23rd Jun 2013

CR IP TI ON BS SU

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

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NO: 15848

driving licenses for expats

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11Freeze15 36 20 on issuance of new Exception only for household drivers

Max 44º Min 29º High Tide 10:37 Low Tide 05:07 & 18:22

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: Interior Ministry Assistant Undersecretary Maj Gen Abdulfattah Al-Ali has ordered a halt on the issuance of new driving licenses to all expatriates until further notice. The only exceptions will be for household drivers on Article 20 visas. The freeze will be in place until changes are made to current regulations for expats to obtain new driving licenses, Ali added. Since his appointment a few months ago, Ali has led a campaign in which hundreds of expatriates have been deported without a court order for committing “grave” traffic offences such as driving without a license and jumping red lights. Kuwaiti citizens who commit similar traffic offences can have their vehicles impounded, but only under a court order. The Interior Ministry is also revoking driving licenses of foreign students who have graduated and working housewives, tightening already strict rules for expats.

Ali has stressed that all traffic violation-related deportations are in accordance with the law. “We have filed over 70,000 traffic citations including 43,000 serious ones such as running red lights, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving on the wrong side of the road and many others,” he told reporters earlier this month. Ali also warned last week that travel bans may be slapped against violators to force them to pay their traffic fines, especially since the amount of all fines has reached KD 24 million. For nearly a decade, Kuwait has imposed strict conditions on the eligibility of its 2.6 million expats to drive. Most foreigners are required to hold a university degree, earn KD 400 a month and have lived legally in the country for at least two years before being able to drive legally.

Man dies after Saudi shootout A rebel tries to locate a fighter plane as he stands on top of an anti-aircraft gun in the village of Al-Rami near the town of Ariha in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib yesterday. (Inset) US Secretary of State John Kerry points while joking with a reporter during a news conference about Syria in Doha yesterday. — AFP

Syria rebels to get ‘urgent aid’ US warns Taleban as envoy heads to Qatar DOHA: World powers supporting Syria’s rebels decided yesterday to provide them with urgent military aid, some of it secretly, so that they can counter “brutal attacks” by the regime and protect the Syrian people.

Yet even as they prepared to step up their own involvement in a war that has killed nearly 100,000 people, they demanded that Iran and Lebanese movement Hezbollah stop supporting President Bashar Al-Assad’s regime. Speaking in Doha, top Qatari diplomat Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem Al-Thani said a meeting there of foreign ministers of the

“Friends of Syria” had taken “secret decisions about practical measures to change the situation on the ground in Syria”.

They agreed to provide rebels “urgently all the necessary materiel and equipment... each country in its own way in order to enable them to counter brutal attacks by the regime and its allies and protect the Syrian people,” a final communique said. Ministers from Britain, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United States attended the talks. Washington

Brazil bracing for more unrest

New intel leaks emerge, Snowden faces charges

SAO PAULO: Brazil girded for more street protests yesterday despite President Dilma Rousseff’s conciliatory remarks pledging to improve public services and fight corruption, while warning against further violence. Rallies coordinated via social media were called in several cities, including Sao Paulo, Brasilia, Belo Horizonte and Salvador as the country’s intelligence services warned of an escalation in the protests against shoddy public services and sloppy, corrupt government. As the Rousseff administration fought to deal with the ever rising tide of dissatisfaction, former football star-turned Socialist politician Romario joined the debate, praising the demonstrators and dubbing world football body FIFA “Brazil’s real president.”

In an address to the nation late Friday, Rousseff offered Brazilians a “great pact” between the government and the people to improve underfunded public services and stressed the need for “more effective ways to fight corruption.” Her remarks came a day after more than one million people marched in cities across the country to slam the huge cost of hosting next June’s World Cup, put at some $15 billion, while public services such as schools and hospitals are lacking. The protests began over a transport fare hike but spread to include a bevy of gripes.

Rousseff ’s inter vention left the protesters unmoved, judging by a torrent of comments on social media sites.

Continued on Page 15

and Doha had called for increasing aid to end what US Secretary of State John Kerry called an “imbalance” in Assad’s favour.

Kerry said the United States remained committed to a peace plan that includes a conference in Geneva and a transitional government picked both by Assad and the opposition. But he said the rebels need more support “for the purpose of being able to get to Geneva and to be able to address the imbalance on the ground”.

Continued on Page 15

US hacking China texts • UK tapping cables LONDON/HONG KONG: Britain’s intelligence services are tapping cables that carry the world’s phone calls and Internet traffic and are gathering vast amounts of data, according to leaked documents from US ex-intelligence technician Ed Snowden, who faces spying charges in the United States. The claims, published yesterday by The Guardian newspaper, sparked a fresh outcry from privacy campaigners and surfaced as the United States filed criminal charges against 30-year-old Snowden and asked Hong Kong - where he has fled to to detain him. In a sign of growing international tensions, Germany said Saturday that Europe would need Britain to clarify the latest allegations. Justice Minister Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, who made the comments, added that the accusations would be a “catastrophe” if they are true.

Snowden also told the South China Morning Post in a report published yesterday that the United States government is hacking Chinese mobile phone companies to gather data from millions of text messages. US spies have also hacked China’s prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing and Asia Pacific fibre-optic network operator Pacnet, the Post quoted Snowden as saying.

“The NSA does all kinds of things like hack Chinese cell phone companies to steal all of your SMS data,” Snowden said in the interview conducted on June 12.

Government data shows almost 900 billion text messages were exchanged in China in 2012.

A US justice department official meanwhile confirmed that a sealed criminal complaint has been lodged with a federal court in the US state of Virginia and a provisional arrest warrant has been issued.

Snowden faces charges of theft of government property, unauthorised communication of national defence information, and wilful communication of classified communications intelligence information to an unauthorised person. Two of the charges were brought under the 1917 Espionage Act. The Guardian reported that Britain’s Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) has started processing vast amounts of personal information - including Facebook posts, emails, Internet histories and phone calls - and is sharing it with its US partner the National Security Agency (NSA). In reaction, however, GCHQ said it was “scrupulous” in its compliance with the law and declined to comment further. The Guardian reported that GCHQ was able to tap into and store data from the cables for up to 30 days, under an operation codenamed Tempora. “It’s not just a US problem. The UK has a huge dog in this fight,” Snowden told the newspaper. “They (GCHQ) are worse than the US.” Continued on Page 15

RIYADH: A Shiite man was shot dead late on Friday in the fractious Qatif district of Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, home to many of its Shiite minority. The shooting brings to 19 the death toll since early 2011 during protests by Shiites demanding equal rights with the Sunni majority, and in clashes with police in the towns and villages around Qatif. Shiite activists said the 19-year-old Shiite was shot in his car by a stray bullet fired by police when they fired at another person on a motorbike.

An Eastern Province police spokesman said in a statement carried on state media he was shot when they exchanged fire with unk nown gunmen, adding he was found in his car at dawn yesterday but was dead before reaching hospital. The shooting happened at around midnight on Friday, he said. Saudi Shiites complain of entrenched discrimination in the birthplace of Islam, which follows the rigid Wahhabi Sunni school that views the minority sect as heretical.

Continued on Page 15

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

LOCAL

‘Discover America Festival’ In Kuwait from June 27 Five-day event to be held at Avenues Mall

By Ben Garcia

National Guard opens Ramadan goods fest KUWAIT: The Chairman of the Board of Director for Officers Club and National G u a rd Co o p e r a t i ve S o c i e t y, B r i g Mohammad Al-Farhan, inaugurated the Ramadan goods festival at the Society’s officers club Branti at Fnaitees.

All requirements for the officers’ families were provided at the same prices that are charged at the cooperatives.

For the consumers, the festival will start on June 27, whether citizens or expats,

in the main supermarket. In the rest of the branches also, it will start on June 27. Brig. M ohammad Al-Farhan said that the preparations for this festival were on for a long time and joint efforts were made to provide competitive offers to ensure everyone’s satisfaction. The festival this year will feature plenty of goods at low prices in view of the expected great demand at all cooperative branches.

KUWAIT: The United States of America ranks second on the list of countries being considered by Kuwaitis as their preferred medical travel destinations, according to the US commercial attachÈ to Kuwait.

Speaking at the press conference to announce that the “Discover America Festival” will be held from June 27 to July 1 at The Avenues mall, Dao M Le, Senior Commercial Officer of the US Embassy in Kuwait, said the United States has always been a favorite destination of Kuwaitis not only in the tourism sector, but also in the fields of education and healthcare.

“The United States of America has the reputation of having the most technologically advanced and highest quality healthcare system of any developed nation in the world. We are the second most popular medical destination for Kuwaitis,” said Le, adding that patients traveling outside their home country for medical treatment often have the United States on the top of their list because of its cutting edge technology and life-saving protocols for some of the world’s rarest and most complex conditions. The degree of super-specialization among US physicians in unparalleled anywhere else in the world. The US healthcare industry is one of the largest in the world and represents 16.2 percent of the US gross domestic product. Between the years 2009 and 2012, according to the US press statement distributed to the media during the conference, Kuwaiti citizens accounted for more than 13,000 inpatient and outpatient visits to major US academic medical centers.

“55 percent of these visits were for diagnostic assessments in ambulatory settings, of which 23 percent included hospitalizations that were mostly elective encounters, 9 percent involved ambulatory surgery, and 7 percent were emergency department visits. In fact, last year we received at least 200

KUWAIT: Dao M Le, Senior Commercial Officer at the US Embassy during a press conference.

Kuwaiti patients in various hospitals across the US,” Le beamed. He noted that the US Embassy in Kuwait provided about 40,000 visas to Kuwaiti citizens and expats last year.

The US Embassy in Kuwait organized the press-conference on Thursday morning to announce the upcoming ‘Discover America Festival,’ dubbing it as the biggest of its kind to be organized in Kuwait. “The five-day event will attract thousands of people from all walks of life in Kuwait. We are going to have visitors from various educational institutions, tourism attractions, and lots of surprises including raffle draws and music and entertainment,” Le added. The event will be held at Phase II-Dome 3 of The Avenues mall. Special promotional offers and discounted products will be available at The Avenues during the five-day expo, especially from the American brands participating in the event.

Bilateral trade The US-Kuwait trade exchange has swelled from $10.5 billion in 2011 to $15.7 billion in 2012, up 50 percent, said Dao M Le, according to KUNA. Le pointed out that the US exports to Kuwait in 2012 amounted to $2.7 billion compared with imports from Kuwait at the value of $13 billion.

Vehicles have the lion share in the US exports to Kuwait, nearly 46.1 percent, followed by machines with 15.6 percent share. Then electricity and healthcare equipment with 5.6 percent and 4.5 percent shares respectively, Le said. He added that Kuwait now is the 54th largest US export market in the world, with 0.17 percent share of the total US exports and the 5th largest US export market in the Arab World. On the other hand, the US official said that Kuwait is the 29th biggest exporting country to the United States, with 0.52 percent of the total US imports.

Petroleum products make up 97.7 percent of Kuwait exports to the US, followed by fertilizers 2.1 percent. He touted the strong and special US-Kuwaiti ties as one of the best in the region.

Le added that the US is looking for ward toward more bilateral cooperation and partnership at all levels and in different domains.

Signaling positive trends and developments in the bilateral economic relationship, the US official cited a surging demand from Kuwaitis for health care and tourism in the United States.

The US Embassy in Kuwait processed nearly 40,000 visas in 2012, the largest volume ever in a decade, he said. He also revealed that the US City of Los Angeles has become one of the World’s top ten travel destinations for Kuwaiti tourists. Le shed lights on the remarkable growth in the number of student visas issued for Kuwaitis in the past years.

Contracts of 313 expat teachers terminated KUWAIT: Ignoring the Civil Services Commission law’s amendment effected on April 23, 2013 pertaining to increasing the age of retirement for citizens and expatriates working in government establishments to 65, the Ministry of Education recently terminated the contracts of 313 expatriate teachers since they had reached the age of 60.

In this regard, informed educational sources confirmed that the MOE’s undersecretary, Mariam Al-Wetaid, had already signed the termination orders last week despite the CSC’s recent amendment to extend their tenure till they attained the age of 65. The termination orders made no reference to the amendment although the affected employees had letters from their seniors recommending the extension, thanks to their long experience and their need.

Further, the sources said they were amazed at the MOE’s insistence on ignoring the CSC law’s amendment, and choosing to terminate the services of the expats at 60 and referring citizens with 30 or more years of service for retirement at a very critical time during the school year.

This was especially so as the committees dispatched to Egypt, Tunisia and Jordan had failed to hire enough teachers, which suggested that the ministry would suffer severe shortages of teaching staff next year. —Al-Jarida

Kuwait students in Canada ‘safe’ WASHINGTON: Kuwaiti students living in the floodhit Canadian Alberta province, especially Calgary City, are safe and sound, the Kuwaiti Embassy and Cultural Office in Ottawa said in a release on Friday.

Heavy floods have hit the Canadian city of Calgary, forcing local authorities there to evacuate over 100,000 inhabitants and to close schools and universities. The Kuwaiti Embassy and Cultural Office in Ottawa showed much attention to all Kuwaitis living in Calgary, and were keen to provide all types of help to them when necessary, according to the release.

The embassy asked all Kuwaitis living at flood-hit areas in Canada to contact it in case of emergency at this hotline number: (+1) 613-513-5676. —KUNA

ABK launches environmental festival with KEPS

KUWAIT: Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait in collaboration with Kuwait Environmental Protection Society launched an Environmental festival in Discovery Mall where more than 400 children between the ages of5 and 16 participated in the activities throughout the day.

On this occasion, Sahar Al-Therban, PR Manager assured ABK’s dedication to supporting Social Responsibility programs.” We are pleased to have a fun and informative festival to raise kids awareness about the Environment and how important it is for us to protect it .The Festival was under the name of “I Will Change” and its aim was to educate children about the Global Environmental Day with the main focus on recycling and plantation.” Al-Therban thanked KEPS for this collaboration and for their efforts during this event hoping to partake in other joint activities in the future.

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

LOCAL

Al-Shamali: Govt goes on with regular work KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Mustafa Al-Shamali said that the government would proceed with its work as regular with an aspiration to accomplish the largest number possible of development projects.

Political conditions in the country, particularly following the recent ruling by the Constitutional Court, “would neither hamper actions of the government, nor the development (process),” AlShamali affirmed in exclusive remarks to the Arabic-language Kuwaiti daily, AlJarida, published yesterday.

The government is working diligently for tangible development, manifestations of which have become visible in the country, and “we as a government look forward to press ahead with the accomplishments for development and meeting needs of the citizens and lifting their standards of living,” Al-Shamali told Al-Jarida.

Kuwait is distinguished with a solid financial-economic system capable of facing all challenges, and “we are working according to advanced strategies and plans, through which we will be able to upgrade our financial and economic systems,” Al-Shamali added.

Elaborating, Al-Shamali indicated that work with regard of the family fund would proceed according to a strategy that had been hammered out in coordi-

Opposition to announce election boycott officially Meeting at Al-Saadoun’s diwania today

Mustafa Al-Shamali nation with the National Assembly, affirming as well keenness on resolving the issue of debts defaulters. On the state budget, Al-Shamali confirmed that it was under examination by the cabinet. Regarding the bourse, the minister stressed that the Kuwait Stock Exchange “is in good condition and the government secures all possible support for this institution for performing operations in full.” He also noted that the government would spare no effort to overhaul the oil sector, the main income resource for the state, hinting that development ventures would proceed in this vital sector. — KUNA

KUWAIT: The opposition is set to release a statement tomorrow in which it is expected to officially announce its decision to boycott the upcoming parliamentary elections and reiterate criticism of the government’s approach, a local newspaper reported yesterday quoting a leading oppositionist.

Former MP Musallam Al-Barrak further told Al-Rai on Friday that the opposition believes that boycotting the elections has become ‘obligatory’ after the Constitutional Court upheld the single-vote system that was decreed by HH the Amir last October. “[Opposition] forces meet (today) at the diwaniya of former Parliament Speaker Ahmad Al-Saadoun to put together our first statement in that regard.”

Several politicians including liberals and Islamists have announced plans to contest the upcoming elections having boycotted last December’s polls, saying that their decision was to ‘honor’ the court’s ruling while some of them called for ways to change the electoral system through the parliament. “The reasons behind the boycott still exist... and there are responsibilities in accordance that befall everyone to avoid participating since the ruling promotes efforts to weaken the democracy,” Al-Barrak indicated.

The opposition’s boycott calls are based on the argument that any amendment to the electoral law made outside the parliament ‘takes away the people’s authority’ in determining

how they elect their parliamentary representatives. While the government says that the new system is in line with the voting system used in democracies around the world, the opposition argues that it hurts candidates’ chances to form alliances which thrived under the four-votesper-voter system. The Constitutional Court said in its ruling Sunday that the single-vote system “allows the minority to be represented in the parliament,” “frees voters from candidates’ pressure,” while it confirmed that the emergency decree was necessary to “serve the national interest” by addressing a subject “that pertains to risking the unity and social fabric of the nation.” While a group of more than 30 oppositionists, including Popular Action Movement and Islamic Constitutional Movement members, remain adamant on boycotting the elections, a number of Salafist politicians as well as liberals opted to return to the polls. Meanwhile, major tribes are widely expected to announce they will participate in the elections as well, with official announcements expected as soon as today (Sunday).

In that regard, Al-Qabas newspaper reported yesterday that opposition member and former Islamist MP Mohammad Hayef is “seriously considering” the option to return to the parliament which, if happened, “paves the way for members of his Mutair tribe to follow suit,” according to sources familiar with the situation.

The return of the National Democratic

Alliance, which is the main umbrella body of liberal groups in Kuwait, paves the way for the National Action Bloc members to run again for parliament. But like the situation with Islamist groups, it does not guarantee that all liberals will participate since the Kuwait Democratic Forum remains undecided “but is likely going to maintain their previous decision,” according to sources quoted by Al-Rai yesterday.

Meanwhile, National Action Bloc member Marzouq Al-Ghanim described last week’s ruling as “a significant constitutional gain,” and called upon the people in a televised interview to vote “because boycotting will not lead to any results.”

With elections set for July 25, sources told AlAnba newspaper that the inaugural session for the parliament is likely to be held on August 6 which could also mark the 30th and final day of Ramadan. If it comes about, the sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity indicated that an earlier date would be set “to avoid postponing the session until after the Eid Al-Fitr holiday.”

Meanwhile, government sources told AlAnba that the new cabinet is likely to be announced on August 4 or 5. In the meantime, Al-Qabas quoted an unnamed security source who indicated that the Interior Ministry has formed five teams to ‘detect’ illegal practices during the elections including vote buying and by-elections.

—Al-Rai, Al-Qabas and Al-Anba

Fire breaks out in Abu Halifa building Maj Al-Sadi back home

By Hanan Al-Saadoun K U WA I T: Th e f i re d e p a r t m e n t received a report at 12 noon yesterday about a fire that broke out in the basement of a six-storied buildi n g. Th e f i re m e n e v a c u a te d t h e building and brought the fire under control, in an operation that was led by First Lieutenants Hussain Ashkanani, Mohammad Al-Hajeri, and Hussain Bakhsh.

Another report was received by the fire department at 2 pm on the same day, about a fire that broke out at an apartment in Abu Hlaifa.

Th e a p a r t m e n t w a s o n t h e f i f t h floor of a multi-storied building. AlManqaf and Fahaheel fire centers re s p o n d e d to t h e re p o r t a n d a te a m , l e d by c a p t a i n A l i B u Isk andar, rushed to the fire site.

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Permanent delegate to FAO and the United Nations Organizations in Rome Faisal Al-Hasawi with other FAO officials.—KUNA

FAO to open permanent office in Kuwait in 2014 ROME: Kuwait and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have signed a ”letter of intent” that paves the way for opening a permanent office for the international organization in Kuwait.

The letter was signed by Kuwait’s Permanent delegate to (FAO) and the United Nations Organizations in Rome Faisal Al-Hasawi and FAO Deputy Director General Daniel Gustafson.

“Opening new office will signal a quantum leap in Kuwait cooperation with the FAO,” Al-Hasawi told KUNA, adding that the move is outcome of significant efforts and talks with FAO officials.

He revealed that a Kuwaiti delega-

tion will visit FAO headquarters in Rome in September to finalize the office agreement before signing it in November 2013 to open the office officially in January 2014. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy.

FAO is also a source of knowledge and information, and helps developing countries and countries in transition modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices, ensuring good nutrition and food

security for all. As of 8 August 2008, FAO has 191 member states along with the European Union, Faroe Islands and Tokelau which are associate members.

Besides its headquarters in Rome, FAO is present in over 130 countries.

The decentralized network includes five regional offices, 11 subregional offices, two multidisciplinary teams, 74 fully fledged countr y offices (excluding those hosted in regional and subregional offices), eight offices with technical officers/FAO Representatives, and 36 countries covered through multiple accreditation. In addition, the Organization maintains five liaison offices and four information offices in developed countries.— KUNA

Citizen killed, two hurt in car crash on Salmi Road 3 Kuwaitis held for kidnap bid KUWAIT: A man died while two others were injured in a car crash reported Friday on the Salmi Road. Police and paramedics rushed to the scene after receiving an emergency call at dawn about an accident between a sports car and a bulldozer.

A Kuwaiti man who was sitting in the passenger’s seat of the car was pronounced dead on the scene. The car’s driver, identified as the dead man’s cousin, was rushed to the hospital along with the bulldozer’s Syrian driver. The body was taken to the forensic department after criminal investigators examined the scene. A case was filed for investigations.

Driver dead In a separate accident, a male driver died after his vehicle lost balance and overturned on the King Fahad Highway. Paramedics and police arrived at the scene shortly after the accident was reported, but found that the Asian man had already succumbed to his injuries. The body was taken to the coroner and investigations went underway to determine the circumstances that led to the accident.

Kidnap foiled Salmiya police arrested three people who attempted to kidnap a

woman from the Amman Street in the area recently. The suspects reportedly tried to force the Filipina woman into their car when a patrol vehicle drove by. The men tried to flee when they saw police approaching but could not. The three Kuwaitis were being held inside the area’s police station pending legal action on charge of trying to kidnap, pressed by the woman.

Teen stabbed A teenager was hospitalized with mild injuries sustained during a fight repor ted at the Avenues Mall on Friday. According to the police report, the fight was triggered by one teenager flying into a rage by a stare perceived as provocative and hitting at the man with a sharp object that left the latter with a wound to the shoulder. Shoppers intervened to separate the two before security arrived and brought the situation under control. An ambulance was called to take the injured child to the hospital while his attacker was taken to the nearest police station for further action.

Fugitive nabbed A middle aged man with a notorious history of criminal behavior was arrested during a security crackdown in Kaifan Friday. Police were inspect-

ing civil IDs of people at a bus stop in the area when they grew suspicious of a Kuwaiti man in his fifties who apparently entered a bus to avoid interacting with the officers. The man, a Kuwaiti in his fifties, was arrested after police found he was wanted to serve a four-years’ jail sentence in a drugs-related case. Police also discovered that his record depicted nine previous cases including one in which he was involved in a bombing in AlFintas before the 1990/91 Iraqi Invasion. The man was referred to the proper authorities for further action.

Mobile bartender arrested A man was arrested in Wafra Friday after police found that he ran a stand near a highway where he offered alcoholic drinks. Ahmadi police were on an inspection drive when they grew suspicious of a man selling drinks on his cart. Officers searched the cart after smelling alcohol and were able to find bottles filled with homebrewed liquor hidden under a table. The Asian man was questioned afterwards and he admitted to selling cocktails prepared from alcohol and soda or energy drinks, and offering them for KD1 to KD1.5 per glass. The man was referred to the proper authorities to face charges.

—Al-Anba, Al-Watan

Some firemen helped evacuate the building, while others brought the fire under control. No casualties were reported.

L a te r, t h e f i re d e p a r t m e n t received yet another report about a fire breaking out at a two-storied building in Salwa area. The building w a s s p re a d ove r a n a re a o f 5 0 0 square meters. The fire reportedly started from the building yard and spread to the basement, where various materials were stored at random without any precautions being taken against fire accidents. Lead

by Major Ali Abdul Razzaq, Captain K h a l i f a A l - S ow a i d i a n d Fi r s t L t .

Hamad Al-Basam, fire fighters from Mishreef fire center, South Salmiya center and Nor th Salmiya center rushed to the fire site.

They brought the fire under con-

trol, with no causalities reported.

Po l i ce a n d m e d i c a l e m e rg e n c y teams were also present to provide help if needed.

Sergeant Major Hamad Abdullah A l - S a d i o f t h e f i re d e p a r t m e n t re t u r n e d h o m e ye s te rd ay a f te r receiving treatment abroad that l a s te d fo r fo u r m o n t h s. H e w a s injured in an incident while answering a call of duty. Deputy Director of fire department Brig Khalid AlMikrad and head of the safety unit Major Fayez Al-Nassar met him at t h e Ku w a i t i A i r p o r t w h e n h e arrived. Brig Al-Mikrad thanked God for the safe return of fireman AlSadi and also thanked him for his courage. He said the firemen perform a hazardous job and face dangers, even making self sacrifice in order to save others.

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

LOCAL

Local Spotlight

In my view

Counterfeit medications

Assembly representing the nation

By Abdallah Abbas Bwair

By Muna Al-Fuzai local@kuwaittimes.net muna@kuwaittimes.net

T

he Ministry of Health and the innumerable problems it faces have become the talk of the town. Most recently, the ministry announced it caught 420 spurious medicines that could have caused cancer and even death. The announcement was made by the drugs inspection division within the ministry which confirmed that the food supplements and other medicines seized from the pharmacies around the country were found spurious. It further warned about the possible negative side effects of such drugs which, according to international figures, account for nearly a million deaths around the world.

You can only imagine the level of indifference found within the Ministry of Health. This is apart from the medical equipment worth millions of dinars that is vulnerable to damage or theft at the public hospitals. Speaking of public hospitals, one visit there will give you an idea as to how neglected the public medical facilities have become, with corridors looking like scrap yards and garbage cans strewn all across.

For example, the moment you enter the Adan Hospital, you can see the picture of utter neglect, adding to the woes of the patients. A local newspaper conducted a tour of the hospital recently, and reported the level of negligence it found there. Incubators were found left in the corridors near the maternity section, while medical equipment and furniture were languishing in the basement, gathering dust despite being worth a fortune. The report also mentioned the lack of hygiene in the entire hospital. For example, large trash containers similar to those found outside apartment buildings were seen along the corridors inside the hospital. Meanwhile, an employee at the records section revealed that a room where all medical reports were kept was usually left open for the public, meaning that reports were highly vulnerable to theft or loss.

To cut a long story short, the Adan Hospital has become more like a scrap yard - a place littered with scattered equipment and furniture, garbage and chaos. Who is responsible for protecting the public funds? Is the Ministry of Health ever going to wake up and address such lacunae? For how long will the innocent people continue to pay the price of such mistakes?

In my view

Just a mirage!

By Labeed Abdal

T kuwait digest

Thinking loud!

By Ali Mahmoud Khajah

I

am only doing some loud thinking to share my be foiled by necessity decrees at any time’.

Nevertheless, the constitutional court has proven thoughts with you. I could be right or wrong, I am not sure, but I am presenting my idea and it is up to that it was more than the necessity decrees. Moreover, I believe that, except for a few of them and in view of you to either accept it or to correct me.

The recent constitutional court ruling removed their lack of vision in boycotting the December parliawhatever fear there was of taking decisions solely and ment, boycotters had neither any plans nor any clear exclusively by citing the excuse of ‘necessity ’. program, which is a bad sign of things any day.

As for myself, I and some parties prefer to participate Accordingly, it agreed that while one of the decisions was prompted by due necessity, the other was not, in the elections and try to introduce some reforms. I do which means that there no more exists any fear in issu- know that the current electoral system is very bad, and ing such decrees at random because these will all be that it might even be the worst. Yet, this is not the first subject to the court’s assessment, evaluation and moni- time that we will be participating in an election under a bad electoral system and, still toring, a negotiable turf. manage to achieve some At the same time, the court fortified the one-vote electoral We have to deal with the situa- reforms like in the 1971 parliament that followed the elecsystem, which I think is the worst ever because it boosts tion, knowing which solution offers tion forgery in the 1967 parsectarianism and tribalism more gains. Moreover, Kuwait’s liament. We have other examof electing parliaments as more than the four-vote sysproblem does not lie with the elec- ples per the 25 electoral contem had ever done. If voters were more focused on any sec- toral system, though it is part of it. stituencies system. This tor tribe while voting under Our real problem lies in the fact means that there could be little chance to achieve some the four votes per voter system, just imagine how sectari- that there exists a complete struc- reform from within, it is still an and extreme they would be ture of corruption that needs to be better than boycotting the process and then paswith only one vote. In addition, straightened out without wasting entire sively watch it from the outthe one vote system enhances individualism whereas democ- any time and effor t about dis- side without having any real rac y calls for group work. cussing which is a better way - the program.

Are there any ideal soluHowever, it is a non-negotiable fact that the one-vote system four vote system or the one vote tions? I do not think so. has been fortified and protect- one? Once more, these are mere Therefore, we have to deal the situation, knowing ed by law. ideas expressed loudly and I might with which solution offers more How, then, can we handle gains. Moreover, Kuwait ’s the situation? We have a bad be right or wrong! problem does not lie with the and protected electoral syselectoral system, though it is tem, have had non-competitive successive governments that are no good when it part of it. Our real problem lies in the fact that there comes to running a state since these governments exists a complete structure of corruption that needs to spared no opportunities to indulge in and encourage be straightened out without wasting any time and more corruption. Some voices have already started call- effort about discussing which is a better way - the four vote system or the one vote one? Once more, these are ing for a boycott of the elections.

The reasons that I can understand include: ‘There is mere ideas expressed loudly and I might be right or no use taking part as long as attempts at reforms can wrong! —Al-Jarida

labeed@kuwaittimes.net

I

saw many clips on YouTube depicting some Jews demonstrating to express their opinion about achieving peace with their Arab neighbor Muslims in Palestine. Also, the fact that there are many moderate Israelis, most of whom came from Europe, and many other Jews in Iraq, Yemen, Iran, etc, only proves that they have many diverse origins. No one can deny the inhuman treatment meted out to the Palestinians during the 1940s when it came to land disputes.

Similarly, the Jews were treated badly and inflicted with cruelty to force them to leave the Arab countries, all because of their religion.

Still, after all these years, so many of them remember their homes, schools, foods like hummus, sausages and falafel, and even the football teams they used to cheer.

I am not defending anybody but I think the whole issue is about fairness and logic for the parties concerned. The entire world is watching as we mark 75 years of conflict, which is a bit more than enough. As the international reportage emerges, you will notice that the hardliners will ignore the UN resolutions and talk incessantly about settlements, raising the war cry of ‘build, build, build’ more settlements.

Many peace watchers seemed to have hit the dead end though we hope they will be back to make some progress along the road to peace soon.

The choice of the two-state solution was a historic decision made by the Israelites, Palestinians and the United Nations, and it was a most suitable solution for both parties concerned.

Both would have had some grounds for satisfaction and have a right to the holy land. No one needs to hang on to history because it will lead us nowhere.

By digging old bones, we would eventually end up fighting for our right on a piece of land on some iceberg that came off an ice mountain during the Ice Age many million years ago.

The two religions have a shared legacy and are both old religions with many great similarities when it comes to the teachings of Prophet Moses, food and language etc. Someone somewhere must keep in mind those good similarities and all the reasons for closeness of these faiths to act as an umbrella under which they can come together for peace and co-existence. Definitely, we do not want to see all the world’s wise peacemakers to end up feeling that all the great and hopeful dreams were just a mirage.

kuwait digest

Address the root cause

By Thaar Al-Rashidi

A

The second dimension, which is not dealt with by ny tragedy at the time of the birth of a child is explained with either of the two brief sen- the media, is the story of all Kuwaiti diwanias. tences: “We had to sacrifice the fetus so that Everyone knows them by name and also how there the mother could live” or “We had to sacrifice the are four fighting wings. However, all this does not mother so that the child could live.” Politically speak- appear in the media, except in a very narrow way ing, in Kuwait, the version of the same is that “we and only symbolically, that too very politely. The had to sacrifice the mother, the fetus and the father third dimension, whether we like it or not, is that we have had the NA Council virtually on a hold since as well so that the doctor could live.”

This, in brief, is our political reality. Each time the the dissolution of the 2009 Council.

These three dimensions National Assembly Council is define our political scene. dissolved, or to be more specific, every time the Council We have a problem of political You cannot understand the scenario better is declared as void, the folunderstanding. There are three political except by being aware of lowing question comes up: “Who will be the next Prime dimensions to our political scene. what is happening to each Minister?” The answer to this The first is what appears in the of the three dimensions.

The entire issue is very question is speculative, and media and the way ever yone complicated, but it is not regardless of whose name comes up as the next Prime deals with it, be it the opposition, impossible to understand.

Minister, we should be care- the government and those loyal In short, we want democraWe want a Council that ful about one very important to the government. This approach cy. lasts for four years and thing. This all concerns a political feud which has been limits the fighting to the opposi- works on the principle of going on since 2006. The real tion, the executive authority and there being separation of authority. question is not who will be the loyalists.

We want a real NA the next Prime Minister, but Council and not a “tempohow should the change rary” one. We do not want just a formality and that is come about.

So, the root cause of the political feud has to be why we had boycotted the elections last time. Our addressed, if we want to uproot the feud complete- reason was clear, and a limited one. This time we ly. Other than that, the ministry can be changed five should boycott because we are “demanding the or seven times daily, even then nothing will change. return of democracy.”

We should totally boycott the elections and should The problem lies with the ongoing political feud, in which the dramatis personae are the same, with lit- not participate. We know that our cause has been tle change in the allies. We have a problem of politi- “undermined”. Our democracy should not be “bitten twice.” The first time was in February 2012, and the seccal understanding.

There are three dimensions to our political scene. ond was in December 2012. At any rate, we should not The first is what appears in the media and the way allow the same fate to befall the July 2013 Council.

NOTE: My advice is that no one should go out to everyone deals with it, be it the opposition, the government and those loyal to the government. This cast his or her vote. Complete your fast, because I approach limits the fighting to the opposition, the believe that participation in such elections might spoil your fast and even might render it “void”—Al-Anbaa executive authority and the loyalists.

he recent verdict by the Constitutional Court that ended in dissolution of the parliament in Kuwait has brought things to a conclusion for everyone, irrespective of whether they agree or not. Also, it once again gave an opportunity to those who claimed they were against the one vote system to comply with the verdict and make another choice.

Now, they should accept the verdict and apologize to the Kuwaiti people because for months they carried on all kinds of debate, arguments and a campaign on the Twitter to push their point of view and claimed that the one vote system was not the best for Kuwait.

Now, they are under an obligation to admit the opposite. Some of those in the opposition cannot contest the elections because they are embroiled in court cases and will have to spend possibly years in prison or pay heavy penalties.

Moreover, many of them who used to win under the four votes per voter system, cannot win now because no one would vote for them in their own district. There is no better excuse for them then to claim that this decision of the court was unconstitutional.

I wonder what would seem the right thing for them - the system that the entire world follows for voting, or the four votes per voter one?

We are a month away from a new chapter in the histor y of Kuwait and I really hope that the debate over the parliament comes to an end shortly. We need to review where we stand and what we really need and then set our priorities. We are seen as having fallen far behind when compared to many other countries due to an unstable parliament.

I guess for them the choice is clear and they would oppose the single vote system.

Now, in Kuwait, we have three classified groups. First are the people who supported the one vote system from the beginning either by becoming part of the election process as voters or candidates. The second are those who found themselves in a state of uncertainty since they could not win and hence ended up joining the opposition.

The third group comprises those who are facing court cases and cannot contest anyway whether a voter has one vote or ten. In the past, they depended on coalitions and exchange of votes between different groups.

Now, the first two groups have announced their intention to participate in the coming parliamentary election which will be held under the one-vote system. The third surely cannot.

Actually, this group tried to control the country through transforming political disagreements into destructive conflicts and using the youth to fuel unrest against the ruling system.

These days, thanks to the recent verdict, all of the above scenarios have become stories of the past. The stupid and ridiculous phrases like “Assembly representing a quarter of the nation” will no longer be valid or acceptable.

I expect that the next election will throw up some new faces and a few old ones, too. We should not expect any major change, and possibly 30 to 40 percent of the faces would be new.

Let us bear in mind that we are only a month away from the Election Day which should happen in the middle of Ramadan.

Also, we should not expect any miracles either from this upcoming new parliament or any other one. Until this stage, I don’t think we are really serious about reforms in this country.

And I am not talking of reforms in the way elections are conducted or MPs are elected. Reforms are about a desire to develop the country by making certain changes in the administrative laws and regulations.

We are a month away from a new chapter in the history of Kuwait and I really hope that the debate over the parliament comes to an end shortly. We need to review where we stand and what we really need and then set our priorities.

We are seen as having fallen far behind when compared to many other countries due to an unstable parliament.

It is a national concern and I hope the government will take extra care to review its legal measures to avoid any further dissolutions. The parliament being dissolved for the third time would pose a threat to this country and also to the efficacy of the Assembly that represents the entire nation.

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

LOCAL

Kuwait committed to honoring court ruling: Sheikh Salman Participate in elections to strengthen stability: Minister LONDON: Kuwait government is committed to complying with a constitutional court ruling that annulled parliament and upheld one -person, one -vote decree, paving the way for legislative elections next month, a minister has said. Minister of Information Sheikh Salman Sabah AlSalem Al-Sabah said the constitutional court’s ruling has strengthened pillars of the state of institutions “and that the three authorities (legislative, executive and judiciary) are equal before the constitution.”

The Supreme Constitutional Court, last Sunday, annulled the parliament, elected in December 2012, while upholding the new one-person, one-vote electoral system. The court, headed by Justice Yusuf AlMutawaa, ruled the law No 21 of 2012 on the formation of the Higher Election Commission, which supervised the electoral process, and the amendments of law No 35 of 1962 were unconstitutional.

Thus, the top court ordered the annulment of the incumbent parliament and the organization of new parliamentary elections in two-month period.

In another related case, the cour t rebuffed a challenge to law No 20 of 2012 which included amendments to law No 42 of 2006 which brought a one-person, onevote system in place of the former rules that allowed voters to cast ballots for four candidates. “The government is committed to complying with the court’s rule and the Council of Ministers has already set July 25 as the date for forthcoming parliamentary elections,” Sheikh Salman, also minister of state for youth affairs, told Al-Sharq AlAwsat newspaper in an interview published yesterday.

Judiciary, he said, was the authority that decides on legal-related differences, and the constitution “is the solution to all our crises.” The fact that each of legislative, judiciary and executive authorities cannot interfere with the other “shows the balance between the authorities that strengthens stability and guarantees rights for all,” said Sheikh Salman.

The court’s ruling, which was adopted “away from any political influence,” was a “true and important guarantee for Kuwait

and its constitutional system,” he added.

The government, following the court’s ruling, set July 25 for the upcoming legislative elections in line with article 107 of the constitution, which states that elections should be held within two months after the parliament’s dissolution or the house be reinstated.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah had, hours after the court’s ruling, affirmed full respect to the constitutional court’s verdict, calling on his fellow Kuwaitis to unite against “voices of chaos,” sedition and democracy.

“I repeat what I have said before that I accept .... the ruling of the constitutional court regardless of its content, and I call upon all citizens to respect it and abide by it,” Sheikh Sabah said in a speech to the nation. His Highness the Amir speech’s timing and his announcement of respect of the verdict “put matters in their correct framework,” said Sheikh Salman.

People of Kuwait are keen on seeking judiciary’s assistance and compliance with the constitution in times of differences,

noted the Kuwaiti minister. Sheikh Sabah, noted the minister, appreciated the citizens who lived up to their responsibilities and expressed their views, and emphasized he carried no grudges against anyone. Sheikh Salman said His Highness the Amir’s position stemmed from “our tradition and social values which are based on forgiveness, openness, sympathy and solidarity of the ruler with his people.” Sheikh Salman also noted that Sheikh Sabah warned against sedition and sectarianism.

The information minister said the government respected variation of opinion as long as it was within the constitution and law, “therefore any person has the right to take part in any elections or boycott it as long as he expresses his opinion in a civilized and peaceful manner.”

He called on people to take part in the coming elections in order to strengthen stability and push the development forward, citing keenness of former MPs to approve legislations contributing to the development of the country. The court, emphasized Sheikh Salman, upheld the

KUWAIT: Minister of Information, State Minister for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah meets Dr Mansoor Al-Awar, the Chancellor of Hamdan bin Mohammed e-University in the United Arab of Emirates (UAE) yesterday.— KUNA

Minister lauds Kuwait-UAE ties KUWAIT: Minister of Information, State Minister for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem AlHumoud Al-Sabah met here yesterday Dr Mansoor Al-Awar, the Chancellor of Hamdan bin Mohammed e-University in the United Arab of Emirates (UAE). During the meeting, Sheikh Salman

KPC braces for potential cyber attack KUWAIT: The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation launched an emergency plan to protect its databases and websites from potential cyber attacks that the international groups of hackers threatened to launch.

Several oil companies around the world including in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar received warnings late Wednesday in which two hacker groups called ‘Anonymous’ and ‘AnonGhost’ threatened to launch cyber attacks as part of an operation they named ‘OPpetrol’ to ostensibly protest against US dollar oil prices. Sources inside the KPC told Al-Qabas in this regard that an emergency plan was launched Wednesday and will remain in place through the weekend to ensure the safety of the databases of the company and its subsidiaries.

While the hackers also threatened to launch cyber attacks against the government websites in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, software protection systems experts told Al-Qabas newspaper that protection systems in Kuwait need to be upgraded in order to thwart potential attacks.

The local newspaper indicated that the cyber attacks have so far affected the websites of France’s Total and Saudi Arabia’s Aramco oil companies.

There have not been any attacks reported at websites belonging to the Kuwaiti oil firms till this news report was being filed. — Al-Qabas

praised the distinctive and deep-rooted historical relations between Kuwait and UAE, pointing out the advanced level of bilateral relations in many areas due to the wise guidance by leaderships of both countries. Also, he expressed pride in continuation of development in the relations between

Kuwait and UAE, lauding at the same time UAE’s current urban and cultural development.

Kuwait looks forward to exchanging bilateral expertise, as well as further cooperation with UAE in media, cultural and youth areas, Sheikh Salman noted. — KUNA

one-person, one-vote decree and affirmed “the positive aspects of this principle which is in harmony with the democratic system.”

Sheikh Salman said he was confident the Kuwaiti people would take part in the democratic process in full responsibility.

The minister said the Kuwaiti media has always been contributing to the protection of national unity. “The local media have a historic responsibility to protect and maintain the national security,” he said. The government is also keen on the national unity in the midst of “accelerated regional development,” he said, and affirmed that the information ministry would take all measures against anyone trying to undermine the “our national unity.”

Sheikh Salman said he was optimistic that Kuwait would have a bright future under the leadership of His Highness the Amir, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and a follow-up by His Highness the prime minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. —KUNA

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

LOCAL

The archaeological finds dating to the Bronze Age and to the Dilmun civilization (3000 BC) on Failaka Island. — KUNA

Failaka Island contender for UNESCO recognition KUWAIT: UNESCO agreed to include Failka Island as one of the contenders for the list of World Heritage sites, said an official from the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) here yesterday.

Secretary General of NCCAL Ali Al-Youha said that the approval came at the 37th UNESCO’s General Assembly held in Cambodia. Al-Youha said that he was

glad to hear the news in regards to the nomination of Failaka, hoping that the Island would be included in the list.

The Island of Failaka has many archaeological finds among them ancient houses, a temple, and the ruins of a palace all dating to the Bronze Age and to the Dilmun civilization (3000 BC). Ancient statues,

weapons such as swords, seals and stamps and pendants made of beads and a fort belonging to Alexander the Great have also been discovered on the Island. The Island was a gathering point that brought together the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia and those of the Arabian Peninsula and in recent years, a number of distinguished centers of learning, research,

and universities carried out archaeological excavations in Failaka to uncover more of the Island’s history.

The UNESCO World Heritage sites panel made up of representatives from 21 countries that vet all the applications for sites enlistment. Once a site is approved by the panel for enlistment, it would stay on the list for a period of four years only. — KUNA

Arabic faces dangers among foreign languages in Lebanon

NBK Staff participating in paper recycling program

NBK continues bank-wide paper-recycling initiative KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) continues its unprecedented bank-wide paper recycling program following the huge success of its previous phases which was implemented within NBK Head Office.

The new phase will embrace NBK offices at Arraya II Tower, in corporation with Green Target Company.

Abdul Mohsen Al-Rushaid, NBK Public Relations Manager, said: “The unprecedented in-house paper recycling program initiated by NBK constitutes a milestone within the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives as the first environment friendly financial institution in Kuwait.”

Al-Rushaid added: “The huge success of the previous phases of the paper recycling program that is mostly attributed to the cooperation, enthusiasm and creative ideas of our NBK staff has encouraged us to further expand it to embrace all NBK’s branches and premises.”

NBK supports a variety of activities and initiatives to encourage greater awareness of energy conservation and environmental protection in Kuwait including beach clean ups, water and electricity conservation

awareness campaigns, under the ‘Think Twice’ program and paper recycling at NBK head office and branches.

NBK Public Relations Manager Abdul Mohsen Al-Rushaid

BEIRUT: In the light of few mastering the Arabic language in Lebanon, voices of concern are being raised warning about the trend affecting the Arab identity, the mother language and its future. With the usage of the Arabic language in Lebanon diminishing increasingly, the need to launch more initiatives and action plans in coordination with the ministries concerned has become urgent.

Most youngsters in the Arab societies are undergoing a crisis of confidence when it comes to the Arabic language as they consider that the language can no more keep pace with the requirements of the modern times, and that its concepts and terminology are confined only to religion and histor y without meeting the demands of science, art and technology.

It has been scientifically proven that the problem does not lie with the Arabic language, especially since it is rich in vocabulary that other languages lack and consists of descriptive prose and sound aesthetics that distinguish it from other languages. Experts believe that the main reason behind the Arab youngsters’ alienation from the Arabic language are social, and lack of creativity and productivity in the Arab societies.

The language itself is nothing but a victim of this impasse.

The regression of the Arabic language and its literatures in Lebanon has been a consequence of the country ’s orientation towards the Francophone and Anglo-Saxon languages, Director of Letters and Human Science Faculty, Branch 1 at the Lebanese University, Dr Nabil Khatib told KUNA. He attributed this decline in the overall level of the language to the increased emphasis on foreign languages laid in schools at the expense of the Arabic language, as well as the misconception among parents who have come to consider that the key to their children’s success when it comes to their future lies in mastering one or more foreign languages. It is significant to speak Arabic without any sort of exaggeration, master writing it and use it correctly in forms of expression as Classical Arabic is not required to be used by any family members, added Dr Khatib. He also stressed the need to once again focus on facilitating Arabic for the

youth, emphasize speaking, pronouncing and writing it accurately, in addition to mastering its calligraphy. He also called upon the media to be cautious when using this rich language.

“The Arabic language is not only grammar and literary texts, but a sense of belonging as well,” said Arabic Language Professor, Dr Mohammad Abu Ali in a similar statement to KUNA. Each language has two essential functions; the role of expression and that of belonging, Dr. Abu Ali added, pointing to the major dilemma in the curricula in the Arab countries which are treating it the same way we treat foreign languages. On his part, Arabic Language Professor Dr Ahmad Kamel said that the responsibility to protect the language from deteriorating lies in the hands of educational institutions, parents, civil society and the government. He called for concerted efforts to save and preserve the Arabic language.

Some families speak to their children in foreign tongue and encourage them to use these languages as well due to their conviction that other languages are more important than Arabic, he noted, stressing that this is a major mistake that must be remedied as everyone

must take pride in their language. He stressed that Arabic is the language of the holy Quran as it acquired its outstanding status by this main attribute, and noted that “it represents our originality and our extended historic roots.”

Arabic is the most powerful language that includes derivations and adjectives, and is the richest in vocabulary and terms since it consists of over 500 million words. Code-switching is one of the distortions caused to the Arabic language in Lebanon as some daily-used phrases consist of two or more languages combined such as “Merci kteer,” derived from “thank you” in French and “very much” in Arabic, in addition to the mistakes that have crept in while writing advertisement texts according to their pronunciation in the native dialect.

Over 300 million people around the world speak Arabic, which is the official language in 23 countries as well as in several international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), the League of Arab States (LAS), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), World Health Organization (WHO), Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and several other bodies. — KUNA

News

in brief

Al-Juwaihel exonerated KUWAIT: Criminal court pronounced former MP Mohammad Al-Juwaihel as an innocent in a case in which he was accused of abusing the Al-Mutair tribe during the 2012 elections. A number of tribe members had filed a case against Al-Juwaihel and accused him of abusing their tribe.

