28 Feb 2012

CR IP TI ON BS SU

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

www.kuwaittimes.net

RABIA ALTHANI 6, 1433 AH

Kuwait National & Liberation Days

NO: 15372

Oppn agrees on priority list as Assembly resumes

40 PAGES

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Saadoun reinstates journalists next to chamber

Max 24º Min 07º High Tide 03:50 & 15:32 Low Tide 09:10 & 22:03

By B Izzak

France, Iran, Pak hail Oscar wins PARIS/TEHRAN/ISLAMABAD: France was awash in Oscar celebrations yesterday after “The Artist” won five Academy Awards including the first Best Actor win for a Frenchman, unleashing a wave of national pride. Television stations played The Artist star Jean Dujardin’s acceptance speech over and over, Le Monde’s front page proclaimed “French triumph in Hollywood” over a photo of the actor raising his statuette in victory, while politicians on the campaign trail sought to capitalise on the excitement.

Meanwhile, Iranians took to the Internet and mobile phones yesterday to declare their pride and joy at their country’s first win at the Oscars - and at the speech by triumphant director Asghar Farhadi putting culture above politics. Messages flooded SMS servers and social networks moments after the movie, “A Separation”, was awarded the best foreign language Oscar at the US Academy Awards.

And Pakistan’s government honored yesterday the country’s first filmmaker to win an Oscar: the director of a documentary on the plight of female victims of acid attacks in this conservative society. Sharmeen ObaidChinoy won the prize for the documentary “Saving Face,” which chronicles a London-based plastic surgeon who travels to Pakistan to treat women who have had acid thrown on them. The attacks are often carried out by angry husbands or spurned lovers.

President Nicolas Sarkozy called Dujardin’s performance “dazzling,” while his Socialist rival for the presidency, Francois Hollande, said the five Oscars won by The Artist Continued on Page 13

HOLLYWOOD: Best Actress Meryl Streep (left) for “The Iron Lady” and Best Actor Jean Dujardin for “The Artist” pose with their awards during the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday. — AP (See Pages 36-40)

Plot to kill Putin foiled

SANAA: Yemen’s former president Ali Abdullah Saleh (right) hands over power to the country’s newly-elected President Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi during a ceremony at the presidential palace yesterday. — AP

Saleh formally steps down after 33 years Ex-prez seeks Ethiopia exile SANAA: Yemen’s Ali Abdullah Saleh stepped down after 33 years at the helm yesterday, making him the fourth veteran Arab leader to fall in a year of mass pro-democracy demonstrations that have rocked the region. Standing before a crowd of parliamentarians, tribal leaders and foreign dignitaries at the presidential palace in Sanaa, Saleh formally ceded power to his deputy Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi, pledging to support his efforts to “rebuild” a country still reeling from months of violence. “I hand over the banner of the revolution, of the republic, of freedom, of security and of stability... to safe hands,” said Saleh as he stood beside Hadi and gave a farewell speech

Australian PM survives leadership challenge

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carried live on state television.

Aides to Saleh said yesterday that the ousted president plans to go into exile in Ethiopia, as pressures mounted on him to depart the country for fear of sparking new cycles of violence. The aides said that the former president will leave Yemen within two days along with some of his family members where he will reside in a villa in the suburb of Addis Ababa. Other family members have already left to the United Arab Emirates.

A diplomat in Sanaa confirmed that arrangements had been made for Saleh’s departure for Ethiopia. Aides said that visas have been issued and Saleh’s Continued on Page 13

Prayers mark 10th ’versary of Gujarat riots in India

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MOSCOW: Russia said yesterday its secret services had thwarted a plot hatched in a Ukrainian port city by suspected militants from Chechnya to assassinate Vladimir Putin after next weekend’s presidential vote.

State television showed the two men confessing to conspiring to kill the Russian strongman in a bombing attack that was revealed to the public less than a week before Putin’s likely victory in Sunday’s election.

The plot was confirmed by Putin’s spokesman as well as the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) and its Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) counterpart, who worked jointly to break up the conspiracy.

The purported confessions showed the two men Vladimir Putin saying they acted on the orders of Chechen Islamist militant Doku Umarov the warlord who has claimed Moscow’s deadliest airport and metro bombings in the past two years.

Officials said the pair, along with a third man who died while trying to prepare a bomb, were both ethnic Chechens and were detained in Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Odessa in January and early February. It was not clear why the authorities had waited until just days were left before the March 4 poll to make their announcement. “It just seems like an incredible coincidence that these monsters were discovered today,” independent military analyst Alexander Golts told AFP. But Prime Minister Putin’s official spokesman Dmitry Peskov called such suggestions “blasphemous”. Channel One said the three plotters went to Ukraine from the United Arab Emirates via Turkey with “clear instructions from representatives of Doku Umarov”. “They told us that first you come to Odessa and learn how to make bombs,” Channel One showed a man identified as Ilya Pyanzin as saying. “And then later, in Moscow, you will stage attacks against commercial objects, with the subsequent assassination attempt against Putin,” the man said.

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Djokovic tastes victory and defeat in Dubai

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KUWAIT: The opposition bloc agreed yesterday on a list of priority issues that will be submitted to the National Assembly next month at a meeting they held at the diwaniya of MP Saifi Al-Saifi. The meeting, attended by 27 MPs including Speaker Ahmad Al-Saadoun, agreed on a number of draft laws like early retirement for women, reducing the number of days for preventive detention, unemployment benefits, supporting small and mega projects, amending the tenders law, establishing medical cities to improve healthcare and others, Saifi told reporters after the meeting. Eight MPs did not attend the meeting as they were traveling.

The coordination committee of the opposition last Thursday shortlisted about 28 issues that include political reform and anti-corruption legislation that will be debated and approved during this term which is expected to be extended until August instead of ending normally by the end of June. The opposition has enough strength to pass all the laws because it controls an absolute majority, but if the government rejects some of the laws, the opposition does not have the required two-thirds majority to override the government’s rejection and make the laws mandatory.

Saifi said that the opposition has decided not to control all the committees that will be formed today when the Assembly resumes its session following national holidays. The opposition intends to submit today three requests to form two investigation committees into the bank deposits scandal involving former MPs and allegations of money transfers of public funds into the foreign accounts of the former prime minister, besides asking the public funds protection committee to investigate allegations of smuggling of subsidized diesel.

Continued on Page 13

Saudi Arabia to monitor wages RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will launch a system in the next three months to monitor wage payments to company employees, part of efforts to boost the participation of Saudi citizens in the workforce and keep track of foreign workers, the labour minister said yesterday. In an interview with Reuters, Adel Fakieh stressed this and other steps taken by the ministry were not designed to slash the size of Saudi Arabia’s huge foreign workforce, and that the government did not plan drastic reductions in the number of visas issued to foreign workers.

Instead, he said, the government aimed to cut unemployment among Saudi citizens, now about 10.5 percent, and to

boost the number of Saudi citizens employed in the private sector by 50 percent over the next three years. “The main objective is to recruit Saudis and Saudi women - reducing foreign labor is not an end in itself,” he said. “Our country is growing at very fast rates and there are huge and historic projects...Reducing foreign labor is not a goal because it would affect the speed of implementation of development programs in the kingdom.” He added, “We have no objection to issuing more visas if this does not affect the availability of career opportunities for our sons.”

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

LOCAL

Liberation celebrations around Kuwait

KUWAIT: Kuwait celebrated its 51st National Day, 21st Liberation Day, and the sixth anniversary of His Highness the Amir’s assumption of power during the weekend. Thousands of people, especially children, gathered along the Gulf Road, Salmiya and across the country to celebrate the holidays. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat and Fouad Al-Shaikh

Kuwaiti embassies celebrate national days CAPITALS: Kuwaiti embassies around the world celebrated the national anniversaries of the 51st Independence Day, 21st Liberation Day and the sixth anniversary of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait’s assumption of power over the weekend.

Kuwait’s Consul General to Jeddah Saleh Ali Al-Saqubi said yesterday that national celebrations are prideful moments for every Kuwaiti, wishing that prosperity and advancement would always prevail in the country. He seized such occasion to reiterate the deep relations between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have always had.

Kuwaiti embassy in Yemen held similar event. It was attended by Yemeni Minister of Civil Service and Insurance (CSI) Nabeel Abdu Shamsan and UN Secretary General’s special envoy to Yemen Jamal bin Omar as well as other Arab and foreign envoys. Kuwaiti Ambassador to Yemen Fahad Saad AlMaea extended his congratulations to the Kuwaiti leadership and people on such patriotic occasions. The Yemeni government representative minister Shamsan highlighted the KuwaitiYemeni ties that have been thriving. He also lauded Kuwait’s supporting role in setting economic and political stability in his country.

In Addis Ababa, Kuwaiti Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of

Ethiopia Rashed Al-Hajri hosted a grand celebration at Sheraton Hotel with a large number of senior Ethiopian officials and Arab diplomats attending. On the sidelines of the celebration, a pavilion was set up to showcase dozens of publications on Kuwait’s history and civilization. Al-Hajri congratulated HH the Amir and the government and people of the State of Kuwait on these national occasions.

In Dakar, Kuwaiti Embassy in Senegal hosted a reception that gathered more than four dozens of Senegalese senior officials and public figures and Arab diplomats. Among the celebrities present were Senegal’s Minister of Sports Abdoulaye Makhtar Diop, and Dakar governor. On the sidelines of the celebration, a pavilion was set up to showcase dozens of publications on Kuwait’s history and civilization.The Embassy congratulated HH the Amir and the government and people of the State of Kuwait on these national occasions.

In Nairobi, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Kenya and Permanent Delegate to the UN Environment Program and the UN Human Settlements Program Yaqoub Yousuf Al-Sanad hosted a reception that gathered several Kenyan political celebrities and Arab diplomats. On behalf of the Kuwaiti diplomatic missions to Kenya and to the two UN agen-

cies, Al-Sanad congratulated HH the Amir, HH the Crown Prince and HH the Prime Minister as well as the Kuwaiti people and government on these occasions. The celebration was also attended by Director General of Kuwait Public Environment Authority (EPA) Dr. Salah Mudhi Al Mudhi who led the country’s delegation to the 12th Special Session of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Program, in Nairobi on Feb 20-22.

In Manama, Kuwait Embassy held a function on these occasions attended by a large number of Bahraini officials.

Kuwaiti Ambassador there Azzam Mubarak Al-Sabah honored Bandar Talal Al-Saeed, who organized “Kuwait in the hearts of Bahrainis” festival to share national celebrations with Kuwaiti people. Ambassador Azzam congratulated His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Kuwaiti people on these great days.

“Kuwaiti youth have potential and skills to build a better and prosperous future under HH the Amir who offers all support to people, particularly youth, “ he said.

Kuwait Consulate in Los Angeles held a ceremony to mark the national days. Consul-General Abdullatif AlYahiya received well-wishers including senior officials, intellectuals and Arab and foreign diplomats. —KUNA

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

local

Threat to grill interior minister ‘not accepted’ and whether the instructions were given by him, as security officials at the airport claim.”

By A Saleh KUWAIT: Member of Parliament, Mubarak AlWaalan, disapproved of statements by Shiite MPs threatening to grill Interior Minister, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Humoud, with claims that Shiite scholars were mistreated at Kuwait airport by security men.

“Show us your heroism... you cannot do anything,” the security men told the scholars.

Al-Waalan said threatening the Interior Minister with a grilling over everything is not accepted and we will stand with him strongly.

He added that attempts to take Kuwait to marginal clashes with sectarian cover are now very clear, as the Cabinet of “honey” is gone.

“If Al-Tabatabae said soak your grilling and drink its water, we say that here it is filed in front of you, show us your heroics,” Al-Waalan said. Shiite MPs attacked security officials for mistreating religious scholars at Kuwait airport and this will not go by easily, MP Saleh Ashour said, “it is very clear that this government does not respect or fear anyone except those who threatens and grills it.”

MP Adnan Al-Mutawaa said “the interior minister’s dealing with society groups is not equal as violations were repeated. Sometimes you find him lenient with those who violate the law, and strict with those who respect it.”

MP Ahmad Lari said what took place at the airport cannot be let go easily. “I ask the Interior Minister to clarify what happened

Iraq mass grave The Office of the Iraqi Human Rights Ministry in Basra announced the discovery west of the governorate of a mass grave of citizens who were executed by the former regime for political reasons.

It is thought that remains of Kuwaiti prisoners, who were killed by the former regime after the liberation from Kuwait of Iraqi occupiers, may be found there.

Mehdi Al-Tamimi, Office Director in Basra, said field teams discovered a mass grave of citizens who were killed during the Shaaban uprising in 1991. He said the ministry plans to start digging in the grave yard in a few days.

Basra governorate, 590km south of Baghdad, has 19 mass graves that contain hundreds of military and civilian individuals who were executed before 2003. The largest grave is at Al-Barjasia, which is in an uninhabited desert area.

Member of Parliamentary Financial and Economic Affairs Committee MP Abdelrhman Al-Anjari called for quick release of the Kuwaiti economy from government control, and deal with defects in the general budget and create revenues other than oil ones. He said the release should be through the privatization law, and established specialized universities in oil and photochemical sciences.

No ferries to Failaka for months?

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: Those who chose “Liberation Day’ last Sunday, to visit Failaka Island using the KPTC ferry were not lucky. The ferry scheduled for the afternoon return trip could not come.

About 150 passengers had to stay on the Island for about 12 hours, while some managed to return on private boats. According to Abulfutouh, an employee at Ras Salmiya from where the ferry leaves to Failaka, the Ministry of Communication is responsible for this complication.

“What happened yesterday is similar to what happened last year, when some Ministry of Communications inspectors refused to let the ferry to operate and hold trips to Failaka.

They officially announced that they canceled the trip from Failaka due an expired license, but the real reason was a fight that took place on the first returning ferry,” he told the Kuwait Times.

“The first ferry left at 2:30 pm from Failaka, and Ministry of Communications inspectors

were onboard the ferry. Unfortunately, some impolite youths caused a problem with girls travelling on this ferry with their families. A huge fight took place on the returning ferry.

The inspectors did not do anything, but the passengers stopped the fight after one was seriously injured. Four police vehicles and one ambulance were waiting for the passengers at the dock in Salmiya. They took the injured to hospital, while the other participants in the fight were escorted to the police station,” explained Abulfutouh.

The next ferry brought the passengers from Failaka at 6 am Monday. Then both ferries returned to Failaka to bring the rest of the Island’s visitors, who were spending a longer stay there.

“All the ferries sailed to Failaka empty, without passengers, just to bring people back from the Island. I expect the ferries will not operate for about a month or two now. All the officials from KPTC are at the Island now to make sure all the visitors there are transported back. We are not sure when will we operate again,” he concluded.

Hackers able to turn on webcams, watch users Online account break-ins, phishing on the rise in Kuwait

By Lisa Conrad KUWAIT: “If I could, I would definitely break into my husband’s email account,” openly admits Naela, a 36-year-old Syrian expatriate. “The ability to access that information would definitely be a powerful tool.” Naela is not alone in her curiosity as, when asked, many admitted that they would access their partner’s e-mail and Facebook accounts if given the chance.

“I have looked whenever I have had the chance. It is just curiosity, not suspicion,” said 19year-old Kuwaiti student, Dalal.

She added, however, that hacking is starkly different to the innocent ‘snooping’ she occasionally indulges in.

“Hiring a hacker is taking it to the next level though. I think people only do that once they have become extremely suspicious and they are hunting for an answer.” Fahad, a 24-year-old Kuwaiti engineer, disagreed with the practice completely, “It is wrong to invade privacy like that.

If I were suspicious of my wife I would not hire a hacker, I would leave her because it would mean that I have no trust in her.”

Whether or not breaking into the e-mail and social network accounts of others is ethical or just, one thing is for certain: it is not hacking.

According to Feras Al-Oqlah, Engineer and General Manager of Kuwait’s Internet Technology Solutions company, FutureTEC, breaking into e-mail and social networking accounts does not make a hacker: “‘Hacker’ is not an appropriate label for someone breaking into e -mail and Facebook accounts, it is just someone with some experience in such software. Hotmail account

Cabinet to present work program KUWAIT: The Cabinet will present a work program that complies with the state’s development plan within a maximum three weeks’ period, states a report quoting a state official.

Speaking to Al-Qabas, the source indicates that the Cabinet will take into account all notes made by MPs in outlining its work program, and that “to achieve cooperation needed to realize obstructed projects.” Implementing the work program will be compounded with measures taken to ensure that all state departments are committed to executing projects within deadlines placed, said the source.

Members of a coalition of 35 MPs who form the majority in the Parliament were

scheduled to meet yesterday (Monday) to outline priorities of the Parliament’s work during the ongoing term.

Lawmakers were optimistic before meeting with MP Khalid Al-Sultan telling AlQabas that the gathering at dewaniya of fellow MP Saifi Al-Saifi “was not expected to witness any conflict in outlining priorities.”

Meanwhile, MP Mohammad AlJuwaihel urged Speaker Ahmad AlSaadoun to investigate allegations that expatriates without valid residence permits work as reporters covering parliamentary sessions. Al-Juwaihel further questioned the legality of bedoon (stateless) reporters that cover parliament

news. In another development, a number of MPs from the parliamentary majority defended Sheikh Ahmad Al-Hmoud AlSabah Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, against interpellation threats made by lawmakers from the parliamentary minority over an incident in which two Kuwaiti Shiite religious figures were briefly held at the Kuwait International Airport for questioning.

According to reports, Shaikh Hussain Al-Matouq and Mujtaba Al-Mahri were detained on Saturday at the airport’s security office before they boarded their flight to Tehran, Iran, and were later released after taking photocopies of their passports.

Ancient houses uncovered in Failaka KUWAIT: A housing block dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries has been discovered on the Kuwaiti island of Failaka by a joint team of Kuwaiti-Italian experts.

Two years of excavation have uncovered the remains of the block, thought to be of Portuguese origin, and which include several homes of walls built of coral and sea rock and floors covered with solidified milk, head of antiquities and museums at Kuwait’s National Council for Culture, Ar ts and Letters Abdulhamid Al-Shehab said.

The homes include a yard, bedrooms and walls adorned with painted frescoes, common to that particular period. Pottery works have also been found and are thought to be of the same period.

Kuwait has decided to name the

site Al-Qurainiya, after a nearby hill in the northernmost region of the small island.

The hill is known to contain a

number of archeological sites, after a team of Italian archeologists from Perugia University discovered the region aerially in 1984.—KUNA

hacking, for example, is not actually hacking. Real hacking is extremely difficult, for example hacking into the systems of Government bodies.”

He added, “People do have misconceptions when it comes to hacking. It is hard to hack into something like Hotmail, because it is a part of Microsoft,” he said, adding “stealing e-mail and social network accounts is usually done by social engineering which, for example, sends you an e-mail from a friend with a harmful link which then takes your information and can often lead to e-mail break ins.

But it is not actual hacking, it is security weakness and lack of awareness which leads to a victim.” Complaints of lost social networking and e-mail accounts are increasingly common in Kuwait, Al-Oqlah said, adding “You must install software into your computer to protect yourself.”

Account break-ins and snooping spouses are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to internet security however, as even worse threats loom over users. Al-Oqlah explained, “Every IP address opens approximately 65,000 ports, and each port runs a service. For example, web browsing uses a port, e-mail uses a port etc.

But we usually do not exceed the use of 10 ports for a standard computer and internet user, which means we have many excess ports open at any given time.” He added, “This is why we use firewalls, which blocks the remaining ports, excluding the ones we need.”

For the average user, throwing caution to the wind and letting their anti-virus software expire is relatively common. Al-Oqlah revealed that the consequences

of doing so are far worse than usually assumed.

“Backdoors can open ports on the system, and they can easily get into the system. For example, say you receive a picture and you download it. Within that picture, there can be a backdoor attached, which will allow the sender to remotely access your entire computer including confidential files, pictures, private information and even the ability to turn on your webcam and watch you.”

The majority of those interviewed had no idea that complete strangers could be watching them through their very own webcam, without their knowledge. “That would be an absolute disaster in Kuwait. People are extremely sensitive about their privacy, even excessive Facebook pictures are normally avoided or, at least, posted with very selective privacy settings,” said Dalal.

She added, “For girls who wear the hijab, it is even worse.

Imagine a complete stranger seeing her with her hair uncovered: even her friends do not see that.”

