by Assad in the form of arms transfers. Hezbollah may be bolstered by its joint victory alongside Assad’s forces against rebels in the battle over recent weeks for the Syrian town of Qusair, watched closely in Israel. “It is our understanding that Qusair was basically a Hezbollah operation, from the planning to the handling of key weapon systems,” the official said. “Hezbollah crews were even operating Syrian T-55 and T-54 tanks there, as well as all significant artillery systems.” But Hezbollah’s involvement in Syria could also have a silver lining as far as Israel is concerned. Another Israeli official said Israeli intelligence assessed that up to 500 of the group’s fighters have been killed in Syria. That estimate was higher than others and Hezbollah itself has not said how many of its men have died in Syria. Rabi said Hezbollah, which fought a war with Israel in 2006, was losing more than just men in its battles for Assad. “Hezbollah is losing its legitimisation and prestige. After the 2006 Lebanon war, Hezbollah was hailed in the Muslim and Arab world for carrying the torch in the fight against Israel. But with its entrance into Syria, it has made itself a target for Sunnis in Lebanon and in the entire world,” Rabi said. — Reuters
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The silhouette of a spider is visible in front of light of the setting sun in Dresden, Germany on Friday. — AFP
Hezbollah intervention fans Shiite-Sunni...
$20,000 lion lives on Kabul rooft
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The heightened sectarian tone across the region is likely to fuel determination among Iraq’s Sunni minority to stand up against the country’s Shiite leadership. On Friday, the acting head of the main Westernbacked opposition group, the Syrian National Council, cited the possibility of a sectarian war as a reason for the West to intervene. “The problem will be widespread all over the Middle East,” George Sabra told AP in Copenhagen, Denmark. “The international community should act now. Otherwise it will be a real dangerous conflict between Sunnis and Shiites.” The trajectory of Syria’s civil war also highlights the two tracks of the Arab Spring. It began in late 2010 and early 2011 with a wave of uprisings calling for greater democracy, openness and people power that led to the toppling of autocrats in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen. But parallel to the desire for democracy has been a strong rise in religious identity politics. Islamist ultraconservatives have risen in power and influence in multiple countries, espousing a sort of Sunni triumphalism as part of their dream of seeing rule by sharia, or Islamic law. The ultraconservative movement known as Salafis - along with its more extremist jihadi wing - has been the most assertive in fueling the sectarian fires, through mosques and the blossoming number of Salafi TV stations. In Egypt, they also have a powerful political platform following election victories that made them the secondstrongest force in parliament after the Muslim Brotherhood. The resonance of identity politics is so strong that even Egypt, which has a minuscule Shiite population, saw a panic over Shiism this year. When President Mohamed Morsi of the Brotherhood allowed direct flights of tourists from Iran for the first time in decades as part of an attempt to improve ties with Tehran, Salafi politicians and clerics raised an uproar, warning of Shiites spreading their creed. The flights were stopped, but Salafis continue to preach against them. Syria’s conflict began like others of the Arab Spring, as an uprising against Assad’s authoritarian rule. As the bloodshed dragged on, however, sectarian hatreds have grown steadily. Alawites, an offshoot sect of Shiism, make up the backbone of Assad’s regime, and Assad himself is an Alawite, while the rebellion has overwhelmingly drawn from Syria’s Sunni Muslim majority. With each massacre and atrocity, each community in Syria turns more to its own and views the war as “us vs them”. On a geopolitical level, Syria’s war has morphed into a proxy fight. Shiite Iran has strongly backed Assad, while Sunni Arab nations have backed the rebels in hopes that Assad’s fall would break the alliance that gives Iran - their chief regional rival - influence in the Arab world. Now those using the region’s heightened
sectarian tone are casting it as an outright religious fight between the two main sects of Islam, which split in the 7th century in a dispute over who should lead Muslims after the death of the Prophet Muhammad. Hezbollah has depicted its entry into the Syria fight in sectarian terms, saying it must defend against “takfiris” - a term for Sunni radicals. Its fighters killed in the Qusair siege were touted as martyrs for Sayida Zeinab, a shrine near Damascus revered by Shiites. Sunni hardliners have long supported the Syrian rebels and frequently vented against Shiites and Alawites, whom the Salafis consider infidels. But even they usually tried to depict the fight as a revolutionary movement, not sectarian. Now even some moderates are turning toward the sectarian view. A week ago, the influential Egyptian cleric Yousef Al-Qaradawi angrily denounced Hezbollah - Arabic for “party of God” - as “the party of Satan” and called on Sunnis to join the jihad in Syria. A popular television preacher linked to the Brotherhood, Qaradawi had in the past called for better ties between Sunnis and Shiites and praised Hezbollah in its fights against Israel. In his sermon, he angrily said Iran wants “continued massacres to kill Sunnis”. “How could 100 million Shiites defeat 1.7 billion (Sunnis)?” he asked, using worldwide population figures for the two communities. “Only because (Sunni) Muslims are weak.” Saudi Arabia’s top cleric, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin AlShaikh, on Thursday issued the strongest condemnation yet of Hezbollah’s role in Syria, urging politicians and Muslim scholars to take “effective steps to deter its aggression” on Syria. At a meeting a day earlier, foreign ministers from Gulf nations called Hezbollah a “terrorist organization” and vowed steps against the group’s assets on their soil. They warned that Hezbollah was trying “to change the balance of the region and drag it into the furnace of the Syrian crisis.” On Salafi T V stations and in mosque sermons, meanwhile, clerics have stepped up their denunciations of Shiites and their calls for Sunnis to act. “The Sunnis have to wake up from their coma,” Egyptian Sheikh Osama Suleiman said on a Salafi talk show last month. “This is what the Shiites are, this is their hidden wickedness. This is their belief: If you kill a Sunni you enter heaven. That’s their belief.” But not all hardliners see the conflict as a fight against Shiites. Syria’s revolution is “to bring down the regime ... If it becomes sectarian, then the revolution will be lost,” said Mohammed Abu Samra, head of the Islamist Party - the political arm of Egypt’s Islamic Jihad, a former militant group that renounced violence and entered politics. He worries that the rhetoric will affect younger jihadis. “They became jihadis out of fervor and don’t necessarily have the right consciousness and study,” he said. “They might understand things wrong and go to fight jihad in Syria because they see it as a sectarian war.” — AP
Turkey rules out early polls Continued from Page 1 unprecedented display of public anger over the perceived authoritarianism of Erdogan and his Islamist-rooted AK Party, leading to the worst riots in decades. In a rare show of unity, thousands of fans from Istanbul’s three main football clubs Besiktas, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, who have helped organise some of the protests, marched on Taksim roaring “Tayyip resign!” and “Arm in arm against fascism!”. Police fired teargas and water cannon on protesters overnight in the working-class Gazi neighbourhood of Istanbul, which saw heavy clashes with police in the 1990s. There was similar unrest night after night earlier in the week in several cities, leaving three dead and close to 5,000 injured. Hundreds of protesters also gathered in the centre of the capital Ankara yesterday, which saw violent clashes earlier in the week, chanting and honking car horns. Erdogan has given no indication of plans to clear out Taksim, around which protesters have built dozens of barricades made of ripped up paving stones, street signs, vandalised vehicles and corrugated iron, clogging part of the city centre. Police pulled back from the square days ago. “Let them attack. They can’t stop us,” a member of the Turkish Communist Party shouted through loudspeakers to a cheering crowd from on top of a white van in the square. Taksim is lined by luxury hotels that should be doing a roaring trade as the summer season starts in one of the world’s most-visited cities. But a forced eviction might trigger a repeat of the clashes seen earlier in the week. The gatherings mark a challenge to a leader whose authority is built upon three successive election victories. Erdogan takes the protests as a personal affront. Sources
close to the AK Party speak of a sense of siege within the party leadership, with influential if disparate forces loath to break ranks publicly but still worried about the extent of Erdogan’s power and his uncompromising response to the protests. Erdogan has made little secret of his ambition to run for the presidency after his third term as prime minister comes to an end, although the AKP could also change internal rules to allow him to stand for a fourth term. Celik said the protests had been discussed “in detail” at yesterday’s party meeting, but that the question of early elections had never been on the agenda. “A government that doesn’t have people’s trust cannot be permanent. We got the message of the protests and we respect that, but there’s nothing to respect about people throwing stones,” he said. Erdogan has made clear he has no intention of stepping aside - pointing to the AK Party’s 50 percent of the vote in the last election - and has no clear rivals inside the party or out. He has enacted many democratic reforms, taming a military that toppled four governments in four decades, starting entry talks with the European Union and forging peace talks with Kurdish rebels to end a three-decadeold war. But in recent years, critics say his style, always forceful and emotional, has become authoritarian. Media have come under pressure, opponents have been arrested over alleged coup plots, and moves such as restrictions on alcohol sales have unsettled secular middle-class Turks who are sensitive to any encroachment of religion on their daily lives. “These protests are partly a result of his success in economic and social transformation. There’s a new generation who doesn’t want to be bullied by the prime minister and who is afraid their lifestyle is in danger,” said Joost Lagendijk, a former European parliamentarian and Istanbul-based academic. — Reuters
that toppled the Taliban. Some Afghans have become very rich as a result and they are not shy when it comes to flaunting their wealth. Kabul is dotted with the flashy houses of the nouveau riche, dripping with chandeliers and nicknamed “poppy palaces” - hinting at the shady provenance of at least some of the money in the world’s leading opium producing nation. But so far Shafiq is thought to be the only person to acquire such an unusual status symbol. Shafiq, who says he was a resistance fighter when the Taliban fell and made his money through lucrative construction contracts for clients including the US embassy, said he had owned the male cub for two months and thought it was now about six months old. “It cost me $20,000, including transport from Kandahar to Kabul by road,” he said, declining to explain about how the lion was driven on the 480-km route that is often hit by insurgent bombs and ambushes. He brushed off suggestions he is being cruel by keeping a large wild animal in captivity in a city wrecked by decades of war, and said he though it may have come to Afghanistan via Iran. But during a visit to the house by an AFP reporter and photographer, the lion appeared nervous and growled aggressively when anyone approached it. Shafiq has plans to move it to a
large pen in the backyard Afghan capital. Claire McMaster, wildlife for the Protection of Anima that any captive lion pose life. “Wild animals should no el to hold them in captivi their natural habitat, especi meet their complex need problem with keeping a w unlike domesticated ani dictable behaviour could le to the owner.” Kabul Zoo has a lioness once home to a half-blin became a symbol of Afg through coups, invasions Taleban era. Marjan, born grenade thrown by a veng had been killed after ente through until 2002. “I would lion in Kabul,” Aziz Gul Saqe AFP. “It’s very hard to keep now Shafiq says he is ve admits he may not be able don’t know, I will see and I one day,” he said. — AFP
Obama, Xi seek new ties Continued from Page 1 billions of dollars in US commercial secrets as well as military designs. Skipping the usual summit pageantry, Obama and Xi went without neckties, in a departure from the stifling formality that marked Obama’s halting interactions with China’s ex-president Hu Jintao. In their first meeting since Xi assumed power in March, Obama hoped for a “new model of cooperation between countries based on mutual interest and mutual respect”. “It is in the United States’ interests that China continues on the path of success because we believe that a peaceful and stable and prosperous China is not only good for the Chinese, but also good for the world and the United States.” Hovering over the summit at a resort once frequented by Frank Sinatra and Richard Nixon was a vexing question for both countries - whether China’s rise in its region and the world means an inevitable clash with the United States. Xi invited Obama to pay a return informal visit to China. Mirroring his host’s theme of a new approach, Xi said: “The vast Pacific Ocean has enough space for two large countries like the United States and China.” “We’re meeting here today to chart the future of China-US relations and draw a blueprint for this relationship,” Xi said, next to aides in identical business casual outfits. The two men met again yesterday morning, before Obama was to wave off Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan. Obama’s wife Michelle stayed in Washington, scuppering hopes of a face-to-face between two glamorous first ladies. The US president Friday wasted no time in hitting a key theme of the visit from the US side - complaints of an alleged Chinese Internet spying effort targeting
American military and com tual property. He called for to protect against hacking tion he has used to protest rency manipulation and sup “President Xi and I reco incredible advances of tech curity and the need for rule to security, have becom Obama said. “It’s critical, as and military powers of the United States arrive at a fi said. He said they had not in-depth. Ahead of the s announced working-level t Xi said he wanted “good up “misgivings” by the Unit ty, telling reporters that C cyberattacks”. “The Chin upholding cybersecurity a about cybersecurity,” Xi sai coverage “might give peop ty as a threat mainly comes Xi, who is expected to in which it will overtake world’s largest economy, occasionally vague, call fo ferently about relations. “W and act energetically, so can build a new model of Xi said. The two leaders meet until the G20 summ But both sides, sensing u complicated and often diff in an earlier encounter. —
Mandela in ‘serious but stable’ st Continued from Page 1 But there were also blunt calls to accept Mandela’s increasing frailty and mortality. “Gosh, Madiba gets no rest from the media. Let him die with dignity. It’s not a circus folks,” tweeted @Eish_Mag. In his rural childhood village of Qunu, where Mandela once tended cattle, the news came via radio for Malunga Mbokodi. “I was shocked to hear from the radio this morning that he was again in hospital,” the 62-year-old told the Sapa news agency. “I think, we should just accept it that Mandela is old and he will go soon,” he added. The ruling ANC called for people at home and abroad to keep “our beloved statesman and icon, Madiba” in their thoughts and prayers. The Nobel peace laureate is revered as a symbol of forgiveness after leading South Africa into multi-race democracy as its first black president after decades of apartheid rule. “My thoughts are with Nelson Mandela, who is in hospital in South Africa,” tweeted British Prime Minister David Cameron. “Getting too frequent and concerning - he is 94,” tweeted Zwelinzima Vavi, general secretary of Cosatu, the powerful labour union allied to the ruling ANC. Mandela was receiving care at his Johannesburg home when his lung problems returned. He was diagnosed with early-stage tuberculosis in 1988 and also has had treatment for prostate cancer and suffered stomach ailments. The government has not disclosed where he has been taken for treatment. A heart hospital in Pretoria, where he is believed to have been treated in the past, attracted a media camp yesterday. An
ambulance accompanied by th sirens exited the grounds and afternoon, arriving at a milita available. In December, Mandela spen stint since walking free from 27 was admitted for an overnig returning later that month for office said Mandela was “rece doctors are doing everything p comfortable”. The presidency w ery with a request for his and h ed. Mandela is still a powerf almost 20 years after taking po public since the World Cup fin one term he turned his energy before announcing in 2004 at ping out of the public eye. In M the nation for the passing of th “In Zulu, when someone passe say he or she has gone home things we should be thinking a Maharaj, who served time Robben Island jail, yesterday s Mandela but there was no nee in the beginning we would get anxiety is tempered with a ce and his frailty. It’s a good health
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
S P ORTS Ronaldo to sign new Real deal
Waldorf takes Tradition lead
LISBON: Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo is confident he will reach a deal to renew his contract with the La Liga club. The Portugal captain arrived at Real Madrid from Manchester United in 2009 for a world record fee of more than 90 million euros ($118.98 million) and continued his goalscoring spree in Spain. However, Real’s failure to win major silverware last season and reports of division in the dressing room have prompted speculation Ronaldo, whose contract runs until June 2015, may be seeking a move away from the Spanish capital. “I am well, calm and not worried about it. I know we will reach a deal,” Ronaldo told reporters on Friday. Club president Florentino Perez has described Ronaldo as “priceless” and said he would stay and help Real win the 10th European crown they have been chasing since their last continental success in 2002. The 28-year-old helped Portugal beat Russia 1-0 on Friday to revive their 2014 World Cup qualification campaign. Ronaldo declined to comment when questioned about coach Jose Mourinho’s remarks that he did not cope well with criticism. —Reuters
BIRMINGHAM: Duffy Waldorf shot a 4-under 68 on Friday to take a one-stroke lead over Jeff Sluman after the soggy, weather-delayed second round of the Regions Tradition, the second of five Champions Tour majors. Waldorf had three birdies and a bogey on both the first nine holes and the last nine to top the Shoal Creek leaderboard at 9-under 135. The Champions Tour rookie also led after two rounds last week in Iowa in the Principal Charity Classic, but closed with a 1-under 71 to tie for third. Waldorf also shared the first-round lead with Jay Haas two weeks ago at the Senior PGA Championship, but is hoping to finish in the top position this time. “My friend was telling me, ‘I don’t really care if you’re leading after the first or second round or even the third. Just lead after the fourth,’” he said. “It’s not NASCAR, so I don’t get extra points for how many laps I lead. But you’ve got to be near the top to have a chance and I’m really happy to be near the top.” Sluman, the first-round leader, had a 71. Fred Couples, Mark Calcavecchia, Michael Allen and Canadian Rod Spittle were three strokes back. Couples had a 71, Calcavecchia and Allen shot 69, and Spittle had a 66.—AP
West Indies keeper charged LONDON: West Indies wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin was charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) yesterday with “conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game”. The charge relates to an incident in Pakistan’s innings on Friday when Ramdin claimed a catch off Misbah-ul-Haq, the ICC said in a news release referring to the two-wicket victory by West Indies in a Champions Trophy Group B match at The Oval. Steve Davis initially gave Misbah out caught behind. But, after consulting with fellow umpire Nigel Llong, the decision was reversed because the pair decided the keeper did not have effective control of the ball after making the catch. Misbah ended up making an unbeaten 96 as Pakistan were bowled out for 170 in 48 overs. If Ramdin is found guilty of the charge he could be banned for up to two oneday internationals and/or fined up to 100 percent of his match fee.—Reuters
Tigers maul Indians DETROIT: Justin Verlander pitched seven solid innings, Victor Martinez homered and the Detroit Tigers beat Cleveland 7-5 on Friday night to take a 31/2-game lead over the Indians atop the AL Central. Martinez and Torii Hunter had three hits each for the Tigers in the opener of this threegame series. Detroit led 5-0 before Cleveland scored three runs in the fifth off Verlander. That was all the Indians could manage against the Tigers’ ace. Verlander (8-4) allowed three runs and seven hits on the night. He walked two and struck out six. Detroit’s Jose Valverde came on with a four-run lead in the ninth. He allowed solo homers to Jason Giambi and Drew Stubbs but held on. Ubaldo Jimenez (4-4) allowed five runs - three earned - in three-plus innings. BLUE JAYS 6, RANGERS 1 In Toronto, Edwin Encarnacion hit a tworun double, Neil Wagner earned his first major league win and Toronto won for the ninth time in 13 home games. Melky Cabrera homered, scored twice and drove in two runs for the Blue Jays. Texas batters struck out 13 times against five Blue Jays pitchers as the slumping Rangers lost for the seventh time in 11 games. Making his second start of the season, Blue Jays right-hander Esmil Rogers allowed one run and three hits in four innings. Aaron Loup struck out four of the five batters he faced, Wagner (1-0) pitched 1 1-3 innings, Brett Cecil worked the eighth and Steve Delabar fanned two in the ninth. Rangers rookie right-hander Nick Tepesch (35) lost for the fourth time in his past five decisions. RAYS 2, ORIOLES 1 In St. Petersburg, Chris Archer pitched seven strong innings and Desmond Jennings hit a two-run homer to lead Tampa Bay over Baltimore. Archer (1-1) limited the Orioles to Manny Machado’s third-inning RBI single and Ryan Flaherty’s fifth-inning double in his second start of the season. The 24-year-old righthander spent the first two months of the season at Triple-A Durham and allowed five runs and seven hits in four innings of a 5-0 loss to Cleveland after being promoted to the majors last weekend. Jennings homered to the deepest part of the ball park in the seventh inning off Jason Hammel (7-4), who lost on the road for the first time this year after winning his first six decisions away from Camden Yards. Joel
Peralta worked the eighth for the Rays, and Fernando Rodney finished the combined two-hitter with a perfect ninth for his 13th save in 18 opportunities. ATHLETICS 4, WHITE SOX 1 In Chicago, Josh Donaldson hit his first career grand slam, Josh Reddick made a homer-saving catch in the ninth inning, and Oakland rallied from a three-run deficit to beat Chris Sale and Chicago. Donaldson’s ninth home run of the season came in the sixth inning and helped Oakland right-hander Jarrod Parker (5-6) earn his fourth win in five decisions. Reddick made a leaping catch to take away a home run from Chicago’s Conor Gillaspie with one out in the ninth to preserve the win. Sale (5-4) hadn’t given up more than two earned runs since April 13, and he cruised out to a 3-0 lead through five innings in this one. ROYALS 4, ASTROS 2 In Kansas City, Billy Butler drove in Eric Hosmer with the go-ahead run in the eighth inning, and Kansas City beat Houston for its third straight win. Kelvin Herrera (3-4) worked a perfect eighth inning in relief of James Shields, and Greg Holland pitched the ninth for his 11th save and second during the Royals’ modest winning streak. Shields engaged in a pitchers’ duel with the Astros’ Jordan Lyles, but the game came down to the bullpens. Houston brought in Wesley Wright (0-2) in the eighth and Hosmer greeted him with a single, and then Butler doubled off Josh Fields for the go-ahead run. MARINERS 4, YANKEES 1 In Seattle, Brendan Ryan and Jason Bay both hit two-out, two-run singles in Seattle’s four-run fourth inning, and Jeremy Bonderman pitched six sharp innings to win for the first time since 2010. All of Seattle’s offense came in one stretch of the fourth inning when six straight batters reached base, capped by the clutch hits from Ryan and Bay off Yankees starter Hiroki Kuroda. Seattle entered the night hitting .221 with runners in scoring position, but capitalized on the few chances they got against Kuroda. The surprise was the effort by Bonderman, who won for the first time since Sept. 8, 2010, while still pitching for Detroit. He struggled to get through the first two innings, but shut down the Yankees from there.—AP
DETROIT: Justin Verlander No. 35 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Cleveland Indians in the seventh inning at Comerica Park. —AFP
CINCINNATI: Allen Craig No. 21 of the St. Louis Cardinals bats against the Cincinnati Reds in the seventh inning at Great American Ball Park. —AFP
Cardinals pound Reds CINCINNATI: Adam Wainwright pitched seven innings for his ninth win, and every Cardinals starter had a hit in a 9-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night that gave St. Louis a seasonhigh four-game lead in the NL Central. Wainwright (9-3) gave up two runs and seven hits as the Cardinals improved the major leagues’ best record to 40-21. Slumping Pete Kozma drove in three runs, David Freese and Jon Jay knocked in two apiece, and four Cardinals extended long hitting streaks against a pitching staff in a downturn. Mike Leake (5-3) lasted only five innings for the Reds, who have given up 26 runs while losing their last three games. St. Louis has won the last four series between the teams. PIRATES 2, CUBS 0 In Chicago, Francisco Liriano pitched two-hit ball over seven innings and Pittsburgh got its major league-leading 10th shutout, matching the team’s total for all of last season. Liriano (4-2) walked five, his most since last Sept. 1, but struck eight to help the Pirates stop a three-game losing streak. He had lost his previous two starts. Mark Melancon pitched the eighth, and Jason Grilli finished the five-hitter for his major leagueleading 23rd save 23 chances. After two-out singles by Ryan Sweeney and pinch-hitter Dioner Navarro, Grilli struck out Darwin Barney. Russell Martin had two hits, including an RBI double off Travis Wood (5-4) in the sixth as the Pirates won for the second time in seven games. Jordy Mercer doubled twice. BREWERS 5, PHILLIES 4 In Milwaukee, Aramis Ramirez hit an RBI single with one out in the ninth inning, rallying Milwaukee from four runs down and ending Philadelphia’s five-game winning streak. Jean Segura started the winning rally by beating out a grounder to short for an infield single off Jeremy Horst (0-2). Ryan Braun singled and Segura advanced to third base. Ramirez then lined the second pitch he saw to left field to drive in the winning run. Reliever Francisco Rodriguez (1-0) pitched a scoreless ninth inning for Milwaukee, which trailed 4-0 in the fourth inning. Alfredo Figaro started for the Brewers in place of Marco Estrado, who is on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring. He went 5 1-3 innings, giving up four runs on seven hits. Cliff Lee allowed four runs and eight hits in seven innings for the Phillies, who fell back to .500.
DODGERS 2, BRAVES 1 In Los Angeles, Pinch-runner Skip Schumaker scored on the second wild pitch by Anthony Varvaro in the 10th inning, giving the Los Angeles Dodgers a victory over the Braves. Ramon Hernandez started the rally with a oneout single, took second on the first wild pitch and advanced to third on a single by Luis Cruz. Varvaro (3-1) then bounced another wild pitch to Juan Uribe, allowing Schumaker to score. Dodgers rookie Yasiel Puig was on-deck, but he wasn’t needed after homering for the fourth time in five career games. Brandon League (2-2) got the win in relief. The Dodgers have won four of five since Puig was called up on Monday from the minors. It was their second straight win over the NL East-leading Braves, who lost for the first time in six games on Thursday. Puig tied the game 1-all with his fourth homer and 10th RBI of the week with two outs in the sixth. DIAMONDBACKS 3, GIANTS 1 In Phoenix, Paul Goldschmidt hit a three-run, opposite-field home run with two outs in the eighth inning and the Diamondbacks beat the
Giant. The Giants were poised to give Matt Cain a victory and send Patrick Corbin to his first loss in 10 decisions before Goldschmidt lined a 2-0 pitch from Jeremy Affeldt over the right field fence for his 15th home run of the season. Cain and Corbin were both scoreless until Gregor Blanco’s two-out single brought Pablo Sandoval home from third in the seventh. Brad Ziegler (3-1) pitched two-thirds of an inning in relief of Corbin to get the victory. Affeldt (1-2) took the loss. ROCKIES 10, PADRES 9 In Denver, Nolan Arenado hit a game-ending homer leading off the ninth inning and the Rockies beat the Padres after squandering a six-run lead. Arenado sent a 1-1 pitch from reliever Joe Thatcher (2-1) over the wall in left field. Arenado sauntered around the bases and then tossed his batting helmet as he rounded third base. The rookie was mobbed by teammates once he stomped on home plate. Matt Belisle (4-2) pitched two scoreless innings to earn the win. Carlos Gonzalez had two triples and drove in three runs before leaving with a left knee injury in the seventh.—AP
MLB results/standings Pittsburgh 2, Chicago Cubs 0; Toronto 6, Texas 1; Detroit 7, Cleveland 5; St. Louis 9, Cincinnati 2; Tampa Bay 2, Baltimore 1; Oakland 4, Chicago White Sox 3; Kansas City 4, Houston 2; Milwaukee 5, Philadelphia 4; Colorado 10, San Diego 9; Arizona 3, San Francisco 1; Seattle 4, NY Yankees 1; LA Dodgers 2, Atlanta 1 (10 innings). American League Eastern Division W L PCT Boston 37 24 .607 NY Yankees 35 26 .574 Baltimore 34 27 .557 Tampa Bay 33 27 .550 Toronto 26 34 .433 Central Division Detroit 33 26 .559 Cleveland 30 30 .500 Minnesota 26 31 .456 Kansas City 26 32 .448 Chicago White Sox 25 34 .424 Western Division Oakland 38 25 .603 Texas 36 24 .600 Seattle 27 35 .435 LA Angels 26 34 .433 Houston 22 40 .355
GB 2 3 3.5 10.5
Atlanta Philadelphia Washington NY Mets Miami
3.5 6 6.5 8
St. Louis Cincinnati Pittsburgh Chicago Cubs Milwaukee
0.5 10.5 10.5 15.5
Arizona Colorado San Francisco San Diego LA Dodgers
National League Eastern Division 37 24 .607 31 31 .500 29 30 .492 23 33 .411 16 44 .267 Central Division 40 21 .656 36 25 .590 36 25 .590 24 34 .414 23 37 .383 Western Division 35 26 .574 33 29 .532 31 29 .517 28 33 .459 27 33 .450
6.5 7 11.5 20.5 4 4 14.5 16.5 2.5 3.5 7 7.5
Choi leads at Locust Hill NEW YORK: South Korean Chella Choi used a blistering front nine to shoot a five-under-par 67 for a one-stroke lead after Friday’s first round of the rain-delayed LPGA Championship at Locust Hill outside Rochester, New York. Choi, seeking her maiden LPGA Tour win, had five birdies on her outward half and offset a birdie at the 10th with a bogey at 13 for a oneshot edge over compatriot Shin Ji-yai and American Morgan Pressel at the year’s second major. “I hit a really good driver today,” said 22year-old Choi, whose father caddies for her. “I hit 14 fairways. So I’m really happy. My goal is just keep in the fairway.” British Women’s Open champion Shin posted four birdies, three on the back nine, in a bogeyfree round while Pressel finished with four con-
secutive birdies to register her 68. “I just saw the line on the putts,” Pressel said about her rousing finish. “I just committed to my line and just saw the ball rolling where I wanted it to and made four really good putts on the last four holes. “Out here, putting is what wins major championships.” One stroke back was long-hitting American Brittany Lincicome, with compatriot Jessica Korda and Hall of Famer Pak Se-ri of South Korea another shot back on 70. Pak, a three-time winner of the event, won her first LPGA Championship for her first tour title as a rookie in 1998. “The funny thing is, the first time to win and I didn’t really know that it was a major,” said Pak, who has five major titles to her credit.
Thursday’s play was scrubbed following lightning and torrential rain that soaked the course, leading organizers to move three tees up and allow the players to lift, clean and place balls in the fairway. Groundskeepers arrived at 4 a.m. (0800 GMT) to prepare the course. Pressel, an early starter on Friday, said she was surprised to tee off as scheduled. “The ground staff here did an incredible job getting the course ready. I don’t think the greens could be any more perfect. There’s some casual out there but that’s to be expected. We’re just happy to get out on the golf course.” Hitting fairways was critical with the water-logged rough even more penal than usual on a cool, overcast day that some more light rain toward the end of the afternoon.—Reuters
PITTSFORD: Chella Choi of South Korea hits her approach shot on the 18th hole during the weather-delayed second round of the Wegmans LPGA Championship at Locust Hill Country Club. —AFP
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
S P ORTS
Man with a plan? LeBron eyes adjustments MIAMI: If LeBron James played for the San Antonio Spurs, coach Gregg Popovich might have a message for him. It’s the same one he’s occasionally delivered to Tim Duncan: Selfless play is great. Moving the ball to open teammates is usually the right idea. Sometimes, though, it’s best if the superstar takes on more himself. “I’ve talked to players before about being more aggressive,” Popovich said Friday, after the Spurs practiced following their 92-88 victory over the Miami Heat in Game 1. “Opportunities might be there that they didn’t take advantage of. That happens with Timmy now and then. He’s so unselfish, if he shoots three jumpers in a
row, he feels like he shouldn’t shoot more sometimes, because he wants the ball to move and he wants to involve everybody. I think unselfish players think like that. Once in a while I’ve got to tell him, no, I don’t care if you get 20 of those shots, you have to take them.” Maybe James will in Game 2. “We’ll see what type of game plan I come out with on Sunday,” he said. “It will be dumb of me to reveal it today.” James had 18 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists in Game 1, but, as can be the case with the game’s greatest talent, there was a feeling he could have done more. And the Heat needed it. About the time the game was slipping away from the Heat midway
through the fourth quarter, the league MVP had attempted fewer shots than Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, and only three more than Mario Chalmers. Bosh took more shots in the final period (5) than James (4). The more they missed as Wade and Bosh did six times in seven attempts over the final 12 minutes - the louder the cries for James to stop giving them the ball and keep it for himself. Yet that just doesn’t seem natural for him. “I’ve got this far with them, I’m not going to just abandon what I’ve been doing all year to help us get to this point,” James said. “So I know those guys will be ready to shoot again once they’re open.” The Spurs appeared to retain at least part of the schemes they used
against James in 2007, when they swept his Cleveland Cavaliers for their most recent title. A help defender was ready to slide over and make James give up the ball or shoot a jumper if he had beaten his man, rather than have a lane to the basket. “He’s extended his range and he’s a much different player than he was then. We’re trying to make it as difficult as possible,” Duncan said. “We’re not going to hold him to 18 every game. Every game we know he’s going to come out real aggressive, especially this coming game, and be aggressive to score, but we’re going to try to make it as difficult as possible, show as many bodies as possible and make his plays so he doesn’t rack up on the ones
going right to the basket and try to get the easy stuff.” Some of the few easy looks the Heat got in their seven-game series against Indiana in the Eastern Conference finals came when James went into the post. But even if he does that now, the strategy only pays off if his shooters make open looks when he’s double-teamed. So it will be up to James to determine what he thinks will work, “He’ll do whatever it takes,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “He’s as cerebral a player as there is in this league. He’ll read the game as necessary. I wouldn’t bet against our open shooters. So we just need to make sure we’re getting the shots that we want to.”—AP
Sanchez wins Dauphine stage SUPERDEVOLUY: Spanish veteran Samuel Sanchez won the seventh stage of the Criterium du Dauphine race yesterday and British rider Chris Froome kept hold of the yellow jersey with one stage remaining. The 35-year-old Sanchez held off Danish rider Jakob Fuglsang to secure his 32nd career win and 97th podium place. “I suffered a lot, especially in the last three kilometers”, Sanchez said. “Fuglsang was very strong but I gave everything I had to beat him at the end. It’s going to be wonderful for Euskaltel to start the Tour de France with this prestigious victory.” The 2008 Olympic champion and best climber on the 2011 Tour de France hadn’t won a race since the Tour of the Basque country last year. “We didn’t get what we wanted from the Giro d’Italia, so it was good to keep going and come to here look ing for something like this,” Sanchez said. “I won’t race the Tour (de France) this year. I need to take a rest. It means a lot to me and the team to win at the Dauphine. I dedicate it to my friend and teammate Victor Cabedo who died a few months ago.” Cabedo was struck by a car in his native Onda, near Valencia, while training
in September 2012. He was 23. Sanchez clocked a time of 5 hours, 26 minutes, 14 seconds over the mountainous 187.5 kilometers (116.3 miles) from Le Pont-deClaix to Superdevoluy, with Fuglsang finishing in the same time and Australian rider Richie Porte 15 seconds back in third spot. Two-time Tour champion Alberto Contador worked to help Rogers get on the podium by setting a pace that was too much for Rohan Dennis, who was third overnight but dropped down to ninth. The Australian was unable to stay with the leading bunch on the final 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) ascent up to the sk i resort of Superdevoluy. Froome has a comfortable lead in the standings, 51 seconds ahead of Sky teammate Porte and 1:37 clear of Australian rider Michael Rogers, who placed ninth in the stage to climb up to third spot overall. “This is one more day towards achieving my goal,” Froome said. “I know it’s going to be another hard stage tomorrow, notably because we’ll ride above 2,000 meters of altitude but I feel the situation is under control. It’s going to be a tough finale tomorrow but Richie (Porte) has the legs to be there in the final climb. Hopefully we’ll finish it off.”—AP
BOSTON: Tuukka Rask No. 40 of the Boston Bruins makes a save in the third period against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Final during the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs. —AFP
Bruins sweep Penguins BOSTON: Boston completed a series sweep of the Pittsburgh Penguins with a 1-0 win on Friday, booking a place in the Stanley Cup finals thanks to Adam McQuaid’s goal early in the third period. The Bruins won the Eastern Conference finals 4-0 and held the high-scoring Penguins to just two goals in the stunning sweep. Boston will face either the Chicago Blackhawks or Los Angeles Kings when the Bruins shoot for their second Stanley Cup title in three years. Chicago leads the Western Conference series 3-1 and can advance to the finals with a home win on Saturday night. If the Blackhawks get there, it will set up the first finals matchup of Original Six NHL franchises since 1979. The Penguins’ season ended swiftly and shockingly as the league’s highest-scoring team got no points in the series from offensive stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
“He is the best player in the world,” Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron said of Crosby. “We did a good job with that.” McQuaid scored at 5:01 of the final period on a 45-foot slap shot from the right over the glove of goalie Tomas Vokoun. That unleashed loud chants of “We want the Cup!” from the capacity crowd. “We were a little sluggish the first two periods,” Bruins forward Milan Lucic said, “and we said, ‘We have to win a period to win a series.’” The top-seeded Penguins were trying to overcome both the disciplined defense of the fourth-seeded Bruins and history. Only three teams had lost a series after winning the first three games. The last was the Bruins in the 2010 Eastern Conference semifinals against the Philadelphia Flyers. Pittsburgh, which never led in any of the four games against the Bruins, was swept for the first time in 47 series. The last team to do it to the Penguins was Boston in 1979.