They also accused the Scope TV Channel of transmitting these abuses live on air and the court decided that what happened was not a crime and thus proclaimed that AlJuwaihel was innocent. The court also refused to impose any fine upon him as financial compensation.

Family fund KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister of Finance Mustafa AlShamali said that the process of applying for the Family Fund was very good and more people were applying for the same every day and said there were no hindrances in implementing the law due to the NA Council being declared void. AlShamali said that committees in the banks were coming up with full and detailed explanations about the fund and its rules to enable any applicant to fully inform himself before availing of it. The formalities are easy, and there were no complications. He said that the period within which one could apply was four months from the date of notifying the law in the official paper and so far there has not been any mention of extending this period.

Govt retirement KUWAIT: The Civil Service Commission has asked all government bodies not to ask the expats for renewed contracts if they are already having their second or third contract or from those who have a contract for a lump sum amount of money or the ones working in projects to fight against the rodents, or those non-Kuwaitis who have already reached the age of sixty. The Commission emphasized that their service period ends at the age of 65 or 75, depending on individual cases, unless the service period comes to an end even before that for legal reasons. The Commission asked that the nonKuwaiti employees be allowed to continue as per aforementioned contracts up to the age of 65, and in exceptional cases, till the age of 75 years. The law, as it exists, calls for terminating the services of all those who attain the age of 65 years, whether they are Kuwaitis or non-Kuwaitis, with the exception of Mosques’ Imams, those who call for prayers, undertakers (who bathe the dead bodies), doctors and other medical staff, teachers whether in a university or a government institute, scientific researchers at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research all those in the exempted group for which service period ends at the age of 75 years.

The Touristic Enterprises Company hosted a swimming competition at the Swimming Pool Complex for children who enrolled in training classes for the 2013 summer season.

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

US state on ‘red alert’ over nuke waste leak

Pakistan young actress burned in acid attack Page 11

Page 12

Third of women suffer domestic violence A global problem of epidemic proportions

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani girl looks through a window of a food distribution center hoping to receive a ration of rice at a shrine in Islamabad. — AP LONDON: In the first major global review of violence against women, a series of reports released recently found that about a third of women have been physically or sexually assaulted by a former or current partner. The head of the World Health Organization, Dr Margaret Chan, called it “a global health problem of epidemic proportions,” and other experts said screening for domestic violence should be added to all levels of health care.

Among the findings: 40 percent of women killed worldwide were slain by an intimate partner, and being assaulted by a partner was the most common kind of violence experienced by women.

Researchers used a broad definition of domestic violence, and in cases where country data was incomplete, estimates were used to fill in the gaps. WHO defined physical violence as being slapped, pushed, punched, choked or attacked with a weapon. Sexual violence was defined as being physically forced to have sex, having sex for fear of what the partner might do and being compelled to do something sexual that was humiliating or degrading.

The report also examined rates of sexual violence against women by someone other than a partner and found about 7 percent of women worldwide had previously been a victim. In conjunction with the report, WHO issued guidelines for authorities to spot problems earlier and said all health workers should be trained to recognize when women may be at risk and how to respond appropriately.

Globally, the WHO review found 30 percent of women are affected by domestic or sexual violence by a partner. The report was based largely on studies from 1983 to 2010.

According to the United Nations, more than

600 million women live in countries where domestic violence is not considered a crime.

The rate of domestic violence against women was highest in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, where 37 percent of women experienced physical or sexual violence from a partner at some point in their lifetimes. The rate was 30 percent in Latin America and 23 percent in North America.

In Europe and Asia, it was 25 percent. Some experts said screening for domestic violence should be added to all levels of health care, such as obstetric clinics. “It’s unlikely that someone would walk into an ER and disclose they’ve been assaulted,” said Sheila Sprague of McMaster University in Canada, who has researched domestic violence in women at orthopedic clinics. She was not connected to the WHO report.

However, “over time, if women are coming into a fracture clinic or a pre-natal clinic, they may tell you they are suffering abuse if you ask,” she said. For domestic violence figures, scientists analyzed information from 86 countries focusing on women and teens over the age of 15. They also assessed studies from 56 countries on sexual violence by someone other than a partner, though they had no data from the Middle East. WHO experts then used modeling techniques to come up with global estimates for the percentage of women who are victims of violence.

Accurate numbers on women and violence are notoriously hard to pin down. A US government survey reported almost two years ago that 1 in 4 American women said they were violently attacked by their husbands or boyfriends, and 1 in 5 said they were victims of rape or attempted rape, with about half those cases involving intimate partners. Some experts thought the rape estimate was extremely high but said it may have to do with the definition of assault. The results were from a survey that did not document the claims, which were made anonymously.

In a related paper published Thursday online in the journal Lancet, researchers found more than 38 percent of slain women are killed by a former or current partner, six times higher than the rate of men killed by their partners.

Heidi Stoeckl, one of the authors at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said the figures were probably an underestimate. She and colleagues found that worldwide, a woman’s highest risk of murder was from a current or expartner.

In countries like India, Stoeckl said “honor killings,” where women are sometimes murdered over dowry disputes or perceived offenses like infidelity to protect the family’s reputation, add to the problem. She also noted that women and men are often slain by their partners for different reasons. “When a woman kills her male partner, it’s usually out of self-defense because she has been abused,” she said. “But when a woman is killed, it’s often after she has left the relationship and the man is killing her out of jealousy or rage.”—AP

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

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

CIA secretly training Syria rebels WASHINGTON: The CIA and US special operations forces have been training Syrian rebels for months, since long before President Barack Obama announced plans to arm the opposition, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday.

Training for rebel forces covers the use of anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons and has been carried out at bases in Jordan and Turkey since late last year, the newspaper reported, citing unnamed US officials and rebel commanders.

The two-week courses, for about 20 to 45 fighters at a time, began last November at a new US base in the desert in southwest Jordan, it said. The report came days after the Obama administration announced it had approved the arming of Syrian rebels, though analysts said the United States likely would avoid providing sophisticated guided anti-tank or anti-aircraft weapons. The Central Intelligence Agency typically leads

covert training and arming of fighters in foreign conflicts, while military special operations forces can be assigned to covert missions overseen by the spy agency.

The CIA and the White House declined to comment on the report.

Rebels from the Free Syrian Army were being trained on Russian-designed 14.5millimeter anti-tank rifles, anti-tank missiles, and 23-millimeter anti-aircraft weapons, according the report, citing an unnamed rebel commander in the Syrian province of Dara helping with weapons acquisitions. “Those from the CIA, we would sit and talk with them during breaks from training and afterward, they would try to get information on the situation,” the commander was quoted as saying.

US special operations troops selected the rebels to be trained as the American military was setting up supply lines in

the region to channel non-lethal items, such as uniforms and radios, to the opposition forces. The rebels were promised powerful anti-tank weapons and other arms but shipments from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and other Arab states took months to arrive and failed to live up to the expectations of the opposition, the commander told the paper.

But on Friday a rebel spokesman said the opposition fighters have received new types of weapons that could “change the course of the battle.” The announcement came a day before a meeting in Qatar of the “Friends of Syria” group of nations that support the uprising against President Bashar Al-Assad’s regime. “We’ve received quantities of new types of weapons, including some that we asked for and that we believe will change the course of the battle on the ground,” Free Syrian Army spokesman Louay Muqdad said. — AFP

BEIRUT: Jordanian tourists pose in front of the Pigeons Rock in the Rawcheh area in Beirut, Lebanon. A rocket slammed into a suburb of Beirut on Friday, June 21, 2013 bringing the war in neighboring Syria closer to the Lebanese capital that has far largely escaped the violence plaguing border areas. — AP

Morsi calls for dialogue as opposition tells him to go Egypt airports on high alert ahead of protests

LUXOR: An Egyptian child tries a stick to beat a graffiti portraying an Islamist during a protest against the appointment of Adel Al-Khayat, a member of the political arm of ex-Islamic militant group Gamaa Islamiya, as new governor of Luxor. — AFP

Egypt’s hardliners urge Luxor governor to quit CAIRO: A hardline Islamist group called yesterday on one of its members to resign as governor of Luxor “for the sake of Egypt” despite President Mohamed Morsi defending the appointment. Morsi infuriated many Egyptians this week by swearing in Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiya’s Adel Mohamed AlKhayat as governor of the town where members of the group massacred 58 tourists at a pharaonic temple in 1997.

Al-Gamaa al-Islamiya, members of which were also charged with killing President Anwar Sadat in 1981, along with other politicians and police in the 1980s and 90s, renounced violence and condemned Al- Qaeda in ideological U-turns a decade ago. Many of its members were jailed for decades under former President Hosni Mubarak but Morsi freed them last year shortly after his election following Mubarak’s ousting by an uprising in 2011, with many moving into public life.

In an interview with the state-owned newspaper Akhbar Al-Youm published on Saturday, Morsi said: “There has never been a court ruling against the Luxor governor who was never condemned in the Luxor incident but was a suspect in the assassination of Sadat and was acquitted.” The hiring of Luxor governor showed that Morsi, who hails from the relatively moderate Muslim Brotherhood group is openly reaching out for a political alliance with the more radical and former militant group ahead of a big wave of opposition-led protests expected to start on June 30.

However, just hours after the paper carried the interview on its front page and three inside pages, Al-Gamaa al-Islamiya’s political wing called on the new governor to resign. “We are not after any post,” the group’s leader, Safwat Abdel Ghani told a news conference, adding he expected Khayat to officially announce his resignation on Saturday night. “We asked the new governor to resign for the sake of Egypt.”

The group may be trying to find way a way out of the impasse before the opposition protests by showing it understands the needs of the country and taking the pressure off Morsi. Tourism is one of the main-

stays of Egypt’s economy, but has suffered badly in two years of unrest. Morsi said alGamaa al-Islamiya’s newly founded Construction and Development Party “works in the framework of a civil state and the governor was picked after was seen as better than all other candidates”.

RIVAL RALLIES Morsi also appointed many members of his Brotherhood as governors, triggering protests in many cities and preventing the appointees entering their offices. The president denied tourism minister had resigned over the Luxor appointment, although a source in the ministry said the minister has stopped going to his office since Khayat was named. Thousands of protesters from Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiya, the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamists’ groups staged a big rally on Friday for Morsi and warned opponents, who they described as atheists, agents for Western states and antiIslam, the would crush them if they forced Morsi out. The opposition called it an attempt to “terrorize” them before mass rallies they plan for just over a week’s time.

Echoing the same language as Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiya, opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei called on Morsi to resign. “The regime has to understand that time has come for change ... For the sake of Egypt, many Egyptians had elected Morsi and for Egypt I ask President Mohamed Morsi to resign and to leave for a new stage to begin,” he told an opposition rally.

The June 30 rally is planned by a group of young independent Egyptians called Tamarud (Rebel), which says it has gathered more than 15 million signatures in a month from people among the 84 million population wanting Morsi to quit. Both the youth movement and established opposition leaders are demanding an early presidential vote after what they describe as Morsi’s failure to live up to any of his promises of more freedoms and better living and economic conditions. But Morsi’s allies say he needs more time than one year in office to tackle Egypt’s deep economic and political problems. —Reuters

Hamas executes two Israel ‘collaborators’ GAZA: Hamas hanged two men accused of collaborating with Israel yesterday, a statement from the interior ministry of the Islamist movement’s government in the Gaza Strip said. The ministry said that it had executed the two men in accordance “with what Palestinian law stipulates”, identifying them as “the collaborator with the occupation A G, 49, and the collaborator H K, 43.” A military court in Gaza had sentenced the two to “death by hanging after the tribunal convicted them 10 years ago of charges ranging from collaborating with a hostile foreign entity”, to involvement in “killing and espionage”.

A number of representatives from civil organizations attended the execution, the statement said. The Hamas government executed three men in April 2012 after they were accused of “collaborating” with Israel. On Thursday, a Palestinian man found guilty of the same charge was sentenced to death by a mili-

tary court in Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas. It was the fifth such sentence handed down by the authorities in the coastal enclave since the beginning of the year. Under Palestinian law, collaboration with Israel, murder and drug trafficking are all punishable by death.

All execution orders must be approved by the Palestinian president before they can be carried out, but Hamas no longer recognizes the legitimacy of Mahmud Abbas, whose fouryear term ended in 2009. Israeli security forces use Palestinian informers to thwart militant attacks and assist in the assassination of top militants. Since the September 2000 outbreak of the Palestinian uprising, dozens of Palestinians accused of collaborating have been condemned by Palestinian martial courts or killed by militants in both Gaza and the West Bank, which is governed by Abbas’s Palestinian Authority. — AFP

CAIRO: Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi has repeated a call for dialogue in an attempt to mitigate deep political divisions ahead of planned rallies against him, while opposition leaders insisted yesterday that he step down. “I have said it before. I urge everyone to sit together to discuss what would achieve the interests of our nation,” Morsi said in an interview published in the state-owned Akhbar Al-Youm newspaper.

The interview comes a day after tens of thousands of Morsi supporters massed in Cairo in a show of strength ahead of opposition protests planned for June 30. Egypt is deeply polarized.

Morsi’s supporters say he is clearing institutions of decades of corruption but his critics accuse him of concentrating power in the hands of his Muslim Brotherhood movement. Since taking office a year ago, Morsi has squared off with the judiciary, media, police and most recently artists.

Leading Egyptian dissident Mohamed ElBaradei urged the president to resign for the sake of national unity. “For Egypt’s sake, I call on President Mohamed Morsi to resign and give us the opportunity to begin a new phase based on the principles of the revolution, which are freedom and social justice,” ElBaradei said. “I would like to call on President Mohamed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood to respond to the cries from all over Egypt,” he said at a conference grouping opposition leaders aimed at drawing up a plan for a post-Morsi Egypt.

There is much anticipation and anxiety ahead of the June 30 protests, with fears of violence and instability. But Morsi says there is still room to resolve differences off the streets. He said he would consider bringing forward parliamentary elections, which are scheduled to take place later this year, although no date has yet been set. “I will continue in my pursuit for contact, and I may speed up parliamentary elections as a way of involving everyone in an agreed method to manage our differences,” Morsi said.

“The call for protest on June 30 reflects the atmosphere of freedom granted to us by the revolution” of 2011, he said. Morsi has been in office for just one year and in yesterday’s interview he implied he had no intention to step down before the end of his four-year term. “If Egyptians choose someone other than me in the next elections, I will hand him the power according to the constitution and to the law,” Morsi said. “And I will do this with goodwill... in accordance with democracy and my rejection of any monopoly of power,” he said. He appealed for calm and accused those who benefited from the regime of ousted president Hosni Mubarak of inciting instability. “They want to bring back the past

CAIRO: An Egyptian flag vendor waves flags in front of new erected strike tents in Tahrir Square, the focal point of Egyptian uprising in Cairo, Egypt yesterday. Egypt’s largest opposition grouping is reaching out to members of Hosni Mubarak’s ruling party as it gears up for a protest campaign against the current Islamist president. — AP because the revolution harmed their interests.

(People) must stop their evil plans because they do not want calm and stability for Egypt,” Morsi said. The tone reflects a view taken by his supporters who accuse the opposition of being remnants of the Mubarak regime and of being counter-revolutionary.

Morsi’s critics say he has betrayed the revolution that brought him to power and has failed to achieve any of its goals. During his tenure, the economy has taken a tumble, investment has dried up, the vital tourism industry has been battered and inflation has soared. Political divisions have also spilled onto the streets in violent and sometimes deadly confrontations. With Egypt deeply polarized between Morsi’s mainly Islamist supporters and wide-ranging opposition, ElBaradei said it was time for “national reconciliation” in order to move forward.

What is needed is “a system based on free and fair elections with international and local monitoring (and) parliamentary elections to have all segments of society represented,” he said. “We want the Egypt that the revolution rose up for,” he said. A campaign dubbed Tamarod (rebellion in Arabic) called the June 30 rally to coincide with the first anniversary of Morsi becoming president. Tamarod organizers said

they have collected 15 million signatures demanding that Morsi quit, leaving the government jittery and energizing the fragmented opposition.

Meanwhile, Egypt’s airports will raise their alert level to “high” ahead of June 30 when opposition-backed protesters plan to demonstrate against President Mohamed Morsi, security officials said yesterday. “An emergency plan will be put in place from June 28 until July 1,” the head of Cairo airport security, General Magdy AlYussri, told reporters. At Cairo airport, security patrols will be increased, passengers will be thoroughly checked and new cameras will be installed “to monitor and confront any emergency,” he said. Civil Aviation Minister Wael AlMaadawy has been in talks for several days with airport and security officials as well as the heads of companies affiliated with the EgyptAir holding company that runs the national carrier. “A state of high alert will be declared from June 28 to July 1,” said General Magdy Elwan, who heads the EgyptAir holding company. In the provinces, security will be beefed up at airports and EgyptAir offices. Security personnel will be given the necessary arms and equipment “to protect these vital establishments,” an airport official said. — Agencies

Suicide bomb, shootings kill nine in northern Iraq BAGHDAD: A suicide car bomb and other militant attacks killed nine people in northern Iraq yesterday, officials said, the latest in a wave of violence that has killed nearly 2,000 Iraqis since the start of April. The deadliest attack was in Al-Athba village near the northern city of Mosul, when a suicide car bomber rammed his explosives-laden car into a police patrol, a police officer said. Three civilian bystanders and one policeman died while six other people were wounded, he added.

With violence spiking sharply in recent months to levels not seen since 2008, Al-Qaeda in Iraq and other militant groups have been gathering strength in the area of

Mosul, some 360 kilometers northwest of Baghdad. In the city of Tuz Khormato, 210 kilometers north of Baghdad, gunmen on motorcycles riddled a civilian vehicle carrying four off-duty policemen with bullets, killing three and wounding another, a police officer said.

Another group of gunmen attacked a police checkpoint in the city of Samarra, killing two policemen and wounding four, another police officer said. Samarra is 95 kilometers north of Baghdad. Police also said two civilians were killed and nine wounded when a bomb ripped through a small market late Friday in Baghdad. Four medical officials confirmed the casualty figures. All offi-

BAGHDAD: Followers of Shiite cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr chant anti-Qatari government slogans during a demonstration in Baghdad, Iraq. — AP

cials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release information. Also yesterday, the United Nations said another 27 residents of a camp housing members of an Iranian exile group have been relocated to Albania. The move follows a deadly rocket attack on the facility last week. A total of 71 residents of Camp Liberty have now relocated to the southeast European country, which has agreed to accept 210 of them. Germany has also offered to take 100 residents. The UN is urging other member states to accept some of the more than 3,000 living in Iraq. The dissident group, the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, is the militant wing of a Paris-based Iranian opposition movement that opposes Iran’s clerical regime and has carried out assassinations and bombings there.

It fought alongside Saddam Hussein’s forces in the 1980-88 IranIraq war, and several thousand of its members were given sanctuary in Iraq. It renounced violence in 2001, and was removed from the US terrorism list last year. Iraq’s government wants the MEK members to leave, and the UN has been working to resettle them abroad. Two residents of Camp Liberty were killed in a June 15 rocket attack on the facility. A Shiite militant group claimed responsibility, saying it wants the group out of Iraq. In another development, seventy-one members of an exiled Iranian opposition group

based at a camp near Baghdad have been relocated to Albania, the UN said yesterday, a week after the camp suffered deadly mortar attacks. The resettlement is the latest in protracted efforts by the UN to move the around 3,000 members of the former rebel People’s Mujahedeen at Camp Liberty, on Baghdad’s outskirts, outside of Iraq.

“A total of 71 men and women now have safely arrived in Albania and have benefited from the government of Albania’s offer to accept 210 of the camp’s residents,” UN special envoy to Iraq Martin Kobler said in a statement. Kobler said that Germany had also offered to accept around 100 residents, and added that the deadly attack on Camp Liberty a week ago had “once again shown how important it is to relocate the residents to third countries as quickly as possible.”

On June 15, two camp residents were killed by a series of mortar rounds which hit Camp Liberty, a former American military base that now houses the Iranian exiles, in the second such attack this year. At Iraq’s insistence, the exiles were moved to Camp Liberty late last year from Camp Ashraf, near the Iranian border, where the People’s Mujahedeen set up base in the 1980s.

Ashraf was the base that nowexecuted dictator Saddam Hussein allowed the group to establish in Diyala province during Iraq’s eightyear war with Iran. —Agencies

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

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Darfur desert sands bear witness to troubled region SHANGIL TOBAYA: Arab militiamen, government soldiers, rebels and villagers displaced by the fighting... all have traversed the arid orange-brown desert sands of Shangil Tobaya in Sudan’s troubled western region of Darfur. Its problems were evident beneath the wide open sk ies of this area between Darfur’s two main towns of El Fasher and Nyala, as foreign diplomats and journalists made a rare visit this week with UN officials. They flew to the desert in Mi-8 Russian helicopters of the African Union-UN Mission in Darfur, landing just outside the barbed wire-enclosed UNAMID base. Peacekeepers stood guard in a shimmer of distant heat, against a backdrop of low mountains.

Security officers accompanying one delegate chambered rounds in their rifles and pistols as soon as the aircraft touched down, and the diplomats climbed aboard armored vehicles. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said early this year that a rebel ambush of government troops was followed by aerial bombing of alleged insurgent locations around Shangil Tobaya in November and December.

Continued fighting in the region over the past seven months has created “many, many, many new

arrivals” at camps for displaced people (IDPs), a local source said. The security situation remains “unpredictable”, another local source said. “Maybe tomorrow there will be some clashes.”

Peacekeepers said that shooting is often heard at night outside their base. Passenger buses pass frequently on the road between El Fasher and Nyala near the UNAMID compound. Rebels of the Sudan Liberation Army ’s Minni Minnawi faction are present in the region, and there have been attacks on commercial convoys along with armed robberies, one local source said.

The rebels, who have been fighting for a decade, often enter IDP camps in search of provisions, while another problem comes from Arab militia, sources said. “Most of the farming areas are being used by Arab militia” for grazing, which prevents displaced people from returning to plant seasonal crops, one said. Before flying to Shangil Tobaya the foreign envoys held talks with UN officials in El Fasher for a two-yearly review of the situation in Darfur.

The meeting expressed “grave concern” at Darfur’s deteriorating security. At the same talks, the region’s top official, Eltigani Seisi, called for a “show of force” against tribal militia

violence. Ethnic clashes, and to a lesser degree fighting between government forces and rebels, have forced an estimated 300,000 people in Sudan’s far west to flee this year. Some have ended up at Shadad IDP camp, a collection of thatched conical huts where donkeys forage within sight of UNAMID’s base.

More than 1,000 men, women and children turned out to welcome the diplomats and UNAMID chief Mohamed Ibn Chambas to the camp. “ Well Come Well Come”, a sign said.

Women in colored traditional robes held trays of incense, waved twigs, ululated, banged drums and held ceremonial gifts aloft in a noisy ceremony.

UNAMID brought donations of its own: a truckload of solarpowered radios and orange water containers which women can roll instead of carrying, to ease their burden.

A small freshly painted building houses the camp’s medical clinic, built by the peacekeepers.

At the local market, food was being handed out. Hundreds of sacks of sorghum labeled “From the American people” were piled ready for distribution. Dustcaked children swarmed the door of a journalists’ car, asking for water. At the nearby town the visiting dignitaries were

German, Turkish FMs meet; Tension over EU entry rises Ambassadors summoned for tit-for-tat reproaches DOHA: Germany and Turkey’s foreign ministers met yesterday for an “intensive exchange of opinions” in a row over Angela Merkel’s criticism of a crackdown on protesters in Turkey and her reluctance to see the country join the European Union. Germany and Turkey on Friday summoned each other ’s ambassadors for a tit-for-tat reproaches after Merkel said she was “appalled” by Ankara’s response to the protests, and a Turkish cabinet minister accused her of blocking Turkey’s accession to the EU because she was “looking for domestic political material for her elections”.

friendly atmosphere,” the ministr y said. “Both ministers had an intensive exchange of opinions in the spirit of partners and friends about pending issues, also actual questions of relations between the EU and Turkey and bilateral relations.”

In Ankara, German Ambassador Eberhard Pohl held talks yesterday at the Foreign M inistr y with Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu, a ministry official said. Many EU countries support the opening of more negotiations with Turkey next week on its long path to membership. They argue that Turkey’s fast-growing econ-

DOHA: German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle adjusts his headset as he attends the ‘Friends of Syria’ meeting in the Qatari capital Doha yesterday.— AFP Barring a last-minute change of heart by Germany, the EU looks set early next week to postpone or cancel plans to open a new “chapter ” in Turkey ’s membership talks nex t Wednesday. Such a move would cast doubt on the future of Turkey’s longrunning negotiations to join the EU and a senior Turkish official has said it would draw a “strong reaction” from Ankara.

Germany’s Foreign Ministry said yesterday Guido Wester welle met Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu on the sidelines of a meeting in Doha, Qatar, over the war in Syria. “The talks took place in a construc tive and

omy, youthful population and diplomatic clout would bolster the EU. As the tension between Berlin and Ankara increased this week, Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino said it was not the moment to close the door on Turkey, but she made no direct reference to Germany.

Germany has criticized Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s forceful response to weeks of anti-government protests and appears to be refusing to agree to open a new negotiation area, potentially the first such step in three years. Merkel’s conservatives oppose Turkish EU membership in their platform for September’s election, saying

it would “overburden” the bloc because of the countr y ’s size and economy, though Merkel has stopped short of calling a halt to accession talks.

MORE PROTESTERS DETAINED Meanwhile, Turk ish authorities arrested 23 more people yesterday over their alleged role in this month’s anti-government protests, accusing them of acting on behalf of a far-left “terrorist” group, a news report said. A court in the capital accused them of helping to organize the protests and engaging in violence in the name of the Communist Marxist-Leninist Party (MLKP), CNN-Turk said on its website.

Another three were released but placed under judicial supervision, the report said.

Interior Minister Muammer Guler said the operation had been planned for about a year against the “terrorist” (MLKP), but that the suspects were also implicated in the protests, the most violent since Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Islamist-rooted government came to power in 2002,.

Prosecutors could not immediately confirm the arrests, which follow a sweep last Tuesday against far-left groups in Ankara and Istanbul and bring to at least 47 those detained over the protests that grew from a peaceful demonstration on May 28. In Istanbul, 18 members of the small farleft Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP) were detained in the same operation on Friday and held for “belonging to a terrorist organisation” and “destroying public property”.

On Tuesday police had arrested dozens of ESP members and searched the offices of the Atilim newspaper and the Etkin news agency, both tied to the group. What began as a peaceful protest against plans to demolish Istanbul’s Gezi Park, one of the city’s last large green spots, turned violent on May 31 when police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse demonstrators. Police moved in on June 15 to evacuate Gezi Park, the last stronghold of the anti-government protesters after a series of police crackdowns.

The protests claimed at least four lives and left thousands injured.—Agencies

Germany seeks answers from UK over spying ‘catastrophe’ BERLIN: Britain’s European partners will seek urgent clarification from London about whether a British spy agency has tapped international telephone and Internet traffic on a massive scale, Germany’s justice minister said yesterday.

Sabine LeutheusserSchnarrenberger said a report in Britain’s Guardian newspaper read like the plot of a horror film and, if confirmed as true, would be a “catastrophe”.

In its latest article based on information from Edward Snowden, a former contractor for the US National Security Agency (NSA), the Guardian reported a project codenamed “Tempora” under which Britain’s eavesdropping agency can tap into and store huge volumes of data from fibre-optic cables. Tempora has been running for about 18 months and allows the Government Communications Headquarters agency (GCHQ) to access the data and keep it for 30 days, the paper said, adding that

much information was shared with the NSA. “If these accusations are correct, this would be a catastrophe,” Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger said in a statement emailed to Reuters. “The accusations against Great Britain sound like a Hollywood nightmare. The European institutions should seek straight away to clarify the situation.”

With a few months to go before federal elections, the minister’s comments are likely to please Germans who are highly sensitive to government monitoring, having lived through the Stasi secret police in communist East Germany and with lingering memories of the Gestapo under the Nazis.

“The accusations make it sound as if George Orwell’s surveillance society has become reality in Great Britain,” the parliamentary floor leader of the opposition Social Democrats, Thomas Oppermann, was quoted as saying in a newspaper. Orwell’s novel “1984” envi-

sioned a futuristic security state where “Big Brother” spied on the intimate details of people’s lives. “This is unbearable,” Oppermann told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung. “The government must clarify these accusations and act against a total surveillance of German citizens.”

Earlier this month, in response to questions about the secret US datamonitoring program Prism, also exposed by Snowden, British Foreign Secretary William Hague told parliament that GCHQ always adhered to British law when processing data gained from eavesdropping. He would not confirm or deny any details of UK-US intelligence sharing, saying that to do so could help Britain’s enemies. News of Prism outraged Germans, with one politician likening US tactics to those of the Stasi, and the issue overshadowed a visit by US President Barack Obama to Berlin last week.—Reuters

SHANGIL TOBAYA: Sudanese men sit on their camels as they wait for the arrival of special envoys in the Shangil Tobaya area for displaced people in North Darfur state. — AFP treated to another loud welcome. “Peace is our major demand,” a sign said in English as a man with a loudspeaker led chants for peace in Arabic.

About 30 camels lined up behind the crowd, some of their riders bearing spears.

As a local official gave a

speech asking the international community to improve health and other facilities, UNAMID brought animal herders and farmers together for a workshop on reducing tensions between them. Competition for land, water and other resources is a key driver of tribal conflict in

Darfur. Government militiamen in civilian clothes and in an open-topped green truck stopped at the ceremony. One fighter sported a bushy beard and sunglasses. Behind him, a young man stood hanging tightly to a mounted machine gun as they drove off again.— AFP

New death in Saudi from coronavirus RIYADH: Saudi Arabia said another person had died of the SARS-like coronavirus MERS and six new cases were registered, as international experts said yesterday countries should standardize their approach to treating the disease. The latest cases bring the total number infected worldwide to 70, with 39 having died since MERS was identified last year.

The experts meeting at the World Health Organisation’s Cairo office said countries should enhance surveillance for acute respiratory illness, quickly investigate clusters of pneumonia and report confirmed or probable MERS cases within 24 hours. “Fast and complete reporting of cases, with contact histories, clini-

cal care and treatment outcomes in as much detail as possible, and collected in a uniform manner across countries, is necessary,” they said in an emailed statement.

Most of the cases so far have been in Saudi Arabia, where 55 people have been confirmed as having the disease, of whom 33 have died.

The kingdom, birthplace of Islam, hosts millions of pilgrims each year for the annual haj pilgrimage. The experts said in a statement after the meeting yesterday that countries hosting mass gatherings where MERS was a risk should develop specific plans, without giving details.

While the haj does not take place this year until October, many Muslim pilgrims from around the world are

expected to head for Mecca next month during the fast of Ramadan.

As well as announcing the latest death, the Saudi Health Ministry said late on Friday a 41-year-old woman in Riyadh was in a stable condition with the disease, and that a 32-year-old with cancer was also being treated. On Thursday, it confirmed four new cases, including three health workers, who have all recovered. Researchers said Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS, is even more deadly than SARS and is easily transmitted in healthcare environments. The disease can cause coughing, fever and pneumonia and has spread from the Gulf to France, Germany, Italy and Britain.— Reuters

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

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Spyware claims emerge in row over Chinese dissident at NYU NEW YORK: When Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng arrived in the United States in May last year he was given a fellowship at New York University, use of a Greenwich Village apartment, and a pile of gifts from supporters, including smartphones and an iPad. But at least two of the gadgets presented to Chen as gifts may not have been quite what they seemed: They included software intended to spy on the blind dissident, according to Jerome Cohen, an NYU professor who has been Chen’s mentor, and another source familiar with the episode.

Like nearly everything surrounding Chen these days, the existence of the spyware is in dispute, and only adds to the public recriminations between NYU and Chen’s supporters over events surrounding the end of his fellowship. Last weekend, Chen accused NYU of bowing to pressure from China by ending the fellowship, and his supporters have suggested that the university is wary of displeasing the Chinese authorities because of its plans for a campus in Shanghai. The allegations are vigorously denied by NYU, which says the fellowship was only ever planned to last a year. At issue in the latest escalation in the argument are an iPad and at least one of the smartphones that were given to Chen days after he fled China and arrived in Manhattan. The devices were found by NYU technicians to have been loaded with software that made it possible to track the dissident’s movements and communications, according to Cohen and the second source, who was not authorized to speak

on the matter. The episode suggests that from almost the day that he arrived at the university there was an uneasy atmosphere between Chen, his supporters, and NYU. Among the first visitors in May 2012 to the New York apartment Chen had moved into with his family after a dramatic escape from house arrest in China was Heidi Cai, the wife of activist Bob Fu. She brought an iPad and iPhone as gifts. The devices were screened by NYU technicians within a few days and were found to have been loaded with hidden spying software, said Cohen, who arranged the fellowship for Chen at NYU Law School, helping defuse a diplomatic crisis between the United States and China after Chen took refuge in the US Embassy in Beijing.

“These people supposedly were out to help him and they give him a kind of Trojan horse that would have enabled them to monitor his communications secretly,” said Cohen. The iPad was eventually cleaned up and returned to Chen at his request, the second source said. The spyware issue was not publicized at the time and has only surfaced because of the recent scrutiny of NYU’s arrangement with Chen. Cohen said he was surprised when he heard that Reuters knew about the episode.

‘007 THING’ Asked about the gadgets, Fu told Reuters that his wife had given two Apple devices to Chen shortly after the dissident had settled in New York. Fu runs a Christian group called ChinaAid that supports underground churches in China and vic-

tims of forced abortions. “This is the first time I’ve heard of spyware,” said Fu, who was in southeast Asia when his wife delivered the devices. He called the allegations “ridiculous” and “like a 007 thing.”

Chen Guangcheng, Chinese human rights activist “We knew that the first thing after they arrived, they’d want to call their family members, so we wanted to provide communication devices, iPhone and iPad,” Fu said by telephone from Texas. Although Cohen and the second source say they were left with no doubt the devices were deliberately installed with spyware, it could not be established whether there might be a more innocent explanation for what technicians believed they had found. The technicians could not be reached for comment.

In examining the iPad and the iPhone, they found software that allowed a third party to secretly connect to an inbuilt global positioning system, essentially turning a

device into a tracking device, said the second source. The technicians also found hidden, password-protected software that backed up the contents to a remote server, the source added. “It’s perfectly consistent with their desire to manipulate and control the situation and know whatever confidential advice he is getting,” Cohen said in reference to Fu and those around him.

SUSPICIOUS SOFTWARE At least three other electronic devices, given to Chen and his wife during their first few days in New York by people other than Fu, also included suspicious software, the second source said. That included hidden keystroke-tracking software and bugging software that would allow someone to eavesdrop on conversations taking place near the device, they said.

Fu said he consulted ChinaAid’s computer technician on Thursday and “my staffer is 100 percent sure that the only thing he added on the iPad was a Skype account.” His technician did only routine things like “the activation of the iPad and iPhone, basic installment, iCloud ... there was nothing else there.

They have to provide evidence,” said Fu. “Everything was transparent. There was nothing hidden,” he added. Fu issued a statement on Friday saying ChinaAid had contacted the FBI and requested an investigation.

John Beckman, a spokesman for NYU, declined to discuss specifics about the episode. “I do remember hearing about it, I was never really aware of the details, and

so I’m not going to comment on it,” he said.

Several of Chen’s supporters allege that NYU staff has controlled and withheld access to the activist. NYU rejects these claims and some figures connected with the university, including Cohen, say that some of Chen’s supporters may be trying to manipulate the self-trained lawyer who speaks little English to serve their own political ends.

Chen could not be reached for comment. But Mark Corallo, a media consultant who has been working with Chen, said that the gifts from Fu were taken away by NYU before the dissident received them. “The devices were brand-new when ChinaAid gave them to NYU to give to Chen, so there was no need or reason to perform any check,” he said in an email. “And none of these functions was on any of the devices provided to him by ChinaAid.” He added that: “At least to Chen’s knowledge, none of these devices was ever found to have any tracking or listening mechanisms.”

A person familiar with the situation later said Corallo’s statement was based on ChinaAid’s account of the episode, and that Chen’s own recollection of events remained unknown on Friday. Cohen and the second source maintain, however, that Chen was told within days of his arrival in an unfamiliar country that people he believed to be his supporters were very likely spying on him. Chen was “furious” and “very upset” when told, the second source recalled.

Even so, Cohen said Chen still continued to interact with the Fu family. “That’s his right,” Cohen said.— Reuters

Brazil president breaks silence about protests Rousseff says Brazil can do better, slams violence

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei

China activist Ai Weiwei releases protest album BEIJING: He is no musician, but the Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei is resorting to music to convey his criticism and mockery of China’s authoritarian state. On the second anniversary of his 81-day secret detention, Ai is releasing his first music album “The Divine Comedy,” which includes the single “Dumbass.” The song is meant to reconstruct his detention, which was part of an overall crackdown on dissent in 2011. Ai’s subsequent conviction for tax evasion has been seen by his supporters as punishment for his activism.

The full album - released yesterday - has five other songs, in which Ai documents his experiences with police and shares his reflection on China’s current conditions. Musician Zuoxiao Zuzhou, a friend of Ai, wrote the music for the album, with influences from

pop, rock, punk and heavy metal. Ai’s vocals appear to be more speech making than singing, and the lyrics include obscenities to express his anger at what he sees as a repressive police state.

“I had been thinking about how to recover from the trauma. And I came up with the idea of using music to convey a sentiment that is tremendously secret, and private, to the public,” Ai said last month when “Dumbass” was released as a single.

A sculptor, designer and documentarymaker, Ai has irked Beijing by using his art and online profile to draw attention to injustices in China and the need for greater transparency and rule of law. After his release in June 2011, Ai’s design firm was slapped with a $2.4 million tax bill, which he fought unsuccessfully in the Chinese courts.—AP

US to sell Lakota military helicopters to Thailand WASHINGTON: The United States plans to sell six Lakota military helicopters to Thailand worth an estimated $77 million, Pentagon officials said. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which handles US arms sales abroad, notified Congress that the Thai government had made a request to purchase the UH-72A helicopters. The Lakota aircraft are typically used by the US National Guard for emergency response missions and border security.

The sale could clear the way for larger arms deals, as the United States seeks to shift its strategic focus to the Asia-Pacific region and as American defense firms look to take advantage of increased military spending among Asian countries. “Thailand is a valued defense ally of the United States,” said

Pentagon spokeswoman Lieutenant Colonel Catherine Wilkinson, confirming the planned sale. The deal comes after former defense secretary Leon Panetta signed a joint “vision” statement with his counterpart in Thailand, with both countries vowing to renew longstanding military ties that date back to the 1950s. Aerospace giant EADS North America was named as the main contractor for the deal. “This proposed sale will contribute to Thailand’s goal to upgrade and modernize its military forces with a new light utility helicopter capable of meeting requirements for rotary-wing transportation, while further enhancing greater interoperability between Thailand the US, and among other allies,” the defense cooperation agency said in a statement.— AFP

US drug agent stabbed to death in Colombia BOGOTA: A US Drug Enforcement Administration agent was stabbed to death Friday in Bogota while fighting off an apparent robbery attempt, Colombian police and US officials said. Agent James “Terry” Watson was a 13-year veteran of the DEA who had served on dangerous counter-narcotics missions in Afghanistan earlier in his career, the DEA said in a statement.

Colombian police and US officials said he had dined Thursday night in an upscale area of the Colombian capital, Bogota, where he watched the NBA basketball finals on TV with friends from the embassy.

Early Friday morning he caught a taxi in which he was apparently abducted. Watson put up a fight, but was stabbed five times then dumped out of the car. He died later in a hospital, Colombian police chief Jose Roberto Leon said. “These are the worst days for anyone in law enforcement and we grieve Terry’s loss,” DEA administrator Michele Leonhart said in a statement.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said “this crime will not go unpunished.”

Acting State Department deputy spokesman Patrick Ventrell said US embassy security officials were working closely with Colombian authorities to investigate, but stressed it appeared to have been a robbery. “This is really a profound tragedy for our embassy community and indeed for our government. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of our fallen colleague,” Ventrell told reporters.

The US ambassador in Colombia, Michael McKinley, also emphasized that the incident appeared to be an “isolated criminal act,” saying although “crime in Bogota and other Colombian cities has declined in recent years, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t still exist.” Colombian authorities have offered a reward equivalent to $26,000 for information leading to the identification of whoever was responsible for the agent’s death. —AFP

BRASILIA: Embattled president Dilma Rousseff admitted in a televised address late Friday that Brazil can do better and pledged to do more to fight corruption, a day after more than a million people marched to demand better living conditions.

“We can do many things a lot better in Brazil,” said Rousseff, the day after the protesters demanded cheaper transport and more investment in education and health care as well as a tougher fight against endemic corruption.

“People have a right to criticize,” Rousseff said, adding that she would staunchly defend that right.

Appealing for unity Rousseff, who promised to meet with the leaders of peaceful demonstrations as well as workers and community leaders, said: “I am the president of all Brazil-of those who support the demonstration and those who do not.”

Reaching out to those who feel the government should direct more money to public services rather than on hosting major sporting events, she insisted that “football and sport are symbols of peace and peaceful coexistence.” But she added she would not stand by if demonstrations turned violent, as they have in several cities that have seen looting and attacks on public buildings including the foreign ministry in the capital Brasilia.

“The government cannot stand by as people attack public property ... and bring chaos to our streets,” she stressed. Nevertheless, Brazil needs the protesters’ “energy and creativity”, Rousseff said. “We need to inject oxygen into our political system, and make it more transparent and resistant” to the tough challenges facing a country marked by extreme disparity between rich and poor.” Meanwhile, Brazil football coach Luiz Felipe Scolari came to the defense of the Rousseff government Friday, for the first time since the mass protests began two weeks ago.

‘WE WANT FAIRER COUNTRY’ Some members of the Brazil squad, including star player Neymar, had previously expressed solidarity

with the demonstrators, but Scolari said the government also wanted what was right for the country. “We all want a fairer country, with everything you can imagine, and the people who are in government think that as well and are trying to do it. We can’t just crucify them,” he said during a press conference in Salvador.

“You have to realize that the people who are there (in government) think that as well. Often, situations don’t develop in that way. “We all want to work together towards that objective, which is to figure out in which areas there can be changes in two, five or 10 years, but not in one day.” But some protesters-most of whom were young, middle-class and educated were unimpressed with Rousseff’s words. “The things she says are useless,” said Mariana Munoz, 25, in Sao Paulo. “What matters are the results. Here we are powerless over power, so we will continue on the street,” she told AFP. Earlier Rousseff ’s chief of staff

Gilberto Carvalho warned that the country must plan for the possibility that the unrest could continue during World Youth Day, the Catholic youth festival due to be held in Rio in late July, which Pope Francis is due to attend. The mass demonstrations have overshadowed football’s Confederations Cup, which kicked off in Brazil on June 15 and is seen as a dry run for next year’s World Cup tournament. Many Brazilians are angry over the multi-billion-dollar expense of preparations for the World Cup and for the 2016 Summer Olympics, saying the money would be better spent on making education, health services and public transportation better and cheaper.

Several protests have been held outside stadiums, and a mammoth march is planned at Rio’s iconic Maracana stadium on June 30, the day of the Confederations Cup final.

The secretary general of world football’s governing body FIFA however insisted Friday that the World Cup

must be held next year in Brazil as planned, no matter what happens.

“There is no plan B,” insisted Jerome Valcke, speaking to local media ahead of a meeting with World Cup organizers. FIFA said Friday it had no plans to scrap the Confederations Cup currently under way, and that no team wants to pull out despite the huge protests. Meanwhile, smaller protests erupted anew late Friday in several cities, including Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Curitiba and Fortaleza. In Rio’s western district of Barra da Tijuca, television footage showed young hooligans ransacking a car dealership and looting an appliance store. Early Friday, 100 hooligans also ransacked the municipal council in Caucaia, a suburb of the northeastern city of Fortaleza, according to press reports. The unrest expanded from anger over hikes in mass transit fares into a wider protest against corruption and inadequate public services in the world’s seventh largest economy.— AFP

SAO PAULO: Students from the eastern city of Sao Paulo join the protest on Paulista Avenue. — AFP

Australia PM launches discrimination inquiry SYDNEY: The government of Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard yesterday asked the Human Rights Commission to launch an inquiry into the treatment of women in the workplace, marking a return to the vexed issue of gender equality.

Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick will oversee a national survey to assess the prevalence, nature and consequences of discrimination relating, in particular, to pregnancy at work and return to work after parental leave.

The inquiry will convene a series of roundtable forums with industr y and employer groups, unions, workers and other organizations before preparing recommendations to reduce discrimination. “There is significant anecdotal evidence that women in particular are being demoted, sacked, or having their role or hours unfavourably ‘restructured’ while on parental leave or on their return from leave,” Attorney General Mark Dreyfus said. “The inquiry will measure the prevalence of this discrimination and help ensure parents, particularly mothers, are treated fairly at work.”

It was launched after the embattled Gillard reignited a simmering debate about gender by warning voters in a recent speech that women’s voices would be banished from decision making if the conservative opposition was elected in September polls. The comments were followed

by Gillard being targeted by a sexist and offensive menu at an opposition party fundraiser and then a radio host was fired after pressing her on air whether her partner Tim Mathieson was gay.

Gillard, Australia’s first female leader, said the inquiry would be “pivotal” in assessing the scale of the problem for women in the workplace and what should be done about it. “It’s very concerning that there are even anecdotal reports that people, particularly women, feel discriminated against when they are caring for young children,” she told the Sydney Morning Herald. “Given that I want us to be a nation where (there is) equal opportunity for everyone at every time in their life, I want to get to the bottom of the problem and what the solutions could be.”

Despite Gillard attempting to marginalize the

opposition by playing the gender card, it appears to have backfired with a poll on Monday showing male voters are deserting her and the ruling Labor Party’s popularity continued to slump. Yesterday, The Melbourne Age newspaper called on Gillard to stand down, saying she must accept she had failed as a leader. “The government under Ms Gillard has lost its way,” the Fairfax Media-owned newspaper said in an editorial.

“The Age’s overriding concern is that under Ms Gillard’s leadership, the Labor Party’s message about its future policies and vision for Australia is not getting through to the electorate. “Our fear is that if there is no change in Labor leadership before the September 14 election, voters will be denied a proper contest of ideas and policies-and that would be a travesty for the democratic process.” The newspaper’s call comes amid continued speculation about Labor’s leadership ahead of the final week of parliamentary sittings before the September 14 election.— AFP

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

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

560 perish in India floods, landslides Death toll mounts; Thousands missing RUDRAPRAYAG: Flash floods and landslides unleashed by early monsoon rains have killed at least 560 people in northern India and left tens of thousands missing, officials said yesterday, with the death toll expected to rise significantly.

Houses and small apartment blocks on the banks of the Ganges, India’s longest river and sacred to Hindus, have toppled into the rushing, swollen waters and been swept away with cars and trucks.

“It has been a horrifying experience,” said

Tulika Srivastava, a visitor from the northern Indian city of Lucknow, who has been stranded with her 80-year-old mother in the key pilgrimage town of Rudraprayag since last week.

Thousands of military servicemen are involved in rescue operations, with air force helicopters plucking survivors, many of them Hindu pilgrims and tourists, from the foothills of the Himalayas.

About 33,000 people had been rescued so far this week, the home ministry said. Railways were running special trains from the devastated areas

UTTARAKHAND: Indian military personnel help rescue pilgrims in Uttarakhand state yesterday. Relief teams were racing against time to rescue tens of thousands of stranded people in rain-ravaged northern India as the death toll from flash floods and landslides near 600. — AFP

to take people home. “Whatever is humanly possible is being done,” Manish Tewari, the minister of information and broadcasting, told reporters.

The rains had eased yesterday but more rain is expected early next week, complicating the task of rescuers. Rain will fall from Monday onwards in many places in the Himalayan foothills, said a weather official who sought anonymity.

As many as 150,000 people were airlifted from the reach of the floods, said Dinesh Malasi, a rescue official at Dehradun, the state capital, with 60 helicopters pressed into the task. Aid workers are struggling to negotiate roads blocked by landslides to reach the Kedarnath Valley, one of the worst affected areas, where thousands of pilgrims have been stranded.

Some of those rescued by helicopter told charity officials in Dehradun they had seen bodies scattered everywhere.