The right software can greatly reduce the risk of break-ins and, even worse, stalkers, “Endpoint Protection Products, Anti-virus & Internet Security are very popular with consumers. They protect from threats such as viruses, worms, trojan horses and other malware that help hackers penetrate a system, but are not necessarily hacking in themselves,” said Al-Oqlah.

However, the niggling fact remains that it is impossible to ever be totally protected, “It is known and accepted that, technically, you can never be 100 percent secure, but of course we endeavor to reach the best levels of security possible,” said Al-

Oqlah.

What is more, newer methods of hacking are on the rise across Kuwait: “A popular method of hacking is phishing, which targets customers with online banking. Phishing is becoming increasingly common in Kuwait nowadays, and in the region as a whole,” reported Al-Oqlah.

“The site looks like an exact replica of the original website, which tricks consumers into entering their information,” he warns. Kuwait has been attempting to counter security problems by following stricter standards.

“There are compliance standards in Kuwait now, for example in the financial sector there are Payment Card Industry Compliant Standards that must be met, and these make hacking much harder,” said Al-Oqlah.

Al-Oqlah noted that hacking and break-ins are, unsurprisingly, considerably more problematic on a corporate level, “At a certain bank in the region, the Chairman received a recording showing 30 minutes worth of activity on his computer screen. The threat recording came all the way from hackers in the far west, with a demand for money attached. The hackers said that if payment was not made, they would release eight hours worth of recordings from his computer,” he revealed.

Because of increasing risks and threats, further checks are being performed by security companies. “Penetration Testing is an Ethical Hacking service, where customers ask us to attempt to hack into their network to see how secure it really is.” Extreme?

Not according to Dalal, “Now that I know someone might be watching me, maybe I should have my computer ethically hacked into as well,” she said.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

local

Six youngsters injured in National Day knife fights Kuwaiti held for attempted rape

Walkathon registration tent

Registration for NBK Walkathon continues KUWAIT: Registration for National Bank of activities. NBK will give away two brand new Kuwait’s (NBK), 18th Annual Walkathon con- cars, a Mazda and a Peugeot, as grand prizes during the Walkathon. tinues at the registration tent Al-Jawhara quarterly draw next to the Scientific Centre daiKD 250,000 will also be held. ly. The Walkathon will take place Registration is open at NBK regon March 24. istration tent next to the Abdulmohsen Al-Rushaid, Scientific Centre daily — from NBK public relations manager, 9am to 1pm and from 4:30pm to said: “The participation in NBK’s 10pm.

Walkathon is increasing year Ten winners will be selected after year, and we are extremely from each of the 12 categories thrilled to take our involvement of participants. The Walkathon with this exciting event to a new for the male participants will level.” “Our commitment to start from the Scientific Center being community-connected is located in Ras Salmiya, while the the reason why we feel it is Abdulmohsen walk for female participants will important for us to maintain the begin from the Marina Crescent walkathon annually,” Al-Rushaid Al-Rushaid and the walkathon for kids and added. This year, NBK’s Walkathon is marked by a variety of fun, Zaina Friends club members will be conductentertainment and health awareness-raising ed at the Green Island.

KUWAIT: Five young men from a GCC country were hospitalized with stab wounds. They fought with ten citizens after a confrontation during the national celebrations. The fight was reportedly sparked when the Kuwaiti youths noticed their family members being harassed by the five reckless youths, in a car carrying the license plates of a GCC country. Paramedics and police were present at the scene soon after the incident was reported. The injured men were taken by ambulance to Adan Hospital. In the meantime, police apprehended other participants in the brawl and took them to face legal procedures. In a similar incident, a young Kuwaiti man was hospitalized with stab wounds following a fight with three GCC nationals. They were involved in a traffic dispute on Gulf Road during the national celebrations. The suspects were taken to Kaifan police station following their arrest and are held pending ongoing investigations.

Drunk driver held Two men face multiple charges following their arrest in Salmiya recently. They were pulled over by a traffic patrol after speeding and passing through a red traffic light. Officers soon realized that the driver and his companion were both heavily drunk. Before they were put under arrest, the suspects used a gun to intimidate the patrol officers. They were eventually restrained and the loaded weapon was seized. Police found a liquor bottle inside the car. The suspects, identified as a GCC national and a Kuwaiti citizen, were taken into custody and referred to the proper

Moroccan kidnapped A female Salmiya resident accused her former boyfriend of kidnap and attempted rape.

Investigations are currently ongoing in the case at Rumaithiya police station. Officers were approached recently by a Moroccan woman who said a young Kuwaiti man, she used to be romantically involved with, kidnapped her at gunpoint from her Salmiya apartment. He drove to his chalet in Mina Abdullah. There, the suspect reportedly restrained the victim and started taking off her clothes. His friends, who were inside the chalet at the time, stepped in and prevented the sexual assault. The woman managed to untie herself and fled, before finding a driver who helped her back home. She got dressed and then reported the incident to police. A case was filed for investigations. Police are looking for the suspect to hear his side of the story.

Suicide case A Syrian teenager committed suicide using a plastic hose to hang himself to death.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the motives behind the tragedy. The family of the 17-year-old called police after finding his body inside his room in their Qarawain home. Police accompanied by crime scene investigators headed to the house and carried out investigations. Preliminarily inspections indicate that the boy committed suicide. Investigators are waiting for the autopsy report to confirm the suicide. Meanwhile, his father told officers that he was not aware of any mental issues or problems which could have driven his son to end his life.

The man reportedly sponsored his underage son, who worked in construction instead of going to school. The incident came a few days after a similar incident in which a young Syrian man committed suicide inside his family home in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh.

Maid flees A 23-year-old Ethiopian woman fled from a sexual assault committed by her sponsor’s sons.

Investigations into a runaway housemaid’s case filed recently in Mangaf revealed the truth behind her escape. Police were able to find the domestic worker, hours after she was reported missing from a Mangaf house. The woman told officers during investigations that she was subjected to sexual assault by her sponsor’s teenage sons, which drove her away. Investigations in the case are still ongoing.

Home robbery Police are looking to identify thieves who recently stole money and jewelry from the Taimaa home of a GCC national. In his statement to officers at the police station, the homeowner said suspects broke into his house while he was on a camping trip. They stole 10 thousand Kuwaiti dinars and 50 thousand Saudi riyals in cash, in addition to KD3,000 worth of jewelry. Criminal investigators headed to the scene after the case was filed.

—Al-Rai, Al-Watan, Al-Anbaa

authorities to face charges.

Cultural Martyr holds 11th prize-giving ceremony KUWAIT: The Cultural Martyr Office at the Amiri Diwan held, late Sunday, its 11th prize-giving ceremony for a contest titled “a movie for the love of country.”

The event was held under the patronage of the Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs, Sheikh

Nasser Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and was attended by the Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs, Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah on his behalf.

Sheikh Ali addressed the crowd at the beginning of the ceremony by stressing the

importance of holding such events, which encourage the spirit of national unity that can be translated through artistic creativity. Fatima Al-Amir, Assistant Undersecretar y of the Amiri Diwan and director of the Martyr Office, delivered a similar speech

during the event.

She said the main goal behind holding such a contest was to urge Kuwaiti youths to use their fertile imaginations and the latest technology to express their love and endless dedication for their country. —KUNA

National celebrations at Khairan resort KUWAIT: The Touristic Enterprises Company(TEC) celebrated national holidays with an event hosted at Khairan resort featuring an entertainment program that included numerous activities, cultural displays and competitions. The event was attended by top TEC officials including Khalid Al-Ghanim, vice chairman and managing director and Adnan Zinedine, Khairan

Resort general manager.

Meanwhile, the Ice Skating Rink will be shut down today to conduct annual maintenance operations before the facility is reopened late next month, announced a senior TEC official recently.

“The Touristic Enterprises Company(TEC) would like to apologize for any inconveniences caused by the closure of the Ice

Skating Rink until Saturday March 31, 2012,” announced Omar Al-Samaraei, the facility’s supervisor.

The Ice Skating Rink will resume normal working hours once reopened, and on seven two-hour-long periods starting from 8:30 am to 10:00 pm. The periods between 6:00 pm and 10:00 pm on Tuesday are exclusively reserved for female visitors.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

local

Greenline slams EPA for discussing nuclear plans ‘MoH should take charge’

By Ben Garcia

KUWAIT: The mobile cabin which caught fire yesterday.

Boy killed in Wafra fire

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: Fire broke out in a mobile cabin at a Wafra farm. Firemen from Wafra and Nuwaiseeb responded to the call. A 12year-old boy who was inside died in the fire while a 16-year-old was injured.

Wafra fire center head on duty, Captain Adballah Al-Rashidi, and Lt. Abdallah AlAjmi were present. Director of Public Relations and Information, Lt Colonel Khalil Al-Ameer, was also at the location.

During the holiday, paramedics dealt with 166 cases, 26 of which were taken to hospital. The most critical cases were run over by cars during the holidays.

A 19-year-old Jordanian girl fractured her legs and back and was admitted to Mubarak hospital’s ICU, following a car accident on Tunis Street in Hawally.

A 34-year-old Egyptian sustained a head injury when a car hit him in Salmiya on Hamad Al-Mubarak street. He was taken to Mubarak Hospital.

A 40-year-old stateless resident complained of pain in the back following a

car accident in Rawdatain area. He was taken to Jahra Hospital.

A 12-year-old stateless resident sustained a dislocated right shoulder when a car hit him in Abu Halifa. He was taken to Adan Hospital.

Two Kuwaiti girls in their mid-teens and a 27-year-old Kuwaiti sustained various injuries following an ATV accident in Julaia area. They were taken to Adan hospital.

A 25-year-old Syrian and two Egyptian women, aged 48 and 27, suffered various cuts and bruises during a car accident on Ghazali Street. They were taken to Farwaniya Hospital.

A 13-year-old Kuwaiti was hit by a car near the British Embassy. He was taken to Amiri Hospital.

A 28-year-old Kuwaiti sustained a broken left leg during a car accident in Julaia area. He was taken to Adan Hospital.

A 27-year-old Egyptian sustained various cuts and bruises during a fight in Hawally near the international bakery. He was taken to Mubarak Hospital.

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health [MoH] is the competent government body that can tackle issues related to radiation leak or emergency plans concerning a nuclear disaster, and not the Environment Public Authority [EPA], said Khalid Al-Hajri GreenLine Director. Speaking with the Kuwait Times in reaction to a report published yesterday, Al-Hajri said that the EPA has nothing to do with the radiation leak or emergency plans in the event that a nuclear accident occurs. Yesterday, Arabic newspapers issued a report quoting an EPA official as saying that the organization is currently coordinating with local state departments and regional organizations to come up with an emergency plan to counter any nuclear or radiation leak cases that could happen in the region.

“EPA should not be talking about this subject. It should be the work of the Ministr y of Health. For us in Greenline, we considered their press statement ‘a joke.’ They do not know what they are talking about. They do not know their duties and responsibilities. They do not even have equipment to test air, water or ground. How can they make a major emergency plan against

any nuclear accident that takes place in Bushahar reactor,” he asked.

“For us, it’s a ridiculous proposition, why the EPA in the first place? The MoH should take charge; they have the capability and they have the expertise of handling such an emergency plan, well the EPA does not. The EPA can only supply some information pertinent with environ-

able out there,” he added. Al-Hajri noted what the public should do is pray that nothing would happen especially in the Bushahar nuclear plant. “In Japan, they have not been able to solve the problem [of nuclear leak] till now,” he said. Al-Hajri claimed that in the event that nuclear leak takes place in Bushahar, it only takes about 15 hours for the radiation to permeate into Kuwait.

Khalid Al-Hajri mental issues in Kuwait, and it’s a small part.

He reiterated, “What they do is a media circus; they have nothing to do so they want to be exposed and use the media mileage avail-

“Iran’s nuclear program as per my information, especially the Bushahar nuclear facility, is not a very important facility. There are more important nuclear facilities inside Iran and it’s not Bushahar.

For military [intelligence], I think, it will not be targeted [because if attacks happen] they would only target the more important nuclear facilities and Bushahar is not included [in the target].

“Bushahar is nothing if you are talking about nuclear facilities.

They have more important nuclear areas far from Kuwait. But talking about this, the question is, whether we are ready [if attacks take place]? Are we ready to face its effect in water supplies, air; what about our food supplies?

It’s a disaster, and we cannot face any disaster of that extent. In all nuclear plants, not just in this region, nuclear accidents could happen anytime. It’s a proven fact, nuclear disaster is a disaster and its effect can have unimaginable consequences,” he warned.

In a report by Al-Anba yesterday quoting sources familiar with the talks, EPA said that they have been coordinating with the Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME) and that EPA had already outlined the type of incidents the emergency plan can cover, including measures needed and training courses required. Sources added that the Radiation Protection Department at the Ministry of Health is currently studying blueprints to counter to nuclear emergencies.

80,000 fly out for national holiday KUWAIT: Essam Al-Zamel, Operations Manager at Kuwait International Airport, said 80,000 passengers left Kuwait during the National Day vacation, particularly on Feb 23 until their return yesterday. The number of passengers expected to return later yesterday is 71,000.

Al-Zamel said the destinations of passengers included the capitals of some Arab

countries and the GCC states, mainly Dubai, Beirut, Jeddah, Cairo. He said there was no rush to foreign capitals as the vacation is short. He said the number of additional flights during the four day holiday amounted to 51 flights, distributed between a number of airlines operating at the airport.

Al-Zamel expected a rush at the airport on Monday, with the arrival of the majority of

vacationers. He said teams of employees were formed to organize and facilitate arrival formalities.

The number of employees to receive passengers was increased to ensure their availability in every part of the airport.

He explained that their work is connected with other parties, like Ministry of Interior and other ministries. —Al-Anbaa

No ban on wives

Over KD 150 million spent in Kuwait this holiday

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: Over KD 80 million in cash was withdrawn from ATM machines during the past five days, according to statistics published yesterday.

Spending with credit cards at retail outlets reached over KD 70 million. So a total of more than KD 150 million was spent in Kuwait during this holiday.

Probably the amount spent outside Kuwait was even bigger due to the high demand on travelling. Staying in Kuwait was the choice of many Kuwaiti families.

“We spent the National Holiday in Kuwait in a desert camp in Arifjan area.

We rented this ready camp for KD 500 for five days. It consists of five equipped tents, a kitchen and a WC. Also there is a football and a volleyball ground, in addition to outdoor entertainment games,” Manal, a 42-year-old mother told Kuwait Times.

Manal’s family consists of six members and two maids. They also invited some of their cousins to join them camping.

“We spent about KD 200 for foodstuff we bought, in addition to about KD 100 on orders from the nearby cafe or restau-

rant. Furthermore, we spent on fuel and maintenance of the ATV of my children. I think we spent the same amount of money as if we traveled. I personally prefer to book a chalet rather than camping in the desert,” she added.

According to travel agencies, most tickets were sold-out a long time before the holidays.

“Reservations to some destinations was 100 percent. I wanted to go to Abu Dhabi to visit my sister but I did not find a ticket for myself. Not even to Ras AlKhaima. The travel agent told me that I should have booked my ticket at least 10 days in advance. Since I stayed here, I went to an exhibition and I spent on shopping, especially as I received my salary before the holidays,” said 35-yearold Ibtisam.

Some people simply practiced regular activities. “I spent about KD 100 on shopping and dining in just one mall. I traveled a week ago, so there was no plan to travel during this holiday, especially that I know that the price of airline tickets are expensive during this period. So I just went with friends to a mall and spent on shopping,” stressed 25-year-old Sara.

KUWAIT: Director of the Immigration Authority, Lt. General Kamel Al-Awadhi, informed border administrators that the decision of the Interior Minister to ban citizens of Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Pakistan and Afghanistan from entering Kuwait is not applicable to wives of GCC citizens.

He emphasized that all sea, land and air border exits are required to allow wives of the above six countries married

to GCC citizens to enter Kuwait, as per decisions passed by GCC interior ministers.

Al-Awadhi said several complaints were received from wives of GCC citizens that they were not allowed to enter Kuwait with their husbands.

Accordingly, the Immigration Director wrote to the Borders Director in this respec t security sources revealed. —Al-Anbaa

Maid deported after hidden camera captures urination into cooking food KUWAIT: A senior Ministry of Interior official recently made a direct order to deport an Indian woman accused of mistreating members of a Kuwaiti family she worked for as a housemaid.

The decision was made despite the fact that the family never pressed charges against the maid. They reached a solution with the agency they hired her from, according to security sources with knowledge of the case.

“Managing Director of the Migration General Department, Maj Gen Kamel Al-Awadhi, ordered an Indian domestic worker to be deported and blacklisted for involvement in practices against her employers that include practicing black magic”, said a source while speaking on the condition of anonymity.

In addition to witchcraft, the housemaid’s female employer reportedly witnessed her urinating into a

cooking pot while preparing dinner for her family via a surveillance cameras secretly installed in the kitchen.

Instead of taking the evidence to the police station and filing a case, the Kuwaiti woman headed to the office where she hired the domestic worker from.

She demanded a refund of the money she paid for hiring the maid.

The office reportedly agreed after seeing the evidence on the video.

Maj Gen Al-Awadhi made an immediate order to deport the housemaid as soon as he learned of the incident from an insider, the source explained.

He placed her name on the blacklist, to ban her from returning to Kuwait.

His decision comes as part of new measures aimed to control the domestic labor market by tackling illegal practices committed by employers against housemaids and vice versa, the sources explained. —Al-Qabas

KUWAIT: Ministry of Interior Assistant Undersecretary Lt Gen Sulaiman Al-Fahad visited the operations room of the security checkpoints set up by the ministry to maintain security during national celebrations. Al-Fahad, who is also the leader of the ministry’s field operations team, met with several top ministry officials during the visit, including Assistant Undersecretary Maj Gen Mahmoud Al-Dousary, Assistant Undersecretary Maj Gen Dr Mustafa Al-Zu’abi, and Assistant Undersecretary Maj Gen Abdullah Al-Muhanna.

KUWAIT: The Commercial Bank of Kuwait sponsored three days of cultural activities organized by the Bayt Lothan in celebration of National and Liberation days. The sponsorship comes as part of an ongoing cultural campaign featuring many activities to be held until May 5, 2012.

6

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

LOCAL kuwait digest

in my view

Let the govt decide

Egypt’s democratic transformation

By Hassan Ali Karam

By Mohammed Hasanen, PhD GUST, Kuwait

here are no laws in this country that restrict a Kuwaiti from traveling and living abroad. There are no laws that ban Kuwaitis who reside abroad from returning home. The Kuwaiti citizen, with the grace of Almighty Allah, and the bounties of this blessed land, is free to stay home or choose another country of residence; it is the constitutional right of the citizen to exercise his franchise and run for office and embark on a political career if he meets the requirements and conditions.

It is also not wrong for him to return home, cast his vote, and leave the country the same day. Regardless of their numeric strength, be it one million or ten, Kuwaiti remains a Kuwaiti as long as he possesses nationality documents. Kuwaiti community thrives in Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Philippines, UAE, Lebanon and other countries.

There are Kuwaitis who have been living in India for centuries, becoming naturalized citizens of that friendly country. So I tell the respected member of Parliament Mohammad Al-Juwaihel, who referred a large number of questions about Kuwaitis who came to the country during elections, and those who left after elections, their

T

We are sure that Al-Juwaihel does not target Kuwaitis exiting or entering the country, instead he singled out dual nationals, implying that those voted and left are dual citizens, possessing the Kuwaiti nationality in addition to another country’s passport. Raising this issue struck a chord with the Parliament! There is no doubt that we agree with Al-Juwaihel on the dual citizenship issue, as he is not the only one against it. number and names along with other useless things. I believe the interior minister has the right to not answer the questions because they are not constitutional and infringes upon citizens’ freedoms. What is wrong with living abroad, voting and leaving the country the same day?

We are sure that Al-Juwaihel does not target Kuwaitis exiting or entering the country, instead he singled out dual nationals, implying that those voted and left are dual citizens, possessing the Kuwaiti nationality in addition to another country’s passport. Raising this issue struck a chord with the Parliament! There is no doubt that we agree with Al-Juwaihel on the dual citizenship issue, as he is not the only one against it. All Kuwaitis demonstrate love and are against dual citizenship, and against using nationality to gain from it loyalty lies elsewhere.

