13th Jun 2013

CR IP TI ON BS SU

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

Philippines Embassy celebrates 115th I-Day

Greece in crisis over state TV closure

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SHAABAN 4, 1434 AH

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Syrian soap recreates Damascus in Gulf desert

Messi and father accused of tax fraud in Spain

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Premier visits Iraq in sign of warming ties Leaders sign accords, discuss Syria, war reparations

BAGHDAD: Kuwait’s prime minister discussed ties with his Iraqi counterpart in Baghdad yesterday during a surprise one-day visit, signaling improving relations between neighbors still working to overcome the more than two-decade legacy of war. The warming bonds between Iraq and Kuwait is noteworthy in a region increasingly plagued by the sectarian divisions running through Syria’s civil war and Iraq, which is struggling to contain its worst eruption of violence in years. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki personally greeted Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah on a red carpet on the airport tarmac yesterday before the two men sat down for talks. Officials later signed a series of agreements aimed at improving bilateral ties in the economic, transportation and other sectors.

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conspiracy theories

Electricity, sweet simplicity

By Badrya Darwish

Co-ops boycott Iran

badrya_d@kuwaittimes.net

E

lectricity, electricity, sweet simplicity. This ad slogan is stuck in my mind since the good old days in London. Whenever I used to turn on some of the local channels, I used to hear it always.

The ad was made by the local electricity company. It was like a musical. Of course, the private electricity company in the United Kingdom was competing with the local gas company. Maybe that is why they are efficient. That is why they were flooding us with advertisements. They all launched ads to promote themselves.

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Max 43º Min 29º High Tide 03:37 & 13:47 Low Tide 08:35 & 21:16

BAGHDAD: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki (right) meets Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber AlMubarak Al-Sabah yesterday. — Kuna

Assembly ups child allowance to KD 75

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KUWAIT: Several Kuwaiti supermarket chains have begun boycotting products from Iran for its support of the Syrian regime, while activists staged a demonstration against the involvement of the Lebanese Hezbollah movement in the conflict. At least nine cooperative consumer societies out of 50 in the state published announcements in the local media Continued on Page 15

Economic pressures behind expat raids

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THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

LOCAL

Amir patronizes Informatics Award ceremony GPS prime inventor honored

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah patronized yesterday a ceremony honoring winners of Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah’s 12th Informatics Award, namely the American prime inventor of the Global Positioning System (GPS), Roger Easton, who was represented by his son at the highprofile ceremony.

HH the Amir’s motorcade arrived at the venue of the event, Sheikha Salwa Sabah AlAhmad Hall at Marina Hotel, where he was welcomed by dignitaries, namely the chairperson of the award board of trustees, Sheikh Aida Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, and steering committee members. The ceremony was attended by HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad AlJaber Al-Sabah, Speaker of the National Assembly Ali Fahad Al-Rashed, senior sheikhs, Deputy Chief of the National Guard Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Acting Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh

Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and senior state officials.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sheikha Aida affirmed that excellence in the realms of science can only be achieved with support of the top leadership, saying in part, “The elements of success and excellence are knowledge and hard work; however, these elements cannot be achieved except through constant nurturing and support” provided by His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and HH “the father,” Sheikh Salem AlAli Al-Sabah, the Chief of the National Guard.

This century, education has become a force in the world of knowledge with ideas and information, where scholars and nations compete. The youth have gained knowledge and have become the generation of new technologies. This requires a new vision to render them the real builders of the community, she said.

The Informatics Award of Sheikh Salem has “captured these heights and outlines through its features of the present and those of the future and it invested youth capacities for enriching its sustainable development project with addition to its future vision.”

Sheikh Aida expressed gratitude to “the great people of who volunteered in the events of this prize and their work and achievements,” and congratulated the winning projects “for this innovation in quality and accomplishment.”

The son of Roger Easton, the prime inventor of the globally-used GPS, was present at the ceremony on behalf of his father, a prime honoree. In his statement, Easton junior addressed the present top leaders, saying, “I am honored to represent my father in this honorable ceremony. Both he and my mother would have liked to attend in person, but they are no longer able to travel this distance.

While preparing for this speech, I have revisited my father’s accomplishments over the wide technical fields that led him to his leadership in the development of the Timation system, which included all of the essential components of the Global Positioning System. His achievements extended beyond this, however.”

“He had a prominent role in the design of Vanguard 1, launched on 17 March 1958, and the Minitrack system for tracking and establishing the orbital parameters of orbiting spacecraft. These contributions are undoubtedly the reason for an exhibition next to the “Missile Pit” on the Mall in Washington DC. This work led to my father’s leadership in the development of the Naval Space Surveillance System in the early 1960s, which was a radarbased system of three transmitters and six receivers across the southern part of the United States for detecting the passage of orbiting spacecraft, including those that are

not emitting radio signals,” Easton added.

“My father developed a system that synchronized atomic clock time standards at both the transmitter and receiver by transporting a portable atomic clock between sites,” he said.

This idea led to the concept of a new generation satellite-based navigation system, called “TIMATION” for Time Navigation. This work is recognized in the new exhibit, the “Time and Navigation” gallery at the National Air and Space Museum. “Father is among a small number of people whose accomplishments are recognized in this museum .”

He concluded, saying, “On this occasion, on the occasion of awarding Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah Informatics Award to my father, Mr. Roger Easton, I would like to express my appreciation and pride of this global award and to express my gratitude and thanks for the State of Kuwait for recognizing science and scientists.” —KUNA

Kuwait invites bids for solar energy project 37 consortia prequalify for bid KUWAIT: Kuwait invited bids yesterday to build a solar farm to produce 70 megawatts of electricity by 2016, the first phase of a plan to generate 2,000 megawatts from renewables in 2030, the project supervisor said. Thirty-seven consortia out of 107 prequalified to bid, said Salem al-Hajraf, head of energy research at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research.

The second and third phases will produce 930 MW and 1,000 MW, respectively, when the project is completed in 2030, he said.

Fifty megawatts will be produced from solar thermal sources and 10 each from photovoltaic and wind sources.

The pioneer project will be built on a 100-square-kilometre (39square-mile) area in Shagaya, a desert zone 100 km (62 miles) west of Kuwait City, near the borders with Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

Hajraf said the target is for renewable energy sources to contribute up to 15 percent of Kuwait’s total power production by 2030. At present, the OPEC member pumps 3.0 million barrels of crude oil daily. It uses 126 million barrels of oil equivalent for electricity production, which currently stands at around 14,000 MW, with summer consumption approaching the total at peak hours, Hajraf said.

The official gave no details on the cost of the project but said the first phase will be financed by the government. The second and third phases will be offered to investors on Build-OperateTransfer (BOT) basis for 25 years, during which the government pledges to buy all output.

When complete, the project will be enough to supply electricity to 100,000 homes and save about 12.5 million barrels of oil equivalent per year, Hajraf said. —AFP

NA approves rent allowance to women KUWAIT: Informed sources revealed that the National Assembly Council approved the rent allowance granted to Kuwaiti women as a step that was due. Kuwaiti women deserve housing care ever since January 24, 2011 when law No 2 for the year 2011 was notified, raising the cap on credit and saving bank capital in order to enable them to grant Kuwaiti women housing care. This could be in the form of a loan or a suitable and low cost house.

Sources explained that after giving loan to those interested, it was found that the number of people wanting a low cost residence was double or triple of those who had availed of a housing loan. The number has reached more than 8,000 women.

The bank then reviewed three options to provide a house at low cost, and the bank management found that the most suitable option was to pay a rent allowance as per certain regulations, taking into account the number of family members, at a rate of KD 200 per month. However, the bank will require an amendment to law No2 for the year 2011 to fulfill this obligation.

Lebanese reassured on GCC action against Hezbollah KUWAIT: A Gulf Cooperation Council recommendation to take action against Lebanon’s Hezbollah does not include measures that affect Lebanese residents who are not affiliated with the Shiite movement, a local daily reported yesterday, quoting sources familiar with the issue.

A statement from the GCC on Monday indicated that measures relating to “residency permits and financial and commercial transactions” will be taken against Hezbollah members in response to the group’s military intervention against the rebels in Syria. “The GCC recommendations target any person engaged in suspicious activity, be it political or financial, in favor of the group,” said the sources, who spoke to Al-Rai on the condition of anonymity. They pointed out that such activities are in violation of regulations “that ban expatriates from engaging in political activities or other things that threaten national security.”

The GCC decision was expected to discourage the Shiite Lebanese people working in the Gulf from being associated with Hezbollah. However, the sources insisted that the measures do not include deporting or imposing restrictions on Lebanese resi-

dents. “There are nearly 50,000 Lebanese nationals in the Gulf who enjoy full rights and respect,” the sources said. “The measures are targeted only at those who violate the law or engage in activities that threaten national security,” they explained.

The news comes after a demonstration was held outside the Lebanese embassy in Kuwait, in which dozens of Kuwaitis protested against Hezbollah’s taking sides with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad’s forces. In the meantime, the boards of at least five cooperative societies announced a boycott of Iranian products in protest against the alleged Iranian intervention in Syria.

Meanwhile,the chairman of the independent group in the Bahraini Parliament, MP Abdullah Ben Huwail said that his group was the first to call for listing Hezbollah on the terrorist list in the Gulf Area. The decision was adopted by the GCC states and the Bahrain foreign ministry issued a memo about it to the GCC foreign ministers’ council held recently.

MP Ben Huwail said that the decision was not motivated by any sectarian dimension, as was being claimed by some. He said there was a problem in the Bahraini

Kingdom but certainly was not sectarian in nature and was limited to external agendas as per which the “Al-Wefaq” group is working. They are working alone other than the Shiite seat.

He added that while the problem was with Bahrain, it certainly was not against the Shiite. In fact, it was never so and whosoever described it as such is someone who is trying to derive some benefit from this issue.

He said such people are playing into the Iranian hands and “I mean in particular the “Al-Wefaq” group, whose members are working openly against Bahrain.”

At the same time, he refused to call them as “opposition.”

He added that “My political work is partially to oppose them and doing so was in the public interest and to serve my follow citizens. There are different sects and we always stand against the government to safeguard the interests of the public. “ The Al-Wefaq group can be described as a group which revolted and not as an opposition. They want to change the ruling system in Bahrain to create a state that follows Iran. They want to usher in this change not only in Bahrain but in all the Gulf States.

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

LOCAL

Fifth batch of policewomen graduate KUWAIT: The Backup Staff Institute yesterday held a celebration as its fifth batch of policewomen, including nine warrant officers, graduated. The function was held under the auspices of the MOI’s undersecretary, Lt General Ghazi AlOmar, and in the presence of Saad Al-Abdullah Academy for Security Sciences’ Major General Saif Mohammed Al-Saif, his assistants for education and training, Brigadier Haroon Al-Omar and the backup staff of administrative affairs besides Dalal Al-Ruwaished and the institute manager Mona Al-Shatti.

Visa traffickers main cause for demographic crisis: govt report KUWAIT: Tackling the problem of visa trafficking must be an essential part of any attempt to address the demographic imbalance in Kuwait, a local daily reported yesterday, quoting a government’s assessment report on the fourth year (2013-14) of the 5-year Development Plan.

Three months ago, the government announced a strategy to restore the demographic balance of Kuwait, whose 2.6 million expatriates account for 68 percent of its total population of 3.8 million.

Details of the plan are yet to be disclosed, but Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Thekra Al-Rashidi said the plan involves deportation of 100,000 foreigners every year, with a goal to cut the Gulf state’s expatriate community by one million over a period of 10 years.

A series of crackdowns on illegal residents have resulted in hundreds of arrests over the past two months, but there have been no reports about any investigation being made to pursue traffickers who sell visas obtained illegally to laborers.

The assessment report published by Al-Qabas yesterday has accused visa traffickers of being a “major cause” of demographic imbalance, indicating that 42 percent of the expatriate laborers employed in the private sector are “marginal” workers. This labor force includes illegal residents, whose numbers are estimated at over 90,000, according to official statistics.

The report also points out another major challenge facing the labor market, which needs to be addressed: Boosting the presence of domestic labor force, which accounts for less than 17 percent of Kuwait’s total labor force.

Only 6.6 percent of the domestic labor force is employed in the private sector, compared with nearly 79 percent of Kuwaiti employees in the public sector. To address these challenges, the plan proposes goals that involve, among other things, increasing the proportion of domestic labor force in the state’s workforce and boosting the private sector’s capacity to absorb Kuwaiti workers.

Assembly raises child allowance to KD 75 Opposition says court ruling ‘historical’

By B Izaak KUWAIT: The National Assembly yesterday ignored strong warnings by the government that Kuwait could start borrowing after eight years if spending is not checked and approved a draft law to raise child allowance for Kuwaitis from KD50 to KD75 monthly.

MPs brushed aside warnings by State Minister for Development Rola Dashti that the financial situation of the country is not too good as people may think and that if spending is not controlled, the budget will be in real deficit in 2021. Dashti said that the government is spending KD17,000 annually as welfare and subsidies for every Kuwaiti family and the budget cannot accommodate more and that the increase in spending is simply unsustainable.

But the Assembly overwhelmingly passed the law which is expected to be rejected by the government.

To add insult to injury, MPs started debating another controversial financial law to raise the monthly housing allowance for Kuwaiti families with no government house from KD150 to

KUWAIT: Residency violators being rounded up in Mubarak Al-Kabeer area yesterday.v

Order to unblock files on traffic violations 86 expats arrested in raids KUWAIT: Assistant Undersecretary for General Traffic Affairs at the Ministry of Interior, Major General Abdulfattah Al-Ali gave orders to unblock the traffic violation files on the department’s system in order to allow drivers to pay fines smoothly, a local daily reported yesterday. People required to pay heavy fines are often unable to make payments online due to a system block, which can be lifted only after a trip to the relevant traffic department.

As per recent stipulations, all blocks have been removed for a month, starting from 12 pm on Tuesday. “Maj

Gen Al-Ali explained during a meeting (on Tuesday) that the decision is aimed at people who have been fined for violations committed over the past years, until the end of 2012,” Al-Watan reported yesterday. It further indicated that if a payment is not made before the one-month deadline, all of the driver’s traffic-related transactions will be blocked by the system. At the instructions of Assistant Undersecretary Lt General Mahmoud Al-Dawsari, security men at Mubarak Al-Kabeer carried out a security campaign in different areas of the gover-

norate under the supervision of Brig Mohammad Khalifa and Lt Colonel Nayef Al-Hajraf.

The campaign resulted in the arrest of 86 persons of whom four were arrested for trading in drugs and using them, two were wanted in civil cases, seven persons were unauthorized vendors, while 13 were found in violation of the labor law as they were “working for parties other than the sponsor.” A total of 10 vehicles were detained and sent to the detention garage. Security authorities said that the campaign will continue to end all violations.

EPA: Supermarkets to use biodegradable bags KUWAIT: Based on an agreement last November between the Environment Public Authority (EPA) and the Union of Consumer Cooperative Societies (UCCS) the first phase of the project for using biodegradable bags at the union’s supermarkets was announced yesterday at a press conference held by EPA’s director general Dr Salah Al-Mudhi.

Up to 25 supermarkets run by the UCCS have agreed to go ahead with using the eco-friendly bags instead of the old plastic bags, said Al-Mudhi, wishing that the rest of the supermarkets overseen by UCCS would follow suit as soon as possible. The new eco-friendly bags will have the same specifications as the old ones but will be biodegradable in a short time, a fact that will lift the pressure on the landfills where these bags are usually interred, he said.

The number of non-biodegradable bags that go to the landfills exceed currently six billions every year, he said, noting that it would take years for them to disintegrate and become degradable. According to an EPA study, the supermarkets of

the UCCS use up to 600 plastic bags a minute, which can be reduced to half that number if eco-friendly replacements are used at least by 25 supermarkets. That number will go down even more as the rest of the supermarkets (30 more) use the new bags, said Al-Mudhi. He sounded sanguine about the success of the move to using the new bags, as he thought it would resonate well with the public, especially that more people are becoming environmentally aware of the need to reduce the amount of garbage produced by households and businesses. UCCS chairman Abdulaziz Al-Samhan noted at the same press conference that the cooperation between his organization and that of the EPA have made it possible that a large number of the supermarkets in the union have begun switching to the new biodegradable bags in a short time period (about six months), although the entire project of replacing the use of the old bags was estimated to take place in about three years. By 2015, he said, all 55 supermarkets will be using the new bags. — KUNA

KD250. Around 100,000 Kuwaiti families are expected to benefit from the raise. The two laws are estimated to cost state budgets around KD3 billion annually. The Assembly could not vote on the draft law for a lack of quorum and is expected to take up the issue when it holds a special session today.

Dashti said that public expenditure has increased rapidly during the past two years and recalled that the debt problem of Greece was caused by ever increasing spending. The assembly also passed a law to establish the telecom commission which will act as a regulator for the vital sector and will allow the mobile companies to have their own international call circuits.

MPs approved 82 draft laws for the closing financial statements of government agencies that were held by the previous assemblies due to certain problems. The passed draft laws include the closing financial statements for Kuwait Airways which will allow the government to release unpaid losses since 2004 estimated at KD440 million.

MPs also strongly lashed out at a reported government decision to force senior bureau-

crats who served more than 30 years in the government to resign. Dashti said the decision is not general and applies only to supervisors. MPs said that such a move should be taken after giving sufficient time to those senior employees.

They said that if the government wants to go ahead with the decision, it should give each employee salaries for two years or give them a grace period for two years.

In another development, opposition figures warned of far reaching consequences for the awaited decision of the constitutional court on the amendment of the electoral law which triggered the current political dilemma.

Opposition leader and former MP Mussallam Al-Barrak told a gathering late Tuesday night that the verdict will either return the governance to the people or lead to an autocratic rule. Former Assembly speaker Ahmad AlSaadoun said if the court confirms the amendment, it will lead to unknown consequences, while former Islamist opposition MP Khaled AlSultan warned that the verdict may either lead the country to the road of reforms or to destruction. The ruling is scheduled on June 16.

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

LOCAL

Letters to Badrya

In my view

Visa rules

Roller coasters and local raids

Hi Badrya, Thanks for all your posts published on the website, Kuwaittimes.net. We expatriates feel respected, thanks to what you have to say about us and the feelings you have for the expats. I have a question and it would be great if you could help me with it. My husband came to Kuwait on an article 20 visa so that he could marry me.

He never had any intention to work here. Until now, he has been trying to transfer his residency permit to article 18 so that he can start working legally. Could you please advise if, in case he is questioned during the raids, he will be in trouble?

Or if we explain to the officer the entire situation and show him the marriage certificates and the documents about a valid residence visa, will it be fine? I have no one to ask this question and therefore decided to write to you. I would be grateful if you could kindly help me with a solution.

Thanks, Mahek Mehrooz

By Labeed Abdal

local@kuwaittimes.net

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ince my childhood, I have not been a big fan of roller coasters in any amusement or theme park where it slides along the railroads with vertical loops and sudden upside down moves that would make anyone’s stomach churn.

I know there are thousands of other fans and it is a matter of choice but I find it to be hard to see how some expats are virtually being forced on a roller coaster ride, thanks to all the raids being carried out to catch the illegal ones. What roller coasters do to someone afraid of

Nobody denies that Kuwait has a right to reduce the number of foreign illegal workers or rather curb the marginal expatriates. Also, questions arise why foreigners were not given a chance to leave the country. For example, unmarried or otherwise single people could have been given three months’ time while families could have been given a reprieve of six months since children could be in school at the time of deportation. them is what the raids are doing to expats scared to hell.

Although the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor had announced that it intended to deport a million expats over the next ten years, at the rate of 100,000 to be deported every year, it has become a matter of concern whether the local laws were being applied properly. The issue of human rights has emerged as a major area of concern since public buses and cars are being searched for any expat.

Nobody denies that Kuwait has a right to reduce the number of foreign illegal workers or rather curb the marginal expatriates. Also, questions arise why foreigners were not given a chance to leave the country. For example, unmarried or otherwise single people could have been given three months’ time while families could have been given a reprieve of six months since children could be in school at the time of deportation. In such cases, the state must act in a fair and pragmatic manner.

Also, even those expats who have been here legally and for a long time are rethinking about Kuwait and the GCC region since they are afraid that the ongoing developments could have a domino effect and this anti-expat Arab Spring could turn into a tornado.

Is this not some kind of a regional bad weather forecast that has become a reason for us to suddenly ask for better immigration rules?

Moreover, should we not look for better ways to immune Kuwait from any threats rather than risk crucial strength on tracking down expats?

I think urgent measures are needed to address the issue, including engaging the workers, the representatives from their respective embassies and the concerned officials. After all, everyone is interested in the country’s welfare, long lasting peace, an enviable human rights record, social harmony and stability for all.

kuwait digest

Galactic graves

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kuwait digest

Will the ruling end turmoil? kuwait digest

Projects for thieves

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By Thaar Al-Rashidi

he cup of coffee at our neighborhood café “Abu Ali” just behind our house costs KD 0.250 but the same cup of coffee with same quality and similarly grounded and roasted coffee but in differently shaped cup in a 3-star café costs you KD 0.600. The premium rate is justified on the grounds that the establishment’s “rent is high.”

Once again, for the same cup of coffee in a trade mark café, you pay KD 1.250 and they tell you, “Here you don’t pay for the coffee, but you pay for the brand name.” In a hotel, they serve you the same cup, without adding even a cubic millimeter to the brew, but you pay KD 2 and they tell you, “Here you do not pay for the coffee, but you pay for enjoying the ambience. “ In the end, you discover that the cup of coffee cost Abu Ali KD 0.100 who earned a profit of KD 0.150 from you as a client and you can do your calculations to find out how much the other coffee house will benefit from you, how much benefit will accrue to those who charged for the difference in rent, or those who sold a trade name, or the one who sold you the ambience or the elegant surroundings. To each one of them, the cup of coffee costs only KD0.100. There are many reasons for the variations in the sale price even though it is the same cup of coffee.

Same size, same taste, same procedure of brewing, and serving. The cost, too, is the same. It is you who are made to pay differently.

Such things are applicable politically to state projects and companies who win tenders for these. A project that costs one million in one governorate, can, with similar specifications and floated by the same ministry - even the same project - can cost KD 3.5 million in another governorate. The two projects could be executed within a distance of one year or less but the contractor of the first project could be only a trader. The second project executing man could be a trader with qualifications that “this is our son” and belonging to a group currently “the government’s blue-eyed boys.”

Both these projects, at least, were delivered and each contractor received his dues, with a kiss on top of it, and ten correction orders. But there are projects worth tens of millions which are not even delivered, though the contract period is over and no one was held accountable.

Neither anyone in the government nor from the side of the contractors was made to explain the delay. This is what leads to disaster.

There is no need to venture too far to find an example.

Sabah Al-Ahmad University City is a black hole that has swallowed tens of millions and when administration changed, and real execution started, the project was signed. Dear government and dear contractors, it is not important whether one pays KD 0.250 or KD 0.600 or KD 2 million or KD 700 million. The most important thing at the

Dear government and dear contractors, it is not important whether one pays KD 0.250 or KD 0.600 or KD 2 million or KD 700 million. The most important thing at the end is that there should be at least that cup of coffee to drink. In this case, it is simply not there.

People have paid, money has gone from our public fund. The disastrous thing is that we pay millions but do not get to drink even a drop of water. Cafes have their different prices and they “cheat us”, but at the end they do serve us with coffee.

But the government officials and the group of contractors “loved by this government” only take our money but do not build even a single block. end is that there should be at least that cup of coffee to drink. In this case, it is simply not there. People have paid, money has gone from our public fund.

The disastrous thing is that we pay millions but do not get to drink even a drop of water. Cafes have their different prices and they “cheat us”, but at the end they do serve us with coffee. But the government officials and the group of contractors “loved by this government” only take our money but do not build even a single block.

NOTE: I asked Abu Ali, why don’t you increase the price of the cup of coffee? He answered: “I am not a thief.” —Al-Anbaa

By Jaafar Rajab

henzhou 10, China’s fifth manned mission to space, was launched successfully on Tuesday morning. The spaceflight carried three astronauts sent to outer space successfully by China.

Meanwhile in Damascus, a suicide bombing in the Marjeh Square killed 14 people, and their souls were successfully sent to the heavens.

At the Sadr City east of the Iraqi Capital Baghdad, four blasts killed at least 70 people, including engineers, teachers and workers. Their souls have ascended successfully to the heavens; an achievement that Arab intelligence agencies commended each other for.

In Benghazi, 31 Libyan citizens were killed in crossfire between rebels, the army and the police. All the victims’ souls were sent to the heavens successfully, thanks to the NATO warplanes that arrived in the country’s skies riding the waves of the Arab Spring.

Sana, Yemen: Ten ‘Houthis’ were killed in a government crackdown on a procession demanding some prisoners’ release. Security forces were credited for ‘relentless efforts’ that helped send the souls of ten Yemenis to the heavens.

While countries send their citizens in spacecrafts to outer space, we take pride in sending our people to the heavens without the need of any spacecrafts, rocket bases, or even a countdown. All it takes is an exchange of rockets between a government and an opposition to send everybody flying to the heavens. Who needs universities, education, research centers, rocket launchers, planning programs, etc, when we have the fastest and the most effective method to send people to the heavens - simply by killing them?

If you are wondering why our nations are still suffering due to underdevelopment while countries all over the world are making progress, the answer is simple: how can you expect people to reach outer space successfully when they cannot even guarantee a safe trip back home? —Al-Rai

kuwait digest

Coeducation a national demand

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t was hardly surprising to see MP Nabeel Al-Fadhl criticize liberals in his daily column for their silence about a bill to scrap the ban on coeducation in public and private universities. It seems that many people still assess everything done by the current parliament as ‘worthless’ or a ‘reflection of government’s desires’ a rather unfair generalization.

Regardless of one’s political views about the way the current parliament came into being, one’s opinion regarding some of the laws that it successfully passed should not be a preconceived one, especially when these laws are beneficial for the society. When discussing this issue, it is worth remembering the time and the context when the parliament imposed a ban on coeducation in 1996, a move that had triggered a conflict between liberals and the then Minister of Education, the late Dr. Ahmad Al-Rabei.

The basis of the conflict was the fact that Al-Rabei allowed the bill to pass despite his history as one of the most liberal political figures in the parliament during the 80s. Al-Rabei asked the liberal groups to understand the ‘level of pressure’ he was

By Khalid Al-Tarrah subjected to at the time, and explained that he had to accept the bill because it was the only option that carried the ‘lowest risk’.

The fact that liberal forces are currently split is obvious, which unfortunately leads to different views being

It was not very long ago when women became members of parliament and cabinet, something considered a victory for the people and democracy. Is it logical after all this to continue looking at the issue of coeducation from a single standpoint?

expressed even regarding those steps which are clearly perceived as top priorities for the society. As regards reinstating the coeducation system, the positive side of this decision should not be ignored. The coeducation ban flies in the face of demands for modern development that Kuwait seeks.

It contradicts with the reality of daily life in which women share the work place with their male coworkers, and have successfully entered all kinds of domains including the police force, and will soon be joining the judiciary. It was not very long ago when women became members of parliament and cabinet, something considered a victory for the people and democracy. Is it logical after all this to continue looking at the issue of coeducation from a single standpoint?

Thanks to Nabeel Al-Fadhl and to the other MPs who approved the bill that was passed by the legislative committee to cancel the coeducation ban. I t is the first step for Kuwait’s society to regain its image of tolerance and cooperation that distinguishes civilized communities. — Al-Qabas

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By Abdullah Al-Naibari

nxiety runs high in Kuwait hours before Sunday when the Constitutional Court is due to pronounce its ruling that could determine the next chapter in the years-long political turmoil. Many speculations are being made about the hearing’s outcome based on different opinions of the political groups involved. On the one hand, supporters of the current electoral system hope that the ruling will uphold the emergency decree, while others are confident that the ruling is going to strike it down.

From my own observations and based on a perusal of arguments presenting during the trial, I came up with the following conclusions: The opinion supporting the probability that the court is going to rule it had no jurisdiction in the case is based on the precedent of a Constitutional Court ruling dated June 28, 1982. Back then, the court had rejected challenges to the electoral system on the basis that determining the level of urgency based on which an emergency decree can be issued is a political activity within the sole authority of the Amir. This opinion was rejected by many experts and professors of constitutional law including Dr Othman Al-Saleh, Dr Adel Al-Tabtabaei, Dr Mohammad Al-Feeli and Dr Mohammad Al-Moqatei. All these experts agreed that the constitutional court’s authority covers determining the constitutionality of an emergency decree. “It is unimaginable from the constitutional perspective of the constitutional court to give up its responsibility in examining the conditions for any urgency regarding emergency decrees,” Dr Othman Al-Saleh said in a statement.

Law professors believe that subjecting emergency decrees to the constitutional court’s supervision is an ‘insurance policy’ to prevent the executive authority from trespassing into the legislative domain. In this regard, Dr Al-Tabtabaei cited a ruling from Egypt’s supreme constitutional court which indicated that determining the state of urgency to release an emergency decree is not the exclusive right of the executive authority, and that it required constitutional court’s supervision “to maintain constitutionality and prevent it from becoming a license to claim absolute legislative powers.”

In its ruling on the government’s challenge to the four-votes-per-voter law after it was passed in 2006, the Kuwaiti constitutional court said that the argu-

Law professors believe that subjecting emergency decrees to the constitutional court’s supervision is an ‘insurance policy’ to prevent the executive authority from trespassing into the legislative domain. ment claiming that any legislation can only be considered a political work that cannot be challenged, is something that could render constitutional monitoring useless. “The constitutional monitoring body is required to commit to its responsibility and judicial role as per the constitution, and that being the protector of constitutional provisions and the principle of the sovereignty of the constitution as a reflection of the nation’s willpower,” the ruling said. In that regard, Dr. Al-Tabtabaei further said, “In case the executive authority amended the electoral law after dissolving the parliament following a conflict between the two, this would be like drawing the map to allow its supporters to dominate the parliament.” This argument forms the basis for most constitutional experts’ arguments against amending the electoral law through an emergency decree.

In case of the most recent emergency decree, we find that its explanatory note fails to mention any foreign or internal risks that prompted its release.

Instead, it mentions ‘flaws and loopholes’ in the electoral system that needed to be fixed. In that regard, we can conclude that the reasons for which the system was amended do not qualify as a matter of urgency requiring a decree in the parliament’s absence. In my opinion, the decree came as an attempt by the government to change the electoral law released in 2006 after the constitutional court rejected its challenge.

That said, can we say that Sunday could mark the beginning of the political turmoil’s end, given calls by HH the Amir and different political groups for respecting the court’s ruling regardless of the outcome? I indeed hope so. —Al-Qabas

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

LOCAL

KUWAIT: Flag-hoisting ceremony at the Philippine Embassy yesterday. —Photos by Ben Garcia

Embassy staff and guests

Philippines celebrates 115th Independence Day

By Ben Garcia KUWAIT: The Philippines Embassy in Kuwait led by ChargÈ d’Affaires and Consul General Raul Dado celebrated their country’s 115th Independence Day with a flag hoisting ceremony in the morning before the diplomatic corps, and with a cultural presentation at night yesterday.

The Independence Day celebrations began last Friday with a concert by two famous Filipino actors from Manila.

The show was attended by about 6000 Filipinos. There are approximately 180,000 Filipinos in Kuwait. The messages

from the country’s national leaders were read out by CDAConsul General Raul Dado on behalf of President Noynoy Aquino, Labor AttachÈ to Kuwait David Des Dicang for Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and Mrs Editha Credo for Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.

In his message, President Aquino stressed the need for Filipinos to stay united and firm especially in fighting against ignorance, corruption, injustice and poverty. He lauded his countrymen’s resolve to helping the government to spread democracy and peace, progress and lasting reform.

“May you ignite the patriotism and ‘bayanihan spirit’

Embassy staff

(helping hand) as together we build and fortify the structures on which our nation is built. May this event become an opportunity to further promote our cultural heritage and uphold the Philippines’ revived distinction in the globalized multicultural milieu,” Aquino said.

In his personal message to the community, Dado also congratulated Filipinos in Kuwait as they marked their country’s Independence Day. He also lauded Kuwait for its role in hosting a good number of Filipinos in Kuwait and for “trusting us in the field of investment, cultural exchanges, political cooperation and mutual assistance for our nationals.” He

also noted Kuwait continues its commitment to human rights and was making efforts to help out in cases in which Filipinos are in police custody facing immigration and labor issues,” he said.

Meanwhile, Albert Del Rosario in his message called upon the Filipino Diaspora to help the country march towards real economic development and social progress. Del Rosario added that overseas Filipinos can be a powerful tool for growth. “Our collective efforts will eventually transform overseas employment from being just a means of survival to making it a real economic choice,” he said.

CDA Dado reading President Aquino’s message.

Building haris vandalizes tenants’ vehicles in revenge Fugitive wanted in robbery cases in police net KUWAIT: A keeper at an apartment building faces charges after he confessed to vandalizing residents’ vehicles as an act of revenge. Several tenants in the Khaitan building found the tires of their vehicles damaged with a sharp object. They made inquiries with a nearby shopkeeper who gave them the description of a man he said he saw spoiling the tires. As the building’s keeper matched their description, the tenants headed to the police station and pressed charges against the keeper who was summoned for investigations. The man initially denied the accusations but eventually confessed to his actions after he was confronted with the eyewitness’ testimonies. He said that disputes with the residents prompted him to ‘take revenge’ by venting his anger on their cars. The man was referred to

the proper authorities for further action.

Robbery Investigations were on in search of a thief who committed a robbery at a Jahra restaurant after giving the workers an impression that he was a municipality inspector on duty. According to a complaint filed by the restaurant’s owner at the Jahra police station, the suspect made his way to the kitchen after identifying himself as a municipality inspector, and later threatened legal action against the workers claiming he had detected violations during an inspection mission that he was assigned with.

Intimidated by threats of deportation, the workers prepared four meals that the suspect ordered, and watched

him leave without paying. He even took away the cash register. Police summoned the workers who had witnessed the robbery to collect descriptions of the suspect.

Car thief held Farwaniya police nabbed a fugitive wanted in 21 cases of theft when he was stealing a car in the area.

Patrol officers caught the man who they saw breaking into a parked vehicle and stealing items left inside.

Police summoned the car’s owner for investigations after the thief claimed that he was his friend and just wanted to retrieve items that the car owner had borrowed and refused to return. The car owner denied the accusations. The suspect was charged with theft as

investigations revealed that he was wanted in 21 similar cases reported against him.

Search for harasser Search is on for a man accused of causing an accident while harassing a woman driver in Al-Jahra. Police and paramedics rushed to a location south of the area following a report about a car hitting a house’s wall. They found a woman unharmed in the car who explained that the accident happened when she tried avoiding a collision with another vehicle which swerved unexpectedly as its driver was harassing her. Police also obtained testimonies of an eyewitness who further indicated that the suspect escaped after failing to open the door of the

Iranian fishmonger molests citizen KU WAIT: A citizen repor ted that an Iranian fishmonger sexually harassed her when she went to his store to buy some fish. She added that he touched her inappropriately and she was forced to scream for help. The man, who was arrested, denied her accusations. Further investigations were in progress.

Filipina robbed A Filipina accused an unidentified person of snatching away her purse as she was climbing the stairs of a building in Hawally in which she is a resident, security sources said. The woman added that the robber threatened to kill her if she screamed for help. The purse con-

tained KD5 in cash and her civil ID. Rape charge A Pakistani denied accusations of rape charge leveled by a 23-year-old Syrian girl and claimed that, in fact, she had been his girlfriend who had been visiting his house for two years. Notably, the girl’s father had recently filed a complaint against the Pakistani, accusing him of kidnapping and raping his daughter. However, when the girl was crossexamined once again, she confirmed her relationship with the suspect and said that she had been raped eight years back by a Palestinian who left the country for good.

Two Arab expats with narcotic pills arrested

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: Two Arab expats were arrested on charges of possessing 500 pills of tramadol, after the police received information about their active involvement in illegal drugs business. Based on that information, investigations were made, information was collected, and legal approval was taken to arrest the two.

After searching them, anti-drugs officials found 500 pills of tramadol, which were ready for sale. During the ensuing interrogation, the two admitted that the drugs belonged to them and were for use and sale. They further confessed that they received the drugs from a person from the same nationality, who has now disappeared. However, the police are still searching for him. The two expats and the drugs were sent to the authorities concerned.

Jleeb robber held Detectives in Jahra arrested a suspect of Asian origin who robbed a money changer of KD7500 at pistol point in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh. The suspect was found to be a fugitive who was wanted to serve a four year prison term for committing several thefts.

The Jahra detectives formed a search team to collect necessary information to track down the suspect, and observed due legal precautions before

KUWAIT: Two Arab expats with 500 pills of tramadol. arresting the man. He was sent to the concerned authorities.

girl’s car following the accident. Investigations were on.

Brothers charged Two brothers face charges after their sister accused them of using violence to intimidate her and force her not to start her own business. Jahra police reached a house in the governorate where the woman had reportedly locked herself inside her room to escape her brothers assaulting her. All the three were taken to the police station for questioning, during which the woman explained that she ended up in a confrontation with her brothers after they came to know of her plans to resign from her government post and open a consultation office. The two were charged with battery.

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

LOCAL

Govt sticks to pension rules, says minister Retirees must meet conditions KUWAIT: Authorities will not refer any civil servant to retirement unless he (she) meets terms for payment of end-of-service pensions, affirmed Minister of State for Planning and Development Dr Rola Dashti yesterday. Dr Dashti, also the Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs, stressed that the cabinet cannot refer personnel to retirement unless they meet conditions for receiving the pensions according to the social security law. “We have not ended service of any person who has no right to get the retirement payments,” she re-affirmed. The minister made the assertion during a parliament session, discussing January’s Cabinet Resolution Number 412 on supervisory works, stipulating that those who had spent 30 years in the service must retire.

In response to an MP argument that the government cannot end service of the personnel, she said the cabinet had given instructions in

this regard, however, jurisdictions and execution of the decision are in the hands of the relevant ministers, in accordance with Article 76 of the Civil Service Law. This provision says that those who retire must be eligible to be paid pensions, she said, adding that ending the service of the senior civil servants who had worked for 30 years or more was in line with the cabinet instructions, “with aim of injecting new blood and creating work opportunities for skilled Kuwaitis to contribute to the development of the society.” By law, an employee can no longer serve if he (she) turns 65, with exception of some jobs, Dr Dashti noted, indicating that certain jobs “are linked” to the age.

Nevertheless, a minister can terminate service of personnel “for sake of serving public and work interests.”

The government remains committed to implementing guidelines of HH the Amir, she

said, noting that special bonuses ordered for the military personnel exempted the retired firemen.

Some MPs argued during the session that terminating the service of senior personnel who worked for 30 years “contradicts the constitution namely the articles 26 and 41,” noting that foreigners, only in exceptional cases, can occupy ranking posts.

They stressed that civil servants must not be coerced to retire unless the law stipulates so, branding such an approach as “a masked punitive measure” that can be contested or repealed by the courts.

A number of lawmakers argued that authorities cannot conclude service of staff unless they reach the retirement age of 65, urging the government to distinguish between the productive employees and the fruitless ones. They also said that the Amiri bonus also covers the firemen, noting their sacrifices in the service. —KUNA

GENEVA: Yousef Al-Ibrahim, Kuwait Foreign Ministry’s Diplomatic Attache speaks at the United Nations. —KUNA

Kuwait renounces all forms of discrimination: Official Mali’s human rights efforts lauded

KUWAIT: General Director of Criminal Investigation Lt General Dr Fahad Ibrahim Al-Dawsari and his Assistant Brig Adnan Baqer with other officers during the training program.

Training for crime scene officers KUWAIT: A training program conducted at the General Administration for Criminal Investigation under the theme “Crime scene officers’ preparation” from May 19 to June 5 came to a conclusion. A total of 24 trainees, ranging from soldiers to civilians and criminal investigation employees, participated in the program.

The program was organized under the patronage

of General Director of Criminal Investigation Lt General Dr Fahad Ibrahim Al-Dawsari and his Assistant Brig Adnan Baqer, both of whom were present in person. The training program included lectures about preparing crime scene officers for the crucial job and teaching them how to prepare reports with photos and collect forensic study related traces from the crime scene. Lecturers were Colonel Bader Al-

Ghadouri, judge Mohammad Yousuf Othman and Capt Sayed Hassan Murtadha Al-Mosawi from the fire department apart from Capt Mohammad Khalifa AlMaskati. There were also lecturers from General Administration for Criminal Investigation.

Lt General Al-Dawsari congratulated all the participants of the program and wished them success in their work.

GENEVA: The State of Kuwait has praised efforts by the United Nations Human Rights Council in combating racial discrimination and fanaticism and natives’ hatred of foreigners.

Education is crucial for tackling the issues of discrimination and prejudice, said Yousef Al-Ibrahim, Kuwait Foreign Ministry’s Diplomatic Attache, reacting to recommendations by the UN rapporteur tasked with these issues, during a session of the council.

Kuwait is aware that human rights will not be fully attained at long as the notion of racial discrimination remains persistent and spread throughout the world, noted Al-Ibrahim, expressing dissatisfaction at widespread breaches of human beings’ rights across the world. Aware of this status, the State of Kuwait has enacted a series of legislations and has taken substantial executive measures to fight racial discrimination for sake of “realizing man’s dignity and freedom and rights,” he said, adding that such principles have been included in the teaching curricula of public schools in Kuwait since establishment of the state. All humanitarian values including human rights, advocacy of peace, democracy and tolerance are included in the Kuwaiti teaching curriculums, he said.

Article 29 of the Kuwaiti Constitution stipulates equality, non-discrimination on the basis of sex, origin, language or reli-

gion. The citizens of Kuwait are equal “in front of the law in terms of rights and public duties,” said the diplomatic attache, adding that this constitutional provision “totally adheres to the recommendations of the special rapporteur with regard of laws that prohibit discrimination.”

Kuwait has recently enacted the law for protection of national unity that bans any call or manifestation intended to promote hatred or any form of discrimination. The 23rd session of the UN council is meeting till June 24. Participants in the meetings are examining reports by experts tasked with human rights.

The efforts carried out by Mali to improve its human rights record is well received by the international community and hopefully the African country would continue on this road, said a Kuwaiti diplomat here yesterday. First Secretary at the Kuwaiti Permanent Delegation to the UN Headquarters in Geneva Abdullah Al-Jraiwi said that his country was impressed by the UN Human Rights Council’s (UNHRC) report on Mali, noting Kuwait saw that the African nation was taking some constitutional steps to boost the notions of human rights, democracy, and respect amongst people.

The Kuwaiti diplomat specifically commended Mali’s Justice Minister Malick Coulibaly for his efforts to bolster human rights in his country, wishing him more success in this mission. —KUNA

KUWAIT: Tourism officials and guests during the event at Crowne Plaza Hotel on Tuesday.

India holds tourism promotion event KUWAIT: The Embassy of India, Kuwait, in association with India Tourism, Dubai, organized an ‘Incredible India’ evening on June 11, 2013 at Hotel Crowne Plaza to promote tourism to India. It was inaugurated by Indian Ambassador Satish C Mehta.

Air India, Jet Airways, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways and Oman Air, which are operating flights to India from Kuwait took part in the event.

Several representatives of Indian tour and travel agencies, medical tourism, hotel groups from India and their representatives in the region - Travel Designer, Tamarind Tours, TVB Pharmacies, Indo-Asia Tours, Trail Blazer Tours, Vythiri Village, Punarnava Group, RP Group of Hotels & Resorts, Go Air, SOTC, Cox & King, Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Company, and Indian Heritage, a local handicrafts company, also participated in the event. The event was attended by more than 90 representatives from tour and travel operators and media fraternity of Kuwait. There was a B2B session before the main event. It was followed by an Address of the Ambassador and presentations by Sudhir Kumar, Assistant Director, India Tourism Dubai and other participants.

In his Address, the Ambassador spoke of the close India-Kuwait bilateral relations and the deep bond of friendship and understanding which has been nurtured and nourished by the peoples of the two countries. He underscored that earlier the travel by people of the two countries was driven by necessity such as trade, work, education and medical treatment but now we would like to add tourism as a new dimension to this relationship. He highlighted the various facets of India tourism - diversity of landscapes, the majestic Himalayas, backwaters of Kerala, breathtaking beaches in Goa, Kerala, and Orissa, hill stations, palace tourism, luxury trains, incredible wild life, bird sanctuaries, Indian heritage sites, adventure tourism, including river rafting, trekking and mountaineering, medical tourism, etc. He also spoke about the shopping experience in India as it has a wide variety of alluring products, including gems and jewellery, silks, shawls, carpets, handicrafts, carvings, wood-works, leather goods, etc.

A presentation on India Tourism was made by

KUWAIT: Indian Ambassador Satish C Mehta and India tourism officials during the event.

Sudhir Kumar of India Tourism. His deliberations included developments in India’s tourism Industry, its growth ever since the concept of ‘Incredible India’ was conceived. He said that tourism sector was among the faster growing sectors of the economy and in 2012 over 6.65 million foreign tourists visited India.

Kumar deliberated in detail on a variety of fascinating tourism products of India, which, inter alia, included flora and fauna, wild life, historical monuments, heritage sites, hotels, including heritage hotels, palatial hotels, beaches, luxury trains, backwaters, adventure tourism, including river rafting, mountaineering, heli-skiing, medical tourism, wellness centre, etc. He also highlighted that India has something to offer for people of all ages and has something for liking of one and all. India is so vast; it is difficult to explore it all in one lifetime. He also exhorted the guests from Kuwait’s tourism industry who attended the event to market India as much they can.

Brief presentations were also made by other par-

ticipants. Ajay Sinha, Manager Air India, spoke about their activities, particularly the introduction of Dreamliner by Air India. Mohd Ashraf of Vythiri Village in his presentation mentioned about the facilities they offer in Kerala. Dr Ajumal of Punarnava, an Ayurvedic treatment centre and resort, mentioned about their four centres in Cochin and the wide range of medical facilities offered by them. Shone Abdul Hakeem of RP Group gave presentation about five star hotel facilities and resorts offered by his group.

This was followed by a question-answer session.

A variety of Indian handicrafts were put on display by Indian Heritage, Kuwait. Of the participating Airlines Air India, Jet Airways, Air Arabia, Gulf Air, Etihad Airways, Oman Airways took part in the raffle draw by offering one air ticket each for Kuwait-India-Kuwait sector, which were handed over by the Ambassador and Airline representatives to the winners from amongst the guests representing tourism industry and media.

KJA hails coordination of Arab journalists KUWAIT: The level of cooperation amongst Arab journalist organizations at the 28th International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Congress had led to significant impact on decisions taken during the event, said an official from Kuwait Journalists Association (KJA) here yesterday.

After returning from the IFJ Congress which was held Dublin, Ireland, head of KJA delegation to the meeting, Adnan Al-Rashed, told KUNA that coordination among Arab delegations led to the approval of several significant resolutions. He noted that the Congress, which

witnessed the participation of 111 countries, saw the re-election of IFJ’s Jim Boumelha as President in addition to other Arab officials, a result of coordination amongst Arab, African, and Asian coordination efforts.

Despite the advent of a strong European coalition, said Al-Rashed, the Arab, African, Asian, and Southern American coordination helped in passing several resolutions aimed at amending the IFJ statute. Among such amendments was increasing the number of women representatives participating in journalistic delegations, said Al-Rashed. —KUNA

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

Bibi red-faced at recall of peace talks statement

Khamenei says big election turnout will frustrate foes Page 9

Page 8

ISTANBUL: Selma the turtle grabs the attention of a stray cat while on her daily walk out near Taksim square yesterday. — AP

Police clear Istanbul protest square Prime Minister meets protest representatives ISTANBUL: Demonstrators retreated from an Istanbul protest square yesterday after a night of running battles with riot police as Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan clamped down on mass demos against his Islamic-rooted government. By late afternoon, hundreds of officers armed with riot shields and backed by water cannon trucks were clustered along the eastern side of the square. Just a stone’s throw away, demonstrators huddled up in Gezi Park but there were no fresh confrontations.

Office workers, tourists and curious passers-by milled around the square in a relaxed mood, some posing for pictures with smiling police, after a large clean-up operation cleared the site of stray tear gas canisters, anti-Erdogan banners and makeshift barricades.

The premier, meanwhile, was meeting with several protest leaders but many demonstrators said Tuesday’s unexpected crackdown on Taksim Square, which had seen no police presence since June 1, had made them lose faith in any dialogue. “We don’t accept it,” said Gezi Park protester Anessa, a 29-year-old photographer, complaining that the government had cherry-picked the groups invited to the meeting. The nationwide unrest first erupted after police cracked down heavily on May 31 on a campaign to save Gezi Park from redevelopment, spiralling into mass displays of anger against Erdogan.

Four people, including a policeman, have died in the unrest and nearly 5,000 demonstrators have been injured, tarnishing Turkey’s image as a model of Islamic democracy.

Erdogan, seen as increasingly authoritarian, has taken a tough line on the demonstrators, many of whom are young and middle-class. On Tuesday, he warned his patience had run out. “We won’t show any more tolerance,” he told cheering lawmakers from his Justice and Development Party (AKP) in a speech broadcast live on television.

Hours later, Taksim Square resembled a battleground as police fired volleys of tear gas to disperse tens of thousands chanting “Erdogan, resign!” and “Resistance!” Catand-mouse games continued into the night, with police firing gas, jets of water and rubber bullets at demonstrators who hurled back fireworks, bottles and Molotov cocktails.

The capital Ankara also saw renewed clashes overnight as riot police used gas, pepper spray and water cannon against thousands of protesters near the US embassy.

Some threw rocks in response.

While expectations were low for a quick resolution to the conflict, President Abdullah Gul yesterday said Erdogan’s meeting with demonstrators was a sign of the country’s “democratic maturity”. “People take to the streets here like in the most developed countries in Europe,” he said, adding that he was confident Turkey would “overcome the trouble”.

Police did not intervene in Gezi Park overnight, where volunteers offered first aid to victims of the clashes, though many protesters abandoned their tents after clouds of acrid smoke drifted in from Taksim. While the scene in the park was more subdued than on previous days, when a carnival-like atmosphere reigned, law student Fulya Dagli, 21, said the Taksim Square crackdown had only made protesters more determined. “People are learning not to be scared of the government. That’s something we gained and can’t give up again.”

In a clear sign that police had reclaimed Taksim Square, they hung two massive Turkish flags from a nearby building as well as a large portrait of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the father of modern Turkey, whose image has also been adopted by the protesters. As they unfurled the symbols, some officers chanted: “Our blood for this flag”. Confident in his enduring popularity, Erdogan, in power since 2002, has urged loyalists to respond to the demonstrators by voting for the AKP in local polls next year. His AKP has won three elections in a row and took nearly half the vote in 2011, having presided over strong economic growth.

The first campaign rallies will be staged in Ankara and Istanbul this weekend and are expected to gather tens of thousands of party faithful. Turkey, a country of 76 million at the crossroads of East and West, is a key strategic partner in the region for the United States and other Western allies.

Many of them have criticised Erdogan’s handling of the crisis. German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said the images of demonstrators being chased down by riot police were “disturbing” and that Ankara was “sending the wrong message to the country and to Europe”.

Turkey has long aspired to join the European Union but efforts have stalled, with concerns over its human rights record a key stumbling block. EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton urged Erdogan to show “engagement not antagonism” in his dialogue with the protesters. “This is an important moment for Turkey. A chance for it to renew its commitment to European values,” she said. — AFP

Jordan MPs approve UK extradition deal AMMAN: Jordan’s parliament has approved an agreement with Britain on extraditing suspects wanted by Amman, including radical cleric Abu Qatada who has resisted extradition for the past decade, an MP said yesterday.

“Parliament on Tuesday approved a treaty with Britain to help Jordan extradite suspects from Britain,” deputy house speaker Khalil Attieh told AFP. “The agreement does not specifically mention Abu Qatada but it includes him and others.” The accord needs King Abdullah II’s approval before it becomes a law. Abu Qatada has been in and out of British prisons since 2002 as he fights successive government attempts to deport him to Jordan, where he has been convicted of terror charges in his absence.

But on May 10, the cleric vowed to return to Jordan voluntarily if its parlia-

ment ratifies a treaty barring the use of evidence obtained by torture. A Spanish judge once branded Abu Qatada the right-hand man in Europe of Osama bin Laden, although Abu Qatada denies ever having met the late Al-Qaeda leader. The 52-year-old cleric, who has been resident in Britain since claiming asylum in 1993, is likely to face a retrial if he is returned to Jordan. On April 24, British Home Secretary Theresa May announced that London has signed a legal treaty with Amman giving guarantees that Abu Qatada would face a fair trial if deported. “The agreement also includes a number of fair trial guarantees... I believe these guarantees will provide the courts with the assurance that Qatada will not face evidence that might have been obtained by torture in a retrial in Jordan,” she said. May made the

announcement a day after the Court of Appeal in London refused her permission to challenge its ruling that the radical preacher cannot be sent back to Jordan due to rights concerns. “The Jordanian parliament approved the agreement without demanding any amendments,” Attieh said.

The British government has repeatedly sought fresh assurances from Jordan about Abu Qatada’s treatment, but a Special Immigration Appeals Commission judge in November ruled again that he could not be sent back, a decision upheld by the Court of Appeal in March. The agreement would also help London deport Walid Kurdi, a fugitive uncle of the king who was sentenced in Jordan last week to 37.5 years in jail with hard labour and a massive fine on two charges of abuse of office, according to Attieh. — AFP

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

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

Early, forced marriages haunt Jordan’s Syrian refugees ZAATARI REFUGEE CAMP, Jordan: With no end in sight to Syria’s conflict, some refugees in Jordan are offering their daughters for early marriage in the hope of securing them protection as they face growing economic pressure. Syrian refugee Abu Mohammad says he reluctantly opted to marry off his teenage daughter to a rich 40-year-old Saudi man, hoping to give her a better life and ease

his family’s financial hardships. “It was the last thing I wanted to do,” Abu Mohammad, 50, told AFP outside his tent at the northern Zaatari refugee camp, home to more than 160,000 Syrians equal in size to what would be Jordan’s fifth-largest city. “This big prison we live in. It’s unbearable,” said Abu Mohammad.The father of six said that his daughter’s Saudi husband “promised to

ZAATARI REFUGEE CAMP, Jordan: A Syrian refugee girl leans against a tent in this refugee camp on May 18, 2013. —AFP

help us until the crisis ends and we go home,” after the marriage three months ago. “God knows when this is going to happen,” he said.

Dominique Hyde, representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)in Jordan, told AFP that it was not clear how widely spread early marriages were, but that there were signs it was taking place. “Information gathered during assessments and monitoring visits do reveal incidents of forced and early marriage,” she said. “Forced and early marriage is a human rights and a public health problem.”

According to Interior Minister Hussein Majali, the authorities have recorded 1,029 marriages between Jordanian men and Syrian women since refugees started to flee to the kingdom in 2011. “NonJordanian men have married 331 Syrian women. These figures are within normal range,” Majali said. Jordan says it is hosting at least 500,000 Syrians. More than 70 percent of the refugees are women and children, according to the UN figures.