Kedarnath, the site of a temple to a powerful Hindu deity, is 86 km from Rudraprayag in the hill state of Uttarakhand. “The deaths will certainly rise,” said Madan Mohan Doval, an official of Sphere India, a group of non-government bodies working in the area that includes international charity Plan as well as the IndianRed Cross Society. “People are in immediate need of basic aid such as dry food, clean drinking water, clothes, medicines, tarpaulin sheets for shelter and blankets,” Doval added.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has offered 200,000 rupees ($3,400) to the family of each of those who lost their lives and 50,000 rupees ($840) to the injured from his national relief fund. He also pledged money to people who have lost their homes. Singh promised 10 billion rupees ($167 million) in disaster relief to Uttarakhand, home of the gods in Hindu mythology and the hardest-hit state. The rains have not hit the summer sowing season in northern India so far, as the planting of rice, sugar, cotton and other agricultural produce is not yet in full swing. — Reuters

Pakistani actress burned in acid attack PESHAWAR: A young actress suffered burn injuries in an acid attack in northwest Pakistan yesterday, her relatives and police said. The 18year-old, known as Bushra and popular in the northwest for her film, television and theatre appearances, was attacked while asleep at her home in the town of Nowshera, 148 kilometers northwest of Islamabad.

“A man climbed the wall of our house in the early hours, threw acid on my sister and fled,” Bushra’s brother, Pervez Khan said. A local police official, Sultan Khan also confirmed the incident.

The teen was immediately taken to Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar where Dr Suhail Ahmad said she had suffered 33 percent burn injuries, on

her face and shoulder, but was in a stable condition.

Her brother Pervez Khan has lodged a complaint against a local TV drama producer, Shaukat Khan, over the incident saying that the producer was unhappy over Bushra’s refusal to marry him. Popular Pakistani singer Ghazala Javed, 24, was shot dead by gunmen as she left

a beauty salon in Peshawar last year over a dispute with her ex-husband.

Acid attacks are common in Pakistan with scores of such assaults taking place each year. The plight of acid attack victims and survivors became the focus of a 40-minute Oscar-winning documentary Saving Face by a Pakistani woman Sharmeen ObaidChinoy in 2012. — AFP

Taleban: Removal of sign threatens talks DOHA: Angry voices within the Taleban movement could scuttle peace talks before they even begin, infuriated that a sign identifying their new office in the Gulf state of Qatar as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan was removed, their spokesman said yesterday. The opening of the Taleban office was heralded as the best chance of bringing to a peaceful end 12 years of bloody war despite its rocky beginnings. But the peace process ran aground almost immediately when Kabul objected to the wording of its name, saying it was tantamount to the establishment of a rival government office, not a political office. Under pressure from host nation Qatar, the Taleban removed the sign and lowered their flag - a white flag emblazoned with a Quranic verse in black - out of public view on Wednesday.

“There is an internal discussion right now and much anger about it but we have not yet decided what action to take,” Shaheen Suhail, the Taleban’s spokesman in Qatar told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. “But I think it weakens the process from the very beginning.”

Afghan President Hamid Karzai reacted furiously Tuesday to the sign, temporarily withdrawing from talks and put a quick end to negotiations with the United States over a security

accord that is to lay out protection for US forces that will remain in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of NATO combat troops at the end of 2014. A Qatar Foreign Ministry statement said the Taleban had violated an agreement to call the office the “Political Bureau of the Taleban Afghan in Doha.” But Suhail said the incident has frustrated and angered some within the militant movement who said the Taleban have been meeting with representatives of dozens of countries and holding secret one-on-one meetings with members of Karzai’s High Peace Council on several occasions, always under the banner of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

“Now the process is being weakened at the beginning and not being given a chance,” he said. “This is very bad for the Afghan people, for the international community.” Meanwhile James Dobbins, the US Special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, arrived in Doha yesterday. He would be joining US Secretary of State John Kerry’s delegation in Doha to attend meetings on Syria but his presence there also suggests that the US remains interested in talking with the Taleban despite the recent flap.

Suhail said the Taleban had not been notified of talks with Dobbins yesterday but he advocated for cooler

heads to prevail. “Everyone should save the process. Give a chance to the process. In one day everything cannot be resolved,” he said. “This is a very secondary thing and not important. I am also surprised that it should derail the process.”

While the “internal talks” continued over the sign, the Taleban were still cobbling together a negotiating team, the spokesman said. The Taleban have already agreed to hand over US Sgt Bowe Bergdahl, captured by the Taleban in 2009, in exchange for five Taleban held in the US prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In the telephone interview, Suhail also addressed issues of a cease-fire and women’s rights saying they can “all be part of the agenda and discussed.”

“Yes there should be a cease-fire but first we have to talk about how to reach a cease-fire. How can it be done in one day?” he said. “It can be part of the agenda and be discussed, also foreign troops in Afghanistan after 2014 can be discussed as part of the agenda as well as the general concerns of the Afghan people. Afghan women’s concerns can all be part of the agenda to be discussed.” But Suhail warned all sides to step away from voicing criticism. “How can we achieve all those things if even from the first day there is so much public criticism,” he said.— AP

KUNDUZ: Afghan policemen look on as the bodies of Taleban fighters are pictured on the premises of a police station after an operation in Qala-e Zal district of Kunduz province yesterday. Eighteen Taleban fighters were killed and eleven more wounded in the operation, officials said. — AFP

KABUL: Afghan soldiers watch two US Army officer carry a giant symbolic key during the fifth phase of a transfer of authority ceremony of the police academy from NATOled troops to Afghan security forces in Kabul yesterday. — AFP

Kabul urges Islamabad to free Taleban prisoners KABUL: Pakistan could secure peace in Afghanistan by releasing dozens of senior Taleban prisoners to help kick-start the process, the Afghan foreign ministry said yesterday, in remarks that underscore the issues vexing peace talks in Qatar. The ministry’s statement was a response to comments by the Pakistani foreign ministry on Tuesday, which welcomed the opening of a Taleban office in the Qatari capital of Doha, saying the country stood “ready to continue to facilitate the (peace) process to achieve lasting peace”.

Afghanistan has long accused Pakistan of playing a double game regarding the 12year-old war against the Taleban, saying its neighbor makes public pronouncements about peace but allows elements of its military complex to play a spoiling role. “(If ) Pakistan has the sincere determination to support the Afghan peace process ... then the most useful and urgent step would be to release those Afghan Taleban leaders who have been arrested by Pakistani authorities,” the Afghan foreign ministry said.

“The release of these prominent Taleban leaders would provide the High Peace Council of Afghanistan with the opportunity to start peace talks with them,” it added, referring to a body set up by President Hamid Karzai in 2010 to seek a negotiated end to the 12-year war with a Taleban-led insurgency. The Taleban opened its Doha office this week amid hopeful signs of movement in a long-stalled peace process.

But the opening ceremony caused a stir, with Taleban envoys raising the Taleban flag and signs proclaiming the “Islamic

Emirate of Afghanistan”, the name used during their brief rule from 1996 to 2001.

This prompted Karzai to cancel plans for an Afghan peace delegation to travel to Qatar and suspend talks with the United States over a vital security pact in the belief it had failed to ensure the Taleban did not misuse the office. Afghanistan’s main opposition party and alliance of the country’s northern leaders, the National Front, also condemned the fanfare over the opening of the Taleban office. “This is an illegal act, in conflict with international conventions and causes serious damage to the legitimacy of the Afghan political state,” they said in a statement yesterday.

Pakistan is seen as crucial to stability in Afghanistan as most foreign combat troops look to leave the country in 2014, given close political and economic ties and because militant sanctuaries straddle the mountainous border. Afghanistan has long sought the release of, or at least access to, dozens of senior Taleban officials captured in Pakistan who remain in detention there.

Karzai is known to particularly desire the release of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Taleban leader Mullah Omar’s former second in command and a hugely influential figure in the insurgency.

Baradar was the day-to-day commander responsible for leading the Taleban campaign against US and NATO troops, until his capture in 2010 in Karachi by a joint team of CIA and Pakistani intelligence officers. He was also the right-hand man of reclusive Taleban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar, who gave him the nickname Baradar, or brother. —Reuters

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

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

Obama touts economic benefits of immigration overhaul

NEVADA: US Vice President Joe Biden speaks at the 81st annual US Conference of Mayors at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Biden addressed about 150 mayors from across the country on issues including the economy, immigration reform and gun violence. —AFP

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama yesterday touted the potential economic benefits of a major immigration overhaul currently under debate in Congress as he sought support for the landmark bill. The reforms under debate would provide a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the country, reduce unlawful entries and revise guest worker programs for agriculture and high-tech industries.

Immigration is a priority for Obama’s second term, but the overhaul had been put in jeopardy after Republicans demanded tougher border security as a precondition to curb future arrivals of undocumented migrants. This week, lawmakers forged a deal to double border agents, a key compromise paving the way for the passage of the bill-but success is still far from certain. In his weekly radio and Internet address, Obama high-

lighted two independent reports predicting positive economic impacts from the immigration reform.

“A report from the Congressional Budget Office definitively showed that this bipartisan, commonsense bill will help the middle class grow our economy and shrink our deficits, by making sure that every worker in America plays by the same set of rules and pays taxes like everyone else,” Obama said.

“Another report from the independent office that monitors Social Security’s finances ... says that this immigration bill would actually strengthen the long-term health and solvency of Social Security for future generations,” he added.

The bill would help with “attracting the highly skilled entrepreneurs and engineers who grow our economy for everyone,” he insisted. If the Senate passes the legislation next week the House of Representatives could then

vote on its own version by the end of July. Both versions must then be reconciled, which could take several months. Meanwhile, Republicans used their weekly address to speak, for the third week in a row, about student loan interest rates.

Without legislation, rates will double on July 1 for many student loans.

“Our students deserve better,” said John Kline, chairman of the House Education & the Workforce Committee.

“What we need is a long-term solution that gets Washington out of the business of setting rates altogether,” he added. A GOP proposal would link interest rates to economic factors instead of leaving it up to Congress, something Obama has advocated as well. But the two sides differ on how high the rate could rise and how early it should be set, with Republicans calling for it not to lock in until graduation. —AFP

US state on ‘red alert’ over nuke waste leak Most contaminated nuclear site might be leaking WASHINGTON: An underground tank holding some of the worst radioactive waste at the nation’s most contaminated nuclear site might be leaking into the soil. The US Energy Department said workers at Washington state’s Hanford Nuclear Reservation detected higher radioactivity levels under tank AY-102 during a routine inspection. Spokeswoman Lori Gamache said the department

very troubling questions.”He said additional testing is expected to take several days, but he also said the state will be insisting on an accelerated plan to deal with all the waste at Hanford something the state and federal government will be discussing in the coming weeks. “If we do not receive satisfaction in those meetings in the next few weeks, we have several legal options available to us,” Inslee said.

which were installed years ago when single-shell tanks began leaking.

Some of the worst liquid in those tanks was pumped into the sturdier double-shell tanks.

The tanks are now beyond their intended life span. Two radionuclides comprise much of the radioactivity in Hanford’s tanks: cesium-137 and strontium-90. Both take hundreds of years to decay, and exposure to either

WASHINGTON: Workers demolish a decommissioned nuclear reactor during the cleanup operations at the Western hemisphere’s most contaminated nuclear site in this file photo. —AFP has notified Washington officials and is investigating the leak further.

An engineering analysis team will conduct additional sampling and video inspection to determine the source of the contamination, she said.

State and federal officials have long said leaking tanks at Hanford do not pose an immediate threat to the environment or public health. The largest waterway in the Pacific Northwest the Columbia River - is still at least 5 miles away and the closest communities are several miles downstream.

However, if this dangerous waste escapes the tank into the soil, it raises concerns about it traveling to the groundwater and someday potentially reaching the river. Washington Gov Jay Inslee said the potential leak “raises

“And we’ll act accordingly.” The state says there is no immediate public health threat and that the river is not at immediate risk of contamination. Tom Carpenter, executive director of the Seattle-based advocacy group Hanford Challenge, said, “This is really, really bad. They are going to pollute the ground and the groundwater with some of the nastiest stuff, and they don’t have a solution for it.”

Downriver from Hanford in Oregon, Ken Niles was somber. “These last few months just seem like one body blow after another,” said Niles of Oregon’s Energy Department. “It’s true this is not an immediate risk, but it’s one more thing to deal with among many at Hanford.” AY-102 is one of Hanford’s 28 tanks with two walls,

would increase a person’s risk of developing cancer. The Energy Department announced last year that AY-102 was leaking between its two walls, but it said then that no waste had escaped.

However, Seattle television station KING5 has reported that the cleanup contractor and the department knew a year earlier that the tank was leaking.

Mike Geffre, an instrument technician who works for contractor Washington River Protection Solutions, said Thursday’s inspection came from a pit under the tank, like a saucer under a teacup. Water samples from the pit had an 800,000-count of radioactivity and a high dose rate, which means that workers must reduce their time in the area.“Anything above a 500 count is considered con-

taminated and would have to be disposed of as nuclear waste,” Geffre said.

“Plus, the amount of material we’ve seen from the leak is very small, which means it’s a very strong radioactive isotope.”

At the height of World War II, the federal government created Hanford in the remote sagebrush of eastern Washington as part of a hush-hush project to build the atomic bomb. The site ultimately produced plutonium for the world’s first atomic blast and for one of two atomic bombs dropped on Japan, and it continued production through the Cold War. Today, it is the nation’s most contaminated nuclear site, with cleanup expected to last decades. The effort with a price tag of about $2 billion annually - has cost taxpayers $40 billion to date and is estimated will cost $115 billion more.

The most challenging task so far has been the removal of highly radioactive waste from the 177 aging, underground tanks and construction of a plant to treat that waste. The oneof-a-kind plant, long considered the cornerstone of Hanford cleanup, will encase the waste in glasslike logs for permanent disposal. But workers designing and building it have encountered numerous technical problems, delays and skyrocketing costs.

The latest concerns center on adequate mixing of the waste, with the potential for explosions if radioactivity is allowed to build up in one area, and erosion and corrosion in vessels and piping. Last priced at $12.3 billion, the cost is expected to rise further. The plant isn’t expected to begin operating before 2019, far beyond the original 2011 deadline. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz visited the site Wednesday for the first time since being confirmed by the Senate in May. He said he intends to have a new plan by the end of the summer for resolving the technical problems with the waste treatment plant. Meanwhile, the Energy Department recently notified Washington and Oregon that it may miss two upcoming deadlines to empty some single-shell tanks and, amid the technical problems, to complete construction on a key part of the plant to handle some of the worst waste. —AP

‘Overweight’ may have caused fatal plane crash DETROIT: Radio transmissions between a 19year-old pilot and a Detroit-area airport control tower point to the small plane he was operating as being too heavy before it crashed just after takeoff, killing all four people aboard.

Troy Brothers was licensed and flying the single-engine Cessna 172 that took off about 1:40 pm EDT Friday from Oakland County International Airport in Waterford Township, about 27 miles northwest of Detroit. The pilot can be heard on LiveATC.Net saying “we’re a little over weight ... we’re going to have to come back and land” before the four-seat plane crashed in a field near an airport runway.

LiveATC.Net provides live air traffic-control broadcasts from control towers and radar facilities around the world, according to its website. Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Lynn Lunsford confirmed Friday evening that the recording is an archive of the

tower conversation. Brothers, who lived with his family in the northern Detroit suburb of Fraser, died in the crash. His 58-year-old stepfather, James Haley, and 34-year-old brotherin-law Jamie Jose, also died in the wreckage.

Sandra Haley, Brothers’ 53-year-old mother, died at an area hospital. “It’s a very sad day for the airport,” said Dave VanderVeen, director of central services for Oakland County.

VanderVeen, who previously managed the airport for 25 years, said the flight was private and not business-related. Brothers took off from a 5,600-foot runway designed for the many smaller planes that use the airport. The plane reached an altitude of about 100 feet before requesting permission to return and crashed seconds after takeoff, VanderVeen said.

Officials shut the airport down for about 21/2 hours following the crash. “All we know is

the pilot requested permission to return. A few seconds later, he crashed,” VanderVeen said.

“This was a pleasure flight as opposed to a commercial flight. We’ve not been able to confirm if a flight plan was filed.” However, filing a flight plan on this type of flight is not required, he added. The Federal Aviation Administration was en route to the airport Friday and the National Transportation and Safety Board is expected to arrive Saturday.

The Oakland County airport is used for corporate, business and private flying, VanderVeen said. It also has air charters and air freight, and is the state’s second busiest airport after Detroit Metropolitan Airport, which is in the Detroit suburb of Romulus. VanderVeen said the last fatal crash at Oakland County International was in 2006. A flight instructor and his student were killed when a single-engine plane belonging to a flight school crashed at the airport. —AP

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama (right) and FBI director nominee Jim Comey (center) applaud FBI director Robert Mueller in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington. Comey, a deputy attorney general under George W Bush, would replace Robert Mueller, who is stepping down from the agency he has led since the week before the September 11, 2001 attacks. —AFP

Obama nominates Comey to head FBI WASHINGTON: As the FBI grapples with scrutiny over government surveillance, President Barack Obama on Friday moved to turn the agency over to James Comey, a top Bush administration lawyer best known for defiantly refusing to go along with White House demands on warrantless wiretapping nearly a decade ago. Obama cited Comey’s “fierce independence and deep integrity” as he nominated him to replace outgoing FBI Director Robert Mueller.

Mueller has led the agency for 12 years, longer than any previous director except J Edgar Hoover, after Obama asked him to stay on beyond his initial 10-year term at a time of global threats. Mueller had moved into the director’s office just the week before the Sept 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and Obama applauded him during a Rose Garden ceremony for leading “one of the biggest transformations of the FBI in history to make sure that nothing like that ever happens again.” But Mueller is leaving as agency of 36,000 employees faces new challenges surrounding its intelligence gathering and criminal investigations.

The bureau has parried questions in recent weeks over media leak probes; the Boston Marathon bombings; the attack at Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans; vast government surveillance programs into phone records and online communications; and a criminal probe into the former National Security Agency contractor who revealed those programs to the media. And just this week, Mueller revealed the FBI uses drones for domestic surveillance and said the privacy implications of such operations are worthy of debate.

“This work of striking a balance between our security but also making sure we’re maintaining fidelity to those values that we cherish is a constant mission,” Obama said. It’s a balance that Comey prominently wrestled with during his time as the No2 in Bush’s Justice Department, dramatically illustrated by his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee in May 2007 as he recounted a remarkable hospital room standoff with senior White House aides.

Comey told the committee that the showdown on March 10, 2004, was “probably the most difficult night of my professional life.” But he said it ultimately resulted in President George W. Bush authorizing him to make changes to an anti-terror program to eavesdrop on domestic telephone calls and e-mail messages without a court warrant.

The hospital confrontation came at the bedside of Attorney General John Ashcroft, who had been under intensive care with pancreatitis for a week while Comey served as acting attorney general. Comey said he and Ashcroft had a pri-

vate meeting just before the attorney general fell ill and had decided they couldn’t reauthorize the program that needed to be renewed by March 11 because of concerns about its legality.

Ashcroft’s and Comey’s opposition was a problem for the White House, which had set up the program with the requirement that it have the attorney general’s signature to proceed.

Comey said he told the White House he would not certify the program while he was acting as attorney general because of his concerns. So the White House decided to try to go around him.

Comey said his security detail was driving him home around 8 p.m. on that Wednesday when he got a call from Ashcroft’s chief of staff letting him know that Bush chief of staff Andrew Card and counsel Alberto Gonzales were heading to the hospital despite a ban on visitors from Ashcroft’s wife. Comey sped him to the hospital as he called Mueller and asked him to meet him there.

“I was concerned that, given how ill I knew the attorney general was, that there might be an effort to ask him to overrule me when he was in no condition to do that,” Comey testified. He said he entered Ashcroft’s darkened room and tried “to see if he could focus on what was happening, and it wasn’t clear to me that he could. He seemed pretty bad off.” Comey said he waited in an armchair at the head of Ashcroft’s bed, and Gonzales and Card arrived soon after carrying an envelope. He said Gonzales told the ailing Ashcroft they needed his approval.

“He lifted his head off the pillow and in very strong terms expressed his view of the matter, rich in both substance and fact, which stunned me,” Comey testified. He said Ashcroft’s views reflected the very concerns they had discussed the week before in their private meeting. “As he laid back down, he said, ‘But that doesn’t matter, because I’m not the attorney general. There is the attorney general,’ and he pointed to me, and I was just to his left,” Comey said. “The two men did not acknowledge me. They turned and walked from the room.”

Obama cited Comey’s willingness to stand up to power in making his FBI nomination. “At key moments, when it’s mattered most, he joined Bob in standing up for what he believed was right. He was prepared to give up a job he loved rather than be part of something he felt was fundamentally wrong,” Obama said. Civil libertarians have expressed concern that Comey ultimately approved another version of the wiretapping program and also signed off on interrogation techniques they say were abusive, including waterboarding. But his defiance has won praise from the senators who will oversee his confirmation hearing. —AP

Qaeda’s Inspire confused with Esquire magazine GUANTANAMO: An Arabic-English interpreter confused the Al-Qaeda magazine Inspire with the gentlemen’s magazine Esquire during a pretrial hearing in the Guantanamo war crimes tribunal on Friday. The mix-up came in a hearing for five prisoners who could face execution if convicted of launching the Sept 11, 2001, hijacked plane attacks that killed 2,976 people and propelled the United States into a global war against Al-Qaeda.

A week-long hearing has focused on whether military and intelligence agents at the Guantanamo Bay US Naval Base snooped into legal documents and attorney-client conversations that are supposed to be confidential.

Defense attorneys said stringent restrictions on their communications had interfered with their

attempts to prepare a defense. The outgoing legal adviser for the Guantanamo detention operation, Navy Captain Thomas Welsh, testified that attorney-client mail was carefully screened to prevent the introduction of physical and informational contraband.

He said the rules were tightened after a defense lawyer tried to send a copy of Inspire magazine to one of the defendants. “I’m told that the translation is wrong,” interrupted defense attorney Cheryl Bormann, who was not the source of the intercepted magazine. She said the interpreter translating Welsh’s testimony for the defendants had identified the contraband publication to them as Esquire. That magazine describes its focus as “beautiful women, men’s fashion, best music, drink recipes.” —Reuters

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

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

Flood kills 3 in Alberta Calgary downtown evacuated

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) speaks with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev during a wreath laying ceremony at the Unknown Soldier Tomb in Moscow yesterday. Russians mark the Day of Memory and Mourning of Nazi Germany’s attack of the former Soviet Union on the dawn of June 22, 1941. — AFP

Russian rights group forcibly evicted from Moscow office MOSCOW: Authorities forcibly evicted a prominent Russian human rights organization from its office in the early hours of yesterday in a raid its director said he believed was ordered by officials in President Vladimir Putin’s administration. For Human Rights is one of the best-known of the hundreds of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) which have been subjected to state inspections under a law Putin signed last year requiring NGOs with foreign funding to register as “foreign agents”.

Western powers and rights groups view the legislation and inspections as being aimed at intimidating activists and silencing criticism of Putin, who started a new six-year term in May 2012. Putin, who has accused Western governments of using NGOs to spy on Russia and influence the political situation, says the law is needed to ensure transparency and that the checks are to enforce legal compliance. Riot police and Moscow mayor’s office representatives entered the building housing the office of For Human Rights at about 2 am, ejecting at least six employees and supporters, said the group’s director, Lev Ponomaryov. “They treated us very roughly. I was dragged across the floor and then kicked,” the 72-year-old said by telephone. He said he and five others were taken by ambulance to a first-aid clinic with bruises and scrapes, but none were in hospital. A Moscow property official, Maxim Gaman, told state-run news agency RIA on Friday that For Human Rights was being

evicted because its lease on the city-owned premises had run out in February and had been terminated on May 27. A police spokesman said officers had been sent to help city officials evict the group because its lease had run out. Ponomaryov said the group had not received an eviction notice.

He said several security officers had come on Friday afternoon and told them to leave but provided no eviction order.

He said the eviction may have been motivated by the group’s refusal to give prosecutors documents they had demanded under the foreign agent law. “I don’t know if Putin is behind it but there must have been a decision at a very high level, in the Kremlin,” he said. He also blamed Kremlin-appointed mayor Sergei Sobyanin for the eviction. The presidential press service declined to comment, and Sobyanin’s office could not immediately be reached.

Ponomaryov said he had expected to extend the lease as he had done in previous years, and that he was up to date on rent payments. “It’s all entirely illegal,” he said, adding that a court decision was required to carry out an eviction. Russia’s human rights ombudsman, Vladimir Lukin, said city and law enforcement authorities had “tried to resolve a dispute between two parties unilaterally without involving the courts”. He said he had been barred from the scene of the raid in what he called a “crude violation of federal constitutional law”, Interfax news agency reported. — Reuters

CALGARY: Floodwaters that devastated much of southern Alberta left at least three people dead and forced officials in the western Canadian city of Calgary yesterday to order the evacuation of its entire downtown, as the waters reached the 10th row of the city’s hockey arena. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper called the level of flooding “stunning” and said officials don’t know yet if it will get worse, but said the water has peaked and stabilized and noted that the weather has gotten better.

Overflowing rivers washed out roads and bridges, soaked homes and turned streets into dirt brown waterways around southern Alberta.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sgt. Patricia Neely told reporters three were dead and two bodies were recovered. The two bodies recovered are the two men who had been seen floating lifeless in the Highwood River near High River on Thursday, she said. Harper, a Calgary resident, said he never imagined there would be a flood of this magnitude in this part of Canada.

“This is incredible. I’ve seen a little bit of flooding in Calgary before. I don’t think any of us have seen anything like this before. The magnitude is just extraordinary,” he said. “We’re all very concerned that if gets much more than this it could have real impact on infrastructure and other services longer term, so we’re hoping things will subside a bit.” Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi said the water levels have reached a peak, but have not declined.

“We’ve sat at the same level for many, many hours now,” Nenshi said. “There is one scenario that would it go even higher than this, so you’ll either see the Bow river continue at this level for many hours or you will see it grow even higher and we’re prepared for that eventuality.” Twentyfive neighborhoods in the city, with an estimated 75,000 people, have already been evacuated due to floodwaters in Calgary, a city of more than a million people that hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics and serves as the center of Canada’s oil industry.

Alberta Premier Alison Redford said Medicine Hat, east of Calgary, was under a mandatory evacuation order affecting 10,000 residents. The premier warned that communities downstream of Calgary had not yet felt the full force of the floodwaters. About 350,000 people work in downtown Calgary on a typical day. However, officials said very few people need to be moved out, since many heeded warnings and did not go to work Friday. A spokesman for Canada’s defense minister said 1,300 soldiers from a base in Edmonton were being deployed to the flood zone. Police were asking residents who were forced to leave the nearby High River area to register at evacuation shelter. The Town of High River remained under a mandatory evacuation order. In downtown Calgary, water was inundating homes and businesses in the shadow of skyscrapers. Water has swamped cars and train tracks. The city said the home rink of the

ALBERTA: This aerial photo shows the closed Trans-Canada Highway in Canmore. Flooding forced the western Canadian city of Calgary to order the evacuation of the entire downtown area, as the waters reached the 10th row of the city’s hockey arena. — AP National Hockey League’s Calgary Flames flooded and the water inside was 10 rows deep. That would mean the dressing rooms are likely submerged as well. “I think that really paints a very clear picture of what kinds of volumes of water we are dealing with,” said Trevor Daroux, the city’s deputy police chief.

At the grounds for the world-famous Calgary Stampede fair, water reached up to the roofs of the chuck wagon barns. The popular rodeo and festival is the city’s signature event. Mayor Nenshi said it will occur no matter what. About 1,500 have gone to emergency shelters while the rest have found shelter with family or friends, Nenshi said. The flood was forcing emergency plans at the Calgary Zoo, which is situated on an island near where the Elbow and Bow rivers meet. Lions and tigers were being prepared for transfer, if necessary, to prisoner holding cells at the courthouse.

Schools and court trials were canceled Friday and residents urged to avoid downtown. Transit service in the core was shut down. Residents were left to wander and wade through streets waist-deep in water. Newlyweds Scott and Marilyn Crowson were ordered out of their central Calgary condominium late Friday as rising waters filled their parking garage and ruptured a nearby gas line. “That’s just one building but every building is like this,” he said. “For the most part, people are taking it in stride.”

Crowson, a kayaker, estimated the Bow River, usually about four feet deep, is running at a depth of 15 feet. “It’s moving very, very fast,” he

ALBERTA: Kevan Yeats swims to safety as the flood waters sweep him downstream after submerging his truck in High River, Alberta. — AP said of the normally placid stream spanned by now-closed bridges. “I’ve never seen it so big and so high.” It had been a rainy week throughout much of Alberta, but on Thursday the Bow River Basin was battered with up to four inches of rain. Environment Canada’s forecast called for more rain in the area, but in much smaller amounts. Calgary was not alone in its weatherrelated woes. Flashpoints of chaos spread from towns in the Rockies south to Lethbridge.

More than a dozen towns declared states of emergency. Entire communities, including High River and Bragg Creek, near Calgary, were under mandatory evacuation orders. —AP

Britain’s spooks ‘secretly’ tapping fiber-optic cables LONDON: Britain’s electronic eavesdropping agency has gained secret access to fibre-optic cables carrying global Internet traffic and telephone calls, rogue US intelligence technician Ed Snowden has told The Guardian.

Citing documents disclosed by Snowden, the newspaper said yesterday that Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) has started processing vast amounts of personal information and is sharing it with its US partner the National Security Agency (NSA).

US authorities have filed espionage charges against the 30-year-old and have asked Hong Kong-where he has fled to-to detain him, a US official told AFP on Friday. Confirming a report in The Washington Post newspaper, the official said a sealed criminal complaint has been lodged with a federal court in the US state of Virginia and a provisional arrest warrant has been issued. Snowden, who fled in May, has since proceeded to leak details of secret US intelligence programs to international media outlets.

GCHQ can tap into and store data from cables for up to 30 days so it can be analyzed under an operation codenamed Tempora, The Guardian report-

ed. “It’s not just a US problem. The UK has a huge dog in this fight,” Snowden told the paper. “ They (GCHQ) are worse than the US.” The Guardian claimed Tempora had been running for 18 months and GCHQ and the NSA were able to access vast quantities of communications between entirely innocent people. They can also target suspects, including their phone calls, email message content, Facebook entries and Internet browsing history, the report said.

It also claimed that the intelligence-gathering directly led to the arrest and jailing of a British terror cell, the arrests of others planning acts of terror, and three London-based people planning attacks prior to the city’s 2012 Olympic Games. The Guardian said the documents it had seen showed that by last year, GCHQ was handling 600 million “telephone events” each day, had tapped more than 200 fibre-optic cables and was able to process data from at least 46 of them at a time.

The two main components of GCHQ’s surveillance program are called “Mastering the Internet” and “Global Telecoms Exploitation”, the daily said, adding that the operations

were all being carried out “without any form of public acknowledgement or debate”. In its editorial, the left-leaning newspaper asked whether lawmakers understood that legislation designed for “an era of crocodile clips” was being stretched to cope with legions of analysts with the world “literally at their fingertips”.

“We are creating a system of total surveillance which could, indeed, bring great benefits in terms of security, but which, in the wrong hands, could severely curtail protest, reporting, privacy and hard-won freedoms of association and speech,” it said. Nick Pickes, the director of privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch, said: “This appears to be dangerously close to, if not exactly, the centralized database of all our Internet communications, including some content, that successive governments have ruled out and parliament has never legislated for. “If GCHQ have been intercepting huge numbers of innocent people’s communications as part of a massive sweeping exercise, then I struggle to see how that squares with a process that requires a warrant for each individual intercept.

This question must be urgently addressed in parliament. —AFP

Africa juggles East and West NAIROBI: World leaders visit Africa relatively little, but Tanzania is preparing to host US President Barack Obama just three months since a state visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping. While Washington has long and strong ties with Tanzania, Obama’s Africa visit is seen by some as one part of wider US efforts to boost its presence, as well as to counter Beijing’s growing influence on the resource-rich continent.

After Xi’s March visit, in which he spoke of Beijing’s “sincere friendship” with Africa and said its trade with China reached $200 billion in 2012, Washington stressed its “positive agenda” with the continent. “The Obama administration also recognizes that US business needs to do better in Africa - for too long the approach has been dominated by counter-terrorism and humanitarian priorities,” said Alex Vines of Britain’s Chatham House thinktank.

In terms of choosing Tanzania, analysts are swift to say there are many other factors than direct competition between Washington and Beijing for a US visit. The US is the largest single development partner in terms of actual funds for infrastructure to Tanzania, notes J Peter Pham of the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center, adding that Washington must balance geographic regions as well as religious and linguistic zones in choosing nations on a continental tour.

“While it can be said that in many places in Africa, especially on the trade and investment front, the United States needs to play catch up, that is not the case with Tanzania,” he added, stressing it was wrong to explain

Obama’s choice as being motivated by Xi’s recent visit. For Pham, Obama’s visit to Tanzania is more about diplomatic difficulties in visiting neighboring Kenya-birthplace of Obama’s father-due to upcoming international crimes against humanity trials for President Uhuru Kenyatta. But Obama’s tour-his third visit to Africa-marks wider efforts by the US to boost its presence on the continent. “There is an appreciation that the US has not paid sufficient highlevel attention to Africa in recent years as compared to what China has been doing,” said David Shinn, a former US ambassador to Ethiopia and now a professor at The George Washington University. China overtook the US as Africa’s biggest trade partner in 2009, notes Pham. China’s business boom and its rise to become the world’s secondlargest economy has seen financial and trade ties rocket in recent years, as it sources many of its raw materials from Africa. A new Chinese diaspora has seen huge numbers of traders and small business operators establish themselves across the continent, which has higher growth rates than Europe or the US. “Much of China’s engagement has been conducted by private and state-owned companies. The US private sector in recent years has not kept pace,” Shinn said. “To some extent, the US is now trying to play catchup with China and other countries such as Brazil, India and Turkey.” In terms of Obama’s visit to a Tanzania-a relatively stable nation, with a rapidly growing population and significant offshore natural gas deposits- Vines notes that security, good governance, trade, and aid will be likely key objectives of the trip. —AFP

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SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

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Issues

Protests threaten Erdogan ambitions

By Desmond Butler hree weeks of protest have taken a political toll on Turkey’s prime minister that could upend key parts of his political agenda, including his ambition to rework the constitution and emerge as Turkey’s most powerful leader in its democratic era. Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s vehement stance against the protesters and the political opponents he accuses of helping them has polarized the country - and shrunk a broad support base that extended well beyond his core religious voters. His crackdown is also damaging a key political asset: his image as a statesman who strengthened Turkey’s role on the world stage and engineered its economic boom.

Erdogan’s weakened position could be an opening for others in his party who have long stood in his shadow, including President Abdullah Gul. Meanwhile, the prime minister’s struggles may make him a less reliable partner for the West at a time when its leaders are navigating difficult issues on Turkey’s border, such as Syria’s civil war. Turkey’s turmoil is also a blow to the nation’s already waning chances of joining the European Union.

Erdogan has been seeking constitutional changes that would strengthen the powers of the presidency and allow him to shift into that role after elections in August 2014. But the changes require a parliamentary supermajority, which his party does not command. It once looked likely that Erdogan could pass the changes with help from a smaller Kurdish party, but that potential ally is unhappy with his recent nationalistic turn. And the political upheaval may even limit votes within his own party.

Meanwhile, Erdogan has attracted widespread criticism from abroad over his hardening authoritarianism, particularly from Europe and the United States. In the most tangible setback, European leaders are wavering about talks planned later this month on Turkey’s slow-moving bid to for EU membership. “If you look back at the last 10 years, Erdogan and his party enjoyed enormous support from the West, especially as they took on the Turkish military establishment,” says Bulent Aliriza, director of the Turkey Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. “This is now in doubt as they criticize Erdogan and he reacts strongly to their criticism.”

Another political strength, Erdogan’s reputation as an able skipper of the Turkish economy, also appears damaged. The Turkish economy has grown by more than 40 percent during his 10 years in power and Erdogan has set ambitious economic goals for the next decade. But the Turkish lira has fallen significantly against other currencies since the protests, and prolonged unrest could further undermine confidence in the economy. On Friday, Turkey’s borrowing costs surged as Erdogan delivered another fiery speech in which he mocked protesters.

Erdogan appears to have been caught off guard by the sudden emergence of street-level opposition that emerged from a seemingly minor zoning dispute over a park in central Istanbul. Until now, he has almost always found a way to impose his will on Turkish politics. But after a long, dominant run in power, Erdogan’s pugnacious instincts have suddenly led him astray, with protesters provoking him into a conflict perhaps best handled by a mayor.

After his harsh crackdown turned the situation into a global news story, Erdogan publicly derided demonstrators as terrorists and bums, briefly offered to meet with protest leaders, then turned to force again - projecting an image of erratic leadership. All the while, he lashed out against social media, while charging that the protesters were incited by foreign enemies and media, displaying an unsavory nationalism that has alienated former supporters. But the damage may be reversible, largely because opposition parties are so weak. Moreover, Western leaders see Turkey as a crucial ally and need its help on key issues including Syria and Iran.

They will likely be relieved if Turkey’s turmoil subsides and they can go back to regarding Erdogan as a trusted partner.

Erdogan could also regain his standing with new mandate from the Turkish electorate.

Even without constitutional changes, Erdogan could still seek the presidency in the 2014 elections - although that would mean a diminished political role. Another option would be to abandon a pledge not to seek a fourth term as prime minister. An early general election could bolster Erdogan’s position against a disorganized opposition, although his recent polarizing approach would likely translate into a smaller majority in parliament.

Ilter Turan, a professor of political science at Istanbul Bilgi University says that Erdogan could probably undo the damage if he took a more conciliatory approach, focused on the Turkish economy and got EU talks back on track.

But nearly three weeks into the demonstrations, he has shown little willingness to back down. “His personality doesn’t seem to allow for admitting mistakes and turning back,” says Turan. — AP

T

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

Syria’s sectarian war causes Hamas split

By Adel Zaanoun yria’s civil war has caused a split within Hamas over whether to cling to Shiite backers Damascus, Tehran and Hezbollah or side with Sunni allies such as Qatar, Egypt and Turkey, analysts say. S ome in the Islamist movement ’s militar y wing insist that aid from I ran - a key Damascus ally - should not be shunned simply to publicly back the Sunni-led rebels fighting to overthrow Syria’s Bashar Al-Assad, Hamas sources told AFP. News of the split within the Palestinian movement which rules the Gaza Strip coincides with reports that Iran has scaled down its financial support to the group.

Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal, who is behind the movement’s shift towards Sunni regimes such as Qatar which back the rebels, lef t his Damascus headquarters in 2012 for Doha after refusing to suppor t Assad’s deadly crackdown. On Tuesday, Meshaal and his Gaza-based prime minister Ismail Haniya were in Ankara, another rebel backer, to meet Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. And the previous day, M eshaal had called on Lebanon’s Hezbollah to pull its forces

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out of Syria and focus on resisting Israel, accusing it of contributing to “sectarian polarisation” in the region.

Pan-Arab newspaper Al-Quds alArabi recently reported that leaders of Hamas’s armed wing the Ezzedine alQassam Brigades had warned Meshaal against getting too close to Qatar, as this was having a negative impact on aid from Iran. It was Tehran’s military support rather than Gulf financial suppor t, they reminded him, that had enabled Hamas to face the last major Israeli assault on Gaza in November.

Meshaal himself had publicly thanked the Islamic republic for its provision of arms to Hamas during the eight-day conflict.

But a senior Hamas official told AFP there had been “decline in I ranian financial aid to Hamas because of our support for the just demands of the Syrian people”, saying it had caused “differing opinions” within the movement. “There are those who support maintaining good relations with Iran in opposing the Zionist-American axis, since Iran and Hezbollah backed us when the Arabs abandoned us,” he said, adding the opinion was “shared

by Qassam”.

Walid Al-Mudallal, a history and poli-

tics professor at Gaza City ’s Islamic University, suggested Hamas remain pragmatic over its involvement with opposing forces. “Hamas, as a resistance movement, must stay away from the game of (opposing) axes and keep its relations balanced,” he said. The movement “acted wisely when it sided with the Syrian people and still managed to maintain a minimum level of (good) relations with I ran and Hezbollah”, Mudallal said. “Hamas then received support from Gulf countries (supporting the Syrian uprising) and so now have multiple sources of support.”

Qatar last year promised $400 million to help rebuild Gaza, which has been heavily bombarded in successive Israeli military campaigns. Had Hamas suppor ted the brutal repression of Damascus, its host at the beginning of Syria’s civil war, its popularity among Sunnis would have been eroded, said Mudallal, reasoning that the current outcome was much better, even if entailed an inevitable drop in Iranian aid. Mukhaimer Abu Saada, politics professor at Gaza’s Al-Azhar University, said the current debate within Hamas sparked by the Syrian civil war had “created two diverging trends whose resolution would depend on how the con-

flict pans out”. “If the regime gets the upper hand, it will be easier for Hamas to rekindle old ties,” but a rebel victory would possibly be more problematic, he said. A May visit to Gaza by Qatarbased cleric Yusuf Al-Qaradawi only served to exacerbate the Hamas split, as he subsequently called on Sunni Muslims to join rebels fighting against the Shiite Hezbollah. On June 14, the Hamas prime minister denied reports that the Qassam Brigades were directly helping rebels in Syria. “ There is no truth to (claims) that Hamas fighters are in Syria, although we stand on the side of the Syrian people and condemn the brutal attacks they are exposed to,” he said.

But Al-Quds al-Arabi on Monday said Hamas’s support for the rebels had been miscalculated. Hamas “rallied to the extremist Sunni camp because it counted on the downfall of the Syrian regime within weeks or months like in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, but its steadfastness for more than two years has taken the movement by surprise”.

In standing by its old Shiite allies, it said, Hamas risked losing power and popularity it had gained as a movement resisting a much stronger adversary.— AFP

Brazil stuns world with angry undercurrent

By Yana Marull n a matter of days, Brazil’s image as the emerging economic power to watch, and a fun-loving one to boot, has given way to that of an angry, noisy giant as seas of protesters fill the streets. After the intoxicating giddiness and visions of a limitless future that came with being chosen to host the World Cup next year and the 2016 Olympic Games, a painful and sobering reality has sunk in: for many people, life has not changed very much. Stop just about anybody taking part in nationwide street protests that broke out 10 days ago - more than a million marched Thursday - and the gripes sound similar.

Sure, 15 minutes of global limelight are nice, but Brazil’s public schools are lousy, and so are public transport and the health system, the protesters say. And politicians are still seen as useless and corrupt. “We were living a dream. We let ourselves get carried away with the message that everything was going to get even better. We pay taxes and what do we get?” asked Monica, protesting Thursday with her 18-year daughter in Gama, 30 kilometers (20 miles) from Brasilia. Those schools, buses and hospitals? “They are a disaster,” she said. The banners people carry at the nightly rallies also speak volumes.

“The people have woken up,” one said. “More money for health and education,” read another. Then, this: “So much is wrong that it will not fit on one banner.” Ouch. Over the past 10 years, the income and minimum wage of Brazilian workers have in fact gone up like never before. Unemployment dropped to record lows. Social welfare programs championed by union leader turned president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva fattened the middle class by a whopping 40 million people, making it account for more than half the total population of 194 million.

Consumption exploded thanks to easy credit, and foreign investment gushed in as Brazil became the B in the BRICS - the world’s hot emerging economies. The others are Russia, India, China and South Africa. Lula left office in 2011 with an 80 percent approval rating and handpicked a successor to lead his Workers Party, current President Dilma Rousseff. She is tough, but lacks Lula’s charm, yet she is still popular. However, the glow has dimmed over the past two years as inflation crept up and economic growth slowed dramatically. She did however wage a fierce fight against corruption.

In these days of rage, Brazilians are rebelling against “a growing situation of shortcomings in urban life, with unreliable public transport, a disastrous health system, rampant violence and unbearable traffic, which for years had been offset by the improvement in wages and jobs,” said Ricardo Antunes, a sociologist at the University of Campinas. Two years of low growth and rising prices have unearthed a familiar and crude reality, he added. “Economically, things got better. We can buy

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a car on credit. But the hospitals and schools are terrible. A rich country is not one where everybody has a car but rather one in which a rich man takes the bus,” said one young female protester in Brasilia who did not want to give her name.

Granted, Brazil did reduce poverty levels in a country with a traditionally gaping divide between rich and poor. Even as much as Brazilians dislike politicians, democracy in a country that was ruled as a military dictatorship from 1964 to 1985 was consolidated, said political analyst Ricardo Ribeiro of MCM consultants. “It was not all an illusion,” he said. “The thing is, a lot of problems remained unresolved and these are coming to the surface as the economy worsens.”

Brazil is the world’s football crazed nation par excellence.

So it is somewhat stunning to see people so furious over the high cost of staging the World Cup. When Lula pushed for Brazil to get the Cup and the 2016 Olympics, Brazilians were literally euphoric amid the belief that such vast undertakings would mean big investments in infrastructure, business and tourism. “It all made sense. But a lot of public works never

made it off the drawing board, especially the ones to make it easier to get around in the cities. What ended up getting built were super-expensive stadiums,” said Ribeiro.

And amid all the anger, politicians are taking it on the nose.

People want solutions to their everyday problems. “Enough corruption already,” protesters shouted Thursday in Sao Paulo.

Another slogan was that a united people does not even need political parties. Years of corruption scandals that stained politicians of all stripes, including the Workers Party, blended with anger over meager public services to create “a chasm between civil society and the world of politics,” said Chico Alencar, a lawmaker from a party that formed by breaking away from Lula’s.

The young people crowding the streets of Brazil in recent days “were eight years old when Lula came to power. They did not live through the transition to democracy,” Alencar said. So for them, he said, the Workers Party, in power for a decade and tracing its roots back to social and union movements, “is an institutionalized conservative party.” — AFP

People chant slogans during a demonstration in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, on Friday. — AFP

NEWS

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

Brazil bracing for more unrest Continued from Page 1 “Listening to President Dilma depresses me. It’s a joke. She treats us like idiots on national television,” was one typical comment. “We want dates and times, action.

Promises are not enough,” said another. The protests have been largely peaceful but some have been marred by violence and acts of vandalism, notably in Rio and Brasilia, with two deaths recorded to date.

FIFA welcomed the president’s comments, as did the newspaper O Globo, saying they set “a horizon for a way out of the crisis”. The protests come as Brazil hosts a dry run for the World Cup, called the Confederations Cup. Brazil’s footballers have sided publicly with the protesters and Romario, a World Cup winner with Brazil in 1994 who was elected as a Socialist lawmaker in 2010, warned he believed the country had to shake itself out of its lethargy. “After the Confederations Cup, we are going to have to focus on the World Cup and the person who decides how that goes is the real president of Brazil, which today is FIFA,” said Romario. He added he wanted to “congratulate the Brazilian people for yesterday’s and today’s demonstrations and those still to come” while blasting FIFA for “setting up a circus, not spending a cent and then pocketing everything.”

The watching world, seeing what is being described as a “Tropical Spring” unfold as marchers urge Brazilians to “wake up” and push for reform, are more used to seeing Brazil’s streets awash with revellers at the country’s famed carnivals as well as sporting events in a soccerobsessed nation. But the image currently being beamed around the world is of a country in turmoil as demon-

strations become increasingly fraught, with police resorting to using tear gas and plastic bullets in a bid to keep the protesters at bay.

“People have a right to criticize,” Rousseff said, promising to meet with the leaders of peaceful demonstrations as well as workers and community leaders. But the president warned against further violence. “The government cannot stand by as people attack public property ... and bring chaos to our streets,” she stressed in Friday’s address. Yesterday’s planned protests coincided with the Confederations Cup games including a Italy-Brazil clash yesterday afternoon in Salvador.

In Belo Horizonte, demonstrators planned to march to the Mineirao stadium where Japan faced Mexico.

Authorities have pledged to tighten security there. In Sao Paulo, the Free Pass Movement (MPL) that sparked the nation-wide protests over higher mass transit fares two weeks ago said on its Facebook page that they would go on, even though the increase has been repealed. Some spokespersons for the group had said Friday the rallies were being suspended because some of the protests had turned violent. But MPL says it will press on until public transport is free of charge. “The only way to change life is by fighting,” the Facebook posting said. “The revolution has started. I am with you,” read another posting. “It does not look good for you, Dilma” and “if you don’t sack all the corrupt, we are going to sack you,” were other comments tweeted.

Although the transport fare rises lit the touchpaper, the protests have since mushroomed into a national outcry as Brazilians say they have had enough of years of poor public services and political corruption. — AFP

New intel leaks emerge, Snowden faces...

Continued from Page 1 Snowden, who fled to Hong Kong in May, has since proceeded to leak details of secret US intelligence programs to international media outlets. The Guardian claimed Tempora had been running for 18 months and GCHQ and the NSA were able to access vast quantities of communications between entirely innocent people.