The uncovering of dual citizenship is a state issue and a government responsibility. It is Al-Juwaihel’s right as an MP who monitors the government’s work to submit parliamentary questions that reveal it. The government’s efforts to solve the issue that should not limit the freedom of citizens to move about and live outside the country. It is not right to instill fear in the citizen who was born and has lived free in his country. The media should not be allowed to analyze nationality and dual citizenship issues, settling accounts and seeking popularity due political sensitivity, security and economy of the country. We must leave the government to examine the issue rationally and in Kuwait’s interest. —Al-Watan

kuwait digest

Give chance to our youth

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kuwait digest

The mystery of national unity

By Abdullatif Al-Duaij veryone today talks about national unity and how come together in order to face natural disasters for it is important to protect it. I don’t mean any disre- example - something we never really experience often spect, but I really hope someone can explain what here in Kuwait (sandstorms being the worst type of kind of national unity everyone appears to be talking event we experience). On the other hand, aspects such about. Maybe if someone describes it to me, I would be as work and productivity unite people together in active able to share the same feeling to maintain this unity societies under similar circumstances and similar chalthat people claim we have. It seems that I am the only lenges faced. But hard work and productivity are not one in Kuwait who cannot figure out what national uni- aspects that we, Kuwaiti citizens, are known for. Just pay a visit to a local ministry office to witness employees ty is like.

I hope someone can come up with a definition of spending their days reading newspapers or catching up national unity because it is illogical to legislate regula- with TV shows online during working hours.

Labor is the aspect tions and enforce penalthat unites members of ties for protecting I believe that there is no such a thing a society regardless of something that we canthe social categories not find a common deficalled national unity. I know this subject they belong to. In prenition for. Some people is a hot topic because of the national holioil Kuwait, a crew on explain that national days’ atmosphere. I still insist that nationboard of a pearl diving unity means we are one ship had Sunni, Shiite, society and must always al unity only exists in some people’s imagbedouin and urban give top priority to proination. Even cooperation in its direct Kuwaitis who worked tecting solidarity. I tried social sense no longer has a place in our together in harmony to understand this point as their social backof view, but simply society. In co-operative societies, people grounds never formed could not because if we come together in order to face natural a problem. They never really are one, then disasters for example - something we nevneeded someone to what seems to be the tell them about ‘nationproblem? If we are difer really experience often here in Kuwait al unity’ to work ferent, then what is the (sandstorms being the worst type of event together. need to force everyone we experience). On the other hand, Today, Kuwaitis to change, simply to fall hand over ‘real work’ to into a certain mould? aspects such as work and productivity expatriate labor forces, If a lawmaker plans unite people together in active societies and live on income of to propose a law for under similar circumstances. oil sale instead of the national unity protecfruits the of hard labor. tion, I demand that he This is the only comfirst provide a definition for national unity that we all agree upon because I don’t mon unifying factor for Kuwaitis.

Want true national unity? Re-mould Kuwaiti citizens want to be arrested someday for doing something perwho feel the need to work productively together in ceived by others as a ‘threat to national unity.’

I believe that there is no such a thing called national order to achieve common goals, instead of hiring forunity. I know this subject is a hot topic because of the eign staff to do the job for us. Until then, it is better to national holidays’ atmosphere. I still insist that national admit our differences and live together with respect , unity only exists in some people’s imagination. Even instead of claiming that we live in a fictional united cooperation in its direct social sense no longer has a state where skepticism is spread among minorities place in our society. In co-operative societies, people whenever they feel marginalized. — Al-Qabas

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kuwait digest

By Thaar Al-Rashidi smiled, and soon my smile turned into light laughter when I saw reporters (male and female) of Kuwait Television while they were reporting important political events from world capitals.

Truly I do not know the conditions of being accepted as a reporter on our national television, which only three persons watch anyway and one of them is currently in the intensive care unit.

But I believe there should be at least one condition, “good appearance”. They should not be like I saw our reporters, who resembled roaming vegetable traders or boiled bean vendors. I do not mean to make jokes about those salesmen, but the nature of their jobs does not require them to take good care of the way they dress. The dresses of some of the female Kuwait Television reporters were in style before the discovery of electricity!

The male and female announcers, producers and directors on the first channel of Kuwait Television have very brilliant minds and can do the impossible.

But I cannot understand how a seasonal program is given to a person who deals with the microphone in the same way as he holds a cone of ice cream. At least put him on a training course!

At the same time, I am astonished that announcers who learned and completed training and graduated from the course which the Ministry of Information provides in cooperation with Abdul Aziz Al-Babtain Center were not used. Very few of them were seen on screen and the remainder disappeared or were forgotten.

The Ministry of Information does not need to be dismantled or restructured, but it needs to be handed to the young generation who are aware and professional and will change the dead television channel into a live, real and competitive one. There are directors and program presenters and announcers of both sexes who only need to get started. If you want the truth, leave the old guards and hand over the information banner to youths. Most important, keep wasta away from the Ministry of Information.

Some of the young directors, announcers and program presenters have real ideas, creative and compatible with this era. Give them a chance and you will see the result before the end of the year. —Al-Anbaa

he political scenario in Egypt as well as the violent anger in its streets and football playgrounds indicate that all political forces have failed to manage the transitional phase. The old and newly established political parties, the military council, the popularly elected parliament, and even the youth groups who were the driving force behind the revolution could not achieve the revolution’s targets. It is obvious that the military council is slow or is slow in making decisions which raise many questions that have no sufficient answers.

The rest of the political forces do not take the required steps to go forward to democratize the political system in Egypt. All what they do is object with no effective actions to make a real change in the state structure or governmental performance.

And if there is a change, it is definitely for the worse.

Many observers believe that the revolution has only removed the head of the regime but left its peripherals able to act and direct the society.

What makes the situation more complicated is that the military council and the political forces

Waiting since Liberation Day

I

By Waleed Al-Rujaib n the eve of Feb 26, 1991, we had mixed feel- ed; it made me hesitate in firing a second shot in the ings — one anticipating liberation and fear of air.

I went downstairs to wake up my wife and tell her violent response from invading army. I remember during that night that I went up to the that Kuwait is free, the same way I told her that our roof of my house to investigate. The sound of heavy country was invaded on the morning of Aug 2, 1990. shelling from alliance forces could be heard. With a Despite her objections, I went outside my house and gun in hand loaded with only two bullets, I looked was joined by others who welcomed Arab armies marching in the now down, there were liberated Kuwaiti tanks and military vehiIt’s been 21 years since liberation, and streets. cles heading quickly those high hopes sadly turned into disapIt was a moment towards the north. I when Kuwaitis realized that those pointments. Corruption has risen in two believed that a dawn were Iraqi troops on decades, more than it ever did before the of a new era has retreat. invasion. Public funds are being infringed emerged, where Minutes later, two development, justice Iraqi soldiers passed by upon, and attempts were made to reduce and equality premy home and looked democratic gains which we already have. vailed. We shared up to where I was National unity suffered significant sethope that we have standing on the roof. I finally learned the thought to myself backs; with media outlets utilized to hard lesson to realize while watching the spread hatred and sectarianism. how important it is two soldiers loitering to protect our about that they were planning to force themselves inside. I clutched my democracy and national unity.

It’s been 21 years since liberation, and those high gun and tried to maintain focus as much as possible because I knew I only had one bullet for each soldier hopes sadly turned into disappointments.

Corruption has risen in two decades, more than it if they broke into my house.

The soldiers eventually never did, and soon, I fell ever did before the invasion. Public funds are being so tired that I fell asleep right on the spot where I infringed upon, and attempts were made to reduce had been. I woke up at dawn to find no soldiers in democratic gains which we already have. National the street, and only a burning military vehicle out- unity suffered significant setbacks; with media outside. At sunrise, I realized that the invading army had lets utilized to spread hatred and sectarianism. Many fled, and that Kuwait was finally liberated. I fired one cabinets were formed, and several parliaments were celebratory shot into the air, but opted to keep the elected, but all produced the same results: disaponly bullet remaining in my gun. Maybe that is pointments to Kuwaitis who have been patient since because I felt that my country will always be target- their country was liberated. — Al-Rai

O

What makes the situation more complicated is that the military council and the political forces have made many mistakes. These mistakes led to a paralysis in the democratic transformation. For pessimistic analysts, these mistakes will abort the revolution itself. As any other political revolution in history, the Egyptian revolution was seized by groups other than the initiators. have made many mistakes. These mistakes led to a paralysis in the democratic transformation. For pessimistic analysts, these mistakes will abort the revolution itself. As any other political revolution in history, the Egyptian revolution was seized by groups other than the initiators. These groups sought control over authority and others are still working towards suppressing the revolution to maintain their interests and privileges. It is needless to say that the major opposing revolution forces’ goal is to stop the revolution.

Their tools to achieve that include spreading rumors and creating mistrust and suspicions about events and leaders. However, the role of the other national forces-mainly the revolutionists and the Muslim brotherhood- is hard to understand. Their stances are contradictory to the targets of the revolution, and most importantly to the democratic transformation they call for. The conflicts between these groups caused confusion to many Egyptians.

The young revolutionists did not show a leadership that can deal with the changes and achieve the revolution’s goals. Unimportant issues have distracted them and led them to be scattered and divided to more than eighty groups.

They are still arguing about their plans and on the necessity of having a road map to change. As a result, their popular support is diminishing. People began losing their patience and trust in young revolutionists. An example of that is the rejection of Egyptians in responding to the revolutionists’ call for a civil disobedience, regardless of its targets.

During the first parliamentarian elections, young revolutionists kept protesting and striking in Tahrir Square without having any evident political participation. Their support to the liberal parties was not even serious. They were busy challenging the police and the military council leaving the door open to the agents of the opposing revolution to degrade the soft and hard powers of Egypt. Unfortunately, they did not play any active role in educating constituents.

They left the stage to the political Islamists who transformed the concept of election as a choice between being theist if you vote for them or an atheist if you do not. Because Egyptians have been always known for their religious inclinations, they voted for the Islamist parties. As a result, the Islamists won the majority of seats in the parliament.

Although it is a basic rule that the legislative power is the strongest among the three branches of any democratic political system, it appears that the majority in the parliament was not enough. They are still seeking control over the executive power and the presidency. This means a return to the oneparty system that is similar to Mubarak’s former National Party. It is worth noting that the inability of the parliament to make changes until now is a questionable issue. The parliament has now become a platform for expressing rhetoric, dramatic performances and media show-off. The members of the parliament lack political experience and vision.

In conclusion, some mistakes are acceptable, considering the circumstances Egypt has been going through since January 25 last year. However, other mistakes are intolerable when the target is to damage the state. Young revolutionists have succeeded in perishing the reverence of the police forces and are now doing the same to the military council.

Furthermore, the Islamic trend is aimed at seizing control over the political scene at any cost without a clear strategic vision or plan. The parliament is about to lose its reverence. If the internal security forces, the army and the parliament collapses, what will be left of Egypt! All what we have got now is prayers. May our God protect Egypt and its people before it turns into another Somalia.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

Palestinian woman on hunger strike in prison

Spanish judge Garzon acquitted over Franco-era crime probe Page 10

Page 8

KABUL: Afghan soldiers secure the scene of a suicide attack at the gate of an airport in Jalalabad, Nangarhar province east of Kabul, Afghanistan, yesterday. A suicide car bomber struck early yesterday at the gates of Jalalabad airport in eastern Afghanistan, officials said, killing nine people in an attack insurgents said was revenge for US troops burning Qurans. — AP

Nine Afghans killed in blast Bomber rams vehicle into the gates of NATO base KABUL: A suicide car bomber rammed his vehicle into the gates of a NATO base and airport in eastern Afghanistan yesterday, triggering a blast that killed nine Afghans, officials said. The Taleban claimed the attack was revenge for US troops burning copies of the holy Quran.

The bombing in the city of Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan follows six days of deadly protests in the country over the disposal of Qurans and other Islamic texts in a burn pit last week at a US military base north of Kabul.

American officials have called the incident a mistake and issued a series of apologies. Afghan President Hamid Karzai has urged

calm, calling on his countrymen not to let the insurgents capitalize on their indignation to spark violence. Yesterday’s attack appeared to be a sign that the Taleban are seizing the opportunity to do just that. Shortly after daybreak, the bomber drove up to the gates of the airport, which primarily serves international military aircraft, and detonated his explosives in a “very strong” blast, said Nangarhar provincial police spokesman Hazrad Mohammad.

Among the dead were six civilians, two airport guards and one soldier, Mohammad said. Another six people were wounded, he said.

An AP photographer saw at least four mangled, charred cars at the

site destroyed in the blast. NATO forces spokesman Capt. Justin Brockhoff said that no international forces were killed in the attack and that the base was not breached by the blast.

The Taleban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying a suicide car bomber had driven up to the airpor t gate and detonated his explosives as international forces were changing from night to morning guard duty.

“This attack is revenge against those soldiers who burned our Quran,” Taleban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said in an email.

More than 30 people have been k illed in protests and related attacks since the incident came to

light this past Tuesday, including four US soldiers. On Sunday, demonstrators hurled grenades at a small US base in nor thern Afghanistan and the ensuing gun battle left two Afghans dead and seven NATO troops injured.

Still, the top US diplomat in Afghanistan said Sunday that the violence would not change Washington’s course. “Tensions are running very high here, and I think we need to let things calm down, return to a more normal atmosphere, and then get on with business,” Ambassador Ryan Crocker told CNN. Afghan officials, including the defense and interior ministers, canceled planned visits to Washington this coming week so

they could remain in Kabul for consultations about how to quell the violence, US officials said. In the highest-profile attack, two military advisers were found dead in their office at the Interior Ministry in the heart of the capital with shots to the back of their heads.

The incident prompted NATO, Britain and France to recall hundreds of international advisers from Afghan ministries. The advisers are key to helping improve governance and preparing the country’s security forces to take on more responsibility ahead of the drawdown of Western forces planned for 2014.

The US had already pulled its advisers from Afghan government

offices. The Canadian government also canceled all meetings in Afghan ministries, according to a spokesman. Police were still searching Monday for the suspect - an Afghan man who worked as a driver for an office on the same floor as the advisers who were killed, said an official at the Interior Ministry who spoke anonymously to discuss ongoing operations. Eight shots were fired at the men - two at the first victim and eight at the second, the official said.

The Taleban claimed that the shooter was one of their sympathizers and that an accomplice had helped him get into the compound to kill the Americans in retaliation for the Quran burnings. — AP

Aussie PM hangs on to job CANBERRA: Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard easily won an internal party vote yesterday against the colleague she deposed two years ago, Kevin Rudd, and declared that she had put down the internal strife that has undermined her unpopular government for months.

Gillard defeated Rudd 71 votes to 31 in a ballot of Labor Party lawmakers, but she faces the challenge of reuniting her bitterly divided party and Cabinet. Rudd resigned as foreign minister shortly before she called the vote last week, and at least five other members of Gillard’s Cabinet backed her challenger.

Gillard described her win as “overwhelming” after months of “ugly” infighting within the ranks of the center-left party. “Today I want to say to Australians one and all: This issue, the leadership question, is now determined,” she said. “I can assure you that this political drama is over.”

Gillard won one of the most crushing victories in a major party leadership ballot of recent years after one of the most vicious public campaigns between rival camps of the same party ever seen in modern Australian politics.

After his defeat, Rudd called on Labor to unite behind Gillard. He had warned during his brief leadership campaign that she would lead Labor to certain defeat at elections next year. “I bear no one any malice and if I’ve done

wrong to anyone with what I’ve said and what I’ve done, I apologize,” he told reporters.

Rudd said it was time the “wounds were healed” within the party. Gillard called for the leadership ballot to confirm her authority after simmering leadership tensions that have destabilized the government for months. She would have had an additional vote, but one of her supporters had recently given birth and was absent for the ballot.

Rudd supporters had argued that Gillard is unelectable, while Gillard supporters said Rudd had shown himself to be an ineffective leader before Gillard deposed him in 2010 in an internal par ty coup. Gillard’s Cabinet reshuffle, made necessary by Rudd’s resignation, is her first major step in healing the rift.

She declined to comment on the fate of the Cabinet ministers who publicly supported Rudd.

“My focus will be on having a team based on merit and the ability to take the fight up on behalf of Labor to our conservative opponents,” Gillard told reporters after the ballot.

“That’s how I will make my selection.”

Sen. Mark Arbib, a party powerbroker who supports Gillard and helped orchestrate the 2010 coup, quit as sports minister and as a senator later Monday in the interests of restoring government unity. An increasing number of lawmakers say the coup was a mistake and

blame the continuing turmoil on Arbib.

“I’m resigning because I want to give the party a chance to heal. I want to be able to mend some of the conflict that has happened in the past,” he told reporters.

Opinion polls show Rudd to be significantly more popular than Gillard among voters, but many lawmakers were dissatisfied with his performance as prime minister, and there were concerns that Labor’s fragile ruling coalition could crumble, forcing early elections, if Rudd were to take over.

A narrow victory could have left Gillard exposed to a second challenge if Labor continued to trail the conservative opposition coalition in opinion polls. Supporters of both candidates had expected Rudd to gain around a third of the votes. Rudd had vowed that if he lost the ballot, he would remain in politics at least until elections due next year, but he said he would not challenge her leadership again.

Resource Minister Martin Ferguson said while Rudd would not challenge again, another challenger could come forward if Labor’s fortunes do not improve. Gillard was deputy prime minister two years ago when she made a snap challenge to Rudd’s leadership. When Rudd discovered how few lawmakers were prepared to support him at the time, he did not contest the ballot and Gillard became prime minister without a vote. — AP

CANBERRA: Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard (C) arrives with supporters for the caucus meeting in Parliament House in Canberra, yesterday. Gillard survived a leadership challenge from Kevin Rudd, trouncing the former leader in a damaging battle to head the ruling Labor party, media reported. — AFP

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

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

11 years on, Palestinian Dura case stirs emotions JERUSALEM: Controversy continues to stalk the memory of Mohammed al-Dura more than 11 years after the Palestinian boy was shot dead in an exchange of fire between Israeli troops and Palestinian fighters in Gaza.

Today, France’s highest appeals court is to rule on a dispute between France 2, the channel whose iconic images of the incident were beamed around the world, and a French activist who claims the footage was staged.

Since Dura’s death on September 30, 2000, the second day of the second intifada or uprising, 1,141 unarmed Palestinian minors have been killed, according to Israel rights group B’Tselem.

More than a quarter of them died during Israel’s offensive on the Gaza Strip between December 2008 and January 2009. But it is the death of 12-year-old Dura, who died in the

arms of his father, that remains graven in the memories of most. The scene was captured on video by a France 2 cameraman, and quickly broadcast worldwide.

More than a decade later, with the intifada over, the report on Dura’s death remains a major battlefield in the media war between Israel and the Palestinians. In the Arab world, Dura quickly became a symbol with which to condemn the Israeli occupation.

The image of the child keeled over was reproduced on posters, stamps and T-shirts. Streets were named in his memory.

On the other side, defenders of Israel contested the repor ting of Charles Enderlin, France 2’s Jerusalem correspondent, whose voice-over of the images in the report said Israeli bullets had killed the boy. Some cast doubt of the provenance of those bullets, saying they were in fact Palestinian. But others claim the

entire event was staged, that Dura did not in fact die in his father’s arms.

“The issue could have quickly disappeared after the initial emotion stoked by the incredible violence of these images of a child in the process of dying,” says Jerome Bourdon, a communications professor at Tel Aviv University.

“But these images became such a symbol-for pro-Palestinians and proIsraelis-that no one could let go.” A key figure in the debate in France is Philippe Karsenty, director of the Media Ratings-a media watchdog group-who claims Enderlin’s report on the Dura incident was doctored.

“Karsenty has expended tremendous energy to bring attention back to the matter. He seized the Dura affair with the idea that he would be the new (Emile) Zola of the (Alfred) Dreyfus affair,” said Bourdon, author of “ The Impossible Narrative: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and the

Media.” Israeli authorities adopted the narrative of a staged incident late in 2007, after a period of relative silence on the issue.

Just two weeks ago, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated French-Israeli doctor Yehuda David, after he was acquitted of defamation charges levelled by Dura’s father Jamal. David in 2008 wrote that scars on Jamal al-Dura, reportedly from injuries sustained during the shooting that killed his son, were in fact from previous injuries, supporting the theory that the incident had been staged.

In France, large parts of the Jewish community now subscribe to Karsenty’s theory. “It’s not just a question of politicisation by extremists.

Numerous French Jews felt during the second intifada that Israel was unjustly accused by the media,” said Bourdon.