“Jordanians and other Arabs frequently come to ask me about Syrian refugee women to marry,” said Fares Hosha, a 42year-old former post office employee who now owns a shop selling household appliances. “ Two men from outside Zaatari recently asked the same question.

One customer told them he has two daughters. The three left the shop togeth-

er and I don’t know what happened later.”

Hosha thought that refugees accept such “urgent unconditional marriages because they fear the unknown and want to make sure their daughters are safe.”

Said’s daughters, aged 15 and 16, got married a month ago. “I am jobless, paraplegic and I cannot support my family,” said the father-of-10. “What can I do? The camp is a dangerous place and I feared for my daughters. I felt marriage was the solution.” Jordanian law allows girls under the age of 18 to marry with court approval. If the court rules the marriage is in the girl’s best interests, she may marry as young as 15, according to UNICEF, which encourages courts to uphold the minimum legal age of marriage at 18 for boys and girls.

Zayed Hammad, head of the Ketab and Sunna Society, which provides aid to tens of thousands of refugees, said his charity receives dozens of requests from men to help them find brides in Zaatari.

“We are a relief group and we want to focus on our job. We do not want to be involved in this issue, which could create problems,” he told AFP. On the main street in Zaatari, Abu Ahmad opened a wedding shop six months ago. “When I came here, I thought that opening the shop was a good idea,” the 40-year-old bearded man said, as a couple looked at wedding dresses. They refused to talk to AFP. “Each day I rent at least one wedding

dress for around 20 Jordanian dinars ($28). In all emergencies we know that women and girls are at increased risk of exploitation,” she said. “Syrians have reported that though early marriage was common in Syria prior to the crisis there have been changes in practises since their arrival in Jordan. Most notably, wide spousal age gaps.”

A group of Syrian activists, calling themselves the National Campaign for the Protection of Syrian Women are trying to fight these marriages, and have set up a Facebook page which has more than 20,000 followers. “Syrian women are not slaves. We cannot remain silent about such hidden slavery and sex trade,” they said on their page. “Calls for these marriages by Arabs from the Gulf and other regions are motivated by purely sexual instincts.”

Some Syrian refugees have defended early marriages. Former security official Said Hariri, 60, said that early marriages are not unusual. “In our traditions it is normal that a girl gets married at the age of 16. If a girl is 20 and still single, people will call her a spinster,” he said. “I got married when I was 17. You should understand why some parents decide to marry off their daughters at young age, particularly under our current circumstances.” But Hyde disagrees. “Whatever the context, such exploitation is preying on the most vulnerable and is not acceptable,” she said. —AFP

Syria copter raid sparks Lebanon army warning Rebels kill 60 Shiites in eastern town BEIRUT: Lebanon’s army warned it will hit back against any new attacks from Syria after a helicopter gunship struck an eastern town yesterday, ratcheting up tensions ahead of US-British talks on the conflict. The escalation came hours after the emergence of video footage showing the mutilated corpse of one of some 60 Shiites killed in the latest outbreak of worsening sectarian violence in Syria. A Syrian helicopter

Sleiman called the attack “a violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty” and said Beirut has the right to take steps to defend itself and to “submit a complaint” to the UN and the Arab League. Most residents of Arsal, in the hills just 12 km from the border with Syria, support the Sunni-led uprising against the Assad regime. The majority of Syria’s population is Sunni but it has been ruled by more than 40 years by the

its kind in the nearly 27-month conflict. Lebanon’s poorly equipped army normally coordinates closely with the Syrian military. Damascus dominated Lebanon politically and military for 30 years until 2005, and still exerts significant influence through its allies there.

Arsal has been used as a conduit for weapons and rebels to enter Syria, while also serving as a refuge

QUNEITRA: An Israeli soldier uses a sniffer dog to search an armored vehicle belonging to United Nations Austrian peacekeepers as they cross the Israeli army crossing between Syria to the Israeli annexed Golan Heights yesterday. Austrian troops in the UN monitoring force on the Golan Heights began withdrawing, days after Vienna decided to quit the mission over security concerns. —AFP gunship fired two rockets at the centre of Arsal, a Lebanese town populated mostly by Sunni Muslims, wounding one person, Lebanon’s army said.

In a rare warning against the regime of Syrian President Bashar AlAssad, it said Lebanese troops “took the necessary defensive measures to respond immediately to any similar violations”. Lebanon’s President Michel

Assad clan from the Alawite community, an offshoot of Shiism.

The Syria conflict erupted in March 2011 following a bloody regime crackdown on Arab Springinspired democracy protests. Since then, there have been several spillover attacks in Lebanon involving both sides in Syria, but yesterday’s army statement was the first of

for people fleeing the conflict.

Dozens of people wounded in fighting in Qusair -mostly rebels - flocked to Arsal last week as Syria’s army and fighters from the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah overran the former insurgent bastion.

In a new macabre episode, Sunni Islamist rebels celebrated the killing of some 60 Shiites, mostly pro-regime

fighters, according to amateur video distributed by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. “Look Shiites, this is how you will end up, you dogs,” cries one man shown in footage filmed in Hatlah village, in the eastern Syrian province of Deir Ezzor. The rebels assaulted Hatlah in retaliation after Shiite fighters from the village attacked a rebel position, killing two insurgents, said the Observatory.

Boosted by their victory in Qusair, regime troops advanced on parts of the nearby city of Homs, as they prepared to assault Aleppo in the north, the Observatory said.

France, meanwhile, urged the international community to stop the Assad regime. “We need to re-balance things because over the past few weeks the troops of Bashar al-Assad and especially Hezbollah and the Iranians, along with Russian arms, have gained considerable ground,” said Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius. He did not elaborate. On Tuesday, Fabius accused Assad of using “chemical weapons in an outrageous manner”. “We must stop him because, if there is no re-balancing on the ground, there will be no peace conference in Geneva as the opposition will refuse to come.”

A US-Russian peace initiative appears to have stalled as Assad’s forces make battlefield gains. In Washington, Secretary of State John Kerry is set to meet his British counterpart William Hague, a day after President Barack Obama asked his security team to “look at all options” to help the opposition. As the Syrian war looked increasingly set to spill over, Israeli air force pilots said they are training daily to meet any threat posed by regional instability. Meanwhile, UN leader Ban Ki-moon called for better protection for UN peacekeepers tasked with monitoring the armistice zone in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Ban made the call as some 70 soldiers from the 378-strong Austrian contingent began withdrawing from the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) after attacks and abductions of peacekeepers. Croatia and Japan peacekeepers have also withdrawn in recent months. —AFP

Palestinian boycott leaders say peace talks ‘useless’ BETHLEHEM: Leaders of a growing Palestinian movement to boycott Israel oppose any peace talks, even if they include a long-demanded freeze of Jewish settlements on Palestinian land. “We have no faith... in the socalled negotiations,” said Omar Barghouti, head of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which lobbies worldwide for the economic, cultural and academic boycott of Israel. Speaking to AFP on the sidelines of the fourth annual BDS conference at Bethlehem University at the weekend, Barghouti said the talks were “absolutely useless, just another smokescreen to allow Israel to continue its colonisation - its building of settlements”.

The Palestinians have demanded not only a freeze on settlement building but also a return to lines that existed before Israel seized the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza in the 1967 Six Day War. But Barghouti said that, even if these key demands were met, negotiations would still be unacceptable. The only way to ensure the Palestinians secured all their rights is through the non-violent “resistance” of a full boycott of Israel.

Barghouti said that for there to be peace, the Israelis must guarantee the right of return for Palestinian refugees everywhere and equal rights for Arab Israelis, as well as a complete end to the occupation of

Palestinian territories. At the conference, local BDS leaders called in impassioned speeches on the Palestinian leadership not to “play the role of mediator between us and Israel,” demanding instead that they focus their energies on sanctioning the Jewish state.

The movement says it is inspired by the non-violent South African civil rights movement and deplores what it calls Israel’s own “apartheid” against Palestinians. One of its more celebrated backers is South African antiapartheid icon Desmond Tutu, who addressed delegates by video conference. “This is a universe where right will ultimately prevail, and you are on the side of right,” he said, to thunderous applause.

Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters also sent a message, urging fellow musicians to refuse to perform in Israel as part of the cultural boycott. Israel, “uses performances by foreign artists to create a facade of normalcy and acceptability,” he told them in a pre-recorded message. Waters also praised a recent decision by renowned British physicist Stephen Hawking to pull out of a Jerusalem conference to be hosted next week by Israeli President Shimon Peres as part of the academic boycott - a move listed by BDS as one of its notable achievements of the year.

Other “successes” include Adidas dropping its sponsorship of the Jerusalem marathon in March after pressure from the movement, and the UN publishing reports call-

ing for sanctions against Israeli settlements.

The group’s influence is definitely being felt. Stevie Wonder pulled out of an Israeli army fundraiser in November after pressure from Tutu and Waters, and fellow US singer Lenny Kravitz cancelled a Tel Aviv concert in October after being petitioned by activists, citing a scheduling conflict. But a recent campaign to boycott a Formula 1 peace road show with the participation of the Scuderia Ferrari and Marussia F1 teams and several internationally acclaimed motorcyclists, has fallen flat, with the event set to take place in Jerusalem today.

In a separate but related development, the European Union has also called for clear and unambiguous labelling of products being exported from Jewish settlements in the West Bank, reiterating that settlement building is illegal under international law. But the move, which was to have been approved by EU foreign ministers in May, has been delayed until the end of this month, reportedly at the request of Washington in a move denounced by Palestinian legislator Mustafa Barghouti as “disappointing”. “This hesitation on the part of the EU is disappointing. The quicker they move the better it will be,” he told AFP. “The US is pressuring the wrong side,” he continued. “They should have pressured Israel. As long as the US is afraid of pressuring Israel, nothing will move.” —AFP

WARSAW: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk hug each other after a press conference yesterday. —AP

Bibi red-faced at recall of peace talks statement JERUSALEM: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was forced yesterday to recall an official statement on the peace process which appeared to admit Israel’s settlement building was unhelpful in reaching a peace agreement with the Palestinians. The reference was made in a joint Israeli-Polish declaration which was to have been read out following a meeting in Warsaw between Netanyahu and his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk later the same day.

“The two governments agree on the urgent need to advance towards a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, which must be reached through direct negotiations between the sides without pre-conditions,” it began. “Unilateral steps by either of the sides are not useful to achieving a lasting peace,” it continued.

The wording is almost identical to that employed by Washington when criticising the impact of Israel’s ongoing settlement construction on occupied Palestinian land. “There must never be any doubt about the legitimacy of the State of Israel and the security of its citizens, and the right of the Palestinians to a state,” it added. It was only yesterday morning, shortly before Netanyahu took off for Poland, that the statement began making headlines in the media, prompting an embarrassing about-face by the premier’s office.

Officials close to Netanyahu were quoted by army radio as saying the premier had not been consulted over the wording of the statement and demanded it be recalled. Haaretz news website also quoted Netanyahu’s office as saying staff of National Security Adviser Yaakov Amidror had worked on the statement and agreed it with Warsaw, without it being seen by the premier or by Amidror.

Netanyahu’s bureau did not respond to calls for a comment on the incident, but Haaretz quoted officials as saying the statement was

“only a protocol document” that did not represent the Israeli government’s position.

Haaretz suggested the “surprising” wording of the statement had initially sparked speculation that Netanyahu was trying to send “a moderate message” to the world after Deputy Defence Minister Danny Danon embarrassed him by saying the government was not serious about reaching a peace agreement. In an interview last week, Danon said that if the question of a two-state solution was put to a vote, most ministers in Netanyahu’s rightwing Likud and those with its Jewish Home ally would be opposed. “If there will be a move to promote a two-state solution, you will see forces blocking it within the party and the government,” he said.

Commentators largely agreed that Danon had merely stated the obvious.

In a sign of the growing internal problems facing Netanyahu over US moves to revive the peace process, a third of Israeli MPs on Tuesday signed up to join a parliamentary lobby group which opposes the creation of a Palestinian state. The Knesset Caucus for the Land of Israel, which met for the first time under the current administration on Tuesday, backs the idea of Israeli sovereignty over all of the Palestinian territories. The meeting was attended by three cabinet ministers: Naftali Bennett who heads the far-right Jewish Home party, his deputy Uri Ariel, and Uzi Landau of the hardline Yisrael Beitenu party, press reports said. Addressing the group, Bennett said the goal of the caucus was to present an alternative to the two-state solution. Ariel, who serves as housing minister, said the group faced a tough struggle but pledged to help. “My ministry is prepared to build thousands of apartments in Judaea, Samaria and Jerusalem,” he told them, referring to the West Bank. —AFP

Egypt says dam dispute not yet a military one CAIRO/ADDIS ABABA: Egypt’s armed forces are not yet involved in a dispute with Ethiopia over a giant dam on the Nile, a spokesman for the general staff said yesterday, playing down bellicose rhetoric between Cairo and Addis Ababa. “This is not a military issue at this stage,” Ahmed Mohamed Ali told Reuters after days of irate exchanges between Africa’s second and third most populous nations over a new hydroelectric plant that Egypt fears will reduce its vital water supply. On Monday, Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi said he did not want “war” but would keep “all options open”, prompting Ethiopia to say it was ready to defend the Great Renaissance Dam. Egypt’s previous military rulers had warned against such projects in the past and last week Egyptian politicians were caught on camera discussing air strikes or offering support to Ethiopian rebels. “It’s too early to involve the army in this problem at the moment,” Ali said. Earlier yesterday, Egypt’s armed forces’ chief-of-staff issued a statement saying that the military was “ready and able to protect the nation and preserve its sacred sites”.

General Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi made the comments

during a training exercise that included special forces paratroopers, according to a statement on his Facebook page.

The spokesman said Sisi’s words were aimed at giving soldiers at the training exercise “a message about their role in defending the interests of Egypt”. Analysts said Sisi’s comments appeared directed more at groups planning street protests for and against Mursi’s administration at the end of this month. Ethiopia has dismissed talk of military action as “psychological warfare”.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr is expected to travel to Addis Ababa on Sunday for talks about the dam, but Ethiopia’s foreign ministry said yesterday the country had no intention of suspending construction. Dina Mufti, spokesman at Ethiopia’s foreign affairs ministry, told reporters that talks with Egypt were “in the spirit of Ethiopian interest”. “Ethiopia has always been open and we’ve always been interested in discussions,” he said, speaking in English. Dina added “in the strongest possible terms” that Ethiopia would not accept any proposal to halt or delay construction. —Reuters

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

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

Women see flicker of hope for rights in Iran vote TEHRAN: Iran’s presidential election is offering a flicker of hope to activists hoping to revive women’s rights after they deteriorated during the eight years of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s presidency. The ailing economy, hit hard by international sanctions against Iran’s vital oil income which has sparked high inflation, has grabbed the spotlight in the short election campaign.

But activists say that despite the sidelining by the authorities of reformists who advocate women’s rights, there is still hope that the situation of the country’s 35 million women, more than half the population, can be improved.

“The election is providing an opportunity,” said activist Minoo Mortazi, who urges women not to let emotions influence their voting decisions. “Even a candidate who is promising a better situation for housewives, by providing financial security merits a vote,” she said. “It will gradually build a platform allowing women to reach higher.”

Fereshteh Rouhafza, who is campaigning for conservative candidate Saeed Jalili, the top nuclear negotiator, has called for ‘housewife’ to become an officially accepted job, and for the promotion of women as “mothers and wives”. “The ground is not prepared for women to focus on having kids and raising them,” she said at a debate on the situation of women in the Islamic republic.

But Maryam, a 28-year-old private company employee, said she sees no point in voting as “women have no voice within the regime”. Moderate candidate Hassan Rowhani, who is also being backed by the reformist camp, has vowed that “discrimination against women will not be tolerated” by his administration, should he be elected.

“Today we need movement in the society to achieve developments. For that we need to pay attention to women,” Rowhani said during his campaigning. His pledges however have little chance of being implemented as he is not expected to be able to blunt the conservative challenge for the presidency.

Meanwhile the only reformist candidate, Mohammad Reza Aref, pulled out of the race on Tuesday, under pressure from the reformist camp who believe Rowhani stands a better chance of mounting a credible bid against the rival conservatives. Aref had urged Iranian women to cast their ballot, saying “without their participation no government could execute development plans,” according to his women affairs advisor Zohreh Alipour, speaking to AFP. Aref wanted to “revise the law to eliminate discrimination against women,” Alipour said.

Although better than those of many regional Arab countries, Iran’s laws since the Islamic revolution three decades ago are criticised as unfair to women in marriage, divorce and inheritance. And

although women hold key posts, including in parliament and the cabinet, they are yet to be allowed to stand in presidential elections. They are also barred from working as judges, while married women can be prevented by their husbands from working and need his consent to obtain a passport.

Iran’s clergy, which holds sway within the country, defends the laws, saying they are designed to protect against a Western lifestyle that they say takes advantage of women. According to the Iranian constitution, the laws are aimed at shielding women from being treated as “a mere thing” or “being a mere tool for work”. In the lead-up to the election, a non-governmental organisation, the Iranian Civil Society, called for the removal of “discriminatory policies” against women. The body says “discrimination and gender segregation in regulations, micro and macro political, economic, social and educational plans” should be lifted.

Its call has gone unheeded however and according to women’s right activists the situation has deteriorated since Ahmadinejad took power in 2005. During his term, activists have been arrested, rights curtailed and a “morality police” unit formed, tasked with checking women in the street to ensure their dress does not violate Islamic values. For some female voters however, the issue of women’s rights is

of secondary importance. “I will vote in the election only with the hope of securing a better economic future for my children,” said 44-year-old Fatemeh, a mother of two who fears her children will have to struggle for years with economic difficulties. “With

this battered economy and astronomical rise in prices, I see no future for my children,” Fatemeh added, pointing to her teenage daughter studying for a final exam in their small apartment in southern Tehran. —AFP

TEHRAN: A female supporter of the Iranian presidential candidate Hasan Rowhani, a former Iran’s top nuclear negotiator, chants slogans as she holds his poster during a street campaign on Tuesday. —AP

Khamenei says big election turnout will frustrate foes Hardliners yet to unite behind single candidate

TEHRAN: Carrying an Iranian flag, female supporters of the Iranian presidential candidate Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who is also Tehran’s mayor, hold placards in his support Tuesday. —AP

DUBAI: Iran’s supreme leader urged voters to turn out in big numbers for a presidential election on Friday, saying such a show of strength would frustrate Tehran’s enemies. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was speaking on the last day of a subdued campaign that has not produced a leading candidate from three main hardliners and one moderate. The winner will replace Mahmoud Ahmadinejad but inherit an economy struggling with high unemployment and inflation, and buckling under the weight of international sanctions imposed over Iran’s disputed nuclear programme.

The new president will also have little leeway to change major policies such as Iran’s enrichment of uranium for nuclear fuel or its support for President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian civil war. Both are decided by Khamenei. “My insistence on the presence of the majority of people in the elections is because the strong presence of the Iranian nation will disappoint the enemy, make it reduce pressures and follow another path,” Khamenei said in a speech yesterday, reported on his website.

“It is possible that some people, for whatever reason, do not want to support the Islamic Republic establishment but they do want to support their country. They should also come to

Iran election offers choice, little change DUBAI: Tomorrow’s presidential election in Iran is unlikely to bring significant change to the Islamic republic, whose supreme leader has ensured hardline candidates dominate the field. But the sole moderate could yet upset the race.

World powers embroiled in talks with Iran over its disputed nuclear program are looking for signs of a recalibration of its negotiating position after eight years of inflexibility under firey populist President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Iran’s uncompromising nuclear negotiator Saed Jalili is prominent among four hardliners competing for the post, while one of his predecessors, the more conciliatory Hassan Rohani, has been endorsed by reformists after moderate former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani was barred.

While intensifying nuclear-related sanctions on Iran have been a hot election topic, the other major global issue, its backing of President Bashar Al-Assad and Lebanon’s Hezbollah in Syria’s civil war, has not been raised by the six candidates. Ahmadinejad, who gave repeated speeches seeming to call for the destruction of Israel, will not be missed in the West, but expectations for a radical change in direction are low. “It would be good not to have someone like Ahmadinejad but it won’t make much difference. We’re not waiting with bated breath for the new president because the supreme leader is running policy,” said a Western diplomat.

The president’s comparative lack of power within the Iranian system does not make the election insignificant however. “The Iranian president ... will have a seat at the table when Iran’s major foreign policy and nuclear policies are decided,” Mohsen Milani, an Iran expert at the University of South Florida told reporters. “Elections are not free,” he said, “but they are extremely significant.” After publicly backing Ahmadinejad when protesters disputed his 2009 election, Khamenei fell out with him after he sought to use public rallies to challenge the leader’s authority.

Analysts say Khamenei wants a compliant president, but above all, no repeat of the 2009 unrest. “There’s a certain paranoia on the regime’s part about the potential for more unrest and discontent pouring out into the streets. They really want to manage this election,” US-based Iranian journalist Hooman Majd told reporters. “That is unusual and different than in the past when elections have been much freer,” he said.

Authorities barred two prominent dissenting figures from standing, leaving four “shades of grey” conservative hardliners loyal to Khamenei alongside a former oil minister who says he is neither conservative nor reformist, and moderate cleric Rowhani. Reformists, led by former president Mohammad Khatami who won election landslides in 1997 and 2001, endorsed Rohani this week, adding to pressure on the hardliners to thin their field. Rafsanjani has also endorsed Rohani, who was his national security advisor when president. Rohani has openly criticised the pervasive security and vowed to improve Iran’s relations with the outside world. Several members of Rohani’s team and supporters were arrested after calls for the release of political prisoners were chanted at one of his election rallies.

To avoid the embarrassment of the 2009 protests, Iran’s electoral authorities have left little to chance to ensure the ballot passes off quietly - from disqualifying high-profile candidates, to tight controls on campaigning and TV debates. Mirhossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi, who as reformist candidates led the “Green Movement” that disputed the 2009 election result, are under house arrest and the jubilant pre-election reformist rallies of that time are

absent. “There are no gatherings in the streets, candidates cannot have public meetings in the city, only inside stadiums and universities, with many police around. Practically there are no election activities on the streets,” said a youthful Tehran resident who told of a larger police presence in the city. “There’s no atmosphere like four years ago.”

Iranians who yearn for real change in Iran, estimated by some analysts at up to two-thirds of the populace, have become disillusioned with politics since what they see as the election fix of 2009 and may not turn out to vote. “I was in line for an hour to vote on election day (in 2009) .... but even before the voting had ended they said Ahmadinejad had won. I learned my lesson four years ago,” said Mona, 31, an accountant. But others were hoping to prevent a hardline victory. “I am not excited about voting at all. I think I will vote but not because I am hopeful or interested but because I worry that another hardliner might come to power,” said Hossein, a student of English literature in the central city of Isfahan. A big turnout would likely help Rohani and the reformist cause, but would also boost the legitimacy of the Islamic Republic’s mix of religious rule backed by popular sovereignty. A Rohani win, if permitted by Iran’s electoral authorities, would lead to more tension between the president and supreme leader of the kind seen during the Khatami years and during Ahmadinejad’s second term from 2005 - the inherent strain between the Islamic and the republic halves of Iran’s system. “You simply cannot have a republic whose president and parliament is subordinated to the supreme leader,” said Milani. “What I believe has been happening in Iran over the last eight years is a movement away from the Islamic Republic and towards making an Islamic government.”

What started as a broad coalition to overthrow the USbacked shah in 1979 has become ever narrower over time, analysts and diplomats say, making differences between those contesting power slight. But they are magnified by the struggle for office. “All candidates have been very critical of Ahmadinejad’s economic performance. But a significant difference has emerged over foreign policy and the handling of nuclear negotiations,” said Shaul Bakhash of George Mason University in Virginia. “What we see emerging is a broad loose coalition of reformers ... against the ruling conservatives,” he said.

Although Khamenei says he backs no candidate, analysts say he is counting on one of three “Principlist” contenders who profess utmost loyalty to the theocratic system - taking office. Jalili is centre stage in the Principlists’ camp. He has taken an uncompromising stance in several rounds of negotiations with world powers and is supported by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, also backed by the Guards and respected by Tehran residents for his efficiency, is regarded as more moderate as is the third “Principlist” running, Khamenei’s foreign affairs advisor Ali Akbar Velayati.

Velayati’s lack of power base would limit his ability to challenge the leader if he became president, but also limits his appeal as it does for non Principlist ex-oil minister Mohammad Gharazi and Mohsen Rezaie, secretary of the Expediency Council. The refusal of any of the three Principlists to quit the race may be an indication that the leader has not yet given his backing to any one of them. “It’s ver y unpredictable right now,” said a Western diplomat based in Tehran. “Ultimately, the leader doesn’t want a strong president who thinks he can act independently.” —Reuters

the polls. Everyone should come to the polls,” Khamenei said.

With 678 people who registered as candidates barred from standing in the election, the United States and the Israel - top of Iran’s list of enemies - have both criticised the ballot as neither free nor fair. Voters now have six candidates remaining to choose from - a slate dominated by conservatives who tout their loyalty to Khamenei and offer little in the way of real policy differences. As there are no independent, reliable opinion polls on voting intentions in Iran, it is hard to gauge who will win.

Reformist leaders said the last presidential election in 2009 was rigged to return Ahmadinejad to office and many mainly middle-class, more liberal voters may fail to turn out this time in the belief the same thing could happen. Iranian authorities say all polls are open and democratic. Moderates and reformists united on Tuesday behind centrist cleric Hassan Rowhani, hoping to attract the vote of Iranians hoping for more freedoms and better relations with the West. A high turnout could favour Rowhani, but the more liberal Iranians he is most likely to appeal to may be the ones most likely not to vote. However Iranians, analysts say, recognise the difference

between bad and worse and may turn out anyway. “People are not eager to go and vote themselves, but they are worried about who will get elected,” said Zoha, a 28-year-old dental student in Tehran. “I will vote for Rowhani. I will only vote because it might help prevent someone like Jalili getting elected,” she said. “He is a hardliner who will only take away our freedom even more.” Following some reports of youths wearing Rohani’s purple colours gathering in the streets, his campaign appealed to his followers to respect the law. Riot police cracked down hard on reformist supporters celebrating in the streets believing their candidate had won the 2009 vote.

Rowhani’s conservative opponents meanwhile appeared no closer yesterday to deciding on a unified candidate. Saeed Jalili, Iran’s nuclear negotiator has run a strong campaign, but has been heavily criticised, even by fellow hardliners, for his intransigence in talks with world powers and failing to stop the imposition of tough international sanctions. Jalili is alone among the candidates in defending Iran’s current robust, ideologically driven foreign policy. “The smallest flexibility in defending our country’s rights will lead to more pressure,” state television quoted Jalili as telling supporters. —Reuters

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

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

Vigilantes target extremists in northeast Nigeria MAIDUGURI, Nigeria: Young men armed with machetes and sticks have entered the streets of Nigeria’s biggest city in the northeast to target suspected Islamic extremists, even as soldiers continued an offensive against the radical fighters. The vigilante group, known as “Civilian JTF,” a play off the acronym used to describe the joint military and police taskforce in the region, started taking up arms after President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency May 14 in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states - a territory of around 155,000 sq km of the Sahel bordering Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

In a nationally televised speech, Jonathan admitted the nation had lost control of some villages and towns to extremist fighters already responsible for more than 1,600 killings since 2010 alone, according to an AP count. In the time since, the military claims it has killed and arrested suspected extremists as it now controls security for the region with expanded powers to arrest anyone and occupy any building. However, military officials who spoke to journalists on a recent trip through the northeast

acknowledged many fighters likely fled with heavy weaponry including anti-aircraft guns and still remain a major threat to Africa’s most populous nation.

The members of Civilian JTF have now come under attack from extremists for pointing out suspects to soldiers. An AP reporter met a group of the young men belonging to the vigilantes recently in the streets of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state and the spiritual home of the extremist network Boko Haram. The men ranged in age from 17 to 25 and carried machetes, iron bars and batons to protect themselves. The men said they formed their own patrols after becoming tired of soldiers routinely rounding up any young man found in a neighborhood after an extremist attack in the city. Soldiers in Nigeria’s military, drawn from across the more than 250 ethnicities in the nation, can have difficulties speaking local languages and understanding customs in regions far from their home. The young men said their local knowledge helps the soldiers do their job better.

“We are into this to salvage our people from the Boko Haram who had killed

our people, security operatives and destroyed our economy,” vigilante Isa Musa said. “We are not afraid of them because we are doing a just cause and God is by our side.” Musa said the vigilantes didn’t fear the extremists, even though their fighters carry Kalashnikov assault rifles and other sophisticated weaponry. “All we want is prayers from the people and their cooperation. We are working together with the JTF soldiers,” he said. “We want government to assist us with more weapons like cutlasses, iron batons and axes.”

Last Friday, however, the Civilian JTF members found themselves a target of a suspected Boko Haram attack. Gunmen hid their assault rifles inside a coffin and opened fire on them in Maiduguri. At least 13 people were killed in that attack, witnesses said. It’s not clear whether these civilian groups receive either the passive acceptance or the endorsement of the military now securing Maiduguri, though it would appear likely as soldiers seem to allow their movement in a city filled with sandbagged roadblocks. Lt Col Sagir Musa, a military spokesman in the city, could not be reached for com-

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria: Vigilante youths pose for a photograph on Tuesday. — AP ment as security forces have shut down mobile phone networks in the northeast as part of the offensive.

What is known is that suspects recently pointed out by the vigilantes in three cases ended up dead. Two were

shot and killed for “trying to escape,” a witness recently said.

An AP journalist saw the bodies of eight other suspected extremists dead in a ditch after being pointed out last week by vigilantes. — AP

Thousands march calling for ‘divorce from Putin’ President slams foreign interference

QUNU, South Africa: A billboard with a poster of former South African President Nelson Mandela is seen at the Nelson Mandela museum near his home yesterday. — AP

Mandela ‘responding better’ to treatment JOHANNESBURG: Nelson Mandela is responding better to treatment, South African President Jacob Zuma said yesterday as the frail anti-apartheid hero spent a fifth day in hospital. Mandela’s family said they were “deeply touched” by the outpouring of support since the 94-year-old was admitted to a private clinic in Pretoria on Saturday with a recurring lung infection.

“I am happy to report that Madiba is responding better to treatment from this morning,” Zuma told parliament, using the Mandela’s clan name. “We are very happy with the progress that he is now making, following a difficult last few days.”

His announcement was greeted with loud cheers from lawmakers, who, like millions of South Africans, have been on edge over Mandela’s latest health scare. Until now, the government had described his condition as “serious but stable”. Mandela’s latest illness has led to a growing acceptance that the Nobel peace laureate may be nearing the end of his life, but Zuma’s announcement was greeted with relief in his home village of Qunu. “I’m happy” said 17-year-old Sibabalwe Mehlomane. “It’s good news.”

Members of his family, no strangers to internal feuding, have come together to be by his bedside in the Pretoria hospital.

“Since Madiba was admitted to hospital, the family has been deeply touched by the outpour(ing) of prayers and the overwhelming messages of goodwill from all South Africans and the international community,” said his grandson and clan leader Mandla Mandela. Zuma paid tribute to

Mandela, who was sentenced to life in prison for sabotage 49 years ago yesterday, along with seven other anti-apartheid fighters. “Because of their sacrifices and the foundation that was laid for a free and democratic South Africa, our country is a much better place to live in now than it was before 1994, even though we still have so much work to do,” he said.

One of Mandela’s co-accused, Andrew Mlangeni, told AFP of Mandela’s resolve as they were sentenced. “On that day Mandela accepted his fate and made it clear that he was prepared to die.” Mandela instead spent 27 years in prison during white racist rule, walking free in 1990 before becoming South Africa’s first black president four years later. A stream of family members have visited Mandela at the Mediclinic Heart Hospital, where only close relatives are being allowed access.His current wife Graca Machel has been at his bedside almost constantly since calling off a trip to London last week to be with her ailing husband.

His eldest daughter Zenani, who is South Africa’s ambassador to Argentina, was seen entering the heavily guarded clinic yesterday. Zenani, as well as his two other daughters Makaziwe and Zindzi, and his ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, have visited him daily as have some of his grandchildren. Outside Mandela’s Johannesburg home, a group of five-year-olds delivered get-well cards for a man regarded as one of the greatest figures of the 20th century.

“We love you” read one of the cards. “Get well soon Madiba” read another. — AFP

Mali president to examine deal with rebels on vote BAMAKO: Mediators in the Mali conflict arrived in Bamako yetserday to seek President Dioncounda Traore’s approval of a deal with northern Tuareg rebels that would pave the way for nationwide polls next month. Burkinabe Foreign Minister Djibril Bassole flew into Bamako at the head of a delegation to ask Traore “to lift the final obstacles” to the deal, as the United Nations said in Geneva the “human rights situation remains precarious” in the north. UN, African Union, EU and French diplomats accompanied Bassole on the journey from the talks’ venue in Ouagadougou, capital of neighbouring Burkina Faso, where a delegation member said they would hold discussions with Traore “to remove the last stumbling blocks”.

Tuareg rebels who control the key northeastern town of Kidal had been reluctant to let government troops step in to secure the town for a planned July 28 presidential ballot, but said Tuesday they were prepared to sign a deal after a few amendments were made. A source close to the government, which also wants to fine-tune the deal, said it could be concluded yesterday evening today.

Mali’s government negotiator Tiebile

Drame, who is in Bamako, told AFP that the ongoing discussions “do not compromise either the negotiating process or the signing of the accord”, but he would not venture a date for the signing.

Rebels from the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) and a smaller group, who want autonomy for the northern Tuareg homeland they call Azawad, said Tuesday they were prepared to ink a document put forward by regional mediator Burkina Faso. “We won’t obstruct the process,” an official in the Tuareg delegation told AFP. “When the time comes, we’ll sign no problem.”

Next month’s planned nationwide polls are seen as a key step in Mali’s recovery from a crisis that saw Al Qaeda-linked groups take over the northern half of the country for nine months on the back of a March 2012 coup. Former colonial power France, which sent in troops in January this year to pin back Islamist militants threatening to advance on the capital, has supported the interim administration’s July 28 election target. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said yesterday on France 2 television: “I saw the text yesterday, it is a good text, and I hope if possible it will be signed today.” — AFP

MOSCOW: Thousands of Russian opposition activists marched through Moscow yesterday to denounce President Vladimir Putin’s authoritarian rule and call for the release of jailed anti-Kremlin protesters. Led by anti-corruption crusader Alexei Navalny, the protesters chanted “Divorce for Russia” and “Lyudmila without Putin. We should also divorce Putin,” in reference to Putin’s announcement last week that he and his wife Lyudmila of 30 years were divorcing. Others chimed in with slogans like “One, two, three, Putin leave!” and “Russia without Putin” as they marched through central Moscow carrying anti-Putin placards and flags of all hues.

The protest dubbed the “March Against Butchers” was aimed at supporting twelve activists currently on trial for crowd violence at an opposition rally last year as well as jailed activists. Some 10,000 people participated in the march, according to AFP correspondents, while the organisers put the turnout at 30,000. Police said that some 6,000 people had turned up for the march, adding nine people had been detained. At the height of protests a year ago, over 100,000 people took to the streets but the rallies have since died down.

Navalny joined other prominent activists including Mikhail Kasyanov, the former prime minister turned opposition leader, and poet Dmitry Bykov, at the march amid a heavy police presence.

Anastasia Yuriyeva, a 21-year-old student, said she joined the march to demand freedom for the twelve accused of violence at a rally on the eve of Putin’s inauguration for a third term last May. “They are behind bars without any reason,” she said.

Yury Kosmynin, a manager, said he wanted Russia to be a democratic country. “Putin should have been fired a long time ago,” he said. “His place is in prison.” Navalny did not address supporters and his spokeswoman said he needed to leave for the central city of Kirov where he is standing trial on charges of embezzling half a million dollars in a timber deal. “Everything is okay with me!” Navalny, who faces 10 years in prison, told supporters. Some protesters held pictures of

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during the founding congress of a movement called the All-Russia Popular Front yesterday. — AFP Mikhail Khodorkovsky, a former oil tycoon who has been behind bars since 2003 after he fell foul of the Kremlin for his support of the opposition.

Others called on the authorities to free two members of the Pussy Riot punk rock band who are serving two-year sentences for an anti-Putin stunt in a church. The opposition has been struggling to sustain the momentum of the protest movement in the face of a tough crackdown on dissenters unleashed after Putin returned for a third presidential term last May. The march, timed to coincide with the Day of Russia, a national holiday, comes after Putin on Tuesday evening accused Washington of supporting the opposition against him. “Our diplomatic services do not actively cooperate with Occupy Wall Street, but your diplomatic service actively cooperates and directly supports (Russian opposition),” Putin told Western and

Russian staff of the English-language state-funded television channel RT. “In my view, this is wrong because diplomatic services should be building relations between states and not get involved in domestic affairs.”

Yesterday, Putin reiterated that he would not tolerate interference from abroad. “Only we will decide what we can do, what we are capable of and what we should do,” he told thousands of supporters at the founding congress of a movement called the All-Russia Popular Front. The coalition is being promoted as Putin’s new power base as he seeks to distance himself from the scandal-tainted United Russia ruling party. Critics say the trials of the opposition activists are part of an unprecedented clampdown which has also seen a string of tough laws fast-tracked through parliament over the past few months. — AFP

Tunisia jails topless protesters TUNIS: Three European activists with radical women’s protest group Femen were handed four-month jail sentences by a Tunisian court yesterday for staging a topless anti-Islamist demonstration last month, one of their lawyers said. “The judge condemned the three Femen activists to four months and one day in prison for an attack on public morals and indecency,” Souheib Bahri told AFP. The judge opened the hearing by questioning the women, two French and one German, on the reasons and circumstances of their barebreasted protest on May 29, a first in the Arab world. “I came on May 28 to stage a political demonstration and support Amina (Sboui, a detained Tunisian activist). We made our plan on the Internet and came from Paris,” said Josephine Markmann, one of the three accused.

“Baring our breasts is not intended to cause sexual excitement but is a form of activism,” said Marguerite Stern, one of the French women. The German activist said: “I relish every opportunity to express my political views.”

Lawyers for a number of Islamist associations, demanding to take part in the trial as a civil party, condemned the Femen protest in the socially conservative country governed by an Islamistled coalition. “It is Islam that honours women and offers them freedom, not the act of undressing,” said Slah Khlifi, one of the Islamist group’s lawyers. Monaam Turki said their controversial act could be considered an attack on state security “under article 71 of the penal code, which carries a one-year prison sentence.” Another lawyer cited an Arab proverb, saying: “A free woman prefers to go hungry than to eat thanks to her breasts.” Three other members of Femen staged a topless protest outside the Tunisian embassy in Madrid yesterday to demand the release of their fellow activists.

The case is being closely watched by activists and politicians in Europe, with Femen having also held protests in support of their arrested comrades outside the European Parliament in Brussels, the German chancellor’s office and the Tunisian embassy in Paris. Their French lawyers

said they had not made the trip to Tunis for yesterday’s trial because they claimed the “rights of the defence are not guaranteed”. “We are waiting for the clear and unconditional release of our three clients,” Patrick Klugman and Yvan Terel told AFP. They underlined that if the activists were not freed yesterday, they would come “immediately to Tunis” to mobilise international support for the women, especially ahead of the expected visit by French President Francois Hollande in early July.

The women were arrested on May 29 after staging a topless demonstration outside the

main courthouse in Tunis in support of Amina Sboui, a Tunisian activist with the same “sextremist” group who had been arrested 10 days earlier. Sboui had been arrested for painting the word “Femen” on a wall near a cemetery in city of Kairouan last month, in an act of protest against a planned gathering of radical Salafists in the historic Muslim city south of Tunis. The Tunisian activist, who sparked a scandal in March by posting topless pictures of herself on Facebook, defying Arab-Muslim convention, faces possible charges of indecency and desecrating a cemetery. — AFP

TUNIS: Police stand guard close to the courthouse yesterday where three European women, supporters of the radical woman’s group Femen, are on trial. — AFP

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

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

Unusually massive line of storms aim at Midwest Risk of severe weather 45 times higher than normal day

WASHINGTON: In this file photo, Sen Lindsey Graham, R-SC (second from right) speaks about immigration reform during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. — AP

Attention turns to vote counting on immigration WASHINGTON: Backers of far-reaching immigration legislation are turning their attention to courting support and counting votes after the Senate pushed the contentious bill over early procedural hurdles.

Two votes to place the bill formally before the Senate and open for amendments each drew more than 80 votes Tuesday, reflecting a bipartisan desire to debate the legislation to remake the nation’s immigration laws and open the door to citizenship to millions.

Despite the lopsided votes, Republicans served notice they will seek to toughen the bill’s border security provisions and impose tougher terms on those seeking to gain legal status. “This bill has serious flaws,” said their party leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. At the White House, President Barack Obama insisted the “moment is now” to give the estimated 11 million immigrants living in the United States illegally a chance at citizenship and prodded Congress to send him a bill by fall.

At its core, the bill sets out a 13-year journey to citizenship for the millions of immigrants who arrived in the country illegally through the end of 2011 or who overstayed their visas. The bill also requires a tighter border to prevent future illegal immigration. Other key provisions would create a new program for low-skilled workers to enter the country and expand the number of visas for high-skilled workers who are particularly in demand in technology firms.

Supporters expressed confidence they could muster the 60 votes needed for the bill to pass the Senate by July Fourth.

Democrats control 54 Senate votes, and Republicans 46. But a number of opponents said success was far from assured.

And supporters are hoping for closer to 70 votes on final passage to show resounding momentum for the bill and pressure the Republican-led House to act. The safe margin is considered to be 60 votes because that is the number required to fend off a filibuster.

To that end, the bill’s four Democratic and four Republican authors were looking for ways to accept Republican amendments on border security and other issues that could win over additional supporters without making the path to citizenship so onerous that Democratic support is threatened.

“Just because the process has been to date so encouraging does not mean we can take anything for granted. So we welcome constructive input from our colleagues, we want to work with them,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-NY, one of the authors. “But the one thing none of us will do is condition the path to citizenship on factors that may not ever happen in order to appear tough.”

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., a potential 2016 Republican presidential contender and the author of the bill with the strongest ties to conservatives, said that about half the Senate’s Republicans might be prepared to back the measure - but only with stronger border provisions. An early skirmish took shape over a proposal by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. It would permit the legalization process to begin but require several changes before anyone currently in the country illegally could receive a green card that confers permanent legal residence.

Those changes include apprehension of at least 90 percent of those seeking to cross into the United States at every segment of the southern border, implementation of a biometric exit system at all airports and seaports of entry and a nationwide E-Verify system to check the legal status of prospective employees. Democratic supporters of the legislation have deemed Cornyn’s plan a “poison pill,” designed to wreck the bill’s chances for passage instead of enhance them. But the Texan told reporters he had some leverage to force changes, if nothing else. “I think if they had 60 votes to pass a bill out of the Senate, they probably wouldn’t be talking to me. And they are,” Cornyn said of majority Democrats. — AP

WASHINGTON: A gigantic line of powerful thunderstorms could affect one in five Americans yesterday as it rumbles from Iowa to Maryland packing hail, lightning and tree-toppling winds.

Meteorologist are warning that the continuous line of storms may even spawn an unusual weather event called a derecho (duh-RAY’-choh), which is a massive storm of strong straight-line winds spanning at least 240 miles. Wednesday’s storms are also likely to generate tornadoes and cause power outages that will be followed by oppressive heat, said Bill Bunting, operations chief at the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla.

The risk of severe weather in Chicago, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio, is roughly 45 times higher than on a normal June day, Bunting said. Detroit, Baltimore, Washington, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and Louisville, Ky., have a risk level 15 times more than normal. All told, the area the weather service considers to be under

heightened risk of dangerous weather includes 64 million people in 10 states. “It’s a pretty high threat,” Bunting said, who also warned that the storms will produce large hail and dangerous lightning. “We don’t want to scare people, but we want them to be aware.”

“Wednesday might be the worst severe weather outbreak for this part of the country for the year,” said Jeff Masters, meteorology director at Weather Underground. You can have tornadoes and a derecho at the same time, but at any given place yetserday the straight-line winds are probably more likely. Last year, a derecho caused at least $1 billion in damage from Chicago to Washington, killing 13 people and leaving more than 4 million people without power, according to the weather service. Winds reached nearly 100 mph in some places and in addition to the 13 people who died from downed trees, another 34 people died from the heat wave that followed in areas without power.

EU justice chief seeks answers on US spying BRUSSELS: The European Union’s chief justice official has written to the US attorney general demanding an explanation for the collection of foreign nationalsí data following disclosures about the ‘PRISM’ spy programme. In a letter seen by Reuters, the European commissioner for justice and fundamental rights, Viviane Reding, said she had serious concerns about the possibility that US authorities had accessed European citizens’ data on a vast scale.

US officials have confirmed the existence of a secret programme to draw data from the Internet, codenamed PRISM, which according to documents leaked to the Washington Post and Britainís Guardian newspaper has given them access to data from firms such as Google, Facebook and Skype.

“I would request that you provide me with explanations and clarifications on the PRISM programme, other US programmes involving data collection and search, and laws under which such programmes may be authorised,” said the letter, sent to US Attorney General Eric Holder.

Holder and Reding will meet in Dublin on Friday at a scheduled ministerial gathering. In the letter, Reding asks Holder to explain whether EU citizens were targeted under PRISM, how broad US access to the data would have been and how EU companies and citizens can appeal against the monitoring of their private correspondence.

EU officials have for several years asked the United States to explain how laws such as the Patriot Act and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Amendment Act affect EU citizens and companies. The European Parliament, in particular, has become vocal about limiting data sharing and protecting privacy.

Reding has said she has asked US authorities to use an agreed legal channel called the Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement to access any data, a method that requires judicial approval. Since 2011 the EU has tried to negotiate a transatlantic data protection agreement that would limit US access to European data. — Reuters

Santa Monica gunman was mentally evaluated LOS ANGELES: A Santa Monica, California, gunman who killed five people last week was hospitalized for psychiatric evaluation in 2006 after police found bomb-making materials at his home. Police searched the house where John Zawahri lived with his father after the teen made repeated violent threats against students, teachers and campus security officers at Olympic High School, retired police officer Cristina Coria, who helped execute the search warrant, said Tuesday.

Coria said she didn’t know what was found at the house or the outcome of that mental evaluation. Oscar de la Torre, a member of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified school board told The Associated Press that police had discovered bomb-making materials at the home. The school board was briefed by school administrators after police found Zawahri was learning to make explosives by downloading instructions from YouTube, de la Torre said.

“It was some type of devices or materials that would be able to make explosives, and the word ‘pipe bombs’ was what was referred to,” he said.

“If it was guns and stuff like that it would have been more serious, but because it was explosives, it wasn’t deemed ‘Oh my God,’ just that this guy had a fascination.”

Investigators are looking at Zawahri’s police history, along with a stormy family life, to determine what led to the chaotic shooting Friday on a Southern California college campus. The encounter seven years ago appeared to be the

Derechoes, with winds of at least 58 mph, occur about once a year in the Midwest. Rarer than tornadoes but with weaker winds, derechoes produce damage over a much wider area.

Wednesday’s storm probably won’t be as powerful as 2012’s historic one, but it is expected to cause widespread problems, Bunting said.

The storms are the type that will move so fast that “by the time you see the dark sky and distant thunder you may have only minutes to get to safe shelter,” Bunting said. The storms will start late morning or early afternoon in eastern Iowa, hit Chicago by early afternoon and move east at about 40 mph, Bunting said. If the storm remains intact after crossing the Appalachian Mountains, which would be rare for a derecho, it should hit the Washington area by late afternoon or early evening, he said. For Washington, Philadelphia and parts of the Mid-Atlantic the big storm risk continues and even increases a bit Thursday, according to the weather service. — AP

last reported run-in Zawahri had with police until he died in a shootout with officers Friday.

Santa Monica police Sgt. Richard Lewis said a pipe was found in the home, but declined to provide more details because Zawahri was a juvenile at the time.

Zawahri wasn’t expelled, but he didn’t finish classes at Olympic High - a school for students who have academic or disciplinary issues. Lyon said Zawahri attended the school for six months during 2006.

Zawahri, 23, shot his father, Samir Zawahri, 55, and his brother Christopher Zawahri, 25, on Friday, leaving their home in flames before shooting at strangers in cars and at Santa Monica College, in a 15-minute rampage that occurred as students were taking final exams and ended with John Zawahri fatally shot by officers in the college library.

The victims included a campus groundskeeper and his daughter, who was a student at the college, and a woman collecting cans outside the library. Graduation was held Tuesday at the college where jittery students returned Monday.

Commencement ceremonies were punctuated by a moment of silence as graduates and their families, along with administrators and faculty, stood and paused on the campus football field.

“We have come together as a community to heal and to pay homage to the victims,” said the school’s president, Chui L. Tsang, according to City News Service. — AP

SANTA MONICA: Candle and flowers are placed at a makeshift memorial in Santa Monica College campus in Santa Monica, Calif. — AP

NEW YORK: Lower Manhattan is visible from the Staten Island Ferry, in New York’s Upper Bay, Tuesday, June 11, 2013. — AP

Protecting NYC: Mayor’s plan, successor’s doubt NEW YORK: A $20 billion plan to gird New York with levees, flood gates and other defenses is a bold stroke from a mayor who saw the city through Superstorm Sandy and has championed preparedness for global warming. But the future of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s sweeping proposals will largely rest with his successor. The slate of projects Bloomberg outlined Tuesday marks one of the biggest, most ambitious plans ever for defending a major US city from the rising seas and severe weather that climate change is expected to bring.

Recommendations range from installing removable flood walls in lower Manhattan to restoring marshes in Jamaica Bay in Queens, and from flood-proofing homes to setting repair timeframe standards for phone and Internet service providers.

With less than seven months left in office, Bloomberg said his administration plans to start on projects such as fortifying beaches and to begin designing others and lining up money, but he acknowledged much of the work would extend beyond his term. “It’s up to you,” he told a crowd of officials and others at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, “to hold the next administration accountable for getting it done.”

With that said, the ideas face an uncertain political landscape amid the bevy of candidates seeking Bloomberg’s job, including at least one who suggests the proposals may be needlessly expensive. It also remains to be seen what kind of support - financial and otherwise - they might get from the federal government and other entities, not to mention from New Yorkers themselves.

Several mayoral candidates praised the mayor for thinking big, and Democrat Sal Albanese, Republican George McDonald and GOP front-runner Joe Lhota said they were inclined to pursue its major projects.

Democratic front-runner Christine Quinn, who heads a City Council that is making its own proposals, called Bloomberg’s report “a roadmap for future mayors.”Others raised some caveats. Democrat Bill de Blasio, the city’s elected public advocate, praised the all-encompassing approach but said officials need to ensure the plan does enough to help the poor and doesn’t rely too much on uncertain federal support.

And Republican John Catsimatidis, who has questioned whether the effects of climate change are overstated, wondered in a statement whether the city could spend

considerably less and still get adequate protection. “The $19.5 billion price tag is a huge amount of money,” said the billionaire candidate, whose businesses include oil, real estate and grocery stores. Bloomberg said the city and federal money already allocated for Sandy relief would provide $10 billion for the project, and the city believes it could get at least $5 billion more from the federal government. Other options include a small surcharge on homeowners’ insurance, around $1 a month for a homeowner who pays a $1,000 premium a year, according to a 400-page city report on the plan.

Environmentalists, real estate interests and local officials hailed the plan as farreaching and comprehensive. “The mayor has rightly decided to face the future,” Natural Resources Defense Council Executive Director Peter Lehner wrote in a blog post. The proposals would dwarf the estimated $12 billion that the Army Corps of Engineers has spent so far to improve the New Orleans area’s floodwalls, gates and levees since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

In lower Manhattan, a removable system of posts and slats could be deployed to form temporary flood walls rising from ground level along the waterfront. The height would depend on the ground elevation and potential surge. The approach is used along some Midwestern rivers and in the Netherlands, city officials said.

Projects also include a 15-to-20-foot levee to guard part of Staten Island, building dunes in the Rockaways, building barrier systems of levees and gates to bar one creek from carrying floodwaters inland, and possibly creating a levee and a sizeable new “Seaport City” development in lower Manhattan. Bloomberg acknowledged some projects could block water views and otherwise prove controversial. But “if we’re going to save lives and protect the lives of communities, we’re going to have to live with some of the new realities,” he said.

After Sandy, at least some New Yorkers are ready for it, Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro said.

“The constituents that I talk to would take a 15-foot wall tomorrow,” he said. The plan doesn’t call for moving people out of coastal communities. And it dismisses building major sea barriers with gates and levees, an idea some researchers and residents have promoted but Bloomberg has long called impractical. — AP

Grandma, 72, shoots at intruder, misses in Calif STANTON: A 72-year-old Southern California grandmother who shot at - and narrowly missed - a man trying to break into her home said Tuesday she was shocked at the attention her action was getting but does not regret defending herself and her husband, an 85-year-old World War II veteran who uses a wheelchair.

Jan Cooper, of Anaheim, fired one shot from her .357 Magnum Smith & Wesson revolver around 12:30 am Sunday as a man attempted to break into her home. During a 911 call during the incident, Cooper can be heard begging with the dispatcher to send deputies and warns that she has a gun at the ready as her Rottweiler barks furiously in the background.

Minutes later, a breathless Cooper says

the man has come to the back porch and is trying to get in the house through a sliding door. Through the vertical blinds, Cooper saw his silhouette just inches away through the glass as he began to slide open the door.

“I’m firing!” Cooper shouts to the dispatcher as a loud band goes off. Cooper then curses at the suspect, shouting at him to “back up.”

“You’d better get the police here. I don’t know whether I hit him or not. I’m not sure.

He’s standing at my door, my back door. He’s in my yard,” she said. The suspect, 31-yearold Brandon Alexander Perez, was not hit and was arrested a short while later by responding deputies, who heard the gunshot, said Jim Amormino, spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Perez has pleaded not guilty to a burgla-

ry charge and has a court date later this month. The Associated Press was unable to leave an after-hours message for his attorney. Perez had a rap sheet that included other burglary and narcotics charges and was on parole and staying at a halfway house not far from the Coopers’ address, Amormino said. Cooper’s gun, which she has owned for about 20 years, was legally purchased and properly registered, he said.

“Even though that dog was barking, he still was desperate to get in. So who knows what may have happened if she didn’t fire that round,” Amormino said. On Tuesday, Cooper was soft-spoken and composed, with her gray hair pulled back neatly in a hairband and her husband at her side during a news conference at a sheriff’s substa-

tion. Cooper said she is amazed by the anger in her voice - and the curse word she let fly - after she fired the shot. “I am a Christian woman and I’m very proud of it and I don’t curse, but after I shot, rage took hold and I just blasted away,” she said. “And, in fact, afterwards my husband said, ‘I’ve never heard you talk like that!’”