It also said that the intelligence-gathering directly led to the arrest and jailing of a British terror cell, the arrests of others planning acts of terror, and three Londonbased people planning attacks prior to the city’s 2012 Olympic Games.

The Guardian said the documents it had seen showed that by last year, GCHQ was handling 600 million “telephone events” each day, had tapped more than 200 fibre-optic cables and was able to process data from at least 46 of them at a time. The two main components of GCHQ’s surveillance program are called “Mastering the Internet” and “Global Telecoms Exploitation”, the daily said, adding that the operations were all being carried out “without any form of public acknowledgement or debate”. The Guardian added that it understood NSA staff and US private contractors had access to GCHQ databases.

The South China Morning Post has previously quoted Snowden saying there have been more than 61,000 NSA hacking operations globally, targeting powerful “network backbones” that can yield access to hundreds of thousands of individual computers. He said these included hundreds of targets in mainland China and Hong Kong. Snowden told the Post in the report published yesterday that Tsinghua University, which counts China’s President Xi Jinping and previous President Hu Jintao among its graduates, was the target of extensive

hacking by the US. The university, which is home to the mainland’s six major backbone networks from where Internet data from millions of Chinese citizens can be gathered, was breached as recently as January, he said.

In 2009, the NSA also attacked Pacnet, the owner of one of the region’s biggest fibre-optic networks, the Post reported, citing information provided by Snowden.

Pacnet, which is headquartered in Hong Kong and Singapore, owns 46,000 km of fibre and operates in 13 countries, according to its website.

Hong Kong officials remained tight-lipped yesterday as to whether Snowden had been approached by the law enforcement authorities or was still a free man.

Police commissioner Andy Tsang told reporters it was “inconvenient” to disclose details of the case. Shami Chakrabarti, director of Britain-based human rights pressure group Liberty, expressed shock at the latest revelations. “I’m shocked - but not surprised. Clearly they (GCHQ) are exploiting the fact that the Internet is so international in nature,” she told the BBC. “And I’m pretty sad in a democracy when all that appears to be holding back the secret state is its physical and technological capability, and not its ethics or a tight interpretation and application of the law.”

However, former foreign and defence secretary Malcolm Rifkind, the chairman of parliament’s intelligence and security committee, told the BBC that all agencies like GCHQ used the latest technology to gain intelligence. But he added: “If GCHQ wants to know the content of your or my email, they have to go through exactly the same legal procedure of getting a warrant from the secretary of state, regardless of whether they are going to intercept the emails themselves, or whether they are going to ask the NSA or someone else to do it.” — AFP

Man dies after Saudi shootout Continued from Page 1 The Saudi authorities deny charges of discrimination and have said each of those killed since protests began in early 2011 were shot in exchanges of fire. Shiite activists have said some were unarmed protesters shot

during peaceful rallies. Protests and shootings in Qatif have mostly focused on the village of Awamiyah and spiked last summer after the arrest of a prominent cleric. Saudi authorities have accused Shiite Iran of being behind some of the unrest in the area, a charge denied by both Tehran and local activists. — Reuters

A picture taken yesterday shows a full moon over the Mediterranean coastal city of Netanya, north of Tel Aviv. — AFP

FORTALEZA, Brazil: A Brazilian mounted police officer charges against protestors during a demonstration on Friday. — AP

Police use water cannon to disperse Istanbul protesters ISTANBUL: Turkish police used water cannon yesterday to disperse thousands of demonstrators who had gathered anew in Istanbul’s Taksim Square, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Hundreds of riot police backed up by water cannon trucks moved in on several thousand protesters chanting for Erdogan’s dismissal. “This is but a start, the battle continues!” the protesters yelled, throwing red carnations. “It is by resisting that we will prevail!”

The protesters had gathered a week after police evicted thousands of people from the adjacent Gezi Park, the epicentre of nationwide demonstrations that had shaken Turkey for much of June and presented Erdogan and his Islamic-rooted government with the biggest challenge of their decade-long rule. Following the eviction, the protests that had infuriated Erdogan and earned Turkey harsh criticism from the West had fizzled out as the premier claimed victory over “traitors”. “ The people and the AKP (ruling Justice and Development Party) government have foiled the plot... hatched by traitors and their foreign accomplices,” Erdogan said on Tuesday.

Confident he has weathered the storm, he warned against any resurgence of the protests. “From now on, there will be no question of showing any tolerance to people or organisations who engage in violent acts.”

The crisis began when a small campaign to save Gezi Park’s 600 trees from being razed in a redevelopment project was met with a brutal police response on May 31. The violence sparked widespread anger and snowballed into mass demonstrations against Erdogan, seen as increasingly authoritarian, before culminating in another crackdown on Gezi Park. Four people have been killed and nearly 8,000 injured in the turmoil, according to the Turkish Medical Association.

Hundreds have also been arrested across the country in connection with the demonstrations and at least 46 people have been charged, most of them accused of belonging to “terrorist” groups and destruction of

property, according to lawyers groups. Ankara’s handling of the protests has sparked criticism from the West, leading to a flare of tensions with Germany in particular. On Friday, Berlin and Ankara summoned each other’s envoys in tit-for-tat moves. “We cannot deny the tensions,” German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said yesterday after meeting with the Turkish envoy. “We are all trying to reduce them.” “We have to continue the discussions, we are still in the middle of negotiations.”

In Turkey, news channel NT V said Ambassador Eberhard Pohl spent over an hour in his meeting with foreign ministry undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu, but that neither of the two sides had wished to comment on the discussion afterwards. The tensions between Ankara and Berlin flared when on Monday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Turkey’s violent crackdown on the demonstrators had been “much too harsh”. Several days later, it emerged that EU member states failed to reach the necessary consensus on opening a new negotiating chapter with Turkey next week, which could have marked an upswing in ties.

Diplomats said that Germany and the Netherlands expressed “reservations” at the closed-door talks between EU ambassadors. Turkish European Union Affairs Minister Egemen Bagis fumed at the news, placing the blame squarely on Germany, the EU’s top economy with the world’s largest Turkish emigrant community as well as Ankara’s biggest trade partner. “If Merkel is looking for material for her election campaign, it should not be Turkey,” Bagis told reporters, referring to the general election in Germany slated for September.

Turkey’s membership talks officially started in 2005 but so far only one out of 35 chapters has been closed, mainly due to disagreements over Cyprus, which joined the bloc in 2004, as well as serious German doubts about the bid. Separately yesterday, some 80,000 people rallied against Erdogan’s government in the German city of Cologne. — AFP

Syria rebels to get ‘urgent aid’ Continued from Page 1 Sheikh Hamad echoed Kerry’s remarks, saying a peaceful end “cannot be reached unless a balance on the ground is achieved, in order to force the regime to sit down to talks.”

On Thursday, the rebel Free Syrian Army said it was already receiving unspecified new types of arms that could change the course of the battle, while also saying it needed anti-aircraft and anti-tank weapons. The ministers agreed that all military aid provided would be chanelled through the FSA’s Supreme Military Council.

Later yesterday, French President Francois Hollande arrived in Qatar for talks with the emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. He was expected to highlight the “need for trust, clarity and coordination” in backing the rebels, as Qatar is accused of “supporting Syrian opposition groups it does not know,” a French diplomat said.

Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said the ministers demanded that predominantly Shiite Iran and Hezbollah stop meddling in the war by supporting Assad, whose Alawite sect is an offshoot of Shiism.

“We have demanded that Iran and Hezbollah end their intervention in the conflict,” said Fabius. “Hezbollah has played a terribly negative role, mainly in the attack on Qusair,” a strategic town recaptured from rebels this month with the group’s help. We are fully against the internationalisation of the conflict,” he told reporters.

Kerry also accused Assad of an “internationalisation” of the conflict by bringing in Iran and Hezbollah.

And the final communique said that the entry into Syria of militia and fighters that support the regime, a clear reference to Hezbollah, “must be prevented”. The ministers also warned of the “increasing presence and growing radicalism” and “terrorist elements in Syria.” It is “a matter that deepens the concerns for the future of Syria, threatens the security of neighbouring countries and risks destabilising the wider region and the world,” they said. Western powers have hesitated to arm the rebels for fear weapons would fall into the hands of radical elements among them, such as the powerful Al-Nusra Front, which wants to establish an Islamic state in Syria.

Sheikh Hamad also voiced support for a peace conference but insisted there could be no role in the future government for “Assad and aides with bloodstained hands”. He accused Assad’s regime of wanting to block the Geneva conference in order to stay in power, “even if that costs one million dead, millions of displaced and refugees and the destruction of Syria and its partition”.

And the final communique stated that Assad “has no role in the transitional governing body or thereafter”.

On the ground, loyalist forces pressed a fierce fourday assault on rebel-held parts of Damascus, while insurgents launched a new attack on regime-controlled neighbourhoods of second city Aleppo. Yesterday’s developments come as the military pushed on with its bid to end the insurgency in and around Homs in central Syria, said the Observatory. They also come a day after at least 100 people were killed nationwide, it added.

Meanwhile, the United States warned yesterday that it could call on the Taleban to close an office in Qatar unless it shows more commitment to reconciliation in Afghanistan. US special envoy James Dobbins arrived in the Gulf Arab monarchy and was taking part in talks with Qatar alongside Kerry. But Kerry said that the United States was not yet ready to meet the Taleban and accused the rebels of failing to live up to their side of peace efforts. “It is our hope that this could ultimately be an important step in reconciliation if it’s possible. We know that it may well not be possible,” Kerry told reporters in Doha. If the Taleban do not address concerns, “We may have to consider whether or not the office has to be closed”. “It is really up to the Taleban to make that choice,” he said, calling a feud in the past week “the first real test of whether the Taleban are prepared to do their part”.

The rebels opened the mission in Doha on Tuesday under the name the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan”, and raised the white Taleban flag. Afghan President Hamid Karzai angrily opposed the office, seeing the symbolism as representing a government-in-exile for the Taleban, which imposed an austere brand of Islam when it held sway in Kabul from 1996 until its ouster after the Septe 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

President Barack Obama’s administration has supported dialogue with the Taleban as the United States prepares to pull out its 68,000 combat troops from Afghanistan next year, ending the longest-ever US war which has become increasingly unpopular at home.

Yesterday, Karzai met lawmakers and again insisted that the peace process should be led by Afghans. “Peace is a sacred hope for our people. We will continue our efforts for peace and will not allow foreigners to use our peace process for their own ominous ends,” a presidency statement quoted him as saying. Kerry said it was too early to look at Taleban demands such as the release of prisoners. US officials said that Dobbins, the US special envoy on Afghanistan and Pakistan, would lead any potential talks with the Taleban and that Kerry would not participate. Kerry repeatedly praised Qatar, which has played a growing regional role, for hosting the office. — Agencies

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

S P ORTS

Miyazato leads LPGA event

Force leads in Funny Car

Lomachenko weighs career

ROGERS: Mika Miyazato made the most of her return to the LPGA Tour’s NW Arkansas Championship. Miyazato birdied six of 10 holes in the middle of her round on Friday to shoot a 6-under 65 and earn the first-round lead at Pinnacle Country Club.

Miyazato finished in a tie for second at the event last year, missing a 15-foot birdie putt on the final hole to finish a stroke back of winner Ai Miyazato.

The Japanese golfer hit 16 of 18 greens in regulation to finish a shot ahead of So Yeon Ryu and Angela Stanford at 5 under. Ten golfers are two shots back at 4 under, including local favorite Stacy Lewis, who played collegiately at the nearby University of Arkansas.

World No. 1 Inbee Park is four shots off the lead after shooting a 2-under 69.

Lewis enjoyed the largest gallery during the afternoon in front of her Arkansas fans - who serenaded her with a call of “Woo Pig Sooie” after she hit the green on No. 17. The Texas native missed her birdie putt on the hole, but she closed out her round with an up-and-down birdie out of the greenside bunker on the par-5 18th.

The world No. 2 earned an unofficial win at the rain-shortened event as an amateur in 2007, but she hasn’t finished higher than eighth since. She had no such problems on Friday, hitting 13 of 13 fairways. —AP

EPPING: John Force raced to the qualifying lead in Funny Car Friday at the Auto-Plus NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway.

A week after winning his first event in 31 races, Force drove his Ford Mustang to a leading performance of 4.051 seconds at a top speed of 313.44 mph.

If Force’s performance holds through yesterday’s two qualifying sessions, it will be his second No. 1 of the season and 142nd of his career, the most in NHRA history. Eliminations start today.

Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were qualifying leaders in their categories at the 11th of 24 NHRA Drag Racing Series events in 2013.

Kalitta paced the Top Fuel category with a 3.795 at 323.97. Kalitta, who is seeking his first win of 2013, will claim his fourth No.1 qualifier this season and 35th of his career if the time holds.

In Pro Stock, Coughlin took command in the second qualifying session, running 6.533 at 212.43. If it holds, it will be the second No. 1 qualifier this season and 19th of his career.

Smith ran a 6.844 at 196.02 to take the initial top spot in Pro Stock Motorcycle. Should that run maintain the top spot, it would be the second No. 1 qualifier of 2013 for Smith and the 20th for his career. —AP

BEVERLY HILLS: Vasyl Lomachenko is meeting with several top boxing promoters while the two-time Olympic gold medalist considers launching a professional career, his adviser told The Associated Press.

Egis Klimas said Lomachenko is meeting with promotional companies Top Rank, Golden Boy and Main Events. The Ukrainian lightweight star likely will decide whether to turn pro in North America within the next week, Klimas said. “I want to fight the best in the world,” Lomachenko said through a translator Thursday. The 25-year-old Lomachenko is among the greatest amateur boxers of his generation after winning gold medals in Beijing and London, also claiming two world championships in between.

Lomachenko, who competed at 132 pounds in London, fights with an aggressive, athletic style that should make him a popular professional, as evidenced by the attention he’s getting from the world’s top promoters. “He wants to become a pound-for-pound champion,” Klimas said. “He doesn’t want to be on a long track. He wants to fight for a title soon. If we could get a champion today, we would like to fight the champion today. He wants to make something special.”

Oleksandr Usyk, who won the heavyweight Olympic gold for Ukraine last year, is traveling with Lomachenko while contemplating his own pro career as a cruiserweight. Lomachenko and Usyk, who joined Wladimir Klitschko as the only gold medalists in Ukraine’s Olympic boxing history, likely would train in the same gym, Klimas said. Klimas also claimed Lomachenko isn’t under any contractual obligation to the International Boxing Association (AIBA), the governing body over amateur boxing. —AP

Nationals get past Rockies

TORONTO: Munenori Kawasaki No. 66 of the Toronto Blue Jays tags out Danny Valencia No. 35 of the Baltimore Orioles in the seventh inning during MLB game. —AFP

Blue Jays edge Orioles TORONTO: Rajai Davis singled home the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays rallied for their ninth straight win, 7-6 over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night.

Munenori Kawasaki hit his first career home run, a tying two-run shot in the seventh.

Adam Lind and Edwin Encarnacion also connected for the Blue Jays.

Casey Janssen (2-0) worked one inning for the win as Toronto evened its record at 36-36. Brian Matusz (2-1) was the loser.

Chris Davis hit his major league leading 27th home run for the Orioles.

YANKEES 6, RAYS 2 In New York, Zoilo Almonte provided much-needed pop in his first major league start, homering and adding two singles that led the Yankees over the Rays.

Almonte started in place of slumping left fielder Vernon Wells and quickly delivered, a day after getting a pinch single for his first hit. The Yankees won for the third time in 10 games.

David Phelps (5-4) beat Roberto Hernandez (4-8) and the Rays for the second time in a month. Tampa Bay was trying for its first three-game winning streak in June. Phelps gave up two runs in 5 2-3 innings.

INDIANS 5, TWINS 1 In Cleveland, Scott Kazmir allowed one run in seven strong innings and Jason Kipnis drove in three, leading the Indians over Minnesota.

Kazmir (4-4) gave up just a leadoff homer to Brian Dozier in the sixth and four other hits. The left-hander struck out seven, including five in his final two innings.

Kipnis hit a sacrifice fly - to the second baseman - off Samuel Deduno (3-2) in the third and added a two-run single in the seventh as the Indians won their third straight and seventh in nine games since losing eight in a row. The Twins came in riding a three-game winning streak.

RED SOX 10, TIGERS 6 In Detroit, Shane Victorino homered and hit three singles, driving in five runs to lead the Red Sox to a win over the Tigers.

Miguel Cabrera hit a three-run homer for Detroit, which nearly rallied from a 6-1 deficit but couldn’t come through against the Boston bullpen. Jon Lester (7-4) allowed five runs and nine hits in 5 2-3 innings, but he won for the first time in seven starts.

Doug Fister (6-5) allowed six runs and 11 hits in 3 1-3 innings. Andy Dirks also homered for Detroit, and Cabrera had four hits.

WHITE SOX 9, ROYALS 1 In Kansas City, Hector Santiago shut down the Royals’ punchless offense for a career-best eight innings, and the White Sox roughed up Kansas City starter Jeremy Guthrie in a rout.

Dayan Viciedo hit a three-run homer and Alejandro de Aza added a two-run shot for the White Sox, who snapped a three-game skid with their best offensive output in nearly two weeks.

They scored twice in the first inning and five times in the third, when they chased Guthrie (7-5) from the game. Santiago (3-5) gave up just three hits and a walk, and Eric Hosmer’s homer in the sixth represented the only run Santiago has allowed to the Royals in 19 1-3 career innings.

ATHLETICS 6, MARINERS 3 In Seattle, Yoenis Cespedes hit a pair of two-run homers and Bartolo Colon won his seventh straight start to lead the Athletics past the Mariners.

Cespedes homered in the first inning and again in the ninth for his third career multihomer game - all this month. Jed Lowrie and Coco Crisp also went deep for the Athletics, who maintained their onegame lead in the AL West over Texas.

Colon (10-2) gave up three runs and seven hits over eight innings, tying unbeaten Max Scherzer of the Detroit Tigers for most wins in the American League.

Nick Franklin hit a three-run homer for Seattle, which has lost three straight and five of six. Hisashi Iwakuma (7-3) lost at home for the first time this season, giving up four runs and six hits.

INTERLEAGUE PIRATES 5, ANGELS 2 In Anaheim, Gerrit Cole pitched four-hit ball into the seventh inning in his native Orange County, earning his third straight victory to open his major league career in the Pirates win over the Angels.

The Pirates’ 22-year-old right-hander out of Orange Lutheran High School and UCLA dazzled the Angels in his first career road start, repeatedly hitting 100 mph on Angel Stadium’s radar gun. He struck out five and retired 11 straight before Albert Pujols’ leadoff homer in the seventh.

Cole (3-0) outpitched Angels ace Jered Weaver (1-4), who yielded nine hits and four runs over six rocky innings in his fourth straight winless start.

Pedro Alvarez and Jordy Mercer homered in the second inning of the Pirates’ first game in Anaheim since 2007. —AP

Logan Morrison hit his first home run in nearly a year and also had an RBI triple for the Marlins, who haven’t lost in San Francisco since July 28, 2010.

Pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs added a runscoring single in the eighth, when the Marlins rallied against Jake Dunning (0-1).

AJ Ramos (1-2) pitched a 1-2-3 seventh for his first major league win. Steve Cishek earned his 12th save.

WASHINGTON: Stephen Strasburg struck out nine over seven innings, Ian Desmond homered in the seventh and the Washington Nationals beat the slumping Colorado Rockies 2-1 on Friday night.

Making his 14th start of the season, Strasburg (4-6) allowed one run and five hits for his first win since May 31. After DJ LeMahieu’s RBI single in the third, Strasburg kept the Rockies scoreless.

Colorado lost its fifth straight.

Ryan Zimmerman hit a tying double with two outs in the sixth off Rockies starter Tyler Chatwood. Facing reliever Manny Corpas (0-2) leading off the seventh, Desmond swatted a 2-0 pitch to center for his 12th homer. Drew Storen worked the eighth and Rafael Soriano pitched the ninth for his 19th save.

INTERLEAGUE RANGERS 6, CARDINALS 4 In St. Louis, Nelson Cruz snapped a ninth-inning tie with a two-run single through a drawn-in infield and Texas beat St. Louis in the opener of a series between 2011 World Series opponents.

Derek Holland went seven innings after a shaky start and Neal Cotts (4-1) escaped a bases-loaded jam in the eighth when Jon Jay tapped out on a full-count pitch. Joe Nathan finished for his 23rd save in 24 chances. Left fielder David Murphy robbed Carlos Beltran of an extra-base hit and saved a run with a running catch at the wall in left-center to end it.

The game drew a sellout crowd of 45,228 to Busch Stadium, where the Cardinals closed out the 2011 Series with wins in Games 6 and 7. Trevor Rosenthal (1-1) took the loss.

METS 4, PHILLIES 3 In Philadelphia, Juan Lagares hit a goahead double, Jeremy Hefner pitched six effective innings and New York came back from a three-run deficit to beat Philadelphia. Hefner (2-6) gave up three runs - two earned - and 10 hits to help the Mets snap a five-game losing streak against the Phillies.

Eric Young Jr. had two hits, including a two-run single for the Mets, who have won three of four. Scott Rice and Carlos Torres each tossed a hitless inning and Bobby Parnell finished for his 12th save in 15 tries.

Cole Hamels (2-11) blew a 3-0 lead in another disappointing outing for the three-time All-Star. He allowed four runs and seven hits in six innings.

BREWERS 2, BRAVES 0 In Milwaukee, Jean Segura homered and Wily Peralta allowed two hits in seven innings to lead Milwaukee past Atlanta for its second shutout of the season.

Peralta (5-8) won for the second time in his last eight starts, giving up two singles to go with four strikeouts and four walks.

Francisco Rodriguez pitched the eighth and Jim Henderson the ninth for his 10th save. Segura finished with three hits, including his 11th homer, and Norichika Aoki added three singles after the birth of his son Thursday. Atlanta was shut out for the 10th time and lost for the fourth time in five games. Julio Teheran (5-4) gave up two runs and eight hits in 6 1-3 innings.

DIAMONDBACKS 11, REDS 5 In Phoenix, Paul Goldschmidt homered twice and Arizona beat Cincinnati in Johnny Cueto’s worst outing in three seasons.

Goldschmidt drove in three runs to raise his NL-leading RBI total to 65. Gerardo Parra hit a leadoff home run for the Diamondbacks and Jason Kubel tied his career high with four hits.

Kubel doubled in a run and scored twice. Cueto (4-1) went 4 1-3 innings and allowed seven runs, his most since Milwaukee scored eight against him on Sept. 22, 2010. The 11 hits off him matched his career worst.

Jay Bruce hit his 150th career home run for the Reds. Joey Votto drove in two runs with a long homer and a double. Will Harris (1-0) got one out in relief of starter Wade Miley. Goldschmidt has four home runs in four games and 19 for the year, one fewer than he had last season.

PADRES 5, DODGERS 2 In San Diego, Chris Denorfia and Chase Headley each had two RBIs as San Diego touched up Los Angeles ace Clayton Kershaw.

Four relievers shut down the Dodgers after Clayton Richard left two pitches into his start with shoulder pain. Tim Stauffer (1-

CUBS 3, ASTROS 1 In Chicago, Matt Garza pitched into the ninth inning and Anthony Rizzo hit his first home run since May 18 to lead Chicago over Houston after a rain delay that lasted 3 hours, 18 minutes.

Darwin Barney and Scott Hairston also homered for the Cubs, who had lost four of five. Barney was a triple short of the cycle.

The subject of trade speculation, Garza (2-1) allowed four hits and struck out eight for his first win since beating Arizona on May 31. The right-hander walked Jose Altuve to begin the ninth and was replaced by Kevin Gregg, who earned his 11th save in 11 tries.

Chris Carter broke up Garza’s shutout bid with his 15th homer in the seventh.

Dallas Keuchel (4-4) gave up three runs and nine hits in six innings. Houston had won six of eight. —AP

WASHINGTON: Rafael Soriano No. 29 of the Washington Nationals pitches in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Nationals Park. —AFP MARLINS 6, GIANTS 3 In San Francisco, Marcell Ozuna hit a go-ahead single in the eighth inning after tying it with an RBI single in the sixth, and Miami beat San Francisco for its ninth straight win at AT&T Park.

Ozuna also threw out Andres Torres trying to stretch a sixth-inning double into a triple. Torres left the game and was having X-rays on his right knee after a hard slide on the play.

0) gave up one run in four innings for his first win since Sept. 16, 2011, and Huston Street secured his 15th save in 16 chances.

The surging Padres are an NL-best 13-7 in June. San Diego has won eight straight at Petco Park and nine of its last 11 overall.

The Dodgers have lost nine of 12.

Kershaw (5-5) allowed four runs and seven hits in six innings, dropping to 0-3 with a 4.67 ERA in three starts against San Diego this season.

MLB results/standings Chicago Cubs 3, Houston 1; Cleveland 5, Minnesota 1; NY Yankees 6, Tampa Bay 2; Washington 2, Colorado 1; NY Mets 4, Philadelphia 3; Toronto 7, Baltimore 6; Boston 10, Detroit 6; Chicago White Sox 9, Kansas City 1; Milwaukee 2, Atlanta 0; Texas 6, St. Louis 4; Arizona 11, Cincinnati 5; Pittsburgh 5, LA Angels 2; Oakland 6, Seattle 3; San Diego 5, LA Dodgers 2; Miami 6, San Francisco 3.

Boston Baltimore NY Yankees Tampa Bay Toronto

American League Eastern Division W L 45 31 42 32 40 33 38 36 36 36

PCT .592 .568 .548 .514 .500

GB 2 3.5 6 7

Atlanta Washington Philadelphia NY Mets Miami

National League Eastern Division 43 32 37 36 35 39 29 41 24 49

.573 .507 .473 .414 .329

5 7.5 11.5 18

Central Division 47 27 44 30 44 31 30 42 30 42

.635 .595 .587 .417 .417

3 3.5 16 16

Western Division 40 33 38 36 37 36 37 38 30 42

.548 .514 .507 .493 .417

2.5 3 4 9.5

Central Division Detroit 40 32 Cleveland 37 35 Kansas City 34 37 Minnesota 33 37 Chicago White Sox 30 41

.556 .514 .479 .471 .423

3 5.5 6 9.5

St. Louis Pittsburgh Cincinnati Chicago Cubs Milwaukee

Western Division 44 32 42 32 33 41 32 43 28 47

.579 .568 .446 .427 .373

1 10 11.5 15.5

Arizona San Diego San Francisco Colorado LA Dodgers

Oakland Texas LA Angels Seattle Houston

Montoya looking for big finish at Sonoma SONOMA: The pressure if off Juan Pablo Montoya to win at Sonoma Raceway, where his road course background has created an expectation for him to win every year.

As he inches closer to finally winning on an oval track, the annual stop at the 1.99-mile road course has become less stressful. Montoya has four top-10s in six career starts at Sonoma, where he won his first career Sprint Cup race in 2007.

“We’ve been running really good on ovals, but I’m excited to come here and see how we run,” Montoya said Friday. “I

think it’s exciting to come here because first we’ve got a shot at a win, worstcase scenario we can score a lot of points. We’ve got to make sure we execute and do our things right and see what happens.”

Montoya arrived at Sonoma ranked 22nd in the standings, having made a slow climb behind stronger finishes in the last eight races. He’s got three top10 finishes and contended for wins at Richmond and Dover. He wound up second to Tony Stewart at Dover, where some wondered if the fiery Montoya had mellowed because he didn’t put

up a fight when Stewart passed him for the win. The common thinking was the old Montoya might have wrecked Stewart to preserve a victory.

“Or old Stewart would have put the old Montoya in the wall. It’s a two-way street,” Montoya said. But it wasn’t a fight worth having with Stewart, who Montoya said had a much faster car.

“They told me he was coming on the bottom and he was making time on the bottom,” Montoya said. “All I can do is go by what I know. Yeah, I could have been more aggressive maybe for a corner. But I know if I would have

moved up, with the way my car was driving, he would have cleared me on the bottom. If I would have blocked him and tried to run high, the way my car was driving, his car would have passed me halfway through the corner like no problem. I knew my best chance was try to come off the corner as good as I could. That’s all I could do.

“I’m like ‘I can either wreck here trying to protect that when I know I’m not good enough right now and take second and go home happy, or I can finish 30th with two laps to go,’ “ Montoya continued. “I decided to take the

smarter way.”

That doesn’t mean Montoya doesn’t want to win. He admitted Friday he’s starving for a victory - the last of his two career Sprint Cup wins was in 2010 at Watkins Glen - but is focusing on making the 12-driver Chase for the Sprint Cup championship field.

“It’s hard because I think we’re still in a position where we can make it on points, top 10,” Montoya said. “I want to win badly, but I want to make the Chase even more badly. We’ve got to take chances to win, but we’ve got to take more chances to score big.” —AP

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

S P ORTS

Coaches on spot for final games of Stanley Cup CHICAGO: They keep tinkering, each of them, looking for any advantage they can find. Claude Julien made a line change in Game 2 that led to a victory for the Boston Bruins. A couple of subtle adjustments by Joel Quenneville helped the Chicago Blackhawks get a big win in Game 4.

Back and forth it goes. While the Bruins and Blackhawks compete on the ice, two former NHL defensemen are trying to become the 14th coach with at least two Stanley Cup titles.

“They’ve got a role to play, just like we do as players,” Chicago forward Patrick Sharp said Friday. “Ultimately it’s going to be decided on the ice, but our coaching staff, the Bruins as well, they have a lot to say with what goes on.”

They’ve already had an impact. And the next move, along with the response from the other bench, could be a deciding factor in who wins this tight series between two of the NHL’s most beloved franchises. The Blackhawks’ 6-5 overtime victory in Boston on Wednesday made it a split of the first

four games. The series resumes on Saturday night in Chicago, with the rest of league’s coaching fraternity enjoying the chess match between two of its most accomplished members.

“What has been fun to watch is, neither guy is hoping for chemistry to develop,” St. Louis Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said.

“They’re not sitting on a combination.

They’re moving guys around to try to find something and their proactive approaches have been one of the great things about the series.”

Quenneville’s team appeared to be in trouble heading into Game 4. The Bruins controlled the last part of a 2-1 overtime victory in Game 2, stealing home-ice advantage from Chicago, and shut down the Blackhawks in a 2-0 victory Monday night that put Boston up 2-1 in the finals.

Looking for an offensive spark, Quenneville put captain Jonathan Toews back on the same line with Patrick Kane ahead of Game 4. Toews responded with his second goal of the playoffs, and Kane had a

goal and an assist. The Blackhawks’ defensemen also were more active in the offensive zone, with Brent Seabrook scoring the winning goal.

Shortly after the series-tying victory, Quenneville still managed to poke fun at himself when asked about putting Toews and Kane together again.

“Maybe it looks like I didn’t know what I was doing,” he said with a chuckle. The moment of levity in the middle of a taut series was a prime example of why Quenneville has been so successful in his third stint as a head coach in the NHL. “I think he’s always been the same guy,” defenseman Duncan Keith said. “I think you always know what you’re going to get with him and I think that’s probably the biggest thing for us, why we have success. He’s level-headed, brings that even-keel attitude to the team.”

The Bruins were struggling on the second night of the series when Julien put Chris Kelly, Daniel Paille and Tyler Seguin together on the same line, and they were

responsible for both of Boston’s goals in a victory that gave the Bruins a split of the first two games in Chicago.

“I think Claude has always been leading the same way and kind of coaching the same way,” center Patrice Bergeron said. “I think a little adjustment during the series is a little different because you’re playing the same team over and over again. So it’s about little tweaks here and there and I think the whole coaching staff is good at that.”

Boston has made it to the playoffs in each of Julien’s six seasons in charge, and two more victories would make it two Stanley Cup titles in three seasons. It also won it all in 2011, coming back to beat Vancouver in seven games after losing the first two of the series.

The same relentless approach that helped the Bruins overcome the Canucks two years ago popped up again when they staged an improbable rally in the third period of a 5-4 victory over Toronto in Game 7 of the first round of this year’s postseason.

It’s no coincidence that the occasionally feisty Julien was behind the bench for each victory.

“I’ve always said I’ve got to be comfortable; in order to be comfortable, I’ve got to be myself,” the 53-year-old Julien said. “As a player, I felt things. As a coach, I kind of remember those things. At the same time, when you are the coach, you are the guy that gives the direction so it’s a fine line.”

Quenneville, who turns 55 in September, coached the Blackhawks to the best record in the NHL in his fifth season in Chicago.

Under his leadership, the Blackhawks ended a 49-year drought when they won the Cup in 2010.

Like Julien, Quenneville’s coaching style also is influenced by his playing career. “As a player, it’s way more fun being a player than a coach,” he said. “But at the same time, really enjoyed coaching in the different places I’ve been as a coach. I just think I’ve been fortunate to work with some great people, some great organizations. I’ve learned from some great people along the way.” —AP

Tour de France: Sporting fact or doping fiction?

Judah Abu Al-Noor presenting Al-Ahram’s Key to Sheikh Talal Al-Mohammad.

Sheikh Talal Al-Fahad with the Public Relations Committee.

Kuwait Mini World Futsal Club Tourney One of Egypt’s newspaper selected the Chairman of the Higher organizing Committee of Kuwait Mini World Futsal Club Tournament, President of the Asian Bowling Federation as the best Arab sports personality during this season for his work in his capacity and his organization of KMWFCT. Head of the Arab news Judah Abu AlNoor who was in Kuwait and attended the draw, presented Al-Ahram Key to Sheikh Talal Al-Mohammad, which is only presented to heads of state, and this marks the first time to be presented to a sports personality.

Al-Ahram’s Chairman of the Board Mamdouh Al-Wali invited Sheikh Talal AlMohammad to Cairo to be honored.

Sheikh Talal said the selection is that of Kuwait sports which has sports leaders who are able to make achievements. He said I

was working for one goal which is to make achievements in the name of Kuwait and have Kuwait always in front and a pioneer as HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad called for. Judah Abu Al-Noor presented a memento to the manager of Fustal tournament Khalid Habeeb in appreciation of his instrumental efforts in organizing the draw ceremony which was appreciated by all those who attended it.

Meanwhile the French company that started the installation of the playing floor on Wednesday will complete the installation under the supervision of the technical committee of the Asian Football Association.

The Australian company which will organize the opening ceremony will start installation of equipment to be followed with trials by the end of this month.

Sheikha Naeemah Al-Ahmad congratulates Sheikh Talal Al-Mohammad.

The floor being installed.

PARIS: Ahead of its 100th running starting next Saturday, the Tour de France remains a fantastic idea.

Asking riders to pedal around Western Europe’s largest country and up and down some of its tallest mountains for three weeks is still zany and whimsical enough to be interesting.

But is the Tour still worth taking seriously as a sports event? The fall of Lance Armstrong in the past year, along with other dopers who ruined the credibility of cycling and its showcase race, has opened that question to debate like never before.

From the outset in 1903, when journalist Geo Lefevre and his editor Henri Desgrange, hatched the idea of an endurance race around France to boost sales of their newspaper, L’Auto, the Tour has always been part-publicity stunt, part-genuine sporting contest.

Then, as now, it sucked in spectators with the theater both gruesome and inspiring of men made to suffer on bicycles.

And even now, at the sport’s nadir, the Tour’s essential charms to fans and sponsors remain the same: roads, mountains, the beauty of France and men willing to push themselves to extremes.

The timing alone - in July when much of France is either vacationing or thinking about it - makes it more than likely that the Tour will be still be around for its 200th edition.

The competition is always colorful if not always believable, a fun excuse for sleepy villages to come alive and a free summer spectacle for holiday-makers. The millions of people who line the route largely don’t seem to care how many riders are pumped up on banned drugs and blood transfusions.

Just as long as they see the spandex-clad racers zoom by and get a good picnic spot and freebies from sponsors, whose floats precede the riders, tossing out sweets, cheap sunhats and bite-size packs of cured sausage. Tour spectators, surveys suggest, make a day of it, often coming in groups and spending six or more hours by the side of the road.

Their presence and media coverage in a month when other sports, including soccer, are largely dormant means the Tour remains worthwhile for sponsors, which argues for it continuing to hold a special place in athletic calendar.

French lottery and gaming operator La FranÁaise des Jeux spends euro 9.5 million ($12.5 million) per year on the cycling team that bears its name. But in French television and newspaper publicity, it recouped nearly that same amount from the team at the 2012 Tour, when its rider Thibaut Pinot finished 10th and won stage eight, said FDJ sponsorship director Thierry Huguenin.

Nestle Waters’ sponsorship manager, Francoise Bresson, said it spends 3 million to 5 million euros ($4 million to $6.5 million) each year to have its Vittel brand plastered over the end of each day’s stage, generating publicity in France and overseas that otherwise might have cost at least 10 times that amount to buy. The Tour makes a profit for its owners, ASO, but the company won’t say how much. “For its 100th edition, it is in rude health,” Bresson said in an interview about the Tour. “Doping has no or little impact. The sporting exploits dominate and the festive dimension. In these times of crisis, there aren’t that many free sporting events which are a pleasure for the spectators.”

Doping also isn’t new to the Tour.

The intense physicality of the race long encouraged it. As far back as 1924, the Pelissier brothers, Henri and Francis, were telling famed French journalist Albert Londres that they dosed up on cocaine, chloroform and assorted pills.

“In short,” said Francis, “we run on

‘dynamite.’” Armstrong might have scoffed at that. Dynamite?

Amateurs. By 1999, when he and his US Postal Service teammates hijacked the Tour, riders had become lab rats. Drops of testosterone, shots of cortisone, human growth hormone to help build muscle. Transfusions of blood and injections of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the body to produce oxygen-bearing red blood cells and is used in medicine to treat anemia.

Engrained, widespread and relatively risk-free because drug testing was so poor, doping became more of a necessity than a choice in professional cycling.

he finally confessed, after years of lawyer-backed denials, that he doped for all seven of his Tour wins from 1999-2005.

Those titles have now been stripped from him and not reattributed, blowing a hole in the Tour’s roll of honor as large as that left by World War II. Armstrong, his doping peers and cycling’s woeful failure to unmask them earlier blew even larger holes in the credibility of the sport and its administrators.

The ultimately bogus tale of the cancer survivor who conquered the Tour with willpower and sweat had drawn new interest and fans to what had mainly been a European

PARIS: In this July 26, 2009 file photo, Mark Cavendish of Britain reacts as he crosses the finish line to win the 21st stage of the Tour de France cycling race. The Tour de France, which starts next Saturday, June 29, 2013, remains a fantastic idea, not old even as it is put into practice for the 100th time. —AP

Lance Armstrong Scientists estimated at least 80 percent of riders in the grand tours of France, Spain and Italy were manipulating their blood. It became as routine as “saying we have to have air in our tires or water in our bottles,” Armstrong told interviewer Oprah Winfrey this January, when

sport and its most famous race.

Now that the US Anti-Doping Agency has jimmied open the secrets Armstrong kept hidden for so long, how many fans have been lost to cycling forever?

“What is disappointing is the amount of people that say, ‘You

know, look, I’ve lost faith in it, I don’t believe in it anymore. Because, you know, fool me once, fool you. Fool me twice, fool me,’” Jaimie Fuller, owner of sportswear manufacturer and cycling sponsor Skins, said in an interview. “People really felt let down about the fact that it just keeps biting us.”

How many riders are still doping? Only they know. Cycling’s antidoping program is more believable than it was when Armstrong was cheating with impunity. Cycling teams, race organizers, the sport’s governing body and even the riders themselves fund the drug testing that is arguably more rigorous than that faced by professionals in tennis, the NBA, the NFL or Major League Baseball. Riders in the top tier of teams were tested an average of nearly 12 times in 2012.

But no one is foolish enough to say all dopers have been weeded out. In May at Italy’s grand tour, the Giro d’Italia, Vini Fantini teammates Mauro Santambrogio and Danilo Di Luca tested positive for EPO. Alexander Serebryakov also was positive for EPO in a test in March.

Another Russian, Nikita Novikov, tested positive for a muscle-building drug in May. Their respective teams - Euskaltel-Euskadi and Vacansoleil - are among the 22 riding the Tour.

Optimists say such incidents demonstrate that cycling is now doing more than other sports to confound cheats, not that it has more cheats.

“You only find what you look for,” Tour director Christian Prudhomme said in an interview. “When the police catch thieves, we congratulate them. When cycling catches cheats, people say, ‘there are still things going on.’”

Fuller said that, “If I had to put numbers on it, my intuition tells me that six or seven years ago it was probably 90 percent of the peloton (that was doping), 80 to 90 percent.

Today? I don’t know, might be 20 percent, might be 15 percent. Is that good progress? Yes. Is it enough? No.” Some sponsors have already bailed out. Dutch lender Rabobank ended 17 years of cycling sponsorship last October, pulling 15 million euros ($20 million) per year from the team that bore its name. The bank said it was no longer convinced that cycling can clean up.

Auto manufacturer Nissan disassociated its name from another team that used to employ Johan Bruyneel, Armstrong’s mentor identified by USADA and his ex-teammates as one of the organizers of systematic doping on their US Postal and Discovery Channel squads.

The HTC-Highroad team folded at the end of 2011. Owner Bob Stapleton told cycling reporters that the investigations into Armstrong and into Alberto Contador, the Spanish rider stripped of his victory at the 2010 Tour for failing doping controls, featured in all his discussions with potential sponsors.

“This has been a hard period for cycling, anyone who denies that is off their rocker,” said Jonathan Vaughters, a former Postal teammate of Armstrong’s who now runs the Garmin-Sharp cycling team.

“The bad news has hit and hit hard, and we’ve had to deal with it.”

“It should have been dealt with a decade ago. It wasn’t, so we had to deal with it now. And that’s good. I think that sends the correct message, to fans, to the athletes, to the teams that, ‘You know what? Even if you think you might get away with it, you won’t, because it can come back 10 years later and still find you.’

“The sport has been forced to digest the reality of its past and that’s good,” he added. “Sometimes you need surgery to get the wound to heal and I think that’s been the case here.” —AP

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

S P ORTS Photo of the day

England-India dream final too close to call BIRMINGHAM: Reigning World Cup holders India clash with hosts England in an intriguing Champions Trophy oneday final today that promises to be a thriller.

The sold-out game at Edgbaston will please organisers and fans alike as a finale to what has been billed as the last edition of the eight-nation tournament before it is replaced by a Test championship in 2017. The final, worth $2 million to the winners and $1 million to the

the final with three wins out of four, including a seven-wicket defeat of South Africa in the semi-final at the Oval in London.

Few would hazard to predict the outcome of the dream final between a young and ruthless Indian side and a typically gritty England in front of boisterous supporters from both sides.

If the weather holds-light rain has been forecast for Sunday-a classic contest in in store between India’s batting

BIRMINGHAM: Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni listens to questions during a press conference at Edgbaston a day ahead of the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy Final cricket match against England. —AFP runners-up, will be contested by teams who’ve justified their status as the topranked one-day sides in the world.

India, winners of the World Cup at home in 2011, proved worthy of their number one ranking by cruising to the final with four straight wins-the last three by emphatic eight-wicket margins.

Second-ranked England, looking for their first major one-day title, made it to

firepower and the crafty seam and spin attack of the hosts.

Left-handed opener Shikhar Dhawan has taken the tournament by storm with 332 runs in four matches at an average of 110.66, making him the competition’s leading scorer.

Dhawan’s scores of 114, 102 not out, 48 and 68, which leave him a strong contender for the player of the tournament award, and valuable opening

stands with Rohit Sharma have boosted India at the top of the order.

Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja has been the pick of the bowlers with 10 wickets-joint-second in the tournament with England spearhead James Anderson behind New Zealander Mitchell McClenaghan’s 11 scalps.

Jadeja and fellow-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin have been backed admirably by the three-pronged seam attack of Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav in containing opposition batsmen. “We have played with the consistency and passion we wanted to at the start of the tournament,” delighted India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said. “But the final will always be a huge challenge.”

England, who begin an eagerlyanticipated Ashes series against Australia next month, will be desperate to bag a major one-day international (ODI) title after suffering defeats in three World Cup finals in 1979, 1987 and 1992, as well as losing the 2004 Champions Trophy final to the West Indies at the Oval.

Their batting revolves around skipper Alastair Cook, Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott, who has answered critics of his perceived slow scoring in the ODI game by emerging as England’s highest rungetter in the tournament with 209 runs.

But the hosts’ hopes will rest on how well the brilliant Anderson and his newball partners, Stuart Broad and Steven Finn, are able to contain the Indian batting. Off-spinner James Tredwell, whose three for 19 in seven overs wrecked South Africa in the semi-final and won him the man-of-the-match award, has ensured England do not miss the injured Graeme Swann. England have lost eight of their last 10 one-day internationals against Dhoni’s men, but all of them were on Indian soil.

When India last played in England in 2011, they were not only blanked 4-0 in the Test series, but lost the one-dayers 3-0. A World Cup game in Bangalore in 2011 between the two sides ended in a sensational tie. —AFP

CROMWELL: Bubba Watson tees off from the 7th hole during the second round of the 2013 Travelers Championship. —AFP

Watson takes control as Harrington lurks CROMWELL: Big-hitting American Bubba Watson took control of the Travelers Championship, fashioning a two-shot lead after Friday’s second round at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut. Watson, the 2010 winner of the event, shot a three-under 67 to move to 10-under 130, two shots clear of Ireland’s triple major champion Padraig Harrington (66) and PGA Tour rookie Patrick Reed (66).

Australian Nick O’Hern (66) was in a share of fourth place with Americans Hunter Mahan (71), Tommy Gainey (67) and Tag Ridings (65) at sevenunder.

Watson backed up his openinground 63 with four birdies and a bogey and despite taking a solid advantage into the weekend claimed his game was a little off.

“It was a struggle and I just had to

play it in safe,” the former Masters champion told reporters. “I just didn’t feel it today, body, whatever it is, you know waking up early I just didn’t feel 100 percent so I just hung it together, just tried to play to the fat of the greens, play smart and try to take all the trouble out of play.”

Overnight leader Charley Hoffman was four shots off the pace after a three-over 73 that included a doublebogey, three bogeys and two birdies.

Harrington carded a second successive 66 but was not exactly flush with confidence despite being well placed going into the final two rounds. “I’m not buzzing with confidence out there,” Harrington said. “I’m very pleased with the score but my score is flattering, given how I played a little bit, I holed some long putts out there so I feel like I need to play a bit better on the weekend. I can’t always

rely on holing 20-25 footers.”

Major winners Keegan Bradley (65) and Webb Simpson (69) sit just four shots off the pace while last week’s US Open winner Justin Rose (68) was a further shot back at five-under.

With Zach Johnson also five back, six major champions sit inside the top 12 of a neatly stacked leaderboard.

“Getting up this morning was a tough one, the night was very very short,” Rose said. “Tomorrow is an important day to just keep the momentum going, keep the adrenaline going for Sunday and try to make something happen.”

Among those to miss the cut were former US Open winner Lucas Glover, former Masters champions Mike Weir and Trevor Immelman, Belgian Ryder Cup player Nicolas Colsaerts and former Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III. —Reuters

Aaron Colton performs during his show in La Paz, Bolivia. —www.redbullcontentpool.com

Beale misses late penalty as Lions clinch first test BRISBANE: Australia’s Kurtley Beale slipped over and missed a dramatic last-minute penalty to hand the British and Irish Lions a thrilling 23-21 first test victory at Lang Park yesterday.

The Lions had led from the 26th minute when winger George North scored the first of their two tries but Israel Folau’s brace in a brilliant test debut had kept the Wallabies in touch.

Beale, who had played little more than half an hour of senior rugby in the last four months as he battled alcohol problems, had come on as a replacement for one of three Wallabies backs who were taken off the pitch on a stretcher.

The 24-year-old was unable to steal the victory for the home side, however, losing his footing as he ran up to attempt a penalty from 46 metres with seconds remaining.

“It was way too close for comfort.

The last 20 minutes was so hard, we really had to dig in,” Lions skipper Sam Warburton said in a pitchside interview. “Only half the job done.”

The Lions, roared on by at least half the stadium record 52,499 crowd, also had a try from winger Alex Cuthbert, while Leigh Halfpenny added 13 points with the boot to keep the tourists on course for a first series victory since 1997.

“We knew it was going to be tight,” said Lions coach Warren Gatland. “In all, not the prettiest performance but I think it was a victory we deserved.”

The winner of a first Lions test nearly always takes the series but the home side will take heart from the fact that the exceptions have been in Australia, where the tourists rallied to win in 1989 and the Wallabies came back to triumph in 2001.

“It was very frustrating but I’m proud of the effort we put in,” said Australia coach Robbie Deans. “It was a courageous performance that would stack up alongside any but it disappointing not to get the reward.”