“They were shocked by the Dura

affair. Karsenty’s theory could not have had the same impact without this emotional dimension.” On the Palestinian side too, the images of Dura’s death remain a potent symbol, according to Amal Jamal, a professor of political science at Tel Aviv University.

“These images contain all the histor y of the second intifada, the Palestinian tragedy, the inhumane conditions in which they live and the ever yday nature of the force deployed against them by Israel,” he said. “It’s of little importance whether the bullets that killed Mohammed were Palestinian or Israeli,” he noted. “ The symbolic strength of the images of the death of Mohammed is so strong that they they will never completely disappear. They have only just started to face competition in the collective imagination of the Palestinians from the images of the Arab Spring.”— AFP

Tunisia leader, Bill Clinton among Nobel nominees Panel under pressure to choose peacemaker

CAIRO: Amsaa (2nd R), the daughter of Egyptian cleric Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman (portrait), who is one of several Egyptians jailed in the US, demonstrates with fellow supporters to call for his release in an exchange deal outside the court in Cairo yesterday, during the trial of 14 activists who worked in Egypt with civil society groups. Abdel Rahman, was jailed for life in January 1996 for his role in terrorist attacks, including blowing up the World Trade Center in New York in February, 1993. — AFP

Egypt opens trial at heart of rift with US CAIRO: Egypt is pushing ahead with the trial of 43 employees of pro-democracy groups, including 16 Americans, even as Egyptian and US officials tried behind the scenes to resolve the case that has caused the deepest rift in their alliance in 30 years.

In a sign those back-channel negotiations may already be bearing fruit, only Egyptian defendants attended Sunday’s hearing and the judge gave no instructions to police to ensure the American and other foreign defendants attend the next hearing in two months. The 43 are charged with using illegal foreign funds to foment unrest that has roiled Egypt over the past year.

None of the Americans appeared in court for the hearing. The United States has threatened to cut off aid to Egypt over the crackdown on the nonprofit groups, putting at risk $1.3 billion in military aid this year and another $250 million in economic assistance. Egyptian officials claim the matter is entirely in the hands of the judiciary, but many view the US threat as unacceptable meddling.

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has raised the dispute twice in person with Egypt’s foreign minister - once in London and once in Tunisia - in recent days, according to a senior US official speaking on condition of anonymity due to the delicacy of the discussions.

Speaking to reporters in Morocco on Sunday as the trial opened, Clinton said American officials are evaluating the latest developments. She said it was a “a fluid situation and there are a lot of moving parts.”

President Barack Obama has urged Egypt’s military rulers to drop the investigation, and high-level officials, including Joint Chiefs Chairman Martin Dempsey and Republican Sen. John McCain, have flown in to Cairo recently to seek a solution.

However, the US cannot be seen as pushing too hard against the ruling generals, who are viewed as the best hope for a stable transition for a nation that is a regional heavyweight and has been a lynchpin of Washington’s Middle East policy for three decades. The heavily publicized case has been linked to the turmoil roiling Egypt since an 18-day popular uprising forced Hosni Mubarak to step down on Feb. 11 last year. It poses questions about the commitment to democracy by the Mubarak-era generals who took over from their former patron.

The American groups have trained thousands of young Egyptians on political activism and organizing, an education that played a key part in the success of last year’s uprising. The generals claim they support the uprising, routinely referring to it as the “glorious revolution.”

But rights groups have sharply criticized the investigation into the civil society groups and the charges, saying they are part of an orchestrated effort by the generals to silence critics and cripple pro democracy organizations critical of their handling of what was supposed to be a transition to democracy.

“The case is politically motivated to start with, but it is in court now and that means

justice will take its course,” said prominent rights lawyer and activist Hafez Abu Saedah, who represents three Egyptian defendants. “ They are young men and women who sought employment in international organizations and did not know anything about funds and organization,” he told reporters at the courthouse.

Of the 43 defendants in the case, 16 are Americans, 16 are Egyptians, and others are German, Palestinian, Serb and Jordanian.

Of the 16 Americans, seven have been banned from leaving Egypt, among them Sam LaHood, son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

The 43 worked for the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute, Freedom House, a group that trains journalists and a German nonprofit organization. If convicted, they could face up to five years in jail.

The timing of the crackdown raised questions about the military’s motives, coming only months before the generals have promised to hand over power to a civilian authority by the end of June. It could reflect concern that the pro-democracy movement will push for prosecuting the generals after they hand over power or force civilian oversight over the military’s affairs that would undercut their vast financial and political power.

The opening hearing of the trial quickly descended into chaos as several hundred lawyers and journalists crammed into a small courtroom east of Cairo. Presiding judge Mahmoud Mohammed Shoukry had to step out two minutes after he sat at the bench because of the crush of frantic lawyers and observers.

Shoukry said the two-month adjournment was meant to give lawyers time to read the case’s files, said to be in excess of 1,500 pages, and for authorities to find interpreters to enable non-Arabic speaking defendants to follow the proceedings.

The adjournment, however, would give US and Egyptian officials plenty of time to find a way out of the worst crisis in their countries’ relations since the 1970s, when Egypt abandoned its partnership with the Soviet Union and began to forge close political and military ties with Washington.

Under Mubarak’s 29-year rule, Egypt and nonprofit groups, particularly those advocating democracy, have been at sharp odds over questions of registration, funding and their activity, with authorities relentlessly seeking to control them or, at least, place them under close scrutiny.

A new and less stringent law to govern the work of these groups is now being drafted in parliament and may be adopted by the legislature by the time the proceedings resume in April, something that could provide legal basis for leniency toward the defendants.

None of the defendants are in detention. The 13 Egyptians who showed up for Sunday’s hearing came to court voluntarily.

They looked relaxed and spent much of their time in the defendants’ cage chatting and laughing before the start of the hearing. — AP

OSLO: Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki, alleged WikiLeaks whistleblower Bradley Manning, and former US President Bill Clinton may be among the hundreds of nominees for the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize, rights activists say. The list of nominees, which is now officially closed for this year, is secret and Nobel officials would not comment on its contents. But experts have begun speculating about who is on the list and some people eligible to nominate candidates have publicised their suggestions. The committee added the final names for consideration on Friday.

“It could well be that they look to Tunisia,” veteran Nobel-watcher Jan Egeland, European director of Human Rights Watch, said yesterday after the five-member Norwegian Nobel Committee said it was considering two hundred and thirty one names.

“It’s the only shining success story of the Arab Spring so far.” Marzouki, a human rights activist who became Tunisian president in December, “would symbolise the whole peaceful transition from authoritarian repression to democracy,” said Egeland.

Other known candidates are former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, the architect of Germany’s post-war reunification, as well as the European Union itself. The wave of protests that came to be known as the Arab Spring began in Tunisia and swept across Egypt, Libya, Yemen and most recently Syria, where President Bashar al-Assad has cracked down ferociously on his opponents.

The protests got a nod from the Nobel committee in 2011, when Yemeni protest

leader Tawakkol Karman shared the prize with Liberian President Ellen Johnsen Sirleaf and Liberian peace activist Leymah Gbowee.

Egeland said the Arab freedom drive remained the world’s most acute conflict and was far from exhausted as a Nobel theme.

Earlier this month, Marzouki called on Syria’s Assad to give up power and embrace “a democratic transition”.

Among the 231 nominees are 43 organisations, said Geir Lundestad, executive secretary to the Norwegian Nobel Committee. “Many of them (nominees) have been nominated for years in a row, but there are also some newcomers,” he told Reuters. Last year’s nomination list, the largest ever, consisted of 241 people and organisations.

The winner is announced in October every year, and receives the prize at a ceremony on Dec. 10. Kristian Berg Harpviken, director of the Peace Research Institute of Oslo and one of the individuals eligible to nominate candidates, has released a short list of those names he had submitted. It is headed by Gene Sharp, a US writer and philosopher who has long advocated non-violent action for social justice. Sharp is a known 2012 nominee, as is Harpviken’s second choice: the Russian human rights organisation Memorial and its co-founder, Svetlana Gannushkina.

Also nominated is Denis Mukwege, a gynaecologist who has treated thousands of women raped by militia fighters in the Democratic Republic of Congo. UNICEF, the United Nations children’s fund, and GAVI, a public-private fund partly financed by Bill

Gates, were also nominated, in recognition of their vaccination programmes.

Swedish officials have opened an investigation into whether the Norwegian Nobel Committee has lost sight of benefactor Alfred Nobel’s intention to honour “champions of peace” such as the organisers of peace and disarmament talks.

Analysts said the committee may therefore feel under pressure to follow Nobel’s will more explicitly in 2012. In recent years, winners have included environmental activists, antipoverty campaigners and women’s rights activists. Egeland said the committee should be allowed to interpret Alfred Nobel’s will liberally on occasion but should now revert to basics. “There are still 34 or 35 armed conflicts in the world and I think they (the committee) have to get back to recognising heroes of conflict resolution or people working for the victims of war,” he said.

“There are many prizes for good deeds in the world, but only one price for peace of this size and format.” The Nobel Peace Prize is one of five awards instituted by Nobel, the late Swedish industrialist and inventor, and is given to those who have “done the most or the best work for fraternit y between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses”. First awarded in 1901, the peace prize consists of a medal, a personal diploma and cash award and is widely regarded to be the most prestigious award of its kind in the world. —Reuters

Senegal voters deal humiliating blow to Wade

WEST BANK: Palestinian women hold up posters of Hana Al-Shalabi, a Palestinian prisoner on hunger strike jailed in Israel, as they protest against Israel’s policy of administrative detention, in the West Bank city of Jenin, yesterday. — AP

Palestinian woman on hunger strike in prison RAMALLAH: A Palestinian woman, released by Israel in a prisoner swap last year but re-arrested earlier this month and held without charge, is on a hunger strike to protest at her treatment, officials said yesterday.

Hana Shalabi started refusing to eat 12 days ago, her lawyer and a Palestinian prisoners’s organisation said, becoming the second Palestinian detainee to go on a hunger strike in quick succession.

Israel struck a deal last week with Khader Adnan, who is a member of the militant Islamic Jihad movement, persuading him to end his 66-day fast after assuring him that he would be released in April from his detention without trial.

Shalabi, 30, is also a member of Islamic Jihad, which is committed to Israel’s destruction. She was seized from her home in the occupied West Bank on Feb. 16 and has complained of repeated mistreatment.

Her lawyer said she has been put in solitary confinement as punishment for the hunger strike. “She told me that she was beaten in front of her family at the time of her arrest, in prison during interrogation and again when she refused to succumb to a full body search by male soldiers,” lawyer Fawaz Shaloudi told Reuters.

A spokeswoman for Israel’s Prisons Service, disputing the allegations, said

Shalabi had been on hunger strike for only eight days. “The isolation was part of routine procedure to deal with hunger strikers and she was put in a cell on her own, but it was not solitary confinement punishment.

Today she was returned to a cell with another inmate,” spokeswoman Sivan Weizman said.

“There has been no mistreatment in prison. She was not searched by a male prison guard and she is getting visits.

Indeed, she has not complained of mistreatment while in the custody of the Prisons Service,” Weizman added. Shalabi was held by Israel for 25 months under socalled administrative detention before she was released last October as part of a prisoner swap in which some 1,000 Palestinians were freed in exchange for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was held incommunicado by militants in Gaza for five years. Israeli human rights groups have condemned detention without trial. Israeli authorities say the procedure is used in some security-related cases and helps to protect confidential sources from exposure in court. Qaddoura Fares, the chairman of the main Palestinian prisoners’s organisation, said 310 Palestinians are in administrative detention. He said that since the Shalit deal, 15 Palestinians have been rearrested and six are still in jail. —Reuters

DAKAR: Senegal voters have dealt a humiliating blow to veteran President Abdoulaye Wade’s controversial bid for a third term, with early unofficial results from Sunday’s elections showing a second-round run-off likely. The 85-yearold leader’s former protege Macky Sall declared a second round inevitable in the west African nation, whose reputation as a haven of stability is on the cards after a campaign tarnished by pre-poll riots. Wade was due to make a statement to the media at 1700 GMT yesterday. If no candidate wins a majority of 50 percent plus one vote, the election will go to a second round, which could be held between March 18 and April 1.

While the incumbent’s camp warned it was too early to judge the outcome, opposition newspapers were less restrained. “Wade’s world collapses, Macky snatches a second round,” reported L’Observateur, echoing headlines across the front pages of the daily newspapers. The incumbent is seeking a third term in office after circumventing a two-term limit he introduced into the constitution. He says changes extending term lengths from five to seven years made in 2008 allow him a fresh mandate.

The country’s highest court upheld his argument, sparking a month of riots tha claimed six lives and prompted international concern. The defiant leader was greeted by a cacophony of boos after voting on Sunday, angrily pushing one of his bodyguards out of the way as he beat a hasty retreat without speaking to the media. Unofficial results show he was trounced in the small polling station by another prime minister, Moustapha Niasse, with Sall placing third. Niasse campaign official Abdou Latif Coulibaly evoked an anti-Wade union in an eventual second round.

“The principle will be to vote for the best-placed opposition candidate,” he told AFP. Sall, 50, who has a degree in engineering, is making a strong showing in unofficial results trickling in from polling stations. “The figures in our possession, published in the media, and the trends from polling stations show that a second round is inevitable,” he said in a statement on his website. “I warn the sorcerer’s apprentices against any attempt to confiscate the people’s will. The massive rejection of the outgoing president has been shown in the results.” Sall is taking part in elections for the first time.

The mayor of the western city of Fatick fell out of favour in 2008 with Wade, his former mentor, under whom he had held several ministerial portfolios and also served as prime minister. However El Hadj Amadou Sall of the incumbent’s campaign team said there were “no heavy trends” or indications that a second round is inevitable.

While unofficial results were being released on public television and websites, the electoral commission will start announcing results on Tuesday, and has until Friday to give a final provisional result.— AFP

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

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

Michigan looms large for Romney, Santorum DETROIT: Hard-fought Republican primaries in Arizona and Michigan could either underline Mitt Romney today as the clear favorite for the presidential nomination or torpedo his White House hopes. Polls show the former Massachusetts governor has opened up a double-digit lead in Arizona, where a significant percentage of the population shares his Mormon faith and where he likely benefited from large numbers of early voters.

But the situation is murkier in Michigan, where Christian conservative rival Rick Santorum is hoping for a major upset that will prove his trio of wins earlier this month in Minnesota, Michigan and Colorado was no fluke.

Romney was born and grew up in Michigan, where his father was governor, so a loss here would be a huge embarrassment for a supposed frontrunner who has displayed a staggering inability to connect with core Republican voters.

If Santorum could clinch Michigan, he would claim the momentum going into “Super Tuesday”-on March 6 — when 10 states vote on a pivotal day in the race to see who takes on Democratic President Barack Obama

in November.

“I’m planning on winning here in Michigan and also in Arizona,” Romney told “Fox News Sunday.” “Obviously, that will be huge for us if we’re able to do (so), particularly having come from so far behind here in Michigan.”

Romney may be talking up his chances of a double win but in reality he knows that losing Michigan, a crucial battleground in November’s general election match-up with Obama, would be nothing short of disaster.

“If Romney had lost Michigan-and he’s not going to lose Michigan-that would have thrown things into the ditch,” senior Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a Romney supporter, told CNN. “But I think he’s going to win both states.”

Even a narrow Romney victor y would sting as it would do little to dispel concern about his failure to rally the party’s conservative base, which appears eternally mistrustful of the exgovernor of liberal Massachusetts.

The candidates face a potentially decisive stretch in a presidential campaign that has seen several rivals emerge to challenge Romney, the default frontrunner, only to fall back in

the full glare of the media spotlight.

After today, Washington state votes on March 3. Ten states then vote at once on “Super Tuesday,” when almost

Paul, a veteran Texas congressman, trail significantly in national polls.

All four candidates have vowed to stay in the race until the party conven-

ROCKFORD: Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) looks on as his wife Ann Romney speaks during a campaign rally at Byrne Electrical Specialists yesterday in Rockford, Michigan. — AFP one fifth of all the vital convention delegates are up for grabs. The other two main candidates, former House speaker Newt Gingrich and small-government champion congressman Ron

tion at the end of August, when a result might have to be brokered behind the scenes if no one reaches the magic number of 1,144 delegates.

Romney leads in pledged dele-

gates, having won important states such as New Hampshire, Florida and Nevada. Santorum has four vote wins so far, after also taking the first state of Iowa, but most of his victories did not translate into pledged delegates under the notoriously complicated Republican nomination system.

“Look, this is going to be a long race, and there’s going to be some ups, there’s going to be some downs,” Santorum told ABC News on Sunday.

The former Pennsylvania senator has insisted that running a true, valuesbased conservative candidate is the only way to beat Obama.

But the Republican establishment fears his moralizing on social issues could be a liability in a head-to-head contest with Obama as it could turn off independent voters, a crucial voting bloc in the general election. His message, however, resonated with many Michigan voters.

“I like his stand on abortion and same -sex marriage. I’m a good Catholic, and he’s a good Catholic,” said David Hollobaugh, an Allen Park retiree. “He reminds me of my son, clean cut and moral,” said another retiree, Barbara Thomas. — AFP

Spanish judge Garzon acquitted over Franco-era crime probe ‘Garzon accused of violating an amnesty’

PARIS: France’s President and UMP party candidate for the 2012 French presidential elections Nicolas Sarkozy speaks during an interview at the RTL radio station studios in Paris yesterday. — AFP

Low in polls, Sarkozy stakes all on campaign verve LILLE: Delivering thundering speeches in three cities that left him worked into a sweat aides had not seen in years, French President Nicolas Sarkozy showed in the first week of his re-election campaign that he has lost none of his oratorical power.

Yet mingling with the public in Lille, a northern city whose bleak backstreets betray its struggle to adapt to the decline of local heavy industry, Sarkozy’s eyes flicker restlessly and he looks ill-atease, as if he can sense the hostile mood.

The conservative leader is betting on his legendary verve on the campaign trail as he goes into battle with the double handicap of poor poll ratings and the same anger over the sickly economy that has felled leaders across Europe.

On his side, as he tries to catch up with Socialist Francois Hollande in voter surveys, is his breakneck energy and his plan to unleash a fresh idea a week, while Hollande is stuck defending a campaign programme he launched back in January. Where he may struggle is at street level, as voters he meets on walkabout blame him for three years of tight purse strings and the highest unemployment in 12 years. Struggling households see the affable Hollande as more likely to protect their welfare benefits.

“I voted for Sarkozy last time but this time I don’t know. He promised a lot but he hasn’t done much,” said Fouzia, a

retired cleaning lady in a crowd of bystanders in Lille. “We are paying too dearly for the euro. We are paying too much just to live,” said the 62-year-old, who said most of her eight children are unemployed and the others do menial jobs. The number of jobless in France has hit a 12-year high.

Since he formally entered what is now a two-horse race on Feb. 15, some polls indicate that Sarkozy has narrowed the gap to 1-2 points behind Hollande for the April 22 first round, though Hollande remains 12 points ahead in surveys for the runoff two weeks later.

High on adrenalin, Sarkozy is betting he can harness the same determination and muscle he has used over the euro zone debt crisis and in North Africa to convince voters they should not replace him with a man who has no ministerial experience.

“What I told you would happen is happening,” he told reporters on the train back from Thursday’s rally in Lille. “The public was missing a candidate. Now they have got into the campaign. People are talking about a wobble but what I’m seeing is a turnaround. We are getting our ideas across.”

Citing the late Francois Mitterrand as a once divisive president whom the nation now regards as an uncle, he added: “Whether I’m liked or not, there is a story there, a drama.” — Reuters

Jailed Turkish general stays fit for court battle ISTANBUL: General Ilker Basbug, the former head of Turkey’s armed forces, said military discipline has helped him adapt to prison life, but he still cannot accept the idea that he stands accused of being the leader of a terrorist group.

Responding to questions relayed through his lawyer, the 68-year-old retired commander said his health was fine, morale good, and that he kept himself fit by regular exercise since being jailed in the top-security prison at Silivri, outside Istanbul, in early January.

Basbug is the most senior officer among hundreds of secularists charged with conspiring to topple Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s government because of its roots in political Islam. “As (soldiers) we are trained for any distress and hardship, so there are no problems,” Basbug told Reuters though his lawyer after a prison visit.