Bruins goalie Tuuka Rask was solid again with 26 saves, but didn’t have to stop many challenging shots. His last save came with his glove at the final buzzer on Matt Niskanen’s shot from 40 feet. “He has been the reason why we’re here,” Bergeron said of Rask. “We just played our game the whole time. We put a lot of pressure in their zone.” The Penguins had been shut out just twice in their previous 147 games before being blanked twice in the four games against the Bruins. Pittsburgh lost Game 1 at home 3-0. Boston’s chances of making the Stanley Cup finals seemed very remote when they trailed Toronto by three goals in the third period of Game 7 in the first round of the playoffs. “It seems like a lifetime ago,” Lucic said. “Without that Game 7, to come back and win it, if it wasn’t for that we wouldn’t be here right now.”—AP
Stanford’s Carter sets college 400 hurdle mark FRANCE: Stage winner Spain’s Samuel Sanchez celebrates on the podium after winning the 187.5 km seventh stage of the 65th edition of the Dauphine Criterium cycling race. —AFP
Harris ahead in Memphis MEMPHIS: American Harris English spectacularly holed out with an eight-iron to eagle the par-four fifth on the way to a two-shot lead after Friday’s second round of the St Jude Classic in Memphis, Tennessee. The 23-year-old, seeking his first PGA Tour title after playing his rookie season on the U.S. circuit last year, fired a sixunder-par 64 in good scoring conditions at the TPC Southwind to take control of the tournament. One of six players tied for the lead overnight after opening with a 66, English also recorded five birdies and a lone bogey at the par-four 18th, where he missed the fairway off the tee, to post a 10-under total of 130. PGA Tour rookie Shawn Stefani was alone at eight under after carding a 65, with fellow Americans Scott Stallings (68) and Paul Haley II (68) a further three strokes back. Defending champion Dustin Johnson was among a group of 12 players knotted at three under after returning a 70 in the final PGA Tour event before next week’s U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. English made a barn-storming start with birdies on his first three holes, then got to five under for the round when he holed out from 170 yards at the fifth. “One, two and three are some of the easiest holes out here and to make birdies on those jump-started my round, it really got me going,” English told Golf Channel. “I was hitting the ball well and my speed on the greens was really good. I was just trying to keep it going.”
The American, who covered his back nine in one-under 34, readily conceded he had been very fortunate to eagle the parfour fifth. “That’s probably one of the hardest holes on the golf course,” English smiled. “I hit a nice three-wood off the tee and I had about 170 to the hole. “I hit an eight-iron which landed 10, 12 feet short and it trickled in. It was pretty cool.” English, whose best PGA Tour finish was a tie for fifth at last year’s Crowne Plaza Invitational, said he was steadily learning how to contend on professional golf’s most competitive circuit. “It’s really about getting comfortable out here and getting comfortable with the lead and around the lead,” he said. “I am hopefully starting to grow into that. “This is only my second year out here so I am learning from every round and every shot, trying to get better every day.” Four-times major champion Phil Mickelson improved on his opening 71 with a 67 to end the day eight shots off the pace, one stroke better than Irishman Padraig Harrington (70). “I made a couple of dumb mistakes, and I think that’s why I enjoy the competing element before a big event like the US Open next week,” Mickelson said after a four-birdie display. The cut fell at oneover-par 141 with American world number six Brandt Snedeker, former major winners Trevor Immelman, David Duval and Lee Janzen and 14-year-old Chinese Guan Tianlang among those missing out.—Reuters
EUGENE: English Gardner’s wince became a smile at the NCAA track and field championships. The Oregon junior wore a broad grin as she crossed the finish line first in the 100 meters Friday, just a day after had clutched her ankle in obvious pain following a seventh-place finish in her semifinal heat for the 200. She successfully defended her 100 title in 10.96 seconds, breaking a school and Pac-12 record. It was the best collegiate time this season, and third-best ever. “I’ve got a little more in my tank than I give myself credit for,” she said after the race at Hayward Field. Gardner says her ankle has been particularly bothersome since the NCAA West regional two weeks ago. And on Thursday after her disappointment in the 200, many were wondering whether she’d even try the 100. But she poured it on to edge runner-up Octavious Freeman, a sophomore from Central Florida who had the best time in the semifinals. Freeman finished in 11 seconds flat. “I heard the crowd so that made me thing someone was coming,” Gardner said. “So that gave me a little go get ‘em at the end.” While Gardner didn’t make the field for Saturday’s 200 final, she was expected to run in both the 400 and 1,600 relays for the Ducks. In the first race of the day, Stanford junior Kori Carter won the 400 hurdles in a collegiate-record 53:21 seconds. Carter broke the mark of 53.54 set by UCLA’s Sheena Johnson at the NCAA outdoor championships in 2004. It was the fastest time in the world this season. Carter bested rival Georganne Moline of Arizona, who finished second in 53.72 under sunny skies and temperatures in the 80s. Southern California senior Reggie Wyatt won the men’s 400 hurdles in 48.58, breaking his own personal best. TCU’s Charles Silmon won the men’s 100 with a wind-aided 9.89. He ran a windaided 9.92 in the semifinals Wednesday, but Florida State junior Dentarius Locke put up a wind-legal 9.97 - the fastest collegiate mark this season. Oregon senior Elijah Greer won the 800 in 1:46.58, followed by Penn State senior Casimir Loxsom in 1:46.88. The title finishes an undefeat-
ed outdoor season for Greer, who also won the 800 at the indoor championships. Southern California senior Bryson Nellum won the 400, finishing in 44.73. Nellum redshirted his 2009 season for the Trojans after he was shot in the legs at a party by gang members who thought he was someone else. Told he might not ever reach an elite level on the track again, Nellum beat the odds and finished third at the U.S. Olympic trials in Eugene last year - earning a spot on the team for the London Games. Nellum was part of the 1,600 relay team that won the silver medal. Nellum also will run in the 200 final Saturday. He failed to qualify for either final last season. “It’s a beautiful thing,” Nellum said. “This is one of the reasons I came back for my sixth year - to win a national championship.” Dartmouth junior Abbey D’Agostino, who became the first woman ever to win both the 3,000 and 5,000 at the indoor championships, added the outdoor 5,000 title in the day’s final event. D’Agostino pulled away from Oregon senior Jordan Hasay in the final 300 meters and finished in 15:43.68. “It’s been a really exciting season,” D’Agostino said. “I’ve learned that I can be a little more versatile than I thought.” Hasay, the most decorated track athlete in Oregon’s history, wound up third and ended her college career without an outdoor title. In other women’s events, LSU senior Natoya Goule of LSU won the 800 in 2:00.06, and Illinois sophomore Ashley Spencer defended her title in the 400 in 50.28. Her mark was the best college time this season. UTEP sophomore Anthony Rotich won the men’s 3,000 steeplechase in 8:21.19. In the field events, South Dakota junior Bethany Buell won the pole vault at 14 feet, 71/4 inches, San Diego State junior Shanieka Thomas took the triple jump crown with a leap of 4643/4, Indiana senior Derek Drouin won his unprecedented fifth NCAA high jump title by clearing 7-8 and UCLA junior Julian Wruck threw 213-1 for the discus championship. Kansas sophomore Lindsay Vollmer won the
women’s heptathlon with 6,086 points, the best college total this season. At the end of the third day, top-ranked Kansas led the women’s team rankings with 48 points, followed by Oregon with 33. Texas and USC were knotted atop the men’s team rankings with 32 points apiece.—AP
EUGENE: Kansas’ Lindsay Vollmer waves after winning the heptathlon during the NCAA Track and Field Championships. —AP
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
S P ORTS Photo of the day
Samoa grab first win over Scotland DURBAN: Giant winger Alesana Tuilagi scored two tries as Samoa claimed their first victory over Scotland, winning 27-17 at King’s Park Rugby Stadium in the first of a double-header of test rugby in Durban yesterday. Tuilagi, whose brother Manu is on tour with the British and Irish Lions in Australia, gave an impressive exhibition of brute strength to power over for his two scores as Samoa snapped a streak of eight previous matches without success against the Scots. Fullback James So’oialo got Samoa’s other try and contributed 12 points from the boot. Samoa’s imposing pack and fastpaced backline ensured a storming start with two tries in the opening 13 minutes. So’oialo opened the scoring in the seventh minute as Samoa fielded a Scottish kick inside their own half to set up a sweeping move, finished off by the fullback. Tuilagi scored his first from the left wing six minutes later as the huge frames of the Samoans battered through the Scottish defence. Indiscipline in the scrums allowed Scotland to keep in touch through the boot
of scrumhalf Greig Laidlaw, who kicked four penalties but also missed two easy opportunities. “We were always scrambling after conceding the first two tries,” Laidlaw said. “We won’t take too much out of today, we need to go and have a hard look at ourselves.” Scotland enjoyed a brief lead at 1714 when they reaped the rewards of a period of sustained pressure early in the second half which led to Sean Lamont scoring on the right wing. But they held the advantage for only a few minutes before So’oialo kicked over a penalty for parity, followed by Tuliagi’s second try as he raced through the Scottish defence, brushing aside a tackler to dive between the posts in the 64th minute. “We’ve always been on the wrong side of some close results against Scotland, so it’s great to right that today,” Samoa captain Paul Williams said. Later on Saturday South Africa play Italy, while next weekend Scotland take on the Springboks and Samoa meet Italy. A points table will determine the pairings of the four teams for a third round of tests in Pretoria on June 22.—Reuters
Julius Brink and Sebastian Fuchs perform in Cape Town, South Africa. www.redbullcontentpool.com
Bell tolls for England
BRISBANE: Lions player Jonathan Davies (right) is tackled by Reds player Rod Davies during the rugby union tour match between the Queensland Reds and the British and Irish Lions. —AFP
Lions come through Reds scare BRISBANE: The British and Irish Lions had Owen Farrell’s unerring boot to thank for a 2212 victory over the fired-up Queensland Reds on a rainy night at Lang Park yesterday in by far the toughest test of the tour so far. Lions coach Warren Gatland had called for tougher opposition after his team ran in 17 tries in their first two matches against the Barbarians and Western Force and he certainly got his wish, particularly in a breathless first half. The Reds, playing in white, ran the Lions ragged and even led courtesy of winger Luke Morahan’s brilliant individual try. They added a second after the break through scrumhalf Nick Frisby. The tourists kept their composure, however, and replied with a try from Ben Youngs before the interval while their dominance of the set piece helped towards flyhalf Farrell’s tally of five penalties and a conversion. “It was exactly what we wanted,” Lions coach Warren Gatland told a news conference. “It was a reminder to the players what it means to Australian players to face the Lions. They came at us at 100 miles an hour in that first 20 minutes and we just had to soak up the pressure.” Tour captain Sam Warburton enjoyed a solid Lions debut and said he had not felt the injured knee that kept him out of the first two games, but Irish winger Tommy Bowe broke a bone in his hand to become the third player to be ruled out of the tour through injury. Reds captain Quade Cooper, looking to seal a spot in the Wallabies squad for the test series that begins at the same stadium on June 22, directed the Reds up-tempo attack with aplomb but also made a couple of glaring errors. The flyhalf, controversially left out of the initial Wallabies squad, missed a kickable penalty and flung one no-look defensive pass into space which the Lions pounced on and only just failed to hack on for a try. “We tried to keep the tempo up throughout the match and do what we do best which is run it around,” said Cooper. “We left everything out on the park and we did our club and our state proud.” Morahan served notice of his form with a sizzling early break before making a try-saving tackle on Lions winger Alex Cuthbert in the ninth minute, but that was only a taster for his
try, which came after a Farrell up-and-under in the 17th minute. The one-cap Wallaby took the ball at halfway and stormed upfield, leaving Cuthbert in his wake before swerving past Warburton and chipping the ball over Stuart Hogg before touching down under the posts. Cooper converted to put the Reds 7-3 ahead and the Queenslanders in the 50,136 crowd were roaring but another huge Lions effort at the scrum forced the home pack to collapse and Farrell narrowed the margin with his second penalty. Bowe had already showed that the Lions wingers could run too, and George North, an early replacement for the injured Manu Tuilagi, joined in with relish. The Welshman stormed up the touchline after 32 minutes before feeding inside to Farrell but Morahan was there again and the England flyhalf knocked on in the tackle with the tryline at his mercy. After all the fine attacking play, the first Lions try came from a mistake at the back of the ensuing scrum when Reds number eight Jake Schatz knocked the ball back and scrumhalf Youngs poked it over the line with his heel before touching down. Another searing North break three minutes later set Warburton free for a run to the line but the flanker did not quite have the legs and was swallowed up by three tacklers and held up. Farrell slotted his third penalty on the stroke of halftime and made it 19-7 with his fourth 10 minutes after the restart, a reward for a long period of pressure in the Reds’ 22. The Reds were still making every attempt to get out of their half and winger Rod Davies succeeded in the 63rd minute, breaking up the touchline before passing inside to scrumhalf Frisby who had a clear run for the line. The usually deadly-accurate Mike Harris somehow hit the upright with the conversion attempt, while Farrell slotted his fifth and final penalty with four minutes left as the players tired and the conditions deteriorated in the Queensland rain. “They played better percentage footy in the end and we probably didn’t get as much set piece ball as we wanted,” said Reds coach Ewen McKenzie. “In the end I can’t say I was unhappy, there was a lot of blood out there ...”—Reuters
BIRMINGHAM: Ian Bell starred as England drew first blood in a marathon sequence of matches against Australia with a 48-run victory over the titleholders in their Champions Trophy opener at Edgbaston yesterday. Bell made 91 on his Warwickshire home ground, to the delight of a capacity 25,000 crowd, as England posted 269 for six after captain Alastair Cook won the toss. Bell also shared a second-wicket stand of 111 with county colleague Jonathan Trott (43) in the first of at least 26 matches, including the upcoming Ashes series in England, across all formats against arch-rivals Australia between now and February 2. Australia pegged England back before an unbroken seventh-wicket stand of 56 between Ravi Bopara (46 not out) and Tim Bresnan (19 not out) bolstered England’s total. However, a target of 270 proved beyond an Australia side still without captain Michael Clarke, following the recurrence of the star batsman’s longstanding back injury. During Australia’s 221 for nine, spearhead seamer James Anderson (three for 30) became England’s outright most successful one-day international (ODI) bowler, taking the one wicket he needed to surpass the record of 234 wickets he’d shared with Darren Gough. Australia stand-in skipper George Bailey made 55 as they at least put the embarrassment of their 65 all out in Tuesday’s warm-up defeat by India behind them. However, this loss left Australia-bidding for a third straight Champions Trophy title-with a mountain to climb if they were to qualify for the semi-finals out of a Group A also featuring New Zealand and Sri Lanka, who meet in Cardiff on Sunday. “We were 180-2, we should have got 300...But I thought 270 was always going to be enough,” said Cook, whose side came into this match on he back of a 2-1 ODI series defeat by New Zealand, although they beat the Black Caps in Nottingham on Wednesday. “Jimmy (Anderson) is a great bowler, he just keeps getting better and better and we are lucky to have him,” Cook said. Man-of-the-match Bell, an opener in this format, added: “I was pleased to give us a good platform. It’s nice to play some shots at the top of the order.” Meanwhile Bailey said Australia’s batting had been the key to this loss. “We couldn’t get any momentum and well done to England-they restricted us well,” Bailey said. “The scoreline flattered us a little. It doesn’t look great for us, but it’s just one partnership scoring runs which will make the difference.” Australia’s reply suffered an early
BIRMINGHAM: England’s wicket keeper Jos Buttler (right) tries to stump Australia’s Mitchell Johnson (left) to run him out during the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy cricket match. —AFP setback when David Warner (nine) was well caught by diving wicket-keeper Jos Buttler off Stuart Broad. Shane Watson (24) fell next, caught by Cook at gully off Tim Bresnan. Phillip Hughes was missed twice by England but couldn’t make them pay, exiting for 30 when lbw to part-time spinner Joe Root after heaving across the line. Mitchell Marsh became Anderson’s record-breaking victim, caught at backward point by Eoin Morgan. Anderson
then made it two wickets for two runs in six balls when Matthew Wade was caught behind. Bailey pressed on to a 62-ball fifty but when he holed out off spinner James Tredwell, Australia were all but beaten at 151 for seven. James Faulkner finished on 54 not out but his runs came too late to change the course of the match. Earlier, there was a flare-up when Australia wicket-keeper Wade thought Trott had impeded him as he tried to gather a wayward return.
Sri Lankan umpire Kumar Dharmasena intervened to calm the situation. Bell had made just three hundreds in his previous 130 ODIs. And the 31-year-old was denied a fourth when bowled by left-arm paceman Faulkner. In Group B, India have already beaten South Africa and West Indies have defeated Pakistan. The top two teams from each group will go through to the semi-finals, with the final at Edgbaston on June 23.—AFP
SCOREBOARD BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom: Final scoreboard in the Champions Trophy Group A match between England and Australia at Edgbaston yesterday: England A. Cook c Wade b Watson 30 I. Bell b Faulkner 91 J. Trott c Wade b Starc 43 J. Root c Bailey b McKay 12 E. Morgan b McKay 8 R. Bopara not out 46 J. Buttler b Faulkner 1 T. Bresnan not out 19 Extras (lb12, w6, nb1) 19 Total (6 wkts, 50 overs) 269 Fall of wickets: 1-57 (Cook), 2-168 (Trott), 3-189 (Bell), 4-189 (Root), 5-212 (Morgan), 6-213 (Buttler) Did not bat: S Broad, J Tredwell, J Anderson Bowling: Starc 10-0-75-1 (1nb, 1w); Johnson 8-0-44-0 (1w); McKay 10-0-38-2 (1w); Watson 7-0-26-1; Faulkner 10-0-48-2 (1w); Voges 3-013-0; Marsh 2-0-13-0 (2w).
Australia D.Warner c Buttler b Broad 9 S. Watson c Cook b Bresnan 24 P. Hughes lbw b Root 30 G. Bailey c Root b Tredwell 55 A. Voges b Bresnan 15 M. Marsh c Morgan b Anderson 5 M. Wade c Buttler b Anderson 1 J. Faulkner not out 54 M. Johnson c Morgan b Bopara 8 M. Starc b Anderson 5 C. McKay not out 7 Extras (lb6, w1, nb1) 8 Total (9 wkts, 50 overs) 221 Fall of wickets: 1-17 (Warner), 2-47 (Watson), 3-94 (Hughes), 4-127 (Voges), 5-134 (Marsh), 6-136 (Wade), 7-151 (Bailey), 8-175 (Johnson), 9-190 (Starc) Bowling: Anderson 10-0-30-3; Broad 10-2-35-1; Bresnan 101-45-2 (1nb, 1w); Tredwell 10-1-51-1; Root 5-0-20-1; Bopara 5-0-34-1. Result: England won by 48 runs Man-of-the-match: Ian Bell (ENG)
Cruden helps All Blacks to tense win over France AUCKLAND: Aaron Cruden had a mixed night with his boot but managed to slot 13 points for a scratchy All Blacks side as they held off a combative France team 23-13 in the first game of their threetest series at Eden Park yesterday. The All Blacks, who had not lost at the Auckland venue since France coach Phillipe Saint Andre sparked “the try from the end of the world” in 1994, scored two counter-attacking tries late in the first half that proved the difference in a match that failed to reach the heights expected. Both sides, who are rebuilding ahead of the 2015 World Cup, wasted several golden opportunities to score, most notably France number eight Louis Picamoles who dropped the ball with the line open following a devastating break from Florian Fritz. The All Blacks two tries to scrumhalf Aaron Smith and openside flanker Sam Cane in the final 10 minutes of the first spell typified the match. Both sides were well organised in defence but also fell off several tackles when they ran back on the counter-attack with the field more open and defence unorganised. Wesley Fofana’s try for France early in the first half, after the visitors had
withstood a high tempo, was also scored on the counter following a break by Fritz when Sam Cane and Ma’a Nonu collided and opened a gap for the Toulouse centre to ghost through. Neither side also capitalised from their field position, with France camped near the All Blacks line for several minutes in the second half only to be thwarted by a desperate defensive performance and a series of penalties at the scrum. “We know that it was ugly at times,” New Zealand coach Steve Hansen told reporters of his impression of the match. “What I liked about the game was when we were in our 22 for quite a sustained period, and we had a young side out there, they kept their composure. “That’s the type of player we need to win big test matches. There was no panic, guys just went and did their job.” Fofana’s try had given the visitors a 7-0 lead before Cruden slotted his first penalty, after two previous misses, before the All Blacks struck back in the final 10 minutes of the first half on the counterattack. Scrumhalf Aaron Smith finished off a searing break by winger Ben Smith to give the home side a 10-7 lead before Maxime Machenaud slotted
a penalty to make it 10-10. Cane then crossed for a 38th-minute try when the All Blacks forced a turnover and Nonu breached the defence and Cruden’s conversion gave the All Blacks a 17-10 lead at the break. France flyhalf Camille Lopez, who took over the goalkicking when Machenaud limped off early in the second half, slotted a penalty that rallied the visitors. A number of penalties at the breakdown and scrum, however, swung it back to the All Blacks, with Cruden pushing the lead out to seven points again with his second penalty. Picamoles then dropped the ball with the line open after another break from Fritz and neither side were able to capitalise as the match was played in the middle of the field before Cruden slotted his third penalty. “We were close to the All Blacks, but we made too many mistakes, lost too many balls in the contact and they got a lot of opportunity due to our mistakes,” France captain Thierry Dusautoir said. “We didn’t keep control of the ball and that is very important that when you have the opportunity to score against them, you do it.”—Reuters
AUCKLAND: New Zealand All Blacks player Aaron Smith (center) is tackled by France’s Camille Lopez during the international rugby union test match. —AFP
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SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
SPORTS
Ukraine stun Montenegro
BUENOS AIRES: Argentina’s forward Gonzalo Higuain (center) gestures in front of Colombia’s Cristian Zapata (left) and Mario Yepes during their Brazil 2014 World Cup South American qualifier football match. —AP
Argentina held, Chile win BUENOS AIRES: Colombia climbed into second place in South America’s World Cup qualifying group after holding leaders Argentina 0-0 on Friday, while Chile did their chances of reaching the finals no harm with a win in Paraguay. Colombia’s goal difference puts them above Ecuador, who lost 1-0 to Peru in Lima, while Chile hold fourth spot after beating Paraguay 2-1. Venezuela clung to fifth despite giving away a late equaliser for a 1-1 draw against Bolivia at high altitude in La Paz. South American champions Uruguay, who had a bye for this round of matches, dropped to seventh below Peru and visit Venezuela on Tuesday in desperate need of a win. Argentina, starting without Lionel Messi, and Colombia served up a feast of attacking football at the Monumental in Buenos Aires with chances galore early on, but two red cards before half an hour was up changed the complexion of the game. The dismissal of Gonzalo Higuain and Cristian Zapata for kicking out at each other affected Argentina more, leaving them without a striker in red hot form who almost scored two goals while he was on the pitch. Higuain’s suspension and doubts over Messi’s match fitness could mean Argentina start away to Ecuador on Tuesday without their top scorers, who have 17 goals between them. Messi, just back from a hamstring injury and lacking match fitness, rarely looked comfortable after coming on with little more than half an hour left. Asked whether he would play against Ecuador, the Argentina captain told reporters: “I don’t know, I had gone a long time without a game. Playing at altitude is exhausting.” Messi no doubt recalled his struggle in the thin air of La Paz in Argentina’s 1-1 draw with Bolivia in March and his team
will have to contend with similar conditions in Quito. Argentina have a five-point cushion at the top of the nine-nation South American group with Colombia and Ecuador both on 20 points and Chile 18. The top four teams at the end of the qualifiers in October will go through to the Brazil finals. The fifth-placed team, at present Venezuela with 16 points, will enter a playoff against an Asian qualifier in November for another berth. Venezuela were four minutes away from victory over Bolivia before a mistake by goalkeeper Renny Vega at a corner allowed substitute Jhasmany Campos to head an equaliser. The dropped points dent Venezuela’s aspirations of reaching the finals for the first time but coach Cesar Farias looked on the bright side. “To take a point in La Paz is very good and it could be the point that takes us to the World Cup,” Farias told the postmatch news conference. “Up here (in La Paz) few teams take points with them. Of our direct rivals only Chile got three but the point is much better for us than for Bolivia.” Chile’s victory at the Defensores del Chaco in Asuncion virtually ended Paraguay’s chances of reaching Brazil. “It’s the hardest and saddest moment of our careers, because we’ve spent a life in the national team and to finish like this is tough,” said veteran Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz. Paraguay fans clamoured for Gerardo Pelusso, the team’s second coach during the qualifiers, to be sacked. Peru coach Sergio Markarian, on the other hand, was a happy man after his team’s victory in Lima while recognising that reaching the finals is still only a dream. “We’re taking the victory calmly, today we’re still out of the World Cup. This win sets us up for the fight without promising anything,” Markarian said.—Reuters
US, Costa Rica win in WCup qualifying PANAMA: The United States and Costa Rica both notched important wins on Friday to move joint top of CONCACAF qualifying for next year’s World Cup, while Mexico’s hopes were dented by a 0-0 draw at Panama. Brad Evans scored in the second minute of second-half stoppage time, giving the U.S. a thrilling 2-1 win over Jamaica at Kingston. Jozy Altidore put the Americans ahead in the 30th minute, but Jermaine Beckford seemed to have secured a draw when he headed in a free kick in the 89th. However the visiting Americans still had to time to snatch a winner. After working the ball into the box from a corner, Evans took the ball amid a cluster of Jamaica defenders, spun and beat goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts from about 10 yards. “They’re dire moments.” Evans said. “There’s still work to be done. But three points, on the road, in a place we haven’t won, is pretty special.”
The win moved the US to seven points from four games, the same record as Costa Rica, while Mexico also has seven points but has played one more game. The top three qualify automatically for Brazil 2014 while the fourth-placed nation - currently Panama after the 0-0 home draw against Mexico - enters a further intercontinental playoff. Costa Rica beat Honduras 1-0 thanks to a 25th minute goal by New York Red Bulls defender Roy Miller. The result left Honduras in fifth place, two points behind Panama, who secured a creditable home draw against Mexico. Jamaica is last in the group with just two points from five games, leaving the Reggae Boyz a mountain to climb in the remaining five qualifying matches. The next round of games is on Tuesday when Mexico hosts Costa Rica, Honduras is at home against Jamaica and Panama travels to take on the United States.—AP
LONDON: Ukraine dented Montenegro’s hopes of qualifying for the World Cup finals for the first time with a stunning 4-0 win that blasted Group H wide open on Friday when the fancied teams were made to fight hard for their points. Scotland, who have no chance of reaching next year’s finals in Brazil, epitomised the battling spirit shown by some of the underdogs with a shock 1-0 victory in Croatia where a Robert Snodgrass goal hit the hosts’ chances of topping Group A. Section leaders Belgium earned a nervy 2-1 home win over Serbia with headers from Kevin De Bruyne and Marouane Fellaini securing their sixth win in seven to put them three points clear of the Croats. Belgium cannot now finish lower than second. Russia, who led Group F after four straight wins, suffered their first defeat as an early Helder Postiga goal gave Portugal a 1-0 win over Fabio Capello’s side to take top spot with 14 points, two clear of Russia and three above Israel. Among those trying to upset the odds were Albania and Iceland, neither of whom have ever reached the finals, with both having a chance to top Group E. At one stage, the pair seemed headed for home wins over Norway and Slovenia respectively. Ultimately, though, they both failed in their quest. Albania conceded a late goal and were held to a 1-1 draw by Norway in Tirana while Iceland led Slovenia 2-1 in Reykjavik but ended up losing 4-2 leaving Switzerland, who face Cyprus on Saturday, top by a point in Group E above the Albanians. Group B laggards Malta had a night to remember with their first World Cup qualifying victory for 20 years while perennial whipping boys Liechtenstein and Luxembourg also avoided defeat. Liechtenstein dented Slovakia’s playoff chances with a 1-1 draw in Group G and
PODGORICA: Montenegro’s Mirko Vucinic (left) vies with Ukraine’s Edmar Halovskyi during the World Cup 2014 qualifying football match between Montenegro and Ukraine. —AFP Luxembourg finished their Group F match with the same scoreline in Azerbaijan. Malta went one better to beat Armenia 1-0 in Yerevan with a goal from their record scorer Michael Mifsud and there was more romance in Dublin where Ireland kept their qualifying hopes alive with a 3-0 Group C win over the Faroe Islands. Irish captain Robbie Keane not only celebrated a record 126th cap for his country, but also scored a hat-trick to extend his all-time scoring record for Ireland to 59 goals. With Austria beating Sweden 2-1 in the same group, Germany, who did not play, remain top with 16 points from six games, followed by Austria and Ireland on 11 with the Swedes slipping to fourth on eight, albeit with a game in hand. Keane told ESPN: “There was a lot of talk about getting the record number of caps, but for me that was in the back of my
mind. The most important thing was getting the right result.” The results were also as expected for some of the teams closing in on a ticket to Brazil, but not for Montenegro who lost their unbeaten record and two players as they suffered a fourgoal thrashing by Ukraine in Podgorica. Montenegro had Vladimir Volkov and Savo Pavicevic sent off after Ukraine’s Roman Zozulia was red carded at the end of the first half as the visitors climbed to third in the group with a victory which also did England a favor. Montenegro stay top with 14 points from seven games, having played a match more than second-placed England on 12. Ukraine moved up to 11 points from six matches, ahead of Poland on nine after the Poles could only draw with lowly Moldova. The biggest winners of the night were Bosnia who tri-
umphed 5-0 in Latvia in Group G to stay three points clear of Greece who won 1-0 in Lithuania thanks to Lazaros Christodoulopoulos who scored midway through the first half. Italy, who look set to qualify from Group B, were held to a 0-0 draw by an enterprising Czech Republic side in Prague where their controversial striker Mario Balotelli was sent off by Norwegian referee Svein Oddvar Moen 18 minutes from time. Balotelli picked up his second yellow card for catching defender Theodor Gebre Selassie in the face with his forearm and will now miss Italy’s next match against Bulgaria in September. This season’s qualifiers will be wrapped up on Tuesday when Denmark play Armenia in Group B, Sweden meet the Faroes in Group C and Belarus host Finland in Group I after losing 10 in the reverse fixture on Friday.—Reuters
Belmont Stakes could be wet and wide-open race NEW YORK: Orb and Oxbow. Oxbow and Orb. Anyway you draw it up, there will not be a Triple Crown on the line in the $1 million Belmont Stakes late yesterday. Even without a Triple try, the Belmont is still an intriguing race. It matches Kentucky Derby winner Orb against Preakness winner Oxbow, Todd Pletcher sending out a record five horses and one of the largest fields in the 145-year history of a race also known as the “Test of the Champion.” So let’s not overanalyze the rematch because there are many more story lines that will unfold when the 14-horse field begins its 11/2 -mile run around Belmont Park on what could be a wet track following 24 hours of rain. Orb is looking to bounce back after his fourth-place finish in the Preakness, following his 21/2 length win in the Derby. Oxbow is out to show his wire-to-wire Preakness win was not a fluke. Todd Pletcher’s quintet includes the filly Unlimited Budget, with Rosie Napravnik looking to become the second female jockey to win a Triple Crown race. Up-and-coming Freedom Child joins the Triple Crown fray for the first time off his 131/4 -length romp in the Peter Pan Stakes four weeks ago over a sloppy track at Belmont Park. And Kenny McPeek, who won the 2002 Belmont with Sarava at record odds of 70-1, is back again with 30-1 shot Frac Daddy. “There’s probably a few in there that don’t figure, but they’ve got just as much license to run as Orb or Oxbow or anybody else,” said Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey, whose Derby winner
is the 3-1 morning-line favorite. “I’m not going to worry about because it makes this a good, solid field.” Revolutionary is the second choice at 9-2, with Oxbow third at 5-1 and Unlimited Budget and Freedom Child each at 8-1 in the field of 14 - the largest since 1996 and one shy of the record set in 1983. Weather could be a factor. A steady rain began early Friday and was expected to continue through Saturday morning, with as much as 3 inches predicted by the National Weather Service. The track was rolled and sealed after Thursday’s races to compress the dirt so water doesn’t seep into the racing surface. If the track comes up wet, Orb, Golden Soul and Revolutionary the first three finishers in the Derby run over a sloppy track at Churchill Downs - should be able to deal with it. So, too, should Freedom Child. “I like what I’m seeing,” said Freedom Child’s trainer Tom Albertrani. “I’m getting all the good signs. He couldn’t be doing any better.” The last Belmont run over the slop was two years ago when 24-1 long shot Ruler On Ice won. It also was the most recent Derby winner vs. Preakness winner matchup, with Preakness winner Shackleford fifth and Derby winner Animal Kingdom sixth. In addition to Frac Daddy, there are few other long shots worth a look in 20-1 Will Take Charge and 15-1 Palace Malice. D. Wayne Lukas will be out to win his 15th Triple Crown race with Oxbow, and he also trains Will Take Charge. The big colt may not have
ELMONT: A horse is bathed after the 7th race during the 145th running of the Belmont Stakes. —AFP the nifty moves of some of his rivals, but Lukas says once he builds up a head of steam “he’s dangerous.” Palace Malice is among Pletcher’s squad - the others are the filly, Revolutionary, Overanalyze and Midnight Taboo. Despite only one win in seven starts, Palace Malice, the son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, looks to have the potential to win at the top level. “He’s always impressed us in his training, and he’s shown hints of that in some of his races although he hasn’t completely followed through and won a big race that we feel like he’s capable of doing,” said Pletcher. “We think he’s well meant for this race.” The Belmont is known as a rider’s race because it takes a savvy jockey familiar with the lay of the land to navigate the nation’s only 11/2 -mile oval. Belmont Park is like
the Grand Canyon of racetracks, a much wider track than Churchill Downs or Pimlico, with long, sweeping turns. It’s also deceiving. Judging distance can be difficult. For example, at the top of the turn at Belmont, there’s still a half mile left in the race. At other tracks, there’s only a quarter mile to go. Gary Stevens, who will be aboard Oxbow, knows all about the intricacies of the track. In 1997, he moved too soon aboard Silver Charm and had his Triple Crown spoiled by Touch Gold. A year later, he spoiled Real Quiet’s Triple bid when Kent Desormeaux moved too early and Stevens’ Victory Gallop won by a nose. “”Belmont Park is like the ocean,” said the recently unretired Stevens. “You can have a lot of fun in it, but it can hurt you if you don’t respect it.—AP
ABK continues to present the ‘Best Player’ prize at Volleyball Championship
SAN JOSE: Honduras’ Roger Espinoza (left) vies for the ball with Costarican Christian Gamboa (right) during their FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 qualifier football match. —AFP
KUWAIT: Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait is keenly involved in lending support to the youth of Kuwait, and has always taken an enthusiastic interest to participate in several youth activities, with an emphasis on sport under the Bank’s CSR banner “Our Society...Our Responsibility”. ABK has therefore conducted the ‘Best Player’ prize as a recognition token for best performing athletes. ABK presented a cash prize to
the best player at the Al Sahel vs Al Salmiya Sporting Clubs final game during the Volleyball Championship. Mr. Mahmoud Qassim from Al Sahel Sporting Club was chosen as the best player. Ali Al Baghli, Assistant Manager, Public Relations at ABK stated, “We congratulate Mr. Mahmoud Qassim, the winner in the Volleyball championship, whose display of talent and sportsmanship is exemplary!”