As expected, the match was a bruising encounter from the off and Wallabies centre Christian Lealiifano’s test debut was ended after less than a minute by a head injury sustained in tackling Jonathan Davies.

Lealiifano had been the nominated place kicker and when Lions centre Brian O’Driscoll was twice penalised at the breakdown and the Wallabies had the chance to open the scoring, O’Connor missed both penalties.

The Lions hit back with a huge shove to win a penalty at the second scrum and kicked for touch before running through around twenty phases deep inside the Wallabies half.

The Australians held firm through a penalty advantage and then won

one of their own on their 22 metre line after 14 minutes, Genia taking a quick tap and setting off up the field.

The scrumhalf turned his opposite number Mike Phillips inside and out and kept going before just about getting the ball onto his foot for a wild grubber kick which Folau gathered to sprint across the line. Halfpenny cut the deficit by three points 10 minutes later and North, a doubt for the match earlier in the week because of a hamstring strain, soon gave the

opened up in front of him.

O’Connor missed the conversion the Wallabies left 14 points on the kicking tee during the match - and to make matters worse, the hosts lost fullback Barnes to a head injury, allowing Beale to enter the fray. His first duties were defensive as the Lions charged back into the Wallabies half with a break up the middle from prop Alex Corbisiero taking them within a couple of metres of the home side’s line.

BRISBANE: Australian captain James Horwill (right) tackles British and Irish Lions player Leigh Halfpenny (bottom) during their rugby union match. —AFP tourists the lead.

Berrick Barnes launched an upand-under and North swallowed it up, swerving past the tackle of O’Connor, storming through a huge gap in the defence before rounding Barnes and pulling away to score. The Welshman nearly had a second try in the same corner three minutes later but Folau’s tackle just forced his elbow into touch before he could ground the ball. Halfpenny made no mistake with the consolation penalty to put the Lions 13-7 up.

If it was to be a battle between two powerful wingers, Folau was not done yet and two minutes later he had his brace.

Genia’s loop in the midfield gave Australia an extra man but when the ball found Folau on the wing, he apparently had nowhere to go.

In an echo of Jason Robinson’s try for the Lions in Brisbane in 2001, though, Folau’s step took him past Jonny Sexton, his power through the tackle of Halfpenny and the line

The Wallabies infringed at the subsequent ruck but Halfpenny missed only his second placekick on the tour and the Lions had to be satisfied with a 13-12 halftime lead.

Seven minutes into the second half, the Australians lost a third back, Pat McCabe, to a neck injury forcing flanker Michael Hooper to move into the centres where he started his career.

His first contribution in the backline was a flailing tackle that missed Alex Cuthbert as the Lions winger burst through the midfield and beat two more defenders to touch down.

O’Connor and then Beale kicked penalties for the home side before Halfpenny slotted his third to give the Lions a 23-18 lead with 15 minutes to go.

Beale then added his second penalty, set up by his own break up the middle, but shanked a third with five minutes remaining to keep the Lions just ahead for the dramatic climax. —Reuters

New Zealand sweep France to win series 3-0 NEW PLYMOUTH: New Zealand flyhalf Daniel Carter kicked 14 points as the All Blacks ground out a flattering 24-9 victory over France in New Plymouth yesterday to complete a 3-0 series sweep.

The All Blacks, near perfect in their 30-0 win in Christchurch a week ago, lacked the same level of execution against a fired-up France, who were let down in the final 10 minutes when lock Yoann Maestri was sin-binned for an

apparent head butt.

Ben Smith and Beauden Barrett added tries for the home side, who won the first match 23-13 in Eden Park, while France scrumhalf Jean-Marc Doussain slotted two penalties and centre Florian Fritz added a drop goal.

Neither side were able to stamp any authority on the game with the All Blacks attempting to revert to a high-tempo style with quick ball and runners wide of the ruck to

stretch the defence.

France, however, showed a greater intensity than they had in the last two weeks and were unlucky not to have held the halftime lead after some wayward goalkicking by Doussain, who missed two penalties. The visitors had taken an eighth-minute lead when Fritz landed a drop goal, only for Carter to level the scores with a penalty eight minutes later.

Doussain and Carter then combined

to miss three penalties before the All Blacks finally broke down a resilient French defensive line when Smith was put into space by fullback Israel Dagg, who drifted across field and cut out three defenders with a long pass that allowed the winger to slide over.

Doussain was finally successful with his third penalty attempt, though the ball ricocheted over the crossbar off an upright to ensure they went into the interval trailing 8-6.

The French scumhalf gave his side the lead shortly after the break before Carter added three second half penalties before replacement Barrett, playing on his home ground, scored a lastminute try on the counter following some superb work by Smith.

The All Blacks next play Australia in their first test of the southern hemisphere’s Rugby Championship in Sydney on Aug. 17, while France host New Zealand in Paris on Nov. 9. —Reuters

19

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

SPORTS

Vesnina, Lopez sail to Eastbourne titles

IOWA: Tyson Gay poses with a flag after winning the Men’s 100 Meter on day two of the 2013 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.—AFP

Gay sprints to year’s fastest 100m IOWA: Tyson Gay overcame Olympic bronze medallist Justin Gatlin’s quicker start and sped to the year’s fastest 100 metres, clocking 9.75 seconds at the U.S. trials for the world championships on Friday. Fully fit for the first time in years, Gay took control mid-race with a dominant run to equal the 10th fastest 100m of all time. Gatlin finished second in 9.89 seconds in the race at Des Moines, Iowa.

“It’s been five years since I have been the U.S. champion and it feels good to be back on the podium,” said Gay, beset by injuries since winning both sprint titles at the 2007 world championships.

“I’m not as sharp as I could be but I’m healthy so that’s all that counts,” said Gay, who ran another 9.75, this one wind-assisted, in the semi-finals. Gatlin, who surprised Jamaican world record holder Usain Bolt in Rome earlier in the month, said he was affected by a strained right hamstring.

“It felt good running 9.8 with a bandage on,” said the 2004 Olympic gold medallist who narrowly edged Gay for the bronze medal at last summer’s London Games.

Charles Silmon grabbed the third spot on the U.S. team for the Aug. 10-18 world championships by edging Mike Rodgers by two thousandths of a second. Silmon ran 9.972 and Rodgers 9.974.

Collegiate champion English Gardner

came on strong to win the women’s 100 in another year-best time, 10.85 seconds, and Olympian Sharon Day delivered the top heptathlon score of the season, 6,550 points. Gardner, now coached by John Smith, edged Octavious Freeman (10.87) with Alexandria Anderson grabbing third (10.91). Haitian-born Barbara Pierre struggled to finish fifth after setting the world lead of 10.85 in the semi-finals that Gardner equalled.

The 100m hurdlers also flexed their speed, with collegiate record holder Brianna Rollins blitzing to an eye-catching but wind-assisted 12.33 seconds in qualifying. Queen Harrison added a wind-assisted 12.44 seconds, hometown Olympian Lolo Jones clocked a wind-allowable 12.50 seconds. The 2008 Beijing gold medallist Dawn Harper won her preliminary in a wind-assisted 12.60. World record holder Ashton Eaton, taking a “play it safe” approach, trailed Gunnar Nixon after the first day of the decathlon with 4,405 points.

Nixon had 4,449. Beijing Olympic gold medallist Lashawn Merritt led 400m qualifying in 44.36 seconds but London winner Sanya Richards-Ross, hampered by toe surgery, barely slipped into Saturday’s women’s final as the next-to-last qualifier.

She ran 51.53 with Francena McCorory the leader at 50.53.—Reuters

EASTBOURNE: Elena Vesnina and Feliciano Lopez defied chilly, blustery conditions to capture their first career grasscourt titles at the Eastbourne International yesterday.

Unseeded Vesnina of Russia claimed her second WTA title with a 6-2 6-1 defeat of Jamie Hampton while Lopez, a threetime Wimbledon quarter-finalist, beat French second seed Gilles Simon 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (5/7), 6-0 in a dress rehearsal of their Wimbledon first-round clash next week.

The Spaniard now owns three titles, his third coming nine years after his first. He won with 16 aces and forced Simon to save 17 of the 21 break points he faced.

“It’s funny to play the same guy in three days,” said Lopez, 31.

“But this is tennis, and sometimes these things can happen. I can take feedback from that into Tuesday. I’m very happy to win my third title. It’s a great feelinggood for me, for my game, for my confidence for the rest of the year.”

Simon was playing in his 14th final (10-4) and has won at least one trophy each season since 2007. The Frenchman, who was limping at the start of the week, was surprised to have gone all the way to the final. “It was horrible for me-I had everything. I was so sick. I twisted my ankle. I felt terrible on the court in the first match, but I’m just happy that I managed to get through at all.”

The women’s final lasted only 73 minutes in a whipping wind which resulted in several dead bounces and shots going out which would normally have landed in.

Vesnina was just a fortnight removed from the French Open doubles title which she won

EASTBOURNE: Russia’s Elena Vesnina lifts the tournament trophy as she celebrates winning the final match against USA’s Jamie Hampton during the AEGON International. —AP alongside Ekaterina Makarova.

“I told myself I just needed to stay in the match, try to play every single point,” said the winner. “Don’t think about wind and just fight. It was just about fighting spirit.

“I’m pretty happy about my game today with these tough conditions. I was trying to play safe, using slice a little bit more just to make Jamie play low balls.

You have no choice, you just

need to put it in the centre of the court.”

Vesnina, coached by her father, lifted the trophy at Devonshire Park after winning 10 of the last 11 games of the match.

Hampton was playing her first WTA final. “I was so honored to be here, it’s been an unforgettable week for me,” said the American.

“I was surprised honestly how she was even hitting the ball in

the court, and on top of that she was playing very good tennis.

She was very deserving of the title today,” said Hampton.

“I’m very proud of myself for fighting through all the adversity, having to come through qualifiers and fighting through all the conditions all week.

“Obviously I’m disappointed that I lost today and I would have loved to have won it, but on to the next tournament.”—AFP

Serena Williams eyes 17th major

FORTALEZA: Nigeria’s players jog during a training session in Fortaleza. Nigeria will face Spain in their FIFA 2013 Confederation Cup football match today. —AFP

Spain presents Nigeria with mission impossible FORTALEZA: Buoyed by their recordbreaking 10-0 rout of Tahiti at the Confederations Cup, Spain approach today’s final Group B fixture against Nigeria needing just a point to secure a place in the semi-finals. Thursday’s thrashing of the Pacific islanders made Spain the first team to win a game by a 10-goal margin at the finals of a FIFA tournament, and only the second to score 10 after Hungary’s 10-1 thrashing of El Salvador at the 1982 World Cup. Fernando Torres scored four goals, and David Villa three, but perhaps the most pleasing aspect for coach Vicente del Bosque was the fact he was able to rest almost his entire first-choice starting XI. Of the team that began the opening 2-1 win over Uruguay, only centre-back Sergio Ramos kept his place, and the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas could all return against Nigeria.

Del Bosque’s shrewd squad management was a key feature of Spain’s successes at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, and midfielder David Silva says rotation is something the players fully accept.

“We’re always ready to step up when we get the chance,” said the Manchester City midfielder, who scored twice in the Tahiti romp. Spain’s strong start to the tournament means they go into Sunday’s match at Fortaleza’s Estadio Castelao within touching distance of the last four.

Although they require a point to make sure of a semi-final place, they would need to lose to Nigeria by at least four goals to stand any chance of being overhauled.

The situation is rather more taxing for Stephen Keshi’s Nigeria, who were beaten 2-1 by Uruguay in Salvador on Thursday and enter Sunday’s game level on points with the South American champions.

If Uruguay, as expected, record a handsome win over Tahiti, Nigeria will only be able to reach the last four with a victory over the world and European champions, but coach Keshi says he has not given up

hope. “Everything is achievable,” he said.

“It depends how much desire you have in you, how much you want it, and how much luck you’ve got on your side. I can’t question the boys’ commitment or loyalty.”

Keshi’s plans for the game have been complicated by an injury to AC Milan forward Nnamdi Oduamadi, scorer of a hattrick in the 6-1 win over Tahiti, who had to come off against Uruguay with an apparent ankle injury. Del Bosque is expected to recall his leading lights, but Torres and Villa will each hope they have done enough to be selected ahead of Valencia striker Roberto Soldado. The two sides have met before just once, in a group game at the 1998 World Cup in France, when Nigeria, then Olympic champions, claimed a 3-2 win that sowed the seeds of the Spaniards’ group-phase elimination.

It remains the only time Spain have lost to African opposition, but the balance of power in international football has tilted sharply since then.

While Nigeria saw an 18-game unbeaten run come to an end against Uruguay, Spain have not lost at a tournament since a shock defeat by Switzerland in the opening game of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Spain arrived in Fortaleza on Brazil’s northeastern coast on Friday afternoon, with Fabregas and Juan Mata each announcing the squad’s arrival by posting videos of the view from the team’s beachfront hotel on the Instagram file-sharing website.—AFP

Matches on TV (Local Timings)

FIFA Confederations Cup Nigeria v Spain 22:00 Al Jazeera Sport +9 Uruguay v French Polynesia 22:00 Al Jazeera Sport +10

WIMBLEDON: Nothing drives Serena Williams the way disappointment does. “It’s the biggest factor for me. Like, if I lose, all hell breaks loose, literally. Literally! I go home, I practice harder, I do more,” she said. “I don’t like to lose. ... I hate losing more than I love winning. It could be a game of cards - I don’t like it. I really don’t like it.”

Well, the way Williams has been playing tennis lately, there’s been very little not to like. When Wimbledon starts Monday, she will be an overwhelming favorite to win her sixth title at the All England Club and second in a row. Williams enters the grasscourt Grand Slam tournament 432 in 2013 and on a 31-match winning streak, the longest on the women’s tour in a single season in 13 years. “It happens in sports: You’re going to lose. I learned that you’re not going to win all of them. And there have been a few matches that I wasn’t disappointed in,” said Williams, who at 31 is the oldest player to be ranked No. 1 in WTA history.

“But there were some that I was disappointed in,” she added, “and it’s actually helped me to get better.” Case in point: A little more than a year ago, Williams arrived at the French Open unbeaten for the season on red clay and anticipating a charge at the title. Instead, she lost in the first round, the only openingmatch exit from a major tournament in her career.

“It really was a shock for her.

She really worked on rebuilding herself to become perhaps stronger than ever,” said Patrick Mouratoglou, the French coach who began collaborating with Williams shortly after that defeat.

“The more you eat, the hungrier you get,” Mouratoglou said.

“When you win, when you achieve the exceptional, you don’t want it to stop.”

Since that dark day at Roland Garros, Williams is 74-3, including trophies at three of the past four Slams and the WTA Championships, plus gold at the London Olympics.

That run of nearly uninterrupted success began 12 months ago at Wimbledon, and most recently resulted in her first French Open championship in 11 years. Given the way Williams’ best-in-thegame serve and generally dangerous strokes only get better on the slick grass, it’s difficult to pick against her during the upcoming fortnight.

There are four men, meanwhile, who all have real reason to

like their chances, a quartet that’s combined to collect 32 of the past 33 Grand Slam tournaments: defending champion Roger Federer, owner of a record 17 Grand Slam titles, including seven at Wimbledon; No. 1-ranked Novak Djokovic, who won Wimbledon in 2011; two-time champion Rafael Nadal, whose record eighth French Open trophy this month raised his career haul to 12 major titles; and Andy Murray, the runner-up last year at the All England Club and reigning U.S. Open champion who wants to give Britain its first male title winner at Wimbledon since Fred

season in aces, service games won, break points saved and first serve points won. Her return is terrific, too, and Williams leads the way in first serve return points won, while ranking second in return games won.

“I don’t see a weakness,” threetime Wimbledon champion John McEnroe said. “She’s playing the best tennis of her career. She’s not only in the best place I’ve ever seen, I think she’s the best player that’s ever lived. I said that a while ago, but she’s cementing it in everyone’s mind. She’s just a level above anyone. There’s no doubt about it.”

SPAIN: In this May 9, 2013 file photo, Serena Williams from US returns the ball during the match against Maria Kirilenko from Russia at the Madrid Open. —AP Perry in 1936.

But Williams stands alone atop the women’s game at the moment. Her serve, which she can consistently hit at more than 120 mph (190 kph), is clearly unrivaled, and she leads the tour this

Chris Evert also knows a thing or two about winning Grand Slam titles. Her total of 18 is tied with Martina Navratilova for the fourth-most in history; it’s also two more than Williams has right now, but even Evert acknowl-

edges that gap probably will not last much longer.

Ask Evert how a player should try to beat Williams on a grass court, and the question is met with a lengthy pause. Then comes Evert’s scouting report, which begins with the ominoussounding warning that unless an opponent serves very, very well, Williams is liable to win 6-0, 6-0.

Evert goes on to suggest standing close to the service line for returns and chipping the ball back, perhaps luring Williams forward.

“She beats everybody in the world from the baseline, but nobody’s really tried bringing her in, forcing her to come in. As good a volleyer as she is because of doubles, she’s still not as comfortable at the net as she is on the baseline. I would take off some of the pace,” said Evert, who will join McEnroe as an ESPN analyst during Wimbledon.

“You really can’t hit with her from the baseline,” Evert continued. “You’ve got to either hit short angles, drop shots, chip - do something to throw her timing off. Once she gets in a rhythm, she’s deadly. But you’ve got to have a big serve. You have to be able to hold your serve most of the time. You can’t be just slugging balls with her. That’s been proven a thousand, million times: It doesn’t work.” Little works these days against Williams, who might be as formidable now as she was at the height of her powers, more than a decade ago, when she won four consecutive major titles for a self-styled “Serena Slam” in 2002-03.

Williams beat her older sister in each of the finals during that stretch; Venus pulled out of this year’s Wimbledon because of a lower back injury Tuesday, a day after her 33rd birthday.

It’s the latest setback for the elder Williams, who has lost in the first round at two of the past four major tournaments. As Serena’s dominance increases, Venus could be nearing the end of her playing days, which have become more complicated because of the energy-sapping autoimmune disease she revealed in 2011.

“What’s happened with her sister, the difficulties she’s had as she’s gotten into the later stages of her career, actually in a way helped Serena, because it made her realize she wanted to enjoy and take advantage of these last couple years,” McEnroe said. “She realized, and maybe appreciated a little bit more, the talent that she has.”—AP

Vesnina, Lopez sail to Eastbourne titles

England-India dream final too close to call

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

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Tour de France: Sporting fact or doping fiction? Page 17

SALVADOR: Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini (front) scores his side’s 2nd goal during the soccer Confederations Cup Group A match between Italy and Brazil. — AP

Inspired Brazil see off Italy BRAZIL: An inspired second-half showing from Brazil earned the Confederations Cup hosts a 4-2 win over Italy in Salvador yesterday to win Group A and avoid a potential semi-final meeting with Spain.

The dubious honor of facing the world champions in a Thursday semi in Fortaleza is now likely to be Italy’s fate assuming the Spanish, with two wins under their belts ahead of their final meeting with Nigeria, top Group B. Brazil made it three wins in three games at the event to earn a probable semi-final with Uruguay in Belo Horizonte on Wednesday.

Brazil started looking like a side who had been energised not just by their opening wins and clean sheets against Japan and Mexico but also the waves of popular protest by citizens demanding better social policies and an end to state corruption.

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari indicated he saw the pieces slowly falling into place although he has made the World Cup the overriding top priority

rather than success this month.

“We beat a strong Italian team and I think this shows we are on the right road, even if there are a few things we need to improve,” said Scolari, mastermind of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup success and brought back last November for a second spell in charge of the Selecao.

“We mustn’t get carried away,” added Scolari, who earlier urged his compatriots to be patient with their demands for institutional reform.

Looking to cheer the nation, the whole Brazil squad sang the national anthem with gusto and then set about chasing an early goal.

An early Oscar flick sent in Neymar, but the Barcelona-bound striker fired wide and then picked up a yellow card after a clumsy challenge on Italian fullback Ignazio Abate On the half hour Italy made an early change in sending on Emmanuele Giaccherini to replace Riccardo Montolivo before Brazil also had to reshuffle the pack as broken nose victim from their previous match, David Luiz, went off with a knock,

giving way to Dante.

Italy then lost Abate to a suspected dislocated shoulder, Christian Maggio coming on, before Brazil took the lead on the stroke of half-time.

Neymar fired over a freekick from the left, Fred saw Gigi Buffon parry but Dante followed up and the Bayern Munich player bundled home.

Italy had been confined to their hotel for part of their preparations owing to security fears amid the mass demonstrations sweeping Brazil over the cost of staging the event and next year’s World Cup. Although the protests showed no sign of ending with tens of thousands more in the streets in yesterday’s Japan versus Mexico venue of Belo Horizonte, Italy coach Cesare Prandelli insisted that there was no question of the Azurri packing up and going home.

Six minutes after the restart, the four-time world champions were back on level terms as Mario Balotelli produced a neat backheel which played in Emanuele Giaccherini down the right.

The Juventus forward breezed past a static Thiago Silva and drove firmly into the corner of Julio Cesar’s net as the Azzurri set about trying to beat Brazil for the first time since their epic 1982 World Cup meeting decided through Paolo Rossi’s unforgettable hat-trick.

Italy were missing injured playmaker Andrea Pirlo’s guile and found themselves behind once more ten minutes after the restart as Neymar, who ended a nine-game goal drought with the tournament’s opener against Japan, crashed home a freekick for his third goal in three games.

The spiky-haired forward wheeled away, breaking into a spot of samba as the crowd erupted.

After 66 minutes it was 3-1 as Marcelo lifted a high pass through for Fred to smash home a left-footed drive which ripped past Buffon to spark further delight at the Arena Fonte Nova.

Giorgio Chiellini gave Italy hope in pulling back to 3-2 in the 71st minute with a low shot after Balotelli appeared to have been impeded in the box.

Mexico defeat Japan BELO HORIZONTE: Manchester United star Javier Hernandez scored twice but missed a last-minute penalty as Mexico defeated Japan 2-1 yesterday to leave the Asian side winless at the Confederations Cup. Hernandez took his tally for the tournament to three as Mexico registered their first victory.

The win, however, came in a ‘dead’ game after Brazil and Italy had already made sure of their places in the semi-finals as Group A qualifiers.

Hernandez, who had scored his team’s only goal of the competition in the 2-1 loss to Italy, opened the scoring in the 54th minute.

He timed a run perfectly to meet a cross from Andres Guardado before heading the ball past Eiji Kawashima in the Japan goal.

Twelve minutes later, Hernandez made it 2-0. Giovani Dos Santos sent over a corner which was flicked on at the near post

by Hiram Mier for the Manchester United man to head home from close range. Japan refused to give up with Yasuyuki Konno seeing a goalbound effort cleared away by the feet of keeper Guillermo Ochoa.

The World Cup qualifiers pulled one back four minutes from time when Stuttgart striker Shinji Okazaki tapped in a simple chance. Hernandez had a chance to make it 3-1 in stoppage time when he was brought down in the area. However, Kawashima pulled off a fine save from the resulting penalty with the striker then smashing the rebound off the crossbar.

The result allowed Mexico, who had also lost 2-0 to Brazil, to finish third in Group A. Japan ended the tournament with three defeats, having already been beaten 3-0 by Brazil and 43 by Italy.

There were few chances in the first half at Belo Horizonte with Mexico enjoying more of the ball. They were unlucky not to have taken the lead in the 40th minute when Valencia midfielder Guardado sent a flying header off the post.

Japan had thought they had gone ahead on nine minutes when Okazaki deflected a cross from captain Yasuhito Endo into the net. But referee Felix Brych of Germany ruled it out for offside. — AFP

But Italian hopes of pulling things back ended when, after Christian Maggio had hit the bar at the other end, Fred made it 4-2 after Buffon had parried a shot from Marcelo.

Meanwhile, world football’s governing body FIFA has no plans to scrap the Confederations Cup despite the huge protests rocking Brazil, a spokesman said Friday.

“At no stage has FIFA considered or discussed abandonning the Confederations Cup with the local authorities,” FIFA media chief Pekka Odriozola said. “We are monitoring the situation with the authorities.” “We support the right of free speech,” the spokesman added. “We condemned violence.”

The nation-wide mass demonstrations, which have sometimes turned violent, are taking place as Brazil is hosting teams from around the world for the Confederations Cup, a dry run for next year’s World Cup being held in six host cities.

Many Brazilians are angry over the expensive preparations for the World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics. — AFP

Preview

Tahiti has last chance to delight growing fan base

BRAZIL: Japan’s Shinji Okazaki (left) goes for a header next to Mexico’s Jorge Torres during soccer Confederations Cup Group A match at the Mineirao stadium. — AP

RECIFE: Huge popular protests across Brazil may have moved the Confederations Cup focus away from the pitch, but Tahiti will bow out today after facing Uruguay to end what was a romantic adventure even if they slid to a record 10-0 loss to Spain along the way.

Despite that hiding, Tahiti coach Eddy Etaeta says it has been worth making the trip. “We have been pleasantly surprised with our experiences in Brazil as, despite our losses, the people have been right behind us. We have won their hearts,” said Etaeta, whose team suffered a record loss in FIFA tournament history against the rampant Spanish world champions.

Their first outing had brought a 6-1 loss to Nigeria and now the Uruguayans, having beaten the African side, will look for an easy win as they attempt to deny Nigeria second spot in Group B and with it a place in the semi-finals.

One of the lasting images of an event marred by the protests across Brazil was of goalkeeper Mikael Roche kissing the Maracana stadium turf after the Spain game where 71,000 fans gave Tahiti a generous and moving ovation.

“I would like to thank them, they were great.

It really touched us. They don’t know us yet they applaud us like that,” said Etaeta.

The Uruguayans, struggling to impress in the Latin American zonal qualifying tournament for next year’s World Cup finals which Brazil will also host, hope that their win over Nigeria will pro-

vide a springboard as they look to recapture the form they showed in winning the Copa America in 2011.

“We are on track for a place in the last four,” said coach Oscar Tabarez, who believes veteran striker Diego Forlan can pull more goals out of the hat after his winner against Nigeria.

The Celeste are not short of other firepower options in Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani but Forlan is the man of the moment. A decade on from a difficult spell with Manchester United and now with Internacional in Brazil the 34-yearold capped his 100th international appearance with a fine goal in Salvador. That moved him back above Suarez in the overall goalscoring stakes in the Uruguayan shirt as he emulated fellow 34-year-old elder statesman Andrea Pirlo, the Italian veteran who also celebrated a century of appearances with a goal last week in the win over Italy.

“Diego Forlan is a man with a brilliant past and, above anything, it has to do with his huge professionalism,” said Tabarez, lauding a player who he hopes can lift them up from their current fifth place in World Cup qualifying which would only earn them a playoff.

Assuming Uruguay squash the Tahitians at Recife’s Arena Pernambuco, they will go through to the last four unless Nigeria can get past Spain, also on Sunday, in which case goal difference would come into play.—AFP

Indonesia raises fuel prices

Business

Page 22 Chinese buy Canada farms: Is Beijing behind deals?

Page 23

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

Tens of thousands march in Rome Page 25 Page 22

Bond yields eye biggest weekly rise in 10 years

EU fails to agree on bank rules New law could impose losses on big savers, bondholders LUXEMBOURG: Europe failed to agree on how to share the cost of bank collapses yesterday, as Germany resisted attempts by France to water down rules designed to spare taxpayers in future crises. Almost 20 hours of talks late into the night could not forge a way for countries to set up an EU-wide regime that would first impose losses on shareholders and bondholders when a bank fails, followed by depositors with more than 100,000 euros ($132,000).

Ministers will make a fresh attempt to break the impasse at a meeting on Wednesday, on the eve of an EU leaders summit, and resolve one of the most difficult questions posed by Europe’s banking crisis - how to shut failed banks without sowing panic or burdening taxpayers. “I think we can reach a deal if we take a few more days,” said Michel Barnier, the European commissioner in charge of regulation. “We are not far off now from a political agreement.”

The European Union spent the equivalent of a third of its economic output on saving its banks between 2008 and 2011, using taxpayer cash but struggling to contain the crisis and - in the case of Ireland - almost bankrupting the country. German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble blamed the complexity of the issue and conflicting interests for not being able to reach a final result yesterday. One EU official, who asked not to be named, described the meeting as chaotic. At the heart of the disagreement, chiefly between Germany and France, was how much leeway countries should have when imposing losses on bondholders or large savers, a procedure known as “bail-in.” Such an approach was first tested out in Cyprus’ bailout in March, but making it the EU norm would mark a radical departure from the bloc’s crisis management in which taxpayers have footed the bill for a string of rescue programmes.

Britain, Sweden and France worry that forcing losses on depositors could cause a bank run or rattle confidence, and want countries to have wide-ranging freedom in deciding whether to

take such bold steps. Spain’s Economy Minister Luis de Guindos underscored the sensitivity of the issue. “What’s fundamental is there is agreement over the bail-in hierarchy and the protection of small depositors,” he said.

Germany, however, wants strict norms.

Schaeuble said the new rules should not vary across the 27-nation European Union because that could put some banks at a competitive disadvantage. “There’s clear disagreement between France and Germany. That’s why the meeting broke up,” said one EU diplomat.

France’s Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici tried to play down any divisions and said a deal was possible next week.

‘Dangerous’ While there is no immediate deadline for an agreement, indecision could hurt confidence in the ability of Europe’s politicians to repair the financial system, encourage banks to lend and help the continent emerge from economic stagnation. An agreement on European rules for closing banks is also a step required by Germany before it will sign off on a scheme for the 17-nation euro-zone’s bailout fund to help banks in trouble, potentially important in helping Ireland.

“The fact that the euro-zone countries are trying to push a solution is very dangerous for the rest of us,” Sweden’s Finance Minister Anders Borg told reporters. The regime to ensure that troubled banks are closed in an orderly way sets an important precedent for the euro-zone, which is pursuing a project called banking union to supervise, control and support banks to rebuild confidence in the currency. This scheme aims to form a common front across the single currency area when tackling failed banks, rather than leaving it to countries to manage alone. At the wider EU level, the so-called resolution rules are needed so that the euro-zone can mould its own regime and decide how the bloc’s rescue fund helps banks.—Reuters

KUWAIT: Gulf Bank officials pose with the coveted awards.

Gulf Bank receives ‘Best Risk Management’, ‘Best Domestic Bank’ Awards from Banker ME KUWAIT: Gulf Bank announced that it has been honored with the ‘Best Risk Management’ and ‘Best Domestic Bank’ awards for 2013 from Banker Middle East, the region’s leading banking industry magazine. The Bank received the awards at a ceremony at the Emirates Towers Hotel, Dubai on 19 June 2013 during a gala dinner attended by senior managers from a large number of major banks.

The awards reflect the tremendous effort made by the bank’s management and staff in making Gulf Bank the best domestic bank in Kuwait, and providing the Bank’s valued customers with the best and most efficient banking services possible. Since Gulf Bank’s inception, its customer-centric strategy combined with its Promise campaign, has been one of the many reasons the Bank has been frequently rec-

ognized and lauded by internationally renowned entities.

The ‘Best Risk Management’ award underlines Gulf Bank’s achievements in successfully implementing effective frameworks for identifying, assessing and managing key risks, and adopting best international practices. Gulf Bank continuously explores new enhancements to the existing risk management platform to address current risk management challenges in the Kuwaiti market and specifically in the country’s banking sector.

The ‘Best Domestic Bank’ award reflects the bank’s leading role in the Kuwaiti banking system, as well as the Bank’s strength in maintaining steady profits and a solid balance sheet, especially in the current challenging domestic operating climate and

continued uncertainty in international markets.

In 2011 Gulf Bank launched its ‘We Promise’ program, making five promises - guaranteed, to its customers: to deliver their Gulf Bank cards the same day; to disburse their loan the same day; to finance their dream car the same day; to deposit their salary early morning; and to keep queuing time below 10 minutes. The success of the campaign, which continues, has underlined its long-term commitment to putting the customer at the centre of all its business planning and services. The Banker Middle East Awards are held each year to recognize businesses in the region that have excelled in providing exceptional levels of customer service and innovation across a range of sectors, from basic banking products to high-end investment services.

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

BUSINESS

Bond yields eye biggest weekly rise in 10 years NEW YORK: US equities stabilized in choppy trading on Friday, while Treasury yields were on track for their biggest weekly jump in a decade as investors reassessed their positions in the wake of the Federal Reserve’s plans to withdraw its economic stimulus. Markets are adjusting to the Fed’s plan laid out earlier in the week for the central bank to scale back its asset purchases later this year if the US economy keeps improving as expected.

Chairman Ben Bernanke roiled world markets when he outlined the timeline for the plan on Wednesday, with interest rates rising and equities markets selling off. Easing fears about an immediate banking crisis in China helped make for a calmer tone, but short-term funding rates there remain elevated, especially for smaller lenders.

After a choppy session, US stocks ended higher following a two-day selloff.

Ten-year Treasuries yields rose above 2.50

percent, their highest intraday level since August 2011. For the week, the 10-year yield was on track to rise 40 basis points for the biggest single-week jump since the March 2003, according to Reuters data. The dollar rose and was headed for its biggest weekly gain since July 2012.

“It’s all one big unwind. That’s been a negative for Treasuries as hedges are unwound,” said Sean Murphy, a Treasuries trader at Societe Generale in New York.

Major US stock indexes racked up their worst week since April. The benchmark S&P 500 remained below its 50-day moving average, after breaking below it on Thursday.

“A lot of investors thought the sell-off was overdone after we broke through those technical levels, but all the existential things that drove us down are still in place,” said Nicholas Colas, chief market strategist at the ConvergEx Group in New York. “People aren’t sure what’s going to happen with Fed policy or rates or any-

thing else. It is too soon to say we hit a bottom.” MSCI’s broad world stock index, which tracks shares in 45 countries, was off 0.3 percent, and Europe’s broad FTSE Eurofirst 300 index ended down 1 percent. The Dow Jones industrial average added 41.08 points, or 0.28 percent, to 14,799.40. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 4.24 points, or 0.27 percent, to 1,592.43. The Nasdaq Composite Index was off 7.39 points, or 0.22 percent, to 3,357.25. The Fed is currently buying $85 billion a month in bonds, part of its huge stimulus effort that has driven many investors to embrace riskier assets and has sent US stocks up about 15 percent for the year. Investors now face the task of unwinding those trades, which is expected to continue to roil global markets across asset classes.

The recovery in stocks in the afternoon coincided with a Wall Street Journal article suggesting markets were “misreading” the Fed. Benchmark 10-year

Treasury notes were down more than a point in price to yield 2.54 percent, while 30-year bonds dropped 1-9/32 in price to yield 3.59 percent.

The dollar continued to climb as Bernanke’s view that the US economy is improving prompted traders to start pricing in a rise in interest rates in late 2014.

“Players will likely park (assets) in the dollar until we have got a little more clarity about where the world is going,” said Neil Jones, head of hedge fund FX sales at Mizuho Corporate Bank in London. “The dollar is benefiting from that and I sense it will continue to do so.”

The dollar rose 0.5 percent against a basket of currencies, putting it on track for a weekly gain of 2 percent, the biggest since early July, 2012. Trading volume was slowing with under an hour to go in the New York session which ends the global day. The euro fell 0.7 percent to $1.3126 and the dollar gained 0.4 percent against the yen to 97.70 yen.

There was little respite across the emerging markets, with MSCI’s benchmark index down 0.8 percent. As the Fed’s policy tapering gradually pushes US Treasury yields higher, the attractiveness of returns in developing countries like Turkey and South Africa has waned. The emerging markets index has fallen close to 5.5 percent this week, making for a year-to-date loss of more than 14 percent, and many in the market see further falls ahead. Gold drew some demand from investors attracted by the week’s big equity and bond price falls, although worries about China’s sluggish growth outlook weighed on sentiment.

Spot gold recovered from a three-year trough and was up 1.2 percent at $1,293.65 an ounce, while gold futures added 0.6 percent to $1,293.40 an ounce.

Worries about demand from China and the US weighed on oil. Brent crude lost $1.24 to $100.91, while US oil dropped $1.45 to $93.69. — Reuters

Indonesia raises fuel prices

BAYT.COM STUDY

An employer’s guide to hiring interns

Govt aims to spend $20bn on infrastructure in 2013 JAKARTA: Fuel prices increased up to 44 percent across Indonesia early yesterday after the government reduced some of the costly subsidies that have kept pump prices in Southeast Asia’s largest economy among the world’s lowest.

Long lines of motorbikes and cars snaked around gas stations for hours late Friday as motorists waited to fill up their tanks with cheaper gas before the increase took effect after midnight. The government had ordered stations to stay open to accommodate the crush.

The subsidies are a significant drain on the country’s budget. The budget approved Monday sets the 2013 fuel subsidy at $20.2 billion - nearly 4 percent of total economic output. By comparison, the government aims to spend $20 billion on infrastructure in 2013. The new budget also has more than $900 million in cash handouts to cushion the impact of the fuel price increase on 15.5 million poor families over four months. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had asked lawmakers to ensure the poorest people were not left unprotected.

The increase - the first in five years - will raise the price of gasoline from about 45 cents to 65 cents per liter and diesel fuel from 45 cents to 55 cents. Coordinating Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa said the hike was actually an adjustment as the country has to spend nearly $30 billion on fuel imports, while about 70 percent of subsidies were merely enjoyed by middle and high classes. Protests had greeted the planned fuel price increase, mainly on Monday when Parliament was acting on the long-delayed plan. Economist Aviliani applauded the move, saying the subsidies have put pressure on the country’s trade and current account deficits as well as local cur-

C

MAKASSAR: A protester runs between burning tires during a protest against fuel price hike yesterday. — AP rency. “It will result in inflation and increase of cars and motorbikes hit the streets. The governother prices, but on other hand it will make ment has subsidized fuel for decades in Indonesia more attractive to foreign investors,” Indonesia, where about half of the 240 million people survive on $2 a day. In 1998, increased said Aviliani, who uses a single name.

The government was using text messages prices sparked rioting that helped topple longand public bulletins in newspapers to lay out the time dictator Suharto. Last year, Parliament government’s arguments for the fuel price rejected a similar plan to raise fuel prices.

But Yudhoyono was able to push the deal increases. The newspaper bulletin notes, for example, that Indonesia’s fuel prices are lower through this time despite opposition from some than seven neighboring Southeast Asian coun- parties, with a vote of 338 to 181 supporting the tries and explains that the country has to import measure, a year before the next presidential fuel to meet skyrocketing demand as more new election. —AP

6 days for Al-Danah’s 2nd quarterly prize draw KUWAIT: Gulf Bank has started to count down the days remaining to the second major AlDanah draw of 2013. The second quarterly draw is scheduled to be held on Thursday, June 27, 2013 at the Bank’s Audailiya branch and will be for cash prizes of KD 250,000, KD 125,000 and KD 25,000. The draw will be held in the presence of a representative from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and will be hosted by 103.7 FM’s AlGayla Show from 1 pm to 3 pm. Customers who

open or deposit into their Al-Danah account by Wednesday, June 26 at any of the following branches: Dahiya Abdullah AlSalem, Nuzha, Shuwaikh, Surra and Khaldiya and by Thursday, June 27 in the Audailiya branch can win valuable prizes during the event.

To take part in the Al-Danah draws, customers must have an Al-Danah account containing at least KD 200. Customers can open a new Al Danah account at any one of the 56 Gulf Bank

branches in Kuwait. Customers who already have an account can increase their chances of winning by increasing their deposits. This will also increase their chances of winning one of the two KD 1,000 prizes, which are drawn each working day. Customers wishing to be eligible for the Al-Danah 3rd quarterly draw for the prizes of KD 500,000, KD 125,000 and KD 25,000, are required to open an account by the closing date of June 30.

onsidering that the internship season is upon us, it will be a common sight to see shiny new faces in organizations. However, a question worth considering for organizations is what should companies do to ensure that the internship is a beneficial and rewarding experience for the company itself and the intern?

According to the HR experts at Bayt.com, the Middle East’s #1 job site, having an internship program holds many benefits for the employer. Here are a few: l Hiring interns is a great way to infuse new talent and fresh perspectives into your company. If done right, interns can help your business discover new insights into old-standing problems. l By promoting your internship program at university career fairs you are also reaching out, and marketing your company to a future generation of customers. l Companies can enhance their image within the community as a supporter of fresh talent. l An internship program is a great way to find your next star employee in the talent pool. l Hiring interns is a good solution to overcome the HR needs for seasonal or one-time projects.

Having said that, it is also important to make sure that your internship program is not uninteresting, or worse- exploitative.

Based on what students are looking for from an internship, here are some ‘shoulds’ your company should follow so that your internship program is a mutually beneficial experience: 1. Have a planned agenda for the duration of the internship. There is nothing worse than spending three months of internship on something mundane, like labeling envelopes. If an intern has agreed to join your organization, make sure they gain valuable skills from this experience (especially if your internship is unpaid). The top agenda for interns in the region is to develop and learn new skills, according to the Bayt.com ‘Internships in the MENA Region’ poll. Prepare a ‘learning agenda’ for the intern. A good idea would be to rotate

the intern on different tasks. For example, researching leads with sales team, brainstorming on new campaigns with marketing team, helping the HR team filter CVs, etc. This will allow the intern to identify where their interest lie, and benefit your departments with an extra set of hands (and brains).

2. Assign a mentor. The intern should be mentored by a professional from the organization who will guide him/her with their tasks, and explain how things function in the company. The mentor can help answer their questions and introduce the intern to others in the organization.

Although our poll data indicates that a majority of professionals were mentored during their internship, about 44.6 percent professionals say they received either no help from their mentor, or worked under little or no supervision.

3. Make sure the intern reaches his/her specific academic goals. Many educational institutes have a mandatory internship requirement for their programs. In this case the educational institute would specify what the internship should include, especially if the student will be awarded credits at the end of it. A company has to make sure that these requirements are adhered to and built into the educational agenda.

About 77 percent professionals in the region say they found their internship experience relevant to their future endeavors and extremely challenging, compared to 23 percent who found their internship irrelevant and unchallenging.

4. Make clear of your intentions. Hiring interns (paid or unpaid) should be no different from getting a full-time employee onboard. Draw out an offer letter that specifies the different aspects of the internship, such as whether it is paid or unpaid, the work timings, the duration, job duties, etc.

Depending on the jurisdiction, you may also need a temporary work permit.

Prolonging an internship indefinitely is not a good idea and should be avoided. These guiding points should hopefully help you draw up a successful internship program for your organization.

EXCHANGE RATES 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

.2770000 .4310000 .3680000 .3020000 .2780000 .2940000 .0040000 .0020000 .0771240 .7513970 .3930000 .0720000 .7366120 .0370000

CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES US Dollar/KD .2841000 GB Pound/KD .4338920 Euro .3707360 Swiss francs .3043390 Canadian dollars .2795430 Danish Kroner .0497330 Swedish Kroner .0443660 Australian dlr .2963730 Hong Kong dlr .0365940 Singapore dlr .2291130 Japanese yen .0029600 Indian Rs/KD .0000000 Sri Lanka rupee .0000000 Pakistan rupee .0000000 Bangladesh taka .0000000 UAE dirhams .0773800 Bahraini dinars .7538810 Jordanian dinar .0000000 Saudi Riyal/KD .0757800 Omani riyals .7382100 Philippine Peso .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 Malaysian ringgit Irani Riyal

ASIAN COUNTRIES 2.910 4.810 2.876 2.207 2.990 225.000 36.724 3.652 6.500 9.144 94.271 0.271

.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

0.273

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd

GCC COUNTRIES 75.990 78.299 740.160 756.880 77.605

Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash 39.200 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 40.048 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.329 Tunisian Dinar 175.400 Jordanian Dinar 402.420 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.912 Syrian Lier 3.096 Morocco Dirham 34.319 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 284.850 Euro 378.000 Sterling Pound 443.230 Canadian dollar 275.220 Turkish lira 147.100 Swiss Franc 308.110 Australian Dollar 265.480 US Dollar Buying 283.650 GOLD 248.000 125.500 65.000

20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

SELL DRAFT 273.98 282.09 313.30 383.66 283.40 447.72 3.05 3.655 4.828 2.206 3.026 2.877 77.23 754.29 39.91 403.34 737.02 78.26 75.70

Selling Rate 283.750 280.895 445.920 380.130 300.705 751.230 77.230 77.885 75.630 399.990 39.942 2.223 4.857 2.877 3.643 6.561 696.050 4.000 9.785 4.055 3.325 95.150

Bahrain Exchange Company CURRENCY

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 Omani Riyal Qatari Riyal Saudi Riyal

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

SELL CASH 274.000 282.000 312.000 380.000 284.500 448.500 3.300 3.670 5.050 2.550 3.250 2.900 78.000 753.000 38.800 410.000 748.000 79.500 76.000

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

BUY Europe 0.4385459 0.0067169 0.0467706 0.3737158 0.0457018 0.4341150 0.0400591 0.3034377

SELL 0.4475459 0.0187169 0.0517706 0.3812154 0.0509018 0.4416150 0.0450591 0.3104377

Australasia 0.2621097 0.2207648 0.0001113

0.2741097 0.2307648 0.0001113

America 0.2723886 0.0001443 0.2816500

0.2813886 0.0001623 0.2838000

Asia 0.0035991 0.0031476 0.0452909 0.0163867

0.0036541 0.0033776 0.0502909 0.0194867

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

0.0000440 0.0340195 0.0048687 0.0000238 0.0028329 0.0029338 0.0032678 0.0863871 0.0029300 0.0028520 0.0061723 0.0000725 0.2230032 0.0021664 0.0089038

0.0000500 0.0371195 0.0049337 0.0000289 0.0038329 0.0031138 0.0034978 0.0933871 0.0031300 0.0028920 0.0066423 0.0000755 0.2290032 0.0022084 0.0095038

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

Arab 0.7463592 0.0379239 0.0127229 0.1442921 0.0000789 0.0001724 0.3947072 1.0000000 0.0001740 0.0223261 0.0012034 0.7261310 0.0772976 0.0751467 0.0461426 0.0027430 0.1740625 0.0758409 0.0012801

0.7548592 0.0399539 0.0192229 0.1460821 0.0000794 0.0002324 0.4022072 1.0000000 0.0001940 0.0463261 0.0018384 0.7371310 0.0780806 0.0757867 0.0466926 0.0029630 0.1800625 0.0772909 0.0013801

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) 284.300 376.600 441.350 274.600 2.950 4.795 40.035 2.207 3.653 6.490 2.875 757.200 77.400 75.950

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

BUSINESS

QE in US: Hard, and early, to say goodbye NBK ECONOMIC BRIEF

OGEMA: Andy Hu plays with his dog as he inspects sheep on his farm in Ogema, Saskatchewan. ñ AFP

Chinese buy Canada farms: Is Beijing behind deals?

OGEMA: With too few farms in China to feed a burgeoning population, Chinese immigrants have started buying up agricultural lands in Canada and shipping produce to Asia. But with new investment comes fears that a generation of young Canadian would-be farmers are being squeezed out of the market by newcomers that some suspect are being bankrolled by the government in Beijing.

In Saskatchewan province, home to 45 percent of all arable land in Canada, the price of farmland has risen an average of 10 percent in the last year, and as much as 50 percent over three years in areas where Chinese immigrants have settled, according to farmer Ian Hudson, who lives near the village of Ogema. Provincial authorities counted a half dozen large investment firms buying up farmlands in the province of one million people, but could not say if any of them are linked to Beijing, nor estimate the size of their land holdings.

Facing mounting demands from local mayors for an investigation, Saskatchewan officials began looking into the issue last year. “The law in Saskatchewan is clear that investment in farmland in this province (buying more than 10 acres) is restricted to citizens of Canada and permanent residents,” provincial agriculture minister Lyle Stewart told AFP. Similarly farm corporations must be 100 percent Canadian-owned. However, he added, a special investigator was hired to probe “rumors that certain interests are trying to get around our law... that these people are funded by offshore money,” as well as “where the investment money is coming from.” “Two or three suspicious cases” were identified that are facing further scrutiny, the minister said, declining to offer further details while the investigation is ongoing.

Stewart noted also that Saskatchewan real estate is relatively cheap, taxes are low, borrowing rates are at a historic low, commodity prices are on the upswing and hence, “conditions are perfect for people who want to invest.” But after Chinese state-owned firms poured vast sums into neighboring Alberta’s oil sands-which forced Ottawa to tighten its investment rules to try to prevent foreign governments from controlling Canadian resources-many in rural Saskatchewan are quick to believe that Beijing is now targeting their farmland to feed its people.

“Some people say that the Chinese state is behind this. That’s wrong,” said Andy Hu, the 39-year-old chief executive of Maxcrop, an upstart investment firm that deals in rural Saskatchewan real estate. “Our investors are people with money and they’re looking for a good investment,” he said. Founded in 2009, the company owns 3,000 hectares (7,400 acres) and manages nearly 30,000 hectares for investors.