The stunned intruder apologized to Cooper after she fired, she recalled, telling her, “I’m sorry, ma’am. I’m leaving. Please don’t shoot.” The grandmother of a 15-yearold grandson said she doesn’t regret firing her weapon, although she has considered how she would have reacted if she had hit or killed the man. Deputies have told her that, based on his height and the bullet hole, the shot that she fired through a nar-

row gap in the sliding door passed within inches of his left cheek.

“I don’t mean to shoot anybody,” said Cooper, a self-described tomboy who has also tried archery and knife-throwing and has owned guns since her teens. “But whatever’s necessary to literally stop them - he was not going to come into my home.” Her husband, Bob Cooper, chuckled when asked if his wife had learned her aggression from him and his military service.

Cooper worked gathering intelligence in Italy and France in the buildup to D-Day and spent years going to the shooting range with his wife after the war, he said. “I’m not surprised at all, not one bit,” he said. “I know her capabilities and what she can do if she has to.” — AP

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

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

Pakistan tries anew to end insurgency in Baluchistan ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has pledged to rein in human rights abuses by security forces in the huge, resource -rich province of Baluchistan as a first step towards starting talks to end a long-running insurgency waged by guerrillas seeking an independent homeland. The new chief minister of the province bordering Afghanistan and Iran urged security forces, who deny wrongdoing, to end a campaign of enforced disappearances to support his hopes of kindling dialogue.

On Sunday, the day Abdul Malik took oath, five bullet-riddled bodies were found in the province. The discoveries were interpreted by many as a signal that security forces were intent on continuing what human rights groups have dubbed a systematic campaign of “killand-dump.”

“We have to create an environment in which we are in a position to invite insurgents for negotiations,” Malik told Reuters in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.

“Before I go to them, we have to take certain measures to prove that we want change.” But many Baluch doubt he can deliver. A low turnout in many areas and widespread allegations of irregularities in the province during Pakistan’s May 11 general elections underscored the depths of alienation from the state.

The simmering conflicts between separatist fighters and security forces in Baluchistan receive scant attention even within Pakistan, but they have implications for the rest of Pakistan and the region. Endowed with rich but largely unexploited reserves of copper and gold, Baluchistan also supplies much of the natural gas feeding Pakistan’s lifeline

textile industr y in eastern Punjab province, and is home to a deepwater port at Gwadar. But the chronic instability in the province, which has experienced waves of revolt by Baluch nationalists since being incorporated into Pakistan in 1948, has served as a stubborn reminder of the broader fragility of the Pakistani state.

A 40-year veteran of Baluch politics and an ex-senator, Malik is the first chief minister to emerge from the province’s educated middle-class rather than the ranks of tribal overlords the army has traditionally co-opted to maintain control. Malik pledged to introduce “confidence-building measures” during the first 100 days of his government, including persuading the military to return missing persons believe to be held by security forces. The main separatist lead-

ers Malik plans to approach for talks include Allah Nazar Baloch, the leader of the Baluchistan Liberation Front, Brahamdagh Bugti, the Swiss-based chief of the Baluch Republican Party, and Harbiyar Marri, an exiled nationalist who leads the Baluchistan Liberation Army.

But Malik is regarded as a traitor by many hardened separatists, who point out that he welcomed Imam Bheel, a Baluch businessmen designated by the US government as a major heroin trafficker, into his National Party at a public meeting in 2010.

Most believe there is little chance of change in Baluchistan unless Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who has a long history of clashes with the powerful army, can become the first civilian leader to wrest control of Baluchistan policy from the security establishment and

curb human rights violations by security forces. “I cannot do this alone,” Malik said. “We will all together, Nawaz Sharif and I, tell the security establishment that these things have to end.”

Hundreds of bodies bearing gunshot wounds have been found across the province in recent years. The military denies committing abuses. Separatist fighters have also been accused of killing civilians and assassinating teachers. In a measure of the depths of the divisions, separatist insurgents have killed several senior members of Malik’s National Party and tried to kill him twice during the muted election campaigning in Baluchistan. “I may succeed, I may fail,” Malik said. “But this is the first time that Pakistan’s public at large is think ing that, maybe, Baluchistan might just be fixed.” —Reuters

Australian PM subject of ‘tacky’ sexist menu Gillard warns of ‘men in blue ties’ govt

MUMBAI: Indian rescue officials and disaster management staff bring out a body from under the rubble and debris at the site of a building collapse. — AFP

Mumbai death toll rises to 10 MUMBAI: The death toll from an apartment block collapse in central Mumbai has risen to 10, police said yesterday, as they ended nearly two days of search and rescue operations. A section of the five-storey Altaf Manzil building collapsed late on Monday, followed by the cave-in of another part of the structure.

“The number of dead from the accident is 10 and five were injured in the collapse,” a police inspector in the Mumbai neighbourhood of Mahim, where the collapse occurred, told AFP. The inspector said rescue operations had been called off as there was little possibility of more people being trapped

under the rubble.

Police searched for survivors at the site -located near a famous Muslim shrine-for nearly 30 hours after the incident, amid heavy monsoon rains. The accident came two months after a seven-storey building collapsed on Mumbai’s outskirts, killing 74 people.

Two builders and seven others were arrested in connection with that tragedy.

The building collapses have highlighted widespread shoddy construction standards in India, where huge demand for housing and pervasive corruption often result in cost-cutting and a lack of safety inspections. —AFP

Aussie woman braves sharks to swim from Cuba to US HAVANA: With favorable weather predicted and a team of scientists on her side, Australian Chloe McCardel set out yesterday to become the first person to make the 103-mile (166-km) swim between Cuba and the Florida Keys without a shark cage to protect her. The treacherous body of water known as the Florida Straits is the Holy Grail for marathon swimmers and has been conquered only once, by Susie Maroney, also Australian, who used a protective cage at age 22 during her 1997 swim that glided on ocean currents and enabled her to make the journey in just 25 hours.

Since 2011, four unsuccessful, uncaged swims have been attempted, three by American Diana Nyad and one by Australian Penny Palfrey, and in all, 20 people have tried and failed, McCardel said in a press conference on Tuesday at the Hemingway Marina west of Havana.

She’ll take off from there yesterday morning. “It’s the hardest marathon swim in the entire world,” the blond, well-tanned 28year-old told reporters.

“This is like winning a World Cup in soccer or getting a world record and a gold medal at the Olympic Games, but it’s possibly harder because no one has been able to do it,” said McCardel, who works as a first aid trainer in Melbourne. McCardel trains 50 weeks a year and has a record of accomplishment that includes two double crossings of the English Channel.

She’ll use so-called English Channel marathon rules, meaning she can’t touch the boats that will accompany her during what she estimates will be a 60-hour journey, hopefully ending on the shores of Key West, Florida. Her biggest challenges during the swim, apart from fatigue, will be the poisonous jelly fish that float through the straits, the sharks, the man o’wars, waves and the power ful and unpre dictable Gulf Stream, the mighty ocean current that flows west to east through the Florida Straits.

She and her husband, Paul, did a thorough study of past failed attempts to see what could be done differently. Based on their findings, they turned to science to increase the chance of success. The swim is being attempted now because the box

jelly fish, a particularly venomous species that has stung other swimmers, are less numerous in the Straits this time of year.

The moon is also in a new phase, meaning there is not much of it and therefore little moonlight, an abundance of which attracts jellyfish to the surface, where the swimmers are. Like past swimmers, McCardel will be surrounded by an underwater electromagnetic field to keep sharks away.

Her support crew of 50 people includes a team of U.S.-based scientists, all experts on the Gulf Stream, to monitor the current and its constant changes as it flows toward the Atlantic Ocean. They will create computer models to help the crew of the Sunluver, the 44-foot (13-meter) catamaran that will accompany McCardel, navigate around pitfalls that have doomed prior swims.

“We can foresee 10, 20, 30 kilometers ahead if there’s anything we can avoid,” McCardel said. “If we can slightly change our course, we’re less likely to get picked up by an eddy of the Gulf Stream and pushed in the wrong direction.” She said she also wants to use the swim to raise money for cancer research and cancer victims - donations can be made on her website - and to encourage better relations between the United States and Cuba, bitter ideological foes the past half century despite their geographical nearness. — Reuters

SYDNEY: A high-profile Australian political candidate apologised yesterday for a menu at one of his fundraisers featuring a quail dish named after Prime Minister Julia Gillard which had “small breasts” and “huge thighs”. Former government minister Mal Brough, now an opposition Liberal National Party candidate at national elections in September, said it was devised by a non-par ty member who thought it would be “humourous”. Brough told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation he had not seen nor approved the menu and was “deeply apologetic”.

The menu for the event in March offered a dish called “Julia Gillard Kentucky Fried Quail: Small Breasts and Huge Thighs and A Big Red Box”. It emerged on Twitter a day after Gillard, whose comments on misogyny last year won her global acclaim, reignited the gender war with a speech in which she said the conservative opposition would marginalise women if they won the upcoming election.

Gillard, the nation’s first female leader, warned that government would be dominated by

“men in blue ties” should Tony Abbott win the September 14 vote as opinion polls are predicting. “On that day, 14 September, we are going to make a big decision as a nation,” she told the launch of Labor group “Women for Gillard”. “It’s a decision about whether, once again, we will banish women’s voice from the core of our political life.

“We don’t want to live in an Australia where abortion again becomes the political plaything of men who think they know better,” she added. The opposition has called the comments a “crude political ploy from a desperate PM leading a bitterly divided party” and demanded an apology.

But opposition leader Abbott, and the Liberal National Party, condemned the menu. “I think we should all be bigger and better than that; whether it’s a tacky, scatological menu out the front of a Liberal Party event, whether it’s squalid jokes told at union conference dinners with ministers present,” Abbott said.

“Whatever it is, I think we should be better than that. I think we should be appealing to every Australian’s best self as we go into this election.” —AFP

BALI: Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard speaks at a press conference following a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the Bali bombings at the Garuda Wisnu Kencana cultural park in Jimbaran located in Indonesia’s resort island of Bali. —AFP

Sentence goes on for foreign detainees in Bagram FAISALABAD: The US handed over control of Afghanistan’s Bagram jail to the Kabul government three months ago. But nothing has changed for dozens of foreign inmates still locked up inside “the Afghan Guantanamo”. In what has been described as a “prison within a prison”, the US continues to operate within Bagram’s walls. After years of imprisonment, some 60 non-Afghan detaineesmostly Pakistanis but also Saudis and Kuwaitis-are still denied face-to-face access to lawyers and have not been charged with any crime.

The foreigners were exempted from the US handover in March of more than 3,000 Bagram prisoners to Afghan authorities. Their situation has prompted comparisons with detainees at the US prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. In a miserable hamlet with the soulless name “Village 105”, lost in the vast Punjab wheatfields outside the town of Faisalabad, Abdul Razzaq keeps treasured photos of his brother Amanatullah Ali. It has been nearly 10 years since they saw each other. After the fall of Saddam Hussein, Ali went to Iraq-for pilgrimage, his brother says. But he and his friend Yunus Rahmatullah were arrested by British troops as suspected militants and handed over to the Americans. Many fighters ended up being sent to Guantanamo. But because Ali and Rahmatullah spoke Urdu and not Arabic, they were taken to Afghanistan where US forces had translators to interrogate them.

“His wife contacted us and said she had had no news from him for six or seven months, then they searched for him but found no trace and we feared he had been kidnapped or killed,” Razzaq said. In 2005 the family received a letter, proof at last that he was still alive. Four years later Ali spoke to his family for the first time by phone.

“I asked him, ‘Do you have any problems in jail?’” said Razzaq. “He replied, ‘Jail is in itself the problem’.” Now every few months Razzaq travels the 450 kilometres (281 miles) from his village to Islamabad where he can see and talk to his brother

by Skype at the International Committee of the Red Cross offices. The line is cut by the Americans when they move onto topics deemed too sensitive.

A US defence official told AFP Washington considered the detainees to be “enemy combatants” and they do not enjoy legal rights that would be

accorded to a criminal suspect in an American civilian court. The official declined to say whether the detainees have access to a lawyer, and acknowledged they will remain behind bars indefinitely as long as US forces stay in Afghanistan.

Washington is preparing to withdraw the bulk of its remaining 65,000 troops from Afghanistan by the end of next year, and Razzaq hopes this will mean an end to his brother’s ordeal.

FAISALABAD: This photograph shows Pakistan man, Abdul Razzaq holding the national identity card of his brother Amanatullah Ali, who has been detained for the last nine years in Bagram jail in Afghanistan in Faisalabad. — AFP “I hope he will be released soon because the Americans are leaving this region. He has to be released now because the Americans are leaving,” he said. But the release process is long and complex. Britain’s Supreme Court has already ruled that Rahmatullah’s transfer to Bagram and detention there are illegal but he is still inside. “With the drawdown happening and the US pulling out of

Afghanistan it’s creating an even bigger question of what are you going to do with these guys,” said Sarah Belal, a lawyer defending Bagram detainees she has never met.

“There is a prison within a prison controlled by the US forces because they are holding these 60 detainees, so this is what we mean by legal black hole: these people have no recourse to any courts or any rights.” In Bagram as in Guantanamo the US faces challenges deciding what to do with detainees it regards as dangerous who have been held in some cases for years without trial-an issue that has fuelled anti-American sentiment in the Muslim world.

Washington has repatriated foreign terror suspects imprisoned for years without trial in Bagram, but each case is a bureaucratic maze. The Bagram Review Board must give the initial approval, which then goes to the Department of Defense in Washington for confirmation.

The US government must be satisfied that the receiving country will not torture the detainee and that the possible threat he poses will be taken into account. After that he must obtain an Afghan exit visa. The process can drag on for years.

Rahmatullah got the thumbs up from the Bagram board three years ago but is still in detention.

Kamil Shah went through this tortuous process to secure his freedom. He is now trying to rebuild his life in Kohistan, a mountainous region in northern Pakistan. In 2004, aged 17, Shah said he crossed into Afghanistan to seek treatment for a sick friend in Kandahar-the heartland of the Taliban movement. But on his way there he was arrested by the Americans. US forces did not believe his story and he was thrown into Bagram as a suspected Taliban or Al-Qaeda militant, where he met Amanatullah Ali. “Sometimes we were thinking we would never get out of jail. I was thinking I do not exist, I am already dead,” Shah said.

Four years after his release Shah must still notify the police whenever he wants to leave his village.

With no qualification and no job, he struggles by and says he wishes he could clear his name. “When they told me they wanted to release me I told them I am not going out till you write a letter saying Kamil is innocent,” Kamil Shah said.”The colonel told me ‘I am telling you that you are innocent but I cannot write you a letter’.” — AFP

Man arrested in Bali over rape of Australian tourist

HAVANA: Australian swimmer Chloe McCardel prepares before her departure from Marina Hemingway in Havana yesterday. — AFP

DENPASAR: Indonesian police said yesterday they have arrested a man suspected of raping an Australian holidaymaker during a robbery at her family’s rented villa on the resort island of Bali. The Indonesian suspect was detained at his rented room in the Balinese capital Denpasar on Monday, said local police chief Reinhard Habonaran Nainggolan. The 30-yearold, originally from Lombok island which is

next to Bali, attempted to flee but police shot him in the leg and detained him, said Nainggolan.

He is suspected of raping the 28-year-old woman, from Perth in Western Australia, in April after breaking into the villa in the popular tourist area of Kuta where she was staying with her family. The man is accused of threatening the woman with a knife and demanding she

hand over her wallet and open the safe in her room, according to police. When she opened the safe and there was nothing inside, he raped her, they said. He is also accused of stealing three iPads, two mobile phones and 1.5 million rupiah ($154) from the house. The woman needed hospital treatment after the attack but was discharged soon afterwards and returned with her family to Australia. — AFP

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

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

Fukushima plant closer to fuel-rod removal OKUMA: More than two years after Japan’s nuclear disaster, damaged vehicles, twisted metal and other debris remains strewn about the Fukushima plant. Scores of black and gray pipes and hoses cover the ground in some places, part of the company’s makeshift system to pump water into the damaged reactors to keep them from overheating.

Plant chief Takeshi Takahashi told journalists given a tour of the plant yesterday that workers have cleaned up much of the debris in their work areas, but that the priorities are keeping the plant stable and working toward shutting it down - a process that operator Tokyo Electric Power Co. estimates will take 40 years.

“It’s a long road, but we will tackle the decommissioning process by paying special attention to safety,” he said. TEPCO showed off a massive, nearly complete steel structure designed to help workers extract more than 1,500 fuel rods from a damaged reactor building Unit 4 - at the center of international concerns.

The potentially risky procedure, expected to begin in November and take about a year, would be the first major step in the decommissioning of the

Fukushima Dai-ichi plant, where three reactors melted down after the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami, spewing radiation into the surrounding soil and water and forcing about 160,000 people to evacuate.

Concerns have focused on the fuel rods in the cooling pool of Unit 4 because the pool sits atop the damaged building and remains vulnerable to earthquakes. Currently, a jury-rigged system of pipes and hoses pumps water into the fuel pool to keep it cool, as well as into the reactor cores and fuel pools of nearby Units 1, 2 and 3.

TEPCO built the 52-meter (170-foot) tall structure next to and partially over the remains of Unit 4, which suffered a hydrogen explosion after the disaster, to safely remove the 1,533 fuel rods. The rods will be transferred to a joint cooling pool inside a nearby lower building.

After that project is completed, TEPCO will turn its attention to removing the melted fuel from the reactors of Units 1, 2 and 3. The company still isn’t sure exactly where the fuel has fallen inside the reactors because radiation levels remain dangerously high inside the buildings.

The Fukushima plant has been hit with a series of problems in recent months, including a rat-induced blackout, adding to concerns about TEPCO’s ability to safely shut down the plant.

Viewed from a bus that took foreign journalists - decked out in protective hazmat suits, masks and helmets - within about 20 meters (60 feet) of the four reactor buildings, the area closest to the ocean still was cluttered with debris, including an overturned car on top of a smashed truck.

All around the plant, there are reminders of the tsunami. There’s a clear dividing line between short and tall vegetation on a hill, marking the height of the 15-meter (50-foot) tsunami that walloped the plant, knocking out power to vital cooling systems. An empty building with blown-out windows stands next to Unit 1, which also had a hydrogen explosion.

Another major challenge facing TEPCO is storing water that becomes radioactive as it is used to cool the reactors. TEPCO says about 300,000 tons of water have been stored in about 1,000 tanks around the plant, and that the amount will double within a few years. It

OKUMA: A worker checks radiations on the window of a bus at the screening point of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant at Okuma. — AP plans to build additional tanks to increase water storage capacity to as much as 800,000 tons by 2016. Some of

the contaminated water is ground water that has poured into reactor basements.

The utility has drilled 12 holes nearby to

Secret program leaker Snowden goes dark in HK Dad of Snowden’s girlfriend ‘shocked’

ANSEONG: In this picture, Park Seong-hyeok, 18, reads a book at his dormitory of the Hangyeore middle-high school in Anseong, south of Seoul, South Korea. — AP

Crackdown fills N Korean prisons with defectors SEOUL: North Korea’s prison population has swelled with those caught fleeing the country under a crackdown on defections by young leader Kim Jong Un, according to defectors living in South Korea and researchers who study Pyongyang’s notorious network of labor camps and detention centers. Soon after he succeeded his father as North Korean leader, Kim is believed to have tightened security on the country’s borders and pressured Pyongyang’s neighbor and main ally, China, to repatriate anyone caught on its side of the frontier. In interviews with The Associated Press and accounts collected by human rights groups, North Koreans who have managed to leave the country say those who are caught are sent to brutal facilities where they now number in the thousands.

“They are tightening the noose,” said Insung Kim, a researcher from the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights who gets to interview most defectors soon after their arrival in South Korea. “This is to set an example to the North Korean people.” The plight of those caught fleeing the North was highlighted last month when nine young North Koreans were detained in Laos, a key stop along a clandestine escape route through Southeast Asia that had previously been thought safe. Instead, the Lao government turned them over to Pyongyang.

While the high-profile nature of their repatriation might offer them some protection, human rights group fear for them.

“Forced repatriation from China is a pathway to pain, suffering, and violence,” according to “Hidden Gulags,” an exhaustive 2012 study on the prison camps by veteran human rights researcher and author David Hawk. “Arbitrary detention, torture and forced labor are inflicted upon many repatriated North Koreans.”

In 2003, Park Seong-hyeok, then 7, and his parents were arrested trying to reach Mongolia from China and sent back to North Korea. He ended up at a prison in the

northern city of Chongjin, where he was packed in with other kids, some of them homeless children rounded up off the streets. They were blindfolded each day and forced to clear land for agriculture, he said. If they refused, they were beaten. “I couldn’t even tell whether I was alive,” Park said. “We were provided five pieces of potato a day, each about the size of a fingernail. “ After a few months, he managed to escape after his uncle bribed the guards.

With the help of relatives, he made it to South Korea, where he now attends a special school for North Korean defectors. But he assumes his parents, who he has not seen in 10 years, remain imprisoned in the North. In the 18 months since Kim took power, any hopes the 20-something ruler would usher in a new era of human rights reforms have been squelched. Defectors pose a particular threat to the Pyongyang regime, human rights groups say, because of the stories they tell the world about the plight of the North Korean people, and the information and money they send back in.

North Korea considers those who leave the country to be guilty of treason and subject to up to five years of manual labor. In addition, the penal code states if the nature of the defection is “serious” taken by most researchers to mean if the defector gets the help of South Korean or American Christian missionary groups as opposed to trying to reach China for work purposes - the defector risks an additional charge of anti-state activities that could mean life in prison or even death.

North Koreans considered hostile to the government can spend the rest of their lives, along with their families, in one of at least five sprawling labor camps or colonies that encompass fields, factories, mines and housing blocks. Modeled on the Soviet Gulag system, the areas are chosen for their natural barriers, such as mountains and rivers, their remoteness, and their access to natural resources like wood and coal, according to human rights groups. — AP

Philippines vows to defend territory MANILA: Philippine President Benigno Aquino III vowed yesterday his country will not back down from any challenge to its sovereignty and territory amid a sea dispute with China. He said in a speech marking the 115th anniversary of the country’s independence from Spain that the Philippines has not claimed territory that clearly belongs to another country but only asks that “our territory, rights and dignity be respected.”

“Aggression does not run in our veins, but neither will we back down from any challenge,” Aquino told government workers, diplomats and supporters at a public square named after revolutionary leader Andres Bonifacio, where he also led a flagraising ceremony. Aquino said in the next five years, 75 billion pesos ($1.74 billion) will be spent to modernize the armed forces. He did not mention China by name, but the two countries have an ongoing ter-

ritorial row in the disputed Spratly islands.

Last month, the Philippines protested the presence of a Chinese warship, two surveillance vessels and fishing boats off a shoal occupied by Filipino troops in the Spratlys in the latest territorial squabble between the two Asian countries. Ayungin Shoal lies 196 kilometers (122 miles) from the southwestern Philippine province of Palawan. It is guarded by a Filipino marine unit based in a rusty warship that ran aground on a coral outcrop several years ago. The shoal is near Mischief Reef, which the Philippines had claimed but was occupied by China in 1995, sparking intense protests from Manila. Chinese maritime surveillance ships have also taken control of Scarborough Shoal, which Beijing calls Huangyan Island, and have roped off the entrance to its vast fishing lagoon following a two-month standoff with Philippine government ships last year. — AP

HONG KONG: The former CIA employee who suddenly burst into headlines around the globe by revealing himself as the source of top-secret leaks about US surveillance programs has just as quickly gone to ground again. Two days after he checked out of a Hong Kong hotel where he told the Guardian newspaper that he had “no intention of hiding who I am because I know I have done nothing wrong,” Edward Snowden was nowhere to be found yesterday, despite being the central figure in the biggest news story in the world.

Snowden, in his Sunday interview with the newspaper, had said he wanted to avoid the media spotlight, noting he didn’t want “the story to be about me. I want it to be about what the U.S. government is doing.” With little new information to report on Snowden or his whereabouts, Hong Kong’s notoriously boisterous newspapers, and others around the world, fixated on his American girlfriend, a dancer who posted partially nude photographs on herself online before she also apparently disappeared.

“Spy on the run: girlfriend ill at ease,” read one Apple Daily headline above a picture of the 28year-old Lindsay Mills in a provocative pose taken from her blog, which has since gone offline.

Mills is not believed to be traveling with Snowden, who is thought to still be in Hong Kong. Apple Daily quoted unidentified sources with the Hong Kong immigration department as saying they had no record of Snowden leaving the territory. A spokesman for the department, speaking on routine condition of anonymity, said it could not confirm the paper’s information because it did not comment on individual cases.

Reporter Ewen MacAskill of Britain’s the Guardian newspaper, who interviewed Snowden for exclusive stories about his revelations, wrote late Tuesday that “it is thought” Snowden was now in a private home in Hong Kong, but offered no details. Guardian journalist Glenn Greenwald, who also interviewed Snowden in Hong Kong, has given a series of interviews about the case, but refused to reveal any information about Snowden’s location or his future plans.

Snowden arrived in Hong Kong from his home in Hawaii on May 20, just after taking leave from his National Security Agency contracting firm Booz Allen Hamilton, which has since fired him. Questions remain about why Snowden chose to go public in Hong Kong, a Chinese autonomous region that maintains a Western-style legal system and freedom of speech, although he said he considered the territory to be relatively free and open. Hong Kong has an extradition agreement with the United States, but there are exceptions in cases of political persecution or where there are concerns over

cruel or humiliating treatment.

US authorities have yet to bring charges against the 29-year-old Snowden or file an extradition request with Hong Kong. Legal experts say quirks in the Hong Kong legal system could allow Snowden to draw that process out for months or years through appeals. Snowden might also block extradition altogether by claiming he would be subject to the same harsh treatment as WikiLeaks source Army Pfc. Bradley Manning, who was held alone for nine months in a windowless cell 23 hours a day, sometimes with no clothing, drawing complaints from human rights groups and the United Nations’ chief torture investigator.

Snowden could still attempt to leave Hong Kong for another destination, possibly including nearby jurisdictions or countries that do not have extradition treaties with the United States, such as China. Snowden himself has given no indication he is prepared to cooperate with any foreign intelligence service, including China’s.

Outside of Asia, Snowden might also consider seeking asylum in countries like Iceland and Russia. According to the Kommersant Daily newspaper, Moscow has said it might provide asylum.

Meanwhile, the father of the girlfriend of Edward Snowden described the leaker of national secrets as a shy and reserved man with convic-

tions, but said Tuesday he’s “still shocked” by the news about him. Jonathan Mills, speaking to reporters Tuesday evening outside his home in Laurel, Md, described 29-year-old Edward Snowden as “very nice. Shy, and reserved.” “He’s always had strong convictions of right and wrong, and it kind of makes sense. But still shocked,” Mills said, describing his reaction to the news about Snowden.

Mills also said his daughter, Lindsay, who has been dating Snowden for four or five years, is holding on amid the national controversy.

Jonathan Mills says he has texted his daughter, but that he did not know where she was. Mills also said he last saw his daughter two months ago, when she came to visit for a week.

She is doing “as well as could be expected, and that’s all I have to say,” Mills said. Snowden, a 29-year-old former intelligence contractor, has identified himself as the person who leaked details of a secret National Security Agency surveillance program to two newspapers.

Asked if he had a message for Snowden, Jonathan Mills said, “Just wish him good luck and he’s got my love.” Snowden attended middle and elementary school in Crofton, Anne Arundel County Public Schools spokesman Bob Mosier confirmed Monday. He also attended three semesters at Arundel High School, which also is in Gambrills. — Agencies

NEW YORK: A supporter holds a sign at a small rally in support of National Security Administration (NSA) whistleblower Edward Snowden in Manhattan’s Union Square. — AFP

Korean talks: A familiar vanishing trick SEOUL: The abrupt cancellation of planned talks between North and South Korea underlines the huge challenges facing any “trust-building” process on the divided peninsula, 60 years after the Korean War. Right from the outset, the agreement to hold what would have been the first high-level dialogue for six years had looked vulnerabledogged by disagreement over the agenda and other issues. In the end, it was a matter of protocol-the North felt insulted by the South’s nomination of a vice minister as its chief delegate-that smothered the initiative before it had even drawn breath.

While little was expected of the talks, they had been seen as a positive step forward, given that the two Koreas had spent most of March and April on full military alert, trading threats of nuclear war and counter-strikes. As of yesterday morning, however, the North wouldn’t even deign to pick up when the South called on a newlyrestored inter-government hotline. “ We made an opening call at 9:00am, but the North did not answer,” the South’s Unification

Ministry said. From an outside perspective, the North’s behaviour may seem gratuitously churlish, but some analysts say it reflects a deeprooted insecurity that balks at offering the merest hint of a concession.

“The weaker North Korea is, the more afraid it is to be seen as weak,” said Andrei Lankov, a North Korea expert and professor at Kookmin University in Seoul. “This makes it ultra-sensitive to issues of ritual and protocol, especially when dealing with the wealthier South,” Lankov said. The talks were to have focused on re -opening two suspended commercial projects-the Kaesong joint industrial zone and South Korea tours to the North’s Mount Kumgang resort.

“These were important hard currency earners for Pyongyang and they wanted them back up and running,” said Lankov. “But however badly it needs the cash, the North leadership will never allow itself to be seen as making a political concession-even one that seems trivial,” he added. There had been significant scepticism about Pyongyang’s real intentions when it came up with its dialogue offer last

week. The proposal seemed to follow the traditional North Korean playbook-manufacture a crisis, ratchet up tensions to dangerous levels and then offer talks to extract concessions. But it’s a worn strategy that ignored a growing international consensus, which has critically won the limited support of the North’s main ally China, to stop pandering to Pyongyang.

Recent US-South Korea and USChina summits, and an upcoming China-South Korea summit have fuelled the impression of a united front forming against an increasingly isolated North Korea. “With all this summitry going on, I think North Korea was looking to relieve the pressure a bit by demonstrating some willingness to talk,” said Hahm Chaibong, president of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul. “It could see the international opinion building up against it, and wanted to buy some time,” Hahm told AFP. “I was a little surprised by the abrupt cancellation, because I thought they might drag it out a little longer, but then the North doesn’t really do compromise,” he added.

South Korean President Park Geun-Hye, who took office in February with a promise of greater engagement in Pyongyang, has since pushed a “trust-building” policy aimed at incremental improvements in relations. As such, she had welcomed the prospect of talks as a useful first step, but the resulting stalemate over the status of the chief delegates demonstrated that Seoul was also wary of early concessions.

The two Koreas have technically remained at war for the past six decades because the 1950-53 Korean War concluded with an armistice, which will enter its 60th year next month, rather than a peace treaty. Lee Jung-Hoon, director of the Centre for American Studies at Seoul’s Yonsei University, said the North’s proposal had largely been a “masquerade” from the outset.” The basic idea was to break the momentum created by the summits going on around them, and try and make people believe the North might be changing its ways,” Lee said. “I don’t think anyone was really going to buy that,” he added. — AP

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

ANALYSIS

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Issues

Syrian advance puts spotlight on arming rebels

T

By Cecile Feuillatre

he advance of Syria’s regime forces on rebel strongholds has put the spotlight on whether the international community should arm the weakened rebels, with no clear decision in sight.

There has been frantic contact between the United States, France, Britain, Turkey and Saudi Arabia following the fall last week of the central rebel town of Qusair, an important town near the border with Lebanon, to government troops backed by Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Iran.

Syrian troops are now focusing their attention on the country’s second city Aleppo as they continue to gain ground against the rebels, whose image has meanwhile been tarnished by reports of AlQaeda infiltration and the execution of a teenage boy for alleged blasphemy. France on Wednesday urged the international community to help halt the advance by the regime’s forces, buoyed by the support of its two Shiite allies.

“We must stop this progression before Aleppo. It is the next target of Hezbollah and of the Iranians,” French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said. “We need to re-balance things because over the past few weeks the troops of (Syrian leader) Bashar AlAssad and especially Hezbollah and the Iranians, along with Russian arms, have gained considerable ground.” US Secretary of State John Kerry has put off a tour of the Middle East for talks on Syria and was due to meet with his British counterpart William Hague in Washington yesterday. France’s Fabius held telephone talks on Tuesday with Kerry, Hague and Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. He will meet the Saudi foreign minister on Monday.

But Fabius has not expanded on how Syrian troops should be stopped. On Tuesday, France’s foreign ministry warned that the nearly 27-month Syrian conflict, which is estimated to have killed at least 94,000 people, was at a “turning point”. “What should we do under these conditions to reinforce the opposition armed forces? We have had these discussions with our partners, with the Americans, the Saudis, the Turks, many others,” said ministry spokesman Philippe Lalliot. “We cannot leave the opposition in the current state.”

US President Barack Obama has asked his national security team, which includes Kerry, to “look at all options” to end the fighting, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said, adding however there would be no American “boots on the ground”. The European Union, under pressure from London and Paris, last month failed to renew an arms embargo on Syria, leaving individual member states free from August 1 to supply weapons to the opposition if they decide to do so. Fabius said France had not yet decided what to do after the deadline.

The Syrian opposition has been seeking anti-aircraft and anti-tank weapons. Western powers have thus far limited their supplies to non-lethal materiel, including communications equipment, night vision goggles and flak jackets. Only Qatar and Saudi Arabia have so far provided the rebels with weapons. Nations backing the Syrian opposition are due to meet Saturday with the military chief of the opposition forces, Salim Idriss, in Turkey for talks on the supply of arms.

There has also been concern that it will exacerbate the chaos if the arms fall into the wrong hands as in Libya following the fall of veteran dictator Muammar Gaddafi. The United States and Russia are trying to organise a peace conference bringing together Assad’s regime and the rebels in Geneva.

Amid wrangling between opposition leaders and a fierce debate over who should attend, the date for the talks initially slated for May has now slipped back to July at the earliest. —AFP

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

The editor reserves the right to edit any submission as necessary.

Divided EU in bind over ‘erring’ Orban

By Robin Emmott

E

urope is in a bind over what to do about Hungary and a feeling that the former Soviet satellite is drifting back towards authoritarianism under Prime Minister Viktor Orban. In the next few weeks the European Union’s parliament and executive are due to pass judgment on changes to Hungary’s new constitution along with the Council of Europe, a broader body that promotes democracy and human rights on the continent. European institutions have already made clear they believe the constitutional amendments which Orban’s conservatives pushed through the Hungarian parliament in March are at odds with the EU’s democratic ideals and weaken judicial independence.

Orban - nicknamed “Viktator” by opponents at home and compared with an old-style Latin American strongman by some European liberals has challenged critics to present evidence that his actions are anti-democratic. “Saying ‘we don’t like something’ is not concrete enough to react,” he said in March. EU efforts to decide action on Hungary are likely to expose divisions in both the European Parliament and the Commission, as well as highlighting the bloc’s limited power to deal with peers judged to be straying from the democratic path.

Campaigners are pushing for action. “Without sustained pressure from the EU and the Council of Europe, these constitutional and legislative changes will have long-lasting adverse effects on fundamental freedoms and human rights,” Human Rights Watch said in a report on Hungary in May. At the moment the EU has two tools to make member states such as Hungary play by the rules. One involves suspending Budapest’s voting rights in the 27-nation bloc, but this punishment is so powerful that many EU leaders and Orban’s fellow conservatives in the European Parliament are loath to use it.

The other, by contrast, offers no sanctions beyond resorting to court action that would be drawn out and with no certain conclusion.

Orban, who co-founded his Fidesz party a year before the fall of Hungarian communism in 1989, has frequently been at odds with opponents at home and with Brussels since he began his current term three years ago. “Orban is testing us,” said a senior EU official, who estimates the Commission has sent at least one formal letter of concern or complaint a month to Budapest about Orban’s reforms since the 50-year-old lawyer began his second term.

His unorthodox policies to cut debt and revive the economy, such as effectively nationalising private pension funds, have drawn fire, along with his appointments of some political allies as policymakers at the supposedly independent central bank.

But the biggest dispute has erupted over the changes to the constitution, made possible because Fidesz won a two thirds “supermajority”.

The EU, United States and rights groups have accused Orban of using these to limit the powers of Hungary’s top court and undermine democracy.

They followed steps in 2011 to change media laws and the retirement ages of judges.

Orban denies the constitutional amendments are anti-democratic but proposed some legal changes last week to address Brussels’ concerns.

Saying he is “ready to discuss all points in a civilised and fruitful way”, his government has proposed deleting two sensitive clauses involving the courts and tax payments. However, another restricting the publication of political advertisements would stay. Orban’s critics have attacked one of the clauses which would have allowed the head of an office in charge of the judiciary to transfer cases from one court to another. The government argues this would spread the burden on an overloaded legal system. The European Commission has expressed concern about the risk of “arbitrariness” when court cases can be transferred. “Everyone has the right to a pre-established and reviewable determination of which judge will hear his or her case. This is essential to prevent arbitrariness,” the Commission has said. One EU official put it more bluntly. “Our con-

cern is that this will lead to shopping around for the most sympathetic judge,” said the official, who declined to be named because of the sensitive nature of the issue.

Concerns also surround the general incorporation of legislation into the constitution. This means that any future administration wishing to repeal it would also need a two thirds parliamentary majority, something only one other government, a Socialist coalition, has achieved since the fall of communism. Undaunted, the Orban administration dismisses such fears. “The Hungarian Government is committed to the European norms and values and fully cooperates with the European institutions in addressing any concerns raised,” a government spokeswoman said in response to Reuters questions.

Watching Orban arrive at an EU summit last month, no one would have guessed he stands accused of dragging Hungary towards authoritarianism. With the cameras rolling, fellow EU leaders greeted him with handshakes and smiles, even sharing a joke or two. “We are not North Korea,” said one Hungarian diplomat. Yet when Orban returns for the next EU summit on June 27, his welcome may not be so warm. Before then, the European Commission, Parliament and 47-nation Council of Europe are all expected to condemn various aspects of the constitutional amendments as breaches of EU law, officials and diplomats say.

The Council of Europe’s Venice Commission will set the ball rolling tomorrow when it is due to issue its legal opinion on the amendments in Hungary, which joined the EU in 2004. Separately, a civil liberties committee of the European Parliament is due to vote on a draft report criticising Orban on June 19, with a plenary vote to decide the full parliament’s position in July. The European Commission is also expected to pass judgment soon. The problem is how to follow up condemnation with action, as a failure to penalise Orban will make the European Commission and Parliament look even weaker than they already do. Under its

“infringement procedures”, Brussels can punish countries breaking the rules but these are regarded as ineffective because they provide for no sanctions other than going to the European Court of Justice. Alternatively, the EU can invoke Article 7 of its treaty to suspend a member’s voting rights but countries such as Germany, the main foreign investor in Hungary, see this as too drastic. “We have the infringement procedures, and there is Article 7 which is an atomic bomb. In between there is nothing,” said Viviane Reding, the EU’s justice commissioner. The European Parliament also has the power to activate Article 7, but it is also divided on taking this step because Orban has the support of conservative members, who make up the largest group in the 754-seat assembly.

Invoking Article 7 is not easy. First EU countries, excluding the member state in the dock, must agree unanimously that their peer has broken the union’s law. Then a majority of member governments, representing at least 62 percent of the EU’s roughly 500 million inhabitants, must vote to suspend the offending country’s voting rights. The EU and its predecessors have only once imposed sanctions on a member state in their 56-year history, suspending contact with Austria in 2000 when Joerg Haider’s far-right Freedom Party joined the government. The sanctions were lifted after a few months and Haider quit as party leader.

In an attempt to find a middle way on Orban, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and Denmark proposed in March that Brussels be given new powers to freeze funding to a member state that fails to respect EU values. Other EU governments support the idea, modelled on a system already used for disciplining countries that break rules on issues ranging from fishing quotas to budget deficits, although they stress they are not singling out Budapest. “If we can take each other to task on fish and finances, surely in a community of values we can take each other to task on fundamental principles,” said Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans. “We are not aiming at this or that country, but want to be able

Iran bazaar and clergy influence wanes

By Farhad Pouladi

I

ran’s powerful bazaar merchants and Shiite clergy spearheaded the 1979 Islamic revolution, but their role on the country’s political scene has waned with developments in society and the advent of new technology, analysts say. The merchants, or bazaaris, are viewed as a force for conservatism in Iranian society and, in alliance with the clergy, they have already played a key part in Iran’s history. The two groups were crucial in orchestrating successful protests against a British monopoly tobacco concession in 1891-92.

The alliance also took part in Iran’s Constitutional Revolution of 1905-11, forcing the ruling Qajar dynasty to form a rudimentary parliament. More recently, the bazaaris contributed to the collapse of the regime of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi during the 1979 Islamic revolution, when they went on long strikes. But analysts believe their “influence” has waned, but not disappeared, with advent of modern technology and the evolution of society since 1979. Mohammad Saleh Sedghian, head of the Arabic Centre for Iranian Studies in Tehran, told AFP that the two groups still have a say in the country’s politics.

“The bazaar and the clergy are still influential in post-revolution Iranian society, but not in the same way,” said Sedghian. “Society has evolved in a way that has decreased their direct influence.”

Sedghian said factors such as the rise of social networks, satellite television and mobile technology have helped bring this about. Although satellite receivers are officially banned in Iran, the dishes have mushroomed on rooftops across the country.

The police occasionally crack down on the dishes,

and authorities and clerics regularly exhort Iranians to snub satellite television stations, but to little avail.

Iran also has an Internet penetration rate of 61 percent, and despite government monitoring, social networks like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are popular. Seminarians in the Islamic republic’s clerical nerve centre, Qom, acknowledge their “influence” has declined. But a 30-year-old seminary school student who has studied in Qom told AFP on condition of anonymity that this was

down to the clerics themselves. “The influence has decreased and that is because some officials who are clerics disregard their own preaching,” he said.

“They are not pushing domestic television to broadcast more Islamic programs... even they are not doing enough for the spread of Hijab.”

Another cleric, who only gave his last name, Akbari, went further; “some dishonest political clerics’ behaviour has contributed to the decline of their influence.” But Ebrahim Saadian, who has been preaching for 24 years, said Iranian youths

Pilgrims walk across the courtyard of the Massoumeh holy shrine in the religious Shiite city of Qom, some 130 km south of the capital, on June 9, 2013. —AFP

are still prepared to do their religious duty. “The clerics should change their approach to appeal more to the youths... but at the end of the day our youths are religious and listen to the clerics if there is a call of duty,” the 50-year-old said.

Ali Vaez, the Brussels-based International Crisis Group’s senior analyst on Iran, agrred that twotiered influence has dwindled. “The bazaaris and clerics have been significantly weakened over the past 20 years. “New networks, which are mostly affiliated with the military and state institutions, have replaced them and are now vying for the scarce resources of wealth and power,” said Vaez.

Many national projects, such as the construction of dams, piers, oil and gas pipelines and even imports and exports have been carried out by Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards, according to the media and experts.

Hirad Hatami, a conservative columnist on economic issues said he believes the influence of the bazaaris has shifted from political to guild issues.

“When it comes to issues related to their guild, the bazaaris are effective,” he said. This influence was evident in 2008 and 2010, when shopkeepers in Iran’s traditional bazaars and Tehran’s grand bazaar went on strike for days to protest against the introduction of value added tax amid mounting price pressures. Javad, a tea seller in the grand bazaar, blames new ways of shopping, in particular western influences, for the merchants’ decline in influence. “We have seen our customers decreasing as new shops and Western-style chain supermarkets increased in different part of Tehran,” he said. “If we close our shop here, not many people will be affected,” Javad mused. “So maybe our importance has decreased.” —AFP

NEWS

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

A giant chrome brushed aluminium skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus (T-Rex) dinosaur, made by French sculptor and painter Philippe Pasqua, stands at the pier of riverboat company Bateaux-Mouches yesterday in Paris, with the Eiffel tower in the background. — AFP

Economic, social pressures behind expat crackdown KUWAIT: The narrow, cracked streets of the district of Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, down the road from Kuwait’s main airport, would normally be bustling with Indian and Bangladeshi workers by late morning, just before the summer sun becomes unbearable. But since Kuwaiti police launched a series of raids about two months ago, saying they were tracking down illegal labourers, the streets are almost empty and many small businesses have closed their doors, residents say. In the last few months, authorities have deported thousands of mainly low-paid Asian workers from the state for working without the correct visa or residency papers or for repeat traffic offences, according to local media and residents. A government minister has called for a reduction in the number of “excess” foreign workers in Kuwait.

The country relies heavily on foreign workers to perform low-paying and strenuous jobs in sectors such as construction and services; foreigners make up about 69 percent of Kuwait’s 3.8 million population. Pressure to limit their numbers has been growing among some Kuwaitis who argue that too many workers are a burden on the state. They say that instead of bringing in foreigners, Kuwait should be trying harder to cut unemployment among its own nationals, which analysts estimate above 3.0 percent.

If this pressure continues to grow, it could have a major effect on Kuwait’s economy, limiting its access to low-cost labour, while reducing flows of money to countries which supply foreign workers such as India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and the Philippines. “Kuwait is keen to regulate the labour market because of the imbalance in the demographics,” Social Affairs and Labour Minister Thekra Al-Rashidi told Reuters, saying the number of foreigners in Kuwait had increased 12.4 percent between 2008 and 2012.

“We have respect for all the expatriates who have participated in the labour market and contributed to the development of Kuwait,” she said, but added that there was an excess of unskilled “marginal” workers who were not contributing to the economy in a positive way.

Kuwait’s effort to limit expatriate workers is mirrored in several other Gulf countries, which want to curb large foreign populations to address demands for jobs among their own citizens. Saudi Arabia has deported tens of thousands of illegal foreign workers this year; in February, Oman’s government said it would impose a cap on the number of foreigners.

Rashidi has called for the flow of foreigners coming to Kuwait to be reduced by 100,000 every year for the next decade, mainly by cutting down on unskilled workers entering the country and targeting people who are working illegally.

Her ministry’s proposal is still in the planning stages but it has coincided with separate steps taken by other government bodies towards foreigners.

Kuwait has deported around 3,000 Indians since the latest campaign started, quoting the Indian ambassador. The Indian embassy told Reuters the figure was “approximate”. Other nationalities have also been affected. “The police caught so many people. They came at any time, morning, afternoon, night,” said Rashed, a 36year-old Bangladeshi barber in Jleeb. Before the raids, he usually had around 20 customers by late morning, but that morning there had been none, he said, declining to give his full name for fear of getting in trouble with authorities. He said he had not experienced such a strict police crackdown since he came to Kuwait 11 years ago.

Contacted by Reuters, the Interior Ministry did not give figures for the number of people deported for traffic offences or incorrect paperwork, but it said laws were applied fairly. “It is the right of any state...to take appropriate legal action to ensure stability and security of the country,” it said in a statement. It added, “The Interior Ministry denies the charge that it is targeting expatriates.”

Diplomats from the Indian and Bangladeshi embassies have appealed for an amnesty period before workers are deported, similar to one granted by Saudi Arabia. “We conveyed our concern that our legal people should not be deported, and the deported people should take their salaries and dues from their sponsors,” said Ali Reza, First Secretar y at the Embassy of Bangladesh in Kuwait. Hundreds of Indians held a rare public gathering outside their embassy last week to demand information about people who had been detained or deported.

Critics of the policy say steep cuts in the foreign workforce are not economically feasible, especially since more labourers will be needed to implement a KD 30 billion ($108 billion) development plan which includes building a new airport terminal, an oil refinery and hospitals. Some companies prefer to employ foreigners rather than Kuwaitis who, they say, often seek higher pay and cannot be as easily dismissed under labour laws. But the backlash

against foreign workers is not purely economic; they have been blamed in some local media for aggravating social problems. “Kuwait’s interest calls for washing our hands of the excessive number of expatriates,” an article in the Al-Watan newspaper said in April. “Cutting the number of immigrants could help any country as it helps reduce traffic congestion, high consumption of water and electricity, crimes and violations of law.”

In another controversial move, the government is studying a proposal to reserve morning hours for Kuwaitis only at public health clinics.

The plan would not affect the private hospitals frequented by wealthier expatriates. After Kuwait’s main civil rights group said the plan was discriminatory, the Ministry of Health said in a statement: “The proposal is intended to ease the overcrowding at clinics that continues to increase for regular check-ups.” It stressed the new policy would not include emergency care.

Shamlan Al-Issa, an associate professor at Kuwait University, said it was not right that foreigners could be deported for repeat traffic violations, while the worst that a Kuwaiti might face would be suspension of his driving licence, an impounded car or a fine. His comments, printed in Al-Watan, provoked a public reaction which was “not that pleasant”, he said. “There is a popular hatred towards foreigners because we (Kuwaitis) are only 30 percent” of the population.”

Ghanem Al-Najjar, a professor of political science at Kuwait University who has campaigned for migrant workers in the past, said the government should target businessmen and agencies who brought in thousands of labourers for projects and then dismissed some of them, forcing them to look for work elsewhere. “There are people bringing them in, the residency traders these are the people who are not touched. That is a major cause of the problem,” he said.

Abdullah, a 35-year-old taxi driver from Pakistan, said he had stopped driving his car into Jleeb because he feared getting stopped, even though he always carried the correct papers.

Some labour agencies in Kuwait have duped foreigners by charging them hundreds of dollars for processing a work permit and then not giving them a position, forcing them to turn to illegal jobs, he said. Foreigners helped to rebuild Kuwait after the 1990 Iraqi invasion but now feel unwelcome even if they are there legally, he added. “They just used us and now they want to throw us away.” — Reuters

Premier visits Iraq in sign of warming ties Continued from Page 1 The leaders hailed the latest set of talks - one of several high-level meetings between the countries in recent years - as the start of a new chapter in their relationship. “We got rid of a heavy burden and turned the page from the past toward broader relations in all fields,” Sheikh Jaber said in a statement issued by Maliki’s office.

In a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah AlKhaled Al-Sabah said that Kuwait has reached agreements with Iraq on their outstanding issues to pave the way for ending Iraq’s Chapter VII status. “An agreement on the maintenance of border markers has been inked during foreign minister Zebari’s recent visit to Kuwait,” Sheikh Sabah said, adding that “representatives of the two countries will meet UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to hand him a copy of the agreement to be deposited at the UN.” The Kuwaiti diplomat also noted that Kuwait has agreed on moving a number of the files from the Chapter VII to Chapter VI of the UN Charter. “We have agreed on moving the Kuwait POWs, missing persons and confiscated government archives from Chapter VII to Chapter VI and apprised the UN Secretary General on that agreement also.” Sheikh Sabah affirmed that Iraq has fulfilled its commitments under the UN Chapter VII. Zebari hailed both countries’ agreement to fold the old chapter of their relations and to open up a new one based on mutual respect and cooperation. “We have reached impressive results today,” Zebari said at the press conference, adding that Iraq and Kuwait’s permanent UN delegates will meet Ban to brief him on the outcome of the talks. Zebari, however, underlined that the only commitment which has not yet been completed is that of the war compensations. “Iraq still owes Kuwait $11 billion, and, if Iraq decides to pay the remaining amount in one batch, it will immediately find a complete exit out of Chapter VII.”

Iraq and Kuwait, a close US ally in the oil-rich Gulf, have been making progress in mending ties frayed by then-Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s 1990 invasion of his southern neighbor, setting off the first Gulf War. Officials on both sides expressed concern about the civil war ravaging Syria, where largely Sunni rebels are battling forces loyal to the Iran-backed regime of President Bashar Al-Assad. The fight is drawing in foreign militants from Iraq and other countries on both sides of the conflict.

In response to questions about the civil war in Syria, Zebari repeated Baghdad’s stance that it does not condone the movement of any militants to Syria. He sought to make clear that Iraq - officially neutral in the conflict - was not choosing sides. “We have contacts with both the regime and the opposition,” he said. “The fighters’ travels are happening without the knowledge of the government.”

There are signs that the aftereffects of Iraq’s 1990 invasion are receding. Relations took a step forward last year when HH the Amir traveled to Baghdad to attend an Arab League summit. He was the only leader from the Sunnidominated Arab Gulf states - wary of Shiite powerhouse Iran - to attend the meeting. Kuwait and Iraq last year reached a deal to settle a Saddam-era legal dispute that had long dogged Iraq’s national airline and was a major sticking point between the countries. Kuwait’s parliament earlier this year approved the accord, under which Baghdad will pay $500 million in compensation to Kuwait’s national carrier for damages caused during the Iraqi occupation.

The disagreement centered on Kuwait’s accusations that Saddam’s regime stole 10 airplanes and millions of dollars’ worth of equipment and spare parts during the invasion. Kuwait earlier demanded $1.2 billion in reparations, but Iraq’s postwar leaders resisted. In February, an Iraqi Airways flight landed in Kuwait for the first time since Saddam’s invasion. Officials hope the ceremonial flight will lead to closer commercial ties. — Agencies

Gulf Shiites fearing sectarian rhetoric DUBAI: Shiites in the Gulf, alarmed by the shrill sectarian rhetoric of some Sunni clerics after Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia entered Syria’s civil war, fear they will be blamed and may be victimised for the bloodshed. “Hate language is on the rise, in the press, on social media and even at lectures in mosques.

Shiites in general are being blamed for what’s happening in Syria,” said Waleed Sulais, a researcher at the Saudi Adalah Centre for Human Rights. Emotions over the Syrian conflict have been stoked by gory online videos depicting atrocities in stark language that plays on the Sunni affiliation of most of the rebels and on President Bashar Al-Assad’s Alawite family, an offshoot of Shiism.

Respected Muslim religious figures have now lent a measure of authority to inflammatory online sectarian material, casting the conflict as part of a wider Sunni-Shiite struggle.

The influential Sunni cleric Youssef AlQaradawi urged Sunnis to join a jihad (holy war) in Syria, and his Qatar-based International Association of Muslim Scholars has called for a “day of rage” over the conflict next Friday. In Egypt, the most populous Arab state, a senior preacher from the ruling Muslim Brotherhood, Salah Sultan, called the Shiite Hezbollah (party of God) movement “the party of Satan” in a nationally televised sermon last Friday.

Such talk has aggravated a geopolitical split between countries allied to Shiite power Iran and those aligned with Gulf Sunni states, a divide that has turned into an all-out proxy war in Syria. “There is a very raw sectarian nerve that is being twitched and stroked in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries right now,” Sheikh Mohammad Al-Mubarak AlSabah, Kuwaiti Minister for Cabinet Affairs, told Reuters. “It’s very flammable, very sensitive... Unfortunately Syria has become the new battleground for a very ancient tug of war.”

Gulf Arab states have been among the rebels’ main supporters while Iran has backed Assad with arms and cash, and encouraged fighters from its Lebanese ally Hezbollah to

join the struggle. While Sunni volunteers have swelled rebel ranks, the rebels report that large numbers of Shiite fighters are now crossing into Syria from Iraq, another Gulf state with its own deepening sectarian divide, to help Assad, whose forces are massing for an offensive on the northern city of Aleppo.

Some Sunni clerics have extended their verbal assault to local Shiites, who are a minority group in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait but a majority in Bahrain, branding them tools of non-Arab Iran. “Everything that happens in Syria or Lebanon has an impact everywhere in the region,” said Jihan Kazerooni, vice president of the Bahrain Rehabilitation and AntiViolence Organisation (BRAVO). “As a Bahraini woman, I am afraid of a sectarian war.”