Bell tolls for England
Sanchez wins Dauphine stage
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
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Man with a plan? LeBron eyes adjustments
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FRANCE: USA’s Serena Williams (second right) and Russia’s Maria Sharapova (second left) pose with their trophies, next to French tennis federation (FFT) president Jean Gachassin and Spanish former tennis player Arantxa Sanchez, after the 2013 French tennis Open final at the Roland Garros stadium. — AFP
Serena reigns supreme in Paris PARIS: Serena Williams won her second French Open title yesterday, 11 years after her first triumph, defeating title-holder Maria Sharapova 64, 6-4 in a brief, but high-quality final. It was the 31-year-old American’s 16th Grand Slam title win, taking her to within two of Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova who are tied for fourth on the all-time list. And it underscored her near total domination of the women’s game, having won three of the last four Grand Slam titles-at Wimbledon, the US and French Opens-and reaching the quarterfinals at the Australian Open. For Sharapova it was a 10th straight loss to her American nemesis dating back to 2004 when she defeated her in the Wimbledon final and the WTA
Championships when she was just 17-years-old. “It was very difficult today. After 11 years (since last win) and now I have 16 (Grand Slam titles),” said Williams, addressing the crowd in French. “But I want to come back next year because I adore Paris and I adore the public here. I want to win here again. “I spend a lot of time here (In Paris) ... and I think I am becoming a Parisienne.” Sharapova said: “I played a great tournament, but ran into a really tough opponent today. She has been playing so well this year and the whole of last year as well. “But this court has brought me so many nice memories. Last year was so incredible to win and to be back as one of the last two players was great.” In what was the first French Open women’s final involving the two top seeds
since 1995, the two biggest names and biggest earners in women’s sport were pitted against each other for the 16th time, the third in a Grand Slam final. Williams was the strong favorite, having won 13 times for two defeats against the Russian and stormed into the final for the loss of just one set, taking her career-best winning streak to 31. Sharapova though was on a 13-match win run at Roland Garros, having finally come to terms with the demands of claycourt tennis last year when she defeated Sara Errani in the final. Williams opened up with a sequence of brutal service returns that had Sharapova scampering from side to side and within minutes 0-40 down. But the tall Russian served her way out of trou-
ble and then showed her aggressive intentions by breaking Williams in the next game. Sharapova had two points for a 3-0 lead, but Williams started to find her range again to break back and was soon on level terms at 2-2. She broke again to lead 3-2 and suddenly she looked in command of a match that had started so brightly for Sharapova. The crowd tried to lift the title-holder, who was seeking her fifth Grand Slam title and second at Roland Garros, and she did manage to get back on level terms briefly at 4-4 with Williams bothered by the gusting wind. But the American produced her best tennis of the match in the next game with some big hits down both flanks and then held serve to take the
Vettel on pole MONTREAL: Triple world champion Sebastian Vettel secured pole for today’s Canadian Grand Prix with a consummate demonstration of his talent in a rain-hit qualifying session yesterday. The 25-year-old German drove his Red Bull to the fastest lap time to complete his hat-trick of poles at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and his third this season. It was the 39th pole of his record-breaking career. Vettel clocked a best lap of one minute and 25.425 seconds, using ‘intermediate’ treaded tyres in the wet conditions, to finish fastest ahead of Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes by 0.087 seconds. Vettel said: “I’m looking forward to the race tomorrow, I think we had strong performance yesterday so whatever happens in terms of conditions it should be good. We expect dry conditions tomorrow, but it doesn’t matter. “We have both sets of tyres left, but even if it rains we should be in decent shape. But it’s a long race, 70 laps here, so anything can happen.” Hamilton, who was hunting his fourth pole on one of his favourite circuits, ended up starting second and was a man of few words afterwards. He said: “I was doing a pretty good final lap, but I ran wide, so it was unfortunate, but I’m still happy.” Vettel’s success in taking pole ended Mercedes run of four straight poles on a dramatic day that saw unsung Finnish rookie Valtteri Bottas claim third place on the grid for the Williams team. It was his first appearance in the top-ten shootout and he endorsed his success with an impressive showing of skill on the slippery circuit. Bottas will start today’s 70laps race with fourth-placed German Nico Rosberg, winner of the Monaco Grand Prix, alongside him in the second Mercedes, his run of three poles having ended in the rain. Bottas said: “This means a lot. It’s way more up in the grid than we could have imagined. The first six races have been so difficult, so this will be a nice boost for the team. We got everything just right today.” “That was fantastic by Seb,” said
first set in 51 minutes. The task on hand for Sharapova was huge, illustrated by the fact that in Grand Slam tennis, after taking a one set to love lead 208 times, the American had failed to complete the job just five times. Sharapova saved five break points to start the second set, but two games later she struggled again on serve and this time Williams converted her first break point to put herself in the clear at 4-2. She then comfortably served out twice, with three aces to conclude with, to gleefully banish 11 years of frustrations at Roland Garros. At 31 years, 247 days she is the oldest women in the Open Era to win the French Open title, taking over from Chris Evert who set the previous mark in 1986. — AFP
Preview
Nadal happy to suffer in pursuit of eighth title
MONTREAL: Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany powers his car during the qualifying session of the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix. — AFP Red Bull team chief Christian Horner. “It was really tricky and difficult to get the timing right, but Sebastian did it just perfectly.” Mark Webber qualified fifth in the second Red Bull ahead of Fernando Alonso of Ferrari and, remarkably, Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne of Toro Rosso, who also registered his best qualifying performance to take seventh. Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 champion, was eighth for Lotus ahead of Daniel Ricciardo, in the second Toro Rosso, and Adrian Sutil who will start 10th for Force India as the team celebrate their 100th Grand Prix appearance. It was a dismal day for many in the changeable cold and wet conditions with both McLaren drivers failing to make the top ten shootout-after the team had won this race for the last three years in succession-and Ferrari’s Brazilian Felipe Massa crashing out in Q2, his third big recent accident, following two at the Monaco Grand Prix. Mexican Sergio Perez qualified only 12th and his McLaren team-mate Jenson Button was 14th. The 2009 champion reflected: “To be fair, I’m not too upset. It’s pretty scary out there. I had my eyes closed for most of it. We struggled to get temperature into the tyres. It just didn’t go our way.” Sutil’s Force India team-mate Paul Di Resta failed to make the cut from Q1 and blamed the team. In an outspoken outburst, he said: “We spent far too much time trying to fix a problem, when the conditions were good, when the car could have run. — AFP
PARIS: Rafael Nadal is happy to suffer if it allows him to become the first man to capture the same Grand Slam title eight times when he tackles Spanish compatriot David Ferrer in today’s French Open final. Nadal, who won the Roland Garros crown in 2012 for the seventh time to pull clear of Bjorn Borg’s six titles, goes into his 17th Grand Slam final seeking a 12th major overall. Ferrer, 31, Nadal’s senior by four years, will be playing on this stage for the first time and will be handicapped by a 19-4 losing streak against his fellow Spaniard, 16 of those losses coming on clay. But Nadal is taking nothing for granted and is prepared for another marathon encounter after his epic 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7 (3/7), 9-7 win over world number one Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals. “I learned during all of my career to enjoy suffering, and these kind of matches are very special. You don’t have the chance to play these kind of matches every day,” said Nadal. He had twice led top seed Djokovic by a set and a break but had to come back from 4-2 down in the decider to seal a place in his eighth Paris final, extending his record to 58 wins in 59 matches at the tournament in the process. “When these kind of matches happen you suffer, but I really enjoy these moments. I really enjoy suffering, because what’s harder is when I am in Mallorca last year and I had to watch these kind of matches on the TV. “Today I am here. So you can lose, you can win, and that’s part of the sport. That’s the beautiful thing.” Nadal has been the sensation of 2013, winning 42 of 44 matches and six titles since his return in February from a sevenmonth injury lay-off to rest his troublesome knees. It was a low period of his life and career as he missed the Olympics as well as US and Australian Opens. Ferrer, the fourth seed, has reached his maiden final without los-
ing a set. He has slipped through the gap created when Andy Murray pulled out of the tournament with an injury and which was left wide open when Roger Federer was knocked out in the quarter-finals by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Ferrer then eased past the Frenchman 6-1, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 in his semi-final but he will be well aware that his only victory on clay against Nadal was in their first meeting at Stuttgart in 2004 when his compatriot was just 16. As well as losing to Nadal in the quarter-finals in Paris in 2005, and in the semi-finals last year, Ferrer has already lost three times to his countryman in 2013, again all on clay. “It’s a dream for me to be in the final of a Grand Slam, and Roland Garros is more important for me,” said Ferrer, who has lost eight straight to Nadal. “I will fight. It’s very difficult to beat Rafael on all the surfaces, but on a clay court it is more difficult. I think I need to play my best tennis to beat him. I need to play very aggressive all the match.” Ferrer should at least be the fresher of the two having spent six hours fewer than Nadal to get to the championship match. Today’s match will be the third all-Spanish final at a Grand Slam and all have come in Paris. Sergio Bruguera beat Alberto Berasategui in 1994, Carlos Moya saw off Alex Corretja four years later while, in 2002, Albert Costa got the better of Juan Carlos Ferrero. Victory for Nadal will take him clear of Roger Federer and Pete Sampras, who have seven Wimbledon titles, as the most successful player at one major in the Open era. Meanwhile, at 31 years and 68 days, Ferrer is bidding to become the oldest man to win a Grand Slam title since Andre Agassi (32 years 272 days) at the 2003 Australian Open. — AFP
Business
S Africa labour strife creating vicious cycle Page 22 KSE witnesses loss in unstable market
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China May trade data highlights concerns Page 25
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ST PETERSBURG: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars employees present an all-new Rolls-Royce Wraith during the unveiling of a new Rolls-Royce showroom in Russia’s second city of St Petersburg. —AFP
Euro-zone crisis over: French president Hollande seeks to allay Japanese fears over EU TOKYO: French President Francois Hollande sought to reassure Japanese business leaders yesterday that the euro-zone debt crisis is over but acknowledged that steps to boost the region’s growth and competitiveness need to be taken. In a speech on the final day of his visit to Japan, Hollande said that the potentially destructive debt crisis has served to “reinforce” Europe and foster greater integration of the 17 member economies that use the euro currency. He said authorities are developing tools to ensure greater stability and solidarity such as a Europe-wide “banking union” and budgetary rules. “What you need to understand here in Japan is that the crisis in Europe is over. And that we can work together, France and Japan, to open new doors for economic progress,” he said in the speech at the Imperial Hotel organized by The Nikkei, a major financial newspaper. Although the euro-zone debt crisis that erupted at the end of 2009 has eased, the region’s collective economy has shrunk for six straight quarters and unemployment has reached 12.2 percent, the highest since the euro was introduced in 1999. Hollande said Europe needs to put more emphasis on taking steps to promote growth and competitiveness “so that we can have a better presence in the world.” He also highlighted his proposal to create a common economic government for the euro-zone that would set economic policy. Hollande called Japan an “exceptional partner” and urged both countries to invest more in each other. France’s annual exports to Japan total about 7.5 billion euros ($9.8 billion), while its imports are just over 9 billion euros. Both rank 11th as respective trade partners. He said some people may have the impression that France and Japan are countries that have left their best years behind them, but they are mistaken. “We don’t think we are countries from the past. We
should lead the world economy,” he said. He said it was “encouraging” that Japan was embarking on a growth strategy under Prime Miniser Shinzo Abe to revive long stagnant growth through a massive monetary easing and fiscal stimulus. During the three-day visit, Japan and France agreed to deepen their cooperation on nuclear technology. Asked about the deal amid national debate in Japan over the future of nuclear energy after the Fukushima disaster, Holland reiterated that as forerunners in nuclear energy technology, the two nations need to cooperate over its safety “so that there is no doubt over its reliability.” Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and France’s Areva are cooperating on construction of a reactor in Turkey In response to a question about China, Hollande said that while France does have trade disputes with China - and a yawning trade deficit of 25 billion euros - Paris needs to “work with” Beijing and shouldn’t be expected to choose between Japan and China as they were both important regional economic powers. “We have the will to work with Asia, and not to oppose any particular country,” he said. “We have a friendly relationship with China for a long time now, and a relationship of exceptional partnership with Japan,” he said. “Please do not ask us to choose.” Hollande also commented on the trade dispute over solar panels between the European Union and China, saying discussion is ongoing and that the issue will be on the agenda in the upcoming meeting of the European Commission later this month. “We will debate this with the European Commission because it’s important that all European countries agree on the decisions made” he said. On Tuesday, the EU announced duties averaging 47 percent on Chinese-made solar panels, cells and wafers but said it would postpone imposing the full tariffs until August to allow time for negotiation. —AP
Egypt tackles fuel use to stave off summer crisis LONDON: Egypt will cut exports of natural gas and tell major industries to slow output this summer to avoid an energy crisis and stave off political unrest, the chairman of the Egyptian General Petroleum Company (EGPC) told Reuters. Tarek El-Barkatawy said Egypt was counting on top liquid natural gas (LNG) exporter Qatar to obtain additional gas volumes in summer, while encouraging factories to plan their annual maintenance for those months of peak demand. Cairo will also need to source more oil to meet seasonal driving demand. A restructuring of its huge subsidy programme will reduce smuggling by thieves who now siphon off a fifth of subsidised fuel to sell at profit, El-Barkatawy said. Under the new scheme, subsidies would be applied only at the retail stage, leaving fewer opportunities for theft in wholesale and shipping. The new chairman of the main state oil company took the top job last week after incumbent Sherif Hadara became oil minister. Previously, El-Barkatawy was under-secretary at the oil ministry and has worked for foreign oil companies. He arrives at a strained time in Egypt as the country has been struggling to buy fuel since the revolution that toppled President Hosni Mubarak in 2011. Egypt’s economy has floundered with political uncertainty and the loss of tourism, culminating in a currency crisis. Cairo now relies on large loans from friendly countries, notably Qatar, which allow it to buy diesel and gasoline on the open market. For crude oil, it has turned to Libya and Kuwait but the volume is still not enough to run its refineries at full capacity and meet summer demand. “We know that demand is more than supply. We are relying on imports,” the chairman said. Hopes of Iraqi oil arriving in time for summer are dwindling. Back in March, Iraq’s oil ministry said it was willing to supply 4 million barrels per month. “It is static. It has not been agreed yet, I
cannot say when it will be,” El-Barkatawy said. At the heart of the fuel problem is the subsidies, which account for around one fifth of Egypt’s GDP and could reach 120 billion Egyptian pounds ($17.4 billion) for the year ending in June as Egypt’s fuel needs are forever rising. Egypt produces its own energy but became a net oil importer in 2008 and is rapidly becoming a net importer of natural gas. The government pays for Egyptian drivers to buy fuel for as little as 15 US cents for a litre of diesel. Cairo’s new leaders worry that cuts to subsidies would risk political and social unrest, but without cuts the International Monetary Fund will not agree to a $4.8 billion loan seen as necessary to keep the public finances afloat. In addition, Egypt owes at least $5 billion to foreign oil producers, of which half is in arrears. Gas exports to drop further Long petrol queues and some protests have become the norm since 2011 and major cities have lately been hit by occasional black outs. To survive the summer, Egypt plans to reduce natural gas exports, with Qatar filling its customers’ needs through an LNG swap deal. The first such swap is due to occur in a few weeks, ElBarkatawy said. That will allow Egyptian gas to be diverted to feed Egypt’s own power plants, but even that will not be enough and Egypt will need to supplement it by burning fuel oil. “We will convert some burners to run on fuel oil... Either from our system or through imports,” he said. Egyptian gas exports have fallen steadily in recent years. Pipeline flows to Israel and to Jordan, Lebanon and Syria stopped last year while in LNG only the Idku export plant operated by BG Group is still working, and at reduced capacity. Exports from another LNG plant at Damietta stopped at the start of the year. Longer term, El-Barkatawy said the country aims to boost production of oil to 1 million barrels per day and natural gas to 7.5 billion cubic
feet per day in the next 3-5 years, both of which represent increases of about 35 percent. Egypt will achieve these levels as existing concessions come online and through new technologies, unconventional resources and exploration in the Red Sea and the south, he said. BP’s offshore finds in the Mediterranean should add 1 billion cubic feet per day of gas, with some eight other concessions due to come online to reduce depletion. Squeezing out the smuggler El-Barkatawy does not see a significant decrease in subsidy costs immediately as more ground work must be done, notably removing the smuggler from the equation. To target the middle men, Egypt plans to change the point at which the oil becomes priced at the subsidy level. At the moment, subsidies apply to the whole supply chain, which makes it possible to steal artificially cheap fuel in big quantities through large distribution networks and sell it at a profit at higher prices in Egypt or abroad. EGPC hopes to deter smugglers by keeping the price at the high international level until the actual point of sale. Distributors will no longer have access to subsidised fuel. “Once we deliver the diesel, the financial load will transfer to the gas station,” El-Barkatawy said. A new “smart card” system to track purchases of subsidised fuel, due to start next month, will also make it easier to fight theft. “We will introduce the smart card soon and even apply it to the assembly points and gas stations and make sure that any diesel or gasoline unloaded from ships is accounted for when it goes onto trucks to the distributors and gas stations.” Data accumulated from smart cards will eventually help the government reduce the subsidy bill without spurring protests and hurting industry, he said. “So by doing this, it will improve our credit level and will be one step in the right direction to secure the IMF loan.” —Reuters
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
BUSINESS
S Africa labour strife creating vicious cycle Labor issues spook investors, businesses JOHANNESBURG: Labour unrest in South Africa’s mines, which threatens to spread to bigger sectors like manufacturing, is plunging the economy into a vicious cycle that may spiral into stagflation, disinvestment and more social upheaval. South Africa’s rand has lost 16 percent against the dollar so far in 2013 and hit new fouryear lows this week, with mining worries triggering the latest sell-off - which picked up pace when data showed growth in Africa’s top economy slowed to a snail’s pace as manufacturing output shrank. All of this is spooking investors and sowing the seeds of more social discontent, as data shows a strong correlation between the rand’s performance against the dollar and inflation, with a time-lag of nine months. Inflation is currently just under six percent and will accelerate, with the biggest exchange-rate impact likely on food and fuel prices, which will hit working-class households hard. But the full impact of the rand’s current weakness will only be fully felt nine months hence, after the next round of wage agreements in mining and other sectors have been hammered out. These will be tough as worker militancy is on the rise amid a vicious turf war between a mining union linked to the ruling African National Congress and a more militant rival. Strikes are a certainty, which will strain incomes and knock the rand further, and any wage gains wrested from companies will mostly be devoured by inflation soon after. “There is a 9-month lag which generates the highest correlation between the depreciation of the rand and the impact on inflation,” said George Glynos, managing director at financial consultancy ETM Analytics. “Whatever disposable income you negotiate in your wage talks gets eroded away in the months that follow,” he said. This could easily fuel
worker anger next year, sparking another round of strikes. Investors in turn would make another stampede for the exits, undermining the rand again and reigniting the whole cycle as inflation was spurred anew. Of course, this cycle is not set in stone. Strike fatigue may set in with workers, many of whom have high levels of debt, which could temper such action or curtail wage demands. And the dance between the currency and prices can go two ways. The rand, a highly liquid emerging market currency, can change direction quickly and put the brakes on inflation. Wage-price spiral But there are plenty of causes for concern. Last week, as it kept interest rates on hold, the central bank said the “risk of a wage-price spiral remains high.” The risks have probably never been higher, given the state of labour militancy and the pent-up expectations of workers at the bottom of the pay scale who have seen little improvement in their lives two decades after the end of apartheid. The typical South African mineworker has eight dependants, many of whom live far from the shafts in remote rural areas. Despite aboveinflation pay increases in recent years the worst paid still only make close to 4,000 rand ($420) a month - around half the average wage in the industry, which has vast earnings disparities. Inflation in such circumstances works through the household pipeline in steadily corroding ways. First, prices in mining communities jump as the workers return to work and wages spike. This means less money than anticipated is sent back to home to dependants in rural areas. Inflation then filters through to the countryside as the affect of the rand’s slide and other factors make themselves felt in rising food and fuel costs.
Discontent is simmering on the platinum belt and there is real threat of a repeat of the 2012 mining unrest which killed over 50 people, cost gold and platinum producers billions of dollars in lost revenue and led to sovereign credit downgrades. Worryingly, there are signs the wildcat strike action that has rocked the mines could spread to other industries such as automobile manufacturing, a rare bright spot. South Africa’s main auto union last week threatened to “ halt produc tion” at a Volkswagen factory to protest against the dismissal of it members, days after the end of an illegal walkout at a Mercedes Benz plant. Data showed car making was the only part of manufac turing that grew in the first quar ter. Overall the sector declined by almost eight percent and economic growth braked to 0.9 percent in the quarter from 2.1 percent in Q4 last year. Wage pressures are also costing jobs in a country with an unemployment rate of over 25 percent. In the third quarter of last year alone, 15,000 jobs were shed in the mining sector. With the falling rand fanning inflation, growth slowing and the economy shedding jobs, stagflation - or something that looks a lot like it - is a very real prospect. Complicating matters is politics, as attempts by mining companies to cut jobs to stay profitable have met with intense resistance from the ANC-led government. World No. 1 platinum producer Anglo American Platinum has been forced to scale back from plans to cut up to 14,000 jobs in a bid to return to profit. But if it continues to post losses, jobs will eventually have to go, one way or the other. If this inflamed social tensions, investors would flee again and spark another rand sell-off, setting in motion a familiar dizzying cycle. —Reuters
PAMPLONA: People affected by evictions protest in front of a Santander Bank, in Pamplona northern Spain on Friday, June 7, 2013. Banner at centre reads ‘Evictions. We have rats’ and at left ‘ This bank cons you - Fraud - and they throw people out of their homes’ —AP
Burgan Bank unveils Youth Account offer KUWAIT: Burgan Bank yesterday announced that it is offering the chance for its Youth Account holders to win a trip to Spain to attend the world’s much awaited football matches between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. Youth Account holders are given an automatic entry with every KD20 in their accounts. One winner will be awarded with two tickets to attend the match as well as air fare and accommo-
dation for five days as well as a tour in the stadium. Burgan Bank ’s Youth Account was launched for young individuals, around the ages of 15 to 25, who seek to attain a successful future. There is no limit to open an account, and no minimum balance required to maintain it. Furthermore, account holders receive free prepaid card and an ATM card which entitle them to discounts at select merchandisers.
Bayt.com Poll
Is a freelancing career in Middle East a good option? Being a freelancer sure beats the constraints of a regular 9-to-5 job, but as they say, freedom always comes with a price. Bayt.com recently conducted a poll to gauge perceptions of the freelance job market in the Middle East. The poll entitled “The Bayt.com State of the Freelance Market in the MENA Region”, June 2013, reveals that freelancing is considered by 75.2 percent of respondents to be a good option for someone work ing in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. So, how viable is freelancing in the MENA region? And is it possible to take on freelancing on a full-time basis? The career experts at Bayt.com, the Middle East’s #1 job site answer some of these questions by weighing the pros and cons of a freelancing career in the Middle East:
2. Make more money If you have the drive in you, you can stand to make more money freelancing. You can take on more clients or more projects than if you were working for a company. In fact, 64 percent of professionals in the region would take up freelancing to earn more, while 55 percent say that freelancers have the potential to earn more than full-time employees.
The pros 1. Choose when to work With freelancing, you get to choose when you work. You’re working for yourself, after all. Are you a morning person who wants to stop working at lunchtime? Or are you a night owl who loves to sleep in? As long as you get the work done, that’s all that matters.
4. Do what you love We all seek to do things we love and get paid for it. Confucius was right when he said, “If you enjoy what you do, you’ll never work another day in your life”. Today there are many people who wake up in the morning and don’t look forward to a day’s work. With freelancing you can do things you love and get paid at the same time. 24 percent of pro-
3. Achieve a better work-life balance 31 percent of professionals in MENA say freelancing is a good option for a better work-life balance. As a freelancer there are many ways that you’ll be likely to see your family more. This could be the fact that you’re actually working from a home office. Not only will this make you happier but it will give a boost to both your creativity and productivity.
fessionals in MENA believe that freelancing would allow more focus on what they love to do. 5. Control your career path When you’re a freelancer you can mold your future to a large degree. You can choose what kind of projects to work on, when to do them, how much extra work you need, and what direction to take. 12 percent of professionals feel that freelancing can give them better control over their career path. The cons 1. Inconsistent flow of work At a company or firm, you’re pretty much guaranteed work. You come in and there is always work for you to do. As a freelancer, on the other hand, work is never guaranteed. Based on the overall state of the market, opportunities are not always plentiful. 2. Inconsistent income With inconsistent flow of work comes inconsistent income. When you freelance you’ll never know exactly what you’ll get paid from month to month. This can be hard to live with for many people, especially when you have a lot of fixed monthly expenses that have to be paid.
3. You have to find work on your own With freelancing, you don’t just spend time working; you also need to spend time finding new clients and work. When you work for a company, the incoming work is taken care of for you. Even though you may know some people here and there, actually having them sign a contract with you doesn’t have to be all that easy. In fact, 31 percent of professionals in MENA said that they don’t know how or where to start. This is why networking in freelancing is key to success. 4. Many laws and regulations Again depending on which country you’re in, there are laws and regulations you need to know. It can be quite a job to read up on all these and get everything done right, but it’s necessary. On a related note, visa issues are considered a major concern for 15.6 percent of professionals in MENA who want to embark on a freelancing career. 5. Takes a lot of discipline Being your own boss, getting up in the mornings, doing what you’re supposed to do and so on takes a lot of discipline. One thing that’s definitely for sure is that freelancing isn’t for everyone.
6. No benefits The biggest bummer of all: you’re not getting any medical coverage, paid sick days, paid leave, retirement savings, and many other common employee perks and benefits if you want to take up freelancing as your latest career move. So, should you consider freelancing on a full-time basis? In light of the above, it’s definitely hard to be a freelancer. But it can also be extremely rewarding. Most things have pros and cons and it’s up to you to decide how all of these points weigh in on that final decision. Our study has found that good freelancers are flexible and adaptable (28 percent), have great self-confidence (16 percent), are good at multi-tasking (15 percent), have good time management skills (15 percent), and have excellent communication skills (10 percent). So, the best candidates for a free lance career are self-motivated, punctual, and organized individuals who do not mind work ing alone. They must enjoy working from home and setting their own schedule while successfully managing to achieve a good work-life balance.
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
ASIAN COUNTRIES 2.932 5.024 2.900 2.258 3.144 230.650 36.845 3.667 6.786
.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
Thai Baht Malaysian ringgit Irani Riyal Irani Riyal
9.355 94.271 0.271 0.273 GCC COUNTRIES Saudi Riyal 76.297 Qatari Riyal 78.615 Omani Riyal 743.150 Bahraini Dinar 759.930 UAE Dirham 77.919 ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash 40.200 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 40.194 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.335 Tunisian Dinar 177.310 Jordanian Dinar 404.040 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.919 Syrian Lier 3.108 Morocco Dirham 34.458 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 286.000 Euro 380.950 Sterling Pound 447.880 Canadian dollar 283.170 Turkish lira 152.940 Swiss Franc 309.520 Australian Dollar 273.700 US Dollar Buying 284.800 GOLD 20 Gram 265.000 10 Gram 134.000 5 Gram 70.000
UAE Exchange Centre WLL COUNTRY 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
SELL DRAFT 275.96 283.06 313.19 382.40 285.40 448.60 3.04 3.676 4.990 2.240 3.132 2.890 77.77 759.61 40.24 406.18
SELL CASH 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
Omani Riyal Qatari Riyal Saudi Riyal
742.22 78.81 76.24
748.000 79.500 77.000
Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd 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 285.750 279.800 441.500 375.115 303.510 756.505 77.715 78.465 76.165 402.805 40.260 2.266 5.022 2.899 3.669 6.768 700.960 3.875 9.480 4.080 3.260 92.310
Bahrain Exchange Company COUNTRY 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 0.4335032 0.0064456 0.0462289 0.3697416 0.0451897 0.4215235 0.0393587 0.2986722 Australasia 0.2597512 0.2182144 0.0001134 America 0.2687854 0.0001454 0.2836500 Asia 0.0036247 0.0031709 0.0456177 0.0165200
SELLDRAFT 0.4425032 0.0184456 0.0512289 0.3772418 0.0503897 0.4290235 0.0443587 0.3056722 0.2717512 0.2282144 0.0001134 0.2777854 0.0001634 0.2858000 0.0036797 0.0034009 0.0506177 0.0196200
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
0.0000444 0.0342773 0.0049664 0.0000242 0.0028565 0.0027989 0.0033322 0.0885410 0.0029876 0.0028738 0.0063187 0.0000730 0.2245142 0.0022171 0.0089541 Arab 0.7516636 0.0382568 0.0128708 0.1453177 0.0000795 0.0001740 0.3975361 1.0000000 0.0001753 0.0216967 0.0012162 0.7313278 0.0778468 0.0756800 0.0464705 0.0027630 0.1736564 0.0763855 0.0012694
Al Mulla Exchange Currency US Dollar Euro Pound Sterling Canadian Dollar Japanese Yen Indian Rupee Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupee Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso Pakistan Rupee Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham Saudi Riyal *Rates are subject to change
Transfer Rate (Per 1000) 285.400 377.050 442.350 277.550 2.925 5.030 40.245 2.256 3.677 6.768 2.902 760.050 77.800 76.250
0.0000504 0.0373773 0.0050304 0.0000293 0.0038565 0.0029789 0.0035622 0.0955410 0.0031876 0.0029138 0.0067887 0.0000760 0.2305142 0.0022591 0.0095541 0.7601636 0.0402868 0.0193706 0.1471077 0.0000800 0.0002340 0.4050361 1.0000000 0.0001953 0.0456967 0.0018512 0.7423278 0.0786298 0.0763200 0.0470205 0.0029830 0.1796564 0.0778355 0.0013894
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
BUSINESS
Warba Bank introduces additional distinct offer KUWAIT: Warba Bank announced its new offers for personal finance products and credit cards customers. These customers will be given a free triple Takaful insurance policy covering travel, road assistance, death and permanent total disability due to an accident. Warba Bank offers this for the first time in Kuwait. The offer is available only to the bank’s customers and this full insurance policy will cover them inside and outside Kuwait. Speaking about the offer, Adnan Salman Al-
Adnan Salman Al-Salem Salem, Chief Retail Banking Officer, Warba Bank, commented: “This is a special offer only for our customers who want to avail personal finance products or credit cards in all categories, namely, Classic, Golden and Platinum. We offer this triple Takaful insurance bundle free for a year from the date of the transaction or the date when the cred-
it card is issued.” Al-Salem added: “From the outset, we made a promise to our customers to provide them with the best and latest Islamic banking services. In this spirit, we are offering this policy as a free gift to cover personal accident and road assistance in Kuwait, as well as Travel Assist.” Warba Bank provides its customers with added values, services and products. Its newest offer has been timed to coincide with the beginning of the summer travel season to cover the travel insurance requirements for all countries. The Takaful insurance policy is aligned with the requirements for obtaining a Schengen visa to European countries. Al-Salem concluded: “The triple Takaful insurance bundle has been designed in such a way that customers can use it in Kuwait to cover road assistance, according to the terms and conditions of the policy. Among its other advantages, Takaful insurance is guaranteed to cover personal accident for the policyholder against the risks of death and total disability resulting from accidents in Kuwait. This policy is given only to Warba Bank’s customers between the age of 21 and 65 years.” Warba Bank offers both consumer and housing personal finance at competitive rates supported by high quality service. Warba finance products can be availed easily and promptly when the required documents are complete. Warba Bank credit cards are unique for their agreed credit ceilings and the freedom they offer to choose the best way to pay back the due balance for all cards categories (Classic, Golden and Platinum) without added costs, which complies with the principles of Sharia. In addition to their distinctive contemporary designs and high quality materials, the cards operate with the latest smart chip technology, providing trust and security for the client’s peace of mind. Customers can know more about the new Takaful insurance offer by visiting any of the bank’s branches.