A former manager of a Mattel toy factory in China, Hu moved to Canada in 2004 and started a real estate firm in Alberta before relocating to Saskatchewan after seeing potential profits in its “undervalued” farmlands. China’s emerging middle class “needs more protein” and “they’re ready to pay to get good food,” he noted. So Hu scoured the province in search of the best lands and set his heart on Ogema, a village of 400 inhabitants.

His clients, most of them investors rather than farmers, and some with Canadian citizenship but living abroad, quickly snapped up thousands of hectares of land in the vicinity, which Maxcrop now leases to local farmers. Real estate speculation, however, has made it harder for young local farmers to buy their own lands, notes fifth-generation farmer Stuart Leonard, 34.

Sporting a cap and sunglasses, behind the wheel of a monster-sized pickup, Sheldon Zou says he moved with his wife and two girls one and a half years ago to Ogema-a long way from Tiananmen Square where he protested as a student in 1989.

He bought a 1,600-hectare farm and equipment for $1.5 million, with the help of a loan from his family.

With little actual farming experience he relied on the kindness of locals to show him the ropes. This year for the first time, he is seeding his own canola fields. For Hu, growing crops is just the start. He points to an abandoned town near Ogema where he set up a sheep farm and hired a young Chinese immigrant and his wife to herd the animals.

Hu says he aims within two or three years to turn the operation into the largest in Canada, with 5,000 sheep, and export all of the meat to China. “The opportunities are huge here,” he says. But Leonard is a bit skeptical. “Those big corporations, they would never be able to farm those lands themselves. Will they turn us all into employees?” he asks. — AFP

CHICAGO: In this file photo, a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 waits to take off at Chicago’s Midway Airport as another lands. — AP

Southwest cancels 64 flights DALLAS: A system-wide computer failure forced Southwest Airlines to ground its entire fleet of airplanes preparing for departures late Friday, and at least 64 flights had to be cancelled even after the system was fully restored, a company spokeswoman said. Michelle Agnew told The Associated Press that 50 of the cancellations were flights scheduled for late Friday night departures in the western half of the country. The other 14 were morning flights scattered across the US because crews were not able to get to airports in time to make the scheduled takeoffs.

An estimated 250 flights - most of them on the West Coast - were grounded at least temporarily Friday night. The glitch impaired the airline’s ability to do such things as conduct check-ins, print boarding passes and monitor the weight of each aircraft. Some flights were on the taxiway and diverted back to the terminal after the problem was detected around 8 pm PST Friday, Southwest spokesman Brad Hawkins said. Flights already in the air were unaffected. Shortly after 11 pm PST, Southwest posted on its Twitter page that “systems are operating and we will begin work to get customers where they need to be. Thanks for your patience tonight.” Agnew said the computer system was “running at full capacity” by early Saturday. Before that, though, officials used a backup system that was much more sluggish. “Backup systems

are in place, not the main system, so it’s slower,” Hawkins said after service resumed.

“But we are able to start launching these flights.”

He said cancellations were inevitable because the airline doesn’t do redeye flights and by the time the problem was fixed, it was near “the end of our operational day.”

The late hour of the disruption meant the computer problem affected far more flights on the West Coast, but Hawkins said at least a few on the East Coast were grounded as well. Southwest, based in Dallas, conducts, on average, 3,400 flights a day.

A spokesman for Los Angeles International Airport said of about 25 inbound and outbound flights remaining Friday, only five departing flights were experiencing delays, of 30 to 80 minutes. At LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT), a total of three flights - all departures - were affected.

Four Southwest flights were temporarily held in Seattle, said Christina Faine, a Seattle-Tacoma International Airport spokeswoman. One flight to Oakland, Calif, had been due to leave at 9:20 pm and departed before 11 pm. Faine said late Friday night that an airport duty manager, Anthony Barnes, told her the others were expected to depart shortly. Steve Johnson, a spokesman for Portland, Ore, International Airport, said he was not aware of any planes held up there. — AP

KUWAIT: Something odd started to happen toward the end of 2Q2013. After another strong performance by equity markets worldwide, and relative orderliness in most markets, volatility picked up with a vengeance in June. Of course corrections follow big rallies as night follows day. However something else was in the air this time. The markets were grappling, and still are, with a potentially unfamiliar environment, one where the Fed would finally begin to reduce the intensity of its current monetary stimulus (QE3).

Note that we are referring to “reduction in stimulus”, not even a tightening of monetary policy.

Nonetheless, this potential development, even its approach, has very significant implications not only for the US economy and US assets, but the world over.

When the Fed announced no change in policy at the June meeting and Chairman Bernanke clarified that moderation of the current QE program was still a way off, though possibly toward year-end, the financial markets were still disappointed. At any rate, in June a majority at the Fed expected the official Fed funds rate to remain unchanged near zero until 2015. At the same time, a reduction the QE buying program will still be driven by the data, possibly later this year.

The above development came also at about the same time the data in many emerging market economies disappointed (Brazil, India, China), the EU remains mired in recession and is suffering record unemployment (12.2 percent in April 2013), world trade is slowing...All this led the World Bank to revise down its growth forecasts for this year: 2.2 percent instead of 2.4 per-

cent (3.3 percent for the IMF). Yes, the US economy recently posted some encouraging numbers that have led to speculation about the Fed’s next move, as well as to higher interest rates.

The 10-year US Note is up from a yield of 1.5 percent in mid-2012 to 2.3 percent, some 80 bps. Recall that under QE3 the Fed is currently buying $85 billion of fixed-income securities on a monthly basis, heavily tilted toward longer maturities. Discussion of the tapering-off of such purchases centers on possible reduced purchases starting in September or early next year, beginning with reduced purchases of $6075 billion initially on a monthly basis.

Note that QE issues are separate from the official federal funds official rate, now near zero and expected to stay there into 2015. The Fed is being extremely cautious trying to communicate these matters to very jittery markets. This jumpiness comes from knowing that QE’s have supported the rallies in the markets the past few years, but the extent is unclear. In other words, how many basis points (bps) or equity points must smaller or vanishing QE now subtract, if any?

There is little doubt that 5 years after 2008 and the advent of the financial crisis, the US (certainly not Europe) is close to the end of extreme policies. The timing and form of that switch is now being debated. In our view, that is coming but we expect it to be rather delayed and very gradual. Not only will the Fed want to move very cautiously, the economic backdrop in our view is still fragile (even if improved) and most importantly the gauges of inflation and prices are still pointing to a small risk of defla-

tion. The Fed will not subtract stimulus in any substantial way before the latter risk has totally disappeared. The Fed believes it is easier to ward off potential inflation, that to fight against deflation (the Japanese scenario of the “lost decade”).

The labor market in the US was averaging 155K new jobs a month in May, below the 200K pace posted the prior five months. The PMI (manufacturing index) is under 50 for the first time in months, and the core PCE deflator, the Fed’s primary inflation measure, is showing inflation declining to 1 percent in April, the lowest in four years. The US remains in far better shape that other advanced economies, however its growth is less than stellar at a near 2 percent pace.

The other changes were on the Japanese front where quantitative easing appears to be working. The first quarter saw GDP growth of 0.9 percent(3.6 percent annualized) and QE has supported a rise in the Nikkei, a fall in the yen and higher bond yields, but all those came with a rise in volatility. The Nikkei had several days of ups and downs in excess of 3 percent. The yen traded between 94 and 104 to the dollar in less than a month.

With a somewhat softer outlook for world growth and increased oil supplies, oil and commodity prices have softened but our outlook for the GCC countries remains little changed, with forecast of 5 percent real non-oil GDP growth for the region. In June, the UAE and Qatar saw their stock markets upgraded to Emerging Market status (from Frontier) by MSCI, effective one year out.

NBK female credit cardholders get discounts

Manal Al-Mattar

KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) offers its female Credit Cardholders an exclusive discount at the Regency Hotel. Valid until October 31, 2013, NBK female cardholders of Visa, MasterCard and Diners Club will receive up to 50 percent instant discount on a three month membership at the Ladies Lounge of the Regency Hotel Kuwait.

“NBK understands the needs of professional women, and supports their lifestyles by providing them

with exclusive offers and services that cater to their needs and preferences. We will continue to bring valuable offers that will make a difference in the lives of our Female customers,” said Manal Al-Mattar, NBK Public Relations Executive Manager.

Al-Mattar added, “NBK’s leadership in the cards market in Kuwait has been established by consistently delivering superior value to our cardholders. We always strive to develop promotions to reward

them.” NBK Credit Cards are accepted worldwide and are the safest, most convenient and rewarding way to pay.

The Ladies’ Lounge at The Regency is the most exclusive ladies-only sanctuary in Kuwait offering an elegant swimming pool, a private lounge area with an extensive menu and a discreet private beach with wonderful views over the Arabian Gulf that is ideal for sun lovers and the perfect venue for all-lady gatherings.

FAA moves towards easing electronic device usage WASHINGTON: Relief may be on the way for airline passengers who can’t bear to be separated even briefly from their personal electronic devices. The government is moving toward allowing gate-to-gate use of music players, tablets, laptops, smartphones and other gadgets, although it may take a few months.

Restrictions on cellphone calls and Internet use and transmission are not expected to be changed. An industry-labor advisory committee was supposed to make recommendations next month to the Federal Aviation Administration on easing restrictions on using electronic devices during takeoffs and landings. But the agency said in a statement Friday the deadline has been extended to September because committee members asked for extra time to finish assessing whether it’s safe to lift restrictions. “ The FAA recognizes consumers are intensely interested in the use of personal electronics aboard aircraft; that is why we tasked a government-industry group to examine the safety issues and the feasibility of changing the current restrictions,” the statement said. The agency is under public and political pressure to ease the restrictions as more people bring their devices with them when they fly in order to read e-books, listen to music, watch videos, and get work done.

Technically, the FAA doesn’t bar use of electronic devices when aircraft are below 10,000 feet. But under FAA rules, airlines that want to let passengers use the devices are faced with a practical impossibility - they would have to show that they’ve tested every type and make of device passengers would use to ensure there is no electromagnetic interference with aircraft radios and electrical and electronic systems.

As a result, US airlines simply bar all electric device use below 10,000 feet. Airline accidents are most likely to occur during takeoffs, landings and taxiing. Using cellphones to make calls on planes is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission. There is concern that making calls from fast-flying planes might strain cellular systems, interfering with service on the ground. There is also the potential annoyance factor - whether passengers will be unhappy if they have to listen to other passengers yakking on the phone.

The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that a draft report by the advisory committee indicates its 28 members have reached a consensus that at least some of the current restrictions should be eased.

A member of the committee told The Associated Press that while the draft report is an attempt to reach consensus, no formal agreement has yet been reached. The member was not authorized to discuss the committee’s private deliberations and requested anonymity. There are also still safety concerns, the member said. The electrical interference generated by today’s devices is much lower than those of a decade ago, but many more passen-

gers today are carrying electronics.

Any plan to allow gate-to-gate electronic use would also come with certification processes for new and existing aircraft to ensure that they are built or modified to mitigate those risks. Steps to be taken could include ensuring that all navigational antennas are angled away from the plane’s doors and windows. Planes that are already certified for Wi-Fi would probably be more easily certified.

Although the restrictions have been broadly criticized as unnecessary, committee members saw value in them. One of the considerations being weighed is whether some heavier devices like laptops should continue to be restricted because they might become dangerous projectiles, hurting other passengers during a crash, the committee member said. There is less concern about tablets and other lighter devices.

FAA officials would still have the final say.

An official familiar with FAA’s efforts on the issue said agency officials would like to find a way to allow passengers to use electronic devices during takeoffs and landings the same way they’re already allowed to use them when planes are cruising above 10,000 feet. The official requested anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak by name.

FAA Administrator Michael Huerta told a Senate panel in April that he convened the advisory committee in the hope of working out changes to the restrictions. “It’s good to

see the FAA may be on the verge of acknowledging what the traveling public has suspected for years - that current rules are arbitrary and lack real justification,” Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., one of Congress’ more outspoken critics of the restrictions, said in a statement. She contends that unless scientific evidence can be presented to justify the restrictions, they should be lifted.

Edward Pizzarello, the co-founder of frequent flier discussion site MilePoint, says lifting the restriction is “long overdue.” “I actually feel like this regulation has been toughest on flight attendants. Nobody wants to shut off their phone, and the flight attendants are always left to be the bad guys and gals,” said Pizzarello, 38, of Leesburg, Va. Actor Alec Baldwin became the face of passenger frustration with the restrictions in 2011 when he was kicked off a New York-bound flight in Los Angeles for refusing to turn off his cellphone. Baldwin later issued an apology to fellow American Airlines passengers who were delayed, but mocked the flight attendant on Twitter.

“I just hope they do the sensible thing and don’t allow people to talk on their cellphones during flight,” said Pizzarello, who flies 150,000 to 200,000 miles a year. “There are plenty of people that don’t have the social skills necessary to make a phone call on a plane without annoying the people around them. Some things are better left alone.” — AP

SAN FRANCISCO: This file photo shows United Airlines planes taxing at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco. — AP

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

BUSINESS

Kuwait bourse indices remain mixed BAYAN WEEKLY MARKET REPORT KUWAIT: Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) ended last week with variance on its indices. The price index ended last week with an increase amounted to 1.62 percent, while the weighted index increased by 0.09 percent compared to the closings of the week before, whereas KSX-15 Index decreased by 0.42 percent.

Furthermore, last week’s average daily turnover increased by 13.34 percent, compared to the preceding week, reaching KD 59.76 million, whereas trading volume average was 714.52 million shares, recording increase of 16.84 percent.

The price index realized a relative good gains supported by the purchasing activity on the small-cap stocks, in addition to the quick speculations on the same stocks, which enabled the index to regain the 8,000 point level that it lost a week earlier. On the contrary, some leading stocks witnessed a declining performance during the week, as a result to the selling operations and profit collections pressure during some sessions, which limited the weighted index gains and dragged KSX-15 Index to record a limited loss by the end of the week.

In addition, Kuwait stock market initiated the week sessions with a decline to all of its indices, especially the price index that broke more than one hundredth level low, due to the continuous profit collection and discharge operations that included many listed stocks, whether large-cap or small-cap stocks.

However, the stock market was able to correct its direction and improve thereafter, supported by the strong purchasing power that appeared and concentrated especially on the small-cap stocks which declined steeply in previous sessions, to close this session with limited gains to the market three indices.

Moreover, the stock market witnessed a limited unstable performance during most of last week’s sessions, where quick speculations over

Technology sector was the least growing as its index closed at 1,129.51 points with a 0.12 percent increase.

On the other hand, the basic materials sector headed the losers list as its index declined by 2.45 percent to end the week’s activity at 1,139.38 points.

The consumer goods sector was second on the losers’ list, which index declined by 2.36 percent, closing at 1,172.24 points, followed by the Insurance sector, as its index closed at 1,177.80 points at a weekly loss of 0.31 percent.

controlled, and focused on small-cap stocks, mostly in real estate and financial services sectors. Also, the stock market received some support from the random purchasing operations executed on some blue-chip stocks, mainly in banking sector, which positively reflected on the weighted index and KSX-15 Index, before the profit collection operations start to lighten the gains of the Weighted Index and

push KSX-15 Index to close in the red zone.

For the annual performance, the price index ended last week recording 35.82 percent annual gain compared to its closing in 2012, while the weighted index increased by 9.78 percent, and the KSX-15 recorded 5.14 percent increase.

By the end of the week, the price index closed at 8,059.86 points, up by

1.62 percent from the week before closing, whereas the weighted index registered a 0.09 percent weekly gain after closing at 458.50 points.

Moreover, the KSX-15 index closed at 1,060.97 points, decreasing by 0.42 percent.

Sectors’ indices Nine of KSE’s sectors ended last week in the green zone, while the oth-

Medhat Tawfiq at the seminar.

er three recorded declines. Last week’s highest gainer was the Consumer Services sector, achieving 6.28 percent growth rate as its index closed at 1,119.01 points. Whereas, in the second place, the oil & gas sector’s index closed at 1,284.75 points recording 6.27 percent increase. The industrials sector came in third as its index achieved 1.62 percent growth, ending the week at 1,230.94 points. The

Sectors’ activity The real estate sector dominated total trade volume during last week with 1.28 billion shares changing hands, representing 35.82 percent of the total market trading volume. The financial services sector was second in terms of trading volume as the sector’s traded shares were 35.51 percent of last week’s total trading volume, with a total of 1.27 billion shares.

On the other hand, the real estate sector’s stocks were the highest traded in terms of value; with a turnover of KD 97.08 million or 32.49 percent of last week’s total market trading value.

The financial services sector took the second place as the sector’s last week turnover of KD 88.59 million represented 29.65 percent of the total market trading value.

(From right) Wahi Mohsen, Medhat Tawfiq, Ben Stroud

Al-Motahid holds seminar on real estate investment opportunities KUWAIT: In the framework of Ahli United Bank’s commitment to provide top-notch services to its clients, Private Banking and Wealth Department of the bank organized an extensive seminar on the purchase of residential properties in the UK attended by an elite of Kuwaiti public figureswho are interested of the real estate industry and who have received a full explanation and answers to all their questions.

On this occasion, group head / Private Banking & Wealth Management, Medhat Tawfiq said in a press release “Al-Motahid is always trying to provide excellent and exclusive services to its clients. From this perspective, Al-Motahid continues to organise a chain of successful seminars to keep its clients well informed of the latest real estate developments in the United Kingdom, particularly with regard to the taxes and laws governing the acquisition of properties. The semi-

nar was organized in collaboration with Jones Lang LaSalle -the widely known real estate consulting firm in Europe, Middle East, Asia, the Pacific and the Americas and which operates in in 70 countries through 200 offices, and hires about 5,300 employees and with whom we established a strategic relationship”.

Tawfiq further added that we chose to hold this seminar, attended by a large number of clients, at early summer as the time is much ripe to own real estate properties in UK due to coincidence with the annual vacations. Tawfiq also underlined that Al-Motahid seeks to provide the best real estate projects in UK, adding that the bank and through its strategic relationship with Jones Lang LaSalle provides its clients with new and exclusive opportunities to own freehold properties at the most prestigious locations in London like Kensington High Street and Lord Kingston House where

the marketing right is exclusively held by Jones Lang LaSalle.

The seminar was delivered by Ben Stroud - Director of Local Real Estate Development at Jones Lang LaSalle who highlighted the economic and real estate situations in the United Kingdom and explained how the increase in the regional GDP and the growing number of population would influence the demand on real estate properties in London. Ben Stroud made an illustrative presentation on the outlook of the growing demand on real estate in central London during the next five years, especially that the shortage in the number of residential buildings increases the demand on freehold propertiesin London, not to mention that the return on real estate investment in London is higher than the return on investment in other assets.

Ben Stroud suggested that London

will witness a state of prosperity and growth in terms of its importance as an international destination to live and work, explaining that there is a growing demand for freehold properties by the well-to-do individuals of middle class and the high net-worth individuals from developing countries. Stroud indicated that there is a wide popular demand on the leasehold market which will see further growthover the next decade suggesting that the selling prices will hike by 8 percent per annum by the year 2017.

Stroud explained that Jones Lang LaSalle is a real estate agent not broker, so the purchase of real estate through Jones Lang LaSalle does not cause clients to bear any extra cost. In addition, Jones Lang LaSalle offers one service that covers sales, finance, furnishing, rent, management, and re-sale.

On his part, Simon Green the Partner

and Head of Real Estate for the Middle East in Charles Russell, a fully integrated UK-based legal practice, provided an explanation of the legal steps to buying real estate in the United Kingdom as well as a detailed explanation of the tax law applicable on real estate in the United Kingdom.

At the end of the seminar, Al-Motahid afforded its clients the opportunity to hold bilateral talks with the real estate gurus Ben Stroud, the Director of Local Real Estate Development at Jones LangLaSalle, and Wahi Mohsen, the Head of Real Estate Sales at Jones Lang LaSalle - UK, and Simon Green, the Partner and Head of Real Estate for the Middle East in Charles Russell who answered all the questions of clients which mostly revolved around prices in each region, the map of central London and the most important developments in UK Tax Law on real estate.

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

BUSINESS

Ethiopia seeks middle income status by 2025 Ethiopia urged to give private sector a bigger push ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopia should ensure private industry and business has sufficient access to finance in the state-dominated economy to keep growth rates up and shift from a heavy reliance on agriculture, the World Bank said. The Horn of Africa nation with its strongly state-interventionist policies has one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. The government expects growth of 10 percent in the fiscal year ending next month, boosted by rising agricultural output.

Industry, however, accounts for only about 10 percent of gross domestic product, while major sectors of the economy such as banking and telecoms remain in state hands. Guang Z Chen, the World Bank’s country director, said Ethiopia should adjust policy to expand the private sector to meet a goal of

middle-income status by 2025. The bank has defined a middle-income nation as one with gross national income per capita of more than $1,025 per year and put Ethiopia’s at $370 in 2011.

“For this country to continue to grow I strongly believe industry has to take a much bigger role because there is no other country that I’m aware of, aside from these resource-rich countries, that can go to middle-income status with still 50 percent of GDP on agriculture,” he said. “But unfortunately it (the industrial sector) has been rather stagnant, at about 10 percent of GDP,” Chen added. State-supported energy and transport projects required financing equivalent to 19 percent of Ethiopia’s estimated $33 billion annual national output last year, squeezing out private business, according to World Bank esti-

mates. Credit to the private sector was equivalent to 14 percent of GDP compared to a regional average of 23 percent, the bank says. “Making credit available for the private sector is certainly one area the government can do more on,” Chen said. In the five years to July 2012, private consumption declined from 85 percent of GDP to 77 percent, bank figures show. The total investment rate rose from 16.4 percent of GDP to 25.5 percent between 1987 and 2011, but the proportion of private investment fell in that period.

“The trend that worries us is that while the public investment as a share of GDP is increasing, the private investment as a share of GDP is decreasing,” Chen said, adding adjustments could made to the “interventionist model”. Ethiopia, Africa’s secondmost populous nation after Nigeria, aims to expand

the road network to 136,000 kilometers by 2015 from below 50,000 kms in 2010. It also plans to build 5,000 kms of railway lines by 2020.

Addis Ababa says it wants to tap the BRICS countries - Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa - for investment. Chen said the nation’s transport and logistics would benefit from more a more competitive environment. “Logistics is mostly controlled by state-owned sectors, that’s why we emphasize that there needs to be more competition,” Chen said, adding that competition could even be between state-owned enterprises.

Growth has been driven by an expansion in services and agriculture. The main exports include coffee, horticultural products and livestock. Ethiopia is also a big aid recipient.— Reuters

Tens of thousands march in Rome against unemployment Italian unemployment at record high

NEW YORK: Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke is on a television screen as specialist James Naughton works at his post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. — AP

Rising US wealth doesn’t generate spending surge WASHINGTON: The stock market rallied to record heights last month, home prices have rebounded and the wealth of American households has returned to where it was before the Great Recession.

That’s just what Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said he wanted when the Fed announced a third round of bond purchases last September. The purchases weren’t just meant to push interest rates down and make it cheaper for businesses and consumers to borrow - the traditional aim of the Fed’s easy money policies. They were also designed to pump up stock and house prices, making Americans feel richer and more willing to spend - a process economists call the “wealth effect.”

But the wealth effect may not have had the economic impact Bernanke hoped it would. Sure, the Dow Jones industrial average is up 11 percent since the bond-buying policy was announced in mid-September, despite plummeting Wednesday and Thursday on news that the Fed could end the purchases by the middle of 2014. And overall household wealth hit $70.3 trillion at the end of March, regaining the $12.7 trillion lost in the recession.

But Americans still aren’t shopping with enough gusto to add much momentum to the economy. Consumer spending actually fell in April from March. And economic output - 70 percent of which comes from consumer spending - is expected to grow at an annual rate of just 2 percent from April through June, down from a 2.4 percent rate the first three months of 2013.

Why aren’t the impressive increases in wealth helping the economy bounce back as briskly as it normally does four years after a recession? Economists cite several reasons. The biggest gains aren’t going to the vast majority of Americans.

Many families are still nursing big losses on the value of their home, and the big drop in home prices from 2006 through 2011 has undermined their confidence.

Moreover, their incomes have been crimped by a weak labor market and tax hikes that took effect in January.

The biggest gains in wealth are going to wealthy households that tend to save a big chunk of their incomes and spend a smaller proportion on basics such as food and clothing. “Those guys don’t spend much,” says economist Edward Wolff of New York University. The disparity shows up in numbers Wolff calculated.

He found that the average US household’s net worth rose this year to $522,000. But the average is skewed higher by the vast net worth of America’s wealthiest - Bill Gates’ $67 billion, for instance, according to Forbes magazine.

So Wolff looked at the net worth of the median US household - those smack in the middle, where half of households earn more and half less. The median family’s net worth is far more modest than the average: $61,000, Wolff estimates.

That is $50,800, or 47 percent, short of where it was in 2007.

One reason: The biggest gains have come from the rise in financial markets.

And the benefits of the stock market’s surge have gone disproportionately to

America’s wealthiest households. Wolff calculates that the wealthiest 10 percent of US households own more than 80 percent of stocks, even including retirement accounts such as 401 (k) plans. “ The recent stock market boom has really benefited just the top,” Wolff says.

The wealth effect from gains in financial markets is much weaker than the effect from gains in housing wealth: A $1 increase in housing wealth generates about 8 cents of consumer spending. A $1 rise in stock wealth generates 3 cents.

And a $1 rise in bond wealth generates less than 1 cent, says Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics.

Housing has a bigger bang for the buck because it is the main source of wealth for middle-class families, and they spend almost all their earnings. Bonds and stocks tend to be held by the wealthy, who spend a smaller share of theirs.

But housing isn’t helping much yet even though home prices are bouncing back from a devastating real estate bust.

Many Americans still haven’t seen the value of their home fully recover. Nearly 1 in 5 homes are worth less than the mortgages on it, CoreLogic reports.

According to the Fed, overall homeowners’ equity, worth nearly $9.1 trillion on March 31, is still $4 trillion, or 31 percent, lower than it was at the end of 2005.

As a result, many homeowners don’t feel much wealthier than when the Fed started its rounds of bond purchases.

Many can’t take advantage of the superlow rates Bernanke engineered to refinance their mortgage and lower their monthly payments - let alone to take cash out of their home equity to splurge on goods the way Americans did in the mid-2000s.

Mortgage giant Freddie Mac says homeowners took out just $8.1 billion in cash when they refinanced mortgages in the first three months of 2013. From April through June 2006, at the height of the housing boom, they cashed out $84 billion. For ordinary Americans, any gains in wealth have been partially offset by losses in income. According to Sentier Research, median household income in April was $51,456, nearly 7 percent lower when adjusted for inflation than it was when the Great Recession began in December 2007.

Americans’ wallets were also pinched in January by an increase in the Social Security tax. The hike amounts to $1,000 a year for a family earning $50,000. For all these reasons, the wealth effect “has grown more muted,” Zandi says. In the past, a $1 increase in net worth overall could boost consumer spending by about 5 cents. These days, Zandi calculates, $1 in increased wealth generates just 2 cents to 2.5 cents in spending.

And generating wealth may be even harder if the Fed goes ahead with plans to scale back and eventually end its bond purchases. The stock market has taken a beating since the Fed revealed the news Wednesday: The Dow dropped 206 points Wednesday and 353 points Thursday before bouncing back 41 points to close at 14,799 Friday. — AP

ROME: Thousands of workers and unemployed people marched in Rome yesterday to protest against record unemployment and call on Enrico Letta’s two-month-old government to deliver more than empty rhetoric on the issue.

The rally, organised by the country’s three largest union confederations, CGIL, CISL and UIL, was the first major protest since Letta’s broad, left-right coalition took office following an inconclusive election in February. Italian unemployment hit 12 percent in April, the highest level on record, and joblessness among people under 24 is at an all-time high above 40 percent.

Union chiefs, speaking before a flag-waving crowd estimated at more than 100,000 by the organisers, criticised Letta for what they called a lack of action on an urgent problem. “We can’t accept these continuous promises that aren’t translated into decisions that give a change of direction,” said Susanna Camusso, leader of the country’s largest union CGIL. Luigi Angeletti, head of the UIL, said the countr y could not afford the piecemeal approach to policy adopted so far, especially when the ruling coalition is so fragile. “In a country where the main concern is betting on how long the government will last, the message is that there is no more time for promises and announcements,” he said in Piazza San Giovanni, the traditional venue of left-wing protests.

Letta’s cabinet is due to unveil a package aimed at tackling youth unemployment next week, but Angeletti said the measures being mooted, such as tax breaks for firms hiring young people, were “useless”. Italy’s economy has contracted in every quarter since mid-2011 - its longest post-war recession - and companies are steadily shedding staff. The unionists called

LATERANO: People react as they listen to speeches during a rally by the three main Italian trade unions CGIL,CISL and UIL leaders during a demonstration for work and tax fairness in Rome’s Piazza San Giovanni yesterday. — AFP on the government to intervene to prevent plans by white goods maker Indesit to lay off 1,400 workers in one of the most recent labour disputes.

“Indesit isn’t in crisis, it just wants to use its profits to make investments in Turkey and Poland,” Camusso said. One marcher, Lorenzo Giuseppe, told Reuters he had turned out “to

send a message to the government that jobs have to be the top issue on the agenda. If we have work we can move ahead.” Millions of Italians are so convinced they have no chance of finding work that they have given up looking altogether, meaning official figures severely understate the number of unemployed, according to national statistics office ISTAT. — Reuters

Obama to seek ROI in Africa

In this file photo of a Lockheed Prop-Jet Electra, a 75-passenger plane, who flies over a mountain range. — AP

Lockheed eyes markets outside US PARIS: Lockheed Martin Corp, already the biggest US weapons maker and largest provider of IT services to the US government, wants to become a powerhouse in foreign markets such as the Middle East and India, a top executive said. Lockheed made about 17 percent of its $47 billion of revenue abroad in 2012, or $8 billion, and will “absolutely” exceed its current goal of 20 percent, Pat Dewar, senior vice president for corporate strategy and business development, told Reuters.

The maker of the F-35 fighter jet and Aegis missile systems still lags rivals Raytheon Co, with about 26 percent of sales from abroad, and Boeing Co’s defense division, which says about 42 percent of its backlog is outside the United States. Both rivals are targeting 30 percent foreign revenue. “We’re moving much more aggressively in the international domain,” Dewar said at the Paris Airshow, without giving a new target. “We’re going global in a much bigger way.”

Lockheed and other big US arms manufacturers are looking to exports and foreign markets to provide continued growth as US military spending slows amid mounting fiscal pressures, and the end of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Lockheed is already working in 70 countries and has what it calls “home team capability” in Britain, Australia and Canada.

Now it plans to pump up local operations in other areas such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Japan and India.

“We are going to move the corporation from being essentially overwhelmingly US with international sales, to being a healthy local delivery system in those countries where the governmental relations are strong, and where industry relations are strong or can be strengthened,” Dewar said. Lockheed hopes focusing more on local operations, rather than merely selling products or bringing in experts from US sites, will give it the edge over its competitors, Dewar said.

In February, Lockheed opened new headquarters in Riyadh, in Saudi Arabia, and

signed an agreement with Saudi Arabian Airlines to pursue opportunities such as a new training organization for the aerospace sector. Lockheed has already sold its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system to the United Arab Emirates, where it has a stake in a large aircraft maintenance and overhaul business.

Cyber security Saudi Arabia is looking closely at the THAAD system and has been briefed by the Pentagon’s Missile Defense Agency, he said.

In India, the company has a joint venture with Tata Advanced Systems for manufacturing airframe components for the C-130J, a large transport plane that Lockheed is selling to India. “We think that’s a base of operations and a base to expand from,” Dewar said.

Lockheed also has a large industrial partnership with Italy’s Alenia, a unit of Finmeccanica, for final assembly of the F-35, and just signed a similar deal in Japan with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. In addition to weapons-related work, Lockheed sees growing opportunities for civilian projects and already runs the census or manages postal systems in Britain, Canada and Australia.

Dewar sees Lockheed’s strength as being able to apply experience managing logistics for big weapons systems to government IT, as it has done in the US, where it has been the government’s top information technology provider for 18 years. Cyber security is drawing particular interest from other governments, particularly in the Middle East and Asia, Dewar said, although he declined to identify specific customers.

Lockheed is one of the big players in the US cyber market, where it provides a range of services for the military and intelligence services. Escalating cyber attacks against global computer networks, including Saudi Arabia’s national oil and gas company, are generating demand for similar services overseas. “Cyber could essentially be the door opener in many of these cases,” Dewar said. — Reuters

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama’s upcoming weeklong trip to Africa will mark his most significant personal investment in the developing region since taking office. The White House is hoping the return on that investment will be an increased foothold for US businesses on a continent where China and other emerging economies are already major players.

Casting a shadow over Obama’s trip will be the health of beloved former South African President Nelson Mandela, who has been hospitalized for two weeks. Family and government officials say the 94year-old’s condition is improving, but the White House said it would defer to Mandela’s family for decisions on whether the anti-apartheid leader will be able to meet with Obama.

“We want whatever is in the best interest of his health,” said Ben Rhodes, Obama’s deputy national security adviser. Obama’s two-day visit to South Africa will be bookended by stops in Senegal and Tanzania.

The trip was structured to give Obama a footprint in East, West and South Africa and to highlight stable democracies on a continent where corruption and authoritarian rule are still common.

The president, along with wife, Michelle, and daughters Malia and Sasha, is scheduled to depart Washington Wednesday morning. While Obama has devoted significant time to emerging economies in Asia and Latin America, he’s spent just one day in subSaharan Africa since taking office-a 24-hour visit to Ghana in 2009. Meanwhile, countries like China, Malaysia, Brazil and Turkey have been upping their investments in Africa.

“There are other countries getting in the game,” Rhodes said. “If the United States is not leading in Africa, we’re going to fall behind in a very important region in the world.” China in particular has poured significant resources into the region in recent years.

Official figures from Beijing put China’s trade with Africa at nearly $200 billion last year, up from $10 billion in 2000. The rapid increase has been driven largely

by Chinese demand for oil and investments in infrastructure, including telecommunications grids.

According to the office of the US Trade Representative, US trade with sub-Saharan Africa totaled about $95 billion in 2011. Despite China’s robust investments, African countries increasingly have criticized Beijing for exploiting the continent’s mineral wealth and doing little to invest in the local communities. Obama is likely to try to make the case that the U.S. will not only be looking out for its own interests in Africa, but also those of the African people. “China has a mixed record in Africa but gets criticized for kind of lack of transparency, bringing its own workers, bringing its own materials, not engaging with the communities around them,” said Jennifer Cooke, director of the Africa program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “And I think the president will want to make that distinction of why the U.S. is a good partner in this regard.”—AP

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

BUSINESS

Zain Kuwait launches exciting offers celebrating 30 years of leadership Company rewards loyal customers

Nissan showcases its zero emission mobility leadership DUBAI: Nissan’s global leadership in Zero Emission mobility was showcased at the Ajman Green Economy Conference on Monday, June 10, 2013. Arranged by Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence, under the guidance of Ajman Municipality and patronage of Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid AlNuaimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman, the event launched the Greenhouse Gas initiative in the northern emirates of the UAE. At the centre of the prestigious event, which was one of the key activities mandated by the Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW), Nissan displayed the ground-breaking Nissan Leaf, the world’s best selling all-electric, zero tailpipe emission production vehicle.

Keynote speakers included Dr Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, and Paolo Lembo, United Nations Resident Representative with international panelists and speakers including Dr Kipling Perkins, United Nations Director and Dr Finn Mortensen, CEO Denmark State of Green.

“Nissan is investing in a portfolio of ‘green’ technologies to maintain its global leadership in developing and delivering ‘zero emission’ transport,” said Samir Cherfan, Managing Director, Nissan Middle East. “Some of these technologies are the future but today we already produce the world’s best selling all-electric passenger

vehicle in Nissan Leaf. While Leaf is not yet available in the region, its presence at events such as the Ajman Green Economy Conference underlines Nissan’s commitment to being at the forefront of the Middle East’s drive towards a sustainable future.”

While Leaf is its best-known zero emission product, Nissan has made substantial investment in a broad range of ‘green’ technologies, beginning with the all-electric car.

However, Nissan is preparing with the ultimate objective of supplying a lineup of cars that will be totally neutral to the environment. These include hybrids and fuel cell vehicles.

“Nissan has a clear vision of the future of transportation and in conjunction with countries and governments, it will develop the necessary infrastructure to manufacture high-quality zero-emission cars that are safe, well-engineered, attractive, affordable and fun to drive,” said Samir.

Nissan Leaf is powered by a compact electric motor in the front of the car, which drives the front wheels. Leaf has the performance of a 1.6 litre petrol-engine car and can be recharged to 80 percent battery capacity in around 25 minutes from a fast charging point. In two-and-a-half years more than 58,000 have been sold around the world, 30 percent ahead of where hybrid sales were in a comparative period of time.

KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommunications company in Kuwait, commenced its celebration of its 30th anniversary by launching new promotions and services to its loyal customers as a sincere token of appreciation.

Since its launch in 1983, the company is proud to have established a remarkable long- track of successful records in driving innovation and providing superior value to its customers.

To celebrate 30 successful years, Zain Kuwait is introducing a range of specially tailored offers with smartphones and 4G LTE Internet subscriptions. Customers can get a free LTE enabled iPad with nationwide 4G LTE Internet subscription for KD 22 per month. Customers can now benefit from 4G LTE Internet services on Hotspot, router, or eGo devices that are LTE compatible with 35GB Internet capacity for KD 1 for the first 3 months, then KD 19 for the remaining months.

Zain’s promotion also includes smartphone devices with Zain pre-

paid lines whereby customers will enjoy free 500 MB Internet capacity per month. Customers can get the Samsung Pocket device at KD 24 , Samsung Galaxy S3 mini at KD 77, Alcatel at KD 22, Huawei Y210 at KD 19 and the iPhone 4 8GB at KD 95.

To add further excitement, Zain is now offering postpaid customers the chance to own a free iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S4 or Blackberry Q10 device with unlimited calls, unlimited SMS and 12GB 4G LTE Internet quota for KD 56 only instead of KD 63. Zain takes pride of its pioneering position which highlights its commitment of providing its customers with the latest and most innovative products and services in the world of technology.

Zain customers are invited to join the celebrations and take advantage of the endless offers. For more information about Zain’s numerous competitive promotions, customers are advised to visit any of Zain’s branches located in more than 75 locations across Kuwait.

Rothschild appointed as sole OSN advisor

Faisal Al-Ayyar

KUWAIT: the Kuwait Projects Company and its partner Mawarid Group have announced that they have appointed Rothschild as the sole financial advisor to the pay-TV company OSN. Rothschild will evaluate OSN’s strategy and business and advise OSN’s shareholders on the options available for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) of the company.

KIPCO and Mawarid Group respectively own 60.5 percent and 39.5 percent of OSN. OSN has achieved substantial growth in both revenue and subscribers since the company was created in a merger in 2009. KIPCO’s Vice Chairman, Faisal Al-Ayyar, said:

“When OSN was formed in 2009, it began a revolution of the pay-TV experience in the Middle East and North Africa.

Since then OSN has become one of the fastest-growing TV companies in the world. It has done this by offering viewers the most extensive choice in quality entertainment of any pay-TV platform in the region. This choice is complemented by customers being able to watch what they want, when they want and how they want. OSN’s market position and potential for future growth has created an opportunity for an IPO that we now want to explore with our partner Mawarid Group.”

Arab exports of mineral fuel, oil, gas and energy products to Brazil exceed $2.76bn

Dr Michel Alaby

KUWAIT: The Arab region has been a very important partner of Brazil in oil trade as Arab countries collectively account for up to 20 percent of Brazilian oil imports.

From January to April 2013 alone, Brazil has already imported more than $2.76 billion worth of mineral fuel, oil, gas and other energy products from different Arab countries, according to statistics from the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC).

While the Arab region has been a key oil supplier, the Brazilian oil sector is also looking to tap into the investment potential of the Arab world for various oil exploration and oil production projects in Brazil. ABCC has

revealed that by 2017, Brazil expects production to exceed one million barrels of oil each day following new discoveries of pre-salt oil reserves in the country.

Dr Michel Alaby, General Secretary and CEO of ArabBrazilian Chamber of Commerce, said: “The Arab region has been a key trade partner of Brazil as bilateral trade activities continue to expand year-on-year. Oil is a particularly important trade item because Arab countries currently account for the largest volume of Brazilian oil imports. Building on the solid partnership between Brazil and its trade allies in the MENA region, the ArabBrazilian Chamber of Commerce is also now looking to

BP Visco Oil launches new look at event held

by Yusuf Ahmed Alghanim & Sons Company KUWAIT: Yusuf Ahmed Alghanim & Sons Company, the official distributor of BP oils in Kuwait, held a special event on the occasion of BP Visco Oil’s new look that will be distributed throughout Kuwait and Middle Eastern region. The celebratory event was held on June 15, 2013 in Crowne Plaza in the Baraka Ballroom. A large number of individuals attended the event including managers and employees of Yusuf Ahmed Alghanim & Sons Company, members of BP Middle East, cooperatives’ representatives in Kuwait, wholesalers, dealers as well as puncture shop and large garage representatives.

The event included many valuable gifts that were distributed to the audience between entertaining segments that included trivia questions and a draw for more prizes, a factor that augmented the evening’s atmosphere of fun and enjoyment. Saeed Shahid, Yusuf Ahmed Alghanim & Sons’ BP Lubricants Division Manager, gave a short speech that was followed by a word from Mr. Mohammad Samir, BP’s Marketing Regional Manager. Both speeches highlighted BP’s leading presence and position in Kuwait as well as the Middle East due to its products’ high quality that have been defined and refined according to the highest international standards.

The evening showcased the new shape and look of the

new products. The change itself was brought on to suit the market’s altering taste and preferred style of packaging in accordance to BP’s brand image. In addition, some of the Visco products have been upgraded to higher specs to suit the demands of both OEM’s and consumers.

To this day, BP Visco oils have established a leading position due to its highly competitive products that present value-added qualities to its customers. BP Visco oils are available in three types in Kuwait: Visco 2000, Visco 3000, and Visco 5000. Visco 2000 is an ideal oil to protect engines due to the long life viscosity of the oil, while Visco 3000 is perfect to all types of engines including diesel engines because of its unique thermal guard technology. Visco 5000 is the choice for higher mileage driving and further protection for engine parts due to its fully synthetic formulation.

Yusuf Ahmed Alghanim & Sons Company, the exclusive distributor of BP oils in Kuwait, gives its customers the opportunity to protect their cars’ engines by ensuring a long life span with the help of BP Visco Oils’ quality and affordable products. Customers can choose the BP Visco Oil that best suits their engine and car needs at any certified dealer or any of Bumper-to-Bumper’s centers so as to provide cars the comfort they need in the up-and-coming hot summer season.

attract Arab investors for various oil projects in Brazil.

This will be a great opportunity to further consolidate the strategic alliance of both regions and create mutually beneficial economic opportunities.”

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was Brazil’s largest oil supplier with over $1 billion worth of exports from January to April 2013. The rest of the top oil exporting countries to Brazil during the same period were Algeria ($867.75 million), Kuwait ($508.15 million), the UAE ($129.82 million), Iraq ($103.99 million), Libya ($77.81 million), Qatar ($36.19 million), and Bahrain ($0.66 million).

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

technology

Tablets thrust Thai classrooms into digital era MAE CHAN: In a rural classroom in the Thai highlands, hill tribe children energetically slide their fingertips over tablet computer screens practicing everything from English to mathematics and music.

The disadvantaged students are part of an ambitious scheme by the kingdom to distribute millions of the handheld devices in its schools in a move supporters hope will boost national education standards. For opponents of the plan, however, it is an expensive gimmick designed to boost the popularity of the ruling party among parents-and the next generation of voters. At Ban San Kong school in Mae Chan in the northern province of Chiang Rai, 90 children received a tablet computer last year as part of the “One Tablet Per Child” policy that was part of the government’s election campaign in 2011. Previously the school had only a few desktop computers with limited Internet access.

Now, with headphones over their ears for one hour a day during class, the students use the devices for activities including singing English songs, watching cartoons about the life of Thailand’s revered King Bhumibol and playing maths games. With the school year just beginning, and the new tablet content yet to arrive, they are left to revise their lessons of the previous year as their

teacher Siriporn Wichaipanid sits and watches.

She has received no specific training for using the tablets and seems at a bit of a loss. “I have some knowledge. At home, I use an iPad,” she said. But “if I don’t understand, I don’t know how to teach the children”. For the studentsmostly from ethnic minority Akha hill tribe communities for whom Thai is not their mother tongue-using the tablets has been a positive experience, according to the school. “The students cannot speak Thai very well but they can hear sounds more clearly from the tablets and repeat them,” said their teacher from the previous year, Wannawadee Somdang.

“Some of them dare not ask questions.

It’s easier when they listen to the tablets.”

For now only two of the 90 students are allowed to take the computers with them after class to use in their homes, which often lack electricity. “They don’t have Wi-Fi and it’s not convenient for them to charge the batteries. And most importantly their parents have no knowledge about the tablets,” said school principal Uthai Moonmueangkham. But using devices that would normally be out of reach for the kingdom’s poorest children is progress, even if it is only just one hour a day, he said. “They have the same oppor-

tunities as those in the city,” Uthai said.

Reducing the “education gap” between the urban rich and rural poor is one aim of the project, said Surapol Navamavadhand, an advisor to the minister of information and communication technology.

By the end of 2014, the government plans to distribute handheld computers to 13 million school children at a cost of about $100 (75 euros) each-a total of $1.3 billion-and then replace them every two years. About 850,000 Chinese-made devices have already been given out, and the government says it will soon launch a tender offer for another batch of about 1.7 million tablets, in what it has described as the world’s largest handout of the devices for education.

Experts warn that the computers offer no guarantee of an increase in education standards. The tablets are “just another tool” like a pencil, according to Jonghwi Park, an education technology specialist at UNESCO in Bangkok. “It’s not about what to use, it’s about how to use it,” she said, urging governments considering introducing new technology for learning to think hard about whether it will really help them achieve their goals.

Critics of the Thai education system say much more radical changes are needed. “If you want to deal with the

MAE CHAN: Students use tablets during a lesson at a classroom in the Ban San Kong school of Mae Chan, a town located in Thailand’s northern province of Chiang Rai. In a remote classroom in the Thai highlands, hill tribe children energetically slide their fingertips over tablet computer screens practicing everything from English to maths and music. — AFP education in Thailand, I can tell you that the whole system must be demolished,” said Somphong Chitradub, an associate professor specialized in child education at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University.

“Our classrooms are passive, tiring and boring,” he said. Most Thai children are encouraged to memorize information and “lack courage to express opinions”, he added. —AFP

Technology makes trade secrets a target for theft Thousands of computer files stolen

NEW YORK: A microphone stands in front of a Google logo during a press announcement at Google headquarters in New York. France has threatened Google with a fine of up to 150,000 euros ($198,000) if it does not bring its privacy procedures in line with French law on data protection within three months. — AFP

‘Privacy’ search engines see jump after NSA row WASHINGTON: Internet users are taking a fresh look at “privacy” search engines that do not store data or track online activity, in light of the flap over US government surveillance. While Google’s market share has not seen a noticeable dent, privacy search engines like US-based DuckDuckGo and European-based Ixquick have seen jumps in traffic from users seeking to limit their online tracks. “I think people are seeking out privacy alternatives,” said Gabriel Weinberg, founder of DuckDuckGo, an engine created in 2007, which does not store IP addresses or create profiles of users.

The stored data has become a concern following revelations of a massive surveillance program run by the secretive National Security Agency, with access to data from Google, Yahoo! and other Internet firms. US officials say the information gathered is vital in the fight against global terrorism. The same data and profiles can be used by the search engine to deliver ads and sold to outside marketers as well. “What people type in their search engines is their most personal things,” Weinberg said. “It’s a little creepy that a search engine can know so much about you.”

DuckDuckGo had been growing slowly in recent years, but its traffic charts showed a surge after the first news broke June 6 of the government’s PRISM surveillance program. By June 20, traffic had hit nearly three million queries, double the level of a year earlier. More than half of DuckDuckGo traffic comes from outside the United States, Weinberg said. “ This NSA story played into the trend of people’s fears” about online tracking, said Weinberg.

Weinberg said another factor is that Google results are being gamed by search engine spammers and other companies trying to rank their results higher.” Dutchbased Ixquick, which also uses the name StartPage, said it too has seen a dramatic jump in usage after news of the PRISM data

sharing program. Last week, the two metasearch engines-which use the results of Google and other search sites and strip out identifying information-served as many as 3.6 million queries. “This growth has been sustained, it shows no signs of slowing down,” said spokeswoman Katherine Albrecht.