Mutual suspicion has fuelled a historic rift in Islam that began after the death of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in 632 AD. Shiites, followers of the Prophet’s son-in-law Ali and his descendants, complain of systematic discrimination and neglect of their communities. “In times of high tension, like the times we are going through now, these unfortunate sectarian issues rise up to the surface,” said Alanoud Alsharekh, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Minorities close ranks against perceived external threats. Videos posted on the Internet from the battlefront in Syria have served to polarise Gulf Arabs, whose Shiite communities increasingly complain they are seen as Iranian agents. Shiites point to the recent digging up by rebels near Damascus of the grave of a seventh-century figure revered by Shiites, and the filmed cutting out of the heart of a Syrian government soldier by a rebel fighter as examples of what could happen to them if hardline Islamists take charge. For their part, Sunnis say Assad’s forces have committed countless massacres in their struggle to shield the president from being overthrown. “What is dangerous about this issue is that while the media may target Hezbollah, all the Shiites are implicated in this,” Sulais said. “Everybody is regarded as a Hezbollah supporter.” — Reuters

Electricity, sweet simplicity Continued from Page 1 Mentioning them reminds me of the situation with water and electricity in Kuwait. Can they tell us that electricity is sweet simplicity here too? Every year as the summer approaches, we start getting jittery over possible water and electricity cuts. The music has already started by electricity outages in some areas in Kuwait.

Parts of Abbasiya went dark last week. The explanation of the authorities was that it was not a scheduled power blackout.

The current availability of electricity and water is not enough. The demand - especially in the hot summer months - outstrips the supply when everybody increases

air-conditioning to the maximum. We are also one of the countries with the highest consumption per capita. And what a long summer, of course, we have ahead of us.

The word scheduled scares me because the insufficient water and electricity supply starts gradually in the peak of the summer. Sometime in February, the parliament questioned the construction of a power and water plant in Al-Zour, which when and if completed is expected to provide 1,500 megawatts of electricity and over 100 million gallons of potable water daily.

So, are we safe for this summer and the holy month of Ramadan which is in July this year? Are we going to have a smooth summer with enough water and electricity, inshallah?

Co-ops boycott Iran Continued from Page 1 yesterday saying they have taken Iranian products off their shelves in protest at Tehran’s backing of President Bashar Al-Assad. Cooperative societies control a majority of the retail consumer market in Kuwait. One of the announcements said that the next step in the campaign would be to dismiss Iranian labourers working at the societies and cancel their residency permits.

Around 50,000 Iranians work in Kuwait, mostly in lowpaid jobs. Iranian exports to Kuwait are not huge and mainly comprise fish and food products.

Meanwhile, dozens of Islamist activists demonstrated outside the Lebanese embassy late Tuesday in protest at the military intervention of Shiite Hezbollah fighters on the side of Syrian regime forces against rebels.

Protesters burned posters of Hezbollah chief Hassan

Nasrallah. Sunni Muslims, who form more than 70 percent of the 1.2 million Kuwaitis, have been angered by the Syrian government onslaught on fellow Sunni rebels and the support Assad has received from Iran and Hezbollah.

Sunni clerics have launched fund-raising campaigns on the Internet and through mosques to aid the Syrian people as well as the rebellion. Around a dozen wellknown Kuwaiti Sunni clerics have launched an online campaign to raise funds enough to arm 12,000 fighters and send them to Syria. Each fighter is estimated to cost $2,500. The Gulf Cooperation Council states said on Monday they will take measures against members of Hezbollah. The measures will affect their “residency permits, and financial and commercial transactions,” said a GCC statement, citing a ministerial council decision. — AFP

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

S P ORTS

Australia coach sorry after sexist comment

Lions call up Twelvetrees LONDON: England centre Billy Twelvetrees has been called into the British and Irish Lions squad in Australia, the Lions said on their website (www.lionsrugby.com) yesterday. Twelvetrees, who scored a try in England’s 32-3 win over Argentina in the first test on Saturday, will provide cover for the injury-hit Lions. Ireland winger Simon Zebo was also called into the Lions squad over the weekend following an injury to winger Tommy Bowe. Centre Manu Tuilagi and flyhalves Jonny Sexton and Owen Farrell are all carrying minor injuries. “The nature of a Lions tour means that there will inevitably be knocks which take time to recover from,” coach Warren Gatland said in a statement.

“The whole squad have worked hard but a lot of the backs have doubled up over the last two games, either starting or from the bench. Billy played well in the first Test for England and he provides that versatility to cover a variety of positions.” England coach Stuart Lancaster said he was delighted for Twelvetrees to get this opportunity. “He’s played well for England this year, underlined that form with his display against Argentina at the weekend and goes with our full support and blessing,” Lancaster said.—Reuters

MELBOURNE: Australia coach Holger Osieck apologised yesterday after saying “women should shut up in public” following the Socceroos’ World Cup qualifying victory over Jordan in Melbourne.

Osieck made the comment prior to starting his post-match news conference after the 4-0 win on Tuesday, with the German adding “I’m going to be the darling of all Australian wives” after discovering the cameras were already rolling. On Wednesday, aware of the furore his remarks had caused, Osieck apologised before departing for Sydney where Australia play their final qualifier at home to Iraq on Tuesday.

“I got information it created waves. That was not the intent. To everyone offended, I sincerely apologise,” the German was quoted as saying by SBS. “It was off the record and... a complete misunderstanding... it was more meant as a joke. There was no seriousness in it.

“We shouldn’t take any remark (like this) literally.” Osieck was told where to sit for the news conference by an official leading to the former Canada coach to say “you push me around like my wife.” Osieck, 64, then offered a phrase in Latin which he translated as “women should shut up in public” which drew groans from journalists. “I say it to my wife at home, it’s a private one,” the German added, before the official attempted to start the news conference.—Reuters

Froome eyes Tour success LONDON: Briton Chris Froome made clear yesterday that he has no intention of ever again playing second fiddle to compatriot and Sky team mate Bradley Wiggins on the Tour de France.

The 28-year-old, winner of the Criterium du Dauphine on Sunday, told the Times newspaper that he wanted to be in a position to win the Tour for years to come. “I’ve got my goals and personally where I want my career to go is to target the Tour, not just this year but for the next six or seven years, and each time to line up at the Tour ready to try and contend for the yellow jersey,” he said.

“I am driven by that goal, not from a fame point of view,” added the rider, who finished last year’s Tour as runner-up to Wiggins.

This year’s race starts on June 29 with Froome the official Sky team leader and one of the favourites in the absence of four-times Olympic champion Wiggins, who has been ruled out by injury and illness. Froome has been on top form this year, also winning the Tour of Oman, the Criterium International and Tour of Romandie before Sunday’s success in France’s third biggest stage race.—Reuters

Blue Jays beat White Sox CHICAGO: Jose Bautista hit a game-tying home run in the ninth inning and Rajai Davis scored on a wild pitch in the 10th to lead the Toronto Blue Jays to a 7-5 win over the Chicago White Sox at a dimmed US Cellular Field on Tuesday night.

Chien-Ming Wang made his first start of the season after signing with the injury-riddled Blue Jays, lasting 7 1-3 innings while giving up five runs and 10 hits.

During the 10th, there was a brief delay after a handful of bulbs in the light standards above the infield at U.S. Cellular Field went out as Ramon Troncoso (0-1) prepared to throw his 2-1 pitch to Adam Lind. Following the delay, Davis scored on Troncoso’s wild pitch. Brett Cecil (2-0) went 1 2-3 innings for the win and Casey Janssen pitched a scoreless 10th for his 13th save in 14 tries.

LOS ANGELES: Second baseman Nick Punto No. 7 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws to first to complete a double play after forcing out Jason Kubel No. 13 of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the seventh inning. —AFP

Dodgers rally for win LOS ANGELES: In a game highlighted by a heated brawl in the seventh inning that involved both players and coaches, Tim Federowicz hit a go-ahead three-run double in the eighth inning to help the Los Angeles Dodgers rally for 5-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night.

Arizona starter Ian Kennedy, manager Kirk Gibson and coach Turner Ward, along with Dodgers star rookie Yasiel Puig and hitting coach Mark McGwire were ejected after the prolonged bench-clearing scuffle.

Kennedy hit Los Angeles starter Zack Greinke with a pitch, a retaliation throw that triggered the fracas that nearly spilled into the stands.

An inning earlier, Greinke hit Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero in the back and both teams came charging onto the field but it broke up quickly with no punches thrown. That was payback for Kennedy hitting Puig. The ball deflected off his shoulder and struck Puig on the nose.

PIRATES 8, Giants 2 In Pittsburgh, Gerrit Cole took a shutout into the seventh inning of his major league debut and hit a two-run single in his first at-bat, leading the Pirates to a victory over the Giants in front of a festive crowd. The top pick in the 2011 draft, Cole allowed two runs and seven hits in 6 1-3 innings after being called up from Triple-A Indianapolis earlier in the day. He began his highly touted career with a three-pitch strikeout - all 96-mph fastballs - of Gregor Blanco and struck out two overall. He did not walk a batter. Pedro Alvarez went 3 for 3 with a home run to back Cole. Starling Marte also homered and Andrew McCutchen and Russell Martin had two hits each.

CARDINALS 9, METS 2 In New York, Michael Wacha recovered from a wild start to earn his first major league win and Allen Craig hit a three-run homer for the Cardinals in a victory over the staggering Mets.

Matt Holliday had three hits and the NL Central leaders took full advantage of a crucial error by new Mets first baseman Daniel Murphy, who was shifted over from second after slumping Ike Davis got demoted to the minors Sunday.

David Freese extended his career-high hitting streak to 20 games, longest in the National League this season, and Wacha even knocked in a run with a groundout for his first RBI. Omar Quintanilla homered for the Mets, who gave up seven unearned runs and lost for the seventh time in eight games.

MARLINS 5, BREWERS 4 In Miami, Giancarlo Stanton hit his first homer since coming off the disabled list, a two-run drive with two outs in the eighth inning that lifted the Marlins to a victory over the Brewers.

With Juan Pierre on first, Stanton connected on the first pitch from Jim Henderson (2-2), sending a drive over the

wall in left-center. It was his fourth home run this year. He was activated from the DL on Monday. Chad Qualls (2-0) pitched a perfect eighth and Steve Cishek a scoreless ninth for his seventh save. Derek Dietrich had a two-run homer for Miami, which has won three of four.

The Brewers took a 4-3 lead in the seventh when Yuniesky Betancourt tripled in a run to tie it before scoring the go-ahead run on pinch-hitter Scooter Gennett’s suicide squeeze.

REDS 12, CUBS 2 In Chicago, Xavier Paul hit a three-run home run, Joey Votto added a two-run shot and the Reds roughed up Matt Garza and the Cubs.

Tony Cingrani (3-0), filling in for the injured Johnny Cueto, pitched seven strong innings as Cincinnati extended its franchise-best winning streak at Wrigley Field to 11 games. Cingrani, from Chicago’s South Suburbs, allowed two runs and four hits, while striking out five and allowing one walk.

Zack Cozart also added a three-run shot in the eighth and Todd Frazier hit a solo home run in the second inning for the Reds. Garza (1-1) was tagged for a careerhigh nine runs and nine hits in five-plus innings. He was lifted in the sixth after allowing six runs without retiring a batter.

ROCKIES 8, NATIONALS 3 In Denver, Jhoulys Chacin won for the first time since April, Tyler Colvin homered twice and drove in four runs, and the Rockies beat the Nationals. Carlos Gonzalez also hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in Colorado’s five-run fifth inning.

Chacin (4-3) allowed two runs on seven hits in five innings to end a string of four straight no decisions and three consecutive losses since his last win on April 19, when he pitched into the seventh inning to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks only to be forced out of that game by lower back tightness. He spent a couple weeks on the disabled list recuperating. Trailing 2-0, the Rockies got to Dan Haren (4-8) in the fifth, sending 10 men to the plate.

PADRES 3, BRAVES 2 In San Diego, Andrew Cashner outdueled Tim Hudson, Chase Headley homered and the Padres beat the Braves for the second straight game.

Cashner (5-3) pitched a career high eight innings, allowing two runs on six hits, striking out five and walking one. At one point Cashner retired 10 straight batters after giving up one run and three hits in the first inning.

Joe Thatcher struck out Freddie Freeman and Brian McCann to start the ninth and Luke Gregerson came on to strike out Dan Uggla for his third save in five opportunities.

Hudson (4-6) pitched 7 1-3 innings for the Braves, allowing three runs on five hits.

The Padres have won five of seven, while the Braves have lost four of six.—AP

TIGERS 3, ROYALS 2 In Kansas City, Max Scherzer won his ninth straight decision, and the Tigers beat Kansas City to snap the Royals’ six-game winning streak.

Scherzer became the first Tigers starter to begin the season 9-0 since Vern Kennedy in 1938 by pitching seven sharp innings. He limited the Royals to three hits and two runs, while striking out six and walking two. Aaron Crow (22), who was a college teammate of Scherzer’s at Missouri, took the loss after pitching out of a bases loaded jam in the seventh.

Crow hit Miguel Cabrera with a pitch to start the eighth. Cabrera advanced to third on Prince Fielder’s single to right on a full count and scored on Victor Martinez’s sacrifice fly to left.

That was the first run allowed by the Kansas City bullpen in 21 innings.

INDIANS 5, RANGERS 2 In Arlington, Corey Kluber allowed one run over eight innings and the Indians beat the Rangers to snap an eight-game losing streak.

The Indians also ended a 12-game road losing streak. Mark Reynolds had RBI single in the four th off Derek Holland (5-3) that put Cleveland ahead to stay. Drew Stubbs added a two-run single in the fifth and scored on a single by Nick Swisher, who had only two hits his previous 28 at-bats.

Kluber (4-4) went to Coppell High School, which is less than 25 miles from Rangers Ballpark. The right-hander struck out three with three walks and benefited from three double plays. Lefty Holland, who pitched a season-low 4 1-3 innings, was 4-0 with a 2.40 ERA in his previous seven starts.

ORIOLES 3, ANGELS 2 In Baltimore, Miguel Gonzalez allowed one run over eight innings and Nick Markakis hit a tiebreaking, two-run single in the seventh inning as the Orioles beat the Angels.

Light-hitting Ryan Flaherty contributed two well-timed hits for the Orioles, whose third straight victory put them a season-high nine games over .500 (37-28). The Angels lost their fourth in a row despite a home run by Mike Trout that traveled an estimated 448 feet.

Angels center fielder Peter Bourjos made the defensive play of the night, robbing J.J. Hardy of a two-run homer in the first inning.

After retreating toward the warning track, Bourjos pressed his body against the wall with a perfectly timed leap, stuck his glove well over the 7-foot barrier and caught the ball.

RAYS 8, RED SOX 3 In St. Petersburg, Matt Joyce hit one of three homers off Jon Lester to help the Rays beat the AL East-leading Red Sox. Joyce, one day after being hit by a pitch that sparked a bench-clearing scrum, put the Rays up 7-3 on a two-run shot in the fifth that ended Lester’s night.

Desmond Jennings homered twice, while Evan Longoria also went deep for the Rays.

CHICAGO: Maicer Izturis No. 3 of the Toronto Blue Jays is safe at home as Tyler Flowers No. 21 of the Chicago White Sox drops the ball during the tenth inning. —AFP Roberto Hernandez (4-6) allowed three runs and seven hits over seven-plus innings.

Lester (6-3) had his winless streak reach five starts, including three losses, since beating the Rays on May 15. The left-hander gave up seven runs, eight hits and seven walks in 4 2-3 innings.

MARINERS 4, ASTROS 0 In Seattle, Aaron Harang pitched a two-hitter for his second shoutout of the season, leading the Mariners to a victory over the Astros.

Harang (3-6) struck out a season-high 10, the 12th time in his career he had 10 Ks with no walks. It was his 15th career complete game and eighth shutout. He also beat San Diego 9-0 on May 27. Harang allowed a two-out infield single to deep short by J.D. Martinez in the second inning. He then retired 16 of the next 17 batters.

The only Astros batter to reach during that span was Brandon Barnes on a sixth-inning error.

Martinez also had the other hit, an inning-opening single to left in the seventh. He never advanced past first. Raul Ibanez hit his teamleading 13th home run - his second in an many nights - in the sixth inning.

ATHLETICS 6, YANKEES 4 In Oakland, Derek Norris homered and drove in four runs and Bartolo Colon pitched six scoreless innings to lead the Athletics to a victory over the Yankees.

Coco Crisp led off the game for Oakland with a homer off CC Sabathia (6-5) before Norris and Colon (8-2) took over to lead the A’s to their eighth win in 11 games.

Sabathia allowed six runs and eight hits in six innings in his homecoming start in front of many fans that came from his hometown of nearby Vallejo to watch him pitch.

The A’s did get some bad news when star outfielder Yoenis Cespedes had to leave the game after the second inning with tightness in his left hamstring. He is day to day. Cespedes appeared to hurt himself running out a groundout in the first inning.

INTERLEAGUE GAME TWINS 3, PHILLIES 2 In Minneapolis, Justin Morneau hit the goahead single in the eighth inning to cap a threehit night and carry the Twins to a win over the Phillies. Jamey Carroll - who had two hits and snapped a 0-for-24 slump - drew a walk to start the eighth off reliever Mike Adams (1-4) and ended up on third after a Joe Mauer single and a fielder’s choice.

Josh Willingham fouled out before Morneau lined a single up the middle off Antonio Bastardo to give Minnesota the lead.

Philadelphia tied it at 2 in the eighth when Ryan Howard’s single off reliever Brian Duensing (1-1) scored Kevin Frandsen.—AP

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

American League Eastern Division W L Boston 40 26 NY Yankees 37 27 Baltimore 37 28 Tampa Bay 35 29 Toronto 28 36 Central Division Detroit 36 27 Cleveland 31 33 Kansas City 29 33 Minnesota 28 33 Chicago White Sox 28 35 Western Division Texas 38 26 Oakland 39 27 Seattle 29 37 LA Angels 27 38 Houston 22 44

PCT .606 .578 .569 .547 .438

GB 2 2.5 4 11

.571 .484 .468 .459 .444

5.5 6.5 7 8

St. Louis Cincinnati Pittsburgh Milwaukee Chicago Cubs

.594 .591 .439 .415 .333

10 11.5 17

Arizona Colorado San Francisco San Diego LA Dodgers

Atlanta Washington Philadelphia NY Mets Miami

National League Eastern Division 39 26 31 32 31 34 23 36 19 45 Central Division 42 22 39 26 38 26 26 38 25 37 Western Division 36 29 35 30 33 30 31 34 28 36

.600 .492 .477 .390 .297

7 8 13 19.5

.656 .600 .594 .406 .403

3.5 4 16 16

.554 .538 .524 .477 .438

1 2 5 7.5

Italian brings high-tech brains to America’s Cup SAN FRANCISCO: Gilberto Nobili is an IT guy, but he doesn’t sit in an office like other information technology workers. His workspace skims across San Francisco Bay at 50 miles per hour.

The Java developer and Oracle Team USA crew member is using personal electronics like smartphones and tablets to give his side a high-tech edge in the upcoming America’s Cup regatta between the most advanced sailboats ever built.

The tech-savvy 6-foot 3 inch Italian is one of Oracle’s muscular grinders. A grinder uses brute strength and athletic conditioning to crank handles furiously on winches that precisely control the tall “wing” sails and other adjustable parts of these complex 72-foot catamarans.

The boats are designed to lift out of the water at high speed and hydrofoil on the dagger boards, which are raised and lowered from each hull.

“We’re still testing stuff, deciding which is the faster board and the faster sail. As sailors, we go by feeling but we also need numbers. The final call about what is fastest comes from the numbers,” said Nobili, who put his engineering studies on hold 13 years ago for a chance to sail professionally. After Swedish challenger Artemis Racing suffered a fatal accident in May when its catamaran broke apart and flipped, a top priority for Cup participants has been to strike the best balance between speed and stability. Onboard electronics play a key part.

Advances in technology, including computational fluid dynamics and the ability to process growing amounts of data, have given boat designers advantages they could have only dreamed of in past America’s Cups.

Races are set to start in early July to choose

which of three teams challenge previous winner Oracle, backed by software billionaire Larry Ellison.

Final matches are in September.

Oracle skipper Jimmy Spithill depends on realtime information from Nobili and others to optimize the performance of the boats, referred to as AC72s, which many experts believe are too hard to maneuver in San Francisco Bay’s heavy winds and rip currents.

Since the Oracle team won the 2010 Cup in Valencia, Spain, it got to call most of the shots for this year’s regatta, like its location in San Francisco Bay. Oracle also created the basic specifications for the AC72s being used in the regatta. Teams do have leeway to use their own technology to customize the boats, estimated to cost about $8 million each.—Reuters

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

S P ORTS

Rask, Crawford take center stage in Stanley Cup CHICAGO: For all the talk about the Conn Smythe award, Tuukka Rask just wants to win after he played a supporting role when Tim Thomas led the Boston Bruins to the Stanley Cup two years ago.

Same for Corey Crawford, who was watching from the stands when the Chicago Blackhawks won the title in Philadelphia in 2010. Sure, it’s nice to win a championship. It’s a lot sweeter when you’re on the ice at the very end.

“Once you’ve seen it, and not being on the ice, I think everybody would like to have that chance someday,” Rask said. “For me, it came pretty early after our win and I’m just trying to make the most out of it and enjoy myself.”

Rask and Crawford will be in the spotlight when the Bruins take on the Blackhawks in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals on Wednesday night, with each goalie hoping to continue what already has been an exemplary postseason.

The rise of each player is a testament

to the patience and steady approach of the Bruins and Blackhawks, and it’s no coincidence that each team is seeking to become the first franchise with two Stanley Cups in the salary cap era.

After a slow and steady climb, Rask and Crawford have been the best goaltenders in the league during this year’s playoffs. Crawford leads the NHL with a 1.74 goals-against average, just ahead of Rask (1.75 GAA). “A lot of people had questions on Corey. He’s really been progressing ever y year,” said Black hawks general manager Stan Bowman, one of Crawford’s biggest supporters over the years.

“He’s a guy we’ve had in our organization since we drafted him. We’ve taken our time allowing him to improve year after year. He’s finally made it to the NHL, established himself as the No. 1 goaltender.”

While Chicago drafted Crawford in the second round a decade ago, Rask was a first-round selection for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2005. Boston

got him in a trade for goalie Andrew Raycroft a year later.

General manager Peter Chiarelli, who officially took over the team a couple weeks after the Rask deal, said it’s his understanding that the Bruins decided they wanted Rask instead of center Jiri Tlusty in the deal. “There was a lot of discussion at both ends about it,” Chiarelli said. “It was decided that it would be Rask from Boston’s end. I think they tried to come back and maybe flip that, consider the other guy, who is a good player in Carolina now.

Eventually they said no and the deal was done.”

I t cer tainly worked out for the Bruins. Rask took over after Thomas decided to take a year off. Once the 26year-old Finn got off to a great start, the mercurial Thomas was traded to the New York Islanders.

The 6-foot-2 Rask helped the Bruins finish second in the Northeast Division, then raised his game to another level in the playoffs. He shut down high-scoring

Pittsburgh in the Eastern Conference finals, allowing just two goals and recording a .985 save percentage in a sweep.

The impressive performance included 53 saves in Game 3, giving Patrice Bergeron enough time to net the winning goal in the second overtime of a 21 victory.

“He’s been arguably our best player this far,” Boston forward Milan Lucic said after the Bruins arrived in Chicago on Tuesday, “and I hope he can keep it up.”

Antti Niemi, another Finnish goalie who is good friends with Rask, was in net when the Blackhawks won the title in 2010. But he signed with San Jose in the ensuing offseason while Chicago worked through salary cap issues.

The Blackhawks then signed Marty Turco to start in goal, and planned to have Crawford serve as the backup.

Those plans eventually fell apart and Crawford earned the starting nod. He won at least 30 games in each of his first two seasons in a regular role, and

then went 19-5 with a career-best 1.94 GAA this year.

“He’s had a lot to overcome,” said defenseman Brent Seabrook, who was selected by Chicago in the first round of that same 2003 draft. “ Whether it’s been fighting for position, fighting for jobs, we brought some guys in, I think he’s kept his composure. I think he’s worked real hard.”

With Crawford in goal, the Blackhawks lost in the first round of the playoffs in each of the previous two seasons. Surrounded by the core of the Stanley Cup-winning team, the 28-yearold Crawford still had to learn about playing in the postseason. He’s come a long way.

“I’d say I learned a lot, especially some of the goals I gave up last year I wasn’t very happy with,” Crawford said.

“Just able to learn from that. Get over it, and move on. No matter what happens, there’s always a next shot so you have to make sure you’re there to save the next one.”—AP

Spurs rout Heat in Game 3

LONDON: This is a Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012, file photo of India’s Deepika Kumari as she shoots during an elimination round of the individual archery competition at the 2012 Summer Olympics, in London. —AP

Archery soaring after the London Olympics LAUSANNE: From blockbuster movies to hit TV shows to greater Olympic exposure, archery seems to be hitting all the right targets.

Elite archers are competing this week in the World Cup series in Antalya, Turkey, the first major event since the sport was elevated by the IOC to a higher ranking that will ensure a bigger share of Olympic revenues every four years.

Archery’s rising reputation is partly built on its success at last year’s London Games, and a boom in pop culture attention. “The announcement of these groups clearly shows we are an important Olympic sport,” World Archery secretary general Tom Dielen told The Associated Press in an interview at the governing body’s headquarters. “We’ve done what we were supposed to do.”

High-technology aids for scoring and showcasing the sport are also in the works for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro to help retain a new generation of fans and attract more.

Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence, playing a bow-toting heroine in “The Hunger Games” early last year, helped point a young fan base toward the London Olympic stage - where archery was contested at the historic Lord’s cricket ground.

There’s more to come: Three more “Hunger Games” movies are set to open before the next Olympic flame is lit in Rio on Aug. 5, 2016. “Catching Fire” is scheduled for release in November, followed by a two-part adaptation of “Mockingjay,” the final book of the series.

In the hit HBO series “Game of Thrones,” the bow and arrow is a weapon of choice for children of the Stark family.

And don’t forget last year’s hit animated movie “Brave,” featuring the skilled archer - and princess - Merida.

“Hollywood adores archery for the moment,” Dielen said. “London has delivered beyond what we expected. It has definitely put the bar higher for Rio and it will be a challenge to deliver at least the same, if not better.”

A high-profile venue in the city famous for its annual Carnival party should certainly help. Archery will be contested in the Sambadrome, the narrow parade route for Carnival floats packed with dancers and drum bands. The venue also will welcome the finish of the marathons.

“It’s very iconic,” Dielen said. “It will be more of a tunnel effect and spectators will feel closer to the athletes (than in London).” It’s a step up from Rio’s original plan to host archery in the more distant Deodoro neighborhood.

The sport is getting a taste for picturesque venues: In September, the fiveevent World Cup series climaxes beneath the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

“It will be the best backdrop we have had so far,” Dielen said. “We really want to continue going in that direction.” Archery will surely also do well if Istanbul is chosen to host the 2020 Olympics. The Turkish city is competing with Madrid

and Tokyo, with the winner to be chosen by the IOC on Sept. 7.

World Archery’s president is Ugur Erdener, a Turkish IOC member who is prominent in the Istanbul bid. He will seek a third term in an election scheduled on the sidelines of the archery world championships, which open Sept. 29 in Antalya.

Over the next presidential term, World Archery has a $1 million windfall to spend on development. The sport received more than it budgeted for when the IOC shared out better-than-expected commercial revenues from the London Games. Boosted by its London showing, archery was elevated into the third of five tiers ranking the 28 sports. The IOC weighed factors including a sport’s popularity with broadcasters and with social media users. Now, more money could flow from its share of Rio revenues.

Dielen said any surplus should be invested at the grassroots level rather than directed toward top athletes such as Brady Ellison of the United States, who is among “maybe 10 to 15” archers earning enough from prize money and endorsements to be independent professionals.

France has been a big success story for archery, but clubs there have reached the limit with 70,000 total members - tripled since the 1992 Barcelona Games.

“We could probably have 80,000 members if we had the resources with the coaches and space in the clubs,” said Dielen, whose native Belgium has a model program in shaping its national championships to the format and presentation style of a World Cup event.

The World Cup is also the testing ground for new technology, including a precision scoring monitor using lasers and displaying archers’ heart rates as onscreen graphics.

While tennis has Hawk-Eye to review line calls, archery has a system from Hungary called FalcoEye which measures arrows more accurately than judges using a magnifying glass.

“We’re trying to take the human error factor out of the game,” Dielen said of a system that’s “affordable and reliable” after years of development.

Soon, viewers also will be taken to the heart of the action as monitors, discreetly attached to an archer’s leg, will record the pulse rate - on average, around 105-110 beats per minute - at the moment of firing. “We really need to show how it follows from the athlete’s point of view,” said Dielen, who also hopes to see an archer’s sighted aim projected onto television graphics.

All these changes in presentation could be ready for Rio, where the traditional Olympic dominance of South Korea and the United States is likely to face tougher challenges. The boy’s gold medalist from the 2010 Youth Olympics was Ibrahim Sabry of Egypt. That, said Dielen, is an “unbelievable” development in a sport that seems to be finding new believers every year.—AP

SAN ANTONIO: Gary Neal may have dreamed it, though it was nothing Danny Green ever could have imagined. Not back when he was LeBron James’ teammate in Cleveland, scoring fewer points in the 2009-10 season than James scored in some games.

So the idea of outscoring the fourtime MVP in an NBA Finals game?

“Never thought in a million years that would happen,” Green said. Two more wins, and he’ll have as many championships as James, too.

Green made seven of San Antonio’s finals-record 16 3-pointers, Tim Duncan had 12 points and 14 rebounds, and the Spurs clobbered the Miami Heat 113-77 on Tuesday night to take 2-1 lead in the series.

Green scored 27 points and Neal made six 3-pointers while scoring 24 as San Antonio went 16 of 32 from behind the arc, rolling to the third-biggest victory in finals history.

“It’s a dream come true,” Neal said.

“Me and Danny both went through a lot of stuff together. We were guys that showed up two hours before practice started to get shots up and to prove to the coaching staff that we belong, and we’re going to do whatever we need to do to get minutes.

“So me and Danny, we were able to play great tonight.” Neal could be even more important going forward, after starting point guard Tony Parker revealed fresh concerns about his sore hamstring. He plans to get an MRI late yesterday.

Duncan bounced back from his worst game ever in the finals, and the Spurs’ combination of fresh faces and old reliables dominated the NBA’s winningest team before an eager crowd that hadn’t seen the finals here since 2007. “It shouldn’t be a surprise,” said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. “These are the last two teams standing. I don’t think either one of them is going to get down if they have a bad night.”

The Spurs were as good as fans remembered in the old days, shutting down James until they had built a huge lead late in the third quarter.

James finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds, but missed 11 of his first 13 shots against the excellent defense of Kawhi Leonard, who had 14 points and 12 rebounds. James was 7 of 21 from the field.

“Honestly, I just have to play better,” James said. “I can’t have a performance like tonight and expect to win.” Game 4 is today here, where the Heat are 3-22

SAN ANTONIO: Tim Duncan (left) and Gary Neal (right) of the San Antonio Spurs play tight defense on LeBron James of the Miami Heat during Game 3 of the NBA finals.—AFP in the regular season and so far zero wins and one really bad beating in the postseason. “We got what we deserved,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “I didn’t even recognize the team that was out there tonight.”

Duncan shot 3 of 13 for nine points, his worst performance ever in his 25 NBA Finals games, in the Heat’s 103-84 victory Sunday. Parker wasn’t much better, shooting 5 of 14 and committing five turnovers, and Manu Ginobili admitted afterward the veteran trio had to play well for the Spurs to win.

They were fine, but the lesser-known were better.

Parker and Ginobili combined for 14 assists, but the bigger story was the guys who had never played on this stage before. “Neal, who went undrafted after playing for LaSalle and Towson, then playing overseas for three seasons in Italy, Spain and Turkey.

“Green, who had been cut multiple times - including by James’ Cavaliers and now has the shot to stick.

“Leonard, the draft-night trade acquisition from San Diego State who played the game’s best player to a stalemate. “Those guys shot incredibly,” Duncan said. “Gave us the breathing room when we needed it.” Mike Miller

made all five 3-pointers and scored 15 points for the Heat, who broke open Sunday’s game and seized momentum in the series with a 33-5 run in the second half.

The Spurs seized it right back, improving to 18-7 in the finals, the best winning percentage of any team with 20 or more games.

A brief flurry by James had Miami within 15 after three quarters, but Neal, Green and Leonard combined on a 13-0 run to open the fourth, Green’s 3-pointer making it 91-63.

“All of my teammates and Pop. They do a great job of encouraging me. They continue to tell me to shoot the ball. They continue to tell me whenever I’m open, to let it fly,” Green said. The NBA hadn’t made its way along San Antonio’s River Walk this late in the season since 2007, and fans couldn’t wait to have the Spurs back.

They sang and danced and clapped around the concourse and in their seats, as if their favorite rock band had returned for a concert. And they were thrilled to see the Duncan they recognized from his previous finals appearances. He got right on the board in this one, with a short jumper 20 seconds into the game. The Spurs, who had played from behind most of the series,

had a 24-20 lead after making 11 of 18 shots in the first quarter. Duncan hit a pair of three throws and another basket, and after a jumper by Neal, he threw a long outlet to Leonard for a dunk that made it 40-30.

Neal’s 3 made it 43-32, but Miller hit a pair of 3-pointers in a 12-1 run that tied it at 44 with 37 seconds in the half, the Heat appearing set to go into the half with momentum. But Parker drilled a 3 from the corner, and after Green blocked James’ shot, the Spurs rushed it up for a 3-pointer by Neal that fell at the buzzer, the reserve guard pointing back toward his defenders before the Spurs headed to the locker room with a 50-44 advantage. The party played on all right, with a huge roar when Tracy McGrady, a former perennial All-Star now in his first finals appearance as a member of the Spurs’ bench, checked in midway through the fourth quarter. He was scoreless with three assists.

James started 2 for 13, then made his final four shots of the third as the Heat got within 13 before Ginobili fired a nifty pass to Tiago Splitter under the basket for a score with 0.1 seconds remaining, making it 78-63 and setting the stage for the big fourth-quarter finish.—AP

Bolt keen to break 20sec mark OSLO: Usain Bolt hopes to bounce back from a rare defeat with a convincing victory in the 200 meters at the Bislett Games today.

The Jamaican, who lost to American Justin Gatlin in the 100 in Rome last week, is aiming to be the first to break the 20-second mark this season, in his first long sprint of the year.

“I’m feeling pretty good, I think I’m in shape to run under 20 seconds. It’s all about the execution and getting it right,” Bolt said ahead of the Diamond League meeting.

Bolt has his sights set on Frank Fredericks’ track record of 19.82, set by the Namibian in 1996, and will be pushed by local challenger Jaysuma Saidy Ndure, who is also aiming to beat 20 seconds.

“This is home for me so I have to at least try to run as fast as I can,” the Gambia-born Ndure said. “This is like the world championships for me.”

European 200 champion Churandy Martina of the Netherlands and Curtis Mitchell of the U.S. are also running. Bolt said he has recovered from the hamstring injury that hampered his start to the season. He won a photo finish in 10.09 in the Cayman Islands last month - his slowest career performance in a 100-meter final. “Now it’s all about pushing

myself in races to run myself into shape,” Bolt said. “I’m really happy with how I’m feeling, I just need more races under my belt.”

Bolt, the 100 and 200 world record-holder, isn’t worried about his slight dip in form and says he’s

that other competitions can be overlooked, but the women’s high jump is also a highlight today.

Olympic and world champion Anna Chicherova goes head-tohead with two-time world champion Blanca Vlasic of Croatia, while

FRANCE: Jamaica’s sprinter Usain Bolt gestures in this file photo. —AFP concentrating only on defending his titles at the worlds in Moscow in August.

“As long as my coach is not worried, I’m not worried, and my coach is not worried,” Bolt said. Such is the buzz generated by the Jamaican

local interest focuses on Tonje Angelsen, the Norwegian who is looking for ward to competing against her idols.

“I’ve always looked up to them. I want to jump two meters as many times as they have,” said Angelsen,

the 2012 European silver medalist.

Chicherova is coming off a victory in Rome and no one has come within three centimeters of the 2.02 she jumped in Beijing last month.

“I hope to get a good height, but Rome took some strength and the weather may be a surprise, but I will do what I can,” said Chicherova, who rejected suggestions age is catching up with her.

“If you have the motivation and strength you can jump,” the Russian said. Vlasic isn’t yet at full fitness after a long spell out with an Achilles injury.

“My heel is getting better. It’s coming back,” Vlasic said. “I’m very excited and motivated, as if it was the beginning of my career.” The Croatian is hoping to improve her modest season’s best of 1.95 set in Rome. “After nine months off from jumping and only being back in spikes since February, I need to get used to jumping big heights again,” she said.

Olympic champion Meseret Defar of Ethiopia is the star attraction in the women’s 5,000 meters, where she will be challenged by compatriot Genzebe Dibaba, younger sister of her greatest rival, the world record-holder Tirunesh Dibaba. Mercy Cherono and Viola Kibiwot are providing the Kenyan challenge.—AP

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

S P ORTS

Kuwait Finance House lift KBC League Cup KUWAIT: Kuwait Finance House (KFH) continued their winning trend as they comfortably prevailed over National Bank of Kuwait by 66 runs to win the Kuwait Banks Club cricket league sponsored by Kuwait Banks club and organized by Kuwait Cricket at Sulaibiya turf ground.

On a bright sunny afternoon, KFH skipper Faraaz won the toss & decided to bat first but soon lost opener Zahid their prolific scorer too early as NBK opening bowlers Khuram & Imran bowled a tidy spell to restrict the free flowing KFH batsmen. Abdulla & Irfan Bhatti then demonstrated the spirit and gumption in equal measure to first stop the fall of further wickets and then seized control of the game with a mixture of coolness and skill which warmed the spirits of KFH bench and gave KFH the start they were looking forward.

The powerfully built Abdulla mastered the NBK bowling and imposed his will to launch a brutal attack as he scored an enterprising knock of 91 runs in just 53 balls which contained 7 hits to the fence and 5 sweetly timed sixes. Once Abdulla got his bearings, he joined with Irfan Bhatti in taking full toll of NBK bowling. Irfan Bhatti confirmed his status as a matured cricketer by rotating the strike to score a valuable 24 runs.

Their match winning 90 run partnership produced an alarming run rate and at this juncture Kiran Lobo brought back NBK into the game as he first tempted Irfan to play across a straighter delivery to be caught plumb in front of the wicket and then had the well settled Abdulla smartly stumped by keeper Shakty. KFH posted a decent score of 169 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. Kiran Lobo & Ronald took two wickets each for NBK. Chasing 169 runs, NBK opener Shakty showed his intension clear as he drove a full length delivery from Nabeel for a huge six but the KFH bowlers frequently baffled with their confusing change of pace.

The introduction of Irfan Bhatti from the park end suddenly changed the entire complexion of the game. Swinging and seaming the ball off the seam, Irfan produced a magic spell in which he accounted for the top three NBK batsmen and KFH set the standard by some sharp fielding inside the circle and particularly outstanding was Abdulla who took three excellent catches.

As wickets tumbled to the pace & spin combination of KFH bowlers while Ronald fought a lone battle scoring 31 runs. NBK were all out for 103 runs. Irfan Bhatti was the most successful bowler bagging 4 for 15 as Fazal & Nabeel captured 2 wickets each.

Abdulla was declared player of the match for his top notch batting display.

In the Plate final played at Sulaibiya, Boubyan Bank riding on a splendid all round performance from Hisham Mirza comfortably

scaled over Gulf Bank by winning the match by 70 runs.

Boubyan Bank using the splendid batting track posted 144 runs on board for the loss of 4 wickets in 20 overs. Boubyan opener Irfan batted well scoring 21 runs with 2 fours & 1 huge six. It was the fourth wicket partnership of 58 runs between Hisham Mirza and Faraaz Azizuddin which sealed the match for Boubyan . Hisham’s knock of 61 runs contained three sweetly timed sixes & 2 hits to the fence while Faraaz played the sheet anchor role by scoring 18 runs. Mazhar struck a swift 22 runs to give Boubyan a respectable total. Tariq bowled well for Gulf Bank capturing 2 wickets while Nadeem & Jawad took a wicket each.

Gulf Bank’s chase was dented by Riyaz who with his slow leg cutters accounted for both the openers and at a stage Gulf Bank were 2 down with 7 runs on board. Nadeem & Bilal putting their heads down slowly started repairing the damage by adding 24 runs for the fourth wicket.

Boubyan skipper Faraaz Azizuddin introduced himself from the park end and soon found his rhythm from the very first over. He first had Nadeem smartly stumped by keeper Irfan and with the gentle breeze backing him and bowling a tidy & nagging line soon spun a web around the Gulf Bank batsmen to run through the middle order to capture 4 wickets for 25 runs.

On the other hand Hisham bowling his off cutters effectively accounted for 3 batsmen for just 11 runs. Bilal & Senthil scored 13 runs each for Gulf Bank. Hisham was declared Player of the match for his all round skills.

The presentation ceremony was highlighted with the presence of Mahmoud Bastaki, Vice Chairman of Kuwait Banks Club who presented the Cup Winners trophy to KFH captain Faraaz & Plate final trophy to Faraaz Azizuddin of Boubyan Bank. Khalil Al Bloushi handed over the Cup final Runner up trophy to Andrew Pinho of NBK & Plate final runner up trophy to Faby John of Gulf Bank.

Kuwait Cricket Council Directors Sudhakar Shetty & Riaz Choudhary presented the individual prizes to the finalists while Taher Khan presented the Player of the match trophy. Mr. Ahmed Al-Mahmeed & Abdulmohsen AlRushaid of NBK were the other guests to attend the presentation ceremony. Mahmoud Bastaki thanked all the Bank teams for their support & participation in the KBC league and extended his support to Kuwait Cricket. In the concluding speech, Mr. Asad Baig, Director General of Kuwait Cricket expressed his pleasure in having Kuwait Banks Club’s support in sponsoring the Bank league trophy.

Kuwait Cricket & Kuwait Banks Club exchanged mementos to commemorate the Kuwait Banks league cricket tournament.

KBC CUP Winners, Kuwait Finance House team with officials

Boubyan Bank team — KBC Plate Winners

Monfils in Weber Open q-finals HALLE: Gael Monfils reached the Gerry Weber Open quarterfinals yesterday then announced he will miss Wimbledon. After defeating Czech qualifier Jan Hernych 6-2, 6-3, Monfils said he withdrew his request for a Wimbledon wild card because he had to deal with a personal problem that could not be delayed. He didn’t elaborate.

Mikhail Youzhny also advanced to the last eight by upsetting fourth-seeded Kei Nishikori 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-3. German wild card Mischa Zverev advanced by beating Mirza Basic 7-6 (5), 6-3 after coming from behind in both sets.

Monfils was once ranked No. 7 in the world but the Frenchman missed several months last year because of a knee injury.

He was ranked No. 119 in May before jumping up to No. 67.

Monfils, who has never passed the third round at Wimbledon, said it was a pity he would have to miss it for the second straight year and fourth time in six years, especially because he felt he was beginning to play better on grass.

For a player who says he has trouble moving on grass, Monfils was at his acrobatic best against Hernych, at one point even having to jump over the net. Trying to

save a break point, the Czech qualifier dived to his right to reach a ball at the net and managed to send it over. Monfils raced forward, failed to reach it in time and his momentum carried him over the net. The two touched hands and Monfils got back to his side to eventually break serve for a decisive 4-2 lead in the second set.

The Frenchman’s enthusiasm did not always result in points - he once jumped high for a smash, only to rip it into the net.

But another time, he chased down a lob and hit a perfect backhand winner on the turn. “I was happy, I was having fun,” Monfils said. “Grass is not natural for me, but I am getting better. I have to focus on not falling, not injuring myself. I cannot take off as fast as I want to and I have problems braking. But I was comfortable today, I was leading all the time.”

Russia’s Youzhny was not quite as spectacular as Monfils but his steady game carried him past Nishikori in the first set.

“He started well, he was hitting a lot of first serves and I was missing everything,” the Japanese said. Nishikori said it was not easy to adjust to grass and that he would remain in Halle for a while to practice more and play doubles.—AP

Photo of the day

Marko Grilc performs at Ski Dubai in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. www.redbullcontentpool.com

Rain adds to Aussie woes BIRMINGHAM: Rain provided further frustration for Australia, on a day when they dropped David Warner for a bar-room attack on England’s Joe Root, as their Champions Trophy match against New Zealand ended in a no result.

Yesterday ’s wash-out at Edgbaston left defending champions Australia facing a tough battle to qualify for the semi-finals.

New Zealand, chasing 244 to win, were on 51 for two off 15 overs when rain stopped play in the Group A clash at 3.40pm local time (1440GMT).

Under the Duckworth/Lewis system for rain-affected matches, a minimum of 20 overs had to be bowled in the second innings for either side to win this fixture.

But at 6.25pm (1725GMT), the umpires decided no further play was possible. The first no result of the tournament saw both sides take a point apiece. That left New Zealand with three points after their one-wicket win over Sri Lanka and gave Australia their first point of this event after a 48-run loss to hosts England at Edgbaston last week. Australia, already without captain Michael Clarke because of a recurrence of his longstanding back problem, suffered a fresh blow before play started when opening batsman Warner was dropped as a disciplinary measure.

Warner was left out following allegations he’d physically assaulted Root in a Birmingham bar in the early hours of Sunday morning following the defeat by England.

Adam Voges’ top-scored with 71 in a total of 243 for eight with George Bailey, Australia’s stand-in captain, making 55 after winning the toss.

New Zealand left-arm quick Mitchell McClenaghan took four for 65. There was a moment of unintentional humour before play started when, during a montage of messages from team captains on the giant screens at Edgbaston, Clarke urged spectators to “drink within their boundaries”. But there was nothing funny for Australia about a collapse to 10 for two in what was a repeat of the 2009 Champions Trophy final they won in South Africa.

Shane Watson was caught behind off McClenaghan and Phillip Hughes was run out for nought by Martin Guptill, racing in from cover.

But coming in at 10 for two,

BIRMINGHAM: New Zealand wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi (left) watches a shot from Australia’s Adam Voges during the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy One Day International (ODI) cricket match. —AFP Bailey-who said Tuesday now was not the time for Australia “panic stations”-calmly repaired the early damage.

New Zealand off-spinner Nathan McCullum (two for 46) checked Australia’s progress with the wickets of Matthew Wade and Bailey.

Voges fell when he holed out off McClenaghan. But Glenn Maxwell,

brought in for Warner, added late impetus with an unbeaten 29 off just 22 balls including two sixes and a four.

The Black Caps’ reply started in fine style when Luke Ronchi, a former Australia international now playing for his native New Zealand, drove Mitchell Johnson through the covers for four.

But New Zealand were soon 26

for two as Clint McKay had Guptill caught at point and Ronchi taken at gully. Kane Williamson was 18 not out and Ross Taylor unbeaten on nine when the match was halted.

New Zealand conclude their group programme against England in Cardiff on Sunday, with Australia facing Sri Lanka at The Oval on Monday.—AFP

SCOREBOARD BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom: Final scoreboard in the Champions Trophy Group A match between Australia and New Zealand at Edgbaston yesterday: Australia S. Watson c Ronchi b McClenaghan 5 M. Wade lbw b N McCullum 29 P. Hughes run out (Guptill) 0 G. Bailey b N McCullum 55 A. Voges c B McCullum b McClenaghan 71 M. Marsh c Ronchi b McClenaghan 22 G. Maxwell not out 29 J. Faulkner c McClenaghan b Williamson 6 M. Johnson c B McCullum b McClenaghan 8 C. McKay not out 2 Extras (b1, lb7, w4, nb4) 16 Total (8 wkts, 50 overs) 243 Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Watson), 2-10 (Hughes), 3-74 (Wade), 4-151 (Bailey), 5-193 (Marsh), 6-196 (Voges), 7-210 (Faulkner), 8-219 (Johnson) Did not bat: X Doherty

Bowling: Mills 6-1-19-0; McClenaghan 10-0-65-4 (4nb, 3w); Vettori 10-1-23-0; Southee 4-1-26-0; N McCullum 10-0-46-2 (1w); Williamson 10-0-56-1.

New Zealand L. Ronchi c Watson b McKay 14 M. Guptill c Maxwell b McKay 8 K. Williamson not out 18 R. Taylor not out 9 Extras (lb1, w1) 2 Total (2 wkts, 15 overs) 51 Fall of wickets: 1-18 (Guptill), 2-26 (Ronchi) Did not bat: B McCullum, J Franklin, N McCullum, D Vettori, T Southee, K Mills, M McClenaghan Bowling: Johnson 4-0-18-0; McKay 4-0-10-2 (1w); Watson 3-1-11-0; Faulkner 3-0-7-0; Doherty 1-0-4-0.

Result: No result, rain

Warner dropped after bar-room attack on Root BIRMINGHAM: Australia’s David Warner was dropped for their Champions Trophy match against New Zealand yesterday, Cricket Australia said, after a bar-room attack on England’s Joe Root.

Cricket Australia said opening batsman Warner had been reported for breaching its code of conduct relating to “unbecoming behaviour” after a “physical altercation” with an unnamed player on Sunday after the two teams’ Champions Trophy match, which England won.

England captain Alastair Cook later confirmed the identity of the player involved as Yorkshire batsman Root. “Joe seems fine,” Cook told a news conference ahead of England’s next match against Sri Lanka at The Oval today. “We have investigated the matter, we believe we have not done anything wrong.”

Britain’s Sky Sports News television quoted the manager of the Australian theme bar Walkabout in Birmingham’s entertainment district, where the incident took place, as saying that players from both sides were there between 1:30am (0030 GMT) and 2:30am.

There was a “small altercation” but all the players got on well afterwards and Warner picked up the bar tab, he added.

The BBC reported Warner swung a punch at Root, who took a glancing blow to the chin. Warner contacted Root on Sunday to apologise and the England batsman accepted the apology, the broadcaster said.

The England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement that Warner “initiated an unprovoked physical attack” after England’s 48-run victory at Edgbaston on Saturday.

“Warner has admitted behaving inappropriately and has since apologised to the player involved who has accepted the apology,” the ECB added.

“Following a full investigation the England team management has concluded that the England player was in no way responsible for nor retaliated to the attack.”

CA said earlier that Warner had been “stood down” for the New Zealand match, pending the outcome of a disciplinary hearing. An Australia team spokeswoman in Birmingham said she had no idea when the hearing would take place.

Despite being dropped by the defending champions, Warner joined the Australia squad in their pre-match warm-up at Edgbaston and carried out drinks as 12th man when play got underway.

Rain meant the match ended in a no result,

leaving Australia with one point ahead of their final Group A fixture against Sri Lanka in London on Monday.

Australia stand-in captain George Bailey, leading the side in the absence of the injured Michael Clarke, defended Warner’s conduct by saying he’d been involved in a “very minor incident”.

“From my point of view it’s disappointing but it’s a very minor incident and it’s being dealt with in-house,” said Bailey.

“I love playing cricket with him (Warner),” Bailey added. “I wish I had the talent he does.” Bailey said he had no qualms regarding Warner’s presence at Edgbaston. “Certainly not from the team perspective. “I thought he took it on the chin... no pun intended,” added Bailey.

Warner last month came under fire for a Twitter tirade directed at two respected Australian cricket journalists after a story about corruption and fixing in the Indian Premier League was illustrated with a picture of him.

After posting a tweet laden with expletives aimed at journalist Robert Craddock, Warner took issue with Craddock’s News Limited colleague Malcolm Conn in abusive tweets that sparked a back-and-forth exchange.—AFP

19

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

SPORTS

Uruguay, Colombia and Chile all win BUENOS AIRES: Strikers Falcao, Alexis Sanchez and Edinson Cavani all scored as Colombia ate into Argentina’s lead, Chile notched a second successive win and Uruguay revived their hopes in South American World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.

Falcao’s early penalty, taking his tally to seven in the competition, put Colombia on the road to a 2-0 home win over Peru that leaves them three points behind leaders Argentina with a game in hand.

“Falcao was essential in the first half as Peru were unable to deal with his movement. He makes fantastic runs (off the ball)... the ‘Tiger’ is phenomenal,” Colombia coach Jose Pekerman told reporters.

Cavani struck a fine goal as Uruguay beat Venezuela 1-0 away for their first win in seven qualifiers, lifting the 2010 World Cup semi-finalists up to fifth in the nine-nation group, which would earn them a playoff should they maintain the position.

Uruguay leapfrogged Venezuela, a well-drilled outfit looking to take their country to the finals for the first time in Brazil next year, on goal difference with four matches remaining.

“We were aware that it could have all been over for us today,” Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez, deprived of top scorer Luis Suarez through suspension, said.

“We can’t say the situation has got comfortable but it’s an important step.” Venezuela remain confident of qualifying, despite the setback. “We still have chances and I’m not going to surrender,” coach Cesar Farias said.

“We dominated the whole

SANTIAGO: Chile’s Jean Beausejour (right) vies for the ball with Bolivia’s Vicente Arze during their FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 South American qualifying football match. —AFP

WCup a year away, Brazil vows to be ready BRASILIA: Brazil arrived at the one-year mark to the World Cup yesterday admitting to mistakes in its preparations but vowing to be ready in time.

After facing difficulties getting its stadiums open for the Confederations Cup, the eight-nation warmup tournament that begins in Brasilia on Saturday, Brazil is promising that things will be different ahead of the 32-team World Cup. FIFA said it won’t accept it any other way, and Brazilian authorities and local organizers say delays that plagued construction work before the Confederations Cup won’t be an issue next year.

Brazil just barely got six stadiums prepared for the Confederations Cup. Only two were completed by the original deadline in December, and in some cases there was time for only one test event before the venues were to host official matches in the tournament for continental champions.

That was what happened in Brasilia and in Rio de Janeiro, home of the final at the renovated Maracana Stadium on June 30.

“I do believe we could have delivered them sooner to allow for the realization of more test events, which could have anticipated some of the problems that arose during those test events,” Brazil Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo said. “Apart from that, I believe that all requirements were executed in accordance with expectations and that we will have a Confederations Cup that will be held as expected.” FIFA has made clear that Brazil will have to do a better job for the World Cup, when the expectations will be much higher and the number of visitors will increase.

The Brazilians said FIFA should not worry about the delivery of the remain-

ing six stadiums being built for the World Cup. “This first delivery was actually the hardest deadline to meet,” Rebelo said on a conference call this week. “The evolution of the construction work of these stadiums ... indicates that, yes, they can and will be delivered in December. We have been in close contact with the responsible parties for these stadiums to make sure that those deadlines are fulfilled.”

The government said infrastructure projects not ready in time for the Confederations Cup will also be finalized by the World Cup. “We have been monitoring transportation and urban mobility on a daily basis,” Rebelo said. “These works will be delivered in time, together with the next six stadiums. Airport, security, telecommunications and urban mobility will be ready and compatible with the expectations held by the country and by the world.”

But not everybody is celebrating in Brazil as the World Cup approaches.