What he says flabbergasts him is “the allegation that as an intermediary leader of Ergenekon terrorist organisation I have infiltrated the Turkish Armed Forces”. In 2007 police uncovered an alleged secret organisation called Ergenekon, intent on toppling Ergodan’s government. At the time the military was at political loggerheads with the ruling

AK Party, which swept to power in 2002, over the nomination of Abdullah Gul for the presidency.

The military and judiciary were the bastions of secular state envisaged by the republic’s founder, soldier statesman Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, and generals and judges distrusted the AK Party leaders with an Islamist past.

While hundreds of people have been arrested in the Ergenekon probe, not just military officers but also journalists and academics, Basbug, who was chief of staff from 2008 until 2010, is easily the most shocking catch. Aside from reading books, Basbug says he keeps abreast of the news and discusses the state of affairs with two fellow retired generals he shares a cell with. Aside from lawyers, he says he sees from family members, and has also been visited by a member of parliament for the Republican People’s Party (CHP).

“There is TV here, I am with two other people, retired general Hursit Tolon and retired brigadier general Aleattin Sevim.

We chat among ourselves,” he said. The case against Basbug revolves around allegations that the military set up websites to spread “black propaganda” against the government. — Reuters

MADRID: Spain’s top court acquitted renowned judge Baltasar Garzon yesterday of abuse of power by tr ying to investigate Franco-era atrocities, in a case that exposed deep wounds dating back to the civil war.

Six members of the sevenstrong Supreme Court panel came out in favour of acquitting the 56-year-old, clearing a major obstacle in Garzon’s efforts to revive a career which has been stalled by a string of court cases.

Garzon was accused of violating an amnesty by tr ying to investigate the disappearance of some 114,000 people during the 1936-39 Civil War and General Francisco Franco’s dictatorship that ended in 1975. Garzon had argued that the atrocities were crimes against humanity and not subject to a 1977 amnesty voted through by parliament.

The court ruled that his decision to launch the probe was “a mistake” since there needed to be a suspect still alive, but that the move did not constitute an abuse of power. “It is not possible in our procedural system to open an inquiry without the final goal of imposing a penalty,” the court wrote in its ruling.

Yesterday’s decision came two weeks after the court quashed a bribe-taking case against Garzon, ruling that a three-year statute of limitations had passed. Garzon had been accused of soliciting sponsorship payments for lectures he gave in New York from five institutions, four of which had been probed in his own

courtroom or other courtrooms in the National Court.

However his legal woes are not yet over as Garzon was handed an 11-year supension from the bench earlier this month after he was convicted of illegally ordering wiretaps in a separate corruption case. Garzon, who came to

by his enemies. Rights organisations had in particular criticised the decision to pursue Garzon for investigating torture allegations in a trial that exposed the wounds Spain still bears from the Civil War and Franco’s ensuing dictatorship. “The Supreme Court has spared itself further embar-

MADRID: This file picture dated February 8, 2012 shows Spanish judge Baltasar Garzon arriving for his trial at Spain’s Supreme court in Madrid. A court in Madrid acquitted Spain’s renowned human rights judge Baltasar Garzon yesterday of breaching the terms of an amnesty by trying to investigate atrocities committed during the Franco era. — AFP fame with his efforts to extradite Chile’s former dictator Augusto Pinochet from London in 1998, has also taken on Basque militants and even Al-Qaeda.

His supporters argue that the court cases against him were inspired by a desire for revenge

rassment by rejecting these illadvised charges,” Reed Brody, a spokesman for the New Yorkbased Human Rights Watch, said.

“Investigating torture and ‘disappearances’ cannot be considered a crime. But the damage has already been done with the previ-

ous conviction of Garzon,” the spokesman added.

A group of UN experts including Gabriela Knaul, UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, had also voiced concern about the trial.

Although there was no immediate reaction from Garzon to the verdict, he had declared that his conscience was clear when he addresssed the court on the final day of his trial on February 8. “I took the decisions that I thought were in keeping with the law... to investigate the mass crimes of the disappearance of people,” he told the court. “A judge’s duty is to give protection to the victims... who are the main element in this type of crime.”

Yesterday ’s Supreme Court verdict draws a line under a case which began in May 2010. Garzon was automatically suspended as the judicial inquiry got under way. The court had agreed to try Garzon in a suit brought against him by two right-wing groups, despite a call from Spain’s public prosecutor for the case to be dismissed.

The two-week trial heard testimony from 12 descendants of people killed during the Civil War, who say their relatives lie in mass graves. One witness, 75-year-old Olga Alcega, told the court how her grandfather was shot dead by Franco’s forces in 1936.

“Fear reigned this country.

Nobody dared to speak out, it is up to us, the grandchildren of the victims who dare speak,” said Alcega, who attended the hearing dressed in black. — AFP

Ukraine jails Tymoshenko ally for 4 years KIEV: A Ukrainian court yesterday sentenced the former interior minister of imprisoned exprime minister Yulia Tymoshenko to four years in jail in a trial denounced by her supporters as politically motivated.

Ex-interior minister Yuriy Lutsenko, who was arrested in December 2010 and has been held in detention ever since, was found guilty by a district court in Kiev of abusing his powers while in office. Judge Sergiy Vovk said the sentence would take account of the time already served in jail by Lutsenko but also ordered the confiscation of his property.

“We have seen that there is no fair justice in Ukraine,” Lutsenko said from the defen-

dant’s courtroom cage after the verdict. “This decision is aimed at destroying me as a politician.” Pledging to appeal the verdict, he added: “I’ll use all opportunities, in Ukraine and in Europe, to defend myself.”

Ukraine’s world heavyweight boxing champion Vitaly Klitschko, who heads an opposition political party known as UDAR (Punch) appeared in the courthouse to give his support to Lutsenko as he was convicted. “This verdict shows the country is slipping towards authoritarianism. The cases against Yulia Tymoshenko and Yuriy Lutsenko are politically motivated. With this logic, you could jail any official in Ukraine,” he said, according to his

KIEV: A file photo taken on October 1, 2007 shows the Head of the Peoples Self-defence party Yuriy Lutsenko (R) kissing the hand of opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko during her press conference in Kiev. A Ukrainian court yesterday sentenced the ex-interior minister in the government of imprisoned ex-prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko to four years in jail after finding him guilty in his abuse of power trial. — AFP

press service. Klitschko shook hands with Lutsenko in a show of support, an AFP correspondent said. “The war waged by the regime against the Ukrainian people is continuing,” fellow opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk said in a statement released by his Front Zmin party.

“There is only one hope-a victory by the democratic opposition in parliamentary elections which can return fairness to Ukraine,” he said in reference to the polls expected in October. The trial was being watched closely by the European Union which has warned Ukraine that the jailing of Tymoshenko for seven years in 2011 has severely set back Kiev’s chances for joining the bloc.

President Viktor Yanukovych has insisted he has nothing to do with the judicial process but Tymoshenko has said the prosecution of herself and allies is a political vendetta pursued by Ukraine’s leaders at any cost.

Lutsenko, who was one of her allies in the 2004 Orange Revolution uprising, was charged with abusing his powers of office by helping to grant an illegal pension to his driver and also allowing him accommodation.

He had also been charged with improper use of budgetary funds for celebrations of the annual Police Day in 2008 and 2009. Lutsenko, who had held a hunger strike and repeatedly complained of his conditions, has denounced the trial as the type of political prosecution practiced by the NKVD secret police in the Stalin era.

“They should have just taken me to the prosecutor’s office, shot me and ended things there like the NKVD used to do in 1938,” Lutsenko said in his closing words on February 14. Tymoshenko, who was arrested after Lutsenko but convicted in October following a much faster trial, is currently serving out her term at a prison in the Kharkiv region in eastern Ukraine. — AFP

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

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

Pakistan school strives to beat the Taleban trap PESHAWAR: The boy was 2 when his mother dumped him on the streets, 4 when he spent his first night in a tiny prison cell, being sexually assaulted by an older inmate. Prostitution for money and shelter followed, then hashish, and glue-sniffing.

Now 10 and gangly, he fidgets and stares at the ground, speaking in a near-whisper. “I’m ashamed,” he says. Yet in this rugged frontier city in northwest Pakistan, where people carry guns as casually as they would a daily newspaper, this boy has hope. He has found refuge in what for Pakistan is relatively rare: a charity-run boarding school for homeless, drugaddicted children.

Around Peshawar, heroin sells for less than $0.20 a high. “It’s the cheapest place in the world to get heroin,” says Mazahar Ali, the school’s manager. He gestures beyond the school’s high walls. Heroin and just about every other vice are just a short walk away, he says.

The drugs all come from nearby Afghanistan which, according to a 2011 UN report, provides 90 percent of the world’s opium, from which heroin is made. For Pakistan, the result is more than 4 million addicts.

Some of the youngest end up in mud-walled rooms being drilled in extreme Muslim doctrine by the Taleban who roam relatively freely in Peshawar.

“Sometimes the militants take these children to North Waziristan and teach them to be suicide bombers and sometimes they give the children drugs

and the child might not even know that he is going to be blown up,” says Ali. At the school, a boy named Osama told of memorizing the Quran, Islam’s holy book, while the Taleban hovered over him. He said he was tortured. He escaped, and a month ago was found sleeping on the floor of a ramshackle hotel, said Umaima Zia, the school psychologist.

On the lawn in front of the four-storey school, Osama sat cross-legged on a chair in the afternoon sun, his small body swaying as he recited Quranic verses to his fellow students in a lilting voice. A single working woman aged 25, Zia is unusual in this conservative region where girls are often married off soon after puberty. Quick to smile, she gently draws out the kids’ accounts of what they have endured. She brings stuffed animals to the school, and even the older boys cling to them. She gave the sexually assaulted boy a furry lion-shaped hat which he rarely takes off except for prayers. A while ago that child’s mother was found, but she would not take him back. “She didn’t want me,” he muttered, almost inaudibly “She said I was garbage.” The Associated Press does not identify, in text or through images, persons who say they have been sexually assaulted.

Children generally stay three months at the boarding school, long enough to detox. Run by the Dost Foundation, a family-owned charity, it has 32 boarders,

all boys. A separate facility for girls is planned, because mixing of the sexes in Pakistan is shunned. Zia told of finding one little girl knocking on car windows asking 50 rupees ($0.60) to bare her chest to the occupants.

She was 6. “It’s sad, so sad that there is nothing for girls here,” she said. “Most of the girls are homeless. Not so many are drug users. Many are scavengers but they are very vulnerable to abuse.”

Eleven of the boys in the school are intravenous drug users and two have AIDS. Dr. Sikander Khan, whose family started the charity 20 years ago, says the AIDS problem is getting worse. Pakistan is a poor country, and 70 percent of its 180 million people are under 30 years old, with more children using drugs intravenously and AIDS rates rising, Khan said.

Khan, a physician who interned in New York, estimated roughly 7,000 children were living homeless on the streets of Peshawar. He said roughly half of Pakistan’s heroin addicts are believed to be intravenous users, a dramatic change. Discussion of sex is taboo, and although the UN estimates there are 97,400 HIV patients, only 4,112 are registered.

Khan’s charity also supports community-based schools and provides rehabilitation facilities for adult addicts as well as vocational training for young boys and girls. It gets money from the European Union, US and UN, but Khan says it is short of funds and has had to close some of the schools.

“There is a lot of (international) funding for infrastructure like roads, but when it comes to drugs, when it comes to street children and shelter homes, the funding is not there or it is very small,” said Khan.

But he said the trend might be changing, if only because of the fear that the neglected children will become Taleban fodder. He said there is evidence this recruiting is happening. There’s no certainty the children are being turned into terrorists, but he sees a growing recognition that they are exploitable and need help.

Inam, 15, has been through detox at the boarding school several times. Short and squat, he is notorious as Peshawar’s most accomplished pickpocket - so notorious that he was the subject of a documentary.

He has his own gang, has been in prison on attempted-murder charges, keeps police officers on his payroll and has scars on his leg from acid thrown by rivals who tried to steal his gun.

A month ago he discovered he has HIV, and his tough-guy image crumbled. He believes he got the virus from sharing needles with other drug users. As he spoke his eyes grew wet, but he quickly wiped them with his sleeve and composed himself.

On the wall of the children’s dormitory, a poster tries to offer hope with words in English written against a backdrop of hellish red flames: “I am in hell but that doesn’t mean I will stay forever.” — AP

Prayers mark 10th ’versary of deadly riots in India ‘They still remember the horrors’

BARMER: In this photograph taken on December 5, 2011, Indian Army battle tanks participate in the Sudarshan Shakti military exercise in the Barmer district of Rajasthan state. The Indian military is to conduct one of its largest mock war drills involving 20,000 troops close to the country’s border with nuclear-armed rival Pakistan, an official said yesterday. — AFP

India plans wargames near Pakistan border NEW DELHI: The Indian military is to conduct one of its largest mock war drills-involving 20,000 troops-close to the country’s border with nuclear-armed rival Pakistan, an official said yesterday.

The manoeuvres, named Shoorveer or Brave Warrior, which will also involve 200 Russian-made tanks, are due to begin in the deserts of India’s state of Rajasthan next month, army spokesman colonel Jagdeep Dahiya told AFP. “The exercise will be one of the largest manoeuvres conducted so far,” he said, adding that latest warplanes would be factored into the drills, which are scheduled to end in May. In a separate statement the military said tanks, frontline combat vehicles, artillery, helicopters, fighter jets, drones, airdefence weapons and military radars would be part of the exercise.

Another military source said the event would be held less than 200 kilometres (124

miles) from the highly militarised border with Pakistan, with which India has fought three wars since independence from British rule in 1947.

Dahiya dismissed fears the exercise-to be conducted by an elite military corps raised only for cross-border assault-would crank up tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad.

“We do inform Pakistan in advance whenever such large-scale exercises are conducted by us,” the army colonel added.

New Delhi froze peace talks started in 2004 with Islamabad following attacks in Mumbai in 2008 by gunmen India says came from Pakistan. The assault left 166 people dead. The slow-moving peace dialogue resumed early last year with cross visits by officials to India and Pakistan.

The two South Asian adversaries carried out tit-for-tat nuclear detonations in 1998 and declared themselves as nuclear-armed states. — AFP

AHMADABAD: Hundreds of survivors of deadly religious riots gathered in western India yesterday to mark the 10th anniversary of the country’s worst sectarian violence in recent years, as rights activists blasted the local government for delaying justice.

On Feb. 27, 2002, a train fire in Gujarat state killed 60 Hindu pilgrims. Muslims were blamed for the fire and weeks of rioting followed. More than 1,000 people, almost all Muslim, were killed as Hindu mobs rampaged through towns and villages. Tens of thousands were left homeless as rioters set fire to Muslim homes and businesses.

The survivors began yesterday’s ceremony by praying for those killed, and then read verses from the Quran near the burnt-out shells of the damaged homes. Others hung prayers and wishes, written on little slips of paper, on the branches of a tree.

Rights groups and survivors accuse the state government, controlled by the Hindu right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party, of not doing enough to stop the violence and even stoking it. The religious violence was among India’s worst since its independence from Britain in 1947.

“Instead of prosecuting senior state and police officials implicated in the atrocities, the Gujarat authorities have engaged in denial and obstruction of justice,” Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director for US-based Human Rights Watch, said in a statement over the weekend.

State government officials have always denied any allegations of obstruction and wrongdoing. “All these years, there has not been the slightest hint or trace of remorse,” Cedric Prakash, a Jesuit priest and rights activist in Gujarat, said yesterday.

“Are these people not real? They still remember the horrors,” Prakash said by telephone from Gulberg Society, a middle-class neighborhood in Ahmadabad, Gujarat’s main city. At least 69 Muslims were killed there when a mob set homes on fire during the rioting.

Near Gulberg Society’s still-damaged homes,

activists have hung photographs of those killed in the violence and those who are still missing.

Human Rights Watch said in its statement that while investigations in the train attack happened rapidly, investigations into the anti-Muslim riots that followed were “deliberately slowed down or simply not pursued.”

The rights group accused Gujarat’s top elected official, Narendra Modi, a senior Bharatiya Janata leader and one of the party’s top candidates for

prime minister, should it win national elections, of failing to conduct serious investigations and obstructing justice. It was only after India’s top court appointed a special investigation team in 2009 that two top leaders, Maya Kodnani, a minister in the state Cabinet, and Jaideep Patel, a leader of the hard-line Vishwa Hindu Parishad, or World Hindu Council, were arrested for leading mobs that attacked Muslims during the riots. Both are still on trial. — AP

AHMEDABAD: An Indian riot victim wipes her tears during a ceremony in Ahmedabad, India, yesterday. Hundreds of survivors of deadly religious riots gathered in western India yesterday to mark the 10th anniversary of the country’s worst sectarian violence in recent years even as rights groups blasted the local government for delaying justice. — AP

Pakistan demolishes bin Laden hideout

COLOMBO: A Buddhist monk, in orange, carries a poster of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa during a street march, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, yesterday. Thousands of people in towns and cities across Sri Lanka yesterday took to streets to protest against a proposed UN Human Rights Council resolution on alleged human rights abuses during the country’s civil war. —AP

Bomb in front of Nepal oil importer office kills three KATHMANDU: A bomb exploded in front of the headquarters of Nepal’s monopoly oil importer yesterday, killing three people and injuring five in the capital’s first major attack in four years, police said. The government increased security in response.

Home Minister Bijaya Gachchedar said a little-known group calling itself United Ethnic Liberation Front took responsibility for the bombing. Several ethnic groups have called for more automony in their regions, and some claim to be armed and threaten violence.

An emergency meeting of the security forces was called and security has been heightened, Gachchedar said. The Babarmahal district in central Katmandu has a number of government offices and is generally guarded by both police and soldiers and crowded with government workers and visitors. It is also near the fortified Singhadurbar complex housing the prime minister’s office and key ministries.

The blast damaged motorcycles and the front gate for the Nepal Oil Corporation, which has been criticized recently for increas-

ing prices of gasoline, diesel and cooking gas.

Two people died at the scene and one succumbed to injuries at the hospital, police officer Devendra Subedi said.

Nepal Oil Corporation has the monopoly to import and distribute oil products in Nepal.

Fuel shortages have been regular for the past few months. People have been forced to wait for hours for rationed gasoline and diesel for vehicles and or to buy cooking gas in the black market.

Nepal has been trying since 2008 to draft a constitution, but the effort has been stymied by political differences and debate over how much power the federal government should have. Minority ethnic groups want the document to give more automony to local regions. Last year, police accused minority groups in southern Nepal of detonating bombs while demanding an autonomous region. The government has held talks with these groups and promised to consider their demands. However, several groups claim to fight for the rights of ethnic populations in southern Nepal. —AP

ABBOTTABAD: Bulldozers razed to the ground yesterday the infamous three-storey home in Pakistan where Osama bin Laden lived for at least five years until he was killed by US special forces last May. Only the wall of the compound remained intact, obscuring the debris of the house in the garrison town of Abbottabad where the Al-Qaeda chief hid with his three wives and nine children, 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the capital.

Officials were reluctant for the site to become a shrine and the house was pulled down two months before the first anniversary of the secret US Navy SEAL raid that has been described as the Pakistan army’s biggest humiliation. The fact that bin Laden lived so long just a mile from the country’s premier military academy exposed the powerful military to charges of complicity or incompetence and dealt a massive blow to Pakistan-US relations.

“The demolition has been completed, the three-storey building was razed to the ground,” a security official told AFP. “We have been ordered to be deployed here until further instructions. The outer wall will remain intact for the moment and we don’t know the plan for the future. First we will remove the debris.”

Bulldozers began the demolition work late Saturday in Abbottabad’s Bilal Town, which was propelled from a quiet suburb to international notoriety after the Al-Qaeda leader was killed on May 2. The debris from the flattened house was invisible from street level, hidden behind the 18-foot-high boundary wall of the compound.

But from the rooftops of surrounding houses, heaps of bricks, concrete slabs, twisted steel, broken wooden doors, a brown steel gate and two black plastic water tanks could be seen alongside two parked bulldozers.

“We found nothing in the building.

Everything had already been taken away by the investigation experts,” the security official told AFP. The compound has been closely guarded by

Pakistani security officials since the decisive US operation. Foreign journalists in particular have been heavily restricted from visiting the site and local journalists from coming too close.

Hundreds of people visited after bin Laden’s killing, provoking concern that it could become a shrine to

Islamist militants in a country where attacks blamed on the Taliban and AlQaeda have killed thousands in recent years. The Americans buried bin Laden’s body at sea, determined that no grave act as a memorial to the mastermind of the September 11 attacks.