Wal-Mart set to perk up produce sections NEW YORK: Wal-Mart Stores Inc, which is working to keep its produce aisles fresh, announced steps to improve the quality of its fresh fruits and vegetables. The nation’s largest grocer and retailer said it is making more changes in its operations, training and sourcing as it addresses concerns about the bananas, lettuce and other produce it sells. Changes include delivering produce from farms to store shelves more quickly by purchasing fruits and vegetables directly from local growers. It’s also conducting independent weekly checks of the produce aisles at its more than, 3,400 Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and Express stores. Wal-Mart, based in Bentonville, Ark., said it also launched a produce training program for 70,000 associates, including store managers, that teaches them how to better handle fruits and vegetables. “We’re listening to our customers and delivering on our promise to offer great produce at the most affordable price,” said Jack Sinclair,
executive vice president of the grocery business for Wal-Mart’s US division, which garnered 55 percent of its total sales last year in groceries, including produce. The steps follow several commitments that Wal-Mart has made to make the food it sells healthier and more affordable since 2011. As part of that commitment, WalMart reiterated it’s working closely with local growers and aims to double the company’s sales of local grown produce by December 2015. So far, the efforts to improve the quality of its produce appear to be working. During the company’s first quarter, Wal-Mart saw mid-singledigit percentage sales increases in its produce business. The moves come as fresh fruits and vegetables have become the latest battleground in the supermarket wars, fueled by shoppers’ demands for healthier eating and the need for stores to differentiate themselves from rivals. Sinclair told reporters on a conference call that it is seeing demand for healthier food from customers across all demographics. —AP
US auto sales see big gains in May Strong auto sales boost US economy
DETROIT: Price cuts at Nissan and strong demand for pickup trucks helped US auto sales rebound in May after a slight dip in April. General Motors reported its strongest monthly sales since September of 2008. Chrysler, Ford, and Toyota also reported increases. Nissan Motor Co notched its highest May sales ever after cutting prices on seven popular models early in the month. Only Volkswagen said sales fell compared with May of last year. The strong sales are another sign that auto sales will continue to boost the US economy, as consumers replace aging vehicles and businesses invest in trucks as they gain confidence. Builders are buying pickup trucks at a rapid pact as home construction continues to rebound. Ford Motor Co said sales of its F-Series pickup - the nation’s best-selling vehicle - hit 71,604, their highest sales since March 2007. Chrysler Group said Ram pickup sales jumped 22 percent from last May to almost 32,000. Chevy Silverado sales rose 25 percent to more than 43,000. Analysts expected a strong May for the industry after a slightly disappointed April. They forecast a 7 percent increase over May 2012 to around 1.4 million vehicles, putting the industry back on pace for full-year sales of more than 15 million. In April, the annualized rate dropped below 15 million for the first time in six months, causing some concern that the industry’s recovery could be slowing. “This quick rebound is just another example of how the auto industry is currently one of the most resilient areas of the overall economy,” said Jessica Caldwell, a senior analyst at car-shopping site Edmunds.com. Chrysler even predicted that May sales would hit an annual rate of 15.5 million. Truck sales, combined with increases in other vehicles, show that the economic recovery is sticking, said Kurt McNeil, GM’s vice president of sales. “These are all powerful signs that the gradual recovery in the economy is becoming more broad-based,”
Graduates set to take new course of action
CHICAGO: In 2010, Jessica Underwood graduated from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis, with a stellar academic record, a can-do attitude and a newly minted business degree. But it’s been a rough entry into the real world. Like many of her peers, the 24year-old has acutely felt the stress of a sluggish economy, landing in low-wage jobs, such as telemarketing and retail. “I applied to anything I could find ... sometimes filling out 10 applications a day,” said the Downers Grove, Ill., resident. “But it was just like a ticket to nowhere.” Three years after graduation, Underwood decided that she needed to reboot - and fast. At the College of DuPage, she enrolled in the paralegal certification program, which offered a robust hiring outlook, but also the chance to reinvent herself in only 18 months. While community colleges have long been known for their affordability, they are now touting speed and flexibility, as well. Marketing terms such as “fast-track,” “accelerate” and “career in a year” are being embraced by these institutions, which have seen enrollments surge since the recession, especially among laid-off middle-aged Americans seeking new skills. But appealing to students like Underwood - who have already donned a cap and gown - is a relatively recent phenomena. The shift is coming at a time when sky-high tuition, abysmally low graduation rates and record student debt has sparked a national conversation on the value of college. “Higher education is going through a tremendous flux right now,” said Norma Kent of American Association of Community Colleges. “Everyone is looking for ways to be relevant, and everything we do is being examined.” At Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, which unveiled its “Career in a Year” campaign in January, enrollment jumped by about 50 percent in programs such as home inspection and dialysis/pharmacy technicians. When Harper College in Palatine launched its “fast track” advanced manufacturing program - certification in one semester, followed by a paid internship with a partner company - the information session attracted a standingroom-only crowd. “Companies just don’t have the time to train people on the job anymore,” said Maria Coons, a Harper administrator. “So they come here, acquire additional skills and go to work.” More than ever, companies want people adept at communicating, critical thinking and problem-solving - all hallmarks of a liberal arts education. Studies continue to show that people with a four-year degree earn more, on average, over the course of their lifetime than those without college degrees. But employers say there’s often a mismatch between what traditional colleges are producing and what they need. One of the biggest voids in the marketplace is “middle-skills” jobs, which require special training or certification. Almost a third - 17 million out of 55 million - of new openings between now and 2020 are going to require these skills as baby boomers retire, said Anthony Carnevale, executive director of Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce. The demand is especially high in fields like health care, information technology and manufacturing. And while classroom time can vary, many programs give students credit for their previous learning, allowing them to be work-ready in record time. Middle-skills jobs are also important because they often bring middle-class paychecks. For example, 62 percent of these positions pay $35,000 per year or more and 14 percent pay at least $75,000 - far better than the typical sociology or English major earns waiting on tables, according to Carnevale. “The certification is the fastest-growing credential in the entire post-secondary system,” Carnevale said. But he cautioned against jumping into programs that promise too much, too soon to recent graduates desperate to get a toehold in the labor market. Without the proper accreditation, said Carnevale, you could find yourself with even more debt or mismatched skills. “Let the
ILLINOIS: Jessica Underwood of Downers Grove, Illinois, graduated from college with good grades but had trouble finding work so she took a course offering quick instruction in paralegal work. —MCT buyer beware, the best way to find out whether or not a program will lead you to a job is to find out from the people who graduated from the same program.” Underwood thought her general business degree would make her instantly employable. “I wish someone told me to get some kind of specialty. It probably would have made my job search a lot easier.” After graduation from Carthage, she moved back to her hometown of Freeport, where she found herself vying for positions that, in an earlier era, would require only a high school diploma. She sold AT&T packages, insurance for Bankers Life & Casualty and managed an office for Prudential. “It was cold-calling, 100 percent commission and really tough,” said Underwood, who also worked part time at Victoria’s Secret to help pay the bills, which included about $60,000 in college loans. Eventually, something had to give. Her boyfriend lived in Downers Grove, so she looked at the offerings at College of DuPage and started the paralegal program in January. “I am very organized, so I thought this was a good fit for my personality... plus it was something I could finish fairly quickly.” Next May, she’ll be a paralegal, where the median pay is almost $47,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Sarah Cole, 25, has also gone the certification route. The Wheeling resident, who holds a biology and math degree from Roosevelt University, made a key discovery before graduation: “Blood makes me queasy.” So she took a job at Columbia College in the maintenance/engineering department, while she figured out her next move. To her surprise, Cole had a real affinity for the position. Rather than being the “dirty hands” labor of the old economy, today’s systems are increasingly complex, requiring that technicians be more savvy about programming a computer than crawling into a vent.—MCT
he said in a statement. Here’s the breakdown of how the market’s key players performed in April: Detroit automakers: General Motors Co sales rose 3 percent thanks to the continuing strength of the Chevrolet Silverado pickup. Sales of the Buick Verano, Chevrolet Cruze and Chevrolet Sonic small cars all rose by double digits. Cadillac brand sales
were flat. Ford plans to increase thirdquarter North American production 10 percent to 740,000 vehicles. Second-quarter production is unchanged at 800,000. Chrysler sales were up 11 percent on strong demand for the Ram and Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV. It was the company’s best May sales in six years. The figures surprised some analysts who had
almost 208,000. The company said warmer weather and excellent Memorial Day sales drove up the total. Others: Volkswagen sales fell 1.7 percent, with sales of all models falling but the Jetta, Beetle, Passat and Tiguan. Memorial Day offers - such as Chevrolet’s $500 cash rebate on top of other discounts - also juiced sales, Kelley Blue Book analyst Alec Gutierrez
ILLINOIS: Jeep Wranglers are offered for sale at Napleton’s Auto Group. —AP rose nearly 40 percent. But Buick sales fell 3 percent, and sales of the Impala full-size car and Malibu midsize sedan plummeted more than 30 percent. Ford sales rose 14 percent in May as the F-Series rose 31 percent. Other strong sellers included the Ford Fusion sedan, which gained 10 percent, and the Ford Escape, which was up 26 percent. Ford sold more than 29,000 Escapes, the highest monthly total since the small SUV’s introduction 13 years ago. Lincoln brand sales
expected a sales decline. Japanese automakers: Nissan sales gained 25 percent over a year ago. The total of 114,000 set a company record for May. Analysts expected a big month after Nissan cut prices on seven models. Sales of the Altima midsize sedan rose 41 percent, while sales of the redesigned Pathfinder SUV more than quadrupled. Nissan sold 2,100 Leaf electric cars, the best month since the car hit the market two years ago. Toyota sales rose 2.5 percent in May to
said. But beyond Nissan and holiday bargains, automakers pushed prices higher and reduced discounts last month because of strong demand, according to the car-buying site TrueCar.com. The average vehicle in the US sold for $30,978 last month, a 2 percent increase from May of last year, the company said. Automakers cut incentives such as rebates and lowinterest loans by 3 percent to an average of $2,482 per vehicle, TrueCar figures show. —AP
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
BUSINESS
KSE witnesses loss in unstable market BAYAN INVESTMENT WEEKLY KUWAIT: Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) ended last week in the red zone. The price index ended last week with an decrease amounted to 3.28 percent, and the weighted index retreated by 1.50 percent compared to the closings of the week before. In addition KSX-15 index decreased by 1.23 percent. Furthermore, last week’s average daily turnover decreased by 22.37 percent, compared to the preceding week, reaching KD 92.78 million, whereas trading volume average was 1.09 billion shares, recording decrease of 10.11 percent. Kuwait stock market shed last week after strong salefor-profit operations, in a highly unstable performance and in light of the large speculative operations of most last week’s sessions. As a result, all the market indices closed in the red zone for the first time of this year. In addition, the market initiated last week’s activity with large losses for all its indicators, especially the price index which dropped in the first session of the week to its lowest in one day since almost the mid of 2009, where its losses exceeded 3 percent, in light of the significant decrease in cash liquidity; therefore the trading value dropped by more than 50 percent by the end of this session. Despite the indices strong losses of last week, this action was considered important and needed and expected, especially after the big jumps in many of the listed stocks prices since late of last year and up to date, which increased the gap between the main indices, thus needed a correction action to tighten this gap. For the annual performance, the price index ended last week recording 35.28 percent annual gain compared to its closing in 2012, while the weighted index increased by 12.25 percent, and the KSX-15 recorded 8.80 percent increase. By the end of the week, the price index closed at 8,027.98 points, down by 3.28 percent from the week before closing, whereas the weighted index registered a 1.50 percent weekly loss after closing at 468.82 points. Moreover, the KSX-15 index closed at 1,097.84 points, decreasing with 1.23 percent. Sectors’ indices Ten of KSE’s sectors ended last week in the red zone, while the other two recorded increases. The Insurance sector headed the losers list as its index declined by 5.45 percent to end the week’s activity at 1,152.35 points. The financial services sector was second on the losers’ list, which index declined by 5.22 percent, closing at 1,179.97 points, followed by the telecommunications sector, as its index closed at 923.61 points at a loss of 4.63 percent. The
oil & gas sector was the least declining as its index closed at 1,213.72 points with a 1.63 percent decrease. On the other hand, last week’s highest gainer was the technology sector, achieving 2.77 percent growth rate as its index closed at 1,183.91 points. Whereas, in the second place, the healthcare sector’s index closed at 1,130.74 points recording 0.79 percent increase. Sectors’ activity The financial services sector dominated total trade volume during last week with 1.77 billion shares changing hands, representing 40.65 percent of the total market trading volume. The real estate sector was second in terms of trading volume as the sector’s traded shares were 26.39 percent of last week’s total trading volume, with a total of 1.15 billion shares. On the other hand, the financial services sector’s stocks were the highest traded in terms of value; with a turnover of KD 126.11 million or 33.98 percent of last week’s total market trading value. The real estate sector took the second place as the sector’s last week turnover of KD 104.12 million represented 28.05 percent of the total market trading value.
When building a portfolio, are BRICS still a buy? NEW YORK: Down, down, down. That’s the direction of stocks in the BRICS economies, which were investment darlings last year but now seem like dead weights. In stock market terms, it’s been a disappointing year for the emerging-market powerhouses that make up the cute acronym: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Almost all the major stock indexes are lower in the five countries. The market in the US, by contrast, is up 15 percent. But BRICS, for a lot of reasons, are still a good buy in the eyes of many investors, who think this year’s declines are just a temporary blip and not a long-term trend. The economy is growing in every BRICS country. China expanded at a rate of nearly 8 percent last year, lower than previous years but enviable to most everyone else, including the US, which grew just a hair above 2 percent. Growth in the BRICS countries will continue to outstrip that of the developed world, and even that of overall emerging markets, for at least the next five years, according to the International Monetary Fund. Indeed, what made emerging markets so attractive in the first place - namely, untapped potential is still in ample supply in the BRICS. For most, their workforces are young and expanding; their poverty rates are falling; their life expectancy is growing. Together, they account for about 42 percent of the world’s population. Their demographics are “way, way better” than the developed world’s, says Derrick Irwin, portfolio manager at Wells Fargo Advantage Funds. And as for the troubling declines in the BRICS stock markets this year? Not to worry, say Irwin and others. The stocks have room to grow. Irwin says emerging-market countries, which include BRICS, represent about 29 percent of the global economy but just 12 percent of global stock market value. That means the emerging-market stocks are “punching beneath their weight,” he says, and “still maturing.” The US, on the other hand, is punching above its weight: It takes up 47 percent of the world’s stock market value, but makes up less than 24 percent of the world economy, according to calculations using the MSCI All Country World Index. Luiz Carvalho, managing partner at Tree Capital, thinks that concerns about the BRICS stock markets are overblown and are already accounted for in the lower stock prices. He believes that now they’re set to grow. The BRIC term was invented in 2001 by Jim O’Neill, the well-known Goldman Sachs economist. He needed a shorthand way to refer to four big, developing countries that seemed poised to drive global growth. It was just BRIC back then, not BRICS, because O’Neill didn’t include South Africa. The acronym caught on and was embraced by the countries. Brazil, Russia, India and China held a BRIC
summit in 2009. Two years later, they invited South Africa to join. Investors caught on, too. From 2001 to 2007, the BRICS countries clocked better stock gains than the world’s most industrialized countries. But the BRICS beat the developed countries only twice from 2008 to 2012, as measured by the MSCI BRIC index and the MSCI G7 index, which encompasses the seven most industrialized countries in the world. For investors, it’s important to remember that even if BRICS are lumped together in hearts, minds and analyst reports, they still should be examined individually. “Not all BRIC countries are created alike,” says Anthony Chan, chief economist for Chase Private Client. For short-term prospects, he likes China best, with Brazil a distant second, but he has concerns about South Africa. Still, he’s optimistic about all the BRICS. If they “pursue the right policy paths,” he says, their growth rates will be “much more exciting than the developed markets’.” Here’s a quick glance at each country. Brazil: Declining demand for iron ore and other raw materials has hurt Brazil. The central bank has tried to stimulate the economy and met only limited success. Growth was less than 1 percent last year and roughly 3 percent in 2011, a disappointment after growth of nearly 8 percent in 2010. Some analysts think a turnaround is near. The government has been trying to trim energy costs and strengthen investment in infrastructure, according to the World Bank. Much depends on China, which is Brazil’s biggest trading partner. Growth is expected to rise to 3 percent this year. Stocks: The Brazil Bovespa is down 15 percent this year, after rising 7 percent last year. Russia: Russia depends heavily on oil and gas exploration and production, so it has suffered as prices have flat lined. Labor strikes and a lack of business investment have derailed productivity. Its population, unlike in other BRICS, is shrinking. Growth has been around 3 or 4 percent for the past three years, roughly in line with the world average but still below where it was before the financial crisis. Growth is expected to be about 3 percent this year, unchanged from 2012. The World Bank says the country needs to shrink the government’s involvement in the economy, clamp down on corruption and map out a plan for its aging population. Stocks: The MSCI Russia index is down 13 percent this year, after rising 5 percent last year. India: Growth dipped to 4 percent last year, which is
slow by India standards. It’s possible that the economy is just taking a breather after years of blistering growth, experts say. India’s growth eased to 8 percent in 2011 from 11 percent in 2010. Some investors see deeper problems, though. There are worries that the country, despite some recent changes, hasn’t done enough to open itself up to foreign investors. Others are waiting to see how elections fare next year, and wonder if a new government could stoke stability and tamp down corruption. As more workers move from the countryside to the cities, it’s vital that the country spend more on infrastructure like roads and the electric grid. India’s economy is projected to grow 6 percent this year. Stocks: The India SENSEX is flat this year, after rising 26 percent last year. China: China has powered forward as it moves toward more of a market-based economy. It propped up the world economy in the depths of the financial crisis, growing rapidly even when the economies of most other countries shrank. In 2012, China’s economy grew about 8 percent. That was down from the 9 and 10 percent range of the previous four years but still one of the fastest rates in the world. Chan, from Chase Private Client, thinks the slowdown reflects the country’s rebalancing from an export-based economy to one more focused on consumer spending. The government is pumping more money into social programs, which should also spur consumer spending. Growth is expected to be 8 percent this year. Stocks: The Shanghai Composite Index is down 3 percent this year, after rising 3 percent last year. South Africa: South Africa has successfully transformed itself from apartheid to a democracy with modern infrastructure. Growth, however, has been around just 2 or 3 percent for the past three years, less than the world average. It is expected to pick up slightly this year to 2.8 percent from 2.5 percent. The country is saddled with a devastating unemployment rate of 25 percent, and it’s expected to get worse. The country was hurt by an electricity crisis in 2007, which was caused by aging power plants. Then the global financial crisis reduced demand for South Africa’s raw materials, including gold, diamonds and platinum. This year, the mining industry has been plagued by violent strikes. High rates of HIV and AIDS are straining the health-care system, and deep inequalities between the rich and poor are hindering growth, according to the World Bank. Stocks: The MSCI South Africa index is down 5 percent this year, after rising 21 percent last year. — AP
RAWALPINDI: A Pakistani scavenger carries recyclable materials over his back as he walks down a street yesterday. Pakistan has suffered several years of weak growth and its currency has slid in value while foreign exchange reserves have dwindled. — AFP
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
BUSINESS
Nicaragua fast-tracks huge project MANAGUA: Nicaragua is trying to revive a centuries-old dream of building an interocean canal, a project experts say could take 11 years to build, cost $40 billion and require digging about 130 miles (200 kilometers) of waterway. The government is seeking to rush approval of a canal linking the Pacific to the Atlantic through the country’s congress in less than two weeks in a nation that doesn’t even yet have a paved road connecting the two oceans. And some congressmen are asking why there’s such a rush, calling for a cool head and a careful consideration of costs and benefits, both environmental and economic. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega presented the project just Tuesday and hopes to submit it to at least an initial vote tomorrow, and gain final approval by next Friday. Just as the Panama Canal was a projection of growing US power at the start of the 20th century, the Nicaragua project is an expression of China’s growing influence and financial clout around the world. Some are concerned, however, that while China’s record in big infrastructure projects is solid, its track record on environmental sensitivity is unenviable. The demand will probably be there by the time the project is finished, said Jason Bittner, director of the Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of Southern Florida. The question is whether the route can compete with its two big competitors, the century-old Panama Canal and the “land bridge” of railway networks that connect US West Coast ports with the East Coast. “I don’t anticipate there being any reduced demand in trade between the global trading partners, so East Asia and the eastern United States will continue to have significant trade,” said Bittner. “If you make this large public sector investment, it will be used, as long as it’s priced properly, as long as the Panama Canal isn’t significantly undercutting it.” Nicaragua, like Panama, which is currently expanding its own canal to handle wider ships, has lots of water. But much of Nicaragua’s water is earmarked for human use, and its lush rivers are too environmentally sensitive to be simply dredged into waterways or dammed to provide water to operate locks. Panama faced few such restrictions in the early 1900s when its canal was built. In a previous presentation of the project presented in 2006, the promoters acknowledged there would probably have to be some dam-building, perhaps on rivers as diplomatically and environmentally sensitive as the San Juan river, which runs along the border with neighboring Costa Rica. With 1.7 billion gallons (6.6 million cubic meters) of water per day needed to run Nicaragua’s proposed locks, and tens of millions of tons of excavation needed - the canal will be 200 feet (60 meters) deep in places - the project looks daunting. But Bittner noted that these projects usually do. “Certainly in scope, in technology even the just effort of doing so, it is really not that much different from cutting the original Panama Canal,” he said. “I mean these things that we have done, the entire interstate highway system, these are massive projects that, if you were trying to put a lens to them, and say ‘we can’t get this because they’re so massive,’ we probably wouldn’t have done them, but nonetheless, there they sit.” There are key differences: Nicaragua’s canal would have to be more than three times longer than Panama’s, which cuts through Central
America’s narrowest point. Eduardo Lugo, a Panamanian expert who worked for 10 years on traffic-demand calculations for Panama’s own expansion effort and now works as a private consultant, said the length would tend to make the project less competitive. “It’s very long, both to dredge it and maintain it. That is going to require high maintenance costs.” The Nicaraguan canal’s promoters argued in the 2006 presentation, whose calculations would now probably have to be set back seven years, that they could capture 4.5 percent of world maritime freight traffic and earn 22-percent profits by 2025, though their cost estimates at the time were much lower than the project presented this week. Promoters say the Nicaraguan canal has a key advantage: it’s not all artificial. The huge Lake Nicaragua sits separated from the Pacific by a thin strip of land; once inside, big oceangoing freighters could travel about 50 miles (80 kilometers) on the lake’s waters before going through a pair of locks, and into a waterway dug across the waist of the country to the low, swampy Atlantic coast. Still, Lugo notes, “this is a huge project that has a lot of engineering and construction challenges. It would have very high costs and these projects are basically carried out based on returns on investment.” “But $40 billion is an extremely high amount and based on my experience and the studies we have done on world trade flows, the amount of traffic that would be needed to pay for a project of this size doesn’t exist.” Panama, which already has a steady income flow from its canal, thought long and hard before embarking on a 7-year, $5.2 billion expansion project, scheduled to be finished next year, to allow larger ships to use its waterway. Nicaragua, however, is rushing in. Proponents say freight traffic demand will outstrip the capacity of even the expanded Panama canal by more than 300 percent by 2025. They say the waterway could create 40,000 construction jobs and essentially double the per-capita GDP of Nicaragua, one of the poorest countries in Latin America. The government plans to grant the Chinese company a concession for 100 years. The Hong Kong-registered company, HK Nicaragua Canal Development Investment Co. Ltd., has an office in the Nicaraguan capital. It said it would wait until congress votes on it to express an opinion. The company said in a statement that it is willing to fully study the technological, economic, environmental and social impact of the project. “Our intention is to build a world-class project, with high standards,” the company said. The director, Wang Jing, is listed as being a director of 12 other existing or dissolved Hong Kong companies. Nicaraguan congressional leader Rene Nunez, an Ortega supporter, said “this is a question of a project that is very important for the country, and that is why it is being given urgent priority.” “I think it is urgently necessary to solve problems like unemployment and making Nicaragua more attractive to investors, and that’s why we should approve this speedily,” said Erwin Castro, a congressman from Ortega’s Sandinista Front. “I do not understand what the rush is,” said opposition congressman Luis Callejas, who said lawmakers have been asked to discuss the bill Friday. “It’s such a sensitive topic that the population should be consulted.” — AP
BEIJING: A balloon-seller cycles along a street during wet weather. — AFP
China May trade data highlights concerns Domestic demand continues to be slack BEIJING: China yesterday reported a sharp slowdown in exports in May compared to the previous month while imports unexpectedly dropped, as the world’s second largest economy grapples with slowing growth and sluggish overseas demand. Overseas shipments rose just one percent to $182.8 billion last month, far lower than 14.7 percent recorded in April, customs authorities said in a statement. It also missed a medium forecast of 5.6 percent expansion in a Dow Jones Newswires’ poll of economists. Imports dropped 0.3 percent to $162.3 billion, said the statement, down from a rise of 16.8 percent in April and well below the economists’ median forecast of a five percent increase. Trade surplus stood at $20.4 billion last month, it said, widening marginally from the previous month. The disappointing performance was due to “a slowdown in the domestic economy, sluggish foreign demand, companies’ high costs, the appreciation in the yuan’s real value and a worsening trade environment”, customs said. It was also a result of a crack-
down on misreporting by importers and exporters, it added. They may have overstated their business to seek to evade Chinese government controls on capital movements and channel funds into the country, he said. Two-way trade between Hong Kong and the Futian Bonded Area, in the nearby Chinese city of Shenzhen, soared by “an extremely abnormal rate” of six times in the first quarter of the year, state broadcaster China Central Television reported yesterday. A truck carrying the same batch of electronic products crossed the border 54 times in 11 days in April, each time logged onto the customs’ record as a new shipment, it said. The world’s second-largest economy registered 7.8 percent growth in 2012, its slowest rate in 13 years. The government in April announced a surprisingly weak expansion rate of 7.7 percent for the first quarter, dashing hopes that growth was poised to accelerate in 2013 after showing strength at the end of last year. More recent economic indicators also failed to improve the outlook, with manufacturing activities in the country coming in at a con-
tracting eight-month low of 49.2, according to a survey by HSBC this week. A figure below 50 indicates a contraction. “Growth in exports to all major developed economies slowed... suggesting a recovery in the global economy is yet to be strong,” Tang Jianwei, a Shanghai-based economist with the Bank of Communications, told AFP. “Domestic demand has continued to be slack, affecting imports of commodities and raw materials.” He also noted that rising trade disputes between China and major trade partners have had a “rather big negative impact” on the country’s imports and exports. On Tuesday the European Commission imposed anti-dumping duties on imports of Chinese solar panels. Beijing responded immediately with an announcement of an anti-dumping probe into European wine, widening a row that has already involved telecom equipment, chemicals and seamless pipes. The world’s top exporter is also embroiled in trade disputes concerning other products with countries including the United States and Japan.
ANZ Bank analysts said the prospects for China’s exports looked “grim” due to trade frictions and a strong Chinese currency, which has gained almost 20 percent against the yen this year. “We believe China’s loss of competitiveness relatively to ASEAN and Japan will gradually show up in China’s export data in the following months, which will have dire consequences to China’s already weak job markets,” said Liu Ligang and Zhou Hao in a research note. But Tang said the monthly change in trade data is unlikely to prompt the government to take any immediate measures. “ The Chinese leadership is much more tolerant of slower economic growth than in the past. They want to focus on reforms,” he said. Chinese leaders have said expansion will slow in the next stage of the nation’s development from the near-double-digit yearly rises of recent decades, as they try to retool the economy to emphasise consumer demand as the key growth driver, rather than investment and exports. The government has set its economic growth target for this year at 7.5 percent. — AFP
Was the IRS targeting the Cincinnati office?
GRANADA: A worker prepares a flag to hang on the wharf off the shores of Cocibolca Lake, also known as Nicaragua Lake, in Granada, Nicaragua. — AP
WASHINGTON: Congressional investigators are starting to see cracks in the Internal Revenue Service argument that a small group of agents in the Cincinnati office solely targeted conservative political groups. Investigators, who are still in the early stages of their probe, have not uncovered any direct evidence that senior officials in Washington ordered the agents to target tea party groups, or why they may have done so. But two agents in the IRS’s Cincinnati office say they believe their work was being closely monitored by higher-ups in Washington. One agent, Elizabeth Hofacre, complained to investigators that she was being micromanaged by Washington when she processed applications for tax-exempt status by tea party groups, according to a transcript of her interview with investigators. Her interview suggests a long trail of emails that could support her claim. “It was demeaning,” Hofacre said. “One of the criteria is to work independently and do research and make decisions based on your experience and education, whereas on this case, I had no autonomy at all through the process.” The revelation could prove to be significant if investigators are able to show that Washington officials were involved in singling out tea party and other conservative groups for extra scrutiny when they applied for taxexempt status. IRS officials have said repeatedly that the targeting was initiated by front-line agents in the Cincinnati office and was stopped once senior officials in Washington found out. A yearlong audit by the agency’s inspector general found no evidence that Washington officials ordered or authorized the targeting. However, the inspector general blamed ineffective management by senior IRS officials for allowing the targeting to continue for nearly two years during the 2010 and 2012 elections. In the latest IRS personnel move in the wake of the episode, the agency has replaced one official who helped oversee the workers who process applications from groups seeking tax-
exempt status. An internal IRS announcement said Friday that Karen Schiller will have that job starting Monday. Until now that post has been held by Holly Paz. According to House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R Calif, Paz was involved in an internal IRS investigation that in May 2012 essentially concluded that the agency had been targeting conservative groups. That was a year before the IRS revealed the targeting publicly. Paz has been a top deputy to Lois Lerner, a Washington official who oversaw the Cincinnati IRS division that processed conservative groups’ applications. Friday’s announcement did not address Paz’s status. Since President Barack Obama made Danny Werfel the new IRS chief last month, some IRS workers have been put on administrative leave, including Lerner. Three congressional committees and the Justice Department are also investigating. Investigators for the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee have interviewed at least four IRS workers as part of their probe, including Paz. The Associated Press viewed transcripts of interviews with two IRS agents working in the Cincinnati office. Gary Muthert, an IRS agent there, said his local supervisor told him in March 2010 to check the applications for tax-exempt status to see how many were from groups with “tea party” in their names. The supervisor’s name was blacked out in the transcript. “He told me that Washington, DC, wanted some cases,” Muthert said of his supervisor. Muthert said he came up with fewer than 10 applications. But after checking some of the group’s websites, he noticed similar groups with “patriots” or “9-12 project” in their names, so he started looking for applications that mentioned those terms too. Over a two-month period, Muthert said he found about 40 applications that mentioned tea party, patriots or 9-
12 project - the latter being groups that aspire to re-instill a post-9/11 spirit of unity in the country. Muthert said his supervisor told him that someone in Washington wanted to see seven of the applications, so Muthert prepared the files. Muthert did not respond to multiple requests by the AP for comment. The IRS was screening the groups’ applications because agents were trying to determine their level of political activity. IRS regulations say taxexempt social welfare organizations may engage in some political activity but the activity may not be their primary mission. It is up to the IRS to make that determination. Then-Commissioner Doug Shulman and Steven Miller, who was a top deputy at the time, told Congress that they didn’t learn about tea party groups being targeted until the spring of 2012. They said they didn’t come forward publicly until this year because the agency’s inspector general was investigating the matter. The inspector general’s report said Lerner, who headed the IRS division that oversees tax exempt organizations, had been briefed on the targeting in June 2011. She ordered the initial tea party criteria to be scrapped, but it later evolved to include groups that promoted the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, the report said. Lerner is the IRS official who first publicly disclosed the targeting at a legal conference in Washington on May 10. Hofacre, who also works in the Cincinnati office, told investigators she was in charge of processing applications from tea party groups - once they were selected by other agents - from April 2010 to October 2010. Hofacre said her supervisor in Cincinnati, whose name was blacked out in the transcript, told her to handle the applications. But, she said, an IRS lawyer in Washington, Carter Hull, micromanaged her work and ultimately delayed the processing of applications by tea party groups. Neither Hofacre nor Hull responded to requests for comment. — AP
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
BUSINESS
Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch affirm NBK’s ratings with stable outlook
Qatar Airways introduces triple daily flights to Paris PARIS: Qatar Airways has stepped up frequency on the Paris - Doha route to triple daily flights ahead of the peak summer travel season. Increasing from 18 to 21 scheduled flights a week, the additional capacity means travellers to and from France will have even greater choice, improved connectivity, more flexibility and extra convenience when planning their holidays. The frequency increase is just another step in Qatar Airways’ continued expansion strategy to grow and enhance its international network - both with new destinations and more capacity on existing routes. Paris remains a highly popular and key destination in the carrier’s rising European network and by offering multiple daily services, travellers from across the network will benefit from shorter transit times. An array of connecting destinations over the airline’s Doha hub include Muscat, Dubai, Cape Town, Kilimanjaro, Delhi, Goa, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, Bangkok, Melbourne and Perth. The French capital is currently number three on the global top 20 destinations list for 2013, according to research from the Global Destination Cities index. Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al-Baker said: “Our announcement today reflects the importance we pay to one of the world’s top destinations offering French travellers and those from around the world with greater travel options. “We recognise that time savings are top of travellers’ minds when planning their journeys, which is why Qatar Airways is committed to always studying our route map and expanding to every corner of the globe, while at the same time adding frequencies on many of our existing routes. “The additional services enable families
and business and leisure travellers alike to experience the award-winning signature service that Qatar Airways is so renowned for. “And what better way to show our commitment to the French market with our announcement coming just days before France yet again hosts one of the world’s biggest air shows at Le Bourget near Paris.” Qatar Airways Country Manager France & Benelux Eric Didier added: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank our corporate and travel trade partners for supporting us over the years, growing our Paris operations to our now thrice-daily services. “We look forward to providing yet more choice for our existing and new customer base with our Doha hub being a great gateway to many exciting cities we serve across different continents. Flying to Paris since 2000, Qatar Airways operates an Airbus A340 aircraft on the Paris - Doha route, in a three-class configuration comprising eight seats in First Class, 42 in Business Class and 256 in Economy. One of the fastest growing airlines in the world, Qatar Airways has seen rapid growth in just 16 years of operations, currently flying a modern fleet of 124 aircraft to 128 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and The Americas. Qatar Airways has so far launched six destinations this year - Gassim (Saudi Arabia), Najaf (Iraq), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Chicago (USA), Salalah (Oman) and Basra (Iraq) - the latter started on June 3. Over the next few months, the network will expand with the addition of further destinations - Sulaymaniyah, Iraq (August 20), Chengdu, China (September 3), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (September 18), Clark International Airport, Philippines (October 28) and Philadelphia, USA (April 2, 2014).