There have been complaints because of the high costs of the stadiums and of the government’s decision to suspend laws to abide by FIFA requirements.

And on Saturday, the day Brazil opens the Confederations Cup against Japan, Rio residents evicted because of World Cup and projects for the 2016 Rio Olympics will stage what they call a “People’s Cup,” calling attention to what they say are human rights violations. Local organizers and government officials have said all evictions have happened according to law.

Later Wednesday, FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke and World Cup ambassador Pele were to participate at an event at Copacabana Beach marking one year to the World Cup.—AP

VENEZUELA: Uruguayan Diego Lugano (left) vies for the ball with Venenzuela’s Jose Rondon during their FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 South American qualifying football match. —AFP match but it’s not about who deserves the win, it’s about who scores the goals,” captain Juan Arango added.

Chile benefited from the revived goal instincts of Sanchez and the return after eight years of 33-year-old midfielder David Pizarro in a 3-1 home win over Bolivia that consolidated fourth place behind Ecuador on goal difference.

“David gave us a lot of clarity, the possibility of many assists and depth. I’m very pleased with his performance,” Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli said.

Ecuador will rue their poor fin-

ishing after failing to take more than one goal from an endless string of corners and free kicks in a 1-1 draw with an Argentina side missing Lionel Messi for an hour and struggling in the thin air in Quito.

In two qualifiers this month, Ecuador have picked up only one point and slipped in the standings while Chile, equal on 21 points, are breathing down their necks and Uruguay and Venezuela pose a latent threat.

Ecuador’s run of six home victories in as many matches was halted by Argentina, who took an early lead with a Sergio Aguero

Mexico held at home again MEXICO: Mexico were booed off the field by a boisterous crowd after being held to a 0-0 draw at home to Costa Rica in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2014 World Cup on Tuesday, their third successive goalless draw at the Azteca Stadium.

The United States took control of the sixteam qualifying group with an impressive 2-0 win over Panama, while Honduras kept alive their hopes of making it to the finals in Brazil next year with a 2-0 win over bottom team Jamaica.

Three teams qualify automatically from CONCACAF to next year’s World Cup finals in Brazil while the fourth placed team will meet Oceania winners New Zealand in a twolegged playoff for one further spot. The United States lead at the halfway stage of the qualifying round on 10 points from five games followed by Costa Rica on eight points from the same number of games while Mexico are also on eight points having played an extra game.

Honduras have seven points from five games, Panama have six points (five games) and Jamaica two points (six games).

Mexico entered the final qualifying round in North and Central America and the Caribbean as strong favourites to top the group but while few would bet against them making it to Brazil, ‘El Tri’ are making hard work of it.

After scoreless draws with Jamaica and the U.S. at home and another away to Panama on Friday, Mexico were under pressure to find their scoring touch but created far too little, which inflamed their fans’ passions.

As well as the boos at fulltime, the Azteca crowd called for Mexico coach Jose Manuel de la Torre to quit or be sacked while during the game they threw objects onto the field, which could see the Mexican Football Federation fined.

The worst occurrence happened when Costa Rica forward Bryan Ruiz needed police with shields to protect him after he went to take a corner and he was subjected to a barrage of objects, including a plastic bottle, being thrown at him.

Costa Rica’s disciplined defensive display also added to the Mexicans frustrations after

MEXICO: Costa Rica’s Bryan Ruiz (left) vies for the ball with Mexico’s Andres Guardado (center) and Carlos Salcido (right) during their FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 CONCACAF qualifier football match. —AFP the visitors had almost grabbed an early lead when forward Joel Campbell struck the post in the fourth minute.

Campbell then forced Mexico keeper Jose de Jesus Corona into action with a low drive after great work from Cristian Bolanos as the visitors enjoyed the early chances.

Two minutes before the break, Ruiz blasted over from a promising position just outside the area. Mexico came out with attacking intent after the break with Carlos Salcido’s near post drive well parried by Costa Rica keeper Keilor Navas.

At times ‘El Tri’ laid siege to the Costa Rican penalty area but they lacked invention and there were few clear cut chances as the two sides shared the points.

Goals in each half from Jozy Altidore and Eddie Johnson gave Juergen Klinsmann’s United States victory over a Panama team who went into the game unbeaten in the final

Striker Robin Ngalande put the home team ahead a minute into the second half on an artificial pitch and midfielder Jamal Mohamed levelled soon after.

A goal from veteran midfielder Robert Ng’ambi 10 minutes before time offered Malawi hope of a rare home win only for substitute Kayira to blunder.

The sole Malawi victory in five minileague qualifiers was away to Namibia three months ago with all three home games drawn. Namibia host Nigeria just 48 hours after Sweden-born national coach Roger Palmgren quit owing to unspecified death threats against him and his family.—AFP

round of qualifying.

Altidore slotted home in the 36th minute, getting on the end of a low cross from Fabian Johnson after Michael Bradley had broken from midfield.

Eddie Johnson, playing in front of his home crowd in Seattle, then wrapped up the win with a confident finish after a superb crossfield pass from Geoff Cameron.

Honduras beat struggling Jamaica after Oscar Boniek Garcia put them ahead in the 10th minute after good work from Roger Espinoza.

The Reggae Boyz were reduced to 10 men in the 76th minute when Adrian Mariappa was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Honduras wrapped up victory with two minutes remaining when Roger Rojas intercepted a back pass, rounded Donovan Ricketts and slipped the ball into the empty net.—Reuters

Armenia drubs Danes

Malawi draw opens the door for Nigeria JOHANNESBURG: Malawi were held 2-2

by Kenya in a World Cup qualifier yesterday, opening the door for Nigeria to win Group F. Nigeria have a one-point lead over Malawi and victory in a late yesterday fixture away to Namibia will give them an unassailable four-point advantage.

They would be the first country to reach the final Africa zone round, which comprises five home-and-away ties with the winners qualifying for Brazil.

Malawi led twice at Kamuzu Stadium in commercial capital Blantyre only for Kenya to get a last-minute reprieve when Chimango Kayira scored an own goal.

penalty, and they now have only one fixture at high altitude, Uruguay in October, out of their four remaining qualifiers.

Argentina, who have drawn their last three matches albeit two at high altitude, have a bye in the next round on Sept. 6 when Colombia can catch them at the top if they beat Ecuador at home.

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 Uruguay on 16 points, will enter a playoff against an Asian qualifier in November for another spot.—Reuters

COPENHAGEN: Denmark’s William Kvist (center) jumps between Armenia‘s Karlen Mkrtchyan (left) and Varazdat Haroyan (right) during the FIFA Wold Cup 2014 qualification match. —AFP

ARMENIA: Armenia’s Yura Movsisyan scored twice as his unfancied side handed Denmark a shock 4-0 home defeat in their World Cup Group B qualifier, leaving the hosts with little chance of qualifying for Brazil.

The Danish nightmare in Copenhagen started after 27 seconds, Movsisyan firing home following a mistake by defender Simon Kjaer.

Kjaer was again the villain as Armenia doubled their lead in the 19th minute, keeping the Armenians onside as Aras Ozbiliz fired home.

Spartak Moscow striker Movsisyan netted his second on the hour mark and the Danes looked down and out, failing to create and looking vulnerable on the break as their normally slick passing touch deserted them.

With the Danes pouring aimlessly forward in search of a goal, Armenia’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan added a late fourth - his goal ironically applauded by the Danish fans. The heavy home defeat leaves Denmark in fifth place on six points, level with Armenia in fourth. Italy lead the group on 14 points, with Bulgaria in the playoff spot in second on 10 points and the Czech Republic a point further back in third after six of 10 matches. —Reuters

Spurs rout Heat in Game 3

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

17

Rain adds to Aussie woes

18

Warner dropped after bar-room attack on Root Page 18

SOLNA: Sweden’s forward and team captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic controls the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2014 qualifying match against Faroe Islands. Sweden won 2-0. — AFP

Ibra steers Sweden to victory PARIS: Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored both goals as Sweden beat the Faroe Islands 2-0 to earn three crucial points in their quest to qualify for the 2014 World Cup on Tuesday, but their Scandinavian neighbors Denmark suffered a crushing 4-0 home defeat to Armenia.

Paris Saint-Germain striker Ibrahimovic stabbed home the opener from close range 10 minutes before the interval at the Friends Arena in the Stockholm suburb of Solna, and then added a penalty eight minutes from time.

Sweden were ultimately comfortable winners despite the sending-off of Andreas Granqvist towards the end, and Erik Hamren’s side climb back into third place in qualifying Group C. With 11 points from six games, the Swedes are five points behind leaders Germany but level on points with second-placed Austria and the Republic of Ireland in fourth.

Their next game is away to Ireland in September. Meanwhile, Denmark’s chances of qualifying for a third consecutive major tourna-

ment finals received a hammer blow as they went down 4-0 to Armenia in Copenhagen.

The forward Yura Movsisyan, who once had a spell in the Danish league but now plays for Spartak Moscow, scored twice for the former Soviet republic with Aris Ozbiliz and Shakhtar Donetsk star Henrikh Mkhitaryan also on target.

The scoreline equalled Armenia’s biggest ever victory, while for Denmark it was a heaviest defeat in a competitive match since going down 5-1 to Spain at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

Their chances of reaching the 2014 finals now appear slim. With four games remaining in Group B, Morten Olsen’s team are eight points behind leaders Italy and four adrift of Bulgaria in second. Armenia, meanwhile, move level on points with the Danes with the two teams due to meet again in September.

Elsewhere, in Group I, Finland’s chances of finishing second received a blow as they only managed a 1-1 draw in Belarus, a result that leaves the Finns four points behind France.

In Ro de Janeiro, Italy were embarrassed by

Haiti on Tuesday as the unheralded Caribbean side scored two goals in the last five minutes to secure a 2-2 draw in a friendly despite falling behind after 19 seconds.

Haiti’s players, who gave Spain a few frights before losing 2-1 to the world champions at the weekend, celebrated deliriously on the pitch at Vasco da Gama’s Sao Januario stadium after shocking their illustrious opponents who slunk quietly away.

Italy, playing only 36 hours after arriving in Brazil for the Confederations Cup, went ahead through Emanuele Giaccherini before Haiti had even touched the ball and, after their opponents had wasted several chances to equalise, added a second through Claudio Marchisio in the 72nd minute.

They seemed to have survived everything Haiti could throw at them until Davide Astori fouled Jean-Eudes Maurice in the penalty area and Olrish Saurel converted the penalty with five minutes to go. Italy looked dazed and weary when a long ball forward found Jean

Messi, father deny tax crime allegations MADRID: Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi denied stunning allegations yesterday that he and his father engaged in tax fraud worth more than four million euros ($5 million).

The 25-year-old Argentina international and fourtime World Player of the year expressed shock at the accusation by Spanish financial crimes prosecutors.

“We are surprised about this news because we have never committed any infringement,” the striker said in an English-language statement released on his Facebook account.

“We have always fulfilled all our tax obligations, following the advice of our tax consultants who will take care of clarifying this situation,” Messi said.

The player said he had just heard of the move against him through the media. Messi and his father Jorge Horacio Messi were accused of fiddling the taxes in a legal filing lodged by financial crimes prosecutor Raquel Amado, a copy of which was obtained by AFP. “It is all a mistake, you have to speak about this to the tax experts and lawyers who need to clear it up,” the player’s father told Spanish sports daily AS. “I don’t understand what is going on. I don’t manage these matters, I am resident in Argentina,” he said.

The father said he had not spoken to his son about the reports. “I don’t need to since it is a mistake. Why would I shock him?”

The allegations were filed in a court in Catalonia, where Messi is resident, but judges could yet refuse to let it proceed, a judicial source told AFP. If it were to go ahead, it would represent a huge blow to the prestige of Messi, who has long been seen as a more humble figure than most top-class foot-

ballers and particularly his Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi’s achievements on the field have made him one of the most marketable sportsmen in the world, however. Indeed, the Argentine was ranked 10th amongst Forbes’ list of sports stars’ incomes this month with an annual $21m from endorsements alone. The player and his father are accused of three crimes of defrauding the state of taxes related to income from the use of his image from 2006-2009.

The allegations centre on tax declarations made in 2007, 2008 and 2009. The striker and his father aimed to “deceive” the taxman by ceding Messi’s image rights to companies based in tax havens such as Belize and Uruguay, the prosecutor’s complaint said.

They drew up deals related to his image rights in Britain and Switzerland, ensuring that the income went straight to the tax havens without any tax being paid, it said. Messi and his father acted with “total opaqueness” towards the Spanish authorities, the filing said. The complaint lodged with the court in Gava, near Barcelona, accused them of defrauding the state of 1.06 million euros in 2007, 1.57 million euros in 2008, and 1.53 million euros in 2009.

The father was accused of being the brains behind the scheme, allegedly setting it up in 2005 before his son turned 18 on June 24 of that year.

The prosecutor said Messi later agreed with his father’s tactics so that he would avoid any taxes on income from the use of his image rights during the period. The income related to his image rights included contracts with FC Barcelona, Banco Sabadell, Danone, Adidas, Pepsi-Cola, Procter & Gamble and Kuwait Food Company. — AFP

Philippe Peguero and he poked it past goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigiu to the joy of the neutrals in the crowd.

“We know that 2-2 is a really bad result,” a sheepish Italy coach Cesare Prandelli told RAI television. “We agreed to play this match, we arrived yesterday, we made a lot of changes but we needed to show a different spirit.”

“You could see today we lost every single sprint, so we hope in five days the team can begin to deliver.” The sides had met once before at the 1974 World Cup when Haiti memorably took the lead before Italy eventually hit back to win 3-1.

Haiti had lost their previous six matches and looked set to continue their run when their static defence allowed Giaccherini to nip in and score Italy’s fastest-ever goal after Antonio Candreva had pulled the ball back.

Italy, preparing for the Confederations Cup, began with a second string line-up and failed to build on the goal, struggling to create further chances.

Haiti, ranked 63rd by FIFA, gained confidence and Jeff Louis tested Italy goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu for the first time with a swerving longrange shot.

They began to create more chances after halftime as Jean Sony Alceant’s cross flashed across the face of the goal, Kevin La France headed wide from a corner and Maurice fired wide when he should have at least hit the target.

Italy then brought on three heavyweights as Riccardo Montolivo, Stephan El Shaaraway and Mario Balotelli entered the fray and quickly added a second.

Thinking the ball had gone out of play, the Haiti defence stopped as Balotelli pulled it back from the byline for El Shaaraway and, although his effort was saved, Marchisio slotted home the rebound.

Italy seemed to switch off after that and a vibrant Haiti, sensing their chance, kept pouring forward and were rewarded with a memorable draw. — Agencies

Olympic hero Hidayat bids emotional farewell

Argentina’s Lionel Messi

JAKARTA: Indonesia’s former Olympic and world champion Taufik Hidayat bid an emotional farewell yesterday to a colorful career that made him one of badminton’s biggest stars in front of a roaring home crowd.

With hundreds of fans cheering “Taufik can” and waving banners that read “Legend”, the 31-year-old played his final professional match at the Indonesia Open, a tournament that he has won six times.

While the first-round match ended with his defeat to India’s Sai Praneeth and an early exit from the tournament, Hidayat had not expected to go far against a tough field and still walked off the court a hero to his fans.

“What’s really difficult is leaving badminton, a sport I have known for the past 25 years, 18 years as a professional player,” an emotional Hidayat told reporters after the game.

Hidayat, once notorious as the bad boy of badminton who was sometimes compared to outspoken tennis great John McEnroe, showed a much softer side as he prepared to hang up his racket. “Henceforth, I will focus on my family,” he said at the post-match press conference, with his young daughter sitting at his side.

He did however admit to being disappointed at losing to Praneeth-ranked 20 places below him-and said he hoped the public would not “judge me only in this tournament”.

Hidayat won the first set of the match, which was delayed by several hours, 21-15 with some strong backhand shots and good play at the net.

But he began to flag in the second set against an opponent 11 years his junior, and went on to lose the set 12-21. By the final set, Hidayat’s shots were failing to pass the net, and Praneeth won it 21-17.

The defeat will come as no surprise, as Hidayat had failed to clinch major titles for several years. His early exit from the tournament is unlikely to overshadow a career that made him into a sporting icon in his home country.

With a distinctive, languid style that made the fast-paced game look effortless, he won Indonesia’s first Olympic gold medal at Athens in 2004, famously weeping when he received it, and was crowned world champion in 2005.

But he also had his fair share of controversies during his career. He once split from the Indonesian Badminton Association and based himself in Singapore, and on one occasion was ordered off the courts by security staff after a stand-off with officials at the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.

Hidayat reportedly attacked a spectator at the 2001 national championships, and he walked out of a match during the 2002 Asian Games-which he later won in a dispute over line-judging. — AFP

Business

Bankrupt Iran plans taxes to keep afloat Page 22 US growth to pick up in second half of 2013 Page 24

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

India trade output growth slides to 2%

Middle East should nurture CSR for economic prosperity

Page 23

Page 23

ATHENS: A man walks past a wall art showing a television test pattern and reading “no signal” yesterday. —AFP

Greece in crisis over state TV closure Setbacks follow failure of key gas privatisation ATHENS: Greece’s government faced an internal revolt and public outrage yesterday over the sudden closure of state broadcaster ERT, hours after the humiliation of seeing its bourse downgraded to emerging market status. The twin setbacks, coupled with the derailing of a troubled privatisation programme, reversed a rise in investor confidence that had prompted Prime Minister Antonis Samaras to say the risk of a “Grexit” from the euro was dead and a “Greekovery” was under way.

Yields on Greece’s 10-year benchmark bond crept back above 10 percent after Athens failed to sell state gas firm DEPA on Monday, putting it at risk of missing bailout targets. The stock market traded at two-month lows after Greece became the first developed nation ever to be lowered to emerging market status by equity index provider MSCI. Samaras’s government declined comment on the market reclassification as it tried to fend off a growing backlash against ERT’s dramatic closure that prompted outrage from journalists, unions and leaders across the political spectrum.

The public broadcaster was yanked off air

just hours after the shutdown was announced in what the government said was a temporary measure to staunch an “incredible waste” of taxpayers’ money prior to its relaunch as a slimmed-down station. Labour unions called a 24-hour national work stoppage for Thursday and journalists went on an open-ended strike, forcing a news blackout on privately owned television and newspapers. “The strike will only end when the government takes back this coup d’etat which gags information,” the ESIEA union said.

Some ERT journalists occupied the broadcaster’s building in defiance of government orders and broadcasted over the Internet, showing sombre newscasters deploring the shutdown and replaying images of thousands gathered outside to protest. ERT’s reporters from as far away as Australia appeared on air to describe the outrage of local Greek communities. “It is our only link with our homeland,” said Odysseas Mandeakis, president of the Greek community in Zambia.

Very worrying In Athens, the ERT crisis overshadowed

MSCI’s reclassification of the country, whose bourse it said had not met the developed market criteria for size for two years. Still, brokers said the move could trigger inflows to the bourse. “Emerging market funds could not enter since Greece was classified as developed market, now it will be on their radar,” said Theodore Krintas, head of wealth management at Attica Bank.

Analysts said the outcry over the state broadcaster posed a more immediate threat to the government, even though ERT’s three statewide channels have a combined audience share of barely 13 percent. About 2,000 of its 2,600 employees are non-journalists. The government promised to relaunch ERT within weeks, saying it was taken off air so suddenly only due to fears that workers would damage state equipment.

“Some people are saying that what you are doing is outrageous,” Samaras said. “It’s our duty to stop what has been happening so far, stop hiding our problems and finally start dealing with them”. A senior government official said Athens was under pressure to show visiting EU and IMF inspectors that it had a

plan to fire 2,000 state workers as required under its bailout, and the ERT shutdown was the only option available to meet the target.

The European Commission said it did not seek ERT’s closure under the bailout but did not question the decision either. France’s Socialist government voiced outright condemnation, calling it “very worrying and regrettable”.

Indefinite strike Many Greeks have little love for ERT journalists and the state broadcaster is often cited as an example of inefficiency, overspending and jobs given in return for political favours.

But the speed and suddenness of the shutdown - ERT screens abruptly went black just before midnight - stunned Greeks long used to the slow pace of public sector restructuring.

“It had to happen. ERT was a big fat feast for the political par ties,” said Maria Panagiotou, a 65-year-old retiree. “But the way they did it is unacceptable. How can this happen in Europe?” The closure opened cracks in Samaras’s fragile three -par ty coalition.

Samaras’s two junior partners, the Socialist

PASOK and the Democratic Left, said they would table a law to cancel the decision and complained they were not consulted.

But they stopped short of saying the row could bring the government down. PASOK convened an emergency party meeting. “It could be highly destabilising if it moves to a confrontation in parliament where the two smaller political parties have to humble themselves to avoid a next election or stick to it and force a next election,” said political analyst Theodore Couloumbis. The decision was taken by ministerial decree, meaning that it can be implemented without immediate reference to parliament.

Opposition leader Alexis Tsipras met President Karolos Papoulias to protest, calling the move “a coup, not only against ERT workers but against the Greek people”, and accused the government of the “historic responsibility of gagging state TV”. The farright Golden Dawn party was the only one who openly welcomed the closure, with lawmaker Ilias Panagiotaros tweeting: “ERT, that Socialist-Communist shack, is finally closing.” —Reuters

Baby bounce: Royal infant may help UK economy LONDON: British officials are hoping that the impending royal birth will produce a bouncing baby buoy for the economy. With the Duchess of Cambridge due to give birth to an heir to the throne next month, it’s time for citizens and groups to consider how to best mark the moment. Happy occasions often boost consumer confidence, sparking a spring in the step that leads right to the shopping mall for street party snacks, summer frocks and suntan lotion. And happy national occasions with the royal family and a new heir hit an emotional jackpot in Britain - boosting national pride along with tea, cakes and commemorative china.

“Royal fever is more intense now, actually,” said Pauline Maclaran, a professor of marketing and consumer research at Royal Holloway and the co-author of “Tiaras, Tea Towels and Tourism: Consuming the British Royal Family,” which will be published by the University of California Press. “At a time of crisis, when there is financial depression, people look for something to lift themselves.”

Britain really could use some consumer confidence right now. The economy is so flat no one has any idea how to pick it up. It grew last quarter at the less-than-stunning rate of 0.3 percent. But trend watchers say the royal birth is being seen as the country’s latest installment of “Big Events.” First, in April 2011, there was the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, an extravaganza of horse-

drawn carriages, breast-plated soldiers and white lace gowns. Then came the June 2012 Jubilee flotilla down the River Thames - a procession of some 1,000 highly decorated boats, all honoring Queen Elizabeth II’s 60 years on the throne.

Within months, London hosted the 2012 Summer Olympics, kicking it off with a flagwaving, torch-lit procession celebrating every scenic bit of this island nation, from Land’s End in the west to the Scottish village of John o’Groats in the north. The mood was extended another month by the most watched, mostcelebrated Paralympics in history. A study issued earlier this month by UK Trade & Investment suggested the 2012 “Summer of Sport,” delivered 2.5 billion pounds ($3.9 billion) in foreign direct investment resulting from business events launched during the games. More comprehensive numbers on the games are expected later.

Richard Cope, director of trends at the global market research firm Mintel, says the possibilities abound for using the royal birth to economic advantage. “These kinds of events do raise sense people’s sense of pride,” Cope said. “It makes them enjoy being British.”

And they make people all over the world curious about kings and queens and castles.

The Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace and other royal-related tourist attractions bring in more than 500 million pounds ($765 million) a year from overseas tourists, and pre-

dictions are for a 3 percent increase this year after all the hoo-ha of 2012.

VisitBritain estimates that culture and heritage - which include theaters, galleries, castles, stately homes and pubs - generates 4.6 billion pounds a year in total spending by overseas tourists. And while a royal birth isn’t a typical economic event, things have a way of morphing in the social media age. The royals have come a long way since 1948, when Prince Charles’ birth was announced by a footman who tacked a note to the railing outside Buckingham Palace.

William’s engagement was announced on Twitter and on the monarchy website - which allows the royals to speak directly to the public. Between direct access and media excess, just about anything that touches the Windsors gets a maximum amount of attention. The royals are marketplace movers in a way that goes way beyond commemorative china. When the Duchess of Cambridge wore a sapphire blue wrap dress to announce her engagement, designer Daniella Helayel found herself swamped with international attention - and buyers - within minutes.

But it didn’t end there. Style bloggers now hunt down what the duchess is wearing with astonishing speed. The demure black dress with a white Peter Pan collar from Topshop that she wore for a charity appeal cost 42 pounds ($65) and was available to anyone with a speedy modem. Ditto her coats, shoes and

bags. Kate has made a point of choosing brands that are both accessible and British and retail experts expect that trend to continue with her royal offspring. New moms and dads will want not only the baby Windsor’s onesie, but also the baby carriage, the rattle and the teddy bear -followed by the royal tricycle, the scooter and on. Maclaran says it’s not so much as a royal baby bounce but a steady drive toward the cash register that just keeps going as the little one grows up.

“And they’re bound to have more!” she said with glee. The royals have also done marketers a favor by exhibiting extreme tolerance in allowing the public to create stuff in their image. Unlike the International Olympic Committee, which guards its trademark interlocked rings with formidable force, Windsor Inc. pretty much lets the people poke fun at them. The royal wedding, for example, spawned artist Lydia Keith’s barf bags - an idea she carried over to the royal birth with a “Shake, Rattle & Rule” royal morning sickness sick bag, which comes in baby blue and soft pink.

Allowing jokes - and laughing along allows the public to bond with Britain’s royal family, Maclaran said. “The irreverent thing is what makes us love them,” she said. That’s good for Ray Duffy, the managing director of Mask-arade, the Southam-based company that makes paper masks which are pictures of the royals with holes for the eyes.— AP

SOUTHAM: Pam Cooper from the Mask-arade mask company loads boxes of Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge masks ready for dispatch at the company works in Southam, England. —AP

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

BUSINESS

India’s Apollo Tyres to buy Cooper Tire for $2.22bn NEW DELHI: India’s Apollo Tyres Ltd. is buying Ohio’s Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. for about $2.22 billion, boosting its presence in North America and other key markets around the world. Apollo said yesterday that the combined company will be one of the world’s largest tire makers, with a strong presence across four continents and combined 2012 sales of $6.6 billion.

Their tire brands include Apollo, Cooper, Roadmaster and Vredestein. Under the terms of the deal, Cooper shareholders will receive $35 per share in cash. The price rep-

resents a 42 percent premium over Cooper’s Tuesday closing stock price. Cooper shares jumped 40 percent to $34.47 in premarket trading yesterday. Based on the company’s 63.3 million outstanding shares, the deal is worth about $2.22 billion.

The companies valued the sale at about $2.5 billion. Apollo Chairman Onkar Kanwar said the combined company will be uniquely positioned to serve both large, established markets, such as the US and Europe, as well as fast-growing markets such as India,

China, Africa and Latin America.

Findlay, Ohio-based Cooper said the deal is in the best interests of its shareholders. Apollo didn’t say if any jobs would be eliminated as part of the sale, but said it expects Cooper to continue to operate out of its facilities around the world. In addition, Cooper executives are expected to continue leading the company and Cooper will continue to recognize its labor union and honor the terms of contracts currently in effect. It also plans to generally maintain pay and benefit

levels for non-union employees.

With a history dating back to 1914, Cooper currently employs nearly 13,000 people around the world and has manufacturing plants on three continents. Its brands include Cooper, Mastercraft, Dean, Starfire, Roadmaster and others. Its 2012 revenue totaled $4.2 billion. Last month, the company said its first-quarter profit more than doubled to $56.1 million, as lower raw material and manufacturing costs more than offset a double digit drop in sales stemming from lower global

Bankrupt Iran plans taxes to keep afloat

OPEC pumping as oil demand softens

US sanctions cripple economy PARIS: Iran is bankrupt and the regime is mulling drastic measures to keep the economy afloat, an official from an opposition movement said yesterday, citing what he claimed were leaked documents. “I have decided to publish these documents because they touch the lives of all Iranians, bear witness to the catastrophic situation in the country as well as the post-election plot prepared by the regime,” Amir Hossein Jahanshahi, the founder of the Green Wave opposition group, told reporters in Paris.

He distributed copies of a document which he described as a report by the Iranian central bank’s governor Mahmoud Bahmani. Dated April 4, it was sent to top government officials and paints a picture of a country that is financially on its knees. Iran, which holds presidential elections tomorrow, is grappling with crippling inflation. Its currency, the rial, has lost more than two-thirds of its value against the dollar since early 2012 when the United States and the

European Union announced new sanctions against Iran’s oil exports and access to the global banking system.

The devaluation of the rial, coupled with difficulties in repatriating petrodollars, has pushed prices of imported products through the roof, forcing many buyers to turn to Iranian-made alternatives. “The banking system is contending with an impossible combination of credit and liquidity crisis, negative real interest, and a shortage of capital,” the central bank report said, according to a translation into English provided

by Green Wave.

The report said the central bank needed 500,000 billion rial (30 billion euros, $40 billion) to support ailing banks. “ The imbalance between income and expenses in foreign currency caused by a 50 percent reduction in oil sales as well as a large injection of foreign currency into the market has exacerbated the pressure on foreign currency reserves in addition to

loss of access to a substantial proportion of the foreign currency reserves due to the sanctions.”

The document also put the unemployment rate for those aged between 15 and 29 at 38.8 percent. Another document from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council dated April 10 evoked a 20 percent tax on bank accounts, food rations and putting the banking sector directly under the charge of the Guardians of the Revolution.

“The country is bankrupt,” said Jahanshahi.

“And the regime wants the people to pay, although it created this situation by financing terrorist movements and trying to make a nuclear bomb. “The sanctions are biting...the regime is on its knees,” he said, adding that he had decided to publish these documents as none of the presidential candidates had adequately addressed the issue in their campaign.

Although most candidates have pointed the finger at the government, they have been hesitant to promise a rapid economic recovery. —AFP

Nokia Asha Smartphone gets business functionality with mail for exchange Audi opens Hungary plant for A3 model GYOR: German car manufacturer Audi officially opened yesterday a 900-million-euro ($1.2billion) expansion of its plant in Hungary where the new premium compact A3 saloon model will be produced. The company, part of the Volkswagen group, earlier said the extension would hike output capacity at the factory in the northwestern town of Gyor to 125,000 vehicles annually from 33,500 last year. “The A3 models produced here will be the first models to be entirely manufactured here,” Thomas Faustmann, Audi’s Hungary head, said Wednesday at the opening ceremony. Until now the two models produced in Gyor-the A3 and TT models-were assembled from imported components. Audi-which began operations here in 1993 — took on 2,100 new staff in recent months in preparation for the opening of the new plant, raising the total headcount at the facility to 9,200. Over the last two decades, Gyor has been one of Audi’s most important engines of growth, said Rupert Stadler, the firm’s chief executive. —AFP

demand and tough economic conditions.

The company said at the time that it expected that weakness would continue through the current quarter and possibly beyond. Apollo, founded in 1972, produces premium and mid-tier tires in a variety of brands including Apollo and Vredestein. The sale, which remains subject to Cooper shareholder and regulatory approvals, is expected to close in the second half of this year. When that happens, Cooper will cease trading on the New York Stock Exchange. —AP

PARIS: OPEC continues to pump more oil despite sluggish economic growth dampening an increase in demand, the International Energy Agency said yesterday. The IEA, which advises oil consuming nations, said OPEC crude oil supply rose by about 135,000 barrels in May to the highest level for seven months at 30.89 million barrels per day (mbd). At the same time, the IEA revised down its forecast for demand for crude from the 12-nation cartel to 29.8 mbd in the second half of this year as the global economic rebound is expected to fainter than previously forecast. At a meeting last month, OPEC ministers kept their production ceiling at 30 mbd, where it has been since January 2012, although actual output has been running higher.

The IEA estimated OPEC’s effective spare capacity at 3.23 mbd in May, down from 3.47 mbd in April. OPEC heavyweight Saudi Arabia led the production gainers, with output jumping by 220,000 bd to a six-month high level of 9.56 mbd, which IEA put down to a seasonal increase for domestic use to meet peak air-conditioning needs. Despite international sanctions

Markets settle down after volatility LONDON: Markets recovered their poise yesterday, a day after investors around the world were spooked by the failure of the Bank of Japan to announce further easing measures.

On Tuesday, stocks were hit while the yen surged, particularly against the dollar, after Japan’s central bank kept policy unchanged.

Japan has been one of the main influences in the markets as investors have scrutinized the authorities’ attempts to get the country out of its two-decade stagnation.

In April, the Bank of Japan announced a massive stimulus in an attempt to get inflation up to 2 percent. The euphoria that drove the Nikkei up to five-year highs has since dissipated and the index is now around 20 percent down on its recent peak. The other major driver in markets has been the uncertainty over the future course of US monetary policy following a solid, if unspectacular, improvement in the economic data.

The markets now expect some reduction in the Federal Reserve’s monthly asset purchases sometime this year - the stimulus has been one of the main reasons why many assets, such as global stock markets and emerging markets, have bounced back over the past few years. Joshua Mahony, research analyst at Alpari, said the next crucial event in the markets is whether they recover to reach new highs - prior to the recent weakness, many stock indexes around the world had hit all-time levels.

“Should the markets suffer significant loss-

DUBAI: Nokia’s popular Asha platform has added another feather to its cap with the introduction of a Mail for Exchange app, allowing for unprecedented business functionality on the range of affordable Smartphones. Users can now send and receive office e-mails from the comfort of their mobile phones, following the introduction of the Mail for Exchange app in the Nokia Store. The new app, which is compatible with the Nokia Asha 311, 310, 309 and 308, allows users to sync their email, calendar and contacts data with Microsoft Exchange 2003, 2007, 2010 Servers and Microsoft Office 365 Mobility Online Service. “The introduction of the new app makes your Nokia Asha 311, 310, 309 & 308 ready for business. It will enable users to take their office wherever they go, enhancing their overall mobile experience for work,” said Tom Farrell, VP of Nokia Middle East.

To give users a full office experience, Nokia has also introduced further apps such as Editori Text and Sheet, which allow users to view and edit Microsoft Word and Excel documents on the go. This allows for increased flexibility in modifying, saving and sharing documents or spreadsheets for quick review right from your Nokia Asha phone. The Editori Text and Sheet also comes with other great features including rich text formatting; bold, italic, colors and underline to keep track of the changes made. The app recognizes hyperlinks, can enable users to view pictures and tables and save the document to your memory card immediately. “Nokia is committed to enhancing the user experience by delivering more capabilities on the Asha smartphone range,” added Farrell. “Last month, Nokia introduced the LINE messaging app in the Nokia store and we continue to build the app ecosystem for Asha, which we introduced in 2011 to connect the next billion people in emerging markets.”

over its disputed nuclear programme, Iran’s output edged up 30,000 bd to 2.68 mbd in May. The IEA estimated that imports of Iranian crude jumped to 1.39 mbd in May from 835 in April, which was mostly due to congestion at Chinese ports at the end of April delaying deliveries until May. Iraqi production slid by 100,000 bd to 3.14 mbd with exports down by 135,000 bd to 2.48 mbd as northern exports were crimped by repeated pipeline attacks and a dispute between the central government and the Kurdish region.

Kuwaiti production edged up to 2.84 mbd as did UAE output to 2.73 mbd, while Qatar was unchanged at 725,000 bd. Nigerian crude output fell to a six-month low of 1.96 mbd “as oil theft-related damage to pipelines continued to curb production,” said the IEA. Angolan production edged up to 1.78 mbd, with several fields expected to increase output to peak capacity within the next year and other fields to come on line. Libyan output dipped to 1.38 mbd on labour-related disruptions to oil flows, said the IEA. —AP

es within the coming week without reaching previous highs, the market perception would be that a lower high has been formed; the prerequisite for a reversal in the markets,” said Joshua Mahony, research analyst at Alpari.

“Subsequently, a shift below previous lows of last week is likely to be treated as confirmation of a move to the downside for many indices.” —AP

Atlantis Hotel Dubai has special package for ABK Visa card-holders KUWAIT: Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait in cooperation with Visa International is offering its ABK Visa cardholders, a packaged offer from Atlantis the Palms, Dubai. Stewart Lockie, General Manager of the Retail Banking Division commented “We have an exciting new travel package for our ABK Visa customers, where they can enjoy a 1 night stay at Atlantis the Palms, Dubai; this offer also includes exclusive benefits, such as free vouchers for breakfast meal, dinner vouchers, a 2 for 1 Spa massage offer and much more”. The offer is running until September 27, 2013, and is subject to availability.

EXCHANGE RATES Malaysian ringgit Irani Riyal Irani Riyal

Commercial Bank of Kuwait US Dollar/KD GB Pound/KD Euro Swiss francs Canadian Dollar Australian DLR Indian rupees Sri Lanka Rupee UAE dirhams Bahraini dinars Jordanian dinar Saudi riyals Omani riyals Egyptian pounds US Dollar/KD GB Pound/KD Euro Swiss francs Canadian dollars Danish Kroner Swedish Kroner Australian dlr Hong Kong dlr Singapore dlr Japanese yen Indian Rs/KD Sri Lanka rupee Pakistan rupee Bangladesh taka UAE dirhams Bahraini dinars Jordanian dinar Saudi Riyal/KD Omani riyals Philippine Peso

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

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

ASIAN COUNTRIES 2.901 4.870 2.886 2.231 3.049 226.790 36.693 3.652 6.590 9.227

.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

Omani Riyal Qatari Riyal Saudi Riyal

94.271 0.271 0.273 GCC COUNTRIES 75.990 78.290 740.160 756.880 77.605

Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 284.850 Euro 379.140 Sterling Pound 445.220 Canadian dollar 280.640 Turkish lira 149.830 Swiss Franc 306.620 Australian Dollar 269.330 US Dollar Buying 283.650 GOLD 265.000 134.000 70.000

SELL DRAFT 275.75 283.56 311.19 381.15 283.85 448.70 3.00 3.660 4.875 2.220 3.148 2.880 77.35 755.40 39.90 403.98

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 284.200 281.615 445.495 378.605 305.400 752.420 77.355 78.010 75.750 400.625 40.022 2.229 4.872 2.880 3.649 6.580 697.155 3.890 9.280 4.060 3.145 90.235

Bahrain Exchange Company COUNTRY

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

748.000 79.500 77.000

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd

ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash 39.950 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 40.068 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.329 Tunisian Dinar 175.830 Jordanian Dinar 402.420 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.912 Syrian Lier 3.096 Morocco Dirham 34.444

20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

738.19 78.33 75.82

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

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 0.4373525 0.0063671 0.0466696 0.3731536 0.0451768 0.4192063 0.0393869 0.3030890 Australasia 0.2592788 0.2167300 0.0001128 America 0.2718698 0.0001446 0.2821000 Asia 0.0036048 0.0031528 0.0453644 0.0164167

SELLDRAFT 0.4463525 0.0183671 0.0516698 0.3806536 0.0503768 0.4267063 0.0443869 0.3100890 0.2712788 0.2267300 0.0001128 0.2808698 0.0001626 0.2842500 0.0036598 0.0033828 0.0503644 0.0195167

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

0.0000441 0.0340775 0.0048247 0.0000239 0.0028382 0.0028665 0.0032923 0.0853662 0.0028985 0.0028566 0.0061412 0.0000726 0.2222759 0.0021890 0.0087829 Arab 0.7475527 0.0379986 0.0127555 0.1445228 0.0000791 0.0001727 0.3953437 1.0000000 0.0001743 0.0223340 0.0012063 0.7273003 0.0774212 0.0752667 0.0462164 0.0027475 0.1743438 0.0759634 0.0012822

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

0.0000501 0.0371775 0.0048887 0.0000291 0.0038382 0.0030465 0.0035223 0.0923662 0.0030985 0.0028966 0.0066112 0.0000756 0.2282759 0.0022310 0.0093829 0.7560527 0.0400286 0.0192555 0.1463128 0.0000796 0.0002327 0.4028437 1.0000000 0.0001943 0.0463340 0.0018413 0.7383003 0.0782042 0.0759067 0.0467664 0.0029675 0.1803438 0.0774134 0.0013822

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

BUSINESS

EU Parliament, IMF defend ECB’s bond-buying scheme FRANKFURT: The European Parliament and the International Monetary Fund rode to the defence of the European Central Bank yesterday as Germany’s highest court examined the legality of one of the ECB’s controversial anti-crisis measures. “Unusual circumstances require unusual measures,” IMF chief Christine Lagarde told the daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung in an interview. “The ECB’s decision to charge to the rescue changed everything. The OMT (bond purchase programme) averted a catastrophe,” she said. Germany’s Constitutional Court is currently holding two days of hearings to decide whether the ECB’s “Outright Monetary Transactions” schemewhich is credited with bringing the euro-zone back from the brink of break-up last year is in line with German law or whether it breaches the central bank’s mandate.

The head of the German central bank or Bundesbank Jens Weidmann-one of the most vocal critics of the scheme-already took the stand Tuesday, while the ECB’s case for the OMT programme was put by executive board member Joerg Asmussen.

The court reconvened for the second and final day of hearings yesterday, but is not scheduled to deliver its judgement until after the September 22 general elections.

A group of politicians, lawyers and citizens have lodged the complaint against the OMT, arguing that the ECB is creating risks for German taxpayers that their elected representatives cannot control. But EU Parliament president Martin Schulz similarly came to the ECB’s defence. By announcing plans to buy up the sovereign bonds of debt-wracked countries such as Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy, the ECB helped

bring down the borrowing costs for those countries.

“They finally found themselves in the position of being able to finance their debts again. That means the risks (for German taxpayers) were actually reduced,” Schulz told German public radio Deutschlandfunk. Schulz said the key issue in the whole debate was how independent the ECB should be in its decision-making. The Bundesbank and its president would be the first to protest if the German parliament tried to interfere in its independent decision-making process, the parliamentary chief pointed out.

When it finally makes its judgement, the constitutional court “may give directives, laying down the limits to which such measures can go. But I don’t believe the court will rule that the ECB’s actions are illegal,” Schulz said. “In contrast to many government

chiefs, I believe that what (ECB chief Mario Draghi) did was coherent. And he came to the strong defence of the euro,” Schulz said.

Ever since the ECB unveiled the OMT to buy up the sovereign debt of the euro area’s most debtwracked members last August, fears of a break-up of the single currency have indeed receded. Europe’s storm-battered financial markets have enjoyed a period of relative calm, without a single OMT ever being carried out. Complaints against the eurozone’s EFSF and ESM bailout funds were thrown out by the Constitutional Court last year. And the bank has laid down very strict conditions if a country wants to be eligible for support from the OMT scheme. Furthermore, the ECB has said it will decide on a case-by-case basis whether to grant a country access. — AFP

India trade output growth slides to 2% ‘Urgent need’ for govt to kickstart reforms

JAKARTA: Indonesian students wear masks with angry expressions during a protest outside the presidential palace yesterday to denounce impending fuel price increases, as the government plans to reduce a fuel subsidy. — AFP

Indonesia moves to back up rupiah amid foreign outflow JAKARTA: Indonesia’s central bank has moved to shore up its rupiah currency after it hit a four-year low, as foreign investors exit emerging markets due to expectations that huge stimulus schemes in the developed world will soon end. Developing economies around the world are starting to see their stock markets and currencies tumble on the belief that the US Federal Reserve will pull the plug on its giant easy money programme.

Bank Indonesia said it would raise the rate it pays lenders for overnight deposits, known as the Fasbi, by 25 basis point to 4.25 percent effective yesterday. Officials hope to encourage lenders to leave their rupiah with the central bank, thereby reducing money supply and in theory stopping the currency from weakening further.

Following the announcement late Tuesday, the rupiah strengthened slightly. By yesterday afternoon it was at 9,933 rupiah against the dollar, from 10,094 on Tuesdayits lowest level since 2009.

Analysts said the fall was precipitated by a sell-off in Indonesian bonds and stocks as investors fret about when the US Federal Reserve will begin to taper its massive programme of bond buying, known as quantitative easing. The huge central bank spending sprees and low rates in the West aimed at kickstarting growth had led investors to emerging markets in search of better returns, sending stocks and currencies soaring. But a pick-up in the US economy has now made US assets and the dollar look like a better and safer bet. The Bank of Japan added to investor worries on Tuesday when it decided to hold off any fresh measures to boost its economy after

unleashing a giant bond-buying scheme in April. Jakarta’s stock market plunged 3.5 percent on Tuesday and is down sharply from its record high seen in May. However, it rebounded 1.91 percent yesterday after the Fasbi rate was hiked.

The sell-off mirrors similar movements in other developing economies. India said it had intervened in currency markets Tuesday after the rupee sank to a record low against the dollar owing to fund outflows. The Thai baht has tumbled to a ninemonth low and its stock market is down more than 10 percent from May. Manila’s stock market is 12 percent down from its May peak. There have also been big losses for shares and currencies in other nations, including South Africa and Mexico.

“It feels like the party is ending,” Howard Wong, managing director at Doric Capital Corp in Hong Kong, told Dow Jones Newswires. The rupiah, one of Asia’s worst performing currencies in the past year, was already under pressure owing to concern about Indonesia’s widening current account deficit, largely blamed on huge fuel subsidies. Economists said the timing of the rise in the Fasbi rate showed how worried policymakers were, since such decisions are normally taken at central bank policy meetings.

“The timing of this increase came as a surprise, no doubt reflecting central bank concerns that the currency could spin out of control,” said Robert Prior-Wandesforde, a Singapore-based economist from Credit Suisse. The next meeting is on Thursday, when policymakers are expected to hold the benchmark interest rate at 5.75 percent for the 15th consecutive month. — AFP

NEW DELHI: India’s industrial output grew by a worse-than-expected two percent in April, official data showed yesterday, suggesting that the recovery of Asia’s third-largest economy remains elusive. The two percent year-on-year output growth of India’s factories, mines and utilities undershot market expectations of a 2.4 percent rise and was down from an upwardly revised 3.4 percent jump the previous month. The numbers dismayed business with the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India branding them “pathetic” and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) saying they indicated “no sign of a sustained recovery”.

There is an “urgent need” for the government to kickstart growth-promoting investment by accelerating project clearances and reducing energy shortages, CII chief Chandrijit Banerjee said. Despite the weak output, the central bank was unlikely to cut interest rates further to kickstart the economy, with the Indian rupee hovering at just above lifetime lows and retail price inflation still stubbornly elevated at a higherthan-forecast 9.3 percent, separate figures showed.

“The combination of a downside surprise on industrial production and upside surprise on consumer price inflation is not exactly what one would have liked to have seen,” said CLSA economist Robert Prior-Wandesforde. “With the rupee under significant depreciation pressure and no sign of an improving trade position, a rate cut at the central bank’s 17th June meeting now looks a very long shot indeed,” he added.

Any rate reduction could push the rupee lower against the dollar, making it tougher for India to fund its ballooning current account deficitthe broadest measure of trade-with its imports outdistancing exports. Nomura economist Sonal Varma also said she expected no rate cut at the central bank’s June 17 meeting “given the sticky consumer price inflation and difficulties in financing the current account deficit”.

The rupee, which has depreciated by six percent over the past month, was trading at 58.20 rupees to the dollar after central bank intervention Tuesday lifted it from a record low of 58.98.

The Mumbai’s benchmark 30-share Sensex was down nearly half a percentage point at 19,067.84 points following the data after being in positive territory in early trade.

Burgan Bank offers 20% discount to its Multi-Currency X-Change card-holders KUWAIT: Burgan Bank announced that it is offering its Multi-Currency X-Change MasterCard holders a 20 percent discount while dining across 50 of Jumeirah’s restaurants in Dubai. The new offer is part of the bank’s overall approach of providing innovative promotions to its clients. The multicurrency X-change card is accepted across 23 million locations around the world. The Multi-Currency card is available in different

currencies including UAE dirhams which is the perfect companion when travelling to Dubai. Customers can apply online through the bank’s website to get the card as well as through any of its branches. To find out more about Burgan Bank’s XChange card, or any of its products and services, customers are urged to visit any of the bank’s branches, or contact the call center.

Capital goods output of machinery and other products, seen as a key sign of corporate investment intentions, rose just 1.0 percent after climbing nine percent in March. The government forecasts the economy will grow by at least six percent in the financial year that began April 1, after expanding by five percent last yearits slowest pace in a decade.

But Nomura’s Varma said she expected the economy to expand by just 5.6 percent as tepid demand prompts firms to cut production to prune inventories. Car sales slid by over 12 percent last month from a year ago, according to industry figures on Tuesday, as steep borrowing costs and consumer worry about the economy put the brakes on discretionary spending. Industrial output is also sluggish, experts say, due to bottlenecks caused by India’s dilapidated highways, ports, power shortages and other infrastructure problems that restrains expansion. — AFP

AGARTALA: In this photograph, Indian labourers work at a steel factory on the outskirts of Agartala, India’s northeastern state of Tripura. — AFP

Middle East should nurture CSR for economic prosperity

By Ramez Shehadi, Salim Ghazaly, Mounira Jamjoom

LONDON: A demonstrator from ‘Stop G8’ is pictured outside the offices of BAE Systems yesterday during a protest against the G8 Summit. The G8 Summit will be held in Northern Ireland on June 17 and 18, 2013. — AFP

The output figures were more grim reading for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s Congressled government which is anxious for signs of a growth turnaround before fighting elections due in the first half of 2014. Output growth is still far below double-digit rates in previous years when India’s economy was booming. The economy has been struggling under the weight of high interest rates, uncomfortably strong consumer inflation and weak domestic and foreign investment, as well as a string of corruption scandals.

The scandals have stalled the government’s economic reform agenda after a blitz of liberalisation initiatives last year. While the central bank has cut rates three times since the start of the year following an aggressive hiking spree, borrowing costs remain high. Manufacturing, which accounts for three-quarters of the Index of Industrial Production, grew 2.8 percent in April year-on-year, down sharply from 4.2 growth in March.

For many years the approach to achieving long-term prosperity and stability in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has been economic growth. That approach has to change. Instead, governments should be pursuing sustainable development. Unlike previous policies, sustainable development is a strategy for economic progress that aims to create jobs, alleviate poverty, provide education, and carefully manage the environment.

Companies have a particularly important role to play in the sustainable development through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Many MENA companies are increasing the scale and range of their CSR projects, part of a global trend and an extension of longstanding cultural traditions.

Unfortunately, too many companies conduct these initiatives on an ad hoc basis that limits their effectiveness. For maximum impact, companies need to align CSR projects with national development goals and coordinate with governments, academia, and civil society.

Such a coordinated effort is critical to tackle regional sustainable development, including the main challenge of training and educating young people for jobs. Just keeping employment at 2011 levels will require an additional 75 million jobs by 2020-a 43 percent increase on the number of jobs in 2011, according to the World Economic Forum.

Until recently, too many MENA companies consider CSR initiatives an optional extra and define such work too narrowly, and too few governments fully comprehend how CSR can dovetail with national development. One sign

that the tide is turning is the number of regional companies that have joined the UN Global Compact-a strategic policy initiative for businesses committed to ten principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption. The list of signatories from the MENA region has grown from just three in 2003 to 262 by the end of 2012.

As more companies conduct CSR projects, they are establishing best practices that other companies can follow. These best practices include ensuring high-profile support and engagement of senior leaders, and practicing more transparent corporate governance to encourage candid discussions and create clear guidelines for tackling CSR issues. These CSR leaders also integrate CSR with their operating model by, at the very least, coordinating the activities of their company’s businesses, functional units, and partners. They also focus on a few CSR themes that leverage the company’s expertise; and they tap the credibility and expertise of civil society organizations, publicprivate partnerships and social business ventures. Finally, these CSR pioneers measure CSR results to assess and refine their initiatives.

In tandem with companies aligning their CSR projects with national development goals, governments need to help define these goals and create an environment in which CSR is encouraged and, indeed, expected from companies. Encouragingly, MENA governments have become more active in their promotion of CSR. Almost all Gulf Cooperation Council members now have corporate governance codes or guidelines in place for publicly listed companies.

Eventually, when the CSR environment is mature, MENA governments may not need to intervene, except to offer encouragement. For

the time being, however, given the region’s substantial development needs and the undeveloped nature of CSR, governments need to play a more active role in setting CSR priorities. At the very least, governments can define and mandate minimum standards for business performance through legislation.

Governments can also facilitate CSR by naming a ministry or department to coordinate CSR strategies and policy making. The authorities can also offer incentives for companies to pursue CSR. Governments can provide funding and research around CSR, and can spearhead training and promotional campaigns.

The education sector also has an important role to play in shaping the attitudes of future business leaders. Universities and business schools can influence the mindset of tomorrow’s managers and entrepreneurs by introducing CSR-related concepts into the curriculum. Civil society organizations, for their part, can form partnerships with private companies to lend credibility to CSR initiatives, and can monitor the performance of the private sector on issues ranging from child labor, to fair trade, to community involvement, and environmental protection.

While there is an important role for government, and to an extent civil society and academia, the main burden of CSR and sustainable development falls on companies. By aligning their CSR work with national development goals, MENA companies can be good corporate citizens, and by supporting sustainable development can contribute to the betterment of the societies in which they operate.

By Ramez Shehadi, Partner, Salim Ghazaly, Principal with Booz & Company, and Mounira Jamjoom, Senior Research Specialist at Booz & Company’s Ideation Center

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

BUSINESS

BOE’s Fisher urges end to RBS uncertainty LONDON: Britain should end the uncertainty over long-term plans for state-controlled Royal Bank of Scotland, a senior Bank of England official said yesterday. Paul Fisher, the BoE’s markets director, said RBS’s ability to attract investors and sustain lending was being hampered by a lack of clarity over when it would be returned to the private sector and whether it might be split up.

Britain’s government ploughed 45.8 billion pounds ($71.4 billion) of public money into RBS to save it from collapse in 2008, and now holds

an 81 percent stake in the bank. Finance minister George Osborne will signal that the time is right to offload the government’s shareholding in an annual speech to financiers on June 19, political and industry sources said on Monday, but he is not expected to explain how.

Senior lawmakers are expected to report shortly on whether it would be better to break up RBS instead. Outgoing Bank of England Governor Mervyn King has said RBS would have benefited from a much more radical restructuring. Fisher - who is in charge of a BoE

scheme to boost bank lending - said this lack of clarity was damaging.

“As a matter of market management, I think it is the uncertainty about RBS which has been holding investors back,” Fisher said at an investment conference in London. “People have been saying to us that they don’t want to invest in RBS or provide capital because they don’t know what is going to happen to the bank,” he added. Boosting bank lending is a key priority for the BoE and Britain’s government, which together set up a scheme last

year that offers banks cheap finance if they lend more to support a sluggish economic recovery.

“Individual banks are now awash with liquidity,” Fisher said, adding that he hoped that businesses’ demand for loans would rise as economic confidence returned. In April, a Funding for Lending Scheme was extended by another year into 2015, and tweaked to give banks a greater incentive to lend to small businesses rather than home buyers.