Many people living in the neighbour-

ABBOTTABAD: This combination of two photographs show, at top, ongoing demolition works at the compound where Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden was slain last year in the northwestern town of Abbottabad yesterday, and at bottom, the same compound with the main building no longer standing following the completion of demolition works yesterday.

Pakistani bulldozers yesterday finished demolishing the house where Osama bin Laden lived for at least five years until he was killed by US special forces last May. — AFP

hood want a girls’ school erected on the bin Laden plot-providing the local community with something they lack and a slap in the face for Islamist militants opposed to girls’ education.

“Whatever the reasons are for demolishing the house, I’m happy that these police will go back and open the streets for us,” local resident Daud Khan told AFP in Abbottabad, a peaceful, relatively wealthy and moderate town.

“We’re really facing problems because there’s no girls’ high school here. It’s the best positive use the government could act upon,” he said.

Mohammad Siddique, sitting nearby and watching the bulldozers smash through the brick and concrete, agreed.

“It will be the best message to the world because militants are against girls’ education.” Pakistan is accused in the West and in Afghanistan of sponsoring Islamist militants-allegations that it strenuously denies.

There are now signs that Islamabad is trying to repair relations with the United States, which sank to their lowest ebb after US air strikes in November killed 24 Pakistani soldiers on the Afghan border.

It is expected to take time before any decision is made about the site. It is not the first time that Pakistan has faced a tricky decision about what to do with a particularly sensitive site. The then-military ruler, Zia ul Haq, demolished the central jail in the garrison city of Rawalpindi where former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was hanged in 1979, and the prison moved to a suburb.

Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party tried to build a monument to his last days, but the work was stopped and a subsequent government converted the site into a public park named after Pakistan’s founding father Muhammad Ali Jinnah. “By demolishing this compound they want to remove Osama’s name from Abbottabad history but you can’t delete history,” said Pakistani journalist and an expert on militancy, Rahimullah Yusufzai. — AFP

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

NEWS

Syria OKs new charter as violence continues DAMASCUS: Syria said yesterday almost 90 percent of voters approved a new constitution in a referendum mocked by world powers which piled the pressure on the regime to end its deadly crackdown on dissent. The charter brought in

by President Bashar Al-Assad after 11 months of anti-regime protests won 89.4 percent of votes cast in Sunday ’s referendum, with a turnout of 57.4 percent, Interior Minister Mohammed Al-Shaar announced. The results came as the European Union imposed fresh sanctions on Damascus and while allies Beijing and Moscow hit back at US criticism for standing by Assad and frustrating international effort to end the regime’s clampdown.

EU foreign ministers agreed to freeze assets of Syria’s central bank, impose a travel ban on seven Syrians close to Assad, ban cargo flights into the 27-nation bloc and restrict trade with Damascus in gold and precious metals. French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said he wanted Syria dragged before an international court of justice, while Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem Al-Thani called for the arming of Syrian rebels.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin slammed the West’s “cynical” stance on Syria, staunchly defending Moscow’s joint veto with China of two UN Security Council draft resolutions condemning Damascus. He accused the West of “lacking the patience to work out an adjusted

and balanced” resolution that also required opposition forces to cease fire and withdraw from flashpoints such as the besieged central city of Homs. “All that remained was to demand that the armed opposition do the same as the government namely, withdraw their fighting units and detachments from the cities,” Putin wrote in the Moskovskiye Novosti daily. “A refusal to do so was cynical.”

Beijing also attacked criticism from US State Secretary Hillary Clinton of its backing for Assad, with foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei, accusing the international community of trying to “impose a socalled solution” on Syria. “China has been calling on the Syrian government and all parties in Syria to immediately and fully stop all acts of violence and launch a political dialogue process with no preconditions attached,” Hong told a briefing.

Clinton said on Friday the international community must work to change the positions of Moscow and Beijing, which have faced intense criticism for vetoing the two UN resolutions. “It is quite distressing to see two permanent members of the Security Council using their veto when people are being murdered,” she said after a meeting of Arab and Western foreign ministers in Tunisia.

Syrian regime forces yesterday kept up their assault, killing at least 23 civilians, while six members of the security forces also died in

clashes, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Eleven civilians were killed in shelling of the rebelheld district of Baba Amr, in the central city of Homs, under bombardment for a 24th straight day, the monitoring group said. The Red Cross, meanwhile, continued efforts to evacuate two wounded Western journalists from Baba Amr. British photographer Paul Conroy and French reporter Edith Bouvier were wounded in an attack last Wednesday that cost the lives of American war correspondent Marie Colvin and French photographer Remi Ochlik.

The draft text of the constitution that was overwhelmingly approved by voters ends the legal basis for the five-decade stranglehold on power of Assad’s ruling Baath party but still leaves huge powers in his hands. Washington has branded the referendum “laughable” and Canada slammed it as “a farce”. The Syrian opposition says the changes are cosmetic after nearly a year of repression by Assad’s security forces that human rights groups say has left more than 7,600 people dead.

Clinton, meanwhile, predicted that Assad’s regime will eventually fall when enough soldiers, business leaders and minorities desert him. “I think the regime will fall.... I am not a fortuneteller. I cannot tell you when that will happen,” she said in an interview with Morocco’s 2M television channel, a transcript of which was released yesterday. — AFP

Saudi Arabia to monitor wages Continued from Page 1 Decades of oil-fuelled growth have distorted Saudi Arabia’s jobs market. About 8 million foreign workers have been brought in to fill jobs in the oil sector, retail and manufacturing businesses, and other areas which Saudis are unwilling or unqualified to perform. At the same time, unemployment is high among the estimated 16 million Saudi citizens, who account for only about 10 percent of private sector employment. As the country’s young population ages, this threatens to become a serious economic problem, and last year’s social unrest in the Arab world showed it could also become a political threat.

The government has responded with employment bureaux, job subsidies and regulations to push private sector companies into hiring more Saudi citizens instead of foreigners. A scheme launched last year penalises firms if they fail to reach minimum ratios of Saudis in their workforces and rewards them if they greatly exceed those targets. The new wage monitoring system, designed in cooperation with other official agencies such as the central bank, will check that monthly salaries paid to Saudi and expatriate employees are paid into their bank accounts in line with the terms of their employment contracts. “In the first phase it will be applied to large companies; this will be within two months or three at the latest,”

Fakieh said, adding that smaller firms would be brought in gradually and a full range of firms would be monitored in a year. In the long term, the system will help the ministry introduce a scheme under which companies will be rated by authorities not only according to the ratios of Saudi citizens in their workforces, but also based on the proportions of their payrolls being paid to Saudi citizens, he said.

The new scheme is intended to encourage companies to appoint Saudis to higher and better-paid positions.

Fakieh did not specify when it might be introduced. The minister said the results of recent efforts to boost Saudi employment had been excellent, but did not give details.

He expressed concern, however, at latest data for unemployment benefits which showed a high proportion of women among the unemployed. According to official figures from 2009, women make up almost half of all Saudis listed as looking for work.

As part of cautious efforts to encourage the employment of women, Saudi King Abdullah ordered last year that lingerie shops should have exclusively female staff.

“We believe that the retail sector is the biggest sector that will be able to employ a large number of women,” Fakieh said, adding that the government would also take steps to promote the employment of women in factories and at home. — Reuters

Saleh formally steps down after 33 years Continued from Page 1 belongings already shipped to Ethiopia. The main opposition coalition, the Common Forum, which currently heads the interim government, boycotted yesterday’s ceremony, saying in a statement late on Sunday that Hadi officially became president after winning the Feb 21 election, not because Saleh handed him the post. Hadi will serve for an interim two-year period under a Gulf-brokered transition plan signed by Saleh last November after 10 months of protests demanding his ouster. Saleh said that he would “stand... by my brother the president of the republic,” and urged Yemenis to rally behind Hadi in his fight against “terrorism, first and foremost, Al-Qaeda”. “There is no place for terrorism,” he said.

Hadi cautioned that the past year of turmoil that has crippled the economy and unleashed nationwide insecurity was not yet over, and appealed to Yemenis to “cooperate with the new leadership” to help the country emerge from the crisis. He said he hoped that after his two years in office, Yemen could have a peaceful transition. “I hope we will meet in this room again... to bid farewell and welcome a new leadership. I hope that in two years, I will stand in President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s place and a new president will stand in mine,” he said.

But the ceremony did not sit well with many Yemenis who would rather see Saleh prosecuted. The image of Saleh and his successor standing side by side sparked protests on the streets. Chants rang out in the streets of Sanaa and in front of Hadi’s house as tens of thousands of Yemenis called for Saleh’s prosecution. “This is a provocation to the Yemeni people,” said Abdu AlUdaimi, a spokesman for the anti-Saleh protest movement. “As if Saleh claims he is stepping down voluntarily.” Presidential and parliamentary elections will be held at the end of Hadi’s two-year term. Saleh is the fourth Arab leader to fall since the beginning of the Arab Spring revolutions that forced the resignation of veter-

an leaders in Tunisia and Egypt, and led to the gruesome death of Libya’s long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi. Saleh got the best deal in return for stepping aside: he and his closest aides were granted immunity from prosecution for alleged crimes committed during the brutal crackdown on dissent which left hundreds dead and thousands wounded.

Witnesses who went inside the presidential palace yesterday said that a whole hall that used to display precious souvenirs, antiques, golden watches, guns, hunting rifles and other paraphernalia collected under Saleh’s regime, was bare yesterday. A senior army officer and a presidency employee told AP that the commander of the Presidential Guards, who is also Saleh’s nephew, has ordered his guards to move all the antiques to an undisclosed location. Another employee said that even alcohol which Saleh used to serve to his western visitors have also been carried away.

Officials said that Saleh came under heavy pressures from Western and Arab countries to leave the country, upon repeated requests by the newly elected president and transitional government to prevent Saleh from staying in Yemen. During a meeting in Sanaa with John O Brennan, US President Barack Obama’s chief counterterrorism advisor the night before the election, Prime Minister Mohammed Basindwa told Brennan, “Saleh’s return to the country means another war.” That is according to a senior Yemeni official with knowledge of the meeting.

The prime minister was also quoted as telling Brennan, “we have given concessions, and we are not ready to give more,” in reference to giving Saleh immunity from prosecution. Basindwa, according to the Yemeni official, has pleaded for US intervention to force Saleh to leave. Other Yemeni officials said that members of the UN Security Council threatened to freeze Saleh and his family’s assets if he did not leave. They didn’t name the member states but one said, “after days of maneuvering, he accepted”. — Agencies

Oppn agrees on priority list as Assembly...

Continued from Page 1 Outspoken opposition MP Musallam Al-Barrak warned the government against attempting to block the formation of the probe committees, especially that of the former premier’s transfers.

Saadoun meanwhile asked the Assembly’s general secretariat to reinstate journalists to their old place in the Assembly chamber’s ground floor, just next to MPs. Journalists covering the Assembly were earlier this year moved by former speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi to the spectators’ gallery despite protests that the location

obstructed their work. Khorafi’s decision was taken after an unprecedented fistfight between a number of MPs in May last year and on allegations that some of the journalists misused their location access to take some footage on their smartphones and then spread the footage.

During today’s session, the Assembly will elect a number of temporary committees like the women’s affairs panel, the human rights panel and others. If these issues are completed, the Assembly is likely to start debating the Amiri address delivered at the first session of the new Assembly.

IDLIB, Syria: A boy stands in front of a shop destroyed in Syrian army shelling in the center of Idlib yesterday. — AP

France, Iran, Pak hail Oscar wins Continued from Page 1 made the film a “legend of French cinema”. The Artist, a French tribute to Hollywood’s silent era, clinched the coveted Best Film award, grabbed a Best Director for Michel Hazanavicius and also won for musical score and costume design as well as Dujardin’s Best Actor. “I’ve got the feeling of being in a hot bath and I don’t really feel like getting out,” Dujardin told RTL radio yesterday morning. “The pressure is going away and it’s very, very pleasant.”

In The Artist Dujardin plays silent movie icon George Valentin, a Clark Gable type who refuses to accept the death of the silent movie. Co-star Berenice Bejo was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar, while Uggie the dog, an expressive Jack Russell Terrier, also steals a scene or two. “Maybe it’s a feel-good movie, a love story, a simple story and maybe there is a cute dog.

Everybody loves a cute dog,” Dujardin explained to Reuters TV in a January interview.

With his win on Sunday night, Dujardin became the first French actor to win an Academy Award for Best Actor. Two French actresses before him have taken home Oscars for Best Actress. Simone Signoret became the first French person to win an Academy Award when she won it in 1959 and Marion Cotillard won in 2007.

Claudette Colbert, who left France at the age of three, won in 1935. “I love your country,” Dujardin declared in English in accepting his award, before reverting to his native French to shout, “Bloody Hell! Brilliant! Thanks!

Fantastic! Thank you very much!” Back on home soil on Friday, Dujardin was shut out from France’s highest acting honors, the Cesars, with the “Best Actor” award going to Omar Sy in “Intouchables”. Still, The Artist received six Cesars, including a Best Actress for Bejo.

Only Iranians braving a ban on satellite television receivers were able to see the Oscars live, broadcast by foreign channels into their homes before dawn Tehran time. But they quickly launched an avalanche of electronic exchanges that only increased as state-controlled television replayed the key moment throughout the day. Farhadi’s acceptance speech emphasising his country’s desire to be seen as a complete nation, one that contributes much more than the geopolitical tensions over its nuclear programme suggest, prompted accolades from ordinary Iranians.

“At the time when talk of war, intimidation and aggression is exchanged between politicians, the name of their country, Iran, is spoken here through her glorious culture, her rich and ancient culture that has been hidden under the heavy dust of politics,” Farhadi told the Oscars audience. Jafar, 29, wrote on his Facebook page that his happiness was not just because of the unprecedented Oscar win - “it’s more because of what he (Farhadi) said.” Hossein, 30, from Isfahan, added: “Thank you Asghar Farhadi! It had been soooo long we hadn’t taken pride in ourselves.”

Negar, 28, summed it up on her Facebook page. “We all kind of knew he would win, and that the movie would get an Oscar. But the speech was what made my day. It is time for the world to look at Iran in a different light.” Behzad, 38, said on Facebook that Farhadi, through his speech, “proved once again that Iranians have their roots in a rich culture adorned with love and friendship.”

Iranian media reported the win in the United States as a victory of Iranian culture, with a few noting with glee that “A Separation” beat Israeli film “Footnote” to take the golden statuette. “Iran cinema made history,” the official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) said.

Another outlet, the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA), claimed that an “Iranian flag has been planted atop America”. A deputy culture minister in charge of cinema affairs, Javad Shamaqdari, was quoted by IRNA saying the US Academy Awards members “bowed before Iranian culture” by voting for “A Separation” over

the Israeli movie.

“A Separation” presents a social expose of the Islamic republic behind the veneer of a taut family drama, while exploring themes of love, lies and honour. The movie begins with a reluctant divorce bid by a couple, but broadens out as they find themselves in a separate legal dispute with another couple following a desperate, tragic event at home. As the story develops, it becomes clear that “A Separation” is about a wider narrative: that of a fracture in the country in which they live, between Iran’s middle class whose values and missteps are easily recognised by audiences everywhere, and Iran’s poorer underclass, with its feeling of powerlessness and adherence to religion.

While Pakistan’s media and political parties can often be sensitive to criticism, the prestige of an Oscar appears to have outweighed any qualms the government might feel about celebrating a film that shows the country in a bad light to international audiences.

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said that Obaid-Chinoy would receive a civil award for her accomplishment. “The pride of Pakistan is in their artistes & intellectuals. Not in bombs and bans!” tweeted liberal columnist Nadeem Paracha.

The director for her part praised the resilience and bravery of the women documented in the film during her acceptance speech in Los Angeles. She dedicated the award to all women working for change in Pakistan.

“Don’t give up on your dreams,” said Obaid-Chinoy, who co-directed the documentary with Daniel Junge. Twitter followers in Pakistan erupted with joy at news of the Oscar, falling over themselves with praise for her win and delighted that Pakistan was making headlines for something other than Al-Qaeda, Taleban and bomb attacks.

Obaid-Chinoy mother Saba spoke of the family’s delight and called on parents to support their daughters in a country where women can be treated as second-class citizens. “She is very happy. I am proud of my daughter. She has brought happiness for the family and the entire country. It is a great honour,” she said. “We all supported Sharmeen in her endeavours and she has made Pakistan proud... I have a message for all fellow Pakistanis to support their daughters because our daughters have immense talent to the country.”

In a message read out by her mother, Obaid-Chinoy said she hoped to screen “Saving Face” at schools, colleges and in communities across the country “to spread awareness and promote dialogue in Pakistan”. Her 12year-old brother, Hamza, said he had been up all night watching the Oscars ceremony with the rest of her relatives in Karachi, telling reporters simply that he was “extremely thrilled”. Obaid-Chinoy was born in 1978 and raised in the southern port city. She received a bachelor’s degree from Smith College and went on to complete two masters degrees from Stanford University.

Fellow Pakistani documentary filmmaker and multimedia expert, Musadiq Sanwal, said the prize was recognition of the fact that Pakistan was gaining a voice of its own in international culture. “Sharmeen’s documentary and its winning an Oscar shows Pakistan is creating its own narrative and gaining its own voice internationally,” Sanwal said. “Earlier, Pakistan had no voice at all to describe its strength and weaknesses, but now such efforts give it emancipation and power.”

Marvi Memon, a former Pakistani lawmaker, who campaigned for tougher penalties for the perpetrators of acid attacks and played a role in the documentary, congratulated the Pakistani director. “I congratulate her. So proud of her,” she said simply. Across the country, people were happy, in particular women. “It is great to see we are full of talent. Every Pakistani should be proud,” said Shumaila Azmat, 29, an executive in a private Karachi firm. “What is even more heartening is to see that a Pakistani woman has won an Oscar.” — Agencies

Plot to kill Putin foiled Continued from Page 1 The state television footage showed a video of Putin getting into his car being played on the laptop computer belonging to second suspect Adam Osmayev, a man the report said had lived and studied at university in London.

The hidden-camera footage of the Russian prime minister’s movements was shot “so that we had an understanding of how he was protected”, Osmayev said.

Osmayev had bruises and cuts across his face in the Channel One video and was later led away to his cells by hooded agents from Ukraine’s SBU. An SBU official told Interfax that the two men’s fate was uncertain because Russian prosecutors had still not requested their extradition.

Osmayev was shown telling investigators that some explosives had already been hidden near the Kutuzovsky Prospekt avenue that Putin passes daily to reach the government White House. Channel One also quoted an unidentified Russian FSB official as saying that the blast

would have been “powerful enough to tear apart a truck”.

Putin’s spokesman Peskov said the Russian premier had no plans to alter his schedule because of the threat and hit out at suggestions that the report was planted in the media to benefit his election campaign. “The fact that the information was published now is easily explained by the fact that the preparations were being made not only in Moscow but also in Ukraine,” he told Interfax.

The Channel One news director said his station received the first details about the plot from Russia’s FSB on Feb 17 and dismissed speculation about the report’s benefits to Putin’s election campaign. “This is a very serious group (of plotters) who had funding and real bombs,” Channel One news director Kirill Kleimenov told RIA Novosti. An FSB official told RIA Novosti that the suspected plotters were all Chechens who belonged to one of Umarov’s armed groups. But the kazvkazcenter.com news site that Umarov regularly uses to air his views cast doubt on the validity of the Channel One report and carried no claim of responsibility for the plot. — AFP

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Issues

Strike on Iran to pose tough test for Israelis

By Dan De Luce n Israeli preemptive strike on Iran’s nuclear sites would amount to a roll of the dice against elusive targets, drawing in the United States if the gamble fell short, analysts and former US military officers say.

Iran’s air defenses and ageing fighters would be no match for Israel’s high-tech aircraft and cyber warfare, but the outcome of a raid would largely hinge on intelligence and whether Tehran is able to hide key elements of its uranium enrichment network. Israel’s military has earned a reputation for lightning assaults that blindside their enemies, but the Iranian nuclear program presents a much more complicated task for Israel compared to previous raids that took out reactors in Iraq and Syria.