KUWAIT: In less than two months, the three major international rating agencies Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings have all affirmed National Bank of Kuwait’s (NBK) long term ratings at Aa3, A+ and AA- respectively, the highest in the Middle East and North Africa. All ratings carry a stable outlook. The three agencies pointed out that NBK’s ratings and its stable outlook reflect the Bank’s dominant domestic franchise, consistent and robust profitability, strong financial metrics as well as good asset quality and strong capitalization. Ibrahim Dabdoub, NBK Group CEO highlighted that NBK’s ratings are viewed as a source of great recognition. These high ratings are testimony to NBK’s fundamental strengths, its leading position in the regional markets and its clear strategic direction. NBK’s strong institutional and financial capabilities helped the bank withstand tough operating conditions while continuing to delivering strong performance. Dabdoub added that the affirmation of NBK’s ratings from all international rating agencies carried a ‘Stable’ outlook which represents a strong message from these highly reputed international rating agencies. These positive rating actions on NBK came in times when regional and international financial institutions are being downgraded across the globe. All ratings acknowledged NBK’s conservative culture which helped the bank weather the prolonged consequences of the global financial crisis. In its latest credit opinion report, Moody’s stressed that NBK continues to report good andbetter-than-domestic-peers asset quality metrics. NBK’s consistently high levels of core profitability remain a source of strength. The agency expected that NBK will maintain comfortable capitalization metrics in 2013. Moody’s said that NBK’s size and domestic ranking places it in a
preferential position to exploit larger credit opportunities compared to its domestic peers. Standard & Poor’s affirmed the long-term credit ratings of National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) at A+ with a stable outlook. In its last report, Standard & Poor’s said that the stable outlook reflects its belief that NBK’s overall business and financial profile will remain resilient and generally unchanged over the next two years. The agency pointed out that NBK’s main rating strengths include the bank’s leading commercial position in its domestic market, its strong capi-
DHL Express Kuwait named 5th ‘Best Employer’ in ME KUWAIT: DHL Express Kuwait has been named 5th ‘Best Employer’ in the Middle East for 2013 by Aon Hewitt, the global talent, retirement and health solutions business of Aon. DHL Express UAE was the overall winner in first place and DHL Express Oman in fourth place. The announcement follows Aon Hewitt’s third Best Employers Middle East survey, which carefully studied more than 130 businesses and surveyed a combined total of over 13,000 employees. This represents of a total workforce of more than 267,000 people in the Middle East - making it the most extensive study of its kind in the region. DHL Express MENA CEO Nour Suliman says this award is for every current and future DHL employee; “DHL is the best company to work for. We have been working hard to make this statement a solid reality and it is a major pillar in our company’s strategic goals. This award attests to the very fact that we are on the perfect track to delivering this goal and that we are a company that sticks to its promises and does right by our employees. I am proud of every member of our loyal
workforce and dedicate this win to them. DHL not only won 5th place for Kuwait, but also 1st place for DHL Express UAE and 4th place for DHL Express Oman.” The judging panel featured distinguished names from across the region, including: Fatma Al-Houti, HR Director at the UAE’s Federal Authority for Government Human Resources; Shorouk Al-Redha, Head of HR at Commercial Bank of Dubai; and Nabil Ramadhan, Chief Operating Officer at DIFC Authority. The panel considered a wealth of data from the independent employee opinion survey, plus an audit of HR processes as well as interviews with the CEO and leadership team. The 360-degree view of the organization’s employees, its leaders and HR practices, ensures a contextual, unbiased and credible outcome of the study. Launched globally over 10 years ago, Best Employers has become an international benchmark for business, reflecting the opinions of an unprecedented number of employees and providing companies with a unique opportunity to assess and understand the level of employee engagement.
talization on the back of good earning capacity, and more resilient asset quality than that of its peers. Fitch Ratings also affirmed NBK’s Long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘AA-’, with a Stable Outlook. Fitch said that NBK’s ratings reflect its dominant domestic franchise, with leading shares in most market sectors, as well as its international network. The ratings also consider the Bank’s consistent profitability, sound asset quality and stable deposit base.
Gulf Bank announces Al-Danah Draw winners KUWAIT: Gulf Bank held its Al-Danah daily draws on June 2, 2013, announcing the names of its winners for the week of June 2 to 6. The Al-Danah daily draws include draws each working day for two prizes of KD1,000 per winner. The winners were: (Sunday 2/6): Nouriya Musad Nasser Alghanim, Khadeja Abdullah Almousa Al-Ali (Monday 3/6): Noor Mohammad Mohammad Ahmed, Mona Abdulkareem Hussain Mohammad (Tuesday 4/6): Sheikh Khalid Naser Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Mohammad Saleh Mohammad Al-Saeddi (Wednesday 5/6): Fadia Fahad AbdulQader AlMaraabi, Mohammed Qasem Hajji Mohammed Khaled (Thursday 6/6): Ismaeel Ali Ismaeel , Husain Mohamoud AlBustan. Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah 2013 draw lineup includes daily draws (2 winners per working day each receive KD1000), as well as three draw prizes per quarter. Al-Danah’s 2nd Quarterly draw will be held on 27 June (KD 250,000, KD 125,000, and KD 25,000), 3rd Quarter - 26 September (KD500,000, KD125,000, and KD25,000) and the final draw held on January 9, 2014 announcing winners of KD 50,000, KD 250,000 and the Al-Danah Millionaire. Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah allows customers to win cash prizes and simultaneously encourages them to save money. Chances increase the more money is deposited and the longer it is kept in the account. Al-Danah also offers a number of unique services including the Al-Danah Deposit Only ATM card which helps account holders deposit their money at their convenience; as well as the Al Danah calculator to help customers calculate their chances of becoming an Al-Danah winner.
VIVA announces the winners of ‘Win a car every week’ campaign KUWAIT: VIVA, Kuwait’s fastest-growing telecom operator, announced today the winners of the ‘Win a car every week’ campaign. The lucky draw winners were Mohammad Ali Fahad Almutair and Mosaaed Abdullatif Alfathlii who each won an Audi A5 Sportback 2014 and Alsayed Abdulraheem and Ne’mat-allah Ayub Ali and Rajan Ghali Mutlag Farhan who each won the all new Camaro V6. Whereas the lucky winners of the KD 10,000 are Abdulsalam Kunumal and Bader Saleem Albat’hani and Esrar Ahmad Rashed Abdullatif and Saud Hadi Ayeth Aldousari and Khawaja Gholam Ghadar. The winners drawn on 29 April 2013 will have until 29 May 2013 to claim their prize, winners drawn on 6 May 2013 will have until 6 June 2013 to claim their prize, winners drawn on 13 May 2013 will have until 13 June 2013 to claim their prize, and winners drawn on 20 May 2013 will have until 20 June 2013 and winners drawn on 27 May 2013 will have until 27 June 2013 to claim their prize, otherwise the prize will be given to the alternate winner. VIVA congratulated the lucky winners and invited its customers to participate in the longest on-going campaign of
its kind. With the continuous success this campaign is witnessing, VIVA is keen to further engage its customers and therefore developed further means to facilitate the process of entering the draw. Entering the draw can be done through one of the following options. The first option is to subscribe with 500 Fils per day giving customers infinite minutes and SMS to any VIVA line. This option entitles the customer to one chance to enter the draw each week. The second option is to subscribe to the BlackBerry KD 3.9 service, which gives customers full and unlimited BlackBerry Services. This option provides customers with 7 automatic chances to enter the draw each week. The third option is to purchase the KD 2 prepaid line. Upon activating the line, customers should simply send ‘GO’ to 535, and will be presented with four chances to enter the draw each week. The fourth option is to recharge for 500 fils or more, and this entitles the customer to one chance to enter the draw for every 500 fils. In addition, customers can also enter the draw by subscribing to the 500 fils local bundle
which presents customers with 60 local minutes per day. This can be done by sending ‘3’ to ‘232’, and entitles the customer to one chance, or by subscribing to the 500 fils international SMS bundle, which presents customers with 100 international SMS to any country for the duration of seven days. This also entitles the customer to one chance. Last but not least, customers who choose to enjoy the prepaid internet service will receive either one chance upon subscribing to the 500 fils ‘Surf On’ service, which offers 500 MB for a day, or two chances upon subscribing to the 1 KD ‘Surf On’ service, which offers 500 MB for five days, automatically upon activation. Customers can also subscribe to more than one of the eight options, increasing their chances each week to win the valuable prizes. In the case a customer does not win, the points will be accumulated and carried on to the next draw. Prepaid customers interested in the full, unlimited, local KD 3.9 BlackBerry offer, can send an SMS with the number ‘2’ to ‘535’. For the full menu of the prepaid offers, send an SMS with the word “GO” to number ‘535’.
SoftBank eyes T-Mobile US as ‘Plan B’ SoftBank Corp is in talks with Deutsche Telekom AG over a possible deal for T-Mobile US Inc, as the Japanese company looks for alternatives to enter the US wireless market if its deal with Sprint Nextel Corp falls apart, three sources familiar with the matter said on Friday. SoftBank and Deutsche Telekom were in talks last year about a deal for T-Mobile USA and have had periodic discussions since then, but those conversations have intensified in recent weeks after Dish Network Corp made a $25.5 billion counterbid for Sprint, two of the sources said. SoftBank has a deal to buy 70 percent of Sprint for $20.1 billion. Deutsche Telekom owns 74 percent of T-Mobile US, and one possibility is for SoftBank to buy that stake instead, the sources said. T-Mobile US has a market value of about $15 billion. SoftBank still wants to do the Sprint deal after spending months on it, and is looking at a possible T-Mobile transaction only as “Plan B”, the sources said who declined to be named because the
talks are private. T-Mobile’s shares rose more than 3 percent after the news of SoftBank’s interest, while Sprint shares fell 1.2 percent. The talks come ahead of a June 12 vote for Sprint shareholders to approve the Japanese company’s bid for the No. 3 US wireless carrier and could add pressure on investors as they decide how to vote. Earlier this week, proxy adviser Glass Lewis said Sprint shareholders should not vote on SoftBank’s bid while the board reviewed Dish’s offer. “It seems to me that this is more SoftBank posturing to perhaps pressure Sprint’s special committee to not delay the vote next week to continue its negotiations with Ergen,” said BTIG analyst Walter Piecyk, referring to Dish Chairman Charlie Ergen. Roy Behren, a merger arbitrage money manager at Westchester Capital Management, which claims ownership of more than 19 million Sprint shares, added, “I still don’t think SoftBank gets the vote unless they bump the offer.” Still, the news of SoftBank’s inter-
est in T-Mobile US adds a new wrinkle to an already complicated calculus before Sprint shareholders. The SoftBank deal is much farther along in the process than Dish’s rival offer, which is still preliminary. SoftBank has cleared a key review by the agency that oversees foreign investments in the United States and is also getting closer to finishing the Federal Communications Commission review. ISS, a major proxy advisory firm, has also backed the SoftBank deal. Moreover, if SoftBank decides to walk away from the Sprint deal, it would stand to make somewhere around $5 billion from currency hedging gains, its previous purchase of Sprint shares and breakup fees, the sources said. SoftBank, Sprint, TMobile and Deutsche Telekom declined to comment. Trading barbs Dish has jumped not only the Sprint-SoftBank deal, but also a related acquisition of Clearwire Corp by Sprint. Clearwire has
wireless airwaves that both companies want. Sprint already owns a majority stake in Clearwire. Clearwire shareholders are due to vote on June 13 on Sprint’s offer to buy out minority shareholders in a deal that values the company at $5 billion. But a special committee for Clearwire is also reviewing Dish’s offer, which values the company at $6.5 billion. In recent months, the tussle has become increasingly bitter, with SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son trading barbs with Ergen. SoftBank has started taking steps, including thinking about the deal structure and financing, to prepare itself for a T-Mobile US transaction if the Sprint deal gets any more costly or delayed, the sources said. For SoftBank, one attraction of doing a deal with Deutsche Telekom is it can have a private agreement with the controlling stakeholder of T-Mobile US, which would help rule out the possibility of another interloper making a counterbid, one of the sources added.—Reuters
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
technology
US prepares for cyber warfare
WASHINGTON: On the site of a former military golf course where President Dwight Eisenhower once played, the future of US warfare is rising in the shape of the new $358 million headquarters for the military’s Cyber Command. The command, based at Fort Meade, Maryland, about 25 miles north of Washington, is rushing to add between 3,000 and 4,000 new cyber warriors under its wing by late 2015, more than quadrupling its size. Most of Cyber Command’s new troops will focus on defense, detecting and stopping computer penetrations of military and other critical networks by America’s adversaries like China, Iran or North Korea. But there is an increasing focus on offense as military commanders beef up plans to execute cyber strikes or switch to attack mode if the nation comes under electronic assault. “We’re going to train them to the highest standard we can,” Army General Keith Alexander, head of Cyber Command, told the Reuters Cybersecurity Summit last month. “And not just on defense, but on both sides. You’ve got to have that.” Officials and experts have warned for years that U.S. computer networks are falling prey to espionage, intellectual property theft and disruption from nations such as China and Russia, as well as hackers and criminal groups. President Barack Obama was to bring up allegations of Chinese hacking when he meets President Xi Jinping at a summit in California — charges that Beijing has denied.
The Pentagon has accused China of using cyber espionage to modernize its military and a recent report said Chinese hackers had gained access to the designs of more than two dozen major U.S. weapons systems in recent years. Earlier this year, US computer security company Mandiant said a secretive Chinese military unit was probably behind a series of hacking attacks that had stolen data from 100 US companies. There is a growing fear that cyber threats will escalate from mainly espionage and disruptive activities to far more catastrophic attacks that destroy or severely degrade military systems, power grids, financial networks and air travel. Now, the United States is redoubling its preparations to strike back if attacked, and is making cyber warfare an integral part of future military campaigns. Experts and former officials say the United States is among the best if not the best - in the world at penetrating adversaries’ computer networks and, if necessary, inserting viruses or other digital weapons. Washington might say it will only strike back if attacked, but other countries disagree, pointing to the “Stuxnet” virus. Developed jointly by the US government and Israel, current and former US officials told Reuters last year, Stuxnet was highly sophisticated and damaged nuclear enrichment centrifuges at Iran’s Natanz facility. US government officials frequently discuss America’s cyber vulnerabilities in public. By contrast, details
about US offensive cyberwarfare capabilities and operations are almost all classified. Possible US offensive cyber attacks could range from invading other nations’ command and control networks to disrupting military communications or air defenses - or even putting up decoy radar screens on an enemy’s computers to prevent US aircraft from being detected in its airspace. The shift toward a greater reliance on offense is an important one for a nation which has mostly been cautious about wading into the uncertain arena of cyberwar — in part because gaps in US cyber security make it vulnerable to retaliation. But former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said the United States must be ready and should articulate - soon - what level of cyber aggression would be seen as an act of war, bringing a US response. “One of the things the military learned, going back to 9/11, is whether you have a doctrine or not, if something really bad happens you’re going to be ordered to do something,” he told the Reuters summit. “So you better have the capability and the plan to execute.” Reuters has learned that new Pentagon rules of engagement, detailing what actions military commanders can take to defend against cyber attacks, have been finalized after a year of “hard core” debate. The classified rules await Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s signature, a senior defense official said. The offi-
Technology to hide phone records NEW YORK: Americans suddenly fearful that the US government can easily find out who they are telephoning have software options to disguise their calling records. But information specialists say that if the government really wants to get the information, it likely can get it in the end. The Obama administration on Thursday defended its collection of millions of telephone records as part of its counterterrorism efforts. That came after Britain’s Guardian newspaper published a secret court order authorizing the collection of phone records generated by Verizon Communications customers. Experts say that while there are plenty of services that can make a phone number anonymous, or mask where someone is calling from, the government can still get most of the data it wants with relative ease. “It’s really hard to feel as if you have complete confidence that you are untraceable,” said Justin Brookman, director of Center for Democracy & Technology’s Project on Consumer Privacy. If a Skype user had called a Verizon user, for example, the government would see the call was made but not detect the identity of the Skype user, said Fred Cate, an Indiana University professor specializing in information privacy law. The government could, however, request the IP address from the video and online calling service, he said. Although there are programs that encrypt the content of phone conversations, Cate said some encrypted data can still tell the government when and to whom calls are made - just not the substance of the call itself. In the Verizon case, the alleged court
order covered each phone number dialed by customers, along with location, routing data, duration and frequency of the calls. Contents of the phone calls were not revealed. New technology is offering consumers a way to create a disposable phone number that can be deleted at any time. Greg Cohn, CEO of Ad Hoc Labs, which developed the phone application Burner, said the application was meant to address recent challenges to mobile privacy. Users can create and delete multiple numbers, creating a privacy layer for their phones. Vumber is a similar app. Phillip Jones, vice president of telephony solutions at AVM Software Inc., which owns Vumber, said the app is meant to protect consumers’ privacy when dating or doing business, for example. But while the phone numbers are not traceable for the average person, Jones said the company holds the information and would release it to law enforcement if requested. Cohn also said Burner does not promise encryption. While user-to-user data is secure, the data could be provided to the government if subpoenaed. One exception might be Silent Circle, an encrypted communications tool that allows users to speak or send messages to another user without fear of being spied on, said Vic Hyder, the company’s chief operations officer. Silent Circle generates keys on the phone devices and at the end of the conversation, the keys disappear. Hyder said there is no data to give if the government requests it.—Reuters
BERKELEY COUNTY, South Carolina: This undated photo made available by Google shows backup tapes stored at a data center. — AP cial would not give details of the rules but said, “they will cover who has the authority to do specific actions if the nation is attacked.” At Cyber Command, military officers in crisp uniforms mix with technical experts in T-shirts as the armed forces takes up the challenge of how to fend off cyber penetrations from individuals or rival countries. Even as overall US defense spending gets chopped in President Barack Obama’s proposed 2014 budget, cyber spending would grow by $800 million, to $4.7 billion while overall Pentagon spending is cut by $3.9 billion. Until its new headquarters is ready, Cyber Command shares a home with the US National Security Agency (NSA), which for 60 years has used technological wizardry to crack foreign codes and eavesdrop on adversaries while blocking others from doing the same to the United States. Alexander heads both agencies. “The greatest concentration of cyber power in this planet is at the intersection of the BaltimoreWashington Parkway and Maryland Route 32,” said retired General Michael Hayden, a former CIA and NSA director, referring to NSA’s Fort Meade location. But NSA’s role in helping protect civilian, government and private networks has been controversial - and is likely to come under greater scrutiny with this week’s revelation that it has been collecting telephone records of millions of Verizon Communications customers under a secret court order. A January report by the Pentagon’s Defense Science Board gave a general picture of how the United States might exploit and then attack an adversary’s computer systems. In some cases, US intelligence
might already have gained access for spying, the report said. From there, Cyber Command “may desire to develop an order of battle plan against that target” and would require deeper access, “down to the terminal or device level in order to support attack plans,” it said. Because gaining access to an enemy’s computers for sustained periods without detection is not easy, “offensive cyber will always be a fragile capability,” it said. In cyberspace, reconnaissance of foreign networks is “almost always harder than the attack” itself because the challenging part is finding a way into a network and staying undetected, said Hayden, now with the Chertoff Group consulting firm. Cyber Command’s new Joint Operations Center, due to be complete in 2018, will pull disparate units together and house 650 personnel, officials said. Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps components will be nearby and, a former US intelligence official said, the complex will have power and cooling to handle its massive computing needs. Those who have worked at Cyber Command say the atmosphere is a mixture of intensity and geek-style creativity. Military precision is present, but it is not unusual to see young civilian computer whiz kids with purple hair, a tie-dyed shirt and blue jeans. “It’s made to be a fun environment for them. These are people who are invested and want to serve their nation. But there is some military rigor and structure around all that - like a wrapper,” said Doug Steelman, who was director of Network Defense at Cyber Command until 2011 and is now Chief Information Security Officer at Dell SecureWorks. Cyber Command’s growth and
expanding mission come with serious challenges and questions. For example, how to prevent US military action in cyberspace from also damaging civilian facilities in the target country, such as a hospital that shares an electric grid or computer network with a military base? And some doubt that the military can train many cyber warriors quickly enough. Alexander has identified that as his biggest challenge. The former intelligence official said Cyber Command’s new teams won’t be fully ready until at least 2016 due to military bureaucracy and because it takes time to pull together people with the special skills needed. “To be a good cyber warrior, you have to be thinking, ‘How is the attacker discovering what I’m doing? How are they working around it?’ ... Cyber security really is a cat and mouse game,” said Raphael Mudge, a private cybersecurity expert and Air Force reservist. “That kind of thinking can’t be taught. It has to be nurtured. There are too few who can do that.” Would-be cyber warriors go through extensive training, which can take years. A recruit with proven aptitude will be sent to courses such as the Navy-led Joint Cyber Analysis Course in Pensacola, Florida, a 6month intensive training program. The top 10 percent of JCAC’s students will be selected for advanced cyber operations training, said Greg Dixon, a vice president at private KEYW Corp, which conducts intensive training classes. The company can train a JCAC graduate to become an analyst in five weeks, but it takes 20 weeks to become a cyber operator. Dixon would not divulge what an operator would be capable of doing after graduation, but said it would be “a lot.”—Reuters
Cloud computing rains billion-dollar deals
TAIWAN: A model displays an ASUS new product called the “ASUS Transformer Book Trio”, the world’s first three-in-one mobile device during a press conference ahead of the opening of the Computex trade fair in Taipei.—AFP
Asus touts ‘world’s first’ three-in-one tablet computer TAIPEI: Taiwan’s computer manufacturer Asus unveiled a mobile device that it described as the world’s first three-inone tablet, laptop and desktop computer. The Transformer Book Trio, shown off at the Computex Taipei IT trade show, is powered by Intel’s new fourth-generation processors and runs both Windows and Android operating systems. It features an 11.6-inch 1080p screen and a detachable keyboard, allowing the user to operate the device as a tablet or a laptop computer. It can also be plugged into an external monitor and function as a desktop PC, the company said. When the screen and keyboard are connected the system operates as a Windows PC, while separating the screen allows it to be used as an Android tablet. The hybrid is likely to be launched by the end of this year, the company said. Asus did not disclose the price of its latest Transformer model, but analysts expect it to be relatively expensive and
fear its complicated design may be a challenge to some users. “I’m afraid the new gadget may not help drive up Asus’s growth too much. It is definitely a good design but it has complicated functions which are not easy to use to many users,” said Mars Hsu, an analyst at Grand Cathay Securities. “Another barrier would be its price. We expect it to sell for at least Tw$40,000 ($1,345) which is relatively high compared with the current mainstream notebooks.” Asus also unveiled a low-cost seveninch tablet called Asus MeMO Pad HD7, priced at $129 for an 8GB model and $149 for a 16GB version. The low-cost tablet was unveiled after Acer launched the industry’s first 8.1-inch tablet to run Microsoft ’s Windows 8 software. Shipments of Asus notebooks and hybrid computers in the three months to March totalled 4.7 million units, and it expects the number to rise to 4.8 million units in the second quarter.—AFP
SAN FRANCISCO: A decade ago, the mere idea of cloud computing was a difficult concept to explain, let alone sell. Today, the technology is spurring a high-stakes scramble to buy some of the early leaders in the cloud-computing movement. The latest examples of the trend emerged Tuesday as two major technology companies announced acquisitions aimed at seeding their own clouds. Cloud-computing pioneer Salesforce.com Inc. said it will spend about $2.5 billion to buy ExactTarget Inc., a specialist in helping other companies manage marketing campaigns and other business functions through email, social networks and a variety of digital services that can be reached on any device with an Internet connection. The more time-tested IBM Corp. is snapping up SoftLayer Technologies Inc., a privately held company that leases extra computing horsepower to startup companies and medium-size businesses that don’t have the resources or desire to build their own data centers. IBM didn’t disclose the financial terms of the deal, but The Wall Street Journal pegged the cost at about $2 billion. The Journal cited an unidentified person familiar with the matter. ExactTarget, based in Indianapolis, and SoftLayer, based in Dallas, are just the latest in a batch of billion-dollar babies hatched by what was once viewed as a kooky craze. Cloud computing refers to the practice of renting software and other computing accessories over the Internet, an approach that once seemed to out of step with the long-standing policies of corporate customers and government agencies who preferred to own their machines and the applications running on them. But that sentiment has changed in the past six years as the popularity of powerful smartphones and tablet computers has driven the demand for services that can be reached from any Internet-connected device. The phenomenon has helped propel cloud computing, and driven lucrative deals in the space. In the past two years alone, long-established technology companies such as IBM, Oracle Corp. and SAP AG have each spent several billions of dollars acquiring cloud-computing vendors. “Deals begat deals,” said Peter Falvey, a Boston investment banker specializing in technology. “There are no doubt other companies now saying, ‘What else is there to buy out in this space?’ It’s all part of the maturation process.” Questions are already being raised whether the
buyers are getting overzealous and paying too much. Investors seemed particularly troubled by Salesforce’s decision to buy ExactTarget for $33.75 53 percent above ExactTarget’s market value before the deal was announced. It’s a steep premium for a company that has suffered losses in each of the past four years, including nearly $58 million since the end of 2009. Wall Street’s misgivings about the deal caused Salesforce’s stock to plunge $3.24, or 7.9 percent, to close Tuesday at $37.80. It was the steepest one-day decline in the stock in 13 months. ExactTarget’s setbacks came during a period of rapid growth. The company’s annual revenue climbed from $72 million in 2008 to $292 million last year while its payroll has ballooned from under 400 employees in 2008 to nearly 1,700 now. Salesforce expects ExactTarget to trim its adjusted earnings during its current fiscal year ending in January 2014 by 16 cents per share. The deal is expected to close by the end of next month. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has become accus-
tomed to shaking off the skeptics. He was frequently mocked when he started his San Francisco-based company in 1999 and boldly predicted its model for leasing business software applications would revolutionize the technology industry. Even after Tuesday’s sell-off, Salesforce now boasts a market value of $22 billion. Benioff ’s personal fortune stands at an estimated $2.6 billion. Benioff, an executive known for sweeping statements, hailed the ExactTarget deal “as really a historic date for cloud computing” during a Tuesday conference call for analysts. He is counting on ExactTarget to help Salesforce sell more marketing services on mobile devices. As part of its marketing expansion, Salesforce previously spent nearly $1.1 billion to buy Buddy Media and Radian6 Technologies during the past two years. Once the ExactTarget deal is completed, Benioff said Salesforce plans to take a “vacation” from deal making for 12 to 18 months. “That’s really because we’re going to double down and focus on the success of ExactTarget,” Benioff assured analysts.—AP
SINGAPORE: A protestor covers his mouth with a Singapore fifty-dollar note during a rally at a free-speech park called Speakers’ Corner. Around 1,500 Singaporeans led by local bloggers attended a rally on June 8 to protest new government licencing rules for news websites that they say curtail freedom of expression. —AFP
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
H E A LT H & S C I E N C E
Dar Al-Shifa Hospital holds workshop KUWAIT: Dar Al-Shifa Hospital recently hosted its first Enteral, Parenteral Nutrition Therapy of the Critically Ill patients’ workshop in Kuwait. The 2-day workshop, took place on May 15th and 16th at Courtyard by Marriott Hotel. Attendees at the conference included par ticipants from the region ( Jordan, UAE),Food and Nutrition Administration from Ministry of Health (MOH), MOH head of dietary departments and dietitians, Kuwait University students, and other healthcare providers (eg doctors, clinical pharmacists, nurses, dietitians from some pri-
vate hospitals in Kuwait). Keynote speaker Mirey Karavetian, who is currently a lecturer in Zayed University UAE and is perusing her PHD in “Health Promotion” in Maastricht University, along with Head of Dietary Department Nadeen Al-Jawhary, shared their experience and knowledge around indications and methods of administration to enteral nutrition -often called tube feeding; coupled with the appropriate selection of formula choices to enteral nutrition therapy, managing enteral feeding, and managing critically ill patients on parenteral nutrition thera-
py. In addition, they highlighted major clinical guidelines for the participants on home care enteral nutrition. Al-Jawhary expressed her delight to hold the first workshop of this kind in Kuwait, through Dar Al-Shifa hospital’s Dietary department by saying, “this workshop brings together experienced professionals from multidisciplinary fields involved in nutritional management of patients. We hope that through this training we can follow our aim of providing evidence-based nutritional care practice to our patients for optimal outcomes.”
Al-Jawhary added, “Through managing the hospital’s dietetic program for the past 7 years, I am proud to help in educating and sharing our knowledge to other healthcare practitioners in Kuwait, and with the start of this workshop at our hospital, we aim to continue to hosting it on an annual basis.” Fur thermore, Tina Baramak ian Patient Care Administrator noted: “ Today ’s workshop brings together experienced professionals from multidisciplinary fields involved in nutritional management of patients. We hope that this conference is used as a plat-
form to examine the issues before us and pursue our ultimate aim of providing evidence based nutritional care practice to our patients for optimal outcomes”. She fur ther added: “ This CME accredited workshop is in line with other events that were held to commemorate the hospital’s 50th anniversary. In line to this, details of Dar Al-Shifa Hospital’s Dietetic Conference, a scientific conference that will be held in October this year, will be announced soon, for which we extend our informal invitation to from this stage.”
Caffeine and kids: A safe mix? CHICAGO: Caffeine-infused waffles and maple syrup are being promoted as energizing alternatives to a morning mug of coffee. But the recent craze of adding caffeine to a range of kidfriendly snack foods including popcorn, chewing gum, candy bars, mints, Cracker Jacks, jelly beans and ice cream is raising enough concern that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched an investigation of caffeine’s possible health effects on children and adolescents. The effort, which comes amid the heated debate over whether energy drinks with stimulants are safe for children, marks the agency’s first close look at the world’s most popular psychoactive drug since its use in Cola was approved in the 1950s. Most healthy adults can safely tolerate moderate doses of 200 to 300 milligrams, which is about two to four cups of brewed coffee, according to the National Institutes of Health. But the US lacks official guidelines or limits for children, whose smaller bodies and developing brains may be more vulnerable to caffeine’s effects, including the risk of physical dependence and addiction. Part of what worries the FDA is the changing nature of how caffeine is delivered through a greater array of products that may appeal to younger consumers and in higher doses than in the past. Chewing a pack of Jolt Energy Gum, for example, would have effects similar to downing six energy drinks, according to the package. “It’s a question of finding caffeine in new and different places,” said Michael Taylor, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for food. “There are concerns over the perhaps subtle developmental impacts on kids and whether they become regular users of a central nervous system stimulant. What are the cumulative effects?” Meanwhile, parents can’t necessarily tell how much caffeine kids are getting. Caffeine levels aren’t required to be disclosed on food labels, and if the caffeine occurs naturally as in tea or cocoa it isn’t listed among the ingredients. In the case of energy drinks, many are sold as dietary supplements and don’t have to disclose caffeine levels if the ingredient is part of a “proprietary blend.” Last month Wrigley, the world’s largest gum manufacturer and a sub-
sidiary of Mars Inc., temporarily halted sales of its new caffeinated gum product after meeting with the FDA. The company cited a “greater appreciation” for the agency’s concern about the recent flood of caffeine in the nation’s food supply. Others say caffeine has been safely consumed in a variety of foods and beverages for centuries. Many of the newly caffeinated snacks are novelty items targeting adults who want a
neurotransmitters dopamine and glutamate, to rev up bodily systems. “It not only wakes up the brain, but it can increase heart rate,” said Dr. Lynn Goldman, a pediatrician and dean of the School of Public Health and Health Services at The George Washington University. “When I’ve seen people with caffeine overdose, they’re scared; they end up in the ER because they think they’re having a heart attack.” In adults, caffeine use is relatively
CHICAGO: The recent craze of adding caffeine to a range of kid-friendly snack foods is raising enough concern that the US.—MCT quick pick-me-up but don’t like coffee. “If you want to worry about what kids are ingesting, I would put sugar way up higher on the list,” said Dr Jeffrey Goldberger, director of clinical cardiac electrophysiology research at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. “Sugar has clearly documented downstream effects on health that caffeine just does not.” Goldberger also serves as a consultant to the American Beverage Association and the energy drink company Red Bull. Consumed daily by 80 percent of the world, caffeine is a bitter-tasting nervous system stimulant that occurs naturally in coffee, tea, guarana and kola nuts. It’s thought to work by interfering with a brain chemical called adenosine that facilitates sleep. Blocking the receptors for adenosine also allows the brain’s own stimulants,
LOS ANGELES: This 1960 image provided by NASA shows Neil Armstrong standing by an X-15 rocket plane after a test flight.—AP photos
safe. But the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended in 2011 that children and teenagers steer clear of caffeinated drinks because caffeine interferes with sleep and can increase anxiety, in addition to an increased heart rate. “Childhood and adolescence is a period of rapid growth in the final stage of brain development; proper sleep and nutrition are essential,” said Jennifer Temple, an assistant professor in the School of Public Health and Health Professions at the University of Buffalo who studies children’s caffeine use. “Caffeine disrupts sleep patterns, and the excess consumption of soda is associated with poor diet, excess weight and cavities.” Federal officials can’t say whether children are ingesting more caffeine than previous years; rigorous studies
involving the nation’s youngest consumers are lacking. But the most recent federal data show that children ages 2 to 13 ingested an average of 43.5 milligrams of caffeine a day in 2008. A typical Cola contains about 35 milligrams in a 12-ounce can. Young men between the ages of 14 and 21 consumed 110.5 milligrams per day; women took in slightly less. Information also is lacking on the physiological, psychological and behavioral effects of habitual caffeine use by children. “We can’t assume children are small adults; they may have unique responses we don’t know about,” Temple said. Current regulations include the FDA limiting the caffeine content in soft drinks to 71 milligrams per 12 fluid ounces. But manufacturers often circumvent the limit by calling their products dietary supplements; some energy drinks contain as much caffeine as five cups of coffee. Sales of energy drinks grew by 78 percent from 2006 to 2011, according to the market research firm Mintel, and a recent study in the journal Pediatrics found that half of the energy drink market consists of children, adolescents and young adults. Energy drink consumption has been associated with elevated blood pressure, altered heart rates and severe cardiac events in children and young adults, especially those with underlying cardiac disease, according to a letter sent to the FDA by more than a dozen prominent researchers and scientists. The highest doses have been linked with caffeine intoxication, resulting in a racing heartbeat, vomiting and cardiac arrhythmias. Dr. Steven Lipshultz, a pediatric cardiologist at the University of Miami, tells parents that young patients with an underlying heart condition should avoid caffeine because it can stimulate the heart. “If you’re asking a sick heart to work even harder, it may go into a life-threatening heart rhythm,” he said. Goldberger, an adult cardiologist, downplayed the cardiac risk of energy drinks in his testimony before the Chicago City Council when it considered restricting sales of the products. In 2011, he published research in the American Journal of Medicine that concluded moderate caffeine use was well tolerated in adult patients with known or suspected arrhythmia.—MCT
President Dwight Eisenhower, center, commissioning Dr T. Keith Glennan, right, as the first administrator for NASA and Dr Hugh L Dryden as deputy administrator, in Washington, DC.