Fisher said the BoE wanted to see more

property purchases, but not a rise in house prices, which he said were high already. Fisher serves on both the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee, which sets interest rates, and its new Financial Policy Committee, which regulates the financial system. Fisher is among the minority of MPC members who have voted since February for the central bank to buy more bonds with newly minted money to aid the economy’s recovery. Yesterday he said the economy still needed support. —Reuters

Severn Trent deal blow hits merger funds LONDON: Hedge funds that bet Severn Trent would agree to a Canadian-led takeover are reeling from losses after the water company refused to talk, casting further doubt on their money-making abilities in an anaemic M&A environment. The LongRiver consortium walked away after the British utility let the bid deadline expire on Tuesday, ignoring an effective invitation to negotiate on price.

That sent Severn Trent shares down 8.3 percent yesterday, adding to falls on Monday and leaving it below its pre-bid price, piling up the losses for hedge funds that bought stock in the past three weeks expecting a deal to be sealed. “It’s pretty disappointing. It looks like the bid/ask spread wasn’t that wide, so it’s perplexing,” said one hedge fund investor who spoke on condition of anonymity. “The bigger problem here is the current deals environment.”

It is impossible to calculate exactly how many shares were held in the hands of hedge funds because UK regulations stipulate that investors must only publicly disclose stakes larger than 1 percent in a company under a takeover offer. Two US hedge fund giants, Elliott Capital Advisors and Davidson Kempner European Partners, did tip the scale with stakes in Severn on June 7 equivalent to 1.27 percent and 1.05 percent respectively, but others will have smaller holdings.

People familiar with the market say the deal attracted a number of hedge funds, though the short period between initial bid and collapse, and the lack of trading in Severn shares, ensured most funds’ bets were small Davidson had to spend around 40 million pounds for the majority of its stake to earn itself a regulatory filing.

Two of those sources estimated hedge funds owned around 5 percent of Severn’s stock - by comparison, managers owned almost a third of TNT Express when it was under offer from rival United Parcel Service in January. But losses on the Severn deal come on top of a series of struggles this year for merger arbitrage funds who wager on the outcomes of bid attempts.

Most are grappling with a slowdown in new M&A deals this year - particularly in

Europe and the cross-border big ticket deals they thrive on - while the few takeovers that have emerged have left many funds wrongfooted. The average merger arbitrage fund is up just 1.9 percent this year against a near 5 percent rise in the average hedge fund, data from Hedge Fund Research shows. Over the past three years merger arbitrage managers have made 3.4 percent, while across all strategies the average fund has gained 5 percent.

“Investors are chasing the same few highprofile M&A opportunities and end up hit by the same adverse events,” said Thierry Lucas, founder of London-based hedge fund Portland Hill. “I’ve been staying away from merger arb. This may change if the environment improves and we see a big wave of M&A.” (just checking quote) Lionel Belka, partner at Paris-based hedge fund Bernheim, Dreyfus & Co said the collapse of Severn Trent dealtalks was not a depressing sign for future M&A activity because it was a very particular situation of a regulated company that attracts infrastructure investors for its inflation-protected cash flows. “Given the low offer and the asset scarcity, we did not get involved. The nature of the bidder also played its part; it is always more difficult to bring a consortium in a bidding process with a board than an individual buyer,” he said.

“Finally, the fact that this deal did not go through is not similar to a definitive agreement not getting done.” UPS’s decision to abandon its 5.2 billion euro bid for TNT in January left funds nursing potential losses of more than $700 million, sources said at the time. Funds owned an estimated 30 percent of TNT shares before news European antitrust regulators would veto the deal, the sources said. Other losing positions this year include small wagers on Meda, currently in talks about a deal with India’s Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, after shares in the Swedish drugmaker fell as prospects for a takeover faded. The big hope for managers now is that a deal like Vodafone’s approach to buy Germany’s biggest cable company Kabel Deutschland - announced yesterday becomes a prolonged bid battle from which they can wring a profit. —Reuters

US growth to pick up in second half of 2013 NEW YORK: The US economy should regain momentum in the latter half of the year, improving from what will likely be a weak second quarter even as the sting of tighter fiscal policy keeps growth restrained, a Reuters poll found.

Improving job and housing markets, along with resilient consumer demand, should help to keep the world’s largest economy chugging along through 2013, setting it up for a stronger performance next year.

Still, it has to contend with the pressure of greater fiscal austerity out of Washington. Across the board government spending cuts of $85 billion went into effect in March, while the payroll tax holiday expired at the beginning of the year, raising taxes for many Americans. That belt tightening is expected to slow growth in the current quarter, with the latest data already pointing to an economy that has hit a soft patch.

A Reuters poll of 88 contributors found economists now expect the US economy to grow at an annualized 1.7 percent in the second quarter, from 1.5 percent in the previous poll. However, that is slower than the 2.4 percent growth rate recorded in the first three months of the year.

But the economy will pick back up to a 2.2 percent growth rate in the third quarter and is predicted to improve from there, hitting 3 percent by the same time next year.

“The consensus is the US is getting better, healthier, and once the fiscal drag wanes, private sector strength will show through,” said Michael Gapen, senior U.S. economist at Barclays Capital. The effects of tighter fiscal policy will likely be more evenly distributed through the year than some are forecasting, said Gapen, who expects momentum in the private sector will become more evident in the early months of next year. The unemployment rate is seen averaging 7.5 percent for the year, only just below the 7.6 percent most recently reported by the government for May. Hiring is expected to average 163,000 jobs a month in the second quarter and rise to 200,000 a month by the second quarter of next year, almost unchanged from last month’s poll.

However, at a constant rate of May’s 175,000 job additions per month, it would take roughly over a year to get US employment back to prerecession levels. The improving labor market, along with recent comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, have stirred worries the Fed could reduce its current stimulus efforts before long.

The Fed has said it will keep the federal funds rate near zero until the unemployment rate drops to at least 6.5 percent as long as inflation stays close to its 2 percent target. The central bank has also said it will continue its bond purchases until the labor outlook improves substantially. Consumer price inflation is expected to rise 1.5 percent for the year, its lowest yearly rate since 2009, down from predictions of 1.7

percent in the May poll. As analysts try to gauge the timing of when the Fed will slow its $85 billion-a-month quantitative easing program, some expect the central bank could begin to cut back by the end of the year. Still, economists expect the Fed will try not to proceed so quickly that it derails the still-fragile recovery.

“If the US economy sags perilously in response to an announced winding down of QE3, the Fed probably would reinstate QE,” said John Lonski, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics Capital Markets Research Group.

Investors are also focused on who will take the top spot when Bernanke’s term as head of the Fed ends in January. The vast majority of those polled expect the top spot to be filled by Fed Vice Chair Janet Yellen. —Reuters

BAE Systems names new chairman LONDON: British arms maker BAE Systems appointed yetserday business veteran Roger Carr as its new chairman, replacing Dick Olver who came under pressure to step aside after the collapse last year of the company’s proposed mega-merger with European aerospace group EADS. Carr, 66, is presently chairman of British energy group Centrica and recently stepped down as president of the CBI, Britain’s main business lobbying group.

“BAE Systems plc is pleased to announce that Sir Roger Carr...will succeed Dick Olver as chairman in the first quarter 2014, following a transition period,” the defence group said in a statement. Olver, who will leave after nine years in the role, had faced pressure to resign from BAE’s biggest shareholders after last October’s merger collapse.

An attempt to create the biggest aerospace and defence group in the world became mired in the quicksand of politics and eventually failed. The dream stopped short when both groups scuppered further talks over irreconcilable differences between the leaders of Britain, France and Germany.

BAE’s biggest shareholder, fund manager Invesco Perpetual, had in any case publicly opposed plans for a tie-up, arguing that it failed to see the strategic logic of a deal.

Following the appointment of Carr, whose name had been widely touted in the media ahead of yesterday’s announcement, BAE Systems’ share price was showing a gain of 0.48 percent to 394.5 pence on London’s benchmark FTSE 100 index, which was flat at 6,340.82 points compared with Tuesday’s close. —AFP

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

BUSINESS

Vodafone moves for Kabel Deutschland Vodafone could pay for deal with existing resources

MADRID: Unemployed people and members of the unemployed assembly group gather for a meeting as they camp in a park to protest against unemployment and precarious work yesterday. —AP

US seeks ‘credibility’ for troubled Peru mine LIMA: US mining behemoth Newmont, which plans to build a controversial $4.8billion gold and copper mine in Peru, vowed the project only will go forward in a socially and environmentally responsible way. The so-called Conga mining project, which is due to begin next year, has been the scene of deadly clashes between security forces and demonstrators who fear it will pollute lakes and rivers on which they depend to drink and farm. The company insisted in a statement issued Monday that it will be mindful of possible adverse environmental impacts, and is committed to improving relations with residents of the Cajamarca region, who in large numbers oppose the project.

“The company is implementing significant efforts not only to recover credibility in Cajamarca, but also to increase the level of understanding and social acceptance of the Conga Project,” the statement said. The open-pit project, located some 3,700 meters (12,140 feet) above sea level, involves moving the water from four lakes high in the Andes mountains into reservoirs the company would build.

Chief among these is increasing “water storage capacity and providing year-round availability to downstream users,” the company said. Newmont said it is in the process of building water reservoirs that “will more than double the capacity ” at nearby Chailhuagon Lake. Until those facilities go

on line, “for the remainder of the year, the company will only be working on the construction of access roads, environmental management and sediment control, as well as social investment projects aimed to maximize the community benefits of Chailhuagon reservoir,” said the statement issued by Newmont subsidiary Yanacocha.

Newmark said that last month anti-mining activists invaded Yanacocha’s Conga property in Peru and attacked the police who were onsite protecting local contract workers and their equipment. The alleged attack prompted the company to issue a statement urging local protest leaders “to embrace good-faith dialogue and renounce violent provocations and vandalism that threaten everyone’s safety and the livelihood of workers from local communities.

Violence came to a boiling point last year, when at least five people were killed and many more injured during clashes against the Conga mining project. The protests were joined by more than 1,000 demonstrators and were met by police firing tear gas and wielding batons, as the Peru government declared a state of emergency and mobilized security forces. The Conga project was approved in 2010 by then president Alan Garcia’s government.

His successor President Ollanta Humala also has voiced support for the project, while insisting on environmental safeguards. —AFP

British banks announce Libor rate-setting reform LONDON: The British Bankers’ Association yesterday announced changes to Libor interest-rate transparency in a bid to avoid a repeat of last year’s rate-rigging scandal.

The BBA said publication of banks’ individual submissions of the Libor interbank lending rate would be embargoed for three months in a move aimed at avoiding renewed manipulation of the borrowing cost as occurred in the past. It added in a statement that the change, which follows recommendations of a review initiated by the British government, would take effect from July 1.

The Wheatley Review, published last September, had stated that the “BBA should publish individual Libor submissions after three months to reduce the potential for submitters to attempt manipulation, and to reduce any potential interpretation of submissions as a signal of creditworthiness”.

The BBA yesterday agreed with the recommendation, adding however that individual bank submissions would “remain available in real-time to the Libor benchmark administrators for the purposes of calculating the rate and for monitoring and surveillance”.

BBA chief executive Anthony Browne said: “Restoring confidence in Libor as a reliable benchmark is an absolute priority for the BBA and we have been working hard with regulatory authorities and the government to put in place the necessary reforms ahead of it transferring to a new owner.” The BBA is to lose its role of Libor rate-setter in the wake of the rigging crisis.

The European Commission was mean-

while shortly expected to present proposals to tighten up oversight of key financial market benchmarks, especially of interest rates, officials said last week. A source close to the issue said a key element could involve moving Libor, or London Interbank Offered Rate, from London to Paris where it would be supervised by the European Securities and Markets Authority.

Libor is calculated daily, using estimates from banks of their own interbank rates.

However, the system has been found to be open to abuse, with some traders lying about borrowing costs to boost trading positions or make their bank seem more secure. The BBA on Wednesday added that as part of the reforms, publication of sameday Libor rates for loans priced in euros lasting one week and one month will cease from July 31.

The Libor scandal erupted last year when Barclays bank was fined £290 million ($470 million, 363 million euros) by British and US regulators for attempted manipulation of Libor and Euribor interbank rates between 2005 and 2009. Royal Bank of Scotland and Swiss lender UBS have since also received heavy fines over alleged rigging of Libor-a flagship instrument used all over the world, affecting what banks, businesses and individuals pay to borrow money. Euribor is the euro-zone equivalent. The fallout meanwhile risks becoming much wider, with analysts claiming that lenders could face massive lawsuits, since mortgage rates passed onto customers were influenced by Libor. —AFP

Japan’s Uniqlo set to open stores in B’desh in tie-up DHAKA: Japanese clothing chain Uniqlo will open stores in Bangladesh in a joint venture to tap into the nation’s growing middle class, the joint business said yesterday. Fast Retailing, which owns Uniqlo, has teamed with Grameen Healthcare, run by Bangladesh’s Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, to initially open two stores in Dhaka. The stores, to be operated by the tie-up Grameen Uniqlo, will be the first in Bangladesh from a leading global retailer.

Although home to millions of poor, Bangladesh also has a 30 million-strong middle class, one of the largest in Asia, thanks to economic growth of around six percent annually over the last decade.

“They are the first step towards a vision of a chain of multiple stores across the country, providing quality, comfortable and affordable clothing manufactured by locals, for locals,” Grameen Uniqlo said in a statement.

Details of the Dhaka stores will be announced at a press briefing on Saturday.

Uniqlo announced in 2010 it was teaming

with Yunus, who pioneered micro-loans, to set up Grameen Uniqlo as a social business to produce clothes in Bangladesh for the nation’s poor. The clothes are currently sold by women door-to-door or from their homes in a bid to help them gain financial independence. Profits from sales have been reinvested back into the business, Grameen Uniqlo says on its website.

But Uniqlo attracted controversy last month for not signing up to a new safety pact for Bangladesh’s garment factories, following the country’s worst industrial disaster that killed more than 1,100 people. The company, which has 1,200 stores worldwide, said it was still studying the pact. The April 24 disaster highlighted appalling worker conditions in the $20 billion garment making industry, the world’s second largest after China. European brands and major supermarket buyers have committed to the agreement and its fire and building inspection regime in the wake of the tragedy. Some major US retailers have however refused to join the pact promoted by workers’ rights groups.—AFP

LONDON/FRANKFURT: British mobile firm Vodafone has approached Kabel Deutschland about a bid for Germany’s biggest cable operator that could top 7 billion euros ($9.3 billion) and help fend off competition in its most important European market. The world’s secondbiggest mobile operator has long been linked with a move for the cable group as it seeks to meet the demands of customers who increasingly want to take television, broadband, mobile and fixed-line services - so-called “quad play” from one provider.

Vodafone picked Goldman Sachs to examine a possible 10-billion-euro bid, including debt, earlier this year and its renewed interest could help the group better compete against mobile operators, which are slashing prices, and against the pan-European cable group Liberty Global, which has been on an acquisition spree. Shares in Vodafone, which went ex-dividend yesterday, fell over 4 percent, as some analysts speculated the group might seek similar deals in other countries. Kabel Deutschland shares jumped over 9 percent to a new high of 82.4 euros, valuing the business at about 7.2 billion euros.

Vodafone sent a letter by email to Kabel Deutschland announcing its interest and indicating a price, a person familiar with the matter said. However that early offer was deemed to be too low by Kabel Deutschland, a second source said. Both companies confirmed the approach, but gave no further details. Any deal would be Vodafone’s largest since 2007. Vodafone Chief Executive Vittorio Colao said earlier this year he could afford to do deals in Europe without having to sell his prized asset, a stake in US group

Verizon Wireless, which its joint partner Verizon Communication has said it would like to buy in one of the world’s biggest deals.

Expensive Germany is Vodafone’s largest market excluding its venture in the United States and it has recently negotiated a wholesale deal with Deutsche Telekom (DT) that would allow it to rent lines from the fixed-line group to offer TV and broadband services. “What might perturb investors is that this approach comes so soon after Vodafone signed a wholesale DSL deal with DT that was seen and touted as a solution to their convergent needs,” Deutsche Bank analysts said.

“To then approach KDG suggests that this is merely an infill and that infrastructure ownership is ultimately necessary to provide a fully competitive convergent offer. Unsurprisingly this is likely to read across into other markets.”

One person familiar with Vodafone’s thinking said the Deutsche Telekom deal would strengthen its hand if and when it comes to negotiate with Kabel Deutschland. “Vodafone has the option not to buy fixed assets in Germany now that it has the wholesale deal with Deutsche Telekom that allows it to sell converged offers,” the person said. A banker advising telecom companies who is not involved in this deal said Kabel Deutschland was expensive and was sceptical the two groups would be able to agree a price. According to ThomsonReuters Starmine, Kabel Deutschland shares trade at an enterprise value (equity plus debt) to core earnings ratio of 10.1 times, compared with peers

on 7.2. These include Liberty Global on 7.8.

Stealing a march Quad-play services have caught on rapidly in markets like France and Spain where they have been pioneered by major local companies France Telecom and Telefonica. Germany is some way behind and buying Kabel Deutschland could allow Vodafone to steal a march on Deutsche Telekom. Vodafone owns some fixed lines in Europe, including in Germany, but only offers quad-play services in Portugal. Analysts at Espirito Santo said there would be significant synergies for Vodafone from migrating some of its fixed-line customer base on to Kabel Deutschland’s cable infrastructure, possibly worth as much as 16 euros per Kabel Deutschland share.

They said the deal would also help defend its market share in Germany, including against the possibility of Kabel Deutschland ramping up its own mobile offering in partnership with Telefonica. Citi analyst Simon Weeden said Vodafone could finance a deal through its own balance sheet. Vodafone has indicated it would be willing to move to a lower credit rating of BBB+ for an interim period to accommodate a deal.

Vodafone had 32 million customers in Germany at the end of March, making it the biggest mobile operator in the country. Kabel Deutschland is Germany’s largest cable operator with about 15 million of the 28 million homes passed by cable. Vodafone usually works with Goldman Sachs and UBS on acquisition deals. A source close to the matter said earlierthis year that Morgan Stanley was advising Kabel Deutschland. —Reuters

Lululemon’s shares fall after CEO announces exit NEW YORK: Lululemon Athletica’s CEO Christine Day may not be a household name to the athletic wear company’s legions of loyal shoppers. But for investors, she’s the face of the chain. Lululemon’s shares plunged 17 percent and several Wall Street analysts downgraded their ratings on the stock on Tuesday, a day after the company announced that Day, 51, planned to step down. Under Day’s leadership over the past five years, Lululemon has achieved meteoric growth by attracting yogis and others willing to shell out $100 for yoga pants.

In a call to investors late Monday, Day didn’t elaborate on why she was leaving, but said she would stick around until a successor is named. The company, meanwhile, said it has formed a search committee for a new CEO. “It was a personal decision of mine,” she said.

“It’s never a perfect time to leave a company that you love.” The news shocked many analysts who say that Day’s departure creates a hole in leadership at a time when Lululemon can least afford it. The company, which operates stores in Australia, and New Zealand, among other countries outside North America, is facing growing pains as it expands further internationally into markets such as London. It also is encountering challenges at home. The announcement comes three months after the Vancouver-based company pulled some of its popular yoga pants off the shelves for being too sheer.

And it follows another high-profile leadership change: Lululemon’s founder Chip Wilson, who started the company in 1998, stepped down as chief innovation and branding officer last year. He remains as chairman. “This is just throwing more uncertainty on the complexities of the challenges of growth they’re facing,” said John Morris, a retail analyst at BMO Capital Markets, who closely follows Lululemon.

Analysts say Day will be difficult to replace. After spending more than 20 years at Starbucks, where she helped spearhead its expansion in Asia. Day joined Lululemon in January 2008 as an executive vice president of retail operations and became CEO in June of that year. Day is credited with taking the brand with a little over 70 stores with $274 million in revenue right before she took the helm to a business that now operates 218 locations with revenue of $1.4 billion in the latest year.

Lululemon earned $47.3 million, or 32 cents per share, for the quarter that ended May 5. That’s compared with $46.6 million, or 32 cents per share, in the first quarter last year. Revenue increased 21 percent to $345.8 million. That beat Wall Street’s expectations for the quarter. Analysts, on average, were anticipating earnings of 30 cents per share on revenue of $341.4 million, according to research firm FactSet During Day’s tenure, Lululemon’s share price also has increased by more than fivefold. Lululemon’s shares fell $14.25 to close at $68.03 on Tuesday, the day after the announcement of Day’s departure. But the company’s shares have traded as high as $82.50 in the past 52 weeks.

“What she has accomplished has been breathtaking,” said Faye Landes, an analyst at Cowen and Co. “She has grown the company while maintaining a non-mass feel of the brand.” Landes also noted that Day, who wears Lululemon clothes and is an avid hiker and yoga enthusiastic, often visits the stores much that the managers know her. “She is charismatic,” Landes said. But the snafu with the yoga pants that were too sheer has been difficult for Lululemon. The company blamed the issue on a style change and production problems. The company, which hired a new team to oversee the making of the pants, previously said that it anticipated losing $57 million to $67 million because of the pants issue.

Day said on the Monday call that the company was able to get the product back into stores within 90 days of having pulled it. But the problem followed three other quality control issues in the past 12 months.

Lululemon also is encountering other challenges. The company acknowledged during Monday’s call that some of its new spring styles didn’t sell as planned. As a result, it has had to discount more than expected.

Lululemon also said it had too many short jackets and not enough long ones and was working to fix that issue. —AP

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani labourer loads a sack of onions onto a truck at the main vegetable and fruit market yesterday. Pakistan’s cash-strapped government has set a target of 4.4 percent economic growth for the coming fiscal year, the finance minister said, while promising new measures to tackle crippling power cuts. —AFP

More big deals between China and US expected NEW YORK: Chinese companies will look to acquire major US media and technology companies in the coming years while the United States will resign itself to smaller deals and joint ventures, according to a new study released on Tuesday by law firm Manatt, Phelps and Phillips. Entertainment and media deal making between the two countries has accelerated in recent years, with more than $20 billion in acquisitions in 2012. That is a sharp uptick after the volume of deals dropped during the worst of the worldwide financial crisis.

The study is based on the viewpoints of 100 executives from the United States and China, as collected by Mergermarket. “We are seeing an increase in the value of cross-border investments in entertainment and media year after year,” Lindsay Conner, co-chair of Manatt’s entertainment division, told TheWrap. “Americans are most interested in access to Chinese markets. Getting a foothold in that market is critical.”

Yet based on the executives polled, American companies will settle for acquiring “family-owned and small business,” while Chinese companies are looking to fully acquire much larger companies to “meet consumer growth.” The growth of the Chinese market is part of the reason for this discrepancy, but Chinese regulations play a larger role, Conner said. Many of China’s largest companies are owned by the state and the Chinese

government also places strict limits on foreign investment.

The most prominent recent example of a big Chinese entertainment deal is Dalian Wanda’s $2.6 billion acquisition of AMC Theaters, the second-largest theater chain in the United States. Executives on both sides said that movie theaters remained the most popular target for acquisitions and investment given the explosion of the Chinese film market. “China is a vast market that has, by comparison, incredibly few movie theaters,” Conner said.

Companies on both sides of the Pacific also share the same obstacles to making deals - the intransigence of their respective governments and information. A majority of respondents expected relations between the two countries to either stay the same or improve, but the Chinese were less optimistic. Of those that felt the relations would change, more felt it would get worse than get better.

US investors want more information and Chinese want less. The Americans find it difficult to conduct the proper due diligence before completing a deal while Chinese investors bristle against American requirements of information disclosure. That being said, executives still expect a flood of new deals in the coming years. “America has Wall Street and China has the Great Wall, but the walls on both sides are starting to crack,” Conner said. —Reuters

Pacific trade pact worries Obama base WASHINGTON: Lawmakers from President Barack Obama’s Democratic Party voiced alarm Tuesday over a proposed trans-Pacific trade pact, saying negotiations were too secretive and could lead to US job losses. A letter signed by a majority of first-term Democrats in the House of Representatives said that talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which Obama has billed as a signature priority, have progressed in “extreme secrecy.” The lawmakers vowed to resist efforts to give Obama “fast-track” trade promotion authority-which would let his team negotiate a deal, with Congress then voting up or down without the opportunity to make changes.

“Congress needs to work together to get American trade policy back on track not give away its authority to do so,” said the letter spearheaded by Representative Mark Pocan of Wisconsin.”Reducing our authority to ensure our trade agreements serve the public interest will undermine our efforts to create American jobs and to reform a misguided trade policy

that has devastated our manufacturing base through the offshoring of American production and American jobs,” the letter said. Lawmakers from the rival Republican Party have sought a renewal of fast-track authority, which ended in 2007, as a way to speed up work on the Trans-Pacific Partnership and other trade agreements.

Obama has not formally sought fast-track authority from Congress but his nominee to be US Trade Representative, Mike Froman, told his confirmation hearing that the administration supported the step.The Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday easily approved Froman, now Obama’s deputy national security adviser for international economics, to his new role, meaning that his confirmation by the full Senate is virtually assured. Senator Max Baucus, a Democrat who heads the committee and a supporter of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, called on the Senate to approve Froman quickly so he can “hit the ground running” on an “ambitious trade agenda.” —AFP

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

BUSINESS

TAKREEM hosts Jury Board Reunion PARIS: Following a thorough examination of the finalistsí files, TAKREEM Jury Board convened in Paris to agree on the laureates in the following fields: Humanitarian and Civic Services, Environmental Development and Sustainability, Scientific and Technological Achievement, Innovation in Education, Cultural Excellence, Arab Woman of the Year Award, Young Entrepreneurship, Outstanding Corporate Leadership and Exceptional International Contribution to Arab Society.

The announcement of the laureates will take place during TAKREEM Awards Ceremony to be held in November 2013. The Jury Board this year included Sheikha Mai Al-Khalifa, Shaikha Paula Al-Sabah, Dr Hanan Ashrawi, Dr Nouha Al-Hegelan, AndrÈ Azoulay, Dr Lakhdar Brahimi, Prof Alain Carpentier,

Dr Mohamed Mansour, Carlos Ghosn, Marc Levy, Dr Leila Sharaf, and Raja Sidawi. This meeting was chaired by the former US Ambassador in Lebanon, Dr Vincent Battle. The Jury Board Reunion was then followed by a dinner at the Intercontinental Paris Le Grand, Salon Opera.

TAKREEM initiative was granted the active and valuable support of the following supporting partners: Consolidated Contracting Company (CCC); Renault-Nissan Alliance; Salam International Investment Ltd; Alsumaria; TOTAL SA; Chopard; and Projacs. Founded by renowned media figure, Ricardo Karam, TAKREEM is an initiative committed to shaping a clear perception of Arabs broadly and to inspiring both present and future generations to contribute actively to advancement in all fields.

FASTtelco launches FT Market Watch for KSE KUWAIT: FASTtelco, the leading internet service provider in Kuwait, specializing in providing innovative Internet and data communications solutions, has successfully launched the innovative “FT Market Watch Service”, a unique value added service rededicated to monitor Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE). This service enables brokerage firms and users to receive real-time updates on Kuwait Stock Exchange transactions through accessing secured technical software acting as a window for Kuwait Stock Exchange’s ticker and index enabling the users to follow the market orders without disconnection.

Abdulwahab Al-Nakib According to FASTtelco, this service will provide quantitative and qualitative data for its clients, especially investors, Stock Exchange dealers and those who are interested in the stock exchange market activities. Moreover, This service and its software provide information about transaction details of listed

companies in Kuwait Stock Exchange Market, and the movement of its traded shares.

In addition, FASTtelco has introduced a new miniversion of the software (FT Market Watch Lite) on the iPhone and Android which enables users to obtain real-time information about the stock market prices and transactions via smart phones and on the go. The smart phone apps are to be downloaded conveniently via the iTunes App store, and Android Play Store. On his part, Abdulwahab Ahmad AlNakib, Chairman and Managing Director of Al-Deera Holding, and CEO of FASTtelco, said “This product comes to meet an urgent need demanded by Kuwait Stock Exchange traders, because it will enable them to get real-time information through a secured and efficient network”, adding that the concept of launching this service in it’s software and smart phone application form, was the fruit of intense market research, aimed to enhance and facilitate the Kuwait Stock Exchange monitoring process.

Al-Nakib concluded by saying, “ FASTtelco is ranked as a pioneer in the field of using the most advanced communication channels in the brokerage and investment industries”. He noted that the strength of FASTtelco relies on the fact that it understands the clients’ demands, hence directing its investments in the next generation networks, which as a result enables FASTtelco to offer the best connectivity and data solutions among the data communication companies.

Al-Nakib asserted that FASTtelco’s services to the brokerage sector won’t be only about providing software but also to understand their true needs, assisting them in reaching their maximum efficiency and work flow levels.

Air Arabia starts twice weekly service to Yerevan SHARJAH: Air Arabia (PJSC), the first and largest lowcost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, announced yesterday that it will begin offering a twice weekly service to Yerevan, Armenia, from August 2013.

Around three hours flight time from the UAE, Armenia’s diverse landscape comprises mountains, forests, lakes and waterfalls. The ancient city of Yerevan is the country’s capital and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, offering a wide array of museums, parks, restaurants and sightseeing opportunities.

Flights will depart from Sharjah International Airport on Tuesdays and Fridays at 08:30, arriving at Zvartnots International Airport at 11.15. Return flights

will depart on the same days, leaving Yerevan at 12:35 and arriving in Sharjah at 15.40 (local time).

“Armenia is rapidly emerging as a must-visit destination for tourists seeking great culture and historyalongside fantastic scenery and outdoor activities,” said Adel Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia.

“Yerevan adds further strength to our already comprehensive network of destinations in Eastern Europe, and continues the rapid route expansion we have enjoyed since the beginning of the year.”

Yerevan is Air Arabia’s fifth new route in 2013 and 86th worldwide from the carriers operating hubs in the UAE, Morocco and Egypt. Air Arabia will commence Armenia operations on August 16, 2013.

Qatar move hints at Gulf currency shifts to come DUBAI: A statement on foreign exchange policy by Qatar’s central bank governor has struck a nerve in financial markets across the Gulf, reminding investors that decades of currency stability will not last forever. Five of the six oil exporters in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain - fix their currencies against the US dollar under arrangements dating back as far as the 1970s.

But late last month, Qatar central bank chief Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud Al-Thani suggested economic trends might eventually push Qatar into allowing its currency to fluctuate.

In comments to Reuters, he said the country might one day need a more flexible currency, though it was not at present considering any change to the riyal’s peg. “With increasing integration in international trade, services, and asset markets, a higher degree of exchange rate flexibility may become more desirable to ensure external stability and international competitiveness of our exports,” Sheikh Abdullah said. It was believed to be the first time in years that a top Gulf policy maker had publicly hinted at the possibility of a country removing its peg and letting its exchange rate fluctuate more freely in response to market forces.

In reaction, prices of 12-month foreign exchange forward contracts for Qatar’s riyal, Saudi Arabia’s riyal and the United Arab Emirates dirham - agreements to trade them versus the dollar a year from now - all fell slightly. Investors were assuming that since those countries ran big trade surpluses, any greater exchange rate freedom would, initially at least, cause their currencies to appreciate against the dollar, traders said.

So far, Gulf policy makers outside Qatar have not echoed Sheikh Abdullah, and GCC countries will not abandon their currency pegs lightly. The arrangements have mostly worked well for them over the decades, providing a source of predictability in one of the world’s most volatile regions. The pegs have helped to prevent any runs on Gulf currencies during crises such as the Iraq wars and tensions over Iran’s disputed nuclear program.

Also, Gulf economies depend heavily on oil exports and oil is internationally traded in dollars, making export earnings more reliable.

The currency pegs limit balance sheet risks since much of the Gulf’s external assets are held in dollars, while Gulf monetary policies remain predictable, widely understood and

easy to administer, said Farouk Soussa, Citigroup’s chief economist for the region. “So long as oil remains priced in US dollars and the region’s exports are dominated by oil, then there will be strong reasons for sticking to the current pegs,” said Simon Evenett, professor of economics at the University of St Gallen in Switzerland.

But the pegs also have major disadvantages. Gulf countries have little room to conduct their own interest rate policy; to avoid excessive flows of money into and out of the dollar, they mostly need to keep their interest rates close to US levels, even if the condition of their economies is very different. And Gulf economies can find themselves at the mercy of sharp swings in the global value of the dollar. For example, the onset of the global credit crisis caused the dollar to plunge in 2007 and 2008, helping push inflation up sharply in the Gulf states. This fuelled speculation in the currency forwards market, which ultimately proved incorrect, that they might have to abandon their pegs.

Khalid Alkhater, director of research and monetary policy at the Qatari central bank, cited the threat of inflation when he said in a speech last month that Qatar and other Gulf states should consider moving to more flexible exchange rates. “We in the GCC need more than an outdated four-decade-old, simple uni-instrument, uni-tool macroeconomic policy framework,” he said, stressing that his remarks did not reflect the central bank’s official view. “This framework was suitable for the earlier stages of development. However, the world has changed.”

Pressure for the Gulf to change its currency pegs still appears much less than it was in 2007-2008. Qatari riyal forwards imply a 0.1 percent weakening of the currency in the next 12 months; in April 2008, the market was betting on a 4.9 percent appreciation. Qatar’s inflation is rising as it embarks on multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects, and a stronger currency might help ease external inflationary pressure. But its inflation rate was still only 3.7 percent in April this year, well below the 15 percent record hit in 2008. “I don’t see de-pegging in the near future in any GCC country, as inflation is still in the low single digits and we don’t expect it to rise very sharply over the next one to two years,” said Khatija Haque, senior economist at Emirates NBD in Dubai.

But in the long term - perhaps a decade -

pressure to adopt new currency systems looks set to increase as Gulf economies diversify beyond oil and gas. All of the GCC countries are scrambling to develop non-energy industries, deepen their capital markets and create more private sector jobs for their citizens so they can ride out the next sharp drop in oil prices, whenever that comes. The rise of shale oil technology in the United States, which is boosting energy supplies there, has added to the sense of urgency in the Gulf over the past year. To stay competitive in this new environment, Gulf states may need flexible currencies.

“Sustained differences in inflation rates between the peggers and the US have a big impact on competitiveness over time. That’s important as many Gulf governments want to diversify their economies and may be tempted to devalue to boost competitiveness,” Evenett said. Alkhater suggested Gulf states might want to look at a Singapore-style currency system. The Singapore dollar is allowed to trade inside an adjustable band, with the central bank buying and selling dollars to prevent moves outside it. Such a “managed float” could be technically difficult to operate, however, and it might become a target of attacks by speculators. So Gulf countries could hesitate to adopt such a system, at least initially.

Another option would be for GCC states to form a common currency which, backed by the combined weight of their economies, would be strong enough to trade internationally. The GCC has discussed this idea for years, but political divisions between governments, and the troubled history of the euro, seem to be hindering that proposal. So the most likely outcome may be for Gulf countries to peg their currencies to “baskets” of several currencies instead of merely to the dollar. Kuwait, the sixth member of the GCC, has operated a currency basket since 2007.

The baskets would include the currencies of major trading partners such as the euro zone and China. This could make Gulf states less vulnerable to swings of the dollar, though because Kuwait’s basket is heavily weighted toward the dollar, it had little success in lowering inflation during the spike of 2008. Regardless of what currency models the Gulf states choose, change may be approaching. Citigroup’s Soussa said Qatar was unlikely to change its peg in the next year, but “over a 10-year horizon, the change is extremely likely”. — Reuters

KUWAIT: Michel Accad, Gulf Bank CEO, Mohammed Ahmed Al-Saqqaf, URC CEO and the senior management team from Gulf Bank and URC at the event.

Gulf Bank is Joint Lead Manager for URC’s KD 60m bond issue KUWAIT: Gulf Bank recently hosted an evening at Sheraton Hotel to announce their appointment as Joint Lead Manager in a five year KD 60 million bond issue for United Real Estate Company (URC), a leading real estate development company in the Middle East. The bond has been rated BBB- with a positive outlook by Capital Intelligence. The event was also an opportunity for Gulf Bank to offer this investment opportunity to its private and corporate clients.

The evening commenced with a presentation from URC’s CEO, Mohammed Ahmed Al-Saqqaf, introducing URC as the regions’ leading real estate development company with total assets of KD 556.6 as of December 31, 2012. URC’s majority shareholder is Kuwait Projects Holding Company (KIPCO), one of the largest and most diversified holding companies in the region. Al-Saqqaf highlighted URC’s projects and strategy moving forward, as well as the strong financial position of the issuer.

During his presentation, Al-Saqqaf said, “The five-year bond will mature in 2018 and will be issued in two tranches, subject to investor demand. One of the tranches will pay a fixed interest rate of 5.75 percent while the other will pay a floating interest rate of 3.25 percent above the CBK discount rate. Subscribing customers will enjoy a Kuwaiti dinar denominated fixed income investment opportunity which will deliver regular income in the form of quarterly coupon payments with redemption at maturity of the five year term. We are very pleased to be partnering with Gulf Bank and look forward to a long standing, mutually beneficial relation-

ship together.” Michel Accad, Gulf Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “The support we have received from the local investment community is a clear indication of the strength of the issuer and the strong local demand from the investment community. The opportunity to subscribe to the bond will be providing our customers with a steady income and an enhanced yield for their investment portfolios compared to fixed deposits. Our role in this bond marks a significant milestone for Gulf Bank in both providing our customers with a wide range of diversified investment opportunities and utilising our own skills as a bond arranger and structurer. We are very pleased to partner with United Real Estate Company in this venture and we are optimistic that this agreement will be the first of many similar collaborations in the future.”

URC’s CEO Mohammed Ahmed Al-Saqqaf

FATCA to impact Kuwait financial services industry KUWAIT: The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) was enacted in 2010 by the US Congress to target non-compliance by U.S. taxpayers using foreign accounts. FATCA requires foreign financial institutions (e.g., banks, and investment and asset management companies) (FFIs) to report information about financial accounts held by US taxpayers, or by foreign entities in which U.S. taxpayers hold a substantial ownership interest.

FATCA arrives at a time when financial institutions already face a number of regulatory compliance challenges, testing many organizations’ capability and capacity to manage change. The FATCA requirements introduce a series of business and systems requirements that appear simple in concept, but may be difficult and costly to operationalize. The aim for organizations (and other persons) affected by FATCA will be to meet the new compliance burden, while managing the associated compliance costs and risks.

Under the provisions of FATCA, foreign financial institutions, defined as broadly as one might imagine, must disclose the identity of any American account holder or face a severe financial sanction. Any foreign financial institution around the world that intends to

invest in a U.S. asset, whether for itself or any client (American or not), must enter into an agreement with the IRS for four main reasons: To review its existing account base and identify any American citizen or resident who is the beneficial owner of its accounts, whether title is held individually or by a company, trust or other entity.

To implement procedures to screen and monitor all new accounts for the same purpose.

To agree to provide the IRS on annual basis, an extensive amount of information about these accounts, including the identity of the account’s beneficial owner, the balance in the account, and the income generated in the account, along with other information upon request.

To obtain waivers of any home country privacy or secrecy laws, and if the account owner refuses, to take action against the owner, including the possibility of closing down the account.

As long as any US dollar based transaction necessitates dealing with correspondent banks in the United States of America, Arab Banks are required to implement this law so as to avoid a 30 percent withholding of their deposits or what is k nown as a “ Tax

• • •

•

Withholding”. There are a variety of reporting requirements for US citizens and residents, including individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates, involving foreign accounts. The willful failure to comply with these requirements can be prosecuted as criminal offenses under US law and subjec t the persons involved to substantial civil money penalties. Non-willful conduct can result in the assessment of tax, interest, penalties.

What does this mean for Kuwaiti financial institutions? Are they ready to comply with this law? It is important to note the level of readiness of financial institutions and banks across Kuwait to comply with FATCA, and especially so given the different dates by when compliance with various provisions under FATCA is to be achieved. Banks and other financial institutions in Kuwait must be fully prepared to start becoming FATCA compliant. This will, amongst others, require a complete reassessment and restructuring of information collection, training a qualified workforce, designing and developing a number of organizational structures as well having the technical and legal means to implement FATCA within their organizations.

The provisions of FATCA are complex and will act so

as to make it difficult for any financial institution to operate unless it complies with the FATCA regime by registering with the IRS. Such institutions will need to do this as other US and FATCA compliant institutions are likely to refuse to deal with a non-FATCA registered institution. Operationally this will mean that all financial institutions across the GCC region will need to enhance their customer due diligence procedures and also modify systems to cope with FATCA compliance requirements. A significant effort is required to meet this challenge.

ASAR - Al-Ruwayeh & Partners will be hosting a (free of charge) FATCA Seminar on Monday, June 17 at the JW Marriot Hotel in Kuwait City where leading and internationally recognized FATCA practitioners from Washington DC and London will share their insight on the technical aspects of FATCA (including providing an update on the FATCA regulations) as well as the practical implications and potential solutions based on their experience around the globe. The Seminar has been purposefully designed to address issues that are faced by both Kuwaiti and GCC based financial institutions, and other affected corporates, trust companies, high net worth families, and individuals.

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

technology

Hands-free texting still distracting for drivers

PRAGUE: The remote-controlled Flying Bike with a test dummy is ready for its presentation fly in Prague. Three Czech companies have teamed up to make a prototype of an electric bicycle that can fly. —AP

Czechs present bicycle that can fly PRAGUE: Is it a bike? Is it a plane? Three Czech companies have teamed up to make a prototype of an electric bicycle that successfully took off yesterday inside an exhibition hall in Prague and landed safely after a remote-controlled, five-minute flight.

Looking like a heavy mountain bike, it

weighs 95 kilograms (209 pounds). It has two battery-power propellers in the front, two in the back and one each on the sides.

A dummy rode in the saddle. Milan Duchek, technical director of Duratec, a bicycle frames maker, says more powerful batteries will be needed before a human takes a two-wheeled flight. —AP

Executives admit that TV isn’t everywhere yet WASHINGTON: TV was supposed to be everywhere by now - watchable anytime, anywhere, on your smartphone or tablet.

But four years into the industry’s effort, network executives readily admit: TV isn’t everywhere.

The promise of “TV Everywhere” has been a key strategy in the cable and satellite TV industry’s fight to retain customers in the face of challenges from online video providers such as Netflix.

With TV Everywhere, customers who pay for packages with hundreds of television channels are supposed to be able to watch them on mobile devices and computers as well for no extra charge. That perk is meant to make pay T V packages seem more worthwhile and keep customers from defecting.

Yet many rights deals still haven’t been worked out. More important, audience measurement firms have been slow to count viewing on mobile devices, so advertisers have been reluctant to pay as much for commercials on phones and tablets compared with television sets.

“We either don’t get any credit at all, or if we do get credit it’s at a fraction of what we would have gotten if they first watched it live on the T V,” Ron Lamprecht, NBCUniversal’s executive vice president for digital distribution, said during a panel at The Cable Show, an industry conference this week.

This gap in ad revenue has created a kind of chicken-and-egg scenario.

Networks and pay TV providers aren’t able to offer as many shows online because they don’t want to spend too much for rights without knowing they can make their money back. So, viewers can’t reliably find their favorite shows online and don’t use the services much.

That also makes TV Everywhere seem inferior to online video services such as Netflix, which has a smaller range of fresh content but makes those shows available on multiple devices, whether inside the home or not. The knowledge that their content is available truly everywhere makes the extra monthly fee of $8 a small price to pay.

Currently, most network shows that are made available on mobile devices through TV Everywhere are watchable only through a viewer’s own home wireless network - not at a friend’s house, not at a bus stop, not at church. Sometimes, a network’s shows will be available that way only to customers of certain pay TV operators.

Adding to the confusion, both pay TV providers and individual networks offer their own apps. The ones from the providers, such as Xfinity from Comcast, offer hundreds of channels, but only in the home. Ones from individual networks allow for viewing elsewhere, but only if the provider has reached a deal with that network.

It’s a perplexing situation for networks, much less consumers. “Explain to a consumer why they can get TNT in the home and they can watch a basketball game but they can’t get it out of the home,” said Jeremy Legg, vice president of Time Warner

Inc.’s Turner Broadcasting. “We need to satisfy that.” Marcien Jenckes, general manager for Comcast Corp.’s cable TV services, said that all pay TV providers big and small have to increase their mobile offerings for customers to really notice. “Ubiquity is important,” he said.

Several TV networks are turning on live T V feeds for out-of-home viewing on phones and tablets, but the offering is still patchy. Last month, The Walt Disney Co. made live TV viewing of ABC-affiliated TV stations available on its Watch ABC app, but only in New York and Philadelphia at first.

It has plans to expand that to the six other stations it owns, along with 13 other stations owned by Hearst in the coming months. Live viewing on the app is restricted to those with a pay TV subscription.

Disney, which also owns ESPN, already has made live TV viewing available on other apps such as Watch ESPN. Turner’s TBS and TNT are set to host live feeds on mobile devices out of the home starting this summer, Legg said, but only for Comcast subscribers at first.

Executives from Univision, NBCUniversal and Fox all said they wanted to start live feeds of T V programming to mobile devices within the next 12 months.

Yet another hurdle to that plan is the acquisition of sports rights. Fox, for example, would like to offer live football games on mobile devices, but its negotiations with the National Football League might not be complete in time for kickoff this fall, said Mike Biard, executive vice president of distribution for News Corp.’s Fox Networks.

The top 10 ad-supported pay TV networks on average offer some kind of mobile viewing to only 4 in 10 subscribers, according to Bill Niemeyer, senior analyst with research firm The Diffusion Group. By contrast, about 7 in 10 subscribers of premium pay networks such as HBO, Showtime and Starz have mobile access.

The study excluded ABC, CBS and NBC because they allow certain shows to be watched for free on mobile devices even without a pay TV subscription.

Niemeyer said the delay in the spread of TV Everywhere is mostly the result of networks and content owners haggling over the value of online audiences, even though both sides have the most to gain from expanding T V to mobile devices.

Meanwhile, Netflix continues to gain subscribers, while the pay TV subscriber base is stagnant. Netflix now has more subscribers than Comcast, the nation’s largest T V provider.

“There’s a feeling of fiddling while Rome burns,” Niemeyer said. At the Cable Show panel, executives from Univision, Fox and NBCUniversal all gave themselves low grades when asked how complete their own TV Everywhere offering was.

Fox’s Biard said consumers have been frustrated because the experience from the pay TV operator has been “hit and miss.”

“The fact is, consumers don’t expect to get it everywhere from their pay TV operator today,” Biard said. “They’ve grown to expect it from Netflix and Hulu Plus and some others.” — AP

WASHINGTON: Comcast Corp. CEO Brian Roberts gestures as he speaks during The Cable Show 2013 convention. TV was supposed to everywhere by now — on your smartphone, on your tablet. Your favorite shows were supposed to be watchable anytime, anywhere. But four years into the industry’s effort network executives speaking at an industry conference this week readily admit: TV isn’t everywhere. —AP

WASHINGTON: Using voice commands to send text messages and emails from behind the wheel, which is marketed as a safer alternative for drivers, actually is more distracting and dangerous than simply talking on a cellphone, a study by travel organization Automobile Association of America found.

Automakers have been trying to excite new-car buyers, especially younger ones, with dashboard infotainment systems that let drivers use voice commands do things like turning on windshield wipers, posting Facebook messages or ordering pizza. The pitch has been that hands-free devices are safer because they enable drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road.

But talking on a hands-free phone isn’t significantly safer for drivers than talking on a hand-held phone, and using hands-free devices that translate speech into text is the most distracting of all, researchers found. Speech-to-text systems that enable drivers to send, scroll through, or delete email and text messages required greater concentration by drivers than other potentially distracting activities examined in the study like talking on the phone, talking to a passenger, listening to a book on tape or listening to the radio.

The greater the concentration required to perform a task, the more likely a driver is to develop what researchers call “tunnel vision” or “inattention blindness.” Drivers will stop scanning the roadway or ignore their side and rearview mir-

rors. Instead, they look straight ahead, but fail to see what’s in front of them, like red lights and pedestrians.

“People aren’t seeing what they need to see to drive. That’s the scariest part to me,” said Peter Kissinger, president and chief executive of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, the group’s safety research arm.

“Police accident investigative reports are filled with comments like the ‘looked, but did not see.’

That’s what drivers tell them. We used to think they were lying, but now we know that’s actually true.”

There are about 9 million cars and trucks on the road in the U.S. with infotainment systems, and that will jump to about 62 million vehicles by 2018, AAA spokeswoman Yolanda Cade said, citing automotive industry research. At the same time, drivers tell the AAA they believe phones and other devices are safe to use behind the wheel if they are hands-free, she said.

“We believe there is a public safety crisis looming,” Cade said. “We hope this study will change some widely held misconceptions by motorists.” AAA officials who briefed automakers, safety advocates and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on the study’s findings said they want to limit in-vehicle, voice-driven technologies to “core driving tasks.”

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers was skeptical. “We are extremely concerned that it could send a misleading message, since it suggests that hand-held and hands-free devices are equally

LOS ANGELES: In this Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011, file photo, a driver uses an iPhone while driving. The country’s four biggest cellphone companies are set to launch their first joint advertising campaign against texting while driving, uniting behind AT&T’s “It Can Wait” slogan to blanket TV and radio during this summer. —AP risky,” the association said in a statement. The automakers’ trade group said the AAA study focuses only on the mental distraction posed by using a device and ignores the visual and manual aspects of hand-held versus hands-free systems that are integrated into cars.

Other studies have also compared hand-held and hands-free phone use, finding they are equally risky or nearly so. But a recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study of drivers’ real world driving experiences found hand-held phone use was less safe than hands-free.

Researchers at the University of Utah who conducted the study for the AAA measured the brainwaves, eye movement, driving performance and other indicators of 32 uni-

versity students as they drove and performed a variety of secondary tasks, ranging from listening to music to sending emails.

Cameras were mounted inside the car to track drivers’ eye and head movements. A device that drivers pressed was used to record their reaction time to red and green lights introduced to their field of vision. Drivers were fitted with a special skull cap to record their brain activity.

The students were tested while not driving, while driving in a simulator and while driving a car on a 3mile (5 kilometer) loop through a suburban Salt Lake City neighborhood with stop signs and stoplights. A researcher with a backup braking system accompanied the students in the test car. — AP

’Final Fantasy’ returns at E3 LOS ANGELES: It’s a video game more than seven years in the making. Square Enix revealed Monday during Sony’s presentation at the Electronic Entertainment Expo that “Final Fantasy XV” would finally see the light of day. The latest entry in the long-running role -playing series was previously known as “Final Fantasy Versus XIII” and it was first revealed at E3 way back in 2006.What’s taking so long?

Tetsuya Nomura, Square Enix’s chief creative head, said technology had to catch up with his imagination. While the title was originally intended for the current-generation PlayStation 3, “Final Fantasy XV” will be available for Sony’s nextgeneration PlayStation 4, as well as Microsoft’s Xbox One. “Several times, there were

changes in engines that we used,” the Japanese game designer said through a translator Tuesday at Square Enix’s E3 booth. “To make what I imagined in my mind on the current generation of consoles was very challenging. What you saw yesterday in the trailer was very difficult to create in the current generation of consoles.”

Nomura declined to elaborate on how the game will play, but footage shown at E3 suggests “Final Fantasy XV” will trade the series’ signature turn-based combat for quicker-paced action.

“The game was announced seven years ago, but the concept has never changed,” Nomura said. The original “Final Fantasy” was released in 1987 and has spawned dozens of sequels and spin-offs. — AP

Chinese jailed in US for selling $100m in stolen software DELAWARE: A US federal judge on Tuesday sentenced a Chinese businessman to 12 years in prison for selling stolen software used in defense, space technology and engineering with a retail value of more than $100 million, prosecutors said.

The US Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware said businessman Xiang Li, 36, would be deported to China pending his release from prison.

Li, of Chengdu, China, was arrested in June 2011, in an undercover sting by US Department of Homeland Security agents on the Pacific island of Saipan, an American territory near Guam.

Originally charged in a 46-count indictment, he pleaded guilty in January to single counts of conspiracy to commit criminal copyright violations and wire fraud. At the hearing, Li admitted that what he did was “wrong and illegal” and apologized to the court.

Assistant US Attorney Edward McAndrew did not immediately respond to a message late on Tuesday seeking comment on Li’s sentencing.

Li stole the sophisticated software from an estimated 200 manufacturers and sold to 325 black market buyers in 61 countries from 2008 to 2011, prosecutors said. US buyers in 28 states included a NASA engineer and the chief scientist for a defense and law-enforcement contractor, prosecutors said.

Corporate victims in the case included Microsoft Corp , Oracle Corp, Rockwell Automation Inc, Agilent Technologies Inc, Siemens AG, Delcam , Altera Corp and SAP AG, the government said.

US officials and Li’s lawyer previously said the case was the first in which a businessman involved in pirating industrial software was lured from China by undercover agents and arrested.

The retail value of the business software products Li pirated ranged from several hundred dollars to more than $1 million apiece. He sold them online for as little as $20 to $1,200 through his websites, according to government court filings. At one point, Li’s sites offered more than 2,000 pirated software titles, prosecutors said. Li trolled black market Internet forums in search of hacked software, and people with the knowhow to crack the passwords needed to run the program. Then he advertised them for sale on his websites. Li transferred the pirated programs to customers by sending compressed files via Gmail, or sent them hyperlinks to download servers, officials said.

Government agents learned of Li’s enterprise after an unidentified US manufacturer noticed his company’s software for sale on one of Li’s websites.

The investigation revealed that Li was part of a larger cybercrime organization based in China, prosecutors said. Through emails sent to various customers, Xiang Li described himself as being part of “an international organization created to crack” software, prosecutors said. —Reuters

LOS ANGELES: An attendee walks past an installation at the Sony booth during the Electronic Entertainment Expo. —AP

HP unleashes the power of big data DUBAI: HP today announced an expanded big data portfolio designed to enable organizations to gain better insight into their data and deliver real-time outcomes.

According to research commissioned on behalf of HP,(1) nearly 60 percent of companies surveyed will spend at least 10 percent of their innovation budget on big data this year. The study also found, however, that more than one in three organizations have failed with a big data initiative.

HP’s enhanced portfolio delivers the necessary services and solutions to facilitate the successful implementation of these initiatives, and to enable enterprises to handle the growing volume, variety, velocity and vulnerability of data that can cause these initiatives to fail.

To help organizations reap the rewards of big data, HP announced HAVEn, a big data analytics platform, which leverages HP’s analytics software, hardware and services to create the next generation of big data-ready analytics applications and solutions.

“Big data enables organizations to take advantage of the totality of their information-both internal and external-in real time.

It produces extremely fast decision making, resulting in unique and innovative ways to serve customers and society,” Eyad Shihabi, Managing Director, HP Middle East. “HP has the breadth and depth of both the platform and the product portfolio to assist enterprises in unleashing the power of big data.”

HAVEn combines proven technologies from HP Autonomy, HP Vertica, HP ArcSight and HP Operations Management, as well as key industry initiatives such as Hadoop, enabling clients and partners to: ● Avoid vendor lock-in with an open architecture that supports a broad range of analytics tools. ● Protect investments with support for multiple virtualization technologies. ● Speed time to value with highly optimized hardware solutions. ● Gain value from 100 percent of information, including structured, semistructured and unstructured data, via HP’s portfolio of more than 700 connectors into HAVEn. HP also is expanding its big data portfolio with new capabilities that help clients

build and operate their big data solutions.