In 1981, Israeli fighters destroyed an Iraqi atomic reactor in Osirak without losing a plane and in 2007 the Israelis are widely believed to have knocked out a clandestine reactor in Syria. But flying fighter jets 1,600 km all the way to Iran would stretch Israel’s limited supply of aerial refueling aircraft, while Tehran’s dispersed, hidden nuclear sites -including a facility dug into the side of a mountain - present a daunting challenge. “This is not a pinpoint, single target, one strike and it’s over,” said William Fallon, a retired navy admiral who led US Central Command in 2007-8.

An assault designed to delay Iran’s nuclear work would be “very difficult” partly because the Iranians have “been pretty clever about distributing stuff”, Fallon told an audience Thursday at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Unlike in Syria or Iraq, Iran’s nuclear program does not have a single vulnerable point that, if hit, would leave the project crippled for years.

Iran has developed the knowhow to enrich uranium and a supporting industrial network to build centrifuges, which it has worked to conceal. As a result, Iran could potentially withstand a bombing campaign and still have enough centrifuge components and assembly plants to renew uranium enrichment work, analysts said.

“Equipment to make centrifuges can be moved relatively quickly. Centrifuge components that are finished can easily be moved and probably are. So what you may know one month, it may not be good the next month,” said David Albright, president of the Institute for Science and International Security. “If they (Iranians) feel that a strike is imminent they may move a lot of things... That’s really the question, how much do the Israelis know about the program?” he told AFP. Amid growing speculation that Israel may strike at Iran, the potential success of such a raid is the subject of intense debate in and outside the US military, but there is wide agreement that - at best - an attack would postpone and not paralyze Tehran’s nuclear project. Experts are assessing how long an Israeli attack could be sustained, how effective the bombing would be and what ultimate goal would be achieved. Israel would need its entire fleet of about 125 high-end American-made fighter jets, including its 101 F-16Is and 24 F-15Is, to carry out such an ambitious raid, as well as all eight of its KC-707 refueling tankers, said Scott Johnson, an analyst at IHS Jane’s defense consultants. “They would use everything they have. Everything would be ready and everything would be in play,” Johnson said.

Israeli fighter jets, using precision-guided bombs, cruise missiles and air-to-ground missiles, would likely be focusing on crucial links in the nuclear program, including an underground uranium enrichment center in Natanz, a centrifuge plant in Tehran and the recently revealed Fordo facility built into the side of mountain near Qom. The Fordo site lies at least 80 m underground and likely beyond the reach of even America’s most powerful conventional bomb. Israel would be under pressure to stage a quick attack, as any operation extending beyond one night could open the way to untenable military and political risks, said Daniel Levy, a senior fellow at the New America Foundation think tank.

“Both for technical and political reasons, the capacity for several repeat runs is a stretch,” said Levy, who worked in Ehud Barak’s Israeli government in 1999-2001. Apart from triggering massive diplomatic fallout, a prolonged attack over days would remove any surprise element and Iran’s air defenses would have a better chance of countering Israeli warplanes, Western officials said. A job half-finished, with Iran’s nuclear program bruised but not battered, could pull America into the fray with Tehran staging retaliatory strikes against Israel and attacks on US targets. “When Israel games this scenario, strongly built into that is that America gets dragged into this,” Levy said. — AFP

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Afghanistan-US ties hit all time low

By Lawrence Bartlett n explosion of outrage over the burning of the Holy Quran in a US military base has plunged relations between Afghans and their Western allies to an all time low, analysts said. Days of violent protests have seen Afghan security forces turn their weapons on US soldiers, rampaging demonstrators attack Western targets and NATO pull all its advisors out of government ministries. “It has never been as bad as this and it could be a turning point” in the West’s 10-year mission in the war-torn country, said Martine van Bijlert of the Afghanistan Analysts’ Network. “ There has been a very serious case of undermined trust and it really depends on whether it goes further downhill from here or the two sides get a chance to repair the damage,” she told AFP. At the heart of the escalating crisis is fear over Afghanistan’s future when US-led NATO forces end combat operations in the war against Taliban insurgents in 2014 and hand security responsibility to the Afghan government. “Fuses are very short, everybody is deeply concerned over the transition in 2014 and that has enhanced violent competition across the countr y,” said Candace Rondeaux of the International Crisis Group. “Relations have changed drastically. An accumulated sense of anxiety, anger and resentment has been building up for some time and it took a singular event - the Quran burning - to ignite a very big fire,” she told AFP. The US rushed to condemn the burning of Islam’s holy book at the Bagram base north of Kabul, with President Barack Obama apologising to the Afghan people for what he said was a mistake and pledging the perpetrators would be punished.

But furious Afghans took to the streets across the country and tried to attack French, Norwegian, UN and US bases, shouting “Death to America” after the Taleban exhorted their countrymen to kill foreign troops to avenge the Quran burning.

At least 39 people died in five days of violent protests, including two US troops shot dead when an Afghan soldier turned his weapon on them as protester s approac h ed th eir base in easter n Afghanistan. Breaking point was reached when two

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senior American officers were shot and killed within the interior ministry in Kabul on Saturday, prompting the US commander to pull all advisors out of government ministries. The Pentagon said the killings were “unacceptable” and called on Afghan authorities to better protect coalition forces and curtail raging violence.

The US, which leads a 130,000-strong military force fighting the Taleban-led insurgency, has advisors throughout the Kabul government. The circumstances surrounding the shooting are still under investigation, but Taleban insurgents claimed the attack while a government source told AFP the two men were killed by a member of the Afghan police.

Cases of Afghan security forces turning on their Western allies have increased in recent years, with a leaked classified coalition report saying last month that they “reflect a rapidly growing systemic homicide threat”. Four French soldiers were gunned down

by an Afghan colleague last month, prompting President Nicolas Sarkozy to announce an accelerated withdrawal of combat troops in 2013.

As pressure mounts on other Western governments to bring an early end to an unpopular campaign, fear grows among Afghans about their future.

“We expect violence to increase to the end of 2013 and after that we have the issue of transition, and uncertainty over the future is very high,” said Afghan analyst Haroun Mir. “There is a jockeying for power once the West leaves,” he told AFP. “People know that without the US - and especially the financial assistance the Afghan government’s survival will be difficult so people are already trying to show their allegiance to the Taleban and other insurgent groups.”

President Hamid Karzai’s government and NATO forces have appealed for calm and restraint, fearful that Taliban insurgents are trying to exploit the antiAmerican backlash. —AFP

Afghan demonstrators shout anti-US slogans during a protest against the desecration of the Holy Quran in Kabul on Feb 24, 2012. – AFP

Bloodletting to haunt Australia govt

By Madeleine Coorey ustralians have seen the ugly inner workings of the ruling Labor party in Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s showdown with Kevin Rudd, and the bloodletting will likely wreak more damage, observers say. Gillard ousted then-premier Rudd from power in June 2010 in a swift and brutal party coup against a leader seen by many as controlling and egotistical, and tensions between the pair have simmered ever since.

That dynamic led to his resignation as her foreign minister last week, in the belief only he can save the party from an embarrassing defeat at elections due next year with Labor trailing the conservative opposition in opinion polls.

With the move to challenge for the leadership, Rudd opened the floodgates on an unprecedented wave of criticism from within the party in a row he described as being like a “soap opera”. While Gillard smashed Rudd 71 to 31 in the secret vote among Labor parliamentarians yesterday to keep her job, the public airing of the party’s internal discord points to a rocky road ahead, analysts said. “You just puzzle over how Gillard will shore up her position,” said Haydon Manning, head of politics at South Australia’s Flinders University. “It’s very difficult to see the prime minister continue to hold the leadership if the polls don’t improve and given that so much ammunition has been handed to the (opposition) coalition.”

Polls indicate a Gillard-led Labor administration is deeply out of favour with voters and will be dumped from office at the next election. They suggest Rudd is

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the party’s best hope of victory. Yet despite his public popularity, Rudd is not liked by the majority of his Labor colleagues, some of whom launched vicious open attacks ahead of the ballot. Treasurer Wayne Swan described him as self-interested underminer of the government given to “dysfunctional decision making” who held a “deeply demeaning attitude towards other people”.

Other ministers lined up to explain why they dumped Rudd - who led the country through the grim days of the global financial crisis - talking of a lack of consultation and preparation and chaotic management of his office.

Rudd said Gillard had lost the people’s trust and told people not to believe the scathing critiques that suggested “Kevin Rudd is the Antichrist incorporated, and if not the son of Satan, at least the grandson of Satan”.

Analysts agreed the very idea of a challenge to Gillard’s leadership was destabilising despite her emphatic victory, and some indicated a third candidate could emerge to lead the party in coming days. “I think she will continue to struggle,” said Rodney Smith, a politics expert from Sydney University. “I think the government will continue to struggle to get attention back on its policy achievements, its legislative achievements because there will be continued speculation I think about Labor’s electoral chances. So I think that sort of uncertainty isn’t going to disappear and so people will

be casting around for alternative leaders.” As the Australian economy rides an Asian-driven mining boom, the infighting is only helping the conservative opposition’s chances of seizing power in the next election, he said.

Richard Stanton, from Sydney University’s media and communications department, agreed that Rudd “won’t go away” and could use the onethird of caucus votes he scored on Monday to build another run in the future. Stanton said that while the centre -left Labor party, which Rudd drove to power in a landslide in Nov 2007, had been hurt by the imbroglio the soap opera-like rivalry had at least boosted public involvement in politics. “Labor has been badly damaged as a brand but a far greater number of people who would not normally be involved or interested in politics are now surfacing and taking an interest,” he said.

“And I think that’s a good thing for Australian politics.” — AFP

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

sp orts Clarke Player of the Year MELBOURNE: Australia captain Michael Clarke won the Allan Border Medal as his country’s Player of the Year for the third time yesterday. Clarke also won the award in 2005 after scoring 151 on his test debut against India in Bangalore and shared it with Ricky Ponting in 2009.

The 30-year-old assumed the captaincy from Ponting in March last year and led Australia to a 1-0 test series win in Sri Lanka, 1-1 draws with South Africa and New Zealand before the 4-0 sweep of India around the turn of the year. In addition to his leadership of a team apparently in crisis when he took over in the wake of a 3-1 home Ashes defeat, Clarke has performed brilliantly with the bat. He has scored five centuries in 11 tests since becoming skipper, hitting 1,167 runs at an average of 68.65 with his high score of 329 not out coming against the Indians in the second test at the Sydney Cricket Ground last month. Clarke succeeds test vice captain Shane Watson as the holder of the award after the all rounder, who returned from injury to the international fold on Sunday, won it back-toback in 2010 and 2011. —Reuters

S Korea probes spot-fixing SEOUL: South Korean prosecutors have gathered testimony regarding allegations of spot-fixing in professional baseball, local media reported yesterday.

Prosecutors have widened their investigation into allegations of matchfixing in baseball against the backdrop of a government crackdown on corruption in sport.

A former college baseball player with the surname Kim, arrested last weekend over alleged ties to fixing, testified that the problem was more widespread than first suspected.

Senior prosecutor Park Eun-seok told Yonhap news agency: “Our basic policy is (to) stay focused on the allegations we have now. “But if we obtain

concrete evidence that points to additional fixing, we can broaden our investigation.”

Kim was arrested on suspicion of introducing two active players in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), the nation’s top baseball league, to a gambling broker.

Law officials had initially thought the betting ring had attempted to sway the outcome of five to six KBO games.

A broker linked with Kim is also under arrest. Illegal sports betting sites offer spot bets, offering odds on single plays.

Spot-fixing, which made headlines around the world in 2010 in cricket and resulted in the jailing of three Pakistan players, is usually far more difficult to detect.—Reuters

‘Mad’ to write off Thorpe SYDNEY: Grant Hackett believes it would be ‘mad’ to write off five-times Olympic champion Ian Thorpe’s bid to swim at the London Games even if his times are a cause for concern with the Australian trials just a few weeks away.

Hackett, who won back-to-back 1,500 metres golds at the Sydney and Athens Olympics, said his fellow Australian had left himself with an uphill task after coming out of retirement only this time last year. Thorpe swam 52.28 seconds in the 100 freestyle at a meet in Switzerland at the weekend, a time that would be highly unlikely to secure him even a relay berth at the March 15-22 Australian trials.

“I think the times he has been swimming, it’s clearly a bit of a concern. I don’t think anyone can deny that,” Hackett told Monday’s Sydney Morning Herald. “You can’t write him off yet, and I think people would be mad to. “But at the same time I don’t think anyone can deny, and I don’t think he could deny, that seeing a 52.2 on the scoreboard only 18 days out is a bit of a concern and probably raises not just a few eyebrows around him, but also his own.

“But he’s the sort of guy who will get on with the job at hand. —Reuters

Lightning down Devils NEWARK: Mar tin St. Louis scored three goals and set up another to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 4-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Sunday.

Mathieu Garon made 19 saves and set up St. Louis’ first goal as the Lightning snapped a two-game losing streak less than 24 hours after being blown out 8-1 by the Penguins.

Teddy Purcell added three assists for Tampa Bay, which has gone 11-5-2 in its last 18 in making a playoff push.

Alexei Ponikarovsky, Petr Sykora and Zach Parise scored for the Devils, who dropped their second straight game. The setback spoiled the debut of defenseman Marek Zidlicky, acquired from Minnesota on Friday.

NEWARK: Cam Janssen No. 25 of the New Jersey Devils skates against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Prudential Center.—AFP

NHL results/standings Tampa Bay 4, New Jersey 3; Pittsburgh 4, Columbus 2; Dallas 3, Vancouver 2 (OT); Ottawa 5, NY Islanders 2; Florida 4, Montreal 2; Minnesota 4, San Jose 3; Anaheim 3, Chicago 1.

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L OTL GF 39 15 6 167 36 21 5 198 34 20 7 203 35 22 4 172 26 28 8 146 Northeast Division Boston 37 20 3 200 Ottawa 33 23 8 198 Toronto 29 26 7 184 Buffalo 27 27 8 154 Montreal 24 29 10 163 Southeast Division Florida 29 20 12 153 Winnipeg 30 26 8 163 Washington 31 26 5 169 Tampa Bay 28 28 6 174 Carolina 23 26 13 162 NY Rangers Pittsburgh Philadelphia New Jersey NY Islanders

GA 124 163 187 168 184

PTS 84 77 75 74 60

139 192 190 180 175

77 74 65 62 58

169 181 176 212 187

70 68 67 62 59

Western Conference Central Division Detroit 41 19 3 197 149 85 St. Louis 38 17 7 158 125 83 Nashville 36 19 7 176 160 79 Chicago 33 24 7 193 189 73 Columbus 18 37 7 144 207 43 Northwest Division Vancouver 40 16 7 203 154 87 Colorado 32 27 4 164 172 68 Calgary 28 23 11 150 170 67 Minnesota 28 25 9 139 163 65 Edmonton 24 31 6 162 181 54 Pacific Division Phoenix 32 21 9 164 155 73 San Jose 32 22 7 177 159 71 Dallas 33 26 4 165 171 70 Los Angeles 28 22 12 133 135 68 Anaheim 27 25 10 160 174 64 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the standings and are not included in the loss column (L)

Ducks 3, Blackhawks 1 At Anaheim, California, Teemu Selanne scored a power-play goal and had an assist to move into 20th place on the NHL’s career scoring list, and Anaheim beat slumping Chicago.

Jonas Hiller made 18 saves in his 21st consecutive start for the Ducks, who won for the ninth time in 12 games during their improbable playoff push. Andrew Cogliano scored his first goal of February for the Ducks, and Sheldon Brookbank also scored as Anaheim avoided a four-game season sweep by Chicago.

Patrick K ane ended the Black hawks’ monthlong 0-for-39 power-play drought with a first-period goal, and Ray Emer y stopped 35 shots against his former Anaheim teammates in Chicago’s third consecutive loss.

The Blackhawks have lost 12 of 16 overall, yet still sit comfortably in sixth place in the Western Conference standings.

Wild 4, Sharks 3 At St. Paul, Jed Ortmeyer’s first goal of the season gave Minnesota the lead with 4:13 left in a victory over San Jose.

The Sharks played more than half of the night without coach Todd McLellan, who was inadvertently hit in the head with a stick during a play in front of the bench early in the second period. After staying down for a bit, McLellan walked gingerly to the locker room.

That scary scene came seconds after Nick Schultz’s first goal of the season - a slap shot four seconds into a Wild power play tied the game at 2.

Penguins 4, Blue Jackets 2 At Pittsburgh, Evgeni Malkin scored his 37th goal of the season and Brad Thiessen made 21 saves in his NHL debut as Pittsburgh beat Columbus.

Pascal Dupuis, Kris Letang and Joe Vitale

ANAHEIM: Corey Perry No. 10 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrates Teemu Selanne’s goal in the third period, as Brent Seabrook No. 7 of the Chicago Blackhawks looks on at Honda Center.—AFP also scored for Pittsburgh, which woke up from a slow start to win for the ninth time in their last 10 home games. Steve Sullivan added a pair of assists as the Penguins completed a weekend sweep of Tampa Bay and Columbus with ease.

Rick Nash scored a short-handed goal in perhaps his final game with Columbus before the trade deadline. Vinny Prospal also scored for the Blue Jackets.

Stars 3, Canucks 2 At Dallas, Loui Eriksson scored at 3:52 of overtime to give Dallas its fourth consecutive victory. Steve Ott carried the puck deep in the Vancouver end and passed to Trevor Daley at the left circle. Eriksson skated to the net and fired Daley’s goal-mouth pass

by Roberto Luongo.

Mike Ribeiro scored the equalizer for Dallas with 52.5 seconds left in regulation.

Michael Ryder netted a power-play goal for the Stars, who hadn’t won four in a row since Oct. 29 to Nov. 8.

R yan Kesler scored in the opening minute of the second period for the Canucks, and Mason Raymond added a goal. Vancouver has an NHL-best 87 points.

Panthers 4, Canadiens 2 At Sunrise, Florida, Stephen Weiss scored two goals and Florida improved to 3-0 against M ontreal this season. S ean Bergenheim and Brian Campbell also scored for Florida and Scott Clemmensen made 18 saves. Weiss and Bergenheim each had assists and Mikael Samuelsson had a pair of assists.

David Desharnais and P.K. Subban scored goals for Montreal. Peter Budaj stopped 28 shots. The Canadiens have lost six of their past seven games and four straight.

Senators 5, Islanders 2 At Ottawa, Robin Lehner, making his first start since being recalled from the minor to replace the injured Craig Anderson, made 28 saves for Ottawa.

M ilan M ichalek , Jason Spezza, Jim O’Brien, Chris Neil, and Kyle Turris scored for the Senators. Lehner was making his first start since being recalled from Binghamton on an emergency basis after Anderson cut his hand last Thursday while preparing food at home. John Tavares and PA Parenteau scored for the Islanders and Evgeni Nabokov made 19 saves.—AP

Rain postpones Daytona 500 DAYTONA BEACH: Following a captivating championship and the addition of Danica Patrick, the last thing NASCAR wanted was a glitch.

And certainly not a full-on delay that pushed NASCAR into a lunchtime slot Monday for its biggest event of the year. But the stock-car series will have to deal with a lower-profile stage for its banner day to open a much-anticipated season.

The Daytona 500 was postponed Sunday for the first time in its 54-year history after heavy rain saturated Daytona International Speedway.

“I know a lot of race fans are disappointed and a lot of people at home on TV, but we just hope they tune in,” driver Greg Biffle said.

NASCAR officials spent more than four hours waiting for a window to dry the famed track, but it never came. When the latest storm cell passed over the speedway around 5 p.m., they had little choice but to call it a day. The 500-mile race was rescheduled for noon Monday and will be aired on Fox. It surely was a huge disappointment.

With several intriguing story lines on tap, NASCAR was hoping to capitalize on the success of last season’s down-to-the-wire championship race between Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart.

The most significant of them all could be Patrick. The Daytona 500 is the first of 10 scheduled Sprint Cup Series events for Patrick, who left IndyCar behind for a fulltime move to NASCAR. She will race for the Nationwide Series championship driving for JR Motorsports.

Stewart, the three-time and defending champion, is trying to snap a 0-for-13 losing streak in the Daytona 500. His 17 victories at Daytona include everything but the 500, ranking him second on the all-time list behind Dale Earnhardt’s 34 wins. Stewart will start third when the green flag drops.

And there’s Earnhardt Jr., the 2004 Daytona 500 champion. He takes a 129-race losing streak into the event. His last victory was in 2008, his first season with powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports. Now, it’s all on hold. And it could play out in time slots normally occupied for daytime soap operas.