The revelations about PRISM “really have woken people up,” she said. “People had heard the message of privacy but hadn’t been able to nail it down to how it relates to them.” The company proclaims it “has never turned over user data to any government entity anywhere on earth” and is “not directly subject to US jurisdiction.” Another search engine, California-based Blekko, allows users to select privacy settings and keeps no data if the user selects “do not track.”

“Even if you are not a criminal, you probably make searches that you don’t want your minister, boss, or spouse to know about,” said Blekko’s Greg Lindahl.

Weinberg said DuckDuckGo’s model allows it to make money through “keyword” advertising, without stored profiles. So if someone is searching for a “mortgage,” they might see ads for banks. This differs from search engines that track the pages people visit and then deliver related ads, a practice known as “retargeting.” “Retargeting is effective only for a small amount of people, the rest are just annoyed by it,” he said.

Danny Sullivan, editor in chief at the specialized website Search Engine Land, said these kinds of search engines were “interesting” but unlikely to have a major market impact. “It’s extremely unlikely in the next three to five years that any player will come along and take a sizeable share away from Google,” he said. A survey of the US market by the research firm comScore showed Google with a 66.5 percent market share, with 13.3 billion search queries in a month, followed by Microsoft (17.3 percent, 3.5 billion) and Yahoo! (12 percent, 2.4 billion). —AFP

NEW JERSEY: Becton, Dickinson and Co’s announcement that it was about to roll out a new, easy-to-use, disposable pen injector called Vystra hardly caused a stir last October.

Although an executive for the Franklin Lakes, NJbased medical technology maker said the injector, unveiled at a Las Vegas convention, would introduce “a new level of flexibility for drug manufacturers,” the announcement made few ripples outside the industry.

Now, that’s changed, though not for reasons BD wanted. The new device has become the center of a criminal case in which an engineer, Ketankumar Maniar, 36, who helped create Vystra, is accused of stealing thousands of computer files relating to the pen injector shortly before he quit his job, saying he planned to move back to his native India.

According to the FBI, which arrested Maniar on June 5, the files gave him a “veritable tool kit for mass-producing the disposable pen.” And the US Attorney’s Office in New Jersey charged him with “theft of trade secrets for his own economic benefit,” which could result in up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The case is among several involving allegations of theft of trade secrets, a crime that the Justice Department has made a priority. And it also shines a light on the sophisticated security technology companies are employing to stop it.

In March, a federal judge sentenced a native of China, Sixing Liu, to 70 months in prison for exporting sensitive U.S. military technology to China and stealing trade secrets. Prosecutors said Liu downloaded thousands of files from his employer, L-3 Communications’ space and navigation division in Budd Lake, NJ. Ten months earlier, Yuan Li, a former research chemist who made drug compounds for Sanofi-Aventis, was given 18 months in prison for stealing trade secrets by downloading files on the compounds to her home computer and selling them through a Chinese company of which she was a co-owner.

David W. Opderbeck, director of the Gibbons Institute of Law, Science & Technology at Seton Hall University, said civil suits involving allegations of trade-secret theft are fairly common more so lately because digital documents have become so easy to copy. “I used to litigate these cases 10 years ago, and they usually involved 20

or 100 boxes of documents,” he said. “Now, you can fit much more than that onto a thumb drive.”

The theft of trade secrets to be sent overseas is also more common than in the past, when such thefts were mainly executed to set up a rival company or to extort money from the secret’s owner, he said. Such cases rarely involve criminal charges, but the bottom line is the same, whether it’s a criminal case or civil, Opderbeck said: Attorneys have to prove that the information or documents stolen had economic value and that they were truly secret and confidential. The criminal complaint against Maniar, which was filed the same day as his arrest, refers to the product that he worked on only in general terms. But it’s identified as Vystra in a civil suit filed by BD a week before Maniar’s arrest, which also reveals new details in the case.

The company’s suit alleges that Maniar “misappropriated and threatens to disclose and use BD trade secrets to his and others’ competitive advantage,” in violation of New Jersey’s Trade Secrets Act. The suit asks the court to order Maniar to give up the documents and to allow BD to “seize, freeze and examine” computers and other devices in his possession to ensure that he is not keeping any of the documents.

Maniar’s attorney, Ryan Blanch of New York, did not return calls seeking comment. When Maniar was arrested, Blanch said the case may just be an example of “corporate overreaction to an alleged violation of a company policy.” US Magistrate Judge Steven C Mannion put the case on hold last week because “plea negotiations are currently in progress.” BD, a global company with $7.7 billion in annual sales, declined to comment for this report, except to cite its earlier statement confirming that Maniar was an employee and that it referred the case to prosecutors. “We take very seriously the protection of our confidential information and trade secrets,” the company said.

In January 2012, BD hired Maniar as a staff engineer at a salary of $115,000, with a $15,000 signing bonus, according to a letter filed in court. He also signed an agreement to comply with a six-page company trade secret policy, limiting the disclosure of company secrets. As a staff engineer on the Vystra project, he “was primarily responsible for working with external

‘Phishing’ scams explode worldwide

Bug exposes contacts of some on Facebook CALIFORNIA: Facebook says a bug in its system led to users’ contact information - such as email addresses or phone numbers - to be accessed by other users who either had some contact information about that person or some connection to them. The social media company said in a blog post that the cause of the bug is “pretty technical” but that the problem is tied to its “Download Your Information” tool.

The company uses the information that users upload to better tailor the friend suggestions it issues. The bug caused some of this information to be inadvertently stored in association with a person’s contact information as part of their Facebook account. As a result, if someone downloaded an archive of

their Facebook account through the “Download Your Information” tool, they may have been provided with additional addresses or telephone numbers for their contacts or people with whom they have some connection.

Because the contact information was provided by other people on Facebook, it was not necessarily accurate. Facebook said it has fixed the problem and is in the process of notifying affected users via email. The affected accounts represent only a fraction of the over 1 billion users on the social media site.

Facebook, which is headquartered in Menlo Park, California, said that it has no evidence that the bug has been used maliciously and it has not received complaints.— AP

vendors in overseeing the component molding and assembly equipment construction,” the suit says. That position gave him access to BD’s design, specifications, blueprints, manufacturing plans, materials, processes, equipment and customer lists” for the pen, the suit says.

The company announced the fruits of its efforts on Vystra nine months after he arrived, touting the pen as a versatile injector that would work with a wide range of therapies that require frequent, low-volume drug injections and variable dosing. The aim was to meet the growing trend of patients injecting their own medications, BD said. “Our goal is to help patients become more empowered in managing their health with self-injection technology,” Suky Upadhyay, BD’s acting CFO, said on a conference call with investors in March. “We see significant growth opportunities in this area.” So did Maniar, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleges that on May 23, while Maniar was out sick, he spent part of the day downloading confidential company documents.

The next day he told BD he was leaving and would return to India.

That was his last day on site at BD, the suit says. Prosecutors allege that in the weeks before he left BD, Maniar downloaded more than 8,000 files of valuable and confidential information, which could be worth millions of dollars, suggesting it could be used to set up a new business or be sold to a competitor.

The files included “part designs, assembly machine designs, molding process information” and other documents, the suit says. BD learned of Maniar’s downloading on May 20 through two “data loss prevention tools” on its computer system, the suit says. One logged the name and date a BD employee “electronically copied information to another storage device.” The second tool made a “shadow” copy of each file copied, “thereby allowing BD to see the actual file that was copied,” the suit says.

The suit says the program showed that Maniar had taken thousands of confidential documents, many related to the Vystra project. It argued that if the court didn’t force Maniar to abide by the terms of the confidentiality agreement, “the damages that BD will sustain can never be fully compensated.” Six days after the suit was filed, the FBI pounced on Maniar. — MCT

CALIFORNIA: Instagram iOS Engineer Ryan Gomba jumps down from atop the Facebook sign at Facebook’s corporate headquarters after a media event in Menlo Park, California. Facebook announced that it will add smartphone video-sharing to its Instagram photo-based social network, in a move that challenges Twitter’s popular Vine service. — AFP

WASHINGTON: Those insidious email scams known as phishing, in which a hacker uses a disguised address to get an Internet user to install malware, rose 87 percent worldwide in the past year, a security firm said Friday. These schemes affected some 37.3 million users around in the 12 months to April 30, according to a report by the Russian-based security firm Kaspersky.

“The number of fraudulent websites and servers used in attacks has more than tripled since 2012, and more than 50 percent of the total number of individual targets were fake copies of the websites of banks and other credit and financial organizations,” Kaspersky said. The attackers often use emails purportedly from trusted organizations-Yahoo!, Google, Facebook and Amazon are top targets, according to the report.

Online game services, online payment systems, and the websites of banks and other credit and financial organizations are also commonly used to disguise phishing attempts. Kaspersky said phishing has become a preferred method of cybercriminals.

“Although the specific targets of phishing attacks vary, the end goal of all malicious users engaged in this type of malicious activity is ultimately the same: to make money illegally,” the report said.

“This goal is achieved either by directly stealing cash from the victim, as in the case with fake online banking service pages, online storefronts, and subscriptions to online games.”

But attacks may also employ a more indirect approach, including the sale of stolen databases on the black market. “A large collection of user data may come in handy for malicious users for a number of different fraudulent schemes involving spam mailings and the spread of malware,” the report said. The countries most often hit by phishing attacks were Russia, the United States, India, Vietnam and the Britain. The location of “hostile servers” was most frequently in the US, Britain, Germany, Russia and India, Kaspersky said.— AFP

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

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

Doctors make progress toward ‘artificial pancreas’ WASHINGTON: Doctors are reporting a major step toward an “artificial pancreas”, a device that would constantly monitor blood sugar in people with diabetes and automatically supply insulin as needed. A key component of such a system - an insulin pump programmed to shut down if blood-sugar dips too low while people are sleeping - worked as intended in a three-month study of 247 patients. This “smart pump,” made by Minneapolis-based Medtronic Inc, is already sold in Europe, and the US Food and Drug Administration is reviewing it now. Whether it also can be programmed to mimic a real pancreas and constantly adjust insulin based on continuous readings from a blood-sugar monitor requires more testing, but doctors say the new study suggests that’s a realistic goal.

“This is the first step in the development of the artificial pancreas,” said Dr Richard Bergenstal, diabetes chief at Park Nicollet, a large clinic in St Louis Park, Minnesota. “Before we said it’s a dream. We have the first part of it now and I really think it will be developed.” He led the company-sponsored study and gave results yesterday at an American Diabetes Association conference in Chicago.

They also were published online by

the New England Journal of Medicine.

The study involved people with Type 1 diabetes, the kind usually diagnosed during childhood. About 5 percent of the 26 million Americans with diabetes have this type. Their bodies don’t make insulin, a hormone needed to turn food into energy. That causes high blood-sugar levels and raises the risk for heart disease and many other health problems.

Some people with the more common Type 2 diabetes, the kind linked to obesity, also need insulin and might benefit from a device like an artificial pancreas, too. For now, though, it’s aimed at people with Type 1 diabetes who must inject insulin several times a day or get it through a pump with a narrow tube that goes under the skin. The pump is about the size of a cellphone and can be worn on a belt or kept in a pocket.

The pumps give a steady amount of insulin, and patients must monitor their sugar levels and give themselves more insulin at meals or whenever needed to keep blood sugar from getting too high.

A big danger is having too much insulin in the body overnight, when blood-sugar levels naturally fall. People can go into comas, suffer seizures and even die.

Parents of children with diabetes often worry so much about this that they sneak into their bedrooms at night to

check their child’s blood-sugar monitor.

In the study, all patients had sensors that continuously monitored their blood sugar. Half of them had ordinary insulin pumps and the others had pumps programmed to stop supplying insulin for two hours when blood-sugar fell to a certain threshold. Over three months, low-sugar episodes were reduced by about one-third in people using the pump with the shut-off feature.

Importantly, these people had no cases of severely low blood sugar - the most dangerous kind that require medical aid or help from another person. There were four cases in the group using the standard pump.

“As a first step, I think we should all be very excited that it works,” an independent expert, Dr Irl Hirsch of the University of Washington in Seattle, said of the programmable pump. The next step is to test having it turn off sooner, before sugar falls so much, and to have it automatically supply insulin to prevent high blood sugar, too. Dr Anne Peters, a diabetes specialist at the University of Southern California, said the study “represents a major step forward” for an artificial pancreas.

One participant, Spears Mallis, 34, a manager for a cancer center in Gainesville, Georgia, wishes these

devices were available now. He typically gets low-sugar about 8 to 10 times a week, at least once a week while he’s asleep. “I would set an alarm in the middle of the night just to be sure I was OK. That will cause you to not get a good night of rest,” he said. His “smart pump” stopped giving insulin several times during the study when his sugar fell low, and he wasn’t always aware of it. That’s a

well-known problem for people with Type 1 diabetes - over time, “you become less and less sensitive to feeling the low blood sugars” and don’t recognize symptoms in time to drink juice or do something else to raise sugar a bit, he said. Besides Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson and several other research groups are working on artificial pancreas devices. - AP

This October 2012 image provided by Medtronic shows the MiniMed Integrated System device, which doctors are reporting as a major step toward an “artificial pancreas”. — AP

Newly insured to deepen primary care doctor gap

SINGAPORE: Tourists visit a sightseeing spot as the Marina Bay Sands Hotel in the background is shrouded with haze yesterday.—AFP

Singapore vows to pursue companies behind smog SINGAPORE: Singapore said yesterday that it would pursue local firms found to be involved in starting forest fires in Indonesia, as Greenpeace said the blazes were on palm oil plantations owned by Indonesian, Malaysian and Singaporean companies. Smog has engulfed the city-state with fluctuating levels rising to a record high Friday, although they had dropped to “moderate” by yesterday afternoon, giving beleaguered residents relief that was predicted to be temporary.

Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam told a press conference yesterday that Singapore would investigate possible legal action against domestic companies responsible for the fires. “I have asked the attorney-general to consider what is it that we can do in Singapore if such companies can be proved to have contributed in some way (to the fires)...We will do everything we can do,” he told a press conference. “We will offer no succour or refuge if the actions of the companies have indeed been illegal in Indonesia and impacted on Singapore,” Shanmugam said.

He pressed Indonesia to provide evidence.

“We would have to depend on Indonesia to give us the evidence...Indonesian investigation authorities need to be on the ground, I cannot send my police officers in there to investigate,” he said.

Environmental group Greenpeace said in a statement yesterday: “NASA hotspot data in (Indonesia’s) Sumatra over the past 10 days (11-21 June) has revealed hundreds of fire hotspots in palm oil concessions that are owned by Indonesian, Malaysian and Singaporean companies.” Shanmugam told the press conference that he would raise the regional smog problem at next week’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting. He added that the citystate would pursue the matter at other forums if the ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting in Brunei next week produced no “concrete results”.

In a separate interview with local media, Shanmugam, who is also Singapore’s law minister, said Singapore would “take all steps

even if it means that our neighbours are upset”. Indonesia last week sought to shift some of the blame for the raging forest fires on Malaysian and Singaporean palm oil companies that had invested in Indonesia.

Indonesia’s environment minister told the Antara news agency yesterday field researchers had identified 14 firms responsible for the fires, identifying one of the companies as Malaysian. “We found an indication that one of them came from Malaysia. We have found no other foreign firms coming from other countries,” he told Antara.

A senior presidential aide Kuntoro Mangkusubroto said Friday that the fires happened in concession areas belonging to two paper producers. Singapore’s smog index reached an all-time record level of 401 on Friday. It hovered over the “hazardous” 300 level yesterday before dropping to a “moderate” level of 73 by the late afternoon.

Government guidelines advise the public to “avoid all unnecessary outdoor activity” at levels above 300. The haze crisis has had a dramatic impact on life in Singapore, with its residents scaling back their activities in a bid to protect themselves.

But residents rejoiced late yesterday after seeing clear blue skies for the first time in almost a week. Shoppers eagerly returned to posh shopping district Orchard Road - many still with their protective face masks on - as the skies started to clear during lunchtime and social media postings were full of cheerful messages after days of gloom. Residents of private condominiums began using their swimming pools and tennis courts again. However, broadcaster Channel News Asia’s website quoted the environment agency as saying that the improvement “was due to a temporary area free of dense haze upwind of Singapore” and “transient changes in the local wind conditions” before the haze returns today. Southeast Asia’s previous major haze crisis in 1997-1998 caused widespread health problems and cost the regional economy billions of dollars as a result of business and air transport disruptions that lasted for weeks. — AFP

COLUMBUS, Ohio: Getting face time with the family doctor could soon become even harder. A shortage of primary care physicians in some parts of the country is expected to worsen as millions of newly insured Americans gain coverage under the federal healthcare law next year. Doctors could face a backlog, and patients could find it difficult to get quick appointments. Attempts to address the provider gap have taken on increased urgency ahead of the law’s full implementation Jan. 1, but many of the potential solutions face a backlash from influential groups or will take years to bear fruit.

Lobbying groups representing doctors have questioned the safety of some of the proposed changes, argued they would encourage less collaboration among health professionals and suggested they could create a two-tiered health system offering unequal treatment. Bills seeking to expand the scope of practice of dentists, dental therapists, optometrists, psychologists, nurse practitioners and others have been killed or watered down in numerous states. Other states have proposed expanding student loan reimbursements, but money for doing so is tight.

As fixes remain elusive, the shortfall of primary care physicians is expected to grow. Nearly one in five Americans already lives in a region designated as having a shortage of primary care physicians, and the number of doctors entering the field isn’t expected keep pace with demand. About a quarter million primary care doctors work in America now, and the Association of American Medical Colleges projects the shortage will reach almost 30,000 in two years and will grow to about 66,000 in little more than a decade. In some cases, nurses and physician assistants help fill in the gap.

The national shortfall can be attributed to a number of factors: The population has both aged and become more chronically ill, while doctors and clinicians have migrated to specialty fields such as dermatology or cardiology for higher pay and better hours. The shortage is especially acute in impoverished inner cities and rural areas, where it already takes many months, years in some cases, to hire doctors, health professionals say. “I’m thinking about putting our human resources manager on the street in one of those costumes with a ‘We will hire you’ sign,” said Doni Miller, chief executive of the Neighborhood Health Association in Toledo, Ohio. One of her clinics has had a physician opening for two years.

In southern Illinois, the 5,500 residents of Gallatin County have no hospital, dentist or fulltime doctor. Some pay $50 a year for an air ambulance service that can fly them to a hospital in emergencies. Women deliver babies at hospitals an hour away. The lack of primary care is both a fact of life and a detriment to health, said retired teacher and community volunteer Kappy Scates of Shawneetown, whose doctor is 20 miles away in a neighboring county. “People without insurance or a medical card put off going to the doctor,” she said. “They try to take care of their kids first.”

In some areas of rural Nevada, patients typically wait seven to 10 days to see a doctor. “Many, many people are not taking new patients,” said Kerry Ann Aguirre, director of business development at Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital, a 45-bed facility in Elko, a town of about 18,500 that is a four-hour drive from Reno, the nearest sizable city.

Nevada is one of the states with the lowest rate per capita of active primary care physicians, along with Mississippi, Utah, Texas and Idaho, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.

The problem will become more acute nationally when about 30 million uninsured people eventually gain coverage under the Affordable Care Act, which takes full effect next year. “There’s going to be lines for the newly insured, because many physicians and nurses who trained in primary care would rather practice in specialty roles,” says Dr David Goodman of the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice.

Roughly half of those who will gain coverage under the Affordable Care Act are expected to go into Medicaid, the federal-state program for the poor and disabled. States can opt to expand Medicaid, and at least 24 and the District of

ciations, have said such changes would lead to inequalities in the health care system- one for people who have access to doctors and another for people who don’t.

In New Mexico, a group representing dentists helped defeat a bill that would have allowed socalled dental therapists to practice medicine. And in Illinois, the state medical society succeeded in killing or gutting bills this year that would have given more medical decision-making authority to psychologists, dentists and advanced practice nurses.

Other states are experimenting with ways to fill the gap. Texas has approved two public medical schools in the last three years to increase the supply of family doctors and other needed physicians.

New York is devoting millions of dollars to programs aimed at putting more doctors in underserved areas. Florida allowed optometrists to pre-

CHICAGO: In this March 28, 2013 photo, medical resident Stephanie Place (right) examines 2-month-old twins Abigale (left) and Valeria Lopez as their mother, Carolina Lopez helps, at the Erie Family Health Center.—AP Columbia plan to. In Ohio, which is weighing the Medicaid expansion, about one in 10 residents already lives in an area underserved for primary care.

Mark Bridenbaugh runs rural health centers in six southeastern Ohio counties, including the only primary care provider in Vinton County. The six counties could see some of the state’s largest enrollments of new Medicaid patients per capita under the expansion. As he plans for potential vacancies and an influx of patients, Bridenbaugh tries to identify potential hires when they start their residencies - several years before they can work for him. “It’s not like we have people falling out of the sky, waiting to come work for us,” he said.

State legislatures working to address the shortfall are finding that fixes are not easy. Bills to expand the roles of nurse practitioners, optometrists and pharmacists have been met with pushback in California. Under the proposals, optometrists could check for high blood pressure and cholesterol while pharmacists could order diabetes testing. But critics, including physician asso-

scribe oral medications - including pills - to treat eye diseases.

The federal health care law attempts to address the anticipated shortage by including incentives to bolster the primary care workforce and boost training opportunities for physicians’ assistants and nurse practitioners. It offers financial assistance to support doctors in underserved areas and increases the level of Medicaid reimbursements for those practicing primary care.

Providers are recruiting young doctors as they gear up for the expansion. Stephanie Place, 28, a primary care resident at Northwestern University’s medical school in Chicago, received hundreds of emails and phone calls from recruiters and health clinics before she accepted a job this spring. The heavy recruitment meant she had no trouble fulfilling her dream of staying in Chicago and working in an underserved area with a largely Hispanic population. She’ll also be able to pay off $160,000 in student loans through a federal program aimed at encouraging doctors to work in areas with physician shortages.—AP

Tobacco enriches, corrupts in Philippines

MANILA: In this photo taken June 17, 2013, Luis Singson, the governor of the top tobacco-producing northern Philippine province of Ilocos Sur, speaks during an interview at his home.— AFP

CANDON, Philippines: Tobacco enriches and corrupts in the dry, sun-drenched northern Philippines where family fortunes as well as political empires are built on the golden leaf.

For Eddie Habab and the rest of the country’s 65,000 tobacco farmers based in the north, the nicotine-rich plant is like an addictive drug that is difficult to kick. “It takes months of back-breaking manual labour, but nothing comes close to tobacco in terms of returns,” said the 43-year-old farmer who has put two children through college with the earnings from his crops.

Habab sows the tobacco around November after the rice paddies dry up and harvests the leafs between February and May during the region’s long dry season. They are cured in wood-fired barns that produce their golden-yellow tinge and, when he sells them to middle-men, he earns at least three times more than he would than if he had grown corn, peanuts or other alternative crops.

Despite higher government taxes on ciga-

rettes imposed by the national government this year, the industry is expanding with 84,000 tonnes of tobacco expected to be grown across the country’s north this year.

This is about 13 percent higher than last year, according to the National Tobacco Administration, the chief industry regulator.

The tobacco feeds the habit of more than 17 million Filipino smokers, or roughly 20 percent of the population, yielding nearly $700 million in annual tax revenues. Fifteen percent of the taxes on tobacco sales are by law returned to the areas that plant them, a bonanza worth $140 million each year, the regulatory agency said.

About 70 percent of that now goes to Ilocos Sur province, the country’s top tobacco-growing area, according to provincial governor Luis Singson. The two-decades-old law states the money must be spent on improving the lives of the farmers, and Singson said the tobacco funds had proved a lifeline for the formerly cash-strapped province. “It’s

stirred our economy,” he said.

However, the tax funds are regarded by some critics as slush funds for the politicians who rule those areas, one element of entrenched corruption that has for decades been a trademark of Philippine politics.

Father Sammy Rosimo, a Catholic parish priest in Ilocos Sur, said the disposition of the levy funds was poorly regulated and thus a magnet for financial skullduggery. “There are no checks and balances, so the officials entrusted with the money can spend them on pretty much anything,” Rosimo told AFP. In the most infamous case, Singson admitted he gave 130 million pesos ($3.1million) in embezzled tobacco levy funds to then-president Joseph Estrada in 2000. The admission, along with explosive evidence of other corrupt deals, led to Estrada’s impeachment in 2001 and subsequent conviction in 2007 of plunder, or illegally enriching himself.

Singson won immunity by testifying at Estrada’s trial. Singson told AFP in a lengthy

interview the embezzlement was a one-off misuse of the tobacco revenues, done as a misguided favour for his then-friend. “I agreed to be used by a corrupt president,” he said, while insisting he was not corrupt himself and that the tobacco levy funds had otherwise always been properly spent in his province. “There’s no graft and corruption...

I’m not greedy,” said Singson, who attributes his vast wealth to a successful business empire involved in many sectors including construction, transport and mining.

Ilocos Sur politics was shaped by a deadly fight for control of the province’s tobacco trade. The Crisologo clan, whose patriarch was a congressman and matriarch the provincial governor, demanded that all tobacco grown in Ilocos Sur in the 1960s be sold to a processing firm controlled by the family, according to Singson. But Singson, their nephew and protege, began to sell tobacco elsewhere, claiming his uncle shortchanged farmers. — AFP

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E “We are physicians from different specialties with a specific interest in public health advocacy and promotion. We, also, aim to increase awareness among the Kuwaiti public regarding a variety of diseases and

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

conditions and to rectify the misconceptions they may have. Since our group consists of multiple physicians we decided to write under the pen name of L’homme en Blanc.”

Burnt out? Or Hypothyroid?

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eeling worn? Under the weather? Tired? There could be an underlying physiological cause to the way you’re feeling. Any hormonal or chemical imbalance may trigger these emotions For example, a decreased amount of thyroxine ( T4) and/or tri-iodothyronine [T3], the hormones secreted by your thyroid gland, could manifest solely as a lack of energy. For this reason, being aware of hypothyroidism (a condition where your thyroid gland is under performing) is vital. To get a better understanding of hypothyroidism, we will explore the different symptoms, the available diagnostic modalities and the current treatments.

Hypothyrodisim is more common in women than men; for example, the incidence of hypothyroidism is up to 4 cases per 1000 women, and amongst men there is 1 case per 1000. It is also more commonly diagnosed in the elderly, with a mean age of diagnosis of 60 years.

Hypothyroidism can manifest with an array of different symp-

toms, affecting multiple organ systems; Since T3 and T4 affect nearly every cell in the body and mainly control how your body uses and stores energy.

Commonly, cold intolerance (constantly feeling colt when those around you are not) and fatigue are experienced. Additionally, people afflicted with this condition may suffer from weight gain, despite a decrease in appetite, constipation, developing coarse and thin hair, and dr y skin.

Furthermore, a symptom specific to women is menorrhagia (an increase in bleeding during menstrual periods), which in turn may lead to iron deficiency anaemia.

Hypercholesterolemla (high blood total cholesterol levels) is one of the important aspects of this condition, if left untreated it increases the risk developing cardiovascular disease (diseases of the heart and circulatory system).

People who complain of any of the previously mentioned symptoms, should go in for further testing. The mainstay diagnostic method is a simple blood test, where levels of your thyroid

hormone and the hormone responsible For regulating Its secretion (TSH) are measured.

Once diagnosed, treatment may be initiated accordingly. As previously mentioned, the problem with hypothyroidism is the lack of thyroid hormone, therefore the aim of treatment is basically replacement of the hormone. This is achieved by prescribing a hormone replacement tablet, allowing for dosage tapering according to the patient’s need, Follow up is important to assess the response and need for further medication.

In summary, hypothyroidism is a common disorder, with wide, multi-systemic manifestations, mainly cold intolerance fatigue, and weight gain. Diagnosis is simple, as is treatment: however, follow up with a physician is strongly advised. If you are suffering from any of the above symptoms do not hesitate to visit your physician to old you wit Ii your diagnosis and treat ment. Stay healthy Kuwait!

L’hommee en Blanc

A male elephant is lowered onto a truck by the Kenyan Wildlife Service after being sedated on the edge of the Ol Pejeta conservancy in central Kenya on Friday. Nine ‘rogue’ elephants that have been destroying crops in the area will be transferred from the conservancy to the larger Kora National Reserve in order to ease the human-wildlife conflict over land. —AFP

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

W H AT ’ S O N

SEND US YOUR INSTAGRAM PICS

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hat’s more fun than clicking a beautiful picture? Sharing it with others! Let other people see the way you see Kuwait - through your lens. Friday Times will feature snapshots of Kuwait through Instagram feeds. If you want to share your Instagram photos, email us at instagram@kuwaittimes.net

Greetings The Australian College of Kuwait’s Corporate Training Department holds successful “WORKING IN HEAT” Seminar

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n the 19th of June, 2013 the Australian College of Kuwait’s Corporate Training Department (ACK CT) successfully completed an informative seminar entitled “Working in Heat” at the ACK campus, attracting in excess of 100 people from a broad range of Kuwaiti businesses including representation from the oil, hospitality, banking and medical sectors. Members of ACK staff and Alumni were also present.

With temperatures in Kuwait hovering in the high 40’s and reaching 50+ degrees during the summer, serious health and safety problems are facing workers, particularly those working outdoors. Alistair McCullough,

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appy birthday to R Sandya who celebrates her eighth birthday. Greetings come from K Ravi, Manimelshalai, sister Divya and rel-

atives.

Announcement

Senior Learning & Development Consultant for ACK CT said: “Dehydration can result in heat exhaustion which often leads to an increase in workplace accidents caused by fatigue and lack of attention.”

Ahmad Al Alawi, OH&S Consultant for ACK CT, provided useful insight on how to recognize key dehydration symptoms and how to avoid dehydration from occurring. He provided employers with information about their obligations under the Kuwait Labor Law and gave an overview of some useful strategies for fasting during Ramadan. The attendees were also provided with access to free workplace resources in Arabic,

English, Hindi and Urdu found at www.hsmatters.com/events.

The “Working in Heat” Seminar was an extension of ACK CT’s Health & Safety Matters Symposium, held in April 2013. ACK CT is committed to raising awareness on health and safety issues which can have a major affect on its stakeholder community. The department will continue to address such important topics with an aim of encouraging a positive health and safety culture within the corporate sector.

Sensational summer offers at JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai

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he JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai is on course to become the must-visit summer destination thanks to its combination of understated luxury and authenticity, and position as the tallest hotel in the world.

With two nights for the price of three room offerings, kids eat free deals and 20

per cent off numerous restaurants and select treatments from the newly opened world-class Saray Spa, the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai has something for everyone during the summer months. Whether catering to the needs of up to 3,000 guests at a corporate Iftar or Suhour in its 2,600 square foot ball-

room, or serving a sumptuous array of dishes from its collection of restaurants, including authentic Emirati cuisine at its Arabic outlet, the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai is the ideal choice for your summer holiday.

“Throughout the summer months we have introduced many discounts, servic-

es and special menus. The aim of these special offers is to cater for the growing number of tourists from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and provide a wonderful family option for the summer,” commented Rupprecht Queitsch, General Manager.

Issue of online visa

by Indian embassy oreigners requiring visas for India need to apply it online from 16th June 2013. Applicants may log on to the Public portal at www.indianvisaonline.gov.in. After successful online submission, the hard copy, so generated, has to be signed by the applicant and submitted with supporting documents in accordance with the type of visa along with the applicable fee in cash at any of the two outsource centres at Sharq or Fahaheel. It is essential that applicants fill in their personal details as exactly available in their passports. Mismatch of any of the personal details would lead to non-acceptance of the application. Fees once paid are non-refundable.

All children would have to obtain separate visa on their respective passports.

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Indian Embassy sets up helpline he Indian Embassy in Kuwait has set up helpline in order to assist Indian expatriates in registering any complaint regarding the government’s ongoing campaign to stamp out illegal residents from the country. The embassy said in press release yesterday that it amended its previous statement and stated if there is any complaint, the same could be conveyed at the following (as amended): Operations Department, Ministry of Interior, Kuwait. Fax: 22435580, Tel: 24768146/25200334. It said the embassy 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. “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,” the release read. It would be prudent to always carry the 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 number 67623639.

These contact details are exclusively for the abovementioned purpose only.

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IMAX

Farewell reception for Laos Ambassador

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embers of the Indian community held a farewell reception for Ambassador of Laos Thongphachanh Sonnasinh on completion of his tenure in Kuwait. On behalf of the members Andrew Thomas congratulated the ambassador for a very successful tenure and the warm friendship he extended to everyone.

All the ambassadors in attendance also spoke of Ambassador Thongphachanh Sonnasinh’s smiling and easy going nature that was the hallmark of his personality. During his tenure Ambassador Sonnasinh further strengthened bilateral cooperation with Kuwait and took relations between the two countries to a new level of friendship and understanding.

IMAX film program Sunday

Kala (Art) Kuwait new office bearers

** 9:30am Showtime Available for Groups Tornado Alley 3D 10:30am, 6:30pm, 9:30pm To The Arctic 3D 11:30am, 8:30pm Flight of Butterflies 3D 12:30pm, 5:30pm Born to be Wild 3D 7:30pm Monday: ** 9:30am Showtime Available for Groups Flight of Butterflies 3D 10:30am, 8:30pm Tornado Alley 3D 11:30am, 5:30pm, 7:30pm To The Arctic 3D 12:30pm, 9:30pm Born to be Wild 3D 6:30pm

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ala(Art) Kuwait elected its new office bearers for the year-2013-2014. K. Hassan Koya as President, Samkutty Thomas and Renuka Bhaskaran as Vice President, Mukesh V. P. as General Secretary, Jaison Joseph and Binu Sukumaran as Joint Secretaries, K. Sadik as Treasurer, K Aboobakkar as Literary Secretary, Joby Loukose as Sports Secretary, Johney Kalamachal as Arts Secretary, Santhosh Joseph as Media Secretary. Executive members are, Ayyappan Mohanan, Anil Moodadi, Moideen Koya, Noushad, Aji Kumar, and Suresh Alzoor Advisory Board Members are C. Bhaskaran, Artist Sreenivasan, T K Narayanan, Prabhakarn Panikkar and Pushpa Narayanan.

Mohanan Varakkoth and Sunil Kumar are Auditors. C Bhsakaran, Samkutty Thomas, K Aboobakkar, and Renuka Bhaskaran are delivered felicitations. Mukesh VP delivered the vote of thanks.

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

W H AT ’ S O N

From desert to green fields TACK emerges as the shining face of domestic cricket

Paul Reynolds (COO/Al-Sayer Group), Paul Turner (Brand Manager/Lexus), Mahmoud Bastaki handing out the winners’ trophy from Division B to Lexus Captain.

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ighly anticipated finals of TACK (Teams Association for Cricket in Kuwait) tournament took place on 14th June in the picturesque grounds of Entertainment City - Doha.

The atmosphere was electric throughout the day despite the heat, thanks to a loud contingent of fans who turned up in big numbers to support their respective teams and enjoy the game in the grassy ground of Entertainment City Doha.

The highlight of the day however was the presence of large number of families

with children along with former cricketers of Kuwait who had come to witness some of the pulsating finals played out in the category of Division A, B, C & D. The tournament was sponsored by Schneider Writing Instruments from Germany and the matches were witnessed by host of dignitaries that included Mohammad Ashraf (a prominent businessman amongst the Pakistani community and the man behind the concept of TACK), Paul Reynolds (COO of Al-Sayer Group), Paul

Ashraf handing out Winners Trophy to the captain of Safety Plus

Turner (Brand manager of Lexus Kuwait), Anup Soni (a prominent businessman amongst the Indian community), Mithun Soni (Channel Development Manager, Double A) Mahmoud Bastaki (Assistant Chairman of Kuwait’s Bank Club) and many others.

The dignitaries were extremely overwhelmed to see the preparations of the TACK committee that managed to conduct a well organized tournament. The honorable guests appreciated the efforts and hard work of TACK which was evident throughout the day as

there was a well arranged seating plan along with refreshments that were distributed amongst families and friends throughout the day.

In a very short span of time, TACK has become the leading organization for domestic tournaments in Kuwait and plans to conduct many more tournaments during the coming season on the lush green ground of Entertainment City - Doha.

Kuwait Airways bids farewell to Hussam Al-Yousuf

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ircraft Maintenance Section (Hangar) of Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC) recently conducted a farewell party in honor of Hussam Al-Yousuf.

The function was organized June 5, 2013, in recognition of his exceptional services to KAC. It was coordinated by colleagues of the aircraft maintenance section.

The meeting was presided over by Abdullah Al-Sharan, Director Engineering and Khalid Sabzali, Manger Maintenance, Engineering Department. Foud Al-Naja welcomed the guests and Abdullah Al-

Sharan presented a memento to Hussam Al-Yousuf.

The farewell meeting was also attend by aircraft engineers Mohammad Ismail, Yousuf Malallah, Dawood Al-Ali, Adil Sabzali, Mohan Menon, Anthony Alphonso, leading hands Khabbaz, Adnan Darwish, R Murthy, M Nassif and Alejandro Torres and employees of the department.

Vote of thanks was given to all dignitaries, invitees and the meeting organizers Foud Al-Naja, Mohammad Shahid and Shaun D Silva.

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

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

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

EMBASSY OF VATICAN The Apostolic Nunciature Embassy of the Holy See, Vatican in Kuwait 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

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

TV PROGRAMS

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Border Security Auction Hunters Auction Kings Fast N’ Loud Yukon Men: Last Chance Mythbusters Sons Of Guns Industrial Junkie How It’s Made Auction Hunters Storage Hunters Sons Of Guns Amish Mafia Hellriders Sons Of Guns Amish Mafia

14:50 15:45 16:40 17:35 18:00 18:25 19:20 20:10 21:05 22:00 22:55 23:50 00:45 01:10 01:35

Combat Countdown Clash Of The Dinosaurs Great Planes Mystery Cars Mystery Cars I Shouldn’t Be Alive American Car Prospector Living With The Kombai Tribe Why Ancient Egypt Fell American Car Prospector Legend Detectives Most Evil Mystery Cars Mystery Cars American Car Prospector

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Food Factory Food Factory Thunder Races Nextworld Mega World Joao Magueijo’s Big Bang 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 The Science Of Fear And Lust Food Factory Food Factory How Do They Do It?

14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:00 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:00 22:30

Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars Ax Men Pawn Stars Storage Wars Ancient Aliens Counting Cars Counting Cars

14:00 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 00:00 01:00 02:00

C.S.I. Glee Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show C.S.I. Switched At Birth Fairly Legal Suits The Hollow Crown Greek Glee 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 Two And A Half Men 06:00 All Of Us 06:30 Til Death 07:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 08:00 Seinfeld 08:30 Two And A Half Men 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

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

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 Good Luck Charlie Suite Life On Deck Austin And Ally That’s So Raven Shake It Up A.N.T. Farm Austin And Ally

23:10 23:35 00:00 00:20 00:45 01:05 01:30 01:50 02:15 02:35

14:30 15:00 York 16:00 York 17:00 17:30 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 21:30 22:30 23:30 00:00 00:55 01:25

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

Style Star Kourtney & Kim Take New Kourtney & Kim Take New Ice Loves Coco What Would Ryan Lochte Do? E! News THS Kourtney And Kim Take Miami Married To Jonas Fashion Police E! News Chelsea Lately Opening Act Style Star E!es

03:05 Coastal Kitchen 03:30 Food Poker 04:15 Bargain Hunt 05:00 To Build Or Not To Build?

05:25 To Build Or Not To Build?

05:50 Cash In The Attic 06:35 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 11:25 MasterChef Australia 11:50 Food & Drink 12:15 Come Dine With Me 13:05 Planet Cake 13:30 New Scandinavian Cooking With Claus Meyer 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 Claus Meyer 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

03:00 Unique Sweets 03:25 Food Wars 03:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 04:15 Unique Eats 04:40 Chopped 05:30 Iron Chef America 06:10 Food Network Challenge 07:00 Guy’s Big Bite 07:25 Guy’s Big Bite 07:50 Andy Bates American Street Feasts 08:15 Unique Sweets 08:40 United Tastes Of America 09:05 Barefoot Contessa 09:30 Food Network Challenge 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 - Back To Basics 17:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 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

03:45 Now Is Good-PG15 05:45 Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva LA Fiesta!-PG 07:15 Saving Grace B. Jones-PG15 09:00 Joyful Noise-PG15 11:00 Wrath Of The Titans-PG15 13:00 Rising Stars-PG15 15:00 Blackthorn-PG15 17:00 Joyful Noise-PG15 19:00 Cowboys & Aliens-PG15 21:00 Mary & Martha-PG15 23:00 Your Sister’s Sister-18 01:00 Shark Night-PG15

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Encounter With Danger-PG15 Blackthorn-PG15 Legendary Assassin-PG15 The National Tree-PG15 Lorenzo’s Oil-PG15 33 Postcards-PG15 The Lucky One-PG15 The Deep Blue Sea-PG15 Melancholia-18 33 Postcards-PG15

04:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00 00:00 02:00

Flypaper-PG15 Every Jack Has A Jill-PG15 People Like Us-PG15 A Thousand Words-PG15 Flypaper-PG15 Treasure Buddies-PG People Like Us-PG15 The Makeover-PG15 Seeking Justice-PG15 Peacock-18 Failure To Launch-PG15 People Like Us-PG15

04:00 The Man Inside-PG15 06:00 Iron Sky-PG15 08:00 Mission To Mars-PG15 10:00 X-Men: First Class-PG15 12:15 True Justice: One Shot, One Life-PG15 14:00 Mission To Mars-PG15 16:00 Superman vs. The Elite-PG15 18:00 True Justice: One Shot, One Life-PG15 20:00 Saving Private Ryan-18 23:00 Scream Of The Banshee-18 01:00 Saving Private Ryan-18

08:00 Police Academy 4: Citizens On Patrol-PG15 10:00 Good Boy!-PG 12:00 The Wish List-PG15 14:00 Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach-PG15 16:00 Good Boy!-PG 18:00 Turner & Hooch-PG15 20:00 Detention-18 22:00 Spread-R 00:00 Venus And Vegas-PG15 02:00 Detention-18

09:45 11:30 13:30 15:15 17:15 19:15 21:15 23:00 01:15

Cinderella PT 1-PG15 Cinderella PT 2-PG15 Page Eight-PG15 I’ve Loved You So Long-PG15 Dolphin Tale-PG The Terminal-PG15 Mad Bastards-18 7 Days In Havana-18 Coriolanus-PG15

00:30 International Rugby League 02:30 NRL Full Time 03:00 IRB Junior World Championship 05:00 IRB Junior World Championship 07:00 Trans World Sport 08:00 PGA European Tour Weekly 08:30 Inside The PGA Tour 09:00 International Rugby Union 11:00 AFL Highlights 12:00 NRL Full Time 12:30 ATP Tennis 14:30 Inside The PGA Tour 15:00 PGA European Tour Weekly 15:30 Live PGA European Tour 19:30 AFL Highlights 20:30 Futbol Mundial 21:00 PGA European Tour Weekly 21:30 Inside The PGA Tour

RISING STARS ON OSN MOVIES HD

00:00 01:00 01:30 02:00 04:00 05:00 05:30 06:00 07:00

Trans World Sport Futbol Mundial NRL Full Time ATP Tennis AFL Premiership Highlights European Tour Weekly Inside The PGA Tour Trans World Sport Super Rugby Highlights

08:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 19:00 20:00 22:00

UK Open Darts IRB Junior Championship IRB Junior Championship Futbol Mundial NRL Full Time International Rugby Union WWE NXT ATP Tennis Trans World Sport

00:00 NRL Full Time 00:30 ICC Cricket 360 01:00 European Senior Tour Highlights 02:00 Asian Tour Highlights 03:00 Ladies European Tour Highlights 04:00 World Pool Masters 05:00 World Cup Of Pool 06:00 Trans World Sport 07:00 Asian Tour Highlights 08:00 Golfing World 09:00 NRL Full Time 09:30 ICC Cricket 360 10:00 Asian Tour Golf Show 10:30 Asian Tour Highlights 11:30 Total Rugby 12:00 World Pool Masters 13:00 World Cup Of Pool 14:00 Super League 16:00 Trans World Sport 17:00 International Rugby Union 19:00 International Rugby Union 21:00 Golfing World 22:00 UK Open Darts

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 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:00 20:00 22:00

NHL Motor Sports 2013 Mass Participation Ping Pong World US Bass Fishing NHL WWE Smackdown Ping Pong World US Bass Fishing NHL WWE Vintage Collection WWE Bottom Line Motor Sports 2013 Motor Sports 2013 UIM Powerboat Champs UIM Powerboat Champs Mass Participation UFC The Ultimate Fighter UFC Prelims UFC

BLACKTHORN ON OSN CINEMA

Classifieds SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

Kuwait

SHARQIA-1 WORLD WAR Z (DIG) WORLD WAR Z (DIG) LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) WORLD WAR Z (DIG) LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) WORLD WAR Z (DIG) SHARQIA-2 THE LEGEND OF SARILA (DIG-3D) MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (DIG-3D) MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (DIG-3D) MAN OF STEEL (DIG-3D) MAN OF STEEL (DIG-3D) MAN OF STEEL (DIG-3D) SHARQIA-3 TATTAH (DIG) SCENARIO (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) SCENARIO (DIG) TATTAH (DIG)

1:30 PM 3:45 PM 6:15 PM 8:15 PM 10:45 PM 12:45 AM

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

2:00 PM 4:30 PM 7:15 PM 9:30 PM 12:05 AM

MUHALAB-1 MAN OF STEEL (DIG) MAN OF STEEL (DIG) SCENARIO (DIG) MAN OF STEEL (DIG)

1:30 PM 4:15 PM 7:00 PM 9:30 PM

MUHALAB-2 WORLD WAR Z (DIG) LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) WORLD WAR Z (DIG) LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) WORLD WAR Z (DIG)

1:30 PM 3:45 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM

MUHALAB-3 MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (DIG-3D) THE LEGEND OF SARILA (DIG-3D) MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (DIG-3D) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) FANAR-1 WORLD WAR Z (DIG) WORLD WAR Z (DIG) WORLD WAR Z (DIG) WORLD WAR Z (DIG) WORLD WAR Z (DIG) WORLD WAR Z (DIG) FANAR-2 MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (DIG)

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

12:30 PM 3:00 PM 5:30 PM 8:00 PM 10:30 PM 1:00 AM

1:00 PM

THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY FOR CIVIL INFORMATION

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (20/06/2013 TO 26/06/2013) MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (DIG) MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (DIG) SCENARIO (DIG) SCENARIO (DIG) TATTAH (DIG)

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

FANAR-3 LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) NOW YOU SEE ME (DIG) LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG)

1:45 PM 3:45 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM 12:05 AM

MARINA-1 LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) SCENARIO (DIG) LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) SCENARIO (DIG) LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) SCENARIO (DIG)

1:30 PM 3:30 PM 6:00 PM 8:00 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

MARINA-2 WORLD WAR Z (DIG) WORLD WAR Z (DIG) MAN OF STEEL (DIG) WORLD WAR Z (DIG) WORLD WAR Z (DIG) MAN OF STEEL (DIG) NO SUN+ TUE+WED

12:30 PM 2:45 PM 5:00 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM 12:15 AM

SCENARIO (DIG) SCENARIO (DIG)

9:45 PM 12:15 AM

AVENUES-3 WORLD WAR Z (DIG-3D) WORLD WAR Z (DIG) WORLD WAR Z (DIG-3D) WORLD WAR Z (DIG) WORLD WAR Z (DIG)

1:45 PM 4:15 PM 6:45 PM 9:15 PM 11:45 PM

360ยบ- 1 WORLD WAR Z (DIG) WORLD WAR Z (DIG) WORLD WAR Z (DIG) WORLD WAR Z (DIG) WORLD WAR Z (DIG) WORLD WAR Z (DIG)

12:30 PM 3:00 PM 5:30 PM 8:00 PM 10:30 PM 1:00 AM

360ยบ- 2 SCENARIO (DIG) SCENARIO (DIG) SCENARIO (DIG) SCENARIO (DIG) SCENARIO (DIG)

1:15 PM 3:45 PM 6:15 PM 8:45 PM 11:15 PM

360ยบ- 3 THE LEGEND OF SARILA (DIG-3D) THE LEGEND OF SARILA (DIG-3D) THE LEGEND OF SARILA (DIG-3D) WORLD WAR Z (DIG-3D) WORLD WAR Z (DIG-3D) WORLD WAR Z (DIG-3D)

1:00 PM 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:00 PM 9:30 PM 12:05 AM

AL-KOUT.1 MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (DIG-3D) MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (DIG-3D) MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (DIG-3D) WORLD WAR Z (DIG-3D) WORLD WAR Z (DIG-3D) WORLD WAR Z (DIG-3D)

1:15 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:15 PM 12:45 AM

MARINA-3 THE LEGEND OF SARILA (DIG-3D) MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (DIG-3D) THE LEGEND OF SARILA (DIG-3D) MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (DIG-3D) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG)

1:30 PM 1:15 PM 3:30 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:15 AM

AVENUES-1 LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG)

1:15 PM 3:15 PM 5:15 PM 7:15 PM 9:15 PM 11:15 PM 1:15 AM

AL-KOUT.2 TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) SCENARIO (DIG) TATTAH (DIG) TATTAH (DIG)

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

AVENUES-2 SCENARIO (DIG) SCENARIO (DIG) SCENARIO (DIG)

2:15 PM 4:45 PM 7:15 PM

AL-KOUT.3 MAN OF STEEL (DIG) MAN OF STEEL (DIG) MAN OF STEEL (DIG)

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

Automated enquiry about the Civil ID card is

1889988 112 Prayer timings

MATRIMONIAL Invited for a Roman Catholic girl, 25/155cm, BSc Nurse working in Kuwait, ( Thrissur Dist.) proposals from God fearing, suitably educated and employed boys. Email: lindatp7@gmail.com (C 4444) 18-6-2013

Fajr:

03:13

Shorook

04:48

Duhr:

11:49

Asr:

15:23

Maghrib:

18:50

Isha:

20:23

Inviting marriage proposal for Tamil Christian girl age 30, working in Kuwait, qualifications B.P.T + M Sc (UK).