The first integrated big data analytics solution built on HAVEn is HP Operations Analytics, which delivers insight into all aspects of IT operations, so organizations can ensure quality service levels. The solution allows organizations to efficiently consume, manage and analyze massive streams of IT operational data from a variety of HP products, including HP ArcSight Logger and the HP Business Ser vice Management portfolio, as well as third-party sources.

To help clients improve customer engagement and speed response to market opportunities, HP Enterprise Services has introduced HP Actionable Analytics Services. These solutions enable clients to implement analytics and extract insight hidden within big data, as well as streamline key organizational processes, such as customer offers, procurement, supply chain and inventory operations.

To help organizations avoid setbacks and successfully deploy big data solutions, HP Technology Services has expanded its Big Data Consulting Practice to ensure optimal IT infrastructure performance as well as support for increasing big data demands.

New offerings include IT Strategy and Architecture, System Infrastructure, and Protection services that enable clients to align their IT infrastructure to organizational goals, while achieving compliance with industry standards and government regulations. HP also announced two additional products to help on the journey: * The HP Vertica Community Editionfree, downloadable software that delivers the same functionality of the HP Vertica Analytics Platform Enterprise Edition with no commitments or time limits, allowing clients to analyze up to 1 terabyte of data before investing in an enterprisewide solution. ● The HP Autonomy Legacy Data Cleanup-information governance solution that helps clients analyze legacy data, lower costs and reduce risks while driving value from big data. With this solution, organizations can access, understand and classify, as well as defensibly dispose of outdated and unnecessary legacy information, while retaining data deemed valuable for production applications.

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

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

Mom’s obesity tied to higher risk of preemies NEW YORK: Pregnant women who are overweight or obese are more likely to give birth prematurely, according to a new study from Sweden. Researchers found that link was strongest for babies born the earliest - between 22 and 27 weeks - and therefore most at risk of complications. “This study suggests that there is a direct association between maternal overweight and obesity during pregnancy and the risk of preterm birth,” said Dr Muktar Aliyu, who has studied pregnancy risks at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee.

“Women should maintain a healthy

weight before and after pregnancy not just for their own health but also for the sake of the unborn child,” Aliyu, who wasn’t involved in the new research, told Reuters Health in an email. For their study, Dr Sven Cnattingius from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm and his colleagues analyzed Swedish databases of 1.6 million pregnant women and their babies born between 1992 and 2010. A total of 5 percent of those babies were born early - most “moderately preterm,” or between 32 and 36 weeks. Normal gestation is considered 37 to 42 weeks.

As a woman’s weight at her first prenatal visit increased beyond a normal

Endurance skiers at risk of irregular heartbeat PARIS: Participants in one of the world’s toughest endurance events, the Vasaloppet cross-country ski race in Sweden, have a heightened risk of developing an irregular heart rhythm, according to surprise findings published yesterday. Previous studies had found that endurance athletes have a higher risk of problems with the heart rate or rhythm than non-active people. The new research, though, suggests that the risk increases the more frequently an athlete competes-and that those most at risk are the sport’s elite.

“Being in the fastest group or participating more than five times during a 10-year period actually doubles the risk of having different sorts of pathological slow heart rhythm disturbances,” study co-author Kasper Andersen of the Uppsala University Hospital’s medical sciences department told AFP. “It is surprising that we could show an increased risk of atrial fibrillation among these participants that are supposed to be (at the) higher end of the physical activity scale,” he said by email. Despite this, the data did not point to any higher risk of early death, he said.

Extending over 90 kilometers (56 miles), the Vasaloppet marathon is one of the longest and biggest ski races in the world.

The participants generally are much healthier than the general population they smoke less, have lower fat and higher fibre consumption and are in better physical and mental shape. The new study, published in the European Heart Journal, looked at nearly 53,000 people who had participated in the Vasaloppet between 1989 and 1998.

Of the total, 919 (1.74 percent) experienced some form of arrhythmia. “We found that those who completed five or more races in a period of 10 years had a 30 percent higher risk of developing any arrhythmia than those who did one race only,” said Andersen. “Similarly, skiers who had the fastest finishing time relative to the other participants also had a 30 percent higher risk of developing any arrhythmia in subsequent years.”

Andersen said the same pattern would “likely” be found in other endurance sports like marathon running and triathlon.

Despite the increased risk, the skiers measured for the study have about half the mortality rate of the general population. They had no higher risk of the type of arrhythmia that can cause sudden death. Andersen stressed the findings did not show that the sport caused arrhythmia, and should not deter people from exercising. —AFP

Singapore fights back against worsening dengue outbreak SINGAPORE: Singapore is fighting back against a rapidly worsening dengue epidemic by distributing insect repellants to every household and recruiting hundreds of disease control officers, officials said.

Two Singaporeans have died from the virus so far this year and weekly cases hit an alltime high of 820 in the period ending June 8, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said in a statement issued late Tuesday.

More than 9,300 people were infected this year as of Tuesday, fast nearing the 13,984 infections in 2005, the worst year on record, official data showed.

NEA said its officers and volunteers would be distributing 1.2 million insect repellants to all households in the compact island of over five million from July to August this year. This would “help residents protect themselves from mosquito bites and thus break the chain of transmission,” it said. The agency is also hiring 300 new officers to supplement its current 850-strong disease control team. “With the strengthened operational workforce, NEA will be able to inspect 100 percent of the premises

in dengue clusters within a week, as well as to step up preventive surveillance checks in non-cluster areas,” it said.

Dengue is endemic in Singapore, a rainy tropical island, as well as neighboring Southeast Asian countries. The virus causes high fever, headaches, itching and joint pains. At an advanced stage it can lead to haemorrhaging and death.

The NEA said the current epidemic was driven by “low population immunity” and warmer weather. The Aedes mosquito, which carries the virus and transmits the disease, thrives during the hot season.

Homeowners in the city-state-known for its fastidious sanitation-can be fined Sg$200 ($160) if mosquito breeding spots are found in their homes.

Repeat offenders can be fined up to Sg$5,000 or jailed for up to three months, or both. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned in January that the disease had global “epidemic potential” after registering a 30-fold increase in the last 50 years to two million cases annually due to climate change and increased travel. —AFP

Survivors of childhood cancer prone to adult illness: Study WASHINGTON: Patients who successfully battled cancer during childhood face an extraordinarily high rate of chronic illness during their grown-up years, according to study published Tuesday. The research released by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) tracked 1,700 adult survivors of childhood cancer, and found that the vast majority were combating one or more chronic ailments. “The percentage of survivors with one or more chronic health conditions prevalent in a young adult population was extraordinarily high,” said lead researcher Melissa Hudson and her colleagues at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Memphis.

The study found that 80.5 percent of adults were suffering with at least one chronic ailment by the age of 45. The subjects in the study were most likely to suffer from ailments to the lungs, heart, auditory, nervous or endocrine systems. The research, published in the June 12 issue of JAMA, found that there is “a growing population of adults formerly treated for childhood cancer who are at risk for health problems that appear to increase with aging.” The scientists called for additional research, noting that “the prevalence of cancer-related toxic effects... has not been well studied.” Hudson and her colleagues said life-long monitoring is in order for those stricken with cancer in childhood. — AFP

CAMBODIA: A Cambodian Buddhist monk receives blood-pressure check during a blood donation campaign joined by more than 500 people yesterday ahead of the 10th World Blood Donor Day in Phnom Penh. World Blood Donor Day, celebrated on June 14 every year, serves to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and to promote voluntary unpaid blood donation. —AP

body mass index (BMI) - a measure of weight in relation to height - the researchers found her risk of delivering prematurely increased as well. Just 0.17 percent of normal-weight women - one in 588 - had an extremely premature baby, for example. That increased to 0.21 percent for overweight women and up to 0.52 percent for the most severely obese women, with a BMI of 40 or higher. A five-foot, six-inch woman has a BMI of 40 at 248 pounds. Medically-induced early births were more common at all stages of pregnancy with increasing weight. “That was, we can see, more or less entirely due to the increased risk of

obesity-related maternal complications, with preeclampsia as number one, “ Cnattingius told Reuters Health.

Preeclampsia occurs when a woman develops high blood pressure and protein in her urine during pregnancy, requiring the baby be delivered right away. In this study, overweight and obese women were also at higher risk of a spontaneous extremely early birth, Cnattingius and his colleagues reported Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

He thinks the obesity-related risks are tied to higher rates of inflammation and certain proteins that make heavy

women more vulnerable to minor infections. How much weight a woman gains during pregnancy - not just her prepregnancy size - can also raise her risk of delivering early, Aliyu said. He recommends pregnant women focus on eating a healthy diet and improving their lifestyle. “For the actual woman, her individual risk increase is not very big,” Cnattingius said. However, across a whole population of women - especially one with high rates of obesity, such as in the US - these extra risks can add up, he added. “I think it’s important to focus on this in countries where obesity is prevalent,” Cnattingius said. —Reuters

A cure for Alzheimer disease!

DALLAS: Alzheimer’s disease is on the rise, but researchers like Dr Michael Devous expect the numbers to shift into reverse. “I think we’re going to cure Alzheimer’s disease, and we’re not far away from it,” said Devous, a professor and director of the NeuroImaging Core for the Alzheimer’s Disease Center at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

“Ten years ago I didn’t think so, but we’ve made tremendous progress,” he said. “ We haven’t done it. We haven’t cured anyone from this disease yet, but I’m hopeful that the trials we’ve started will change the course of this disease in a positive way.”

It’s a rare burst of good news for this specific disease. According to an April study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia or memory loss that typically worsens over time, is now the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States.

It has surpassed cancer and heart disease to become America’s costliest disease, affecting more than 5.4 million Americans with about 4.1 million requiring intensive care that totals $200 billion a year. Patients live an average of four to eight years after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, but some live as long as 20 years, with 75 percent of those with Alzheimer’s going to a nursing home by age 80.

Current treatments may temporarily ease symptoms but don’t slow the disease down, which can lead to patients losing recognition of loved ones, the ability to speak or recall the names for objects and mastery of simple life skills. Researchers, however, find hope in three promising approaches: healthful lifestyle changes, genetic testing to identify those at higher risk and removal of amyloid plaque.

While the precise role of plaque is still being studied, it’s known that these deposits of apparently toxic protein peptide settle between the brain’s nerve cells and are found disproportionately in people with Alzheimer’s, according to the National Institutes of Health National Institute on Aging.

Adding to the optimism is the Texas Alzheimer’s Research and Care Consortium, which pools efforts from Texas institutions, including University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, and features collaborative studies with the University of Texas at Dallas Center for BrainHealth and Center for Vital Longevity and the Cooper Clinic in Dallas.

For Devous, the game changer came last year with the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of Amyvid, an amyloid imaging agent that allows researchers to track plaque in positron emission tomography scans. So far, he’s learned that plaque removal doesn’t help those in advanced stages of Alzheimer’s, probably because at that point, the plaque has already done irreversible damage.

That has turned his team’s focus to finding and removing plaque from those who don’t have symptoms or are in the early stages of the disease. “There’s a mild cognitive impairment which precedes dementia,” Devous said. “We are having clinical trials to see if removing plaque will keep them from getting worse and maybe even allow them to get better.”

DALLAS: Anita Rager, 77, works out on a treadmill for 50 minutes as part of an exercise study conducted by UT Southwestern and Texas Health Presbyterian at the Cardiovascular Fitness Center at Texas Health Presbyterian Dallas. —MCT Lifestyle changes can also slow or prevent the growth of plaque, says Dr Mary Quiceno, a neurologist and director of the Cognitive and Memory Disorders Clinic at the Alzheimer’s Disease Center at the University of Texas Southwestern. Conversely, plaque buildup can be accelerated by high blood pressure, arterial sclerosis, strokes, clogged arteries, concussions, inflammation and diabetes.

“All of us are at risk, and all of us can do something about it,” Quiceno said. Underscoring a new understanding that what’s good for the heart is good for the brain, an April study in the Archives of Neurology found that those who follow the Mediterranean diet experience less blood vessel damage in the brain than those who consume red meats, saturated fats and refined grains.

Quiceno also said exercise is also drawing attention from researchers as a deterrent.

“Exercise has a direct effect on brain-cell growth, particularly in the hippocampus,” an area of the brain that plays an important role in memory, she said. “It’s something we need to emphasize earlier with our kids.”

Those who are fit at midlife have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias later, according to a study that followed more than 19,000 men and women over a period of 24 years, published in the February Annals of Internal Medicine by the Cooper Institute in collaboration with the University of Texas Southwestern and Cooper Clinic.

Getting adequate sleep, socializing and building cognitive reserve by learning new things can lower the risk for Alzheimer’s, too, Quiceno said.

For some, however, genetics can trump even the best efforts.

The Alzheimer’s Prevention Initiative, an international collaborative effort run by the Banner Alzheimer Institute in Phoenix, is studying people at genetic risk for developing Alzheimer’s in their 40s and 50s, as well as people at genetic risk for the more common

Alzheimer’s that occurs later in life. Individuals at genetic risk for early-onset Alzheimer’s represent less than 1 percent of all Alzheimer’s cases, but they offer an accelerated look at how the disease can progress as the amyloid plaque starts forming in their brains in their late 20s and early 30s, said Jessica Langbaum, a principal scientist and associate director of the initiative.

“That’s the hope that the lessons we learn from people who carry this rare genetic mutation will be applicable to other individuals,” she said.

One way people can help speed progress toward a cure is to volunteer for studies.

Langbaum is hoping to register 250,000 people at registry.endalznow.org by 2015. Devous is also looking for volunteers at the school’s Alzheimer ’s Disease Center at utsouthwestern.edu/adc or 214-648-0563. The other important thing people can do is to go to their doctors at the first sign of dementia, Devous said.

“I want people to know they should see their doctor as soon as they think they have a problem,” he said. “We have good diagnostic techniques, and it’s an opportunity to see if the problem could be due to something that is treatable, whether by medical intervention or by better nutrition and lifestyle choices.”

Top 5 tips for brain health Talk: Socialization may help preserve cognitive function and improve mental health.

Think: Continuing to learn can help improve processing speed, working memory and attention.

Exercise: It stimulates brain-cell growth and decreases risk for high blood pressure and diabetes.

Eat: Put baked or broiled fish on the menu at least once a week for omega-3 essential fatty acids, which prevent or slow dementia.

Sleep: It improves memories, which consolidate during sleep, and lowers stress. —MCT

More pests resistant to GM crops PARIS: More pest species are becoming resistant to the most popular type of genetically-modified, insect-repellent crops, but not in areas where farmers follow expert advice, a study said on Monday. The paper delves into a key aspect of socalled Bt corn and cotton-plants that carry a gene to make them exude a bacterial protein called Bacillus thuringiensis, which is toxic to insects. Publishing in the journal Nature Biotechnology, US and French researchers analyzed the findings of 77 studies from eight countries on five continents that reported on data from field monitors.

Of 13 major pest species examined, five were resistant by 2011, compared with only one in 2005, they found. The benchmark was resistance among more than 50 percent of insects in a location. Of the five species, three were cotton pests and two were corn pests. Three of the five cases of resistance were in the United States, which accounts for roughly half of Bt crop plantings, while the others were in South Africa and India. The authors said they picked up a case of early resistance, with less than 50 percent of insects, in yet another US cotton pest.

And there were “early warning” signs (one percent resistance or less) from four other cotton or corn pests in China, the United States and the Philippines. The scientists found big differences in the speed at which Bt resistance developed. In one case, it

took just two years for the first signs to emerge; in others, the Bt crops remained as effective in 2011 as they were 15 years earlier. What made the difference was whether farmers set aside sufficient “refuges” of land for non-BT crops, said the study’s authors.

The idea behind such refuges comes from evolutionary biology.

The genes that confer resistance are recessive, meaning that insects can survive on Bt plants only if they have two copies of a resistance gene-one from each parent. Planting refuges near Bt crops reduces the chances of two resistant insects mating and conferring the double gene to their offspring. “Computer models showed that refuges should be good for delaying resistance,” study co-author Yves Carriere, an entomologist at the University of Arizona at Tucson, said in a press release.

Practical evidence of this is shown in the case of a cottonmunching pest called the pink bollworm, said his colleague, Bruce Tabashnik. Bt crops in the southwestern United States, where growers work closely with scientists to devise a refuge strategy, do not have a resistance problem. In India, though, local pink bollworms became resistance within six years, simply because farmers did not follow the guidelines or get this support. The researchers cautioned that resistance to Bt crops was simply a matter of time, as all pests eventually adapt to the threat they face. But refuges were the key to braking it.

“Either take more stringent measures to delay resistance such as requiring larger refuges or this pest will probably evolve resistance quickly,” said Tabashnik. Farming groups have been furiously debating the value of refuges, and in recent years the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) relaxed its refuge-planting requirements. More than a billion acres (420 million hectares) of land have been planted

with Bt crops since the mid-1990s.

In 2011 alone, 66 million hectares (164 million acres) of land was planted with Bt crops. That year Bt corn accounted for 67 percent of corn planted in the United States and Bt cotton for between 79-95 percent of cotton planted in the US, Australia, China, and India. Transgenic crops are opposed in Europe and other parts of the world where green activists say they are a potential threat to human health and the

India’s shares slide on inspection fears MUMBAI: Shares of Indian pharmaceuticals firm Wockhardt plunged almost 10 percent yesterday on concerns that the domestic drug regulator may inspect some of its factories. Wockhardt has been under scrutiny since the US Food and Drug Administrator last month banned imports from one of its manufacturing units over quality concerns.

Wockhardt shares slid close to 10 percent to 973.45 rupees-hitting a nearly 10-month-low-on the Bombay Stock Exchange before retracing to trade down nearly five percent at 1,031.00 rupees.

“Whenever there are any issues related to quality, our duty is to see that medicines that are available in India are genuine and are good in quality,” Drugs Controller General of India G.N. Singh told the Business Standard newspaper. Singh refused to comment directly on Wockhardt but said that “wherever specific issues are red-flagged, we will not fail to re-confirm”. The US FDA issued an “import alert” on a Wockhardt factory in the city of Aurangabad in the western state of Maharashtra, citing concerns over the quality of drugs it produced. An import alert bans drugs that have not met good manufacturing standards, according to the US drug regulator’s website. There was no immediate comment from Mumbai-based Wockhardt, which employs 7,900 people worldwide and has 14 manufacturing plants in India, Britain, Ireland, France and the United States. —AFP

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

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

Tempers fray over Russian block at climate talks

LOS ANGELOS: File photo shows a mother chimp relaxing with her baby at Chimp Haven in Keithville. —AP photos

CALIFORNIA: File photo shows chimpanzee expert Jane Goodall holding a monkey doll she brings with her wherever she travel in Pasadena. —AP

Wildlife agency to list all chimps as endangered WASHINGTON: The Fish and Wildlife Service says it wants to protect chimpanzees as endangered both in captivity and in the wild. The action could affect the use of chimpanzees in medical research. A plan announced Tuesday would do away with a ìsplit listingî that has labeled wild chimps as endangered but those in captivity as threatened, a status that offers less protection.

The agency said that if made final, the proposal would require a permit to use chimps in medical research.

Interstate sales of chimps also would require a permit.

About 2,000 chimps are held in captivity in the United States. The agency said it will work with the National Institutes of Health and zoos to consider implications of the new listing. — AP

BONN: A key panel at UN climate talks in Bonn went into deep freeze on Tuesday as Russia ignored pleas to end a procedural protest that observers said put narrow politics above global interests. Supported by Belarus and Ukraine, Russia blocked work in the Subsidiar y Body for Implementation (SBI), a key technical committee, in the latest round of climate talks, which opened on June 3.

Observers said if the three countries did not back down, the future of the entire UN process to fight greenhouse-gas emissions would be at risk.

“It’s a most unfortunate situation,” said Christiana Figueres, head of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which announced the suspension. The SBI advises climate negotiators on such key issues as progress being made towards achieving the UN’s goal of limiting global warming to a maximum two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

Russia is incensed by the way the UNFCCC’s last big annual meeting, held in Doha, Qatar, closed last December. Moscow says its opposition was ignored by the conference’s Qatari chairman, who gaveled through a deal that extended the Kyoto Protocol on curbing Earthwarming greenhouse gas emissions.

The Doha decision hamstrung

Moscow’s planned sale of 5.8 billion tonnes of carbon credits amassed under the first round of the Kyoto Protocol.

Russia had gained the credits not through emissions reductions efforts, but after market pressure forced the closure of CO2-spewing factories following the fall of the Soviet Union. In the face of pleas and criticism from other delegates, Russian chief negotiator Oleg Shamonov said his country would not back down on what it felt was a matter of principle. “Emotions must be set aside,” he said, arguing for more transparency in UN decisionmaking.

“Our intention is to bring the process from behind the looking glass.” But Fiji, speaking for an alliance of developing countries that includes China, begged for action. “Please don’t walk off, please don’t close the door and turn off the lights,” its delegate said. “We are all here as sovereign member states. Let us not tie the noose around our necks on some procedural issues.” To applause, Tuvalu, a small-island state worried about sealevel rise, asked: “Do we have to bury ourselves in procedural matters and not address important issues?”

The quarrel goes to the heart of decision-making procedure at the 20year-old climate forum. Bedevilled by national interests, nit-picking and

bickering, the 195 parties to the UNFCCC struggle to agree on curbing carbon emissions and helping poor countries adapt to worse floods, storms, droughts and rising seas.

Since 2009, the big decisions at the annual ministerial get-together have been reached in the pre-dawn hours amid scenes of exhaustion-and only after use of the gavel has sidelined dissenters.

Supporters of the technique say decisions would be even weaker and more laborious if formal unanimity were required.

The Climate Action Network (CAN) observer group noted there were as few as five negotiating sessions left before countries must sign a new, global carbon-curbing climate pact by a 2015 deadline. The deal is to enter into force in 2020. “It’s the politics not the process that’s at fault here. They are using the process to politicize their point,” CAN International director Wael Hmaidan said of the Russian-led stance. “All efforts at compromise were rejected.

This implies they were not interested in the substance of the discussion about transparency but instead using it for other purposes.” The gridlock means the UNFCCC will head for its annual meeting in Warsaw from November 11-22 with scant preparation for several big problems. — AFP

W H AT ’ S O N

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

Samsung signs MoU with special needs school

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Announcement Indian Embassy sets up helpline KUWAIT: The Embassy of India has been in regular contact with local authorities regarding the ongoing checking of expatriates. The Embassy has also conveyed to them the concerns, fears and apprehensions of the community in this regard.

The authorities in Kuwait have conveyed that strict instructions have been issued to ensure that there is no harassment or improper treatment of expatriates by those undertaking checking. They have also said that should there be any complaint, the same could be conveyed at the following: Inspection Department, Ministry of Interior, Kuwait Fax: 22435580, Mob: 66906651.

The Embassy would like to request Indian expatriates to ensure that they abide by all local laws, rules and regulations regarding Residency, Traffic and other matters. It would be prudent to always carry Civil ID and other relevant documents such as Driving License, etc. In case, an Indian expatriate encounters any improper treatment during checking, it may be conveyed immediately with full details and contact particulars to the Embassy at the following: Phone No: 67623639. E-Mail ID: consularhelp@indembkwt.org These contact details are exclusively for the above-mentioned purpose only.

The Meat Co Kuwait launches weekly Jazz Nights he Meat Co Kuwait will be bringing more than outstanding steak to the table with the launch of their new weekly jazz nights.

Starting Wednesday 12 June, The Meat Co Jazz Nights will be treating its customers to the smooth sounds of the Kuwait Jazz Trio, who will be entertaining the crowd with their extensive repertoire of tunes, including the works of Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, Hoagy Carmichael, Billy Strayhorn and George Gershwin. Kuwait’s premier jazz band will be performing every Wednesday from 8pm at The Meat Co, Kuwait - using the traditional jazz trio instruments of piano, bass and drums -thrilling the audience with the best of international jazz late into the evening.

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S

amsung Electronics Co Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies has announced its partnership with Al-Nibras Ideal School to introduce the Samsung Hope for Children program in Kuwait.

The Samsung Hope for Children program will focus on incorporating the use of Samsung’s products and technologies to enhance the educational skills of the AlNibras’s special needs students. As part of the MoU, AlNibras will be receive a range of Samsung’s LED Smart TVs, Notebooks and Tablets to aid the education of its students aged between 4 and 21 years.

Young Soo Kim, President of Samsung Gulf Electronics: “We believe it is important to give back to the community and with this ethos at the heart of the Samsung Hope for Children program we strive to use

our knowledge and innovations to help children with special needs across the region. Our partnership with Al-Nibras Ideal School marks the extension of our program to Kuwait and we look forward to helping enrich the daily lives of their students.”

Dr Nora Al-Dahery, Founder and General Manager of Al-Nibras Ideal School said: “We are honored and thrilled with our partnership with Samsung, which focuses on offering a new way of learning for our students. As of the new semester starts in September, we will be incorporating Samsung’s products and technologies into our everyday curriculum. Making learning fun and interactive is our main aim and I have no doubt that these state-of-the-art devices will help us captivate the imagination of our students.”

Earlier this year, Samsung decided to extend its Hope

for Children program to Kuwait and engaged the local community to identify a special needs school to work with through an online poll. Al-NibrasIdeal School won by popular vote with 55 percent and is subsequently now the official partner school of Samsung in Kuwait.

This project will replicate the success of Samsung Hope for Children program in the UAE, which was launched in 2011 with Al-Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs. Results of the program of in the UAE included an increase in pre-requisite learning behaviors such as increased attention and reception to learning amongst the students. The Samsung Hope for Children program aims to create new possibilities and opportunities to develop children’s education and healthcare.

ASK graduation ceremony

BNP marks 32nd martyrdom anniversary of Ziaur Rahaman

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ommemorating the 32nd martyrdom anniversary of martyr president Ziaur Rahaman - the founding chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and introducer of democracy, BNP Kuwait chapter had convened on a discussion meeting and prayer mahafil on May 30, 2013 in the hall room of Rajdhani hotel in Kuwait City.

Kamrul Hasan Babul, General secretary of BNP Kuwait Chapter and the secretary of international affairs of Seschsasebak dal central committee had presented the program that commenced with the recital of verses from the Holy Quran. The President of BNP Kuwait chapter A K Anwar said in his opening speech that martyr President Ziaur Rahaman’s contribution is unforgettable. While in power, had he not opened the multiparty democracy, today it won’t be possible for the Prime minister Sheikh Hasina to serve judicial punishment to her father’s killers.

Kamrul Hasan Babul had conveyed deep sympathy to the Zia family and he also emphasized that Ziaur Rahaman was not only a successful head of the state but the declarer of independence, a gallant freedom fighter and a soldier on the battlefield. ‘This government has only learnt destruction. Today murders, absconding and atrocities are everywhere in the country. They are trying to establish rules of Hinduism after demolishing Islam. The journalists society, known as the conscious of the nation, along with the civil society are under oppression of the baksalite soul killer Hasina government. The sooner this government leaves, the better of the country will be spared.’ he said.

Those who were on the stage had highlighted in their speech the importance of the active life of Ziaur Rahaman, respectively Ekram Ali Babu, senior vice president of BNP Kuwait chapter and JSS President, Abdul Awal, Vice president of BNP Kuwait chapter, Momin Ullah Patwary, president in charge of Seschsasebak dal, Shahjahan Sabuj, General secretary in charge of Jubodal, Hasibul Hasan Al Amin, the general secretary of Seschsasebak dal Kuwait chapter and member of the central committee, Murshedul Alam, office secretary of BNP Kuwait, Zaman Kuddus Faruk, co-organizing secretary, Samsuddin, public secretary, Kazi Munna, the youth affairs secretary, Abdul Awal, co-publicity secretary, Mizanur Rahaman Mizan, Co-international affairs secretary, A K M Fakhrul Islam Kayes, social welfare affairs secretary and Mohammed Sohag, co-social welfare secretary. Right after the discussion meeting, a special prayer was offered seeking divine grace for the soul of the declarer of independence, Martyr President Ziaur Rahaman as well as the good health of Begum Khaleda Zia and Tarek Rahaman and the well being of the general public of Bangladesh.

The American School of Kuwait celebrated the 47th graduation class of 141 students. The graduation ceremony took place at Courtyard - JW Marriott Al-Raya Ballroom on Sunday June 2nd, 2013 with the presence of the honorable Ambassador of the United States of America in Kuwait, Dr Riyad Tarazi and the owner of the American School of Kuwait, Wael Abdul Ghafoor.

W H AT ’ S O N

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

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

The Shaab Sea Club organized a tennis tournament featuring 24 children under the age of 14. The tournament was supervised by Captain Ahmad Abdulsabour, the tennis coach in the Shaab Sea Club. The tournament comes as part of a summer program organized by the Touristic Enterprises Company at its facilities.

EMBASSY OF CANADA The Embassy of Canada in Kuwait does not have a visa or immigration department. All processing of visa and immigration matters including enquiries is conducted by the Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Individuals who are interested in working, studying, visiting or immigrating to Canada should contact the Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, website: www.UAE.gc.ca or www.goingtocanada.gc.ca, E-mail: abdbi-im-enquiry@international.gc.ca. The Embassy of Canada is located at Villa 24, Al-Mutawakei St, Block 4 in Da’aiyah.

Please visit our website at www.Kuwait.gc.ca.

The Embassy of Canada is open from 07:30 to 15:30 Sunday through Thursday. The reception is open from 07:30 to 12:30. Consular services for Canadian citizens are provided from 09:00 until 12:00, Sunday through Wednesday. nnnnnnn

Family Soiree at India International School

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

T

o create an ambience of family milieu, bonding and togetherness, to strengthen the spirit of oneness in proximity to one another, India International School organized family Soiree in its sprawling open air auditorium on 3rd June, 2013. The event was presided over by the presence of the chief guest, Mohammed Al-Saiq, educationist, Chairman Dr P A Ibrahim, Director Malayil Moosa Koya, Principal F M Basheer Ahmed, Senior Vice-Principal Narinder Kaur, Vice Principals and family members of IIS. The evening commenced with the recitation of Holy Quran by Mohammed.

Malayil Moosa Koya proposed the welcome

address followed by inaugural address by the Chairman and declaration of honors by the principal.

The golden episode of the event was honoring the dedicated staff for their stupendous completion of 10 years of service. Teachers were presented with one sovereign gold coin and memento by Chairman and Director. Furthermore, the teachers who completed 5 years of service were presented with a gift and memento.

The task of honoring was given to Sharafuddin, spouse of Sameena, one of the dedicated members of IIS family. In his speech, he appreciated the

teachers for their commitment and dedication in serving the student community and acknowledged the teachers for displaying integrity, oneness and togetherness. The evening was made amusing and enjoyable with variety of games organized by Master of Ceremony Shifana Muizz to entertain the family members and cherish these gatherings.

The glorious evening was concluded with vote of thanks proposed by Senior Vice Principal, Narinder Kaur followed by delectable dinner and mellifluous music.

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

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

TV PROGRAMS

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Border Security Auction Hunters Auction Kings Fast N’ Loud Yukon Men Mythbusters Sons Of Guns How Does It Work How It’s Made Auction Hunters Storage Hunters Sons Of Guns Amish Mafia Hellriders Sons Of Guns Amish Mafia

Combat Countdown The Baby Mammoth HMS Ark Royal Mystery Cars Mystery Cars Hero Factor Hero Factor American Car Prospector Tattoo Hunter Out Of Egypt American Car Prospector Death Machines Most Evil Mystery Cars Mystery Cars American Car Prospector

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Food Factory Food Factory Scrapheap Challenge Nextworld Robotica Race To Mars The Gadget Show The Tech Show Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger Finding Bigfoot Food Factory Food Factory Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger Colony Food Factory Food Factory How Do They Do It? Finding Bigfoot Colony

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Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars WWII: Secret Army Pawn Stars Storage Wars Ancient Aliens Counting Cars Counting Cars American Restoration Pawn Stars Storage Wars Ancient Aliens Counting Cars

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C.S.I. Kyle XY Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show C.S.I. Switched At Birth

Fairly Legal Suits The Hollow Crown Greek Kyle XY The Hollow Crown Switched At Birth

03:00 Ben And Kate 03:30 The Simpsons 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 Ben And Kate 09:30 Modern Family 10:00 The Mindy Project 10:30 Til Death 11:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 12:00 All Of Us 12:30 Seinfeld 13:00 Two And A Half Men 13:30 Til Death 14:00 The Simpsons 14:30 The Mindy Project 15:00 Modern Family 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 New Girl 18:30 Family Tools 19:00 Community 19:30 Parks And Recreation 20:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 21:30 The Colbert Report 22:00 The League 22:30 Entourage 23:00 The Ricky Gervais Show 23:30 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 01:00 The Colbert Report 01:30 The League 02:00 Entourage 02:30 The Ricky Gervais Show

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Brandy & Mr Whiskers Brandy & Mr Whiskers Prankstars Suite Life On Deck Shake It Up A.N.T Farm Jessie Good Luck Charlie Good Luck Charlie Doc McStuffins Mickey Mouse Clubhouse A.N.T. Farm A.N.T. Farm Jessie Jessie Good Luck Charlie Good Luck Charlie Good Luck Charlie Shake It Up Shake It Up Austin And Ally A.N.T. Farm Jessie Shake It Up Suite Life On Deck Gravity Falls Good Luck Charlie Jessie Shake It Up A.N.T. Farm Austin And Ally Gravity Falls Suite Life On Deck Good Luck Charlie That’s So Raven Austin And Ally Jessie Gravity Falls A.N.T. Farm

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Good Luck Charlie Suite Life On Deck Austin And Ally That’s So Raven Shake It Up A.N.T. Farm Austin And Ally Wizards Of Waverly Place Wizards Of Waverly Place Hannah Montana Hannah Montana Brandy & Mr Whiskers Brandy & Mr Whiskers Emperor’s New School Emperor’s New School Replacements Replacements

14:30 Style Star 15:00 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 16:00 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 17:00 Ice Loves Coco 17:30 Ice Loves Coco 18:00 E! News 19:00 E!es 20:00 Kourtney And Kim Take Miami 21:00 Married To Jonas 21:30 Fashion Police 22:30 E! News 23:30 Chelsea Lately 00:00 Dirty Soap 00:55 Style Star 01:25 THS

03:05 Coastal Kitchen 03:30 Food Poker 04:15 Bargain Hunt 05:00 House Swap 05:45 Cash In The Attic 06:30 Coastal Kitchen 07:00 Food Poker 07:45 Planet Cake 08:15 Phil Spencer - Secret Agent 09:05 Bargain Hunt 09:50 Antiques Roadshow 10:40 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 11:20 MasterChef Australia 11:45 Food & Drink 12:10 Come Dine With Me 13:00 Planet Cake 13:30 New Scandinavian Cooking With Andreas Viestad 13:55 Bargain Hunt 14:40 Cash In The Attic 15:25 Antiques Roadshow 16:15 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 17:00 Phil Spencer - Secret Agent 17:55 The Good Cook 18:25 The Roux Legacy 19:00 Baking Mad With Eric Lanlard 19:25 New Scandinavian Cooking With Andreas Viestad 19:50 Come Dine With Me 20:35 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 21:20 Antiques Roadshow 22:15 Bargain Hunt 23:00 Phil Spencer - Secret Agent 23:55 Food Poker 00:40 Come Dine With Me 01:30 MasterChef Australia 01:55 New Scandinavian Cooking With Andreas Viestad 02:20 Cash In The Attic

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Unique Sweets Food Wars Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Unique Eats Chopped Iron Chef America Food Network Challenge Guy’s Big Bite Guy’s Big Bite Andy Bates Street Feasts Unique Sweets United Tastes Of America

09:05 Barefoot Contessa 09:30 The Next Food Network Star 10:20 Extra Virgin 10:45 Kid In A Candy Store 11:10 Charly’s Cake Angels 11:35 Unique Sweets 12:00 Amazing Wedding Cakes 12:50 Have Cake, Will Travel 13:15 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 13:40 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 14:05 Food Wars 14:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 14:55 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 15:20 Guy’s Big Bite 15:45 Chopped 16:35 Barefoot Contessa 17:00 Barefoot Contessa 17:25 Food Wars 17:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 18:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 18:40 Charly’s Cake Angels 19:05 Unique Sweets 19:30 Amazing Wedding Cakes 20:20 Chopped 21:10 Chopped 22:00 Food Network Challenge 22:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 23:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 23:40 Food Wars 00:05 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 00:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 00:55 Unwrapped 01:20 Unwrapped 01:45 Food Network Challenge

03:00 The Odd Life Of Timothy Green-PG 05:00 33 Postcards-PG15 07:00 A View From Here-PG15 09:00 Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax-PG 10:30 The Odd Life Of Timothy Green-PG 12:15 The Phantom Of The Opera At The Royal Albert Hall-PG15 15:00 Crisis Point-PG15 17:00 Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax-PG 19:00 Men In Black 3-PG 21:00 Dark Shadows-PG15 23:00 Phil Spector-PG15 01:00 HappythankyoumorepleasePG15 02:45 Men In Black 3-PG

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The Stool Pigeon-PG15 The Wishing Well-PG15 Wrath Of The Titans-PG15 Princess Lillifee-FAM Ties That Bind-PG15 33 Postcards-PG15 Joyful Noise-PG15 On The Inside-PG15 The Five Year Engagement-18 33 Postcards-PG15

04:00 Mary & Martha-PG15 05:45 Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol-PG15 08:00 The Wild Girl-PG15 10:00 Mary & Martha-PG15 11:45 Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol-PG15 14:00 Deadly Hope-PG15 16:00 The Wild Girl-PG15 17:30 The Tree Of Life-PG15 20:00 My Week With Marilyn-PG15 22:00 What’s Your Number?-PG15 00:00 Monsters-PG15 02:00 The Tree Of Life-PG15

04:00 Go Fast-PG15 06:00 Secret Window-PG15 08:00 Legendary Assassin-PG15 09:45 Thor-PG15 12:00 Bending The Rules-PG15 13:45 Legendary Assassin-PG15 15:30 Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part One-PG15 17:15 Bending The Rules-PG15 19:00 Covert One: The Hades FactorPG15 22:00 7 Below-18 23:45 Nowhere To Run-18 01:30 Covert One: The Hades FactorPG15

08:00 The Year Dolly Parton Was My Mom-PG 10:00 My Dog’s Christmas MiraclePG15 12:00 Problem Child-PG 14:00 Kung Fu Panda 2-PG 16:00 My Dog’s Christmas MiraclePG15 18:00 The Naked Gun: From The Files Of Police Squad-PG 20:00 Goon-18 22:00 The Hangover 2-18 00:00 Hard Breakers-18 02:00 Goon-18

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DARK SHADOWS ON OSN MOVIES HD

Love Takes Wing-PG15 Certain Prey-PG15 Yona Yona Penguin-PG Love Takes Wing-PG15 Black Forest-PG15 A Kiss At Midnight-PG15 The Beaver-PG15 Henry’s Crime-PG15 Shadows & Lies-18

01:30 PGA European Tour Weekly 02:00 Inside The PGA Tour 02:30 Trans World Sport 03:30 Champions Tour Highlights 04:30 PGA European Tour Highlights 05:30 AFL Highlights 06:30 NRL Full Time 07:00 Trans World Sport 08:00 PGA European Tour Weekly 08:30 Inside The PGA Tour 09:00 British & Irish Lions 11:00 PGA Tour Highlights 12:00 International Rugby Union 14:00 PGA European Tour Weekly 14:30 Live ATP Tennis 16:30 Live ATP Tennis 18:30 Live ATP Tennis 20:30 Live ATP Tennis

22:30 PGA European Tour Weekly 23:00 Inside The PGA Tour 23:30 Trans World Sport

00:30 ATP Tennis 06:30 ICC Cricket 360 07:00 ATP Tennis 13:00 British and Irish Lions Tour 15:00 PGA European Tour Highlights 16:00 Inside The PGA Tour 16:30 Super Rugby Highlights 17:45 Live IRB Junior Championship 23:45 WWE NXT

02:30 IRB Junior World Championship 04:30 NRL Full Time 05:00 World Cup Of Pool 06:00 Trans World Sport 07:00 Golfing World 08:00 Nations Cup 12:00 Total Rugby 12:30 UK Open Darts 16:30 PGA Tour Highlights 17:30 PGA European Tour Highlights 18:30 PGA European Tour Weekly 19:00 Inside The PGA Tour 19:45 Live IRB Junior World Championship 23:45 Total Rugby

00:00 02:00 02:30 03:00 04:00 05:00 07:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 17:30 18:00 19:00 20:00 23:00

NHL UIM Powerboat Champs UIM Aquabike Champs Ping Pong World US Bass Fishing NHL WWE Smackdown Ping Pong World US Bass Fishing NHL WWE Vintage Collection WWE Bottom Line European Le Mans Series Motor Sports 2013 UIM Powerboat Champs UIM Aquabike Champs UFC Countdown WWE NXT UFC NHL

JOYFUL NOISE ON OSN CINEMA

Will ‘Man of Steel’ be strong enough to build a franchise?

L

ook, up in the sky! It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s the expectations for Warner Bros.’ “Man of Steel”! The Superman picture comes at a crucial time for the studio. With the completion of the “Dark Knight” trilogy last year, Warner Bros needs a new superhero franchise. In the near term, Warner Bros. could also use a blockbuster.

“Man of Steel,” which was directed by Zack Snyder and coproduced by “Dark Knight” filmmaker Christopher Nolan, is opening Friday on the heels of the studio’s somewhat disappointing “The Hangover Part III.” And with the riskier sci-fi spectacle “Pacific Rim” slated to open in July, a strong showing for “Man of Steel” would ease pressure on Warner Bros. for the rest of the summer.

In the long term, the studio is hoping to bank on Superman as its new superhero centerpiece for several summers to come - the same goal it had for its 2006 “Superman Returns,” which failed to deliver. Beyond the likely sequels “Man of Steel” would spawn, the success of the film is key to Warner Bros’ plans for other movies from DC Entertainment, a unit of the studio that co-produced the Superman film. Among those could be a project based on the DC Comics series “Justice League,” which would give the Burbank studio its own homegrown version of Disney’s lucrative “The Avengers” franchise.

“Everyone is hoping this is the Superman to resurrect Superman - that this will reboot the franchise in a way the last one couldn’t,” box-office analyst Paul Dergarabedian of Hollywood.com said. “Superman is obviously a crown jewel in the DC Comics universe and a big hit with ‘Man of Steel’ only enhances the potential for ‘Justice League,’ which is potentially as important to Warner Bros. as ‘Avengers’ is to Disney.”

Jeff Robinov, president of Warner Bros. Pictures Group, acknowledged in an interview that expectations are high for “Man of Steel,” but discounted the influence its performance could have on the studio or its future projects.

“It’s hard to place too much importance on any one movie - we distribute 22 to 24 movies a year,” Robinov said. “I don’t feel a lot of pressure on the movie to fill a gap in our slate. The real obligation is to deliver a movie that is equal to the character, and I really think Zack and everybody has done that.”

Pre-release audience surveys suggest the movie, which cost about $225 million to produce, could gross $90 million over its opening weekend. That would put “Man of Steel” on the road to profitability for the studio, which at one point was ensnared in an epic battle with the estates of Superman creators Jerome “Jerry” Siegel and Joseph Shuster over rights to the Superman character. The case was resolved in January in Warner Bros’ favor.

Had Siegel’s and Shuster’s estates both prevailed, Warner Bros. could have lost control of the rights to Superman.

Interest in a potential “Justice League” movie will only intensify after the release of “Man of Steel”. But Warner Bros, a subsidiary of Time Warner Inc, hasn’t announced plans for a movie based on the DC comic book series, which focuses on a group of superheroes - led by

Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman - who take on various super-villains. But film executives at the studio are keen on such a project, according to several people close to the company. And it makes sense. Disney’s 2012 “Avengers” film, which joined Marvel characters Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and the Hulk, grossed $1.5 billion worldwide. Robinov was mum on “Justice League” plans, saying, “Everybody has a right to speculate on what we are going to do. What isn’t accurate is to make the jump that this movie is a lead-in to ‘Justice League’.”

But Snyder recently told the Los Angeles Times that while he has no contractual obligation to a “Justice League” movie, “the door is definitely open” for a film. And there is a nod to Batman toward the end of “Man of Steel” that could excite DC fans looking for signs of a “Justice League” movie or another similar project. In the film, which was also produced by Legendary Pictures and Nolan’s Syncopy Films, a satellite is emblazoned with the logo for Wayne Enterprise, the fictional company headed

by Bruce Wayne.

Success at the box office for “Man of Steel” also could erase audiences’ memories of Bryan Singer’s “Superman Returns,” which was panned by some critics and grossed a disappointing $200 million in the US and Canada. “I think people can forgive and people can forget,” said Jonah Weiland, owner of the comic book news website Comic Book Resources, which also covers film news. “This movie looks nothing like ‘Superman Returns.’”

“Man of Steel” is an edgier - and sometimes dark - version of the classic comic book story. Actor Henry Cavill’s Superman is at times bearded and brooding - a far cry from earlier takes on the character. That edgier story was expected, given Nolan’s involvement. The filmmaker, who is credited with the picture’s story alongside screenwriter David Goyer, is known for his dark reimagining of the Batman saga in his recent “Dark Knight” trilogy. Those films successfully rebooted the caped character for Warner Bros., which released two much-derided movies about the superhero in the mid-to late 1990s.

With a focus on Superman’s origin, “Man of Steel” has many elements - among them a sci-fi component, fatherson relationship drama and plenty of hand-to-hand combat - that could appeal to a broad audience overseas.

Robinov, who grew up reading Superman comics, is confident the movie will connect with audiences globally - but even if “Man of Steel” is a worldwide hit, a “Justice League” feature wouldn’t be guaranteed. “(Superman) is a 100 percent full-blown American character, but the movie is a very broadly appealing film,” Robinov said. “What happens next is another conversation, whether it is a Superman sequel, or the introduction of a different character. We are working toward making films that utilize the full DC universe, but none of that is tied to or limited by this one movie.” — MCT

Classifieds THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

Kuwait KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (13/06/2013 TO 19/06/2013) AVENUES-2 TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG)

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

AVENUES-3 FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG)

12:30 PM 3:15 PM 6:00 PM 8:45 PM 11:45 PM

360ยบ 1 AFTER EARTH (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG)

2:00 PM 4:15 PM 6:30 PM 8:45 PM 11:00 PM

360ยบ10(VIP-2) AFTER EARTH (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) AFTER EARTH (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

SHARQIA-2 THE LEGEND OF SARILA (DIG-3D) TATTAH (DIG) THE LEGEND OF SARILA (DIG-3D) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG)

1:00 PM 2:45 PM 5:15 PM 7:15 PM 10:00 PM 12:30 AM

MUHALAB-1 EPIC (DIG) EPIC (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG)

1:30 PM 4:00 PM 6:45 PM 9:30 PM

MARINA-2 AFTER EARTH (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG)

1:30 PM 4:15 PM 6:45 PM

FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG)

9:30 PM 12:15 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)

1:30 PM 4:15 PM 6:45 PM 9:30 PM 12:15 AM

BAIRAQ-1 THE LEGEND OF SARILA (DIG-3D) EPIC (DIG-3D) THE LEGEND OF SARILA (DIG-3D) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) FAST & FURIOUS 6 (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED

12:30 PM 3:15 PM 5:30 PM 8:30 PM 11:30 PM

BAIRAQ-3 DARK SKIES (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) DARK SKIES (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) DARK SKIES (DIG)

2:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:15 PM 9:30 PM 12:30 AM

FANAR-4 THE LEGEND OF SARILA (DIG-3D) THE LEGEND OF SARILA (DIG-3D) THE LEGEND OF SARILA (DIG-3D) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG)

12:30 PM 3:15 PM 5:00 PM 7:00 PM 9:45 PM 12:30 AM

SHARQIA-1 DARK SKIES (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) DARK SKIES (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) DARK SKIES (DIG) AFTER EARTH (DIG) DARK SKIES (DIG)

12:30 PM 2:30 PM 4:30 PM 6:30 PM 8:30 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

SHARQIA-2 THE LEGEND OF SARILA (DIG-3D) MAN OF STEEL (DIG-3D) THE LEGEND OF SARILA (DIG-3D) MAN OF STEEL (DIG-3D)

12:45 PM 2:30 PM 5:15 PM 7:00 PM

Prayer timings Fajr:

03:13

Shorook

04:48

Duhr:

11:48

Asr:

15:22

Maghrib:

18:48

Isha:

20:20

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

Airlines BBC QTR SAI THY JZR JZR ETH GFA UAE ETD FDB RJA RBG MSR KAC KAC KAC QTR THY DHX FDB BAW FDB JZR JZR JZR JZR UAE KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC UAE IRA IZG ABY QTR IRA FDB ETD SYR GFA MEA MSC UAE MSR THY KNE QTR JZR JZR JZR FDB ABY MEA AFG MSC MSR KNE MSC

Arrival Flights on Thursday 13/6/2013 Flt Route 43 DHAKA 148 DOHA 441 LAHORE 764 SABIHA 539 CAIRO 267 BEIRUT 620 ADDIS ABABA 211 BAHRAIN 853 DUBAI 305 ABU DHABI 67 DUBAI 642 AMMAN 555 ALEXANDRIA 612 CAIRO 382 DELHI 206 ISLAMABAD 412 MANILA 138 DOHA 770 ISTANBUL 170 BAHRAIN 69 DUBAI 157 LONDON 53 DUBAI 1541 CAIRO 529 ASSIUT 555 ALEXANDRIA 503 LUXOR 4987 DUBAI 362 COLOMBO 672 DUBAI 352 COCHIN 284 DHAKA 332 TRIVANDRUM 302 MUMBAI 855 DUBAI 605 ISFAHAN 4161 MASHAD 125 SHARJAH 132 DOHA 617 AHWAZ 55 DUBAI 301 ABU DHABI 341 DAMASCUS 213 BAHRAIN 404 BEIRUT 403 ASSIUT 871 DUBAI 610 CAIRO 766 ISTANBUL 480 TAIF 140 DOHA 165 DUBAI 241 AMMAN 561 SOHAG 61 DUBAI 129 SHARJAH 402 BEIRUT 415 KABUL 405 SOHAG 618 ALEXANDRIA 474 JEDDAH 401 ALEXANDRIA

Time 00:05 00:05 01:30 01:40 00:40 00:20 01:45 01:55 02:25 02:30 03:10 03:10 03:15 03:15 07:30 07:25 06:15 03:30 04:35 05:10 05:50 06:30 07:45 06:25 06:40 06:20 07:40 10:35 08:45 13:40 08:05 08:15 07:55 07:50 08:25 08:40 08:45 08:50 09:00 09:10 09:15 09:30 10:10 10:40 10:55 12:40 12:45 13:00 13:10 13:20 13:45 11:35 12:35 12:20 20:00 20:05 20:15 20:20 20:25 20:30 20:50 21:05

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

229 859 307 406 118 104 788 542 176 562 546 774 786 674 502 614 57 121 500 472 645 470 251 640 134 303 857 127 982 215 510 327 144 63 219 393 572 553 647 618 787 777 535 125 269 189 177 136 217 146 576 6512 59 981 981 636 574 614 411 772 185 239 135 513

COLOMBO DUBAI ABU DHABI BEIRUT NEW YORK LONDON JEDDAH CAIRO GENEVA AMMAN ALEXANDRIA RIYADH JEDDAH DUBAI BEIRUT BAHRAIN DUBAI SHARJAH JEDDAH JEDDAH MUSCAT JEDDAH ALEXANDRIA AMMAN DOHA ABU DHABI DUBAI SHARJAH WASHINGTON DC DULLES BAHRAIN RIYADH TUNIS DOHA DUBAI BAHRAIN KOZHIKODE MUMBAI ALEXANDRIA MUSCAT DOHA RIYADH JEDDAH CAIRO BAHRAIN BEIRUT DUBAI DUBAI DOHA BAHRAIN DOHA COCHIN ISTANBUL DUBAI CHENNAI BAHRAIN FRANKFURT MUMBAI CAIRO AMSTERDAM ISTANBUL DUBAI AMMAN BAHRAIN SHARM EL SHEIKH

21:10 21:15 21:30 18:20 16:00 18:45 15:00 18:15 17:45 14:40 14:15 19:25 18:30 19:25 18:50 19:35 13:50 14:25 14:30 14:35 14:40 15:05 15:50 15:55 16:15 16:35 16:55 17:10 17:15 17:20 17:20 18:00 18:25 18:55 19:05 19:15 19:35 19:40 20:00 19:10 16:15 17:50 16:10 16:25 19:15 20:10 17:30 21:35 21:45 22:00 22:05 22:20 22:20 22:25 22:40 23:10 23:20 23:30 23:40 23:45 22:40 22:30 23:00 23:20

Airlines AIC AXB JAI UAL DLH MSR BBC JZR THY SAI THY ETH UAE FDB RBG MSR ETD QTR QTR JZR FDB RJA GFA THY JZR KAC JZR BAW FDB JZR KAC KAC ABY KAC IRA IZG UAE FDB QTR IRA ETD KAC SYR KAC UAE GFA KAC KAC MEA JZR JZR KAC JZR JZR JZR MSC MSR THY KNE UAE FDB QTR

Departure Flights on Thursday 13/6/2013 Flt Route 976 GOA/CHENNAI 490 MANGALORE 573 MUMBAI 981 WASHINGTON DC DULLES 637 FRANKFURT 615 CAIRO 44 DHAKA 502 LUXOR 773 ISTANBUL 442 LAHORE 765 ISTANBUL 621 ADDIS ABABA 854 DUBAI 68 DUBAI 556 ALEXANDRIA 613 CAIRO 306 ABU DHABI 139 DOHA 149 DOHA 560 SOHAG 70 DUBAI 643 AMMAN 212 BAHRAIN 771 ISTANBUL 240 AMMAN 545 ALEXANDRIA 164 DUBAI 156 LONDON 54 DUBAI 534 CAIRO 671 DUBAI 561 AMMAN 126 SHARJAH 787 JEDDAH 606 MASHHAD 4162 MASHHAD 856 DUBAI 56 DUBAI 133 DOHA 616 AHWAZ 302 ABU DHABI 101 LONDON 342 DAMASCUS 501 BEIRUT 4987 BEIRUT 214 BAHRAIN 541 CAIRO 165 ROME 405 BEIRUT 776 JEDDAH 786 RIYADH 785 JEDDAH 176 DUBAI 124 BAHRAIN 268 BEIRUT 406 SOHAG 611 CAIRO 767 ISTANBUL 481 TAIF 872 DUBAI 58 DUBAI 141 DOHA

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

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

KAC ABY KNE OMA KAC KAC KNE SVA JZR KAC NIA RJA JZR JZR QTR ETD JZR ABY UAE GFA SVA UAL JZR JZR TAR MEA QTR FDB GFA JZR AXB KAC RBG JAI FDB ABY KAC KAC OMA KAC MEA AFG MSC MSR KAC KNE DHX MSC ETD ALK UAE QTR KAC GFA FDB KAC QTR JAI JZR JZR KAC KAC JZR

673 122 473 646 617 773 471 505 188 613 252 641 238 512 135 304 538 128 858 216 511 982 184 266 328 407 145 64 220 134 394 283 554 571 62 120 331 343 648 351 403 415 404 619 543 475 171 402 308 230 860 137 301 218 60 205 147 575 554 1540 411 415 528

DUBAI SHARJAH JEDDAH MUSCAT DOHA RIYADH JEDDAH JEDDAH DUBAI BAHRAIN ALEXANDRIA AMMAN AMMAN SHARM EL SHEIKH DOHA ABU DHABI CAIRO SHARJAH DUBAI BAHRAIN RIYADH BAHRAIN DUBAI BEIRUT TUNIS BEIRUT DOHA DUBAI BAHRAIN BAHRAIN KOZHIKODE DHAKA ALEXANDRIA MUMBAI DUBAI SHARJAH TRIVANDRUM CHENNAI MUSCAT KOCHI BEIRUT JEDDAH ASSIUT ALEXANDRIA CAIRO JEDDAH BAHRAIN ALEXANDRIA ABU DHABI COLOMBO DUBAI DOHA MUMBAI BAHRAIN DUBAI ISLAMABAD DOHA ABU DHABI ALEXANDRIA CAIRO BANGKOK KUALA LUMPUR ASSIUT

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

34

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

s ta rs CROSSWORD 219

STAR TRACK Aries (March 21-April 19) ARIES You seem most creative with your ideas and ways of communicating.