‘One giant leap’ toward a NASA Armstrong center? LOS ANGELES: Neil Armstrong’s name is attached to a lunar crater, an asteroid, more than a dozen schools and a museum. But there’s no NASA center named for the man whose “giant leap” made him the first to walk on the moon. All that could soon change.
Leaders at the space agency’s Dryden Flight Research Center in Southern California are mulling the consequences of a proposed name change at the place where Armstrong was a test pilot. The push by some in Congress has brought
with it some questions: Is it justified to substitute one accomplished figure for another? At a time of squeezed budgets, is it worth the cost? It wouldn’t be the first rebranding of a NASA facility. The Lewis Research Center in Ohio was renamed for astronaut John Glenn.—AP
CHINA: This picture shows a staff member at Puer National Park with an African rhino in a new enclosure in southwest China’s Yunnan province.—AFP
Fears for African rhinos in China rainforest CHINA: In a tropical Chinese rainforest, seven savannah-dwelling African rhinos are said to be awaiting release into the wild, raising fears for their welfare in a country with a booming rhino horn trade. The animals arrived with a blaze of publicity in March at the vast Pu’er National Forest Park in the humid hills of Yunnan province in southwest China, with television images showing cranes lowering the huge beasts into paddocks. But critics say African rhinos-more than 150 of which have been transported to China in recent years-will struggle to survive in the forest environment, raising doubts about the project’s true purpose. “The rhinos can’t be seen by the public, you can’t visit them,” animal keeper Qian Fuchun told AFP in one of the park’s offices. His employer, the Mekong Group, is turning the 23,800 hectares (58,000 acres) of untouched forest in the park, home to hundreds of species of rare birds and lizards, into a tourist destination. In South Africa, visitors to game parks are not generally allowed out of their vehicles, while they must be accompanied by an armed ranger on game walks, stay downwind of rhinos and maintain their distance. But sketches on Qian’s office walls showed visitors strolling within yards of grey rhino, seen nestled beneath trees in what was billed as a “rhino scenic zone”. AFP saw workers carving roads through the forest, where holiday homes were under construction. “We hope the rhinos can breed here, that’s our main goal... We will responsibly release them into the wild,” said Qian, dressed in camouflage gear. “The project is about scientific research,” he added. The scheme comes as poaching of African white rhinos booms. The spike in killings has been blamed on high demand for rhino horn-based traditional medicine products across Southeast Asia and China, even though Beijing banned its use in 1993. According to reports recent prices in Vietnam, the main market for rhino horn, make the powder more expensive than gold. The white rhino is classified as “near threatened”, with around 20,000 in the wild. But the South African government says poaching escalated from 13 animals in 2007 to 668 last year. China’s own Asian rhinos-a different species-were hunted to extinction around a century ago. The Chinese imported more than 150 live white rhinos from South Africa from 2007-12, according to data from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which regulates the global wildlife business. Live rhino exports to “appropriate and acceptable destina-
tions” are permitted under CITES, but secrecy about the Chinese project has compounded concerns. A rhino husbandry project? The Yunnan park’s rhinos, aged between six and eight, were imported from South Africa in 2010 and kept at a city wildlife park until they were moved to the forest, the state-run China Daily newspaper said. It quoted a keeper who said the animals “like to be tickled”. The reports “set off all kinds of alarm bells”, said Tom Milliken, a rhino expert at the conservation group Traffic, adding that it was a “totally inappropriate environment” for the animals. “These animals will just not survive in a rainforest-type environment,” he said. “We have concerns about nutrition and their overall ability to cope. If they don’t have supplementary food, they could starve. This is simply not conservation.” His concerns have been echoed by Chinese experts. “This is a commercially-operated rhino husbandry project rather than an academic endeavour,” Zhang Li, professor of ecology at Beijing Normal University, told local media. The Mekong Group declined repeated requests for comment made over several weeks by AFP. Provincial authorities said the park was built “with permission” and declined further comment. But others have drawn parallels between the project and a previous Chinese effort to import South African rhinos to a wildlife park which was exposed as a secret multimillion-dollar plan to harvest rhino horn. More than 60 African rhinos were transported to a park in the southern province of Hainan owned by a subsidiary of a Chinese arms manufacturer, US magazine Time reported in 2011. The park administrators’ website detailed plans to “produce various rhino horn products, including 500,000 ‘rhino horn detox pills’”, and described a device for scraping rhino horns, Time said. South Africa has said it tightened controls on rhino exports following Time’s report. “There were no exports to China (in 2012),” a department of environment spokeswoman told a parliamentary briefing. The introduction of rhinos to Yunnan “might be closely related to the Hainan program”, China Newsweek magazine reported last month, citing an anonymous source. The South African restrictions are putting a squeeze on the developer’s vision of expanding its herd of wild rhino, the magazine said, adding that negotiations to bring a further 30 rhinos to the park had “stalled”. —AFP
Environmentalists celebrate nuclear plant closing SAN CLEMENTE: Environmentalists and nearby residents are hailing a decision by Southern California Edison to permanently shut down its troubled San Onofre nuclear power plant. Two dozen community members hugged and wiped away tears on Friday as they gathered outside the front gates of the seaside plant for an impromp-
tu celebration. Longtime plant opponent Gary Headricks says his joy at the plant’s closing is similar to the happiness he felt when his children were born. Business groups say the closure will hurt the Southern California economy as companies and households face the prospect of power shortages.—AP
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
H E A LT H & S C I E N C E “We are physicians from different specialties with a specific interest in public health advocacy and promotion. We, also, aim to increase
awareness among the Kuwaiti public regarding a variety of diseases and conditions and to rectify the misconceptions they may have.
Since our group consists of multiple physicians we decided to write under the pen name of L’homme en Blanc.”
The Silent Reaper
H
igh blood pressure (hypertension) has been around for as long as humans have; however, the course of its definition as a disease was long and tedious. It was initially named ‘the hard pulse disease” by Hippocrates and was treated by blood-letting which, as you all may know, has long been revoked as a treatment. The birth of hypertension as a disease entity began with the works of pioneers such as Dr. William Harvey, who described the cardiovascular system (or circulation of blood) and Nikolai Kortokoff, who devised the method for measuring blood pressure that is still used today. Hypertension has been, and continues to be, one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality; a testament to that fact is that, in the year 2000 the number of people afflicted with this disease peaked at one billion. In the year 2010, the American Heart Association calculated the cost of treating hypertension
and its side effects to be an astonishing 76 billion dollars; thus, hypertension has a huge financial strain on the health industry. The danger of hypertension lies in that it is silent; therefore, a person that does not annually check his/her blood pressure might miss this deadly disease. So why is hypertension important? And why does it cause all these problems? Hypertension affects our blood vessels, and through a mechanism of wear and tear it causes direct damage to our internal organs. The reason this happens is because the pressure of your blood is high, so it pushes harder against your blood vessels. This disease has been associated with myocardial infarction (or what is commonly known as a heart attack), other cardiovascular diseases (diseases of the heart and circulatory system), stroke, and chronic renal disease (diseases of the kidneys). So how do we tackle this pandemic? The British Hypertension Society
Guidelines on the primary prevention of hypertension propose a number of methods of prevention. Firstly, maintaining an ideal body weight (a BMI ranging from 20-25 kg/m2). Secondly, reducing salt intake to less than 100 mmol/day. Thirdly, engaging in regular physical activity for more than thirty minutes on most days of the week and lastly, consuming a diet rich in fruits and vegetables (at least five portions per day). These lifestyle modifications both help prevent and control hypertension, and maintain optimal blood pressure readings. When your blood pressure is measured, the reading is given to you in two numbers, the top and the bottom number. The top number is called the systolic blood pressure, while the bottom one is called the diastolic blood pressure. A common misconception among the general public is that of the two numbers, only the top one is important. For this reason, many peo-
HYDERABAD: A member of the Bathini Goud family administers ‘fish medicine’ to a patient at the exhibition grounds in Hyderabad yesterday. The medicine, which has been offered by the family of the southern Indian city to patients for the last 162 years as a cure for asthma and other breathing disorders, is placed in the mouth of a live murrel fish and then slipped into the mouth of the patient. The medicine is administered on the auspicious day of ‘Mrigasira Karti’ which falls this month with the onset of the annual monsoon. The treatment, which is based on a secret herb formula, draws thousands of people from all over the country.—AFP ple pay more attention to the systolic rate than the diastolic, but research has shown that the heart can tolerate a high top (systolic) number better than a high bottom (diastolic) number. Every person should ideally aim to try to maintain their blood pressure
at 120/80 mmhg. Those with a reading of 120-139/80-89 mmhg are also considered normal but are not ideal. As was previously mentioned, hypertension, despite it being usually a symptom free disease, is quite detrimental to your health. Thus, I urge all
readers to regularly measure their blood pressure at the polyclinic and follow up with their physician to have their treatment catered according to their condition. Stay healthy Kuwait! homme en Blanc
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
W H AT ’ S O N
ACK students visit Kuwait Stock Exchange SEND US YOUR INSTAGRAM PICS
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hat’s more fun than clicking a beautiful picture? Sharing it with others! Let other people see the way you see Kuwait - through your lens. Friday Times will feature snapshots of Kuwait through Instagram feeds. If you want to share your Instagram photos, email us at instagram@kuwaittimes.net
Palestine struggle main frame in Indian expat’s debut novel
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he Australian College of Kuwait (ACK) organized a visit to the Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) for its English students of the Foundation Skills Program on May 27. The program is aimed at providing a firmer educational base on which students can build their subsequent courses of study in multiple areas. The aim of the visit was to familiarize ACK students with the bourse, types of stock markets and techniques of trading in securities, stocks and bonds, while further enhancing the students’ use of English business terminology in a physical environment. This experience will be of major benefit to the students once they have transferred into their Business Diploma and Degree programs as they will need to apply these terms throughout their education and in their future careers. In line with the project-based learning model used by the college, enriching students’ general knowledge through activities as such are very important to their overall educational development. ACK will conduct similar activities on a continual basis to maintain the college’s support to its students and maintain its objectives of combining both theoretical and practical educational programs.
Jaber Al-Ali honors outstanding students
By Sunil Cherian
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years of inter-communal violence, conflict and identity crisis of Palestine is central backdrop, perhaps for the first time in Indian literature, in a yet to be released novel. The 200 page, ready to be published novel, titled The Book of the Expelled, will have its Malayalam version first before the English edition, said its author Mangaf based Indian writer Preman Illath. Set in Palestine, Kuwait, Afghanistan and the US, the story evolves as the struggle and sufferings of Afia, the Palestinian woman who grows as an orphan and comes to Kuwait as the adopted daughter of an American woman and matures only to suffer more. “Afia is a symbol for a nation for whom justice is mirage”, said Preman Illath about his debut novel. “I chose this theme because I wanted something to say about human rights violation that is taking place on a daily basis under the nose of the world leaders. Secondly I wanted to write something unexplored in Indian literature but still is relevant”. The novel accuses Israel for making Palestinians into guinea pigs at various levels. ‘People are kidnapped and they end up at the Israeli experiment tables’, a character in the novel says. Palestine has scores of villages that have no man. Women in those villages are widows, spinsters, semi orphans or mothers who will never see their sons, another character laments. ‘The Expelled’ has a Kuwaiti hero - Muhammad Hussein, as if a revolt against Saddam Hussein which also has its chunk in the novel - who goes to Afghanistan to dig a well and build a mosque there as per his dying mother’s wish. Hussein meets Afia, now a doctor in Afghanistan, marries her and becomes a volunteer in the war torn Afghanistan. Afia’s life is shadowed when her husband is arrested by the US military and is taken to Guantanamo. Many current issues and contemporary themes are weaved into the novel which also has a slice of the present Syrian struggle. I want the novel to mirror our own troubled time, said the novelist who recently released his short story collection ‘Love in the Time of Invasion’. The book has 11 short stories that speak volumes of nostalgia, Indian political history, myth and the 7/7 London bombings among other newspaper-based stories.
Jaber Al-Ali Secondary school, of Mubarak Al-Kabeer Educational Area, recently held a special ceremony to honor students with outstanding performance. The ceremony was attended by the school assistant directors, Mohammed Abdul Hameed Al-Jassim and Fadhel Ghadanfar, social workers Hani Hassan and Ali Al-Zefzaf, Jahra and Farwaniya security director Maj General Ibrahim AL-Tarrah, a number of the honored students’ parents and members of the teaching staff.
IMAX IMAX film program Sunday ** 9:30am Showtime Available for Groups Tornado Alley 3D 10:30am, 6:30pm, 9:30pm To The Arctic 3D 1:30am, 8:30pm Flight of Butterflies 3D 12:30pm, 5:30pm Born to be Wild 3D 7:30pm
Vichar Bharathi holds legal awareness camp
Monday: ** 9:30am Showtime Available for Groups Flight of Butterflies 3D 10:30am, 8:30pm Tornado Alley 3D 11:30am, 5:30pm, 7:30pm To The Arctic 3D 12:30pm, 9:30pm Born to be Wild 3D
Write to us Send to What’s On upcoming events, birthdays or celebrations by email: local@kuwaittimes.net Fax: 24835619 / 20
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ichar Bharathi Kuwait in association with the Indian Lawyers Forum conducted a ‘legal awareness camp’ on 31, May at United Indian School Abbassiya. The program was inaugurated by Kuwaiti Lawyer, Advocate Labeed Abdal together with Adv Thomas Panicker, Indian Lawyers Forum president, Krishnakumar Paliath, Seva Darsan President and Vibheesh Thikkodi, Vichar Bharathi Kuwait
Coordinator. Adv Labeed Abdal emphasized the need to ensure equality of various nationalities living in Kuwait before the law and order. He added that it is a two way responsibility where the expatriate community should see to it that they abide the law of the country and be part of its development. At the same time, Kuwait Government should see that the law is executed keeping the transparency and not hurting or trou-
bling the expatriate community in Kuwait. Adv Panicker, Paliath and Thikkodi addressed the gathering. Presentations given by Adv Sumod M.K and Adv Mohammed Basheer covering Indian Civil and Criminal Law, Adv Rajesh Sagar and Adv Thomas Stephen covering Kuwait Labor Law and Kuwait Laws in general were informative. The expert panel including Adv George Cherian answered the legal ques-
tions raised by the audience. The camp was marked with relevance of the subject and active participation of the audience. The guests were honored by Vichar Bharathi officials. Indian Lawyers Forum was specially honored by Seva Darsan Kuwait recognizing their contributions to the Indian expat society. Reshmy Krishnakumar delivered the welcome speech and Arun Kumar delivered the word of gratitude.
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
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Embassy Information EMBASSY OF AUSTRALIA The Australian Embassy Kuwait does not have a visa or immigration department. All processing of visas and immigration matters in conducted by The Australian 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-gcccom for more information. Kuwait citizens can apply for tourist visas on-line at www.immi.gov.au/e visa/e676.htm. nnnnnnn
Porsche celebrates first anniversary with 10,000 participants from Kuwait’s schools
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, Email: abdbi-im-enquiry@international.gc.ca. The Embassy of Canada is located at Villa 24, AlMutawakei 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
P
orsche Centre Kuwait, Behbehani Motors Company, recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Porsche Road and Traffic Safety Program, in addition to having reached the 10,000 mark for the number of students taking part in the comprehensive road and traffic safety education Program. Including a special ceremony with Awards of Appreciation handed over to Porsche Centre Kuwait, Behbehani Motors Company, and representatives from Qadsiya Sports Club, the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Education, the one-year anniversary marks a year of dedication and hard-work by all parties involved to provide Kuwait’s students with an all-encompassing understanding of road and traffic safety and basic road signs and traffic laws in Kuwait. Launched in partnership with Fawzia Sultan Rehabilitation Institute as a result of the United Nations and World Health Organization initiative ‘Decade of Action for Road Safety’, with support from Kuwait’s Ministries of Interior and Education to ensure as wide an educational reach as possible, the Program has continued under the sponsorship of Porsche Centre Kuwait, helping to positively impact the driving habits of Kuwait’s next generation of drivers. The Porsche Early Childhood Road and Traffic Safety
Program for Schools is conducted by applying Porsche Kids Driving School activities in a controlled learning environment, educating children between the ages of three and seven on the importance of wearing seatbelts, how to properly use pedestrian crossings, and learning basic road signs and traffic rules. The ‘learner drivers’ then put their new knowledge into practice and drive Porsche 911 pedal cars on a specially designed road circuit, complete with working traffic lights, roundabouts, junctions, speed bumps and a pedestrian crossing. Children are encouraged to respect and show consideration to other road users whilst following the ‘Golden Rules of Road Safety’. During the past year the Program has helped over 10,000 students from schools across the country, both government and private, learn how to be responsible drivers, passengers and pedestrians. A new curriculum guide has now been produced and is available to all schools in both English and Arabic, providing a valuable teaching resource to facilitate the integration of Road and Traffic Safety into the school curriculum. Commenting on Porsche Centre Kuwait’s sponsorship of the program, Roger Kyriacou, Deputy Group General Manager Porsche Centre Kuwait, said: “Porsche Centre Kuwait, Behbehani Motors Company is very happy with the Program and its results, and our contribution to the program stems from the well-
founded belief we have in the importance of corporate responsibility and the need to create a culture of safe driving. Kuwait as a whole needs to combat the ever-increasing rate of drivingrelated fatalities, and we endeavor to be a strong factor of change in the country by instilling respect for the road and other travellers in the country’s future drivers.” Also commenting on the anniversary of the Program, Mike Finn, Porsche Early Childhood Road and Traffic Safety Program Coordinator, applauded the reception the Program has received from students, parents, educators and the Ministry of Interior. “Our Program, utilizing Porsche Kids Driving School activities, has seen enormous growth since inception, and schools across the country love to offer the Program to their students. Parents themselves witness the results of the Program while driving with their children, and we know that we are helping create a better and safer driving environment. We extend our thanks to Porsche Centre Kuwait for driving this Program forward and their commitment to a safer future.” To commemorate this first anniversary and the landmark of 10,000 student participants, students from Kuwait English School were present during the celebration and sang “Happy Birthday” in appreciation of the Program and Porsche Centre Kuwait’s support and contribution.
KNES supports Kuwait Red Crescent
EMBASSY OF US Parents of Kuwaiti citizen children may drop off their sons’ and daughters’ visa applications - completely free of an interview or a trip inside the Embassy. The children must be under 14 years of age, and additional requirements do apply, but the service means parents will no longer have to schedule individual appointments for their children, nor come inside the Embassy (unless they are applying for themselves). The service is only available for children holding Kuwaiti passports. To take advantage, parents must drop off the following documents: Child Visa Drop-off cover sheet, available on the Embassy website (http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/child_visas.htm) - Child’s passport; The Child’s previous passport, if it contains a valid US visa; 5x5cm photo of child with eyes open (if uploaded into DS160, photos must be a .jpg between 600x600 and 1200x1200 pixels, less than 240kb, and cannot be digitally altered); A completed DS160 form; Visa Fee Receipt from Burgan Bank; A copy of the valid visa of at least one parent. If one parent will not travel, provide a visa copy for the traveling parent, and a passport copy from the non-traveling parent with a letter stating no objection to the child’s travel. - For children of students (F2): a copy of the child’s I20. Children born in the US (with very few exceptions) are US citizens and would not be eligible for a visa. Parents may drop off the application packet at Window 2 at the Embassy from 1:00 to 3:00 PM, Monday to Wednesday, excluding holidays. More information is available on the U.S. Embassy website: kuwait.usembassy.gov/child_visas.html nnnnnnn
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
Kuwait National English School went to the Red Crescent in Kuwait with School Director Madame Chantal Al-Gharabally, Staff and Students from the Primary and Secondary Departments to give a cheque of 2500 KD raised by the school on its annual Charity Day. This amount will be donated to the people in need who are suffering from political situations in the Middle East.
Arpan forms children’s club
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rpan Kuwait, a socio-cultural group, formed its children’s club on May 24. Sarath Ganesh as president, Gayatri Sajeevan as vice president, Nandu Sajeevan as general secretary, Anurag Sreenath and Aroma Sathish as joint secretaries were selected. In addition, Arpan conducted drawing, coloring, quiz and spelling bee competitions for kids in various categories. All participants were given gifts. Cultural secretary Mohammed Rafi Padiyath led the program.
EMBASSY OF VATICAN The Apostolic Nunciature (Embassy of the Holy See, Vatican in Kuwait presents its compliments to Kuwait Times Newspaper, and has the honor to inform the same that the Apostolic Nunciature has moved to a new location in Kuwait City. Please find below the new address: Yarmouk, Block 1, Street 2, Villa No: 1. P.O.Box 29724, Safat 13158, Kuwait. Tel: 965 25337767, Fax: 965 25342066. Email: nuntiuskuwait@gmail.com nnnnnnn
EMBASSY OF SOUTH AFRICA On the occasion of Al-Esra Wa Al-Meraj, the South African Embassy will be closed on Thursday, 6 June 2013. The Embassy will resume its normal working hours on Sunday, 9 June 2013, from Sunday to Thursday. Please note that the Working hours will be from 8 to 4 & the Consular Section operation hours will from 8-30 to 12-30.
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
TV PROGRAMS 23:00 00:00 01:00 02:00 14:10 14:35 15:05 15:30 16:00 16:25 16:55 17:20 17:50 18:15 18:45 19:10 20:05 21:00 21:55 22:50 23:45 00:40 01:35
How It’s Made Auction Hunters Auction Hunters Auction Hunters Auction Hunters Auction Hunters Border Security Border Security Border Security Border Security Border Security Mythbusters James May’s Man Lab Unchained Reaction Powering The Future Building The Future Gold Rush Gold Rush Gold Rush
14:50 15:45 16:40 17:35 18:25 19:20 21:05 22:00 23:50 00:45 01:35
Discovery Saved My Life Reign Of The Dinosaurs Daredevils American Car Prospector Combat Countdown Animal Gladiators Treasures Decoded Animal Gladiators American Car Prospector Zero Hour Jack The Ripper In America
14:20 14:45 15:10 15:35 16:00 16:55 17:45 18:35 19:00 19:30 20:20 21:10 21:35 22:00 22:50 23:40 00:05 00:30 01:00 01:50
Kitchen Chemistry Kitchen Chemistry Things That Move Things That Move Prototype This Bad Universe Finding Bigfoot The Gadget Show The Tech Show Storm Chasers X-Machines Kitchen Chemistry Kitchen Chemistry Storm Chasers Dark Matters Kitchen Chemistry Kitchen Chemistry How Do They Do It? Future Weapons Future Weapons
14:00 14:30 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 17:30 18:00 19:00 19:30 20:00 21:00 22:00 22:30 23:00 23:30 00:00 01:00 01:30 02:00
14:00 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00
Counting Cars Counting Cars Ancient Aliens Storage Wars Storage Wars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars American Pickers Cajun Pawn Stars Cajun Pawn Stars Storage Wars Unlocked Ancient Aliens Counting Cars Counting Cars Shipping Wars Storage Wars Banger Boys Cajun Pawn Stars Cajun Pawn Stars Shipping Wars
C.S.I. Kyle XY Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show C.S.I. Necessary Roughness Burn Notice Grimm Scandal
Greek Kyle XY Scandal Grimm
03:00 Wilfred 03:30 Happy Endings 04:00 Seinfeld 04:30 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 05:30 Hope & Faith 06:00 All Of Us 06:30 Til Death 07:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 08:00 Seinfeld 08:30 Hope & Faith 09:00 Wilfred 09:30 The Neighbors 10:00 The Office 10:30 Til Death 11:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 12:00 All Of Us 12:30 Seinfeld 13:00 Hope & Faith 13:30 Til Death 14:00 Happy Endings 14:30 The Office 15:00 The Neighbors 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 16:00 The Colbert Report 16:30 All Of Us 17:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 18:00 Guys With Kids 18:30 1600 Penn 19:00 Two And A Half Men 19:30 The Office 20:00 The Office 20:30 The Cleveland Show 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 21:30 The Colbert Report 22:00 Saturday Night Live 23:00 The Ricky Gervais Show 23:30 The Office 00:00 The Cleveland Show 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 01:00 The Colbert Report 01:30 Saturday Night Live 02:30 The Ricky Gervais Show
05:15 05:35 06:00 06:25 06:35 06:45 07:10 07:35 07:55 08:20 08:45 09:05 09:30 09:55 10:15 10:40 11:05 12:35 13:00 13:25 13:45 14:10 14:35 15:00 15:25 15:50 16:10 16:35 17:00 18:30 18:55 19:20 19:40 20:05 20:30 20:50 21:15 21:40 22:00 22:25 22:50 23:10
A Kind Of Magic A Kind Of Magic Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Jake & The Neverland Pirates Jake & The Neverland Pirates Suite Life On Deck A.N.T Farm Jessie That’s So Raven Gravity Falls Good Luck Charlie Shake It Up Jessie Austin And Ally A.N.T. Farm Code: 9 Monsters Inc. Code: 9 Shake It Up Jessie A.N.T. Farm That’s So Raven Good Luck Charlie Austin And Ally Gravity Falls Shake It Up Good Luck Charlie Good Luck Charlie Thirteenth Year That’s So Raven Good Luck Charlie Good Luck Charlie Jessie Shake It Up Austin And Ally A.N.T. Farm That’s So Raven Good Luck Charlie Shake It Up A.N.T. Farm Austin And Ally Wizards Of Waverly Place
23:35 00:00 00:20 00:45 01:05 01:30 01:50 02:15 02:35
Wizards Of Waverly Place Stitch Stitch A Kind Of Magic A Kind Of Magic Emperor’s New School Emperor’s New School Replacements Replacements
14:05 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 15:00 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 16:00 E!es 17:00 Fashion Police 18:00 E! News 19:00 Chasing The Saturdays 19:30 Chasing The Saturdays 20:00 Kourtney And Kim Take Miami 21:00 Kourtney And Kim Take Miami 22:00 Chasing The Saturdays 22:30 Playing With Fire 23:30 Chelsea Lately 00:00 Chelsea Lately 00:30 Dirty Soap 01:25 Too Young To Kill
03:00 Phil Spencer - Secret Agent 03:50 Phil Spencer - Secret Agent 04:45 Perfect Day 05:10 Food & Drink 05:35 The Roux Legacy 06:10 Baking Mad With Eric Lanlard 06:35 Baking Mad With Eric Lanlard 07:00 Food Poker 07:45 Food Poker 08:30 Food Poker 09:20 Food Poker 10:10 Food Poker 10:55 Baking Mad With Eric Lanlard 11:20 Baking Mad With Eric Lanlard 11:45 Food & Drink 12:10 The Roux Legacy 12:45 Glamour Puds 13:10 Celebrity MasterChef 14:05 Celebrity MasterChef 14:30 Ty Pennington’s Homes For The Brave 15:15 Bargain Hunt: Famous Finds 16:00 Antiques Roadshow 16:55 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 17:40 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Specials 18:20 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Specials 19:00 Celebrity MasterChef 19:55 Vacation Vacation Vacation 20:25 Gok’s Fashion Fix 21:15 Antiques Roadshow 22:10 Bargain Hunt 23:00 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Specials 23:40 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Specials 00:20 Cash In The Attic 01:05 Gok’s Fashion Fix 01:55 Design Rules 02:25 James Martin’s Champagne 02:50 Celebrity MasterChef
03:00 03:25 03:50 04:15 04:40 05:30 06:10 06:35 07:00 07:25 07:50 08:15 08:40 09:05 09:30 09:55 10:20 10:45
Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Unique Eats Food Crafters United Tastes Of America Chopped Amazing Wedding Cakes Unwrapped Unwrapped Hungry Girl Hungry Girl Hungry Girl Hungry Girl Extra Virgin Extra Virgin Extra Virgin Extra Virgin United Tastes Of America United Tastes Of America
11:10 United Tastes Of America 11:35 United Tastes Of America 12:00 Amazing Wedding Cakes 12:50 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 13:15 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 13:40 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 14:05 Food Network Challenge 14:50 Amazing Wedding Cakes 15:35 Amazing Wedding Cakes 16:20 Charly’s Cake Angels 16:50 Charly’s Cake Angels 17:20 Staten Island Cakes 18:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 18:40 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 19:05 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 19:30 Food Wars 19:55 Food Wars 20:20 Food Wars 20:45 Food Wars 21:10 Chopped 22:00 Iron Chef America 22:50 Iron Chef America 23:40 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 00:05 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 00:30 Food Wars 00:55 Food Wars 01:20 Unwrapped 01:45 Iron Chef America
03:45 Lady And The Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure-FAM 05:15 StreetDance 2-PG15 06:45 Take Shelter-PG15 09:00 Footloose-PG15 11:00 Jack And Jill-PG15 12:45 John Carter-PG15 15:00 Larry Crowne-PG15 17:00 Footloose-PG15 19:00 People Like Us-PG15 21:00 A Thousand Words-PG15 23:00 The Grey-18 01:00 Seeking Justice-PG15
07:00 09:00 11:00 13:00 15:00 16:45 19:00 21:00 23:00 01:00
Hidden Crimes-PG15 I’ve Loved You So Long-PG15 The Vow-PG15 Spooky Buddies-PG Battle For Terra-PG A Separation-PG15 Safe House-PG15 Pariah-18 Liars All-PG15 A Separation-PG15
UFC The Ultimate Fighter Live UFC Trans World Sport Futbol Mundial ICC Cricket 360 Live NRL Premiership European Senior Tour Futbol Mundial Live NRL Premiership ICC Cricket 360 Inside The PGA Tour European Tour Weekly Live PGA European Tour Super Rugby Live PGA Tour Inside The PGA Tour Live PGA Tour
01:00 PGA European Tour Weekly 01:30 PGA European Tour 05:30 European Senior Tour Highlights 06:30 Inside The PGA Tour 07:00 Champions Tour 09:00 ICC Cricket 360 09:30 Live AFL Premiership 12:30 Inside The PGA Tour 13:00 PGA European Tour Weekly 13:30 Futbol Mundial 14:00 Trans World Sport 15:00 Live UK Open Darts 19:00 Futbol Mundial 19:30 Inside The PGA Tour 20:00 Trans World Sport 21:00 Live UK Open Darts
00:00 02:00 06:00 07:00 11:00 12:00 12:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 19:45 22:00 23:00
WWE Smackdown UK Open Darts Motor Sports 2013 UK Open Darts WWE Experience WWE This Week NHL UIM Powerboat Champs UIM Powerboat Champs UFC Live IRB Junior Championship WWE Experience UFC
SAFE HOUSE ON OSN CINEMA
Kuwait 03:45 Mission: Impossible III-PG15 06:00 The Conspirator-PG15 08:00 Justice League: Doom-PG15 10:00 Flower Girl-PG15 12:00 The Big Year-PG 14:00 Dead Lines-PG15 16:00 Justice League: Doom-PG15 17:30 The Avengers-PG15 20:00 The River Why-PG15 22:00 Ondine-PG15 00:00 Dungeons & Dragons: The Book Of Vile Darkness-18 02:00 The Avengers-PG1504:00 Green Lantern: Emerald KnightsPG15 06:00 Do No Harm-PG15 08:00 The Muppets-PG 10:00 Sinbad: Legend Of The Seven Seas-FAM 12:00 The Makeover-PG15 14:00 Charlie’s Angels: Full ThrottlePG15 16:00 The Muppets-PG 18:00 Think Like A Man-PG15 20:02 Rabbit Hole-PG15 22:00 Snow White And The Huntsman-PG15 00:15 The Muppets-PG 02:00 Think Like A Man-PG15
04:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 15:45 18:00 20:00 22:00 00:00 02:00
Twister-PG15 Arctic Blast-PG15 Iron Sky-PG15 Romancing The Stone-PG15 Mission To Mars-PG15 Iron Sky-PG15 X-Men: First Class-PG15 Mission To Mars-PG15 Taxi Driver-18 Killer Elite-18 Prowl-18 Taxi Driver-18
08:00 Bushwhacked-PG 10:00 The Winning Season-PG15 12:00 Mr. Destiny-PG 14:00 Smooch-PG15 16:00 The Winning Season-PG15 18:00 Turner & Hooch-PG15 20:00 The Janky Promoters-18 22:00 Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy-PG15 00:00 Spread-R 02:00 The Janky Promoters-18
09:15 11:30 13:45 15:30 17:45 19:15 21:30 23:30 01:15
FOOTLOOSE ON OSN MOVIES HD