Contact Email:

No: 15848

proposal.groom2013@gmail.com (C 4441)

12-6-2013

CHANGE OF NAME I, NSE OKON AKPAN holder of Nigerian passport Number A01448202 do hereby change my name to NSE SAMUEL KASALI. 18-6-2013 I, Kamasani Damodaram holder of Indian passport No. E6147415 issued at Hyderabad on 26-08-2003, I wish to change my name Kamasani Damodar Reddy.

(C 4443) 15-6-2013

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

Airlines BBC QTR RJA RJA JZR JZR THY ETH GFA UAE ETD THY FDB MSR QTR THY CLX DHX FDB BAW FDB JZR JZR JZR KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC UAE ABY QTR FDB IRA ETD IRC GFA MEA UAE MSR THY JZR JZR JZR MEA KAC KAC KAC QTR FDB IRC SVA KNE OMA RJA QTR ETD SYR

Arrival Flights on Sunday 23/6/2013 Flt Route 43 DHAKA 148 DOHA 644 AMMAN 642 AMMAN 267 BEIRUT 539 CAIRO 764 SABIHA 620 ADDIS ABABA 211 BAHRAIN 853 DUBAI 305 ABU DHABI 768 ISTANBUL 67 DUBAI 612 CAIRO 138 DOHA 770 ISTANBUL 792 LUXEMBOURG 170 BAHRAIN 69 DUBAI 157 LONDON 53 DUBAI 529 ASSIUT 555 ALEXANDRIA 1541 CAIRO 206 ISLAMABAD 412 MANILA 382 DELHI 302 MUMBAI 544 CAIRO 855 DUBAI 125 SHARJAH 132 DOHA 55 DUBAI 603 SHIRAZ 301 ABU DHABI 6666 AHWAZ 213 BAHRAIN 404 BEIRUT 871 DUBAI 610 CAIRO 766 ISTANBUL 561 SOHAG 165 DUBAI 241 AMMAN 406 BEIRUT 352 COCHIN 332 TRIVANDRUM 284 DHAKA 140 DOHA 57 DUBAI 6507 SHIRAZ 500 JEDDAH 472 JEDDAH 645 MUSCAT 640 AMMAN 134 DOHA 303 ABU DHABI 341 DAMASCUS

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

UAE ABY UAL SVA GFA NIA QTR FDB GFA AXB MSR JAI AFG FDB OMA ABY MEA JZR JZR JZR JZR JZR JZR JZR KLM ALK UAE ETD FDB FDB RBG KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC JZR JZR JZR QTR GFA QTR JAI FDB AIC UAL DLH JAI MSR PIA THY

857 127 982 510 215 251 144 63 219 393 606 572 415 61 647 129 402 787 177 189 257 777 535 481 417 229 859 307 8053 8057 557 672 774 674 514 788 786 102 166 542 618 562 742 172 502 185 239 135 136 217 146 576 59 981 981 636 574 614 205 772

DUBAI SHARJAH WASHINGTON DC DULLES RIYADH BAHRAIN ALEXANDRIA DOHA DUBAI BAHRAIN KOZHIKODE LUXOR MUMBAI KABUL DUBAI MUSCAT SHARJAH BEIRUT RIYADH DUBAI DUBAI BEIRUT JEDDAH CAIRO SABIHA AMSTERDAM COLOMBO DUBAI ABU DHABI DUBAI DUBAI ALEXANDRIA DUBAI RIYADH DUBAI TEHRAN JEDDAH JEDDAH NEW YORK PARIS CAIRO DOHA AMMAN DAMMAM FRANKFURT BEIRUT DUBAI AMMAN BAHRAIN DOHA BAHRAIN DOHA COCHIN DUBAI CHENNAI BAHRAIN FRANKFURT MUMBAI CAIRO LAHORE ISTANBUL

16:55 17:10 17:15 17:20 17:20 18:00 18:25 18:55 19:05 19:15 19:30 19:35 19:45 20:00 20:00 20:05 20:15 16:15 17:30 20:10 14:30 17:50 16:10 20:10 21:05 21:10 21:15 21:30 21:30 14:50 18:20 13:40 13:45 19:25 20:50 15:00 18:30 19:35 18:40 18:15 19:10 20:45 13:30 21:15 18:50 22:40 22:30 23:00 21:35 21:45 22:00 22:05 22:20 22:25 22:40 23:10 23:20 23:30 23:40 23:45

Airlines AIC AXB JAI UAL DLH MSR BBC THY THY ETH RJA THY UAE FDB MSR ETD QTR QTR FDB RJA GFA THY JZR JZR CLX BAW FDB JZR KAC KAC JZR KAC ABY KAC UAE FDB QTR ETD IRA KAC KAC MEA KAC IRC GFA KAC MEA JZR KAC JZR JZR KAC JZR MSR THY UAE FDB

Departure Flights on Sunday 23/6/2013 Flt Route 976 GOA/CHENNAI 490 MANGALORE 573 MUMBAI 981 WASHINGTON DC DULLES 637 FRANKFURT 615 CAIRO 44 CHITTAGONG 773 ISTANBUL 765 ISTANBUL 621 ADDIS ABABA 645 AMMAN 769 ISTANBUL 854 DUBAI 68 DUBAI 613 CAIRO 306 ABU DHABI 139 DOHA 149 DOHA 70 DUBAI 643 AMMAN 212 BAHRAIN 771 ISTANBUL 240 AMMAN 164 DUBAI 792 GIALAM 156 LONDON 54 DUBAI 256 BEIRUT 171 FRANKFURT 117 NEW YORK 534 CAIRO 671 DUBAI 126 SHARJAH 787 JEDDAH 856 DUBAI 56 DUBAI 133 DOHA 302 ABU DHABI 602 SHIRAZ 773 RIYADH 741 DAMMAM 407 BEIRUT 501 BEIRUT 6667 AHWAZ 214 BAHRAIN 541 CAIRO 405 BEIRUT 776 JEDDAH 103 LONDON 480 ISTANBUL 786 RIYADH 785 JEDDAH 176 DUBAI 611 CAIRO 767 ISTANBUL 872 DUBAI 58 DUBAI

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

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

QTR KAC IRC KNE KAC FDB OMA SVA KAC JZR KAC RJA JZR QTR ETD JZR SYR ABY UAE SVA GFA UAL JZR JZR NIA RBG QTR FDB GFA JZR KAC AXB MSR JAI FDB AFG ABY OMA MEA DHX KLM FDB ETD ALK UAE KAC QTR KAC GFA FDB KAC QTR JAI KAC JZR JZR KAC KAC JZR

141 673 6508 473 561 8058 646 503 617 188 513 641 238 135 304 538 342 128 858 511 216 982 184 266 252 558 145 64 220 134 283 394 619 571 62 415 120 648 403 171 417 8054 308 230 860 343 137 301 218 60 205 147 575 351 554 1540 411 415 528

DOHA DUBAI SHIRAZ JEDDAH AMMAN DUBAI MUSCAT MADINAH DOHA DUBAI IMAM KHOMEINI AMMAN AMMAN DOHA ABU DHABI CAIRO LATAKIA SHARJAH DUBAI RIYADH BAHRAIN BAHRAIN DUBAI BEIRUT ALEXANDRIA ALEXANDRIA DOHA DUBAI BAHRAIN BAHRAIN DHAKA KOZHIKODE ALEXANDRIA MUMBAI DUBAI JEDDAH SHARJAH MUSCAT BEIRUT BAHRAIN DAMMAM DUBAI ABU DHABI COLOMBO DUBAI CHENNAI DOHA MUMBAI BAHRAIN DUBAI ISLAMABAD DOHA ABU DHABI KOCHI ALEXANDRIA CAIRO BANGKOK KUALA LUMPUR ASSIUT

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

34

stars CROSSWORD 229

STAR TRACK Aries (March 21-April 19) Join in and assist with a group project today, especially if you are given a choice. Supervisors or higher-ups are watching and making decisions. Your expertise will be greatly appreciated and who knows, these higher-ups may decide that you are the right one for the raise or the change in job. This afternoon you may be more than a little eager to buy things. You seem to have an appreciation for just about everything and this may lead you to overspend or indulge too much—careful. Everything reveals you at your most elegant this evening, particularly in social situations. Networking is always a good idea; the more people you know, the more people you can help! A special amount of time devoted to a young child will be appreciated this evening.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Right now, the key to career moves involves attending to nagging details as well as whatever you have neglected lately. Everything external and businessoriented should prosper, if your attention does not sway. You are reaching a peak regarding outward success. Events make it easy for you to be original, have breakthroughs and find new solutions to old problems. You may find yourself able to put your ideas into practice. Independence, originality and eccentricity can be recognized. This drive to achieve your ambition for your career is very powerful and may strengthen your social standing and vice versa. Now is the time to plan a hot air balloon ride or learn to fly a plane, that is, if the finances are not thinned out too badly.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

ACROSS 1. Swiss hotelier who created a chain of elegant hotels (1850-1918).

5. Not capable of being swayed or diverted from a course.

12. Thigh of a hog (usually smoked).

15. Any of the forms of Chinese spoken in Fukien province.

16. An oleoresin used in varnishes and ointments.

17. A constellation in the southern hemisphere near Telescopium and Norma.

18. A tiny or scarcely detectable amount.

19. United States neoclassical architect (18471909).

21. A flat thin rectangular slab (as of fired clay or rubber or linoleum) used to cover surfaces.

22. A tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown.

23. English monk and scholar (672-735).

24. An edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle.

25. Largest crested screamer.

27. A woody climbing usually tropical plant.

30. Being one hundred more than two hundred.

33. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism.

35. Amphetamine used in the form of a crystalline hydrochloride.

39. An ancient Hebrew unit of dry measure equal to about a bushel.

41. The 3rd letter of the Greek alphabet.

43. (Scottish) Bluish-black or gray-blue.

45. Tell or deposit (information) knowledge.

46. Jordan's port.

48. Former measure of the US economy.

49. Something (often something deceptively attractive) that catches you unawares.

50. An international organization created in 1949 by the North Atlantic Treaty for purposes of collective security.

52. The arch of bone beneath the eye that forms the prominence of the cheek.

55. A group of related languages spoken in a valley of southern Ethiopia.

57. Strong and sharp.

61. The blood group whose red cells carry both the A and B antigens.

63. A former agency (from 1946 to 1974) that was responsible for research into atomic energy and its peacetime uses in the United States.

64. By religion.

68. An ugly evil-looking old woman.

70. By a chorus.

73. The cry made by sheep.

74. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth.

75. Someone who operates an aircraft.

76. One millionth of a gram.

77. Having undesirable or negative qualities.

78. A river in northeastern Brazil that flows generally northward to the Atlantic Ocean.

79. Narrow wood or metal or plastic runners used for gliding over snow.

DOWN 1. Follower of Rastafarianism.

2. Mix together different elements.

3. Productive work (especially physical work done for wages).

4. Music of southern Louisiana that combines

French dance melodies with Caribbean music and blues.

5. Any organic compound formed by adding alcohol molecules to aldehyde molecules.

6. A jamb for a door.

7. Transient cessation of respiration.

8. Informal terms for a mother.

9. A resource.

10. A soft gray ductile metallic element used in alloys.

11. An alloy of copper and zinc (and sometimes arsenic) used to imitate gold in cheap jewelry and for gilding.

12. Australian shrubs and small trees with evergreen usually spiny leaves and dense clusters of showy flowers.

13. Lacking sufficient water or rainfall.

14. Informal terms for a mother.

20. Any malignant growth or tumor caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division.

26. The capital and largest city of Zimbabwe.

28. Being nine more than ninety.

29. The capital and largest city of Uganda on the north shore of Lake Victoria.

31. Malevolent aspect of Devi.

32. A high-crowned black cap (usually made of felt or sheepskin) worn by men in Turkey and Iran and the Caucasus.

34. A genus of Lamnidae.

36. Either of two large African antelopes of the genus Taurotragus having short spirally twisted horns in both sexes.

37. The basic unit of money in Bangladesh.

38. A form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature.

40. English pathologist who discovered the cause of trichinosis (1814-1899).

42. A percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance.

44. Unknown god.

47. A club that people join in order to buy selected books at reduced prices.

51. A person who evokes boredom.

53. Evergreen trees or shrubs of mountains of Australia and Tasmania.

54. A public promotion of some product or service.

56. Small to medium evergreen dioecious trees of oceanic climates.

58. A summary that repeats the substance of a longer discussion.

59. (Hindu) A manner of sitting (as in the practice of Yoga).

60. East Indian tree yielding a resin used medicinally and burned as incense.

62. A small cake leavened with yeast.

65. A software system that facilitates the creation and maintenance and use of an electronic database.

66. The state of needing something that is absent or unavailable.

67. A sharply directional antenna.

69. An anxiety disorder characterized by chronic free-floating anxiety and such symptoms as tension or sweating or trembling of light-headedness or irritability etc that has lasted for more than six months.

71. Canadian hockey player (born 1948).

72. A Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria.

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

Getting personal with you is a real mistake; it may bring frustrations. You do not like probing on the part of others, yet are fascinated by behind-the-scenes, secret information. You may prefer not to think about anything below the surface, but even this is not a constant. This inner conflict produces more than its share of tension. You are focused toward a most positive frame of mind and because of your determination, you become positively contagious. A colleague appears more informed and in control than is reality. A change of direction this afternoon may interest you in more education. Consider expanding your sphere of knowledge by looking into some college courses. Investigate an area of curiosity or interest today. Enjoy music or a movie.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) You have excellent taste and could be expert in all matters of art and discrimination. There could be a temptation to purchase a large item today. You can always pick out the valuable and worthwhile. You value and appreciate all that is fine and beautiful. Be very careful in obligating future money that may be needed for housing or insurance. There is, perhaps, an interest in an older person this afternoon. Caring for or educating others in the care of this older person may become an important issue today. If you are physically feeling good, you will exert your natural ability to use emotions in productive ways. Relaxation, creativity and laughter are important ingredients now. While giving the dog a bath this evening, really get into it—sing or laugh!

Leo (July 23-August 22) Your very organized self tends to hide behind responsibilities today. This no-nonsense approach manages to push aside many opportunities for others to reach out to you. You resist getting too personal and may work to avoid issues that are touchy and might result in confrontation. There could be eruptions that overturn all of the more orderly rituals.

Eliminate some of these problems by making a concentrated effort to be aware of a balance in your life. If there have not been many interactions with friends, family or a loved one during the week, plan to set aside time to be with them today. In a few days, you will find that events occur that help to clear the air and bring about harmony between friends or family. Why not consider organizing a family reunion?

Virgo (August 23-September 22) Although conservative and sensitive on the outside, you are tough as nails on the inside—as anyone can testify who gets to know you very well. The fact is that you like attention and have a real need to be at the center of any group. Your more sensitive style hides a strong, aggressive and quite confident nature. You are at home in a crowd and enjoy the attention of others. You expect others to come to you and they certainly seem to do that this afternoon and evening. If you do not state your business, however, you may find yourself more involved than you really want to be just now. You may enjoy a loved one or close friend telling you of their success. You aim to revive some old tradition, scripture or manuscript and enjoy the ongoing research.

Word Search

Libra (September 23-October 22) Your sense of discrimination, when it comes to practical issues, is excellent as usual. You value clearheaded thinking in others and may find yourself working with several, very sharp individuals today. You show enthusiasm toward your work. You love large-scale organization and your success in your career or business will always be close to your heart. You will find that the young people you come across will add new energies to your plans or ideas.

You love to work with young people and gain from their insight as well. You understand and encourage talents, emotions, feelings, creativity and character issues. You value the drive and the ability to get things completed in an organized manner. There is a great deal of mental energy now.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) For today, emotional drama is valued rather than avoided. Your appetite for action is probably well known and well noted. Acting, sports, outdoor activities and everything physical are high on your list of favorites. Consider organizing a baseball, hockey, bowling or other group sports team. This is a good time to gather those that are interested into some sports activity. Perhaps some team competition with another group would be fun, perhaps a church, school or neighborhood group. This is the sort of energy where you can organize an idea and let others develop the project. Your outward seriousness and no-nonsense approach to things is obvious to all. This deliberate sense of responsibility comes across and is central to your personality.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) This is a time you may bring family members together to decide where the next vacation could be enjoyed, that is, if you are not already boarding a ship. If the kids are in a particular grade, the whole family might enjoy doing something that relates to that particular grade. Leisure activities today can help keep your mind and physical well-being in a positive place. Whatever is fun for you will actually refurbish or renew your enthusiasm. This could be challenging or passive activities. Reading, games, music, gardening, etc., are all good ideas for some fun activities. Real estate may be a topic of interest to you later today and driving through the neighborhood to see how people are landscaping, painting and just keeping up their property may give you ideas.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) CAPRICORN There is a tendency to be too strict with yourself, to insist that whatever does not contribute to security and other long-term goals is trivial. A family member is having a garage sale today and you may stop by their place to either help or see what you want to purchase. Your sense of responsibility comes across and is central to your personality—others can see that you are an achiever. Everything is run through your checkpoint to see if it holds up and can pass the test. You can be a stickler with details. Someone needs your help this evening and using your mind to negotiate obstacles and handle dilemmas is something you do well. You could be very much in demand as a counselor from time to time—you are certainly a problem-solver today.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) You will not be able to remain impersonal today. You are a great doer and others accept your commanding nature—you always seem to have the right answers. You are a good team player and higher-ups do not forget this quality. Your life path involves cutting through appearances and superficialities and laying bare the reality of a situation. You will make much progress in the business world. You may be guiding someone younger than you in matters of importance without even realizing it. You may not want to, but if you provide more answers than what is asked of you, it will help others to understand your abilities. Tonight is guys and gals night. You are with your group of friends and may enjoy a card game with friends.

Pisces (February 19-March 20) Your mind is ever on career and family. This may not make some of you the most communicative and social animal as you may prefer to avoid crowds and large gatherings. You must realize that teaching, lecturing or guiding others can be most rewarding and you have a talent in that area. Given to grand gestures and dramatic scenes, you love teaching in any form; you are very regal. You can also be most generous to a fault. A request for a loan today would be better to refuse. You will find ways to encourage creative thinking and problem-solving for this person. Children and animals are high on your list of priorities. If you are not visiting a zoo today, you might be making plans to visit one soon and perhaps plan a picnic menu as well.

Yesterday’s Solution

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku

Yesterday’s Solution

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

i n f o r m at i o n For labor-related inquiries and complaints: Call MSAL hotline 128 GOVERNORATE Sabah Hospital

24812000

Amiri Hospital

22450005

Maternity Hospital

24843100

Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital

25312700

Chest Hospital

24849400

Farwaniya Hospital

24892010

Adan Hospital

23940620

Ibn Sina Hospital

24840300

Al-Razi Hospital

24846000

Physiotherapy Hospital

24874330/9

PHARMACY

ADDRESS

PHONE

Ahmadi

Sama Safwan Abu Halaifa Danat Al-Sultan

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

23915883 23715414 23726558

Jahra

Modern Jahra Madina Munawara

Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 Jahra-Block 92

24575518 24566622

Capital

Ahlam Khaldiya Coop

Fahad Al-Salem St Khaldiya Coop

22436184 24833967

Farwaniya

New Shifa Ferdous Coop Modern Safwan

Farwaniya Block 40 Ferdous Coop Old Kheitan Block 11

24734000 24881201 24726638

Tariq Hana Ikhlas Hawally & Rawdha Ghadeer Kindy Ibn Al-Nafis Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Salmiya-Amman St Hawally-Beirut St Hawally & Rawdha Coop Jabriya-Block 1A Jabriya-Block 3B Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

25726265 25647075 22625999 22564549 25340559 25326554 25721264 25380581 25628241

Hawally

Al-Madeena

22418714

Al-Shuhada

22545171

Al-Shuwaikh

24810598

Al-Nuzha

22545171

Sabhan

24742838

Al-Helaly

22434853

Al-Faiha

22545051

Al-Farwaniya

24711433

Al-Sulaibikhat

24316983

Al-Fahaheel

23927002

Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh

24316983

Ahmadi

23980088

Al-Mangaf

23711183

Al-Shuaiba

23262845

Kaizen center

25716707

Rawda

22517733

Adaliya

22517144

Al-Jahra

25610011

Khaldiya

24848075

Al-Salmiya

25616368

Kaifan

24849807

Shamiya

24848913

Shuwaikh

24814507

Abdullah Salem

22549134

Nuzha

22526804

Industrial Shuwaikh

24814764

Qadsiya

22515088

Dasmah

22532265

Bneid Al-Gar

22531908

Shaab

22518752

Qibla

22459381

Ayoun Al-Qibla

22451082

Mirqab

22456536

Sharq

22465401

Salmiya

25746401

Jabriya

25316254

Maidan Hawally

25623444

Bayan

25388462

Mishref

25381200

W Hawally

22630786

Sabah

24810221

Jahra

24770319

New Jahra

24575755

West Jahra

24772608

South Jahra

24775066

North Jahra

24775992

North Jleeb

24311795

Ardhiya

24884079

Firdous

24892674

Omariya

24719048

N Khaitan

24710044

Fintas

23900322

INTERNATIONAL CALLS

PRIVATE CLINICS Ophthalmologists Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 General Practitioners Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Urologists Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Psychologists /Psychotherapists

Paediatricians

Plastic Surgeons Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf

22547272

Dr. Khaled Hamadi

Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari

22617700

Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed

Dr. Abdel Quttainah

25625030/60

Family Doctor Dr Divya Damodar

23729596/23729581

Psychiatrists Dr. Esam Al-Ansari

22635047

Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan

22613623/0

Gynaecologists & Obstetricians DrAdrian arbe

23729596/23729581

Dr. Verginia s.Marin

2572-6666 ext 8321

Endocrinologist

25665898 25340300

Dr. Zahra Qabazard

25710444

Dr. Sohail Qamar

22621099

Dr. Snaa Maaroof

25713514

Dr. Pradip Gujare

23713100

Dr. Zacharias Mathew

24334282

(1) Ear, Nose and Throat (2) Plastic Surgeon Dr. Abdul Mohsin Jafar, FRCS (Canada)

25655535

Dentists

Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan

22655539

Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami

25343406

Dr. Shamah Al-Matar

22641071/2

Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly

25739272

Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed

22562226

22618787

Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer

22561444

Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan

22619557

Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash

22525888

Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan

25653755

Dr. Bader Al-Ansari

25620111

General Surgeons Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer

22610044

Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher

25327148

Internists, Chest & Heart Dr. Adnan Ebil Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan

22666300 25728004

Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra

25355515

Dr. Mobarak Aldoub

24726446

Dr Nasser Behbehani

25654300/3

Soor Center Tel: 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688

Neurologists

22639939

Dr. Mousa Khadada

info@soorcenter.com www.soorcenter.com

3729596/3729581

Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri

25633324

Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan

25345875

Gastrologists Dr. Sami Aman

22636464

Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly

25322030

Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali

22633135

Kaizen center 25716707

25339330

Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Physiotherapists & VD Dr. Deyaa Shehab

25722291

Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees

22666288

Rheumatologists: Dr. Adel Al-Awadi

Dr Anil Thomas

Dr. Salem soso

Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman

25330060

Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah

25722290

Internist, Chest & Heart DR.Mohammes Akkad

24555050 Ext 210

Dr. Mohammad Zubaid MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Assistant Professor Of Medicine Head, Division of Cardiology Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Farida Al-Habib MD, PH.D, FACC Inaya German Medical Center Te: 2575077 Fax: 25723123

2611555-2622555

William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677

Afghanistan 0093 Albania 00355 Algeria 00213 Andorra 00376 Angola 00244 Anguilla 001264 Antiga 001268 Argentina 0054 Armenia 00374 Australia 0061 Austria 0043 Bahamas 001242 Bahrain 00973 Bangladesh 00880 Barbados 001246 Belarus 00375 Belgium 0032 Belize 00501 Benin 00229 Bermuda 001441 Bhutan 00975 Bolivia 00591 Bosnia 00387 Botswana 00267 Brazil 0055 Brunei 00673 Bulgaria 00359 Burkina 00226 Burundi 00257 Cambodia 00855 Cameroon 00237 Canada 001 Cape Verde 00238 Cayman Islands 001345 Central African 00236 Chad 00235 Chile 0056 China 0086 Colombia 0057 Comoros 00269 Congo 00242 Cook Islands 00682 Costa Rica 00506 Croatia 00385 Cuba 0053 Cyprus 00357 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Czech Republic 00420 Denmark 0045 Diego Garcia 00246 Djibouti 00253 Dominica 001767 Dominican Republic 001809 Ecuador 00593 Egypt 0020 El Salvador 00503 England (UK) 0044 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Eritrea 00291 Estonia 00372 Ethiopia 00251 Falkland Islands 00500 Faroe Islands 00298 Fiji 00679 Finland 00358 France 0033 French Guiana 00594 French Polynesia 00689 Gabon 00241 Gambia 00220 Georgia 00995 Germany 0049 Ghana 00233 Gibraltar 00350 Greece 0030 Greenland 00299 Grenada 001473 Guadeloupe 00590 Guam 001671 Guatemala 00502 Guinea 00224 Guyana 00592 Haiti 00509 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Honduras 00504 Hong Kong 00852 Hungary 0036 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Iceland 00354 India 0091 Indian Ocean 00873 Indonesia 0062

Iran 0098 Iraq 00964 Ireland 00353 Italy 0039 Ivory Coast 00225 Jamaica 001876 Japan 0081 Jordan 00962 Kazakhstan 007 Kenya 00254 Kiribati 00686 Kuwait 00965 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Laos 00856 Latvia 00371 Lebanon 00961 Liberia 00231 Libya 00218 Lithuania 00370 Luxembourg 00352 Macau 00853 Macedonia 00389 Madagascar 00261 Majorca 0034 Malawi 00265 Malaysia 0060 Maldives 00960 Mali 00223 Malta 00356 Marshall Islands 00692 Martinique 00596 Mauritania 00222 Mauritius 00230 Mayotte 00269 Mexico 0052 Micronesia 00691 Moldova 00373 Monaco 00377 Mongolia 00976 Montserrat 001664 Morocco 00212 Mozambique 00258 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Namibia 00264 Nepal 00977 Netherlands (Holland) 0031 Netherlands Antilles 00599 New Caledonia 00687 New Zealand 0064 Nicaragua 00505 Nigar 00227 Nigeria 00234 Niue 00683 Norfolk Island 00672 Northern Ireland (UK) 0044 North Korea 00850 Norway 0047 Oman 00968 Pakistan 0092 Palau 00680 Panama 00507 Papua New Guinea 00675 Paraguay 00595 Peru 0051 Philippines 0063 Poland 0048 Portugal 00351 Puerto Rico 001787 Qatar 00974 Romania 0040 Russian Federation 007 Rwanda 00250 Saint Helena 00290 Saint Kitts 001869 Saint Lucia 001758 Saint Pierre 00508 Saint Vincent 001784 Samoa US 00684 Samoa West 00685 San Marino 00378 Sao Tone 00239 Saudi Arabia 00966 Scotland (UK) 0044 Senegal 00221 Seychelles 00284 Sierra Leone 00232 Singapore 0065 Slovakia 00421 Slovenia 00386 Solomon Islands 00677

36

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

LIFESTYLE M o v i e s

A Palestinian girl carries a poster of singer Mohammed Assaf, 23, while watching the televised performance of the Palestinian finalist on the Arab Idol talent show, in Gaza City. —AP photos

&

M u s i c

Palestinian supporters of Mohammed Assaf, a Palestinian finalist on the Arab Idol talent show, hold his pictures in Gaza City as they watch his televised performance.

Gaza singer gives Palestinians a reason to smile A

23-year-old wedding singer from a refugee camp in the Gaza Strip has given Palestinians a rare sense of pride and national unity by reaching the finale of “Arab Idol,” a regional TV singing contest watched by millions of people. Across Gaza, an impoverished territory ruled by the Islamic militant Hamas, people gathered around TV screens at home, in coffee shops and in seaside cafes Friday evening to watch Mohammed Assaf and two other finalists from Egypt and Syria perform for the next to last time.

When Assaf struck up his signature anthem to Palestinian nationalism, “Raise the keffiyeh,” fireworks erupted in Gaza and spectators jumped to their feet for the traditional “dabka” dance. The singer with the bright smile and warm voice is putting Palestine on the map, said Ahmed Abu Ali, a 38-year-old teacher watching at a Gaza City hotel. “This young man ... is expressing the feelings of all of us, he is expressing our suffering, our pain, but also our love of life,” Abu Ali said.

The winner is to be announced Saturday evening, after viewers from across the region vote for their favorite. The show, produced by

the Saudi-owned MBC Group, is broadcast from the Lebanese capital Beirut. Now in its second season, this year’s competition began in March with 27 contestants. Assaf, who was born to Palestinian parents in Libya and grew up in Gaza’s Khan Younis refugee camp, almost didn’t get to compete. He says he had to plead with Hamas to let him leave Gaza, then bribe Egyptian border guards to let him enter the country en route to Lebanon. A fellow Palestinian gave up his slot during the audition phase because he believed Assaf had a better chance at winning.

With Assaf advancing in the competition since March, excitement and national pride have been building in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem, the territories where the Palestinians one day hope to establish a state. Rooting for the talented performer has allowed Palestinians to feel as one people, forgetting at least briefly their political and geographic split.

Gaza is cut off from the West Bank and east Jerusalem, which lie on the other side of Israel. Israeli travel restrictions over the past decade have deepened that separation. Since the Hamas takeover in 2007, Gaza has

become more isolated, amid growing animosity between the Islamic militants and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who administers part of the West Bank.

Politicians have tried to latch on to Assaf’s popularity. The Western-backed Abbas called Assaf last month to congratulate him on his strong showing and later, in a statement, urged people across the region to vote for the singer. Hamas at first seemed critical of the “Arab Idol” fever sweeping Gaza, with a spokesman saying last month that the name and idea of the show are blasphemous.

However, Hamas is known for not going against public opinion. In a sign of a shift, a Hamas lawmaker in Gaza, Yehiyeh Moussa, this week praised Assaf as the “ambassador for Palestinian art.” Some religious leaders, though, remained harshly critical.

Mohammed Salim, delivering a sermon Friday at Islam’s third holiest shrine, the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, said Palestinians lost sight of their struggle for independence by getting preoccupied with the show.

“Voting for songs and immorality, evil and sin is not only forbidden, it is a crime against the cause of our people,” he said. —AP

Palestinians dance and sing while watching the televised performance of Mohammed Assaf, 23, a Palestinian finalist on the Arab Idol talent show, in Gaza City.

Pixar goes back to class with Monsters prequel

P

ixar sends its Monsters back to class this weekend with “Monsters University,” the first time the animation giant has made a prequel to a member of its stable of hit franchises. Released Friday in the United States, the movie takes monster buddies Mike and Sulley back to their college days when they learned their scaring skills, displayed in the original 2001 blockbuster. Pixar has made its share of sequels-think “Cars 2” and “Toy Story” 2 and 3 — but the California-based studio’s 14th feature film is the first to go back in time, to show where the “Monsters Inc.” characters come from. The first film presented a cast of monsters in a world where the city’s power was generated by children’s screams. An army of scary creatures went into toddlers’ bedrooms to make them wail as loudly as possible.

Sulley, who looks like a cross between a blue bear and a dinosaur, was one of the top scarers, supported by his faithful friend Mike, a small green ball-shaped cyclops with one enormous eye. In “Monsters University,” we see how they met in college, where loud-mouthed dilettante Mike was already the campus monster chief, while shy, hard-working Sulley could only dream of joining the top scarers. “We always knew that we wanted to tell the story of Mike wanting to become a scarer,” director Dan Scanlon told AFP. “We knew that that was sort of the heart of the story, the idea of what do you do when you come up against a brick wall or you come up against a closed door. What becomes the issue is then just how do you tell that story.”

But Scanlon, making his first feature-length movie for Pixar, admitted that at first, he and the writers struggled to come up with a compelling story to drive the prequel emotionally. “We were going down roads that seemed thin. Sometimes a story doesn’t have an engine behind, it is just kind of meandering around a setting. OK, we have college, but what are they doing in college?” he said.

But they struck upon the idea of a misfit group, the Oozma Kappa fraternity of “losers.”“Once we included that group, the story came to life. Because it allowed Mike and Sulley to have someone to take care of,” said Scanlon. “Having them taking care of the misfits or having to deal with this misfits group, it made them kind of a mom and dad that had to learn how to come together to take care of the kids. “And that element really changed the story. That’s when we felt we’re on the right track.” As with past films, including “Finding Nemo” (2003), “Ratatouille” (2007) or last year’s Oscar-winning “Brave,” the “Monsters” prequel combines spectacle and fun with serious themes for youngsters, such as accepting tough reality.

But it is also an ode to friendship, and how it can transcend differences and hurdles. “Friendship is a big part of it... As you see when you meet Mike and Sulley, they are very different people than they are in the next film,” said Scanlon. “What I like about the film is that it sort of shows you how your friends can help make you who you need to be, especially when you’re younger. They can not only help you find who you really are, not only help you find what things you’re actually good at, but also help make you a better person.” —AFP

People stand in front of a stage during the Hellfest Heavy Music Festival yesterday. —AFP photos

Fans of heavy metal pose.

France’s Hellfest draws Europe’s rock and metal fraternity

T

ens of thousands of revelers devoted to heavy metal, goth and punk temporarily forgot their musical differences to converge this weekend for the three-day open air Hellfest festival in western France. Set in the small town of Clisson, in the Pays de la Loire region, some 100,000 European music fans on Friday gathered to catch worldfamous acts like Kiss, ZZ Top and Korn over the weekend.

This year’s festival also includes British rock group Whitesnake as well as Swedish soft rock band Europe. The festival-goers were drawn from a wide range of extreme music schools, from hard rockers sporting bandanas and 1980s-style haircuts to death metal fans dressed in black.

“We are Victorian-era vampires,” 27-year-old Matthieu said, dressed in a redingote and a puffy white shirt decorated with a red ruby pin. His 21-year-old wife Manon was dressed almost exclusively in black-her black hair decorated with blood-red roses and her face powdered in white with black circles painted around her eyes. At Hellfest, the morbid skull symbol was visible almost everywhere: on tatoos, flags and T-shirts, and at night, live fire torches and illuminated sculptures light up the festival grounds. A giant camping site has been set up near the entrance, where thousands of tents line the carefully protected vineyards in the middle of the picturesque landscape. —AFP

Spectators react during the Hellfest Heavy Music Festival.

A fan of heavy metal poses.

Jeff Ling of Australian band Parkway Drive performs during the Hellfest Heavy Music Festival.

37

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

LIFESTYLE F e a t u r e s

Two Chinese Crested dogs look on before the start of the 25th annual World’s Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma Marin Fair.

Mayzie Brown, a Pomeranian, walks on stage.

Beagle-boxer-basset wins World’s Ugliest Dog

A

Tammie Barbee pets her dog Walle, a Beagle-Bassett, as judges announce that he has won this year’s World’s Ugliest Dog competition in Petaluma, California, on Friday. —AFP/AP photos

huge-headed, duck-footed mix of beagle, boxer and basset hound was the upset winner Friday at the 25th annual World’s Ugliest Dog Contest. Walle (WAHL-ee), a 4-year-old mutt from Chico, California who was entered at the last minute, was judged most unsightly of 30 dogs at the Northern California competition. “This dog looked like he’s been photo-shopped with pieces from various dogs and maybe a few other animals,” judge Brian Sobel said. The contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds gets worldwide attention, with media from around the world traveling to Petaluma, north of San Francisco.

Walle overcame the dominance in recent years by nearly hairless Chihuahuas, Chinese cresteds, or combinations of the two. Owner Tammie Barbee got the dog when he was three months old. “People come up to me and say that dog is not right,” Barbee said, “but I love him.” Judges said they were especially impressed by Walle’s bizarre waddle of a walk. Walle wins $1,500 and will make several network TV appearances next week, including NBC’s “Today” show and ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” Organizers say the dogs are judged for their “natural ugliness in both pedigree and mutt classes.” —AP

Grovie, a Pug, is seen before the World’s Ugliest Dog competition.

Madi International to unveil the iconic ‘Nova Lash’ for discerning customers

M

adi International, Salon and Beauty Center Supplies - one of the Middle East’s leading distributors of internationally reputed professional beauty brands, has introduced the revolutionary Nova Lash - the award-winning, long lasting and healthiest professional eyelash extension system in the Middle East.

The launch of the industryleading medicalgrade eyelash extension adhesives is a major step forward by Madi International to extend the best products in the beauty sector to the discerning customers in the region.

Nova Lash was introduced by Madi International in a high-profile launch event held at Gloria Hotel earlier this month. The launch is aimed at catering to the growing demand for exclusive, innovative and worldclass beauty treatments, products and equipment from the Middle East’s beauty industry.

Comprising a wide-ranging palette of colours, textures and sizes of eyelash extension lines, each Nova Lash application is a work of art with an intricate finish. Founded in 2004 by biologist and cosmetic chemist Sophy Merszei, Nova Lash continues to be the leader in the field of eyelash extensions and is committed to providing safe, beautiful, flawless eyelash extensions.

Nova Lash Eyelash Extensions are available in thousands of salons and spas across the United States and in over 40 other countries worldwide and this is their first foray in the region, courtesy Madi International.

Mohammed Madi, President of Madi International Group, said: “”The launch of NovaLash marks an important milestone in our strategy to bring the best beauty brands to the region - a step closer in fulfilling our objective of making the Middle East even more beautiful than it already is. The brand brings to the region’s beauty professionals, health clubs, beauty institutes and salons an exclusive product that adds considerably to our stature as a major player in the regional beauty industry.”

He added: “Nova Lash eyelash extensions are an instant hit for any woman who desires for longer, fuller lashes and one of the hottest commodities in the beauty business as on date. Nova Lash eyelash extensions are meticulously applied lash-by-lash, bonded with award-winning medical-grade adhesives.

Nova Lash, the world’s first global distributor of eyelash extension products, has won a number of industry awards for innovation and beauty. With the new product, Madi International is set to reinforce its market leadership in a market, where it enjoys a considerable market presence.

Dane Andrew shows his dog Rascal, a Chinese Crested.

Linda Elmquist and her dog Josie, a Chinese Crested.

Young people throw flour at each other during a happening called ‘Battle With Flour’ in Kiev yesterday. Hundreds of young Ukrainians entertain themselves organizing events using social networks. —AFP

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

lifestyle F a s h i o n

T

okyo residents braved cloudy weather to strip down to the bare essentials yesterday hoping to win free clothing. The promotional “semi-naked party” was hosted by Barcelona-based Desigual, who gave away free clothes to customers dressed in swimsuits and underwear at its flagship shop in Tokyo. Desigual, founded in 1984 and famous for its colorful patchwork designs, has staged similar events in Barcelona, Paris, New York and other fashion capitals ahead of

major sales campaigns, but never before in Asia. About 350 people had come to the shop in the upscale Harajuku district, some of them queuing since the night before, under cloudy skies in the middle of a rainy season.

But only 100 of them, aged 18 or older, were admitted to the event starting at 10 o’clock on a first-come, first-served basis. They merrily stripped to next to nothing, many of the women sporting bikinis, at a cafe near the shop and wore

Models wear creations of the Jil Sander men’s Spring-Summer 2014 collection.

multi-colored kimono-like bathrobes and beige hats provided by the company. They were given with churros and vitamin water for breakfast as they waited for the door to open. After a countdown i they threw away the bathrobes and went about the three-storey shop stacked with Desigual goods.

Each of them was allowed to come out wearing two products, one top and one bottom. “I’m here because I thought it’s fun to come in swimsuits,” said 26-year-old Tomomi Sasa,

an unemployed Tokyo woman, before entering the shop. “I haven’t decided what to take home.” The company has nine wholly owned shops in Japan and the flagship shop, established last December, is the second oldest. It has 330 wholly owned shops and 9,000 other outlets in 98 countries around the world, according to a press release. — AFP

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

lifestyle F a s h i o n

Models display creations as part of Dolce & Gabbana Spring-Summer 2014 Menswear collection yesterday during the fashion week in Milan. — AFP photos

Models display creations as part of Costume National Homme SpringSummer 2014 Menswear collection.

Rym Amari, Miss Algeria 2013, stands with French beauty contest organizer Genevieve de Fontenay and one of the runners-up at the end of the beauty pageant in the western city of Oran late on June 21, 2013. — AFP

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fter an absence of 10 years, the Miss Algeria beauty contest was held Friday in the western city of Oran, with 19-year-old science student Rym Amari taking the pageant honors. The competition was suspended in 2003 after the death of Cheradi Hamdad, who launched the beauty contest in 1996 during Algeria’s devastating civil war and whose son Faycal Hamdad has now taken up the mantle. “I have picked up the torch for this year only, because my father died last year of lung cancer,”

Rym Amari poses for pictures after Miss Algeria 2013 jury members, French beauty contest organizer Genevieve de Fontenay and Algerian actress being crowned Miss Algeria 2013 in Bahia Rachedi, wait for the start of the beauty pageant. the western city of Oran.

said the new pageant director, a rights activist and a performer in his own right.

The revamped beauty show demonstrates that “the Algerian woman has evolved, Algeria has evolved”, said Hamdad. After wiping away tears of joy, beauty contest winner Amari declared: “I am your Miss Algeria. I am 19 years old and I am a materials science student.” She came out on top from the 20 contestants, aged between 18 and 26, who were carefully selected from Algeria’s main cities to compete in front of 2,000

spectators in an Oran hotel. While there was a minimum height requirement, there was no posing in swimsuits, with the Miss Algeria hopefuls parading in traditional outfits, sportswear and evening dresses. Miss Algeria 2013 has been crowned too late to be able to participate in this year’s Miss World contest, due to be held in Bali in September. — AFP

Miss Algeria crowned for first time in 10 years

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SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

This picture taken on May 13, 2013 shows snow capped Mt Fuji, seen from Kawaguchiko town in Yamanashi prefecture. —AFP photos

The summit of Mount Fuji is seen over the clouds from Fuji nomiya city, Shizuoka prefecture yesterday.

Mount Fuji: beautiful, fragile and dangerous F

rom the window of his downtown Tokyo office, Heita Kawakatsu has a clear view of the perfectly-formed cone of Mount Fuji, around 100 kilometers (70 miles) away-which was granted UNESCO World Heritage status on Saturday. “I know that it is watching me,” says Kawakatsu, the governor of Shizuoka prefecture, in which around half of the mountain sits. Like the Pyramids in Egypt, the Great Wall of China or the United States’ Statue of Liberty, Japan’s Mount Fuji is a national symbol, visual shorthand for its home country.

And after a meeting in Cambodia, the world’s most recognizable volcano has now joined the other global landmarks to be recognized by the United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (UNESCO) as a World Heritage Site. The mountain and its surrounding countryside, including several lakes, stretching over an area of around 70,000 hectares (170,000 acres) were nominated for its significance to the fabric of Japan.

“It is one of the most beautiful things on Earth,” says Kawakatsu. “Fuji is a masterpiece of nature, and yet it was included as cultural heritage.” The reason the mountain was recognized for its cultural, rather than natural significance, is tied up-among other things-with the animism of Japan’s native Shinto religion, which makes mountains objects of veneration. For some pilgrims, the climb itself is the purpose of their visit, while for others, the temples and altars that dot the route are where they are seeking enlightenment. It is also because of the impact its almost geometrical shape has had on Japanese art, most famously in the 19th century “Thirty-six views of Mount Fuji” by woodblock painter Hokusai.

The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), an advisory body to the UNESCO World Heritage committee, assessed the importance of the mountain over several months and

A Balinese girl performs a traditional dance during the 35th Bali Art Festival in Denpasar on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali on June 21, 2013. The Bali Arts Festival is a full month of daily performances, handicraft exhibitions and other related cultural and commercial activities during offerings of dance, music and beauty. The festival is designed to promote tourism on the resort island. —AFP

This picture taken on June 16, 2013 shows Mount Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan at 3,776 meters (12,460 feet), and Lake Kawaguchi in Fujikawaguchiko, southern Yamanashi prefecture. published a 20-page report earlier this year. “The beauty of the solitary, often snow-capped volcanic Fuji-san (Mount Fuji) rising above villages and tree-fringed seas and lakes, has inspired artists and poets and been the object of pilgrimages for centuries,” it waxes. With this fame and beauty comes popularity. During the two month climbing season in the average year, as many as 300,000 people trek up Fuji’s slopes to the 3,776 meter (12,460 foot) peak.

While Japan has many serious hill walkers, the mountain’s quasi-mythical status means it also attracts climbers with little experience.”The ascent routes in places are heavily eroded and in

other places have been protected by harsh, intrusive barriers,” the ICOMOS report says. It also notes rubbish is a problem. “During peak times for visitors in July and August, there is enormous pressure on the roads from private cars driving to the access routes. Fumes from cars and buses are a recognized concern.”

Shigeru Horiuchi, mayor of Fujiyoshida, a small city at the foot of the mountain, said local officials worried that with the World Heritage designation, the trails this year could become even busier. “If possible, we want to limit the number of climbers, but that is legally difficult,” he said, according to Jiji Press. The answer may

This picture taken on May 17, 2013 shows Mt Fuji, seen from Mihonnomatsubara beach in Shizuoka city in Shizuoka prefecture. lie in charging visitors. In a test scheme this summer local officials will ask for a voluntary fee of 1,000 yen ($10) per person. But, says Horiuchi, this may not be enough and they may have to charge ten times that in the future.

Getting Fuji inscribed on the list of World Heritage sites, where it joins 16 other Japanese spots, caps years of efforts by people like Shizuoka governor Kawakatsu. The hope is that, like the delicately preserved monuments of Kyoto, or the imposing castle at Himeji, greater attention from the world will mean more is done to protect the site. However, it is possible that all these efforts could literally be turned to dust in

an instant-if the volcano erupts. In September last year, scientists pointed out that pressure inside the magma chamber was far greater than it was at the time of the last eruption in 1707, and well above the level at which an eruption is possible.

An eruption could be utterly devastating, with government estimates of damage at trillions of yen (tens of billions of dollars) and some models showing lava flows engulfing artery highways and key train routes, while ash clouds choke Tokyo. “Fuji is beautiful, but dangerous,” Kawakatsu told AFP. “We must always be prepared.” —AFP

US state to lower flags for actor Gandolfini

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lags will fly at half staff tomorrow on official buildings in New Jersey as a mark of respect for “The Sopranos” star James Gandolfini, a native of the northeastern US state, officials said. In an executive order issued Friday, Governor Chris Christie said the symbolic move served “to recognize the achievements and contributions of James Gandolfini,” who died in Rome on Wednesday.

Gandolfini “was an iconic actor and will be remembered for the timeless impact he left upon television and film in the State of New Jersey and across our nation,” Christie wrote.

The actor, who died of a heart attack aged 51, was born in Westwood, 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of New York, went to local schools and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the state’s Rutgers University. Christie said Gandolfini “enjoyed an extraordinarily successful acting career across television, film and Broadway, including his popularly acclaimed role as Tony Soprano in ‘The Sopranos.’” He also advocated for US military service members and veterans in two documentaries, “Alive Day Memories: Home From Iraq” (2007) and “Wartorn: 1861-2010” (2010). —AFP