Unique and unconventional approaches to study or research are forthcoming. You value change and transformation and have an almost reckless faith in the life process. You may find yourself in an excellent job or at least with a defined path and plan. You appreciate goals and efforts at the global level and try to find ways in which you can implement them into your own life. Your energy level is high but the nervous tension level may also be high. Take the full time allotted to you at each break—particularly the noon break—and find peaceful ways to relax. A new animal or family member demands your attention this evening. It looks like playtime! Enjoy!

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Your sense of direction and organization are the keys to understanding you at any in-depth level. You seem to naturally find a solution—always managing to come up with the correct approach. There is a great capacity to negotiate with the law and authorities, plus an ability to find your way when it comes to inner and spiritual matters. Others sense this gift and accept guidance and counsel from you often— including today. Matters of law, religion and philosophy of the most definite kind hold your interest. You could find that houses and other real property take on greater significance. A move is in the forecast and now is the time to think about exactly what that means to you; the world is yours! Gain power through dependable information.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

ACROSS 1. Ratio of the adjacent side to the hypotenuse.

4. Of or in or belonging to the cavity of the abdomen.

11. Fabric dyed with splotches of green and brown and black and tan.

15. (computer science) A coding system that incorporates extra parity bits in order to detect errors.

16. Release or vent, as of emotions and reactions.

17. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind.

18. Someone who has won first place in a competition.

20. Of or relating to Iraq or its people or culture.

21. A Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria.

22. (zoology) Relating to or belonging to or characteristic of any worms of the phylum Annelida.

24. (South African) A camp defended by a circular formation of wagons.

26. An arrangement of points or particles or objects in a regular periodic pattern in 2 or 3 dimensions.

29. A Kwa language spoken by the Yoruba people in southwestern Nigeria.

30. Squash bugs.

33. Moving quickly and lightly.

39. Lacking in light.

41. (Old Testament) The second patriarch.

43. A genus of Psittacidae.

46. The residue that remains when something is burned.

47. (of persons) Highest in rank or authority or office.

48. A desert in southern Israel.

51. Pertaining to loss of hair or wool or feathers.

54. Resinlike substance secreted by certain lac insects.

55. In or of the next month after the present.

58. A coffee cake flavored with orange rind and raisins and almonds.

62. An early form of modern jazz (originating around 1940).

65. Enjoying or affording comforting warmth and shelter especially in a small space.

66. A branch of the Tai languages.

67. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism.

68. Hardy evergreen dioecious shrubs and small trees from Japan.

72. Brief episode in which the brain gets insufficient blood supply.

73. White Southerner supporting Reconstruction policies after the Civil War usually for self-interest.

75. A light touch or stroke.

76. An associate degree in applied science.

77. A mountain peak in south central Sri Lanka (7,360 feet high).

78. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth.

DOWN 1. Of or like a cecum.

2. Type genus of Ochnaceae.

3. Less than the correct or legal or full

amount often deliberately so.

4. Resembling the shape of a cup.

5. In operation or operational.

6. Leave or strike out, as of vowels.

7. (Irish) The sea personified.

8. A plant hormone promoting elongation of stems and roots.

9. Inquire about.

10. The cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100.

11. An esoteric or occult matter that is traditionally secret.

12. A condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people.

13. Produced by a manufacturing process.

14. A European river.

19. Containing or made of or resembling or characteristic of a metal.

23. A hospital unit staffed and equipped to provide intensive care.

25. Thickening of tissue in the motor tracts of the lateral columns and anterior horns of the spinal cord.

27. Covered with paving material.

28. Physical discomfort (as mild sickness or depression).

31. Having the wind against the forward side of the sails.

32. A hidden storage space (for money or provisions or weapons).

34. The 3rd letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

35. (psychoanalysis) An idealized image of someone (usually a parent) formed in childhood.

36. (Irish) Mother of the ancient Irish gods.

37. Being one more than one.

38. God of death.

40. An associate degree in nursing.

42. Witty language used to convey insults or scorn.

44. United States comedian.

45. Bridge formed by the upper level of a crossing of two highways at different levels.

49. A needle-like part or structure of a plant or animal or crystal.

50. A compartment in front of a motor vehicle where driver sits.

52. A heavy odorless colorless gas formed during respiration and by the decomposition of organic substances.

53. Denoting a quantity consisting of one more than eight and one less than ten.

56. Antipsychotic drug (trade name Moban) used in the treatment of schizophrenia.

57. United States conductor (born in Japan in 1935).

59. English monk and scholar (672-735).

60. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables.

61. Jordan's port.

63. English essayist (1775-1834).

64. South African term for `boss'.

69. Fiddler crabs.

70. A rotating disk shaped to convert circular into linear motion.

71. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey).

74. A silvery ductile metallic element found primarily in bauxite.

Your timing is much better today. Others seem to have a need to listen to what you have to say. Although you may not have all the answers you feel you need, the combination of your ideas with other people’s ideas is productive and has good results. Open-minded people tend to avoid negative input and use slowdowns as a cause for caution and rethinking. It would be good to stop and compliment the group on the ability to work so well together and the knack of coming up with progressive ideas. Nurturing is where you concentrate your efforts in your personal life: making things grow and taking care of them as well as planting seeds that will survive far into the future. Patience should be practiced, especially just now. Take things slowly.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) This is a lucky day for you when it comes to career decisions. You will work hard to make your dreams a reality. Flashes of insight with tremendous originality and independence are typical. You may find yourself teaching others about some new technical skill. You have a natural sense of invention and a love of all things electrical and of communication in general. A born traveler, not afraid to be alone, you will find opportunities to travel—perhaps through lecturing or writing. You are unconventional when it comes to self-expression. You will find new and different ways to get this expression over to others—possibly through sports, or entertainment, the creative arts, etc. Always independent when it comes to emotions, you do not mind feeling a little different.

Leo (July 23-August 22) Past restrictions are gone. You will be able to move forward and get much accomplished. Your ideas and thoughts will be clear and the unusually difficult tasks will not slow you down. You become organized as soon as you know your schedule. It will feel exhilarating to know you are on the right road to success and your self-confidence should be high enough that nothing can stop you. There are highlights of leadership and opportunities for advancement. You will feel powerful and those around you will see that you have the ability to make good decisions, accomplish goals and network with authorities. There should be some compliments coming your way this afternoon. A love story or poem is shared tonight.

Virgo (August 23-September 22) Your artistic side jumps to attention as some new challenges that are similar to a business advertisement tease your imagination. You can create a presentation that results in some innovative ideas. There is a sense of testing the limits, but there is also some fun of accomplishment involved in today’s work. Being more in touch with your emotional roots is a keynote of the cycle that now takes hold in your life. This has to do with feelings, but it’s more than that; it is about making the things you feel and care about a reality. At some levels, this may mean creating a greater balance when it comes to career and family. Credit yourself with the will to get things done and realize that now is a good time to plan an important party.

Word Search

Libra (September 23-October 22) You seem to possess a ceaseless need to be analytical. You spend a great deal of time analyzing or studying certain situations and can undermine your own progress. If you are not moving forward with your work, you might consider a little extra help or a bit of overtime with your work. Thinking things through and accounting for all the details and making careful measurements, keep the mind active and involved. An interest in health and work may come to your attention. There may be new ways of communication, technical probably, that will take much of your spare time this afternoon. Very little is accomplished at home since you may learn about someone in the neighborhood that you would like to know better.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Co-workers enjoy being around you, particularly today. You are in a happy mood and you plan to stay that way for a long time. Your thought is that nobody could sway you from this good feeling. Your workload is good and it is starting to look as if you have a good grasp on the way your work is moving along. If you have a team, you will find that all of you work very well together. You and your family have been considering real estate lately and this just may be a good time to discover what you want in a home. Taxes, investments and other financial ties or obligations grab your attention. You may even be looking to upgrade or downgrade into a different home. There may be less of a need to have lots of space; it will all need care.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) A renewed emphasis on reading, writing, studying and all forms of information exchange is highly motivating. New ideas and creative solutions are at the ready. You are not usually the talkative one in your work area but today there are great things to talk about—new discoveries. You might enjoy being a salesperson or in the advertising business; success is certain. Your imagination and sense of what connects all of life are felt in your speech and in the way you communicate. You love a good story and a sense of the mystical pervades every one you tell. At some level, there is a greater focus on family life—parents, children, relatives and the whole domestic scene. You are looking forward to a fun family gathering soon.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) You may be helping a young co-worker with assigned duties or in understanding his or her work this morning. Everyone wants a piece of you and this can result in your needing more space, a chance to be alone—escape! You are feeling a great deal of satisfaction; this has come about because of your being in demand. Your ambitions are usually supported by the will to get things done. Achievement, ambition and authority are the things that take on greater importance. Organizing and administering to people and projects will become more central to your lifestyle. A marriage or other partnership can raise high hopes. There are good feelings from all around you and there is a sense of support and harmony and enjoyment of this happy time.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) There is a focus on worldwide events and the need to keep in touch with others. This could be a group-energy type of thing but it looks as if you joined the competition to fulfill a special need. It is time to be involved in the big picture.

The media are instrumental in this social awareness and you may be a part of the media.

You are certainly seen obtaining information from as many different sources as possible this month. Expect, then, to be involved with newspapers, magazines, tv, internet and discussions on computer networks and in coffee houses. Others will want to know the latest— you must keep on the right path and avoid being misleading. Celebrating the evening with people, music and good feelings is certainly enjoyable.

Pisces (February 19-March 20) This is a time to take risks and dare to be a little unconventional. New insights bring bright ideas for new inventions. Your career could open up by taking the road less traveled and by daring to be the oddball—new approaches. An understanding attitude on your part could have far-reaching effects on your own life-path and career during this time. A little restraint for now could be beneficial; keep notes so that you can stay focused. Careful with the budget today; you may be more than a little eager to acquire things or indulge too much. Be alert for the knowledge that will help you to finetune your work program. A friend will invite you to do some fun activities that could be a bit out of the ordinary this afternoon.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 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

Al-Madeena

22418714

Al-Shuhada

22545171

Al-Shuwaikh

24810598

Al-Nuzha

22545171

Ahmadi

Sama Safwan Abu Halaifa Danat Al-Sultan

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

23915883 23715414 23726558

Sabhan

24742838

Jahra

Modern Jahra Madina Munawara

Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 Jahra-Block 92

24575518 24566622

Al-Helaly

22434853

Capital

Ahlam Khaldiya Coop

Fahad Al-Salem St Khaldiya Coop

22436184 24833967

Al-Faiha

22545051

Farwaniya

New Shifa Ferdous Coop Modern Safwan

Farwaniya Block 40 Ferdous Coop Old Kheitan Block 11

24734000 24881201 24726638

Al-Farwaniya

24711433

Al-Sulaibikhat

24316983

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

Al-Fahaheel

23927002

Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh

24316983

Ahmadi

23980088

Al-Mangaf

23711183

Al-Shuaiba

23262845

Hawally

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

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

lifestyle G o s s i p

O

prah Winfrey is donating £12 million in support of African American history. The chat show legend has announced her pledge to help build the Smithsonian institution’s forthcoming National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C. The 59-year-old star will have the facility’s 350-seat theatre named after her as a special thanks. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Oprah said: “I am so proud of African American history and its contributions to our nation as a whole. I am deeply appreciative of those who paved the path for me and all who follow in their footsteps. “By investing in this museum, I want to help ensure that we both honour and preserve our culture and history, so that the stories of who we are will live on for generations to come.” Oprah - who

A

M

ichael Douglas says ‘Behind the Candelabra’ was a “beautiful gift” after beating cancer. The 68-yearold actor plays camp pianist Liberace in his first role since overcoming throat cancer which he was diagnosed with in 2010 - but admits he was initially too eager to dive into the role. He said: “I’d had my treatment when [this project] came back to me, it was a beautiful gift. “I was just so happy to have gotten a clean checkup. “We were getting ready for the film, and all of a sudden [director] Steven [Soderberg] and [costar] Matt [Damon] said they had other projects they were going to do.” While Michael was initially disheartened, he now realizes he needed to fully recover his strength before the project could go ahead. He added to The Hollywood Reporter: “I was scared I was drifting away.

They never fessed up to it - and they did have other projects - but I think they took a look at me and knew I wasn’t there yet, and they were absolutely right. “Still, strength wise, weight wise, I was another year away.

There was a moment of anxiety there, but then a year went by and I was stronger and ready to do it.”

H

enry Cavill “really felt like Superman” while filming ‘Man of Steel’. The 30-yearold star got teary while slipping on the legendary superhero’s iconic blue outfit and red cape for the first time, but he didn’t find it tough to get into the character’s mindset because the costume itself made him feel like he had special powers. When asked how it felt wearing Superman’s suit for the first time, he replied: “Extremely cool, but emotional. “I thought, ‘This is it. You’re doing it - being Superman.’ I’ll never forget it, because I really felt like him.” While Cavill - who missed out on the titular role for 2006 movie ‘Superman Returns’ - endured a tough workout schedule to ensure he was in the right shape to portray the superhero, he enjoyed waking up every morning and reminding himself he was playing the role. He added to Nuts magazine: “To train and to work 12 hours a day is taxing on the willpower and the body, so the shoot was grueling but incredibly good fun. “I got to wake up every morning and say, ‘I’m Superman!’”

nna Paquin and Stephen Moyer have finally unveiled their babies’ names. The married ‘True Blood’ couple referred to their nine-month-old twins by their Christian names in p for the first time last night, calling the tiny tots Charlie and Poppy. Stephen who plays Anna’s on-screen love interest, vampire Bill Compton, in ‘True Blood’ - was quizzed about his plans for Father’s Day this weekend at the HBO show’s season six premiere screening in Hollywood. He told E! News he would be “hanging out with Charlie and Poppy”, while his 10-year-old daughter from a previous relationship, Lilac, goes off to camp. Anna, 30, also said she was planning a special treat for her 43-year-old husband - who she wed in August 2010 - but kept quiet about the particulars of their family fun-filled day. She explained: “I can’t tell you because that would ruin the surprise. I don’t know about [it being a] big surprise, but yes, there are plans.” Anna has had a “really awesome” few months since the twins’ birth but says she doesn’t mind losing sleep because she is so excited about her work on the racy vampire drama and in the film ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’. She recently said: “Sleep’s not a very big part of my life right now. But that’s fine. It’s kind of part of the deal ... When there are interesting things happening and interesting people you want to work with, you kind of jump on it and figure out the details, which thankfully have all kind of fallen into place.”

Hayek S

alma Hayek wears leather on the red carpet for her husband. The 47year-old actress admits she goes out of her way and dresses to impress her French spouse, Francois-Henri Pinault - whom she has five-year-old daughter Valentina with - because she wants him to be physically attracted to her. Speaking to InStyle magazine, she said: “I actually wear a lot of leather on the red carpet. My husband loves when I wear it. “I’m not really a fashionista. I have an eye. I can pull it together, but a lot of the effort I make is for my husband because I want him to be attracted to me.” The star is flattered people find her beautiful but insists she doesn’t put her appearance at the top of her priority list because there is more to her than just a pretty face. She explained: “I know people have always thought I was beautiful, but I have never tried to be as beautiful as can be. “I could do a lot more exercise, or not eat dessert. Or not drink alcohol. I could make bigger efforts. I don’t think my first priority in life has ever been beauty. It’s a little bit of a rebellious spirit in me. There is more to me than looks, of course.”

O

ne Direction have hired a £2.3 million private yacht while in Miami. The boy band - Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Zayn Malik resorted to drastic measures to escape screaming fans in Florida by hiring the luxury 90-foot custom-built boat and sailing around the ocean for the day. The ‘Little Things’ hitmakers are set to start the US leg of their Take Me Home world tour tomorrow, but took a well deserved break by soaking up the sun on the lavish cruiser, which comes with four walk-around decks, a movie room and four rooms - which sleep up to eight people.

The lads finally arrived on deck after a relaxing day to be greet-

has been a member of the museum’s advisory council since 2004 - previously gave $1 million to the museum in 2007, which takes her total up to $13 million - a sum only matched by the CEO’s own donation. Lonnie G. Bunch III, the museum’s founding director, enthused: “We are inspired and profoundly grateful for Ms. Winfrey’s generosity at this important time. Her gifts will forever be associated with harnessing the power of art and creative expression to build bridges between cultures and enrich people’s lives.” The National Museum of African American History and Culture is currently under construction and is set to open in late 2015.

ed by a group of adoring teen fans eager to meet their musical heroes. One fan in particular was blown away by Harry’s caring nature, telling the Daily Mirror newspaper: “When Harry saw a fan in a wheelchair with multiple sclerosis, he went over and introduced himself and gave her a kiss on the cheek. It was incredibly sweet.” The band then headed back to their beachside hotel in preparation for their concert in Sunrise City tomorrow. The Take Me Home world tour lasts until October 30.

T

he legendary martial arts actor has confirmed he is adapting his 1998 autobiography ‘I Am Jackie Chan: My Life in Action’ into a stage musical, which he will narrate. Speaking to reporters at a press conference in New York City yesterday he said: “We are looking for a director for the musical right now.” The 59-year-old star whose Hollywood credits include the ‘Rush Hour’ series - will document his life from his early years in Hong Kong to his time in youth acrobatic group Seven Little Fortunes, as well as his battle to step out of the shadow of martial arts legend Bruce Lee. Jackie has previously expressed his love of musical films, particularly 1965 family flick ‘The Sound of Music’, which starred Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer.

He said at the time: “I love ‘The Sound of Music’. When I was young, I didn’t know English and I saw the whole movie.” The iconic star is currently being honored for his film work in both Hollywood and his native Hong Kong. Last week, the actor - like many

top stars before him - had his hand and foot prints imprinted outside Los Angeles’ TCL Chinese Theatre. Jackie first took part in the prestigious ceremony in 1997 but his cement plaque has since mysteriously disappeared. The ‘Chinese Zodiac’ star also received a lifetime achievement award at the New York Asian Film Festival yesterday.

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

lifestyle F e a t u r e s

T

he British Summer Season is here, and the next few months are packed with special days and evenings out at sporting and cultural events. Here is some essential advice on etiquette and manners for some of the summer’s finest occasions.

Opera Be sure to applaud only when the conductor takes to the podium (at the very beginning and after the interval), after the overture (the musical introduction before curtain-up), at the end of an act, after an impressive aria and at the final bows. Avoid whooping, whistling or braying. Feet stamping is a definite no-no. Subtitles provide an electronic rolling text of a summary translation above the stage and can help you to keep up during the performance.

Country House Opera Generally the dress code is black tie. Guests arrive in good time before the start of the performance to bag a picnic spot in the grounds and enjoy a pre-performance glass of bubbly.

Performances begin in the late afternoon or early evening, but usually a little earlier than conventional theatre. There is an extended interval (90 mins) during which the picnic is enjoyed. Be sure to take a warm shawl to fend off the chill of the British summer evening.

Theatre Don’t cut it too fine before curtain-up. Latecomers are made to wait. Arrive in good time and order any interval drinks in advance. Disengage all mobile phones. If you must eat sweets, decant and unwrap your ration before curtain-up, or wait for a roar of laughter to drown out rustling. No talking and don’t lean forward, obscure the view of those behind you or put feet on seats. Join in the applause - cheering and whooping should be kept to a minimum and whistling avoided.

Snails are pictured at the ‘Snail Garden’ farm in Krasin, northern Poland. — AFP photos

A

t a snail farm in lake-rich northern Poland, one of a growing number of breeders across the country, it is easy to accidentally step on a mollusc making a break for freedom. “You have to secure the area to stop the snails from fleeing, because they’re very clever about it,” said Mariola Pilat, 35, president of Snails Garden in the village of Krasin. “They always find a hole to sneak through, always,” she told AFP, adding that a snail’s pace is surprisingly quick.

Despite the fugitives, snail farming-mostly for gastronomic ends-has advantages over traditional livestock farming, says farm owner Grzegorz Skalmowski, 42, whose office is in a snail-shaped cottage.

He points to the minimal investment and land required as one reason for the gradually growing interest in the niche business of breeding the black-toothed, rain-loving hermaphrodite. “When I started a decade ago there were three breeders, now it’s 300,” he said, adding that most of them are just starting out. An industry heavyweight, Skalmowski breeds up to 50 tons of snails a year or five million individual gastropods-on the farm, making for an impressive snailto-human ratio in the village of a couple of hundred people.

He also trains other people around the country and abroad to breed two kinds of Helix aspersa garden snails for him-the small grey Muller and large grey Maxima-bringing in an extra 40 tons a year. Most of the 90 tons of snails produced are exported to Spain, Italy and France. The farm sells the majority of the snails live-before the inevitable deadly toss into boiling water-but also offers canned meat, pearly white snail’s egg caviar and, not for the faint-hearted, slime facial cream. While still a small branch of the overall animal farming industry, snail breeding has a lot of potential for fur-

ther development in Poland, industry sources say.

“When it comes to other animals, like cattle and poultry, there is huge competition here,” said Maciej Ligaszewski from the National Research Institute of Animal Production.

But snail breeding “is still something new and original” in Poland, which sends most of its slimy molluscs to France to be swathed in garlic butter and served out of their spiralled shells. France imports 95 percent of its snail consumption, of which nine percent comes from Poland, according to trade figures from the Polish embassy in Paris. Poland is one of many exporters in an industry spread wide from Turkey to Hungary to Indonesia, but its share of the market is growing, the embassy said. In 2011, Poland exported 282 tons of snails worth close to 1.1 million euros ($1.5 million), according to the Central Statistical Office.

Blood soups and tripe stew Poland has been shipping snails to France for decades, but the wild kind: Helix pomatia or “winniczek” in Polish, also known as the famous Burgundy snail after the French region. “The French escargot, there’s almost none left, for a simple reason: pesticides,” said Jacques Pommier, 84, organizer of an annual snail-guzzling festival in France. “That’s why they found snails in Eastern Europe that are exactly like the Burgundy escargot.” The vineyard snail is protected today in Poland: it can only be picked from late April to the end of May in certain areas and amounts, and at a minimum length of three centimeters (1.2 inches).

This puts gatherers at the weather’s mercy, said Snails Garden employee Tomasz Kuchta, 36, as he traipsed around a field in rain boots, clutching a bucket whose contents were

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xtravagance takes on a whole new meaning this season as the French fashion house of Thierr y Mugler shoots for the stars with its stellar new line of stunning timepieces and jewelry. Wellacquainted with the likes of celebrated superstars like Eva Mendes, Beyonce Knowles, Susan Sarandon and Naomi Watts, the brand is no stranger to being a regular feature in the limelight.

Draped in a beaming glow of beautiful, the stylish soiree of high-fashion yet affordable scintillators is an epic composition of innovation and elegance. Watch out for these new spells of sheen at select luxury outlets across the Middle East.

no de 50 has taken its inspiration from its own private paradise to design the next collection for Spring-Summer 2013.

We find ourselves transported to an imaginary and idyllic world suggested through the items in the collection. This is a collection that invites us to dream, through its imaginative designs inspired by the theme of a natural paradise; dragonflies, butterflies and serpents are the key elements of this collection, which evokes the idea of eternal temptation. The brand “entices” us with a range that glows with the vibrant tones to be found in this utopian world; colors

crawling towards the rim. “They can probably sense they’re headed for the dinner table,” Kuchta joked, adding that the shy mollusc famous for retreating into its shell likes its personal space and scales the sides to escape the crowd. While Poland’s snail farming is majority export, the tiny creature with a flavor akin to mushroom or chicken was once a fixture of the Polish kitchen.

“Poland’s first cookbook (from 1682) has a handful of snail recipes, and-this is interesting-more than the number devoted to pork,” said food historian Jaroslaw Dumanowski.

“The end of snail-eating and a general collapse of Polish cuisine came about after World War II” given the poverty and communist disdain for anything rich or fancy, he told AFP. But with today’s higher standard of living, Dumanowski says snails are making a comeback on menus and supermarket shelves, if still inching their way into home cooking.

Hoping for a revival of demand at home, farmer Skalmowski notes that today’s dinner table is no stranger to more unusual dishes. “We eat ‘flaki’ or beef tripe stew, no?

And we also have ‘czernina’ (soup made from animal blood) right? Which for others is gross. But we eat it,” he said. Pilat chimed in: “Those are our goodies.” At an event this month, the pair hope to entice locals with escargot a la polonaise: pierogi stuffed with snail. — AFP

such as blue, green, red and yellow conjure the perfect atmosphere to convey us to the paradise of Uno de 50.

In addition to leather, resin and its own trademark silver-plated metal, in a new development this season Uno de 50’s rings feature Murano glass, which has undergone a special treatment to produce a range of matt colors.

Racing Different race meetings have various codes of conduct and levels of formality. It is essential to adhere to the correct dress code for the area of the racecourse (enclosure) for which you have a ticket. Dress codes range from full morning dress to suits and jackets. Have a flutter but moderate any excessive reactions. If you’ve staked your money on a loser, don’t sulk and, equally, if you’re a lucky winner, don’t get too over-excited. Even if the race is a close call, keep loud shouting or excited screaming to the minimum - especially if you’re very close to other people. Be careful to avoid blocking others’ views of the track.

Polo The world of polo is often viewed as glamorous and wealthy, especially as it is a sport enjoyed by many royals. The form is, however, relatively relaxed and informal compared to many other summer seasonal fixtures. Dress code is usually smart casual. Standards are rather smarter in members’ enclosures, where a badge permitting entry should also be worn.

Women should wear smart, flat shoes that suit both walking/standing on grass and divot stomping - the halftime tradition (only five minutes) where the turf kicked up by the ponies (never referred to as horses) is trodden back into place by spectators.

Tennis Tennis is a highlight of the British summer, whatever the weather. Be sure to be seated before the players come on court, and remember that you won’t be allowed to leave or return to your seats until there is a change of ends. Avoid wearing a big hat that might obscure the view of any spectators sitting behind you. No talking or sudden, distracting movements during play. — Reuters

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US actor Brad Pitt is greeted by fans during the South Korea premiere of his latest film ‘World War Z’ in Seoul yesterday.

— AP

Descalzos founder and singer, Shakira, donates her gold stage outfit from the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards and festive tank top and skirt combo worn in her 2010 ‘Waka Waka’ music video, to Hard Rock’s world famous memorabilia collection while on set of NBC’s The Voice, Tuesday, in Hollywood, Calif. — AP

Indian Bollywood film actress Adah Sharma locks herself inside a cage for a PETA Campaign in protest against the caging of birds, in Mumbai. — AFP

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the years have called upon the services of a variety of opera and theatre directors, and this time it was the turn of German director Michael Schulz. He directed a “Ring” cycle in Weimar that was noted for its stark setting, but brought a much lighter touch to his first production of Wagner’s only comic opera.

Propaganda showpiece Wagner was notoriously anti-Semitic and “Meistersinger”, with its infamous line “honour your German masters”, became a propaganda showpiece for the Nazis under the Third Reich.

This poses a problem for any director, maybe especially a German one, but Schulz tackled it, head on and comically. In the dramatic closing scene, when shoemaker and poet Hans Sachs, the hero of the piece, is singing the offending verse, Schulz brought on two boys to kick around a soccer ball - so that the “German masters” became football players from Bayern Munich or another top club, instead of something more invidious. “Even if I staged this in Germany, I wouldn’t be interested in showing that in the rhetoric and demagogy of a Hans Sachs there is something lurking that could also have

been the case in the speeches of Hitler or Goebbels,” Schulz told Reuters in an interview during the interval.

“That’s just not interesting. Rather, the ‘Meistersinger’ is, for me, at the end of the day, a good comedy that one can work on, this ambivalence, this playing with reality, that’s what interests me.” The international cast included British baritone James Rutherford as Sachs and German tenor Klaus Florian Vogt as the knight Walther who wins the leading lady Eva. Vogt lost a bit of oomph toward the end, but the opera is nothing if not long. Eva was sung by German soprano Annette Dasch with flirty flair, while Danish baritone Bo Skovhus got the bulk of the laughs for his send-up of Walther’s rival for Eva’s hand as the toupeed, stuffed-shirt Beckmesser. Asked if he was pleased with what he has achieved, Fischer said: “Yes, it was a dream and everybody said it was crazy and we finished it. It is a gift of life for me.”— Reuters

falling in love with writing and producing and all of it just because it is nice to be part of the process. The business is changing rapidly, so to be a part of the development of new ideas, new shows, new movies is really exciting, and to work with a whole bunch of different talent.

only from a television show but from an era of life ... It was the most important things in my career, and at the end of the day I may still be known as Jim Halpert more than anything else. And I am really proud of that. — Reuters

he flood-cresting Danube outside Budapest’s Bela Bartok concert hall threatened to drown audience, singers, chorus and orchestra alike, but it couldn’t dampen the high spirits inside for a new production of Wagner’s “Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg”. The crowning glory of conductor Adam Fischer’s eighth annual “Wagner Days” festival, in Wagner’s 200th birthday year, was described as a “masterwork” by Hungarian critic Miklos Fay in Hungarian daily Nepszabadsag following Saturday’s premiere that had the audience cheering every act of the five-hour-long opera.

It was one of those magical musical moments when all the elements, including a superb cast, powerful choral singing and even the river nearing the top of retaining walls just steps away from the hall, conspired for almost unalloyed success.

“Wagner liked destruction,” retired Slovenian coal mine director Franc Zerdin, attending with his wife and a friend, said just before the performance began.

Indeed, there did seem to be something electric in the air.

Fischer, 63, who is steeped in the traditions of the HolyGrail of

Wagner, having conducted at the composer’s purpose-built opera house in Bayreuth, has thoughtfully and deliberately built up his own festival, beginning in 2006. Presented in a concert hall instead of an opera house, past seasons have seen clever, minimalist stagings of “The Ring”, “Parsifal”, “Tannhauser”, “Tristan und Isolde” and “Lohengrin”, but Fischer saved the biggest challenge, “Die Meistersinger”, with its huge cast, for last.

“This opera needs the most careful staging, in a way,” Fischer said in a recent phone interview. “Wagner is very theatrical, these are very long operas, and I thought at the beginning that we have to offer many more visual elements to the audience, not to be boring,” he said. “But that is not really true because the possibilities of the hall, the acoustic and the atmosphere give us a lot more than I thought at the beginning.

“I always say the worst thing is to get bored, and now I have confirmation that we can play everything here, with a minimum of staging.” Fischer and his production team over

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ohn Krasinski is best known for playing the handsome, affable salesman Jim Halpert on thehit TV series “The Office,” but that could change as the versatile actor tackles new projects, including writing two new scripts. The Massachusetts native will appear on the big screen in the 3D animated film “Monsters University,” which opens in U.S. theaters on June 21, providing the voice for “Frightening” Frank McCay in the prequel to the Pixar and Disney 2001 hit movie “Monsters, Inc.” He also has a guest role on the Internet video streaming service Netflix’s revival of the Emmy-winning series “Arrested Development.” Krasinski, 34, spoke to Reuters about the creative process, achieving hero status and how hard it has been to leave “The Office,” which ended its nine-year run last month.

Amanda Bynes

Q: After playing Jim Halpert for so long was it difficult to take on the characters in “Monsters University” and “Arrested Development”?

A: It was fun to do both those roles but they were small, fun roles ... For me it was just supporting two things I love so much. I think “Arrested Development” is one of the best shows ever on television, so I was just honored to be a part of that in any way. And it is exactly the same with ‘Monsters University.’ Not only am I a fan, but my nieces and nephews are bigger fans than I am, so it is the first time in my career that I reached hero status in their eyes.

Q: You’ve worn a lot of different hats in your career. You’re an actor, writer, director, film producer. Do you prefer one job over another?

A: I really prefer acting over everything else. I think acting for me is the most fun. It is what I did from the beginning. All these other avenues have been fascinating roads to go down but, for sure, acting is the most fun. Quickly I am

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onservative-leaning Employment Policies Institute may be exploiting personal tragedy to score political points.

The non-profit think tank unveiled a new eye-catching billboard in Los Angeles that attempts to link Amanda Bynes’ high-profile meltdown to unemployment levels among teen workers. Never mind the fact that at 27, the former Nickelodeon actress has been out of her teenage years for nearly a decade. The billboard asks: “Is Amanda Bynes Wigging Out About Teen Unemployment?”

Without answering whether Bynes’ DUI, bong tossing and underwear-clad selfies are cries for help on behalf of job-seeking youngsters, the ad then segues into an attack on attempts to raise pay rates. “Unfortunately, raising the minimum wage will only make things worse,” the ad concludes. The group, which quotes Bureau of Labor Statistics to argue that teen unemployment levels stand at 24 percent, has ties to businesses such as restaurants, industries that historically have profited from low-wage labor. Michael Saltsman, research director at the Employment Policies Institute, said that in this cases teens represented people between 16 to 19 years of age.

Just don’t ask Saltsman to explain the logical connection between this employment crisis and Bynes’ escalating series of public relations debacles. He admitted that Bynes’ meltdown has nothing to do with teen unemployment. “I don’t think there’s supposed to be a logical link here,” he said. “The idea is to use people who lots of folks recognize.” That said, he argued that the group was not exploiting Bynes’ situation but rather using her legal headaches to spark debate. “We’re using people in the news to make a point and to get people talking about teens being out of work this summer,” Saltsman said. “There’s a lot of discussion about this on the pages of the Washington Post or the Wall Street Journal, but it’s not reaching young people because they may not be reading those publications.” —Reuters

Q: You co-wrote the film “Promised Land” with actor Matt Damon. Do you plan to do more writing in the future?

A: I am writing two scripts right now. I got hooked. As soon as I did it with him I wanted to do it more and more. It is a lot of fun to sit down and write. It is challenging, but it is so exciting - to have the power to create characters and worlds, rather than to just read scripts that are sent to you.

Q: Can you reveal what the scripts are about?

A: They are totally different movies and definitely different from “Promised Land.” One of them is an action-adventure kind of movie and the other one is ... sort of an investigation of one of the government agencies.

Q: You have another project in the works, an HBO miniseries about the Chateau Marmont hotel with writer Aaron Sorkin, which you will executive produce. What attracted you to that?

A: It is an incredibly historic hotel for our town; probably the most historic hotel ... There is so much of our town and of our business that was created in that hotel. We’re definitely fascinated to tell the story of the hotel.

Q: After nine years on “The Office,” how hard was it to leave for the last time?

A: “Each day I am not on set and not going through that routine with that group of people is excruciating. It is moving on not

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Joselyn Martinez

n aspiring actress has helped police track down a suspect in her father’s 1986 slaying. Periodically, over the last few years, Joselyn Martinez would try to find information about the man accused of shooting and killing her father outside his restaurant on Nov 22, 1986, when she was 9 years old. Beginning in 2006, she trolled Myspace and Facebook for information. In 2011, she wrote a letter to “America’s Most Wanted.” Through it all, she spent her own money, dishing out payments of $69.99 to various online search programs that turn up potential addresses and phone numbers for people.

And on Friday, her efforts were vindicated when police arrested Justo Santos on charges he murdered her father, Jose Martinez, outside his Dominican restaurant in the city’s Washington Heights neighborhood 27 years ago. “It’s amazing,” Martinez, 36, said Tuesday. “I didn’t plan for this. It’s been surreal.” Police said Santos, whose arrest in Miami was first reported by the Daily News, has made statements implicating himself in the killing. On Tuesday, Santos agreed to let police return him to New York later. He was in police custody Tuesday and wasn’t available for comment, and there was no information on whether he had an attorney. He has a Miami court date later this month.

Witnesses to the 1986 killing said they had seen Santos, and he was quickly named by detectives as a suspect, but he fled to the Dominican Republic shortly after. Martinez, who has appeared in Spanish-language music videos, radio commercials and a video game and wants to be in TV shows and movies, said there was “no plan” in her search efforts over the years. “It was totally, absolutely in my eyes, totally random,” said Martinez, who has appeared on the Dominican TV show “Divertido con Jochy,” or “Fun with Jochy.” Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly told reporters on Tuesday that

Santos, 43, had been jailed in the Dominican Republic in an unrelated case about two years after the Martinez killing but served just more than a year before he was released. Kelly said Martinez’s case was closed upon news of Santos’ incarceration in the Dominican Republic - something that should never have happened.

“They should not have closed the case,” Kelly said. Unlike today, the New York Police Department did not have liaisons in the Dominican Republican at that time. But Joselyn Martinez continued her own search, saving her search results to a folder on her laptop dedicated to solving her father’s killing. “I didn’t suddenly find him. This took years of putting away efforts,” she said. “It just took many years, and I felt like I was doing something. I didn’t tell anybody. I didn’t want people to think I was crazy.” Martinez said in February she met with detectives from a cold-case squad to turn over all the information she’d uncovered, including a search result with Santos’ name, address and phone number in Miami.

She said detectives from the cold-case squad used her information and traveled to Miami, where they made the arrest without incident. “I just feel like I had to do it for my father,” she said, “and it’s up to New York state to decide what happens next.”— AP

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o revered is Nelson Mandela today that it is easy to forget that for decades he was considered a terrorist by many foreign governments, and some of his now supporters. The anti-apartheid hero was on a US terror watch list until 2008 and while still on Robben Island, Britain’s late “Iron Lady” Margaret Thatcher described his African National Congress as a “typical terrorist organization.” That Mandela’s image has been transformed so thoroughly is a testament to the man’s achievements, but also, in part, to a concert that took place in London 25 years ago this week.

For organizer Tony Hollingsworth the June 11, 1988 gig at London’s Wembley Stadium had very little to do with Mandela’s 70th birthday, as billed. It had everything to do with ridding Mandela of his terrorist tag and ensuring his release. “You can’t get out of jail as a terrorist, but you can get out of prison as a black leader,” he told AFP during a visit to Johannesburg. Hollingsworth, now 55, envisaged a star-studded concert that would transform Mandela from outlaw to icon in the public’s mind, and in turn press governments adopt a more accommodating stance.

He approached Archbishop Trevor Huddleston, president of the British Anti-Apartheid Movement, to pitch his musical strategy. “I told Trevor that the African National Congress and the anti-apartheid movement had reached their glass ceiling; they couldn’t go further.” “Everything

you are doing is ‘anti’, you are protesting on the streets, but it will remain in that space. Many people will agree, but you will not appeal them.” “Mandela and the movement should be seen as something positive, confident, something you would like to be in your living room with.” While Hollingsworth dealt with artists, Mike Terry-head of the movement in London-dealt with the ANC and the sceptics in the anti-apartheid movement.

And there were many, including Mandela himself, who asked several times that the struggle not be about him.

Many others insisted the focus remain on sanctions against the apartheid regime. “A lot of people were criticizing me for sanitizing it,” Hollingsworth remembered. Eventually Terry convinced the ANC and Hollingsworth convinced Simple Minds, Dire Straits, Sting, George Michael, The Eurythmics, Eric Clapton, Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder into the 83-artist line up. With that musical firepower came contracts for a more than 11 hour broadcast.

“We signed with the entertainment department of television (stations). And when the head of the department got home and watched on his channel that they were calling Mandela a terrorist, they called straight to the news section to say, don’t call this man a terrorist, we just signed 11 hours of broadcasting for a tribute about him.” “This is how we turned Mandela from a black terrorist into a black leader.” The gig at Wembley attracted broadcasters in near-

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ritish singer Seal apologized yesterday for a series of stinging tweets in which he said he “can’t wait to go home”, switching instead to profess his love for Australia.

Seal launched an attack on what he called Australia’s “trash media” after his fellow judge on talent contest “The Voice Australia” Joel Madden was kicked out of his Sydney hotel over drugs. The Daily Telegraph tabloid yesterday ran a front-page story on Good Charlotte singer Madden, saying a small amount of cannabis had been found in his penthouse room and he had been asked to leave the apartment.

No charges have been laid against the American, who issued a statement saying he hoped the incident had not caused “too much drama”. But Grammy Award-winning Seal weighed in on his side. “Way to respect a guest in your country trash media, way to make us feel welcome,” he tweeted early yesterday. “Keep it up ... sure we’ll be back next year. And yes, I say we, because it’s just a matter of time before you gun us all down. “I for one will not stand by and watch you attempt to destroy my Brother, you gun one you gun us all!”

He also rounded on The Star casino complex in which Madden’s hotel was located, saying “Shame on the Star...you ask him to meet n greet a cancer victim in your hotel then send police to his room?? Nice... very classy... keep it up Judas. I’m done here.” Seal, known for his hits “Crazy” and “Kiss From a Rose”, later blamed being away from his children for 11 weeks for the outburst which ended with him saying: “Can’t wait to go home”. —AFP

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ctor Seth Rogen and writer-producer Evan Goldberg, known for R-rated stoner comedies such as “Superbad” and “Pineapple Express,” make their debut as directors this week with “This Is the End.” Rogen, 31, and Goldberg, 30, told Reuters that they wanted to push the boundaries of comedy by having actors play themselves dealing with an apocalypse in the film, which was released in North America yesterday. “It always seemed weird for all of us to all be in a movie and not acknowledge that we all somehow know each other, because we’ve been in so many movies together already. To me it was almost distracting that we didn’t play ourselves,” Rogen said.

“We’ve never seen it in a movie done like this, so it was exciting,” he added. In the film, a group of Hollywood’s top young comedy actors including Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson, Mindy Kaling, Jason Segel, Michael Cera, Emma Watson and Danny McBride come together at a wild party at James Franco’s house.

The revelers are interrupted by the apocalypse.

Fireballs ravage the Hollywood Hills, leaving a trail of destruction and a giant fire pit that swallows up many celebrity guests, including pop singer Rihanna, in front of Franco’s house.

Rogen, Franco, Baruchel, Hill, Robinson and McBride survive by locking themselves into Franco’s house and proceed to engage in absurd survival stunts. Hollywood has a long-standing fascination with the end of the world such as 1998’s space fantasy “Armageddon” and 2004’s environmental disaster film “The Day After

here are many ways to find oneself in exile, deliberately or accidentally. Playwright John Guare has written three affecting stories about mid-20th century Eastern European artists who found themselves cut off from everything they once knew, and presents them in his dynamic new play, “3 Kinds of Exile.” Guare, author of “A Free Man of Color,” “Six Degrees of Separation” and “House of Blue Leaves,” and an Olivier- and two-time Tony Award-winner, also makes his very effective off-Broadway acting debut in the world premiere production that opened Tuesday night at the Atlantic Theater Company.

Atlantic artistic director Neil Pepe provides crisp direction and diverse staging for each of the three tales, which provide stirring examples of overcoming fear and living with courage and humanity. The first one, “Karel,” the story of a writer from Eastern Europe, is movingly told by Martin Moran. He relates the emotional and physical pain that erupted years after his friend Karel was sent away from home as a boy of 12 to escape the Nazis.

Told he was just going to England for a month of “summer camp” in 1939, Karel remained there and never saw his family again. Near the end, which comes with a compelling twist, Karel says, “I tell you this story to ask you how much of your life have you made up?

How many people do you carry around in your life who are inventions of your fear?” The second story, “Elzbieta Erased,” about the downward spiral of

ly 70 countries and was watched by more than half a billion people around the world, still one of the largest audiences ever for an entertainment event. Despite some broadcasters’ demands for the politics to be toned down the message got out.

Singer Harry Belafonte opened with a rousing acclamation: “We are here today to honor a great man, the man is Nelson Mandela,” he told the capacity crowd. Nelson Mandela was released from jail 19 months later, after 27 years in prison. A second concert was later held to celebrate.

“Before the first event, the prospect of Nelson Mandela’s imminent release from prison seemed completely unrealistic,” Terry would later say. “Yet within 20 months he walked free and I have no doubt that the first event played a decisive role in making this happen.” Mandela went on to negotiate the end of the white supremacist regime and establish multiracial democracy in South Africa. Few seemed to notice that the concert was actually more than a month before his July 18 birthday. — AFP

Elzbieta Czyzewska, a formerly world-renowned Polish actress, is eloquently narrated by Guare (as himself) and co-narrated and archly enacted by Omar Sangare.

Czyzewska’s love life, temperament and career were so impacted by Cold War Polish-American political issues and her own “legendary bad luck” that she ended up banished and lonely in America. Graceful and lively, Sangare mimics the actress, whom both men knew in real life; Guare even wrote a play for her. Concluding her story, Guare quotes a telling line said to be from a magazine article written about her: “Courage is a matter of someone who is really and truly afraid and yet carries on, as in war, someone who knows fear and yet gets up and keeps going each day.” The accidental exile of the writer Witold Gombrowicz (a drolly haunted David Pittu), who was on a ship docked in Argentina when Germany invaded Poland in 1939, is styled as a well-choreographed, feverish bad dream.

The spirited, sometimes black-suited and bowler-hatted ensemble performs a series of darkly humorous dance numbers, occasionally surrounding and taunting Pittu in a menacing, rhythmic chorus. These exiles cope with their situations in different ways, but Guare brilliantly relates their humanity in the face of totalitarianism. — AP

This theater publicity image released by Boneau/Bryan-Brown shows Omar Sangare, left, and John Guare in ‘3 Kinds of Exile,’ by John Guare, currently performing off-Broadway at the Atlantic Theater Company in New York. — AP

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ormer Beatles drummer Ringo Starr put snapshots of his musical and creative life on display in a new exhibit, “Ringo: Peace & Love,” which opened on Tuesday at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. Starr, 72, was on hand at the exhibit, which offers an in-depth look at his career as he rose to fame with The Beatles. Highlights include Starr’s Ludwig drum kit, used during The Beatles’ appearances on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” and the outfit he wore during the era of the “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album, between 1966 and 1967.

Starr took Reuters on a tour of the exhibit, which will be open until March 2014, pointing out memorabilia from the height of “Beatlemania,” beginning with the band’s August 1965 performance at

Ringo Starr

Tomorrow.” “This is The End” takes a unique twist by giving the topic an R-rated comedy treatment with celebrities playing themselves.

Goldberg said Rogen, Baruchel and Robinson play characters similar to their real identities, while Franco, Hill and McBride play a version of themselves far removed from reality. “We’re friends with all (the cast) so they trust us ... I think the fact that we knew all the guys really well made it so we could do what we did,” Rogen said.

Assassination and animation Rogen, with his curly hair, thick-framed spectacles and unique rumbling laugh, has become a Hollywood poster boy for slacker films. Behind the scenes, both he and Goldberg are fast becoming big names in movie comedy. Rogen and Goldberg said their biggest challenge for “This Is the End” was securing funding and convincing studios to come on board with the film’s premise. “All the studios were against the idea of (the cast) playing themselves, which if you’ve seen the movie, seems preposterous. That’s the best part of the movie, without a doubt, but they were afraid of it,” Goldberg said.

Sony Corp’s Sony Pictures Entertainment, took on the project, giving the duo “a few million dollars,” Rogen said, with less than $3 million for visual effects. After surviving the apocalypse, Rogen and Goldberg are moving onto their second directorial project “The Interview,” where Rogen and Franco will play journalists on a mission to “assassinate the president of North Korea,” Rogen said, calling it their “comedic ‘Argo.’” The duo will also be making their animated film debut with an R-rated comedy “Sausage Party,” about sausages in a grocery store, teaming up with producer Megan Ellison of Annapurna Pictures, the company behind “The Master” and “Zero Dark Thirty.” — Reuters

New York’s Shea Stadium, which was attended by 55,600 people. “After Shea, and Shea was the biggest audience, that was the first time anyone played a stadium and that we were like, ‘wow,’ Starr said.

“People were talking about people screaming, but that is how it was. We got up, people screamed, we ended and they went home.”

The Beatles, was formed by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Starr in Liverpool in the 1960s.

McCartney and Starr are the only surviving members, after Lennon was shot dead in New York in 1980 and Harrison died from lung cancer in 2001. —Reuters

This June 15, 2007 file photo, The Roots perform at the Bonnaroo music festival in Manchester, Tenn. — AP

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TV, VH1 and CMT are going back to their roots by showing videos as part of a “Music Independence Day” on the Fourth of July. Van Toffler, who runs the networks for Viacom, said the idea is to give a boost to musicians at a time of trouble for the industry and provide soundtracks for the parties and gatherings people are having at home. The networks said Wednesday they will let little-known artists compete for airtime.

The networks got their start primarily airing music videos but switched to other, more lucrative programming over the years. The Fourth of July special can also give the networks a boost since the first week of July is traditionally the leastwatched TV week of the year, because so many people are outside. — AP

The concert that transformed Mandela from terrorist to icon

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

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Syrian director Maamoun alMalla guides Syrian actresses Waha al-Rahib and Dima Bayaa during the shooting of a sequence of TV series ‘Hamam Shami’ or ‘Syrian Bath’ in a studio in Abu Dhabi.—AFP photos

Syrian actor Salim Sabri and other actors perform during the shooting of a sequence of TV series ‘Hamam Shami’ or ‘Syrian Bathî.

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traditional Damascene bath comes to life in the Emirates, as a team of Syrian actors bustle around in wooden clogs on a film set built far away from war-torn Syria. “Here’s the rose water bucket ready with a mix of ginger, cinnamon and lemon,” an actress in a traditional off-white dress and red headscarf tells Umm Sakher, wife of the owner of the hammam, or Turkish bath. The scene is from “Hammam Shami” (Damascus Bath), a Syrian soap opera to be broadcast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in July, and for which the settings have been built for the first time outside Syria.

“I wish this neighborhood and this hammam had been created in their own natural environment, in Damascus,” said set decorator Muhanad Abu Shanab.

The series is a light social comedy set in the 1950s and takes place mainly inside a traditional Turkish bath in an ancient Damascus neighborhood, reconstructed in the Abu Dhabi desert to avoid the unrest that has left more than 94,000 people dead in Syria since 2011. Actress Sahar Fawzy, who plays Umm Mwaffaq, a simple woman whose husband has taken a second wife, explains that in the Damascene culture, the hammam was a place for people to socialize.

Men made business deals and women discussed daily life and even found brides for their sons, she said. Such traditional Damascene soaps, whose popularity surged in past years across the Arab world, have previously always been filmed inside Syria, where many traditional houses, neighborhoods and hammams have been preserved for decades. However, the battles between rebels and regime troops have driven producers away from financing the country’s once-booming film industry. “I couldn’t hold back my tears” after seeing the set built at an indoor studio in Abu Dhabi, said actress Waha alRaheb who plays Umm Sakher.

“I felt nostalgic, and in pain over what has happened to my country.” The hammam has been recreated in fine detail, right down to the old copper kettles, colourful Ottoman-era chandeliers, straw stools, the black-andwhite brick walls and mosaic marble floors. Actors and actresses are dressed in traditional Syrian costumes and make a distinctive clacking sound as they walk around

Syrian actors prepare to perform.

the hammam in old wooden clogs. “The decoration alone was so very real that it made us feel for a while that we were back in Syria and that all our troubles were gone. It was a sweet illusion,” said Raheb.

The preparations for the daily show took around four months and all the accessories were shipped in from Damascus. United Arab Emirates-based Issam al-Awwa, the production manager, told AFP the costs had doubled because of having to film outside Syria. Around 45 technicians, all brought in from Syria, and some 70 actors and actresses took part in the project. Secondary characters were mostly Syrians living in the Emirates.

Raheb said she moved to Dubai a year ago after “shabiha” (pro-regime thugs) “used to send me threats on

Syrian actors wait to perform.

Facebook.” The soap aims to “put a smile on people’s faces ... while at the same time keeping Syria alive” on the drama scene, she said. Syrian drama production has plunged since the uprising, from over 40 soap operas produced for Ramadan in 2010 to less than half of that being made now, many outside Syria - in Lebanon and Egypt as well as the Emirates. Many artists have fled Syria, while some of those opposing the regime have been arrested and others killed over the past two years.

Last month, regime forces briefly arrested prominent actress May Skaf for the second time since she took part in 2012 in a Damascus protest referred to as the “intellectuals’ demonstration.” In February, popular comedian Yassin Bakush was killed when a shell hit his car in south-

ern Damascus. Raheb acknowledges that the series has no bearing on current events but says “no producers are financing anything linked to the Syrian revolt.” “Most producers are linked to regimes which have no interest in seeing the Syrian revolt achieve victory and become a model for the rest of the world,” said Raheb, a filmmaker herself. “But the time will come when this legendary revolt will be written about.” — AFP

File photo shows the world’s oldest person Jiroemon Kimura smiling as he celebrates his 116th birthday at his residence in Kyotango city.

File photo shows Japan’s Misao Okawa, then 114, poses with the certificate of the world’s oldest woman, which was presented to her by Guinness World Records Japan Country Manager Erika Ogawa, unseen, at a nursing home in Osaka, western Japan.

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Guinness World Records. “As the only man to have ever lived for 116 years - and the oldest man whose age has been fully authenticated - he has a truly special place in world history.”

Kyotango officials said Kimura’s funeral would be held Friday. “Mr Kimura was and will always be a treasure to our town, to our country and to our world,” said Mayor Yasushi Nakayama. The new oldest living man, according

apan’s Jiroemon Kimura, who had been recognized

by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest living person and the oldest man ever, died yesterday of natural causes. He was 116. Kimura, of Kyotango, Japan, was born April 19, 1897. Officials in Kyotango said he died in a local hospital, where he had been undergoing treatment for pneumonia. According to Guinness, Kimura was the first man in history to have lived to 116

years old. Kimura became the oldest man ever on Dec. 28, 2012, at the age of 115 years, 253 days, breaking the record set by Christian Mortensen, a Danish immigrant to the United States, whose life spanned from 1882-1998.

The title of oldest living person is now held by another Japanese, 115-year-old Misao Okawa, of Osaka. Okawa was born March 5, 1898. “Jiroemon Kimura was an exceptional person,” said Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of

to the US-based Gerontology Research Group, is James McCoubrey, and American who was born in Canada on Sept 13, 1901. Now 111 years old, he is the 32nd oldest living person according to GRG’s list, which shows all those older than him are women. — AP