01:00 03:00 06:00 07:00 07:30 08:00 10:00 11:00 11:30 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 18:00 20:00 21:30 22:00
Oscar And Lucinda-PG15 Terms Of Endearment-PG15 Stealing Bess-PG15 Oscar And Lucinda-PG15 Every Jack Has A Jill-PG15 Walk The Line-PG15 Straw Dogs-18 The End Of The Affair-18 Mr. Nobody-PG15
00:00 International Rugby Union 04:00 International Rugby Union 06:00 Futbol Mundial 06:30 ICC Cricket 360 07:00 Live NRL Premiership 09:00 Live Super Rugby 11:00 British & Irish Lions 14:00 International Rugby Union 16:00 Inside The PGA Tour 16:30 Futbol Mundial 17:00 ICC Cricket 360 17:45 Live IRB Junior World Championship 19:45 Live IRB Junior World Championship 21:45 Live IRB Junior World Championship
SHARQIA-1 AFTER EARTH (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED SHARQIA-2 EPIC (DIG-3D) TATTAH (DIG) EPIC (DIG-3D) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED SHARQIA-3 NOW YOU SEE ME (DIG) DISCONNECT (DIG) THE HANGOVER PART III (DIG) DISCONNECT (DIG) NOW YOU SEE ME (DIG) DISCONNECT (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED
1:30 PM 1:00 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM
12:30 PM 2:45 PM 5:00 PM 7:15 PM 9:45 PM 12:15 AM
1:30 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM 12:30 AM
MUHALAB-1 EPIC (DIG) EPIC (DIG) DISCONNECT (DIG) DISCONNECT (DIG) DISCONNECT (DIG)
1:30 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:15 PM
MUHALAB-2 NOW YOU SEE ME (DIG) THE HANGOVER PART III (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) NOW YOU SEE ME (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG)
12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:15 PM 9:45 PM
MUHALAB-3 TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG)
12:30 PM 2:45 PM 5:15 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM
FANAR-1 NOW YOU SEE ME (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) NOW YOU SEE ME (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) NOW YOU SEE ME (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED FANAR-2 AFTER EARTH (DIG) THE HANGOVER PART III (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) THE HANGOVER PART III (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED
12:30 PM 2:45 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 10:00 PM 12:30 AM
1:30 PM 3:45 PM 5:45 PM 7:45 PM 10:15 PM 12:15 AM
FANAR-3 YEH JAWANI HAI DEEWANI12:30 PM DISCONNECT (DIG) 3:30 PM DISCONNECT (DIG) 5:30 PM YAMLA PAGLA DEEWANA 2 (HINDI) (DIG) 7:30 PM DISCONNECT (DIG) 10:30 PM DISCONNECT (DIG) 12:45 AM NO SUN+ TUE+WED MARINA-1 DISCONNECT (DIG)
12:30 PM
KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (06/06/2013 TO 12/06/2013)
DISCONNECT (DIG) NOW YOU SEE ME (DIG) DISCONNECT (DIG) NOW YOU SEE ME (DIG) DISCONNECT (DIG) NOW YOU SEE ME (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED
2:30 PM 4:30 PM 6:45 PM 8:45 PM 11:00 PM 1:00 AM
MARINA-2 AFTER EARTH (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED
12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:30 PM 8:00 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM
MARINA-3 TATTAH (DIG) EPIC (DIG-3D) THE HANGOVER PART III (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED
1:00 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM 12:30 AM
AVENUES-1 NOW YOU SEE ME (DIG) NOW YOU SEE ME (DIG) NOW YOU SEE ME (DIG) NOW YOU SEE ME (DIG) NOW YOU SEE ME (DIG) NOW YOU SEE ME (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED
1:45 PM 4:00 PM 6:15 PM 8:30 PM 10:45 PM 1:00 AM
AVENUES-2 TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED
1:30 PM 4:00 PM 6:30 PM 9:00 PM 11:30 PM
AVENUES-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
1:45 PM 4:30 PM 7:15 PM 10:00 PM 12:45 AM
360º 1 AFTER EARTH (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) 360º 2 DISCONNECT (DIG) DISCONNECT (DIG) DISCONNECT (DIG) DISCONNECT (DIG) DISCONNECT (DIG) DISCONNECT (DIG) 360º 3 THE HANGOVER PART III (DIG) THE HANGOVER PART III (DIG) THE HANGOVER PART III (DIG) THE HANGOVER PART III (DIG) THE HANGOVER PART III (DIG) THE HANGOVER PART III (DIG) AL-KOUT.1 AFTER EARTH (DIG) EPIC (DIG-3D) AFTER EARTH (DIG)
1:00 PM 3:15 PM 5:30 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM 12:15 AM
2:15 PM 4:30 PM 6:45 PM 9:00 PM 11:15 PM 1:15 AM
1:45 PM 4:00 PM 6:15 PM 8:30 PM 10:45 PM 1:00 AM
1:30 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM
THE HANGOVER PART III (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG)
8:00 PM 10:15 PM 12:30 AM
AL-KOUT.2 TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG)
12:30 PM 2:45 PM 5:00 PM 7:30 PM 10:00 PM 12:45 AM
AL-KOUT.3 FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) NOW YOU SEE ME (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) NOW YOU SEE ME (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) NOW YOU SEE ME (DIG)
1:00 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM 1:00 AM
BAIRAQ-1 EPIC (DIG-3D) EPIC (DIG-3D) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG)
1:30 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:45 PM 11:30 PM
BAIRAQ-2 TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG)
12:30 PM 3:00 PM 5:30 PM 8:00 PM 10:30 PM 1:00 AM
BAIRAQ-3 AFTER EARTH (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) DISCONNECT (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG)
12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM
PLAZA TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG)
5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:30 PM
LAILA FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG)
6:00 PM 8:30 PM 10:45 PM
AJIAL.1 IDDARAMMAYILATHO (DIG) IDDARAMMAYILATHO (DIG)
6:45 PM 9:45 PM
AJIAL.2 MUMBAI POLICE (DIG) KUTTI PULI (DIG) (TAMIL)
6:30 PM 9:30 PM
AJIAL.3 YEH JAWANI HAI DEEWANI6:45 PM YAMLA PAGLA DEEWANA 2 9:45 PM AJIAL.4 TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG)
6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM
METRO-1 MUMBAI POLICE (DIG) KUTTI PULI (DIG) (TAMIL) NO FRI IDDARAMMAYILATHO (DIG)
9:30 PM
METRO-2 IDDARAMMAYILATHO (DIG) IDDARAMMAYILATHO (DIG)
6:45 PM 10:00 PM
6:30 PM 9:30 PM
Classifieds SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
Airlines BBC QTR RJA THY JZR JZR ETH GFA UAE ETD FDB MSR QTR KAC THY CLX DHX FDB BAW FDB KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC JZR JZR JZR UAE ABY QTR FDB IRA ETD IRC GFA MEA UAE MSR THY JZR JZR JZR KAC KAC KAC QTR FDB IRC SVA KNE OMA RJA QTR ETD SYR UAE ABY UAL SVA GFA NIA QTR FDB GFA AXB MSR JAI AFG FDB OMA ABY MEA KLM ALK JZR JZR JZR JZR JZR UAE ETD QTR GFA QTR JAI FDB AIC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC JZR JZR JZR JZR JZR UAL DLH JAI MSR PIA THY
Arrival Flights on Sunday 9/6/2013 Flt Route 43 DHAKA 148 DOHA 642 AMMAN 764 SABIHA 267 BEIRUT 539 CAIRO 620 ADDIS ABABA 211 BAHRAIN 853 DUBAI 305 ABU DHABI 67 DUBAI 612 CAIRO 138 DOHA 544 CAIRO 770 ISTANBUL 792 LUXEMBOURG 170 BAHRAIN 69 DUBAI 157 LONDON 53 DUBAI 352 COCHIN 382 DELHI 206 ISLAMABAD 332 TRIVANDRUM 302 MUMBAI 412 MANILA 555 ALEXANDRIA 1541 CAIRO 529 ASSIUT 855 DUBAI 125 SHARJAH 132 DOHA 55 DUBAI 603 SHIRAZ 301 ABU DHABI 6666 AHWAZ 213 BAHRAIN 404 BEIRUT 871 DUBAI 610 CAIRO 766 ISTANBUL 165 DUBAI 561 SOHAG 241 AMMAN 672 DUBAI 284 DHAKA 742 DAMMAM 140 DOHA 57 DUBAI 6507 SHIRAZ 500 JEDDAH 472 JEDDAH 645 MUSCAT 640 AMMAN 134 DOHA 303 ABU DHABI 341 DAMASCUS 857 DUBAI 127 SHARJAH 982 WASHINGTON DC DULLES 510 RIYADH 215 BAHRAIN 251 ALEXANDRIA 144 DOHA 63 DUBAI 219 BAHRAIN 393 KOZHIKODE 606 LUXOR 572 MUMBAI 415 KABUL 61 DUBAI 647 MUSCAT 129 SHARJAH 402 BEIRUT 417 AMSTERDAM 229 COLOMBO 787 RIYADH 177 DUBAI 481 SABIHA 535 CAIRO 189 DUBAI 859 DUBAI 307 ABU DHABI 136 DOHA 217 BAHRAIN 146 DOHA 576 COCHIN 59 DUBAI 981 AHMEDABAD 514 TEHRAN 774 RIYADH 102 NEW YORK 172 FRANKFURT 562 AMMAN 786 JEDDAH 618 DOHA 166 PARIS 542 CAIRO 502 BEIRUT 674 DUBAI 777 JEDDAH 257 BEIRUT 135 BAHRAIN 239 AMMAN 185 DUBAI 981 BAHRAIN 636 FRANKFURT 574 MUMBAI 614 CAIRO 205 LAHORE 772 ISTANBUL
Time 00:05 00:05 01:25 01:40 00:20 00:40 01:45 01:55 02:25 02:30 03:10 03:15 03:30 04:10 04:35 04:55 05:10 05:50 06:30 07:45 08:05 07:30 07:25 07:55 07:50 06:15 06:20 06:25 06:40 08:25 08:50 09:00 09:15 09:20 09:30 10:10 10:40 10:55 12:45 13:00 13:10 11:35 12:00 12:35 13:40 08:15 13:30 13:45 13:50 14:10 14:30 14:35 14:40 15:55 16:15 16:35 16:45 16:55 17:10 17:15 17:20 17:20 18:00 18:25 18:55 19:05 19:15 19:30 19:35 19:45 20:00 20:00 20:05 20:15 21:05 21:10 16:15 17:30 20:10 16:10 20:10 21:15 21:30 21:35 21:45 22:00 22:05 22:20 22:25 20:50 13:45 19:35 21:15 20:45 18:30 19:10 18:40 18:15 18:50 19:25 17:50 14:30 23:00 22:30 22:40 22:40 23:10 23:20 23:30 23:40 23:45
Airlines AIC AXB JAI UAL DLH MSR BBC THY THY ETH UAE FDB MSR ETD QTR QTR JZR FDB RJA GFA THY JZR JZR CLX BAW FDB JZR KAC KAC JZR KAC ABY UAE FDB QTR ETD IRA KAC KAC KAC IRC GFA KAC MEA JZR KAC JZR JZR KAC JZR MSR THY UAE FDB QTR KAC IRC KNE KAC OMA SVA KAC JZR KAC RJA JZR QTR ETD JZR SYR ABY UAE SVA GFA JZR UAL JZR NIA QTR FDB GFA JZR AXB KAC MSR JAI FDB ABY AFG OMA MEA DHX KLM ETD ALK UAE KAC QTR KAC GFA FDB KAC QTR JAI KAC JZR JZR KAC KAC JZR
Departure Flights on Sunday 9/6/2013 Flt Route 976 GOA/CHENNAI 490 MANGALORE 573 MUMBAI 981 WASHINGTON DC DULLES 637 FRANKFURT 615 CAIRO 44 CHITTAGONG 773 ISTANBUL 765 ISTANBUL 621 ADDIS ABABA 854 DUBAI 68 DUBAI 613 CAIRO 306 ABU DHABI 139 DOHA 149 DOHA 560 SOHAG 70 DUBAI 643 AMMAN 212 BAHRAIN 771 ISTANBUL 240 AMMAN 164 DUBAI 792 LUXEMBOURG 156 LONDON 54 DUBAI 256 BEIRUT 171 FRANKFURT 117 NEW YORK 534 CAIRO 671 DUBAI 126 SHARJAH 856 DUBAI 56 DUBAI 133 DOHA 302 ABU DHABI 602 SHIRAZ 773 RIYADH 741 DAMMAM 501 BEIRUT 6667 AHWAZ 214 BAHRAIN 541 CAIRO 405 BEIRUT 776 JEDDAH 103 LONDON 480 ISTANBUL 786 RIYADH 785 JEDDAH 176 DUBAI 611 CAIRO 767 ISTANBUL 872 DUBAI 58 DUBAI 141 DOHA 673 DUBAI 6508 SHIRAZ 473 JEDDAH 561 AMMAN 646 MUSCAT 503 MADINAH 617 DOHA 188 DUBAI 513 MAM KHOMEINI 641 AMMAN 238 AMMAN 135 DOHA 304 ABU DHABI 538 CAIRO 342 LATAKIA 128 SHARJAH 858 DUBAI 511 RIYADH 216 BAHRAIN 184 DUBAI 982 BAHRAIN 266 BEIRUT 252 ALEXANDRIA 145 DOHA 64 DUBAI 220 BAHRAIN 134 BAHRAIN 394 KOZHIKODE 283 DHAKA 619 ALEXANDRIA 571 MUMBAI 62 DUBAI 120 SHARJAH 415 JEDDAH 648 MUSCAT 403 BEIRUT 171 BAHRAIN 417 DAMMAM 308 ABU DHABI 230 COLOMBO 860 DUBAI 343 CHENNAI 137 DOHA 301 MUMBAI 218 BAHRAIN 60 DUBAI 205 ISLAMABAD 147 DOHA 575 ABU DHABI 351 KOCHI 554 ALEXANDRIA 1540 CAIRO 411 BANGKOK 415 KUALA LUMPUR 528 ASSIUT
Time 00:05 00:15 00:20 00:25 00:30 00:30 01:30 02:20 02:40 02:45 03:45 03:50 04:15 04:20 04:25 05:15 05:35 06:30 06:35 07:00 07:10 07:10 07:25 08:15 08:25 08:25 08:50 08:55 09:05 09:10 09:25 09:30 09:50 09:55 10:00 10:15 10:20 10:20 10:30 11:10 11:10 11:25 11:30 11:55 12:25 12:30 12:30 12:50 13:00 13:20 14:00 14:10 14:15 14:30 14:55 15:05 15:10 15:30 15:30 15:40 15:45 15:45 16:00 16:20 16:55 17:05 17:20 17:20 17:40 17:45 17:50 18:15 18:20 18:20 18:30 18:30 18:40 19:00 19:25 19:35 19:50 20:05 20:15 20:15 20:30 20:35 20:40 20:45 20:45 20:55 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 23:10 23:20 23:25 23:40 23:50 23:55
DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)
ACCOMMODATION Sharing accommodation now available near big Jamiya, Bahrain Street, Salmiya (Gadeer Clinic building). Contact: 66792392/ 69664598. (C 4436) 9-6-2013
CHANGE OF NAME I, Milagrina Vales resident of H.No. 281, Baixo de Igreja, Agassaim Ilhas Goa has changed my name from Milagrina Gracias to Malagrina Vales. Hereafter in all my dealings and documents I will be known as Milagrina Vales. (C 4434) 5-6-2013
FOR SALE Fully furnished flat for sale in Burj Behbehani building opposite to Salmiya Garden. Big hall, 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, big kitchen. Swimming pool, Gym facility, underground parking and round the clock security available. Contact: 50701181. (C 4432) 1-6-2013
Prayer timings Fajr:
03:14
Shorook
04:48
Duhr:
11:47
Asr:
15:21
Maghrib:
18:45
Isha:
20:16
112 THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY FOR CIVIL INFORMATION Automated enquiry about the Civil ID card is
1889988
Al-Madena Police Station Al-Murqab Police Station Al-Daiya Police Station Al-Fayha’a Police Station Al-Qadissiya Police Station Al-Nugra Police Station Al-Salmiya Police Station Al-Dasma Police Station
22434064 22435865 22544200 22547133 22515277 22616662 25714406 22530801
34
stars CROSSWORD 215
STAR TRACK Aries (March 21-April 19) A need to be respected is strong at this time. Work, achievement and ambition—these things mean a lot to you. You could be working overtime and having a difficult time making everyone happy. Agree to set aside some time tonight or tomorrow for someone who may need your emotional support. You may decide that this is a time to set up ways in which to teach your children how to deal with time and money. Help them spend time wisely and budget their money carefully. You have a strong drive to be seen and known— to network with others. Personal appearance and the way you present yourself are also motivating factors in your purchase of some new work clothes. Enjoy connecting with family this evening.
Taurus (April 20-May 20) You interact with the people around you best when all the chores and errands are out of the way for the day. Whether or not you are the designated cook and bottle washer, you might want to take on that responsibility for today. Consider preparing a light and attractive late lunch for those that are home this afternoon. They will appreciate your thoughtfulness and be more ready to listen to your ideas. You draw emotional sustenance and a sense of security from your friends and loved ones. This may be a time when many of you decide to marry. If you are already married, there will be opportunities to deepen the relationship. Friends and a social life are in order this weekend. There will be many opportunities to enjoy your loved ones.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
ACROSS 1. (Judaism) Not conforming to dietary laws. 5. An inscription on a tombstone or monument in memory of the person buried there. 12. An authoritative direction or instruction to do something. 15. Queen of the Olympian gods in ancient Greek mythology. 16. Dark sweet or semisweet dessert wine from Sicily. 17. Being one more than sixty. 18. An agency of the United Nations responsible for programs to aid education and the health of children and mothers in developing countries. 20. A river in central Brazil that flows generally northward (with many falls) to join the Tocantins River. 22. Long-tailed brilliantly colored parrot of Central and South America. 23. The Tibeto-Burman language spoken in the Thailand and Burmese borderlands. 25. Fastener consisting of a resinous composition that is plastic when warm. 26. Bearing or characterized by a blade or sword. 28. A gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number). 29. A period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event. 30. A flat-bottomed volcanic crater that was formed by an explosion. 33. Edible starchy tuberous root of taro plants. 37. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey). 41. German tennis player who won seven women's singles titles at Wimbledon (born in 1969). 42. Rare north temperate bog orchid bearing a solitary white to pink flower marked with purple at the tip of an erect reddish stalk above 1 basal leaf. 45. An artificial language for international use that rejects rejects all existing words and is based instead on an abstract analysis of ideas. 46. 300 to 3000 megahertz. 47. (anatomy) A fold or wrinkle or crease. 48. German arms manufacturer and son of Friedrich Krupp. 52. A republic in the Middle East in western Asia. 53. Belonging to or on behalf of a specified person (especially yourself). 54. The blood group whose red cells carry both the A and B antigens. 55. A silvery ductile metallic element found primarily in bauxite. 56. Small cubes with 1 to 6 spots on the faces. 65. Tropical American tree producing cacao beans. 68. A condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people. 70. Used in combination. 71. (Greek mythology) Goddess of wisdom and useful arts and prudent warfare. 73. Mix up or confuse. 75. A master's degree in business. 76. A female domestic. 77. Offering goods or services at less than standard price or rate. 79. A decree that prohibits something. 80. Predatory black-and-white toothed whale with large dorsal fin. 81. Of or relating to a creed. 82. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth. DOWN 1. The thick short innermost digit of the forelimb.
2. Of or relating to the kidneys. 3. Any plant of the genus Erica. 4. The face or front of a building. 5. The rate at which energy is drawn from a source that produces a flow of electricity in a circuit. 6. An informal term for a father. 7. A heavy brittle metallic element of the platinum group. 8. A male monarch or emperor (especially of Russia prior to 1917). 9. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine. 10. A deciduous tree of the family Ulmaceae that grows in the southeastern United States. 11. An ugly evil-looking old woman. 12. (Scottish) Bluish-black or gray-blue. 13. A monocotyledonous genus of the family Iridaceae. 14. The face of a timepiece. 19. An open vessel with a handle and a spout for pouring. 21. A member of a Turkic people of Uzbekistan and neighboring areas. 24. The highest level or degree attainable. 27. An official prosecutor for a judicial district. 31. An association of people to promote the welfare of senior citizens. 32. On, to, or at the top. 34. Beat thoroughly in a competition or fight. 35. The capital and largest city of Bangladesh. 36. Viscera and trimmings of a butchered animal often considered inedible by humans. 38. A benevolent aspect of Devi. 39. Primitive chlorophyll-containing mainly aquatic eukaryotic organisms lacking true stems and roots and leaves. 40. Annual and perennial herbs of damp habitats. 43. Noisy talk. 44. Sports equipment that is worn on the feet to enable the wearer to glide along on wheels and to be propelled by the alternate actions of the legs. 49. An organization of independent states to promote international peace and security. 50. Used as a Hindi courtesy title. 51. Cause to be embarrassed. 57. (in Gnosticism) A divine power or nature emanating from the Supreme Being and playing various roles in the operation of the universe. 58. Capital and largest city of Iraq. 59. Any of various deciduous or evergreen ornamental shrubs of the genus Abelia having opposite simple leaves and cymes of small white or pink or purplish flowers. 60. Syncopated music in duple time for dancing the rumba. 61. English monk and scholar (672-735). 62. An emblem (a small piece of plastic or cloth or metal) that signifies your status (rank or membership or affiliation etc.). 63. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables. 64. A city in southern Turkey on the Seyhan River. 66. Essential oil or perfume obtained from flowers. 67. Elegant and stylish. 69. A challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy. 72. The elementary stages of any subject (usually plural). 74. An inflammatory complication of leprosy that results in painful skin lesions on the arms and legs and face. 78. A colorless and odorless inert gas.
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
You have a choice to work or to join those you love in social activity—you would be wise to choose the social. Loved ones need your attention this weekend. Any attempt to avoid confronting life at the personal level is bound to frustration. Your avowed goals and ambitions may tend to ignore questions of vulnerability and great sensitivity and the two are forever about to meet and tell all. You would rather skirt your sensitive and vulnerable areas and concentrate on your career, but they always intrude and refuse to be banished. Although you like to avoid personal issues, your interest in probing the secrets of others is very energetic. Today is a good day to understand and unite with those you love. Young and old alike need your insights.
Cancer (June 21-July 22) Your love of groups and the social scene may find you less concerned about you as a person and more interested in relationships of all kinds today. Others find you very unselfish and open to sharing and cooperation. You are very original when it comes to your home and surroundings—the environment you build around you. This could also manifest in unusual ways of supporting yourself. When you have breakthroughs, they often come as insights into your immediate surroundings, home and environment—your support system in general. You may have new ideas about the past, history and young people, finding it easy to create an unusual environment. This is a good time to work out a schedule to get your redecorating ideas started.
Leo (July 23-August 22) Close relationships take on more emotional depth, power and importance. You have had unusual relationships in the past, perhaps a number of them, and not always of long duration. You are creative when it comes to partnerships or lovers; you seem to establish unusual and different relationships. Perhaps because you want to enjoy more security these days, you may put more effort into keeping people close to you now. You appear very at ease and relaxed. You may gather your friends or family together to enjoy playing tennis, softball, basketball, rollerblading or just about any other outdoor sport. If you are not traveling this evening, you will enjoy spending time with an animal, perhaps a dog. One of you learns a new trick.
Virgo (August 23-September 22) A hobby such as pottery, growing roses or designing landscapes has you working with the land and creates opportunities for you express your hidden talents. Setting aside a little land at your own place for herbs is a delightful choice—you are good at knowing the smoothest seasonings for topping off a special dish. Visiting with friends this evening you prefer not to become too personal. Some issues are just not up for conversation. Trading recipes, whether you are the cook or not, is a big topic this evening and many of the recipes are diet yummies. There is an opportunity for a new understanding or a healing between yourself and a loved one tonight. Forgiveness and understanding human frailties prevail; illusions and misunderstandings dissolve.
Word Search
Libra (September 23-October 22) Contact with a testy older member of the family could put you in a negative position. Help the older person find someone that can give advice and direction, even if you have to help pay for this service. Your mate will be very appreciative and you will have contributed the help that is needed. You might enjoy entertaining children and adults with enchanting stories this afternoon. This could mean volunteering at a neighborhood library. This older member of the family might enjoy joining in on these activities. Your understanding of the unity behind appearances, along with the ability to put these thoughts into words, is a rare and valuable gift. You would make a good director, for you like working with mental images.
Scorpio (October 23-November 21) This morning you may be supporting the feelings of a friend—maybe even helping to give compliments on behavior. You become actively involved on a social level, contributing a big part in collective events and developments. Perhaps an issue that is in need of being heard could be the basis of your enthusiasm. You can make lasting impressions and generate positive changes now. You have little patience for people who do not live up to their principles. You are reminded of your various responsibilities and feel the need to tend to personal business this afternoon. This is a good time to tend to the basics of your life and take care of some personal business you have postponed lately. A visit with someone older or in authority is positive.
Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Keep your priorities in order today as you could feel that you are moving in circles. You could become carried away under some sort of stress. Saying and writing things with style counts for a lot now and you may enjoy writing some letters to people that you might not have been in touch with lately. Neighbors or brothers and sisters will likely bring all kinds of good experiences your way. You are a great doer and someone that enjoys accomplishing goals. You will probably enjoy a little yard work this afternoon. Your outgoing nature, coupled with extremely skillful ways of handling other people, makes you a natural for entertaining others. You value change and transformation and have an almost reckless faith in the life process.
Capricorn (December 22-January 19) CAPRICORN There is an urge to strike out on your own in a new direction, to take on new challenges, no matter what the risks. You can be bold, perhaps headstrong and impatient for now. You go where angels fear to tread. You could consider signing up for a hot-air balloon ride, flying lessons or the latest tourist attraction. Anything like this can be done with a friend so that the friend can help you follow through with your dreams. A short trip or visit with friends may help to bring your ideas into focus. A friend finds your witty side and encourages you into a fit of laughter. A good game of tennis, golf or some other active competition is just what you were looking to enjoy. A balance in your life is what you strive to achieve.
Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Neighborhood affairs and relationships could come on the scene today. Communication efforts are rewarded and positive strokes from others make this a good day. You could be a bit too serious for most, but all would agree that you are organized and able to take care of any business at hand. You may seem older, perhaps wiser than your age and probably treat authority with great respect. Very disciplined—perhaps too sober just now, you may be analyzing and psychoanalyzing life’s predicaments. You are very imaginative in your approach to home, family and the domestic scene and can really see how to get into traditional values. You have natural insight into sensations, feelings and just living life. Relax by gardening or cooking.
Pisces (February 19-March 20) There is an emphasis on communication, expression of ideas and the connections between things, places and people. What goes on in your mind is the allimportant motivation in your life. You tend toward mental pursuits and admire intelligence. You may have some trouble understanding a highly emotional person today. Circumstances can throw you into positions where you must use your mind and deal with communications, service or hidden interests. This may mean you get a new phone, join a ham radio club or find a fascinating communications museum. You may deal with education, psychology, spiritual enlightenment or teaching principles and techniques. Someone you know may have a child that you would be happy to tutor.
Yesterday’s Solution
Yesterday’s Solution
Daily SuDoku
Yesterday’s Solution
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 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
Farwaniya
New Shifa Ferdous Coop Modern Safwan
Farwaniya Block 40 Ferdous Coop Old Kheitan Block 11
24734000 24881201 24726638
Tariq Hana Ikhlas Hawally & Rawdha Ghadeer Kindy Ibn Al-Nafis Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop
Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Salmiya-Amman St Hawally-Beirut St Hawally & Rawdha Coop Jabriya-Block 1A Jabriya-Block 3B Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop
25726265 25647075 22625999 22564549 25340559 25326554 25721264 25380581 25628241
Hawally
Al-Madeena
22418714
Al-Shuhada
22545171
Al-Shuwaikh
24810598
Al-Nuzha
22545171
Sabhan
24742838
Al-Helaly
22434853
Al-Faiha
22545051
Al-Farwaniya
24711433
Al-Sulaibikhat
24316983
Al-Fahaheel
23927002
Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh
24316983
Ahmadi
23980088
Al-Mangaf
23711183
Al-Shuaiba
23262845
Kaizen center
25716707
Rawda
22517733
Adaliya
22517144
Al-Jahra
25610011
Khaldiya
24848075
Al-Salmiya
25616368
Kaifan
24849807
Shamiya
24848913
Shuwaikh
24814507
Abdullah Salem
22549134
Nuzha
22526804
Industrial Shuwaikh
24814764
Qadsiya
22515088
Dasmah
22532265
Bneid Al-Gar
22531908
Shaab
22518752
Qibla
22459381
Ayoun Al-Qibla
22451082
Mirqab
22456536
Sharq
22465401
Salmiya
25746401
Jabriya
25316254
Maidan Hawally
25623444
Bayan
25388462
Mishref
25381200
W Hawally
22630786
Sabah
24810221
Jahra
24770319
New Jahra
24575755
West Jahra
24772608
South Jahra
24775066
North Jahra
24775992
North Jleeb
24311795
Ardhiya
24884079
Firdous
24892674
Omariya
24719048
N Khaitan
24710044
Fintas
23900322
INTERNATIONAL CALLS
PRIVATE CLINICS Ophthalmologists Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 General Practitioners Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Urologists Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Psychologists /Psychotherapists
Paediatricians
Plastic Surgeons Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf
22547272
Dr. Khaled Hamadi
Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari
22617700
Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed
Dr. Abdel Quttainah
25625030/60
Family Doctor Dr Divya Damodar
23729596/23729581
Psychiatrists Dr. Esam Al-Ansari
22635047
Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan
22613623/0
Gynaecologists & Obstetricians DrAdrian arbe
23729596/23729581
Dr. Verginia s.Marin
2572-6666 ext 8321
Endocrinologist
25665898 25340300
Dr. Zahra Qabazard
25710444
Dr. Sohail Qamar
22621099
Dr. Snaa Maaroof
25713514
Dr. Pradip Gujare
23713100
Dr. Zacharias Mathew
24334282
(1) Ear, Nose and Throat (2) Plastic Surgeon Dr. Abdul Mohsin Jafar, FRCS (Canada)
25655535
Dentists
Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan
22655539
Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami
25343406
Dr. Shamah Al-Matar
22641071/2
Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly
25739272
Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed
22562226
22618787
Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer
22561444
Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan
22619557
Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash
22525888
Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan
25653755
Dr. Bader Al-Ansari
25620111
General Surgeons Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer
22610044
Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher
25327148
Internists, Chest & Heart Dr. Adnan Ebil Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan
22666300 25728004
Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra
25355515
Dr. Mobarak Aldoub
24726446
Dr Nasser Behbehani
25654300/3
Soor Center Tel: 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688
Neurologists
22639939
Dr. Mousa Khadada
info@soorcenter.com www.soorcenter.com
3729596/3729581
Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri
25633324
Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan
25345875
Gastrologists Dr. Sami Aman
22636464
Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly
25322030
Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali
22633135
Kaizen center 25716707
25339330
Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Physiotherapists & VD Dr. Deyaa Shehab
25722291
Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees
22666288
Rheumatologists: Dr. Adel Al-Awadi
Dr Anil Thomas
Dr. Salem soso
Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman
25330060
Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah
25722290
Internist, Chest & Heart DR.Mohammes Akkad
24555050 Ext 210
Dr. Mohammad Zubaid MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Assistant Professor Of Medicine Head, Division of Cardiology Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Farida Al-Habib MD, PH.D, FACC Inaya German Medical Center Te: 2575077 Fax: 25723123
2611555-2622555
William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677
Afghanistan 0093 Albania 00355 Algeria 00213 Andorra 00376 Angola 00244 Anguilla 001264 Antiga 001268 Argentina 0054 Armenia 00374 Australia 0061 Austria 0043 Bahamas 001242 Bahrain 00973 Bangladesh 00880 Barbados 001246 Belarus 00375 Belgium 0032 Belize 00501 Benin 00229 Bermuda 001441 Bhutan 00975 Bolivia 00591 Bosnia 00387 Botswana 00267 Brazil 0055 Brunei 00673 Bulgaria 00359 Burkina 00226 Burundi 00257 Cambodia 00855 Cameroon 00237 Canada 001 Cape Verde 00238 Cayman Islands 001345 Central African 00236 Chad 00235 Chile 0056 China 0086 Colombia 0057 Comoros 00269 Congo 00242 Cook Islands 00682 Costa Rica 00506 Croatia 00385 Cuba 0053 Cyprus 00357 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Czech Republic 00420 Denmark 0045 Diego Garcia 00246 Djibouti 00253 Dominica 001767 Dominican Republic 001809 Ecuador 00593 Egypt 0020 El Salvador 00503 England (UK) 0044 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Eritrea 00291 Estonia 00372 Ethiopia 00251 Falkland Islands 00500 Faroe Islands 00298 Fiji 00679 Finland 00358 France 0033 French Guiana 00594 French Polynesia 00689 Gabon 00241 Gambia 00220 Georgia 00995 Germany 0049 Ghana 00233 Gibraltar 00350 Greece 0030 Greenland 00299 Grenada 001473 Guadeloupe 00590 Guam 001671 Guatemala 00502 Guinea 00224 Guyana 00592 Haiti 00509 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Honduras 00504 Hong Kong 00852 Hungary 0036 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Iceland 00354 India 0091 Indian Ocean 00873 Indonesia 0062
Iran 0098 Iraq 00964 Ireland 00353 Italy 0039 Ivory Coast 00225 Jamaica 001876 Japan 0081 Jordan 00962 Kazakhstan 007 Kenya 00254 Kiribati 00686 Kuwait 00965 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Laos 00856 Latvia 00371 Lebanon 00961 Liberia 00231 Libya 00218 Lithuania 00370 Luxembourg 00352 Macau 00853 Macedonia 00389 Madagascar 00261 Majorca 0034 Malawi 00265 Malaysia 0060 Maldives 00960 Mali 00223 Malta 00356 Marshall Islands 00692 Martinique 00596 Mauritania 00222 Mauritius 00230 Mayotte 00269 Mexico 0052 Micronesia 00691 Moldova 00373 Monaco 00377 Mongolia 00976 Montserrat 001664 Morocco 00212 Mozambique 00258 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Namibia 00264 Nepal 00977 Netherlands (Holland) 0031 Netherlands Antilles 00599 New Caledonia 00687 New Zealand 0064 Nicaragua 00505 Nigar 00227 Nigeria 00234 Niue 00683 Norfolk Island 00672 Northern Ireland (UK) 0044 North Korea 00850 Norway 0047 Oman 00968 Pakistan 0092 Palau 00680 Panama 00507 Papua New Guinea 00675 Paraguay 00595 Peru 0051 Philippines 0063 Poland 0048 Portugal 00351 Puerto Rico 001787 Qatar 00974 Romania 0040 Russian Federation 007 Rwanda 00250 Saint Helena 00290 Saint Kitts 001869 Saint Lucia 001758 Saint Pierre 00508 Saint Vincent 001784 Samoa US 00684 Samoa West 00685 San Marino 00378 Sao Tone 00239 Saudi Arabia 00966 Scotland (UK) 0044 Senegal 00221 Seychelles 00284 Sierra Leone 00232 Singapore 0065 Slovakia 00421 Slovenia 00386 Solomon Islands 00677
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013
lifestyle G o s s i p
H
arry Styles gave a hilarious speech at his mother’s wedding. The One Direction heart throb gave his mother Anne away as she married Robin Twist, and it is said he entertained guests with his “witty” and “emotional” speech at a party in a restaurant after the ceremony last week. Andy Pear - the owner of Pecks restaurant in Cheshire, UK - told The Sun newspaper: “His speech was very witty. He had everyone roaring with laughter. “And it was very emotional - people were in tears. He comes across as a very intelligent, engaging young man. “He wrote the speech himself and it lasted around 10 minutes.” It was reported last week Harry,
19, “couldn’t stop smiling” at the wedding and was seen by his mother’s side throughout. An insider had revealed: “Harry couldn’t stop smiling. He hardly left his mum’s side and she looked really proud of him. He sipped champagne and talked to everyone.” The ‘Little Things’ hitmaker has previously admitted Anne, 43, is one of his closest friends and someone who confides in. He said: “I tell her everything and she knows the truth.”
T
he couple - who welcomed their first child Camden into the world in August 2012 tied the knot after purchasing a marriage licence at the Davidson County Clerk in Nashville, Tennessee on Friday .Kristin tweeted: “Im officially Kristin Elizabeth Cutler!!!!! (sic)” Kristin, 26, recently enjoyed a bridal shower at at The London Hotel in West Hollywood. The bride to be was joined by a small group of her best girlfriends for the High Tea themed party. While Kristin found fame on MTV reality TV shows ‘Laguna Beach: The Real OC’ and ‘The Hills’, the blonde beauty revealed she isn’t inviting any of her former castmates to her wedding. She said: “It’s going to be family and really close friends. If the wedding were bigger, I would have loved to invite Audrina [Patridge], Stephanie [Pratt] and Heidi [Montag]. “It’s going to be perfect. We’re ready to be together for the rest of our lives.” Kristin added she is now fully prepared and ready for her big day. She said: “Everything is planned and ready to go, but that’s all I’m going to tell you.”
C
heryl Cole can’t wait to turn 30 as she thinks it’s when women are most beautiful. The former ‘X Factor’ judge - who will reach the milestone on June 30 - insists she has always aspired to grow older and she says she’s feeling more sexy and confident with age. She told the Sunday Mirror’s Notebook magazine: “And you know what, I knew this was going to happen because I always used to look up to women in their 30s and think, ‘This is when women are at their most beautiful, their most sexy, and their most confident.’ “That’s what I was aspiring to be and now I’m here too. I feel like, ‘Cool, I can relax now’.” The ‘Call My Name’ singer revealed she is planning three or four parties to celebrate her 30th birthday and according to sources she is putting her rift with music mogul Simon Cowell aside and inviting him to celebrate with her. Cheryl was fired from ‘The X Factor’ USA by the 53-year-old star after just three episodes in 2011 but the pair have since reconciled their friendship. A source told The Star newspaper: “Top of the guest-list is Simon Cowell. He was delighted to receive his invite. “It means a lot to him. It’s been a rocky few years for Simon and Cheryl but they’re getting their friendship back on track. “Simon can’t wait to be there for her and raise a toast to her future success away from the band.”
K
J
ames Franco is reportedly “in love” with Emilia Clarke. The 35-year-old actor is said to be head over heels for the ‘Game of Thrones’ actress and has been telling friends she is the one for him. A source told Star: “James is in love. He says Emilia is the most amazing woman he’s ever met.” The couple were spotted at an art fair in New York last month, where James couldn’t keep his hands off 26-year-old Emilia. A witness said: “James and Emilia were holding hands. He kept kissing and hugging her. It was as if they’d known each other for years.” In 2011, James revealed he had split from his long-term girlfriend Ahna O’Reilly after dating for five years. He admitted the longdistance had become too much for them as he was study-
ing English at Yale University, in New Haven, Connecticut, while she stayed in Los Angeles. He said: “That [relationship] lasted about four or five years. We’d been living together in LA then I came to New York to go to school for two years. “Then I signed up for more school at Yale. I think that was it for her.” The Hollywood hunk also confessed how he didn’t have much luck with girls when he was growing up because he was so shy. He said: “I think girls liked me, but I was awkward, shy and emotionally immature, so I didn’t have a ton of girlfriends. “I had short-term relationships and always got dumped, I think because I was too slow for them.”
C
hris Brown dumped Rihanna because she was too dramatic. The ‘Fine China’ hitmaker who is still on probation for beating Rihanna up in 2009 - reportedly called time on his relationship with her and got back together with his ex Karrueche Tran because he was sick of the drama with Rihanna, 25. A source told HollywoodLife: “Karrueche isn’t all hype and crazy like Rihanna and that’s probably why Chris chose her in the end. She’s drama free and real and she’s a good girl.” Chris, 24, also prefers Karrueche because she isn’t jealous when he talks to other women. The source added: “She loves him and she was even cool with him being with Rihanna while they just kept their relationship on a business level. She was fine with that but in the end, Chris came back to her. She didn’t force a thing. “Karrueche isn’t upset with Chris! Not in the least. She’s out in New York having fun and enjoying him, the city and the nightlife. She knows how many girls want to be next to Chris. “In the beginning, when she first met him, she was taken back by all the crazy attention girls gave him, but now she’s used to it. They’re just a bunch of groupies who don’t hold a candle to her.”
anye West has always been “obsessed” with Kim Kardashian. The 35-year-old rapper is looking forward to welcoming his first child with the reality TV star next month and Kim’s sister Khloe says she encouraged Kim, 32, to date Kanye because he was in love with her for years. Speaking on ‘The Talk’, she said: “We’ve known Kanye since 2006 or 2007. And he’s always been into [Kim] and loved her. He just always was so obsessed with her - in a good way. And I just thought that was so cute, and she was like, ‘No we’re just friends or whatever.’ And I just was like, ‘I think that you two are so similar with fashion or whatever you guys are both into.’ And so I said ‘Just give him a shot.’ “And then one day - I don’t know what happened, she acts like it was her idea, like I never said it, ‘Wait, I think I really like Kanye.’ And I was like ‘Hello! I’ve been telling you for years!’ “ Khloe also joked that Kim - whose 2011 marriage to Kris Humphries lasted just 72 days - should have dated Kanye years ago because “We could have saved a whole wedding!” —Bang Showbiz
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im Burton shoots Helena Bonham Carter with a Nerf gun when he gets angry with her. The Hollywood couple - who have two children together, Billy, nine, and five-year-old Nell - admit they have had some difficult times during their 11 year relationship, which has seen them work on a number of movies together, but they find novel ways of dealing with their issues. He explained: “We’ve survived [as a couple], but it hasn’t always been easy. ‘Sweeney Todd’ was the worst; definitely the worst. But then I found out she was pregnant with Nell and it kind of all made sense. “‘Alice in Wonderland’ was fine. ‘Alice’ was good, actually. I had a Nerf gun that I’d shoot her with every so often to get my tension out.” Despite their issues in the past, Helena, 47, couldn’t be more content with her life now, however, and feels more “sexy and womanly” than ever. She added to the UK’s Vogue magazine: “I’m genuinely enjoying my life more now than I ever did. My work is better, my relationships are richer and of course, I have the children, which makes me feel as sexy and as womanly as I ever have.”
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rt will always triumph in the end,” says acclaimed Tunisian singer Lotfi Bouchnak, who composed songs for the 2011 revolution but has since seen his profession come under threat from firebrand Islamists. “The Tunisian revolution continues,” said the singer and oud player, one of the voices of the first Arab Spring revolt which inspired an album he made in March that year. “Art will always triumph in the end. People cannot get by without art and beauty,” he told AFP in an interview at Morocco’s Mawazine festival. More than two years after the fall of dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, Bouchnak does not hesitate to defend Tunisia’s popular uprising, despite widespread concerns about the rise of hardline Salafists that it ushered in. Last August during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Salafists blocked a concert Bouchnak was due to give at a Sufi music festival in Kairouan, south of Tunis, because he was accompanied by a troupe of Shiite musicians from Iran. The following day, Muslim extremists armed with swords and sticks attacked the Bizerte music and theatre festival in northern Tunisia, wounding five people. And later that month Tunisian poet Mohamed Sghaier Ouled Ahmed said he was attacked by two Salafists. In response, the Islamist-led government vowed to protect
the freedom of artists, and said the violence was “alien to Tunisia, which is known for its moderation.” Bouchnak insisted that “the Tunisian revolution is bound to succeed.” “We have no other choice but to make it succeed... The changes don’t happen in two, three or even four years,” added the singer, sometimes referred to as the Pavarotti of Tunisia, who was appointed a UN Ambassador for Peace in 2004. Born in January 1954 in the old city of Tunis, Bouchnak was influenced from an early age by classical Arabic songs, from Egyptian legend Oum Kalthoum to Lebanon’s Fairouz, by way of other greats such as Mohamed Abdelwahab, “the pyramid of Arab music.” In the aftermath of the revolution, he was embroiled in an unpleasant controversy that he said “greatly affected” him. His critics accused him of opportunistically embracing the revolution after spending years supporting the Ben Ali regime. He had been billed to open the first edition of the Carthage International Festival after the dictator’s ouster, but the Tunisian union of musicians barred him from attending, accusing him of signing a petition calling for Ben Ali’s re-election in 2014. Bouchnak strongly rejects the charge, insisting his name was put on the list without
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his consent. Two years after the incident, he continues to define himself as a “conscientious artist.” “The artist is either conscientious or he doesn’t exist. Each one of us must assume his share of responsibility, wherever he is, so that the Tunisian revolution achieves its objectives,” he said. “My message has always been the same: remember the past to not forget, and give people reasons for hope in life, today and tomorrow.” While some say the quality of his work has deteriorated, Bouchnak is still hailed as a major figure in Arab music, especially in the Maghreb where he appears regularly. Last weekend, on the closing night of the Mawazine festival that organizers say attracted a record 2.5 million spectators this year, he performed with celebrity Moroccan singer Abdelwahab Doukkali. On stage at the Mohamed V theatre in Rabat the two artists sang to a captivated audience. Ghazi Khalil, a radio presenter who had come from Tunis for the festival, savored the moment. “This duo with Doukkali, it’s really a meeting of greats,” he said. — AFP Tunisian singer Lotfi Bouchnak gestures as he answers questions during an interview with AFP as part of the 12th edition of the music festival Mawazine in Rabat, Morocco. — AFP
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File photo shows two freshly assembled Grey Eagle unmanned aerial vehicles on the tarmac at Forward Operating Base Shan in Logar Province, Afghanistan. — AFP
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new documentary released Friday portrays US secret raids against terror suspects as a misguided assassination campaign that generates new enemies and tarnishes America’s image. In “Dirty Wars: The World is a Battlefield,” journalist Jeremy Scahill condemns the “targeted killing” of purported Al-Qaeda linked militants in missile strikes and night raids by commandos as an ominous, permanent state of war that is “spinning out of control.” The film tries to shed light on operations conducted in the shadows since the September 11, 2001 attacks, focusing on civilians cut down in Afghanistan and Yemen. The documentary recounts a botched raid by special operations forces in the Afghan village of Gardez that killed five people, including two pregnant women. The documentary has poignant home videos taken by the Afghan family, showing a festive gathering with dancing and laughter only minutes before loved ones are gunned down. One of the victims turns out to be an Afghan policeman, who was trained by the Americans. Villagers vent their outrage afterward, vowing to fighting the bearded commandos they call the “American Taliban.” “If the Americans do this again, we are ready to shed our blood fighting them,” one Afghan says. Word leaks out about the raid and US forces initially insist their victims are Taliban insurgents, before apologizing later for a tragic error. Scahill said in an interview with AFP that the secret operations are counter-productive and morally corrosive, sowing
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more anti-American hostility. “I’ve come to the conclusion over the course of years of doing this work that we are creating more new enemies than killing actual terrorists,” said Scahill, who wrote a book about the scandal-plagued Blackwater private security firm. “The point of the film is not to tell people how to think about these things, but to present them with a different narrative than we generally hear on television.” In Yemen, the documentary features a tribal leader and former parliament member describing a Tomahawk cruise missile strike in 2009 on a Bedouin village, al-Majalah, that he says killed more than 40 innocent people, including children. The Yemeni government claimed credit for the strike at the time and said it was targeting an AlQaeda training camp. Diplomatic cables published by WikiLeaks later confirmed that it was a US cruise missile. For a documentary, “Dirty Wars” adopts an unconventional approach, with Scahill’s narration resembling a world-weary detective trying to uncover the truth. “I returned to Sanaa but I wasn’t sure why,” Scahill says at one point. The clipped, noir-style may win “Dirty Wars” a wider audience but it sometimes distracts from the serious questions raised by the film. The most controversial segment focuses on the killing of the AmericanYemeni cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, who was taken out in a drone strike in September 2011. It was not until last month that the Obama administration openly admitted killing Awlaki, a US
f you’re a movie studio with money to burn, summer is bonfire time. Almost every week there’s a new $200-million-plus production-Warner Bros.’ “Man of Steel” and Paramount’s “World War Z” are the next budget busters and it costs almost $100 million more to market such films. All of which makes Universal Pictures’ “The Purge,” a dystopian thriller costing a little more than $3 million-with an ad campaign just above $20 million-look like Jonah among so many whales. Art-house studios typically sprinkle the season with lowbudget titles that debut in a handful of cities, yet rarely does a major studio throw such a modest movie into wide release smack dab in the year’s most competitive months. Next week’s raunchy comedy “This Is the End,” for example, cost $32.5 million far less than the Superman reboot, for sure, but
citizen, and the White House insists he was hunted down not because of his anti-US propaganda but because he was directly involved in terrorist plots against America. But Scahill has a different view, arguing Awlaki was targeted for his rhetoric and should have been prosecuted in a US court. The documentary suggests Awlaki had turned from a moderate-minded spiritual leader based in the US state of Virginia to an angry extremist because of an anti-Islamic climate in the United States after 9/11. “America had helped to create the very man it was trying to kill,” Scahill says. Days before the film opened, Obama delivered a speech in which he pledged to rein in the war on terror and impose stricter rules on drone strikes. But Scahill said he remains deeply skeptical. “I saw it as President Obama creating an infrastructure that will ensure that the drone program continues... in perpetuity.” Scahill, who writes for the left-leaning Nation magazine, argues Democrats have failed to hold Obama to account for expanding secret assassinations begun when George W. Bush was in the White House. “(Former vice president Dick) Cheney must be sitting back somewhere with a deep sense of envy and a sense of awe and gratitude that Obama kind of kept it going for them,” he said. “Obama’s better at their own game than they are.” — AFP
10 times the price tag of “The Purge.” But Universal and “Purge” producer Jason Blum believe there’s a financial and creative model for productions as inexpensive as theirs, and they hope the movie could become one of the season’s more notable surprises. Social media traffic and audience tracking surveys suggest the film, opening late Thursday, could gross as much as $25 million in its debut weekend. “We probably cost less than the catering budgets on every movie surrounding us. Seriously,” said the film’s writer and director, James DeMonaco, who has screenplay credits on “Assault on Precinct 13” and “The Negotiator.”“I don’t know what to feel-some of the time it’s totally terrifying. But it’s kind of cool that we’re being released in the middle of the summer.”
(From left) Japanese girl pop group AKB48, Rena Matsui, Haruka Shimazaki, Rino Sashihara, Minami Takahashi, Mayu Watanabe, Jurina Matsui, Yuko Oshima and Yuki Kashiwagi perform during their concert at the Yokohama stadium in Yokohama, south of Tokyo yesterday. Over 70,000 spectators gathered for the concert as well as the election results announcing the upcoming recording members selection. — AFP
n investigation into Paris Jackson’s well-being has been ordered by a judge overseeing the guardianship of Michael Jackson’s three children, court records show. Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff ordered an investigator to look into Paris Jackson’s health, education and welfare and recommend whether any changes are necessary on Thursday, one day after she was taken by ambulance from her family’s home and hospitalized. Authorities have said they were dispatched to the home on a report of a possible overdose, but have not released any additional details. “ There have been communications between the court and counsel and we’re completely supportive of the court’s actions,” Katherine Jackson’s attorney, Perry Sanders Jr, said Friday. He has said the 15-year-old is physically fine and receiving appropriate medical treatment. He declined further comment on her health status Friday. Beckloff issued a similar inquiry into the well-being of Michael Jackson’s three children, Prince, Paris and Blanket, last year after an incident in which Katherine Jackson was out of commu-
nication with them for several days. The Jackson family matriarch had been taken by some of her children to a resort in Arizona, prompting an agreement that led to another guardian being temporarily instated. Tito Jackson’s son, TJ, was appointed coguardian over the children. “This is standard protocol in a high profile case,” his attorney Charles Shultz wrote in an email. “The court is doing what we fully expected the court to do.” The earlier report to Beckloff was not made public, although he has stated that he believed Katherine Jackson was doing a good job of raising her son’s children. Beckloff’s order requires an investigator to prepare a report that only he will be allowed to review. He did not include instructions on how the review should occur or when the report was due. Last year, Beckloff required an investigator to interview each of the children separately. The filing was first reported Friday by celebrity website TMZ. — AP
File photo shows Paris Jackson, daughter of the late pop icon Michael Jackson, during the hand and footprint ceremony honoring her father at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. — AP
“The Purge” is an R-rated tale set in the near future; society has managed to eliminate crime 364 days per year by allowing the public one night of prosecution-free blood lust. Ethan Hawke stars as a suburban father whose security systems are designed to protect his family and neighbors from the government-sanctioned lawlessness, where everything up to and including murder-is encouraged. When his young son decides to shelter a homeless man being chased by some locals, his pursuers lay siege to the home, quickly proving the fortifications somewhat less than reliable. The family must hold off the intruders until dawn, when the mayhem moratorium is reinstated. “The Purge” is the first collaboration between Universal and Blum, who also was a producer on “Paranormal Activity,” “Insidious” and “Sinister.” Under a three-year deal announced
in 2011, Blum has wide creative leeway to deliver genre movies costing $4 million or less. Shot in 20 quick days in Los Angeles (with a couple of extra days for reshoots) last year, “The Purge” was made for a fraction of the typical Hollywood budget largely because almost everybody was paid the minimum amount allowed by Hollywood’s unions. In return for working on the cheap, they will get a bigger payday if the film performs well. On the film’s set, there were no cushy trailers for stars to cool their heels in empty bedrooms doubled for dressing and makeup rooms and no entourages or perks. “Your trailer looks like mine, and I don’t get one,” Blum tells the creative talent when they sign up.—MCT
A fan of the British-Irish pop band ‘One Direction’ holds up dolls of the musicians dressed in Mariachi outfits outside the hotel where the band will stay in Mexico City, Friday. One Direction is scheduled to give two concerts in Mexico city. — AP
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Visitors climb the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia.
Technician Jonathan Miller buffs the interior surface of the Liberty Bell as part of regular conservation work, in view of Independence Hall, at Independence National Historical Park, in Philadelphia.
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he City of Brotherly Love is perhaps best known for its Colonial roots but locals will tell you there’s much more to explore in this city of 1.5 million people. Options abound for travelers looking for free things to do in and around the historic district and beyond - and they don’t all involve tri-corner hats and Betsy Ross’ flag. It’s a short walk from the city’s most popular tourist attractions to several Philadelphia neighborhoods and shopping districts, which abound with shops and galleries that provide plenty of eye candy for browsers and window shoppers even without opening your wallet. Farther afield is the city’s prestigious art museum, which boasts glorious views from its famous steps. Free options for the outdoorsy include a lush wildlife refuge south of the city as well as Fairmount Park, a 4,100-acre (1,660hectare) jewel of trails, streams, historic buildings and public art.
A tourist photographs a bronze Rocky statue outside the Philadelphia Museum in Philadelphia.
Independence spirit Two of the city’s busiest tourist stops, the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, are free to visit and located directly across the street from each other. Both are part of Independence National Historical Park, which is managed by the National Park Service. Getting into Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed, requires a timed ticket because of crowds. Walk-up tickets are available at the adjacent visitors’ center starting at 8:30 a.m. - visitors should arrive early for the best choice of times, as tickets for the day are often gone by 1 p.m. during the busy summer tourist season. No tickets are required for the Liberty Bell, but expect to wait in line to get inside the building where it resides. Right up your alley In the middle of the Old City neighborhood’s cool art gal-
Garden of glass “Dream Garden,” a jaw-dropping glass mosaic, is close to the historic district but easy to miss unless you know it’s there. The magical scene was created with more than 100,000 pieces of iridescent glass by the studios of Louis Comfort Tiffany and was based on a painting by Philadelphia native Maxfield Parrish. The 15-by-49-foot (4.5-by-15-meter) mosaic was commissioned by “Saturday Evening Post” publishing magnate Cyrus Curtis and installed in 1916 inside the lobby of his majestic headquarters fronting Washington Square Park. A public uproar ensued when casino magnate Steve Wynn in 1998 announced his plan to buy the mosaic and move it to Las Vegas, and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts purchased the work to guarantee it will forever remain in its intended home. The cool, quiet marble lobby serves as a respite from the Independence Mall crowds and has benches for visitors to relax and feast their eyes on “Dream Garden.”
A person walks through Elfreth’s Alley in Philadelphia.
Rocky’s road Make like Philly’s fictional prizefighter Rocky Balboa and bound up the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s 72 stone steps, then spend a few minutes taking in in the picture-postcard skyline view down the tree-lined Benjamin Franklin Parkway. A sculpture of the Italian Stallion, arms raised in victory, at the base of the stairs is a popular spot for photo ops. Lots of “Rocky” runners never go inside the renowned art museum after their sprint up the steps - if you do, it’ll cost you $20 for an adult general admission ticket. There is some art to be seen free of charge, however, in a large outdoor sculpture garden featuring works by artists including Sol LeWitt, Claes Oldenburg and Ellsworth Kelly.
Dream Garden glass mosaic in the Lobby of the Curtis Center in Philadelphia.
leries, vintage furniture stores and trendy clothing boutiques is a charming cobblestone lane that has barely changed in 200 years: Elfreth’s Alley, often called the oldest continuously inhabited street in America. It was built for carts traveling to the nearby Delaware River waterfront and named for Jeremiah Elfreth, an 18th-century blacksmith who built and rented out several homes there. The alley’s 32 surviving row houses were built between roughly 1724 and 1836. Unlike the nearby Society Hill mansions built for the city’s upper crust, the humble homes of Elfreth’s Alley were inhabited by laborers, shipwrights and craftsmen. Many of the homes remain privately owned but the narrow street is a good place for a peaceful stroll and some snapshots in front of the charming red-brick homes with colorful flowerboxes and brightly painted shutters.
A couple holding hands walks along a trail at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum.
Something wild John Heinz Wildlife Refuge is a thousand-acre (400-hectare) oasis located just one mile (1.6 kilometers) from the bustle and noise of Philadelphia International Airport. Managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the refuge is free and open from sunrise to sunset year-round. Birdwatchers have documented more than 300 species of birds at the verdant refuge, a stopover for migratory species due to its location along the Atlantic Flyway, and it’s one of the only places where locally endangered species of turtles and frogs still live. There are trails for hiking and biking, and self-directed and guided tours are available. The largest remaining freshwater tidal wetland in Pennsylvania, Tinicum Marsh was renamed in 1991 to honor the late senator who helped preserve the site from plans that would have put a landfill and part of Interstate 95 through the refuge. — AP
Visitors climb the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia.
A closeup look at the Dream Garden glass mosaic in the Lobby of the Curtis Center in Philadelphia. — AP photos
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Iglesia de San Pedro, one of the oldest churches in Antigua, Guatemala, lit up at night.
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veryone told me not to go. Even a friend who lived in Guatemala for six months advised me against going. I planned the trip and canceled it twice. But in the end I let my traveler’s instincts persuade me that it couldn’t be that bad. And for the most part, Guatemala seemed safer to me than what I expected. With common-sense precautions and careful planning, I minimized risks and was able to enjoy one of the most fascinating and affordable countries I’ve ever visited.
Catedral de Santiago on the main square in Antigua, Guatemala, the country’s former capital.
Guatemala has an alarming rate of homicides. Newspaper front pages often show images of covered dead bodies with police hovering nearby. But most of those crimes happen in the capital, Guatemala City. With that in mind, and the fact that Guatemala City has few tourist attractions, I skipped it altogether. Another decision that my travel companion and I made was to stick to trusted methods of transportation. This meant no “chicken buses.” These colorfully painted former US school buses, which sometimes carry farmers and their chickens, are notorious for being the target of road bandits. We used shuttles, which are smaller buses that cater to tourists, or private transportation set up by our hotels. Almost every hotel has an arrangement with a driver. Both those options were quite affordable. Arriving in the sleek La Aurora airport on the outskirts of the capital, we were whisked away by our waiting driver to Antigua, the country’s former capital, and its most popular tourist destination. The ride took around 90 minutes and cost around $40 for both of us - quite reasonable, we thought. Antigua is built on a grid of cobblestone streets and boasts
A shrine for a Mayan deity surrounded by offerings and candles near Chichicastenango, in Guatemala’s western highlands.
one of the best collections of Spanish colonial buildings in the Americas. Strolling around at night to see the colonial churches lit up is a must. By day, you can go into many of those buildings, some of which were damaged in the city’s earthquakes during the last three centuries. Several have been transformed into high-end hotels. We ventured out to nearby Finca Filadelfia, a coffee farm and resort that offers plantation tours. Guatemala’s volcanic soil produces some of the world’s best coffee. The Finca tour was an in-depth look at how coffee beans are planted, harvested, selected and roasted, then shipped all over the world. Another highlight of Antigua was climbing the active Pacaya volcano, a steep but easy two-hour hike. We went on a half-day trip with about 12 other tourists and a guide. Do not attempt the hike without a guide as muggings there are common. After the hike, your reward will be roasting marshmallows in a blistering hot hole on the side of the volcano. From Antigua, we took a two-hour shuttle to our next destination: Lake Atitlan in the western highlands. Often compared to Italy’s Lake Como, Atitlan is surrounded by several volcanoes that make the scenery breathtaking. The biggest town is Panajachel, which you can skip altogether, opting instead to stay at one of the smaller Mayan villages around the lake. We stayed in Santa Cruz La Laguna, which is only reachable by a 20-minute, $1.50 motorboat-ride from Panajachel. The longest boat ride on the lake is between Panajachel and Santiago Atitlan and takes almost an hour. In Santiago, we ventured out to seek Maximon, a curious Mayan deity, whose effigy is housed in a different, secret building every year. Enterprising locals will offer to take you to see Maximon for a couple of dollars. While I was certainly skeptical, once located, Maximon proved to be fascinating. We watched as pious Mayans presented Maximon with bottles of Coca-Cola, beer and whiskey, seeking solutions to their problems. The offerings, we were told, are sold off and the money is used for local projects. You can spend a day or two shuttling on local boats between the lake’s small towns, each of which has a particular character. Local Mayans also use the boats to go to work and school. You can charter a private boat for about $50, but there’s really no need as the local boats are perfectly safe and, frankly, more fun. The Mayans are very friendly if a bit reserved at first toward tourists. Most speak indigenous languages as well as Spanish. From Lake Atitlan, we took a one-hour shuttle ($12) to Chichicastenango. Famed for its expansive local crafts market, Chichicastenango is the place where you can shop for colorful Guatemalan textiles. They come in an incredible variety of blankets, shawls, backpacks, throws, wall hangings, and shirts. Remember to haggle anything down to at most half of what you are quoted. Be firm but also bear in mind that sometimes the difference is $1 so know when to let go and just pay. You can hire a local tour guide to walk you to the town’s colorful cemetery where symbols of Catholicism and Mayan faiths mix. You can also have the guide take you to one of the locations where outdoor prayer services are performed before Mayan deities. Don’t attempt either without a guide as robberies are common in the outskirts of town. With the post-Columbian sights behind us, it was time for the Mayan ruins of Tikal in the country’s north. The usual trek to this remote part of Guatemala involves an overnight bus ride. Short of time and wary of reports that those nighttime buses are easy crime targets, we chose to take the 45-minute flight from Guatemala City. Our hotel in Antigua recommended a local guide to us in the region and he accompanied us throughout our two days
there. We followed his suggestion and kept Tikal for our last day, choosing to spend our first one in Yaxha, a smaller Mayan site that was the setting for the reality TV show “Survivor: Guatemala.” Yaxha was constructed from a light-colored limestone that gives its buildings a unique hue. Sunset views from the top of the site’s tallest structure, numbered 216, are stunning. On our last day, we started at 6 a.m. to beat the crowds to Tikal, one of the best-preserved Mayan sites in the world. Spread over 220 square miles, Tikal encompasses thousands of structures in addition to a primary tropical forest and a variety of wildlife. It boasts stunning architectural constructions such as Temple I, which has become a symbol of Guatemala. There are also palaces, a jail, several sport complexes, burial tombs, and a canal system. It was clear why our guide wanted to save this for last. You appreciate more the amazing size of Tikal after first seeing the smaller Yaxha. No visit to any country is ever complete without experiencing the local food. While the variety of local dishes isn’t huge, don’t leave Guatemala without trying pepian, a spicy brownsauce chicken stew that is a national dish. Fried chicken aficionados will revel in the joys of the famous local fast-food chain Pollo Campero. You are never too far from a location. Once you try it, you will understand why Guatemalans carry sealed boxes of the delicious stuff from the Guatemala City airport outlet all the way to their loved ones back in the US Finally, to cool off, try licuado, a cold drink made with fresh fruit that is ubiquitous in the country. — AP
Temple I at Tikal, Guatemala’s largest Mayan ruins park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lake Atitlan, in Guatemalaís western highlands, surrounded by volcanoes Tomilan and Atitlan.
Mayan women selling colorful Guatemalan fabrics in front of market stalls in Chichicastenango, Guatemala.
Photo shows the colorful cemetery in Chichicastenango, Guatemala, here graves carry symbols of the Mayan and Catholic faiths. — AP photos
Art will always triumph, says Tunisia revolution singer
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A work of street art on the famed Houston Street wall by artist John Matos in New York City. New York City, one of the pioneering metropolitan areas for graffiti, has witnessed a proliferation of officially sanctioned and sponsored street art†in recent years. Artists such as Banksy, Shepard Fairey and the late Keith Haring have narrowed the divide between graffiti and art on urban streets. — AFP
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Patrons leave a life-size house, ‘Barbie The Dreamhouse Experience,’ at Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise.
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ays of Malibu living are long gone for Barbie. The iconic doll has moved to Florida and is inviting people to step into her life-size dream house, the first one now open worldwide. Barbie The Dreamhouse Experience, a 10,000-square-foot building with an “endless closet,” elevators, a kitchen, bedroom, and everything pink, opened last week at Sawgrass Mills mall in Sunrise, Fla. The life-size house is already drawing squeals of joy from little girls who’ve toured Barbie’s happy world, and enthusiasm from lifelong fans like Lynn Mulvaney-Japes, 51. “It’s a big deal,” said Mulvaney-Japes, a member of a Barbie collector club. “In fact, we all want to go work there.” The Lauderhill, Fla., resident said she has more than 3,000 Barbie dolls in a room in her house devoted exclusively to the fashionista and multicareer role model. MulvaneyJapes planned to visit Barbie’s own house this week, along with other members of the Fashion Queen Doll Club. “We are really excited about the opening here in Florida, and hope that this new destination gives tourists a reason to visit and residents a reason to return,” said LeAnne
Johanna Nickas, 10, of Miramar, strikes a pose at the end of the runway in a life-size house, ‘Barbie The Dreamhouse Experience’. — MCT photos
Hackman, Barbie Global Experiences Licensing director at Mattel. The house was a two-yearsin-the-making project for Mattel and EMS Entertainment, an Austria-based company helping design and build the project. “Making sure children and parents actually feel like they are in the Dreamhouse has always been our goal,” said Christoph Rahofer, president of EMS. “We wanted this to be an immersive experience that visitors would never forget.” On Wednesday, groups of girls ran around the house, frequently jumping with excitement and often pointing and screaming, “Oh my God, did you see this?!” Several walls throughout the house are lined with Barbie dolls, and among the interactive features are buttons, which, once pressed, can either make flowers rise, Barbie’s dog walk out of his doghouse, or a pink dolphin pop-up from a toilet seat. Visitors also can get glammed up by Barbie staff, walk down a runway and strike a pose. “It was really cool,” Elizabeth Torres, 11, said after the fashion show. “We saw the whole house, the big closet; it was really awesome.” Not everyone was impressed. Some parents were upset because some staff members were
Girls pose on the runway in a life-size house, ‘Barbie The Dreamhouse Experience’.
giving tours without looking up from scripts, and interactive computer screens had glitches along with other technical difficulties. Mattel said the hiccups would be a top priority to correct. Sean McGowan, a toy industry analyst, said Barbie’s new house will likely serve as an experimental project for the company to determine whether it can replicate the concept with its other brands.“I think what a lot of consumer companies are coming to realize is that there’s an opportunity to make the retail experience more immersive,” said McGowan, of New Yorkbased research firm Needham & Co. “If it can be done in a way that doesn’t cost much, then it becomes an effective way of extending their brand.” The Dreamhouse tour, however, is probably a type of venture that won’t draw frequent visitors, because after a while the experience will just become repetitive, McGowan said. For Mattel, launching this type of retail experience with Barbie is a logical approach because the Dreamhouse is already an iconic feature, he said.—MCT
Aubrianna Robledo, 4, of Chicago, smiles at her mother after her ‘makeover’ .
ob Starkman just wanted a cool pair of socks. As a University of Central Florida student basketball manager with a growing shoe collection in 2011, Starkman was looking for something he could wear to work: gold-and-black gear to match the Knights’ colors. He saw his black-and-white Nike socks as a canvas. Working with his mother over her kitchen sink in Coral Springs, Fla, Starkman fashioned his first pair of custom socks. Now, two years later, Starkman, 23, is CEO of Rock ‘Em Apparel, a fast-growing Orlando, Flabased company that he said is projected to do $1.5 million in sales this year, mostly in custom socks. Starkman, who at 6-foot-10 looks like a basketball player more than a basketball manager, has jetted off to the NBA Draft and NCAA Tournament games to represent his company. Rock ‘Em has more than 115,700 “likes” on Facebook and more than 14,700 followers on Twitter. The University of Central Florida, Iowa State and Army are among the college programs that have worn the company’s gear during games. “Never would I imagine it being this big,” Starkman said. Today, demand for the company’s socks has far exceeded his expectations when he was crafting socks over the sink in his off-campus apartment and selling them on eBay. Yet, in some ways, it’s not too far off. Rock ‘Em is operated in the garage of a house Starkman rents just a few minutes from UCF’s campus. It is run almost exclusively by UCF students and alumni, two fulltime employees and seven part-time employees. The designs, Starkman said, are inspired by a variety of things. Many of the socks match popular shoes,
complementing the inner linings of the newest Nikes. Some are inspired by players or movies or comic-book characters such as Captain America or Batman. Starkman draws them on his computer then translates them to the socks through a process that is now more streamlined than dyes and kitchen sinks, instead using a screening process. New designs are introduced nearly every week, and the company often also makes custom socks to match purchaser’s specific requests. Starkman purchases Nike socks in bulk at full price then alters them. He said Nike’s legal team contacted him about the process as his company began to increase in popularity, but it found no fault as long as the company was paying retail price for Nike socks it altered and not creating knockoffs. On a warm Tuesday afternoon last week, Starkman’s employees, who also happen to be his friends, worked shirtless in the garage. Four of them are fellow former UCF basketball managers. Music blared over speakers set up on a wall that featured posters of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bane, a character from the most recent Batman movie. Inside, the house is a blend of college-life-meets-startup-business. A paper cutter sits on the otherwise bare kitchen counter. The living room has been fashioned into a shipping center, with a basketball court taped off on the floor and a mini-hoop on the wall. Starkman’s Apple computer, filled with designs for past and future sock orders, rests on a makeshift dining-room table/desk.—MCT
Rob Starkman shows off his custom Aunt Pearl socks that are made to go with the KD V (Kevin Durant Five) Aunt Pearl shoes.