“This is one of the toughest things for us drivers,” said Edwards, who will start on the pole. “It’s now who can really stay focused.

That’s not just the drivers, that’s the pit crews, the crew chiefs, everyone, the officials. But I think we’ll be just fine.”

But Monday might be another test for both drivers and fans. The forecast calls for more rain, and officials are prepared to wait all day and into the night to avoid a Tuesday race, which would strain teams that must get to Phoenix for next week’s race.

“The longer runway we have tomorrow to get in the Daytona 500, the greater the likelihood for us to start and finish the event on Monday,” NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said. “There are certainly a lot of considerations that go into the start time decision, and we believe scheduling it for noon gives us the best opportunity for us to get the race in tomorrow.”

Eight previous Daytona 500s have endured rain delays, the latest in 2009. But never before had storms forced NASCAR’s

premier event to be moved.

“I think that’s a pretty good record for NASCAR,” Edwards said. “They’ve been living right to have 53 of these and never have one postponed. That’s pretty spectacular. ...

I think NASCAR, they’re doing the right thing, you know, not dragging this out.”

Noontime showers sent fans scattering for cover and leaving everyone in wait-andsee mode. Puddles of water formed in parts of the infield, and many fans got drenched as they tried to make the best of a less-thanideal situation.

Drivers retreated to their motorhomes, relaxing while keeping an eye on develop-

ments. Edwards, Brad Keselowski and others took naps. Former Daytona 500 winners Jamie McMurray and Trevor Bayne did instudio interviews with Fox. Another previous race winner, Ryan Newman, played with his daughter in the motorhome lot. “I guess I’m gonna have to win the first Monday Daytona 500,” Biffle said.

The last shortened Daytona 500 was Matt Kenseth’s victory three years ago, when rain stopped the event 48 laps from the finish. He was declared the winner while the cars were parked on pit road.

The 2010 race had more than two hours in delays as NASCAR twice stopped the

DAYTONA BEACH: AJ Allmendinger’s car (22) and others remain parked on pit road due to a rain delay before the start of the Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway.—A

event to fix a pothole in the surface.

McMurray held off Earnhardt Jr. to win that race. This time around, drivers didn’t even get in their cars.

“I didn’t know when to eat. I didn’t know when to rest. I didn’t know what to do,” Bobby Labonte said. “I never took my uniform off. I took a nap. I think we cleaned out the refrigerator snacking on things.”

Now, NASCAR must deal with the downside of moving its biggest race. Ratings and attendance will suffer, falling short of what the series expected. Fans surely will have complaints, too.

Daytona president Joie Chitwood said he understood fans were frustrated about the scheduling change that pushed the race back one week later than usual.

NASCAR and the track made the decision to move the start of the season to address an awkward early off weekend and to avoid potential conflicts with the Super Bowl.

Had the race been run on its traditional Sunday, it would have been completed under a bright, blue sky. “I’m sure I’m going to have some customers tell me about the date change and the challenges that we have with it,” Chitwood said. “But I think weather is unpredictable. I think based on the NASCAR schedule, the TV schedule on whole, this was the right move for the industry. We’ll continue to work with the last weekend of February. “It’s unfortunate that this had to happen the first year after we made that change. I’m sure I’ll be talking to a number of customers in the next weeks ahead about that situation.”—AP

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

sp orts

Forgotten man Singh eager to recapture glory days MARANA: Something of a forgotten man over the last three years, Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour action at this week’s Honda Classic in Florida itching to get back to the winner’s circle.

The former world number one has not triumphed on the US circuit since the 2008 Deutsche Bank Championship, having battled assorted health problems which impacted his trademark loose-limbed swing. At a time when most of his contemporaries are preparing for the over-50s Champions Tour, the 49-year-old Fijian says he has plenty of unfinished business to complete on the regular tour.

“I want to win again,” Singh told Reuters while preparing for the March

1-4 Honda Classic at Palm Beach Gardens. “I think I have a few more wins in me and I want to contend again like I used to.

“I feel stronger now than I did five or six years ago and I am hitting the ball as long as I have ever done. I just need to start playing properly again.

“I want to win, and I want to win really bad.” Singh’s career resume is already the envy of many of his peers.

Renowned for his workaholic approach to practice, the former world number one has piled up 34 victories on the PGA Tour, including three majors.

However, the past few years have been very frustrating for him. He had surgery on his right knee to repair a

torn meniscus in January of 2009 and was then plagued by lingering back problems for much of his 2010 campaign.

By the time his 2010 PGA Tour season ended, he had posted just two top-10 finishes, the lowest total of his career dating back to 1993.

“If it was only a torn meniscus, it would have been okay,” Singh said with a wry smile. “It was a four-week to six-week kind of recovery time but this one took a year-and-a-half.

“And I had to go back for them to remove some of the loose particles that were still moving around there a year after the first surgery. “ That set me back and then through all of that my back went as

well and that was the biggest fault I’ve had in the last two years.”

Singh’s back problems soon led to problems with his once fluid swing.

“It’s just sorting out those few kinks and letting the swing go now,” he said.

“I’ve been holding on to it (the swing) for two-and-a-half years now because of injuries, and you can’t really let your body release.

“Now I am able to do that but the golf swing doesn’t want to go. I can do it on the range but come the golf course I am kind of still holding back.

Once I get over that, I think I’ll be good.”

This season, Singh has been relatively encouraged after making three cuts in his four PGA Tour starts and

believes he is close to regaining his best form.

“In Phoenix I got very sick so I didn’t make the cut there but the rest of the tournaments I have played all four days,” he said. “Now it’s all about finding my way back to where I feel my game should be.

“If you watched me on the driving range, I should go out there and win every tournament I play. I just need to take that form over to the golf course.

“I am feeling really good now,” said Singh, whose first name means ‘victory’ in Hindi.

“I am healthy and I am strong. I just need to get it together. I really do believe you will see a different side of me at the Honda Classic.” —Reuters

Mahan upsets McIlroy to clinch Match Play

GERMANY: Ukraine’s boxer Wladimir Klitschko attends a press conference at the InterContinental hotel. The WBO, WBA, IBF and IBO heavy weight title fight between Wladimir Klitschko of Ukraine and Jean-Marc Mormeck of France will be held on March 3. —AFP

Klitschko out to KO Mormeck BERLIN: Wladimir Klitschko plans on making Jean-Marc Mormeck the 50th knock-out of his career on Saturday, while the Frenchman says he is determined to become his country’s first world heavyweight champion.

World champion Klitschko will defend his IBF, IBO, WBO and WBA titles against Mormeck, who stepped up from cruiserweight just over two years ago, in Dusseldorf.

The pair were scheduled to meet last December, but kidney stones forced Klitschko, 35, to postpone the fight which will be the 60th of his career.

“I’m ready for this challenge,” said Klitschko at yesterday’s press conference. “I still have the hunger and assume the task will not be easy.”

Klitschko has not been beaten since April 2004 when he suffered a fifth round technical knock-out to Lamon Brewster in Las Vegas and Mormeck wants to break the Ukrainian’s winning streak and take his titles.

“I have an iron will and I am tough,” said the 39-year-old, who insists he fears no one.

“I have the mental strength too.

Does he?” This will be Mormeck ’s fourth heavyweight bout and Klitschko

has said it will be tough against a man who is considerably shorter than he is with the challenger measuring 181 cms, compared to Klitschko’s height of 198 cms.

Klitschko’s brother Vitali defended his WBC heavyweight title against Britain’s Dereck Chisora a fortnight ago in Munich, but the sport’s image was tarnished by the post-fight brawl between Chisora and ex-champion David Haye.

Wladimir says he expects things to stay peaceful, but is taking nothing for granted. “Things also started peacefully in the press conference between Vitali and Chisora,” said the younger Klitschko.

“I am looking forward to the open training and the weigh-in.” Despite his threats to dethrone the champ, all bar three of Mormeck’s 40 fights have been at the lighter weight and he suffered a technical knock-out to Haye at cruiserweight in 2007.

The Frenchman has still enjoyed 22 knock-outs in 36 victories, but has suffered four defeats in his career.

“Vladimir is a great boxer in every way, but I’ve been preparing for years for this moment,” said Mormeck, who turns 40 in June. —AFP

Richards-Ross has year’s fastest 400 on birthday ALBUQUERQUE: Former world champion Sanya Richards-Ross celebrated her birthday with the fastest 400 metres of the year as Americans sped to four season-leading performances at the US world indoor championships trials at Albuquerque, New Mexico on Sunday.

Richards-Ross, 27, clocked a lifetime indoor best of 50.71 seconds to join sprinters Trell Kimmons and Tianna Madison and hurdler Kristi Castlin with 2012’s top times.

“The American record was my goal,” said Richards-Ross, who missed the mark by 17 hundredths of a second. It has already been an eventful year for the 2009 outdoor world champion and her husband, cornerback Aaron Ross of the Super Bowl champion New York Giants, who were also celebrating their second wedding anniversary.

Kimmons edged out 2004 Olympic champion Justin Gatlin to win the 60m by 0.02 seconds in a personal best 6.45 seconds.

Madison, the 2005 world outdoor long jump champion, continued her domination of the women’s 60m, winning in 7.02 seconds to equal her 2012 world leading time.

Castlin supplanted Briton Jessica Ennis as the year’s fastest women’s hurdler, clocking a lifetime best 7.84 seconds.

High jumper Chaunte Lowe added to the strength of the American team

with a national record 2.02 metres, and Gil Roberts won the men’s 400 in a fast 45.39 seconds.

The top two finishers in each event qualified for the March 9-11 IAAF world championships in Istanbul. Hard-luck hurdler Dexter Faulk and three-times world indoor shot put champion Christian Cantwell will miss the trip.

Faulk, who ran the year’s fastest 60m hurdles in Saturday’s preliminaries, was disqualified in Sunday’s final because of a false start. Aries Merritt won the event in 7.43 seconds.

US Olympic hurdlers Terrence Trammell and David Oliver also failed to advance. Cantwell finished third in the shot put behind former world indoor and outdoor gold medallist Reese Hoffa and Ryan Whiting. Hoffa won at 21.75 metres.

Reigning world women’s long jump champion Brittney Reese and the year ’s top men’s long jumper, Will Claye, were also defeated but made the team.

Reese lost to Janay DeLoach and Claye, already the triple jump winner, was upset by heptathlon world record holder Ashton Eaton.

DeLoach leaped 6.89m twice with Reese, who jumped 6.86m on her first attempt, fouling four times. Eaton, who will compete only in the heptathlon in Istanbul, sailed to 8.06m with Claye jumping 8.02m twice. He fouled on his four other attempts. —Reuters

MARANA: American Hunter Mahan ended Rory McIlroy’s bid to become world number one for the first time with a 2&1 victory over the Northern Irishman in Sunday ’s final of the WGCAccenture Match Play Championship.

With McIlroy initially failing to replicate the stunning form he produced earlier in the day on the way to a 3&1 semi-final win over third-ranked Briton Lee Westwood, Mahan took advantage with a seven-birdie display.

The 29-year-old never trailed after going ahead at the parthree sixth, and he fended off a McIlroy fightback after the turn, ending the match with a comfortable two-putt par on the 17th green.

“Boy, it feels good,” a smiling Mahan told repor ters after clinching his fourth PGA Tour title and a second World Golf Championships ( WGC) crown, having previously won the 2010 Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone.

“I didn’t realise how difficult it is to win this week because it’s six matches and you’re playing against the best players in the world,” said Mahan, who defeated fellow American Mark Wilson 2-1 in their semi-final.

“I played well from tee to green, putting to chipping to driving, irons, everything was there. And I needed everything to win. I’m very proud of how I played,” added Mahan who totalled 35 birdies during the week from 96 holes.

World number two McIlroy, like Mahan appearing in his first Match Play final, would have replaced Britain’s Luke Donald as the game’s leading player when the rankings are issued on Monday had he claimed his first WGC crown.

“Deep down I wanted to postpone that crowning of the No. 1 player in the world for Ror y,” Mahan said with a grin. “But he’ll

be No. 1 eventually. I’m not worried about it, I’m sure he’s not.”

US Open champion McIlroy applauded Mahan’s performance,

away from the fact that Hunter played very, very solid golf,” the 22-year-old said.

“Even though I threw a few

MARANA: Hunter Mahan celebrates with the Walter Hagen Cup after winning the championship match during the final round of the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship. —AFP but conceded that his hugely anticipated morning semi-final against Westwood had sapped some of his energy.

“Maybe mentally and emotionally it did take a little bit out of me but it still doesn’t take

birdies and an eagle at him on the back nine, he still responded well and held on. During the course of the week, he played the best golf and deserved to win.”

In dazzling afternoon sun-

shine at Dove Mountain, both players bogeyed the opening hole, Mahan after duffing a chip from behind the green and McIlroy when he lipped out from four feet.

The next two holes were halved with matching birdies and McIlroy was fortunate not to go one down at the par-four fourth where he had to take a penalty drop after his tee shot ended up in desert scrub. He bogeyed the hole, as did Mahan who struck his approach into the front left greenside bunker after being perfectly placed off the tee.

Mahan finally broke the deadlock to go one up with a conceded birdie at the sixth where he struck an exquisite tee shot that settled within two feet of the cup.

The American then benefited from a poor matchplay decision

by McIlroy at the par-four seventh. After watching Mahan’s approach from 135 yards pitch on and then spin back down the hill below the green, McIlroy followed suit and then failed to reach the green with his chip.

While Mahan bogeyed the hole, he went two up after the Northern Irishman missed a 10footer to double-bogey. McIlroy was again in trouble at the parfive eighth, finding a bunker off the tee, failing to reach the green in three and then lipping out with an eight-foot par putt to go three down.

Mahan went four up after nearly holing out from the fairway with a 180-yard approach at the par-four 10th, his ball finishing two feet past the cup for a conceded birdie.

Though McIlroy chipped in to eagle the par-five 11th and also birdied the par-four 14th to trim Mahan’s lead to two-up, the American held him off over the next three holes. In the consolation match, American Mark Wilson beat Westwood one-up to secure third place. —Reuters

Huh bags Mayakoba Classic MEXICO: John Huh parred the eighth hole of a playoff to beat Australia’s Robert Allenby and win the Mayakoba Golf Classic on Sunday.

The 21-year-old Huh parred all eight holes in the playoff that matched the second-longest in PGA Tour history. “It’s amazing,” Huh said. “It’s my rookie year, especially, and playing in my fifth event on the PGA Tour. I just couldn’t put it in words. ... It’s really hard to explain this.

It’s major. I mean, it was my dream.” Huh closed with an 8-under 65 to match Allenby at 13-under 271 on the seaside El Camaleon course. Allenby had a twostroke lead with a hole to play in regulation, but the 40-year-old Australian drove into the trees on the right and made a double bogey.

“Obviously, disappointed, disappointed that I didn’t like hit 3-wood off 18 in regulation, like I should have,” Allenby said. “But that’s the way it goes.

You make some mistakes sometimes, and that was a major one, obviously.

“I mean, I had this tournament in the bag, a two-shot lead with one hole to play and just played it like a rookie, pretty much.”

The playoff fell three holes short of the PGA Tour record of 11 set in the 1949 Motor City Open when Cary Middlecoff and Lloyd Mangrum were declared co-winners. The playoff was the fifth to go eight holes and first since the 1983 Phoenix Open. The playoff alternated between the par-4 18th and par-3 10th. It ended on No. 10 when Huh, seven strokes behind leader Daniel Summerhays after three rounds, chipped from the right rough to 2 1/2 feet and made his par putt. Allenby drove into the hazard on the right, chipped to 15 feet and missed his par

try. “I was nervous, especially when you’re playing out there against Robert Allenby,” Huh said. “I was trying to calm down myself, but it was hard.”

The victory followed two strong performances last month when Huh tied for sixth at Torrey Pines and tied for 12th the following week in the Phoenix Open.

Matt Every and Colt Knost shot 66 to tie for third, two strokes back. Chris Stroud was a stroke back entering the final hole, but also made a double bogey for a 71 to drop into a tie for fifth at 10 under with Summerhays, Dicky Pride and Alejandro Canizares.

Summerhays closed with a 73, and Pride and Canizares shot 66.

Huh eagled the par-5 fifth and had six birdies in his bogey-free final round.

“The wind was different than the past three rounds, so I was trying to take advantage of that,” Huh said.

Allenby was trying to win for the first time on the PGA Tour since the 2001 Pennsylvania Classic, his fourth victory in a two-year span. He also won the Nedbank Challenge and Australian PGA in consecutive weeks late in 2009.

“I played so awesome all day,” Allenby said. “I mean, I did nothing wrong all day. I played great. I putted great. I hit the ball great. I did everything that I needed to do coming down the stretch and then to give it away at 18 is very, very disappointing.

“It wasn’t easy in the playoff as well. I struggled with my swing a little bit, but I was still mentally not quite there from the 18th hole anyway, but look, John’s a great player, and I played with him yesterday, and he’s got a great future and MEXICO: John Huh, 21, holds up the trophy after winhe’s a young guy, and you know, all the ning the PGA Mayakoba Golf Classic tournament near best to him.” —AP Playa del Carmen. —AP

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

S P ORT S

Bryant, West hold on to win NBA All-Star game

India’s Sachin Tendulkar

Jayawardene wary of Tendulkar’s last chance HOBART: Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene says he is wary of what is shaping up to be Sachin Tendulkar’s final chance in Australia to score his elusive 100th international century for India.

Tuesday’s tri-series one-day international in Hobart will be the Indian batting great’s last innings in Australia unless his team can find a way to bring off a bonuspoint victory over Sri Lanka to stay alive for the series finals.

To date it has been a forgettable tour for the Indians, who lost all four Tests to Australia and have won just two of their seven matches in the tri-series.

The pressure is on the “Little Master” to produce one last piece of brilliance to get the World Cup champions the bonus-point victory over Sri Lanka they need for a chance to stay in the tournament.

Tendulkar’s has been unable all tour to

achieve his 100th international century. But his ability is not being discounted by Sri Lanka, who would also need to lose their last game against Australia in Melbourne on Friday to miss the finals.

“You never know,” Jayawardene told reporters in Hobart yesterday. “I’ve played against him on so many occasions, he’s produced some brilliant individual performances.

“They’re a good side so you have to expect something different from them I’m sure because they need a big win.” India slipped into Hobart yesterday following an 87-run loss to Australia in Sydney on Sunday and left the talking about today’s crucial match to their Sri Lankan opponents. “I have to feel for them. It’s been a long tour, especially when you’re not winning it becomes a much longer tour,” Jayawardene said. —AFP

ORLANDO: Kobe Bryant got the scoring record, Kevin Durant the MVP, and the West got the win — barely. Even after that duo piled up the points, the NBA All-Star game came down to a defensive play.

A bloodied Bryant scored 27 points, moving past Michael Jordan as the career scoring leader in the game, Durant had 36 in an MVP performance, and Blake Griffin’s interception of LeBron James’ pass secured the Western Conference’s 152-149 win over the East on Sunday night.

Bryant shook off Dwyane Wade’s hard smack to his nose and was still on the floor to say something to James after he threw away a pass in the closing records.

“You know, you have some of the best competitors out on the floor at the same time,” James said. “Not only me and Kobe, but D-Wade and Durant and (Carmelo Anthony) and (Chris Paul), and all the rest of the guys. We all wanted to win, and it came down to the last minute or last seconds.”

James and the East cut a 21-point deficit to one in the closing seconds, but weren’t able to move in front. James had 36 points and fellow Heat star Wade finished with a triple-double. “It was fun,” Durant said. “That’s the type of All-Star game you want to see.”

Griffin scored 22 points for the West, which rang up 88 points in the first half, setting an AllStar record. But he won the game with his defense, picking off James’ pass when the East had a chance to tie in the final seconds.

“When I tried to throw it late, that’s what usually happens and it results in a turnover,” James said. “Definitely wish I could have that one back.”

Griffin then hit one free throw with 1.1 seconds left, and Wade was off on a 3-point attempt from the corner. He finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, joining Jordan and James as the only players with All-Star game triple-doubles.

Bryant was bloodied by a hard foul from Wade and stayed in the game, but left to be evaluated afterward and did not speak to the media.

Durant’s win left Bryant tied for the All-Star record with his four MVP awards. But he got a bigger mark in his 13th All-Star game.

He broke Jordan’s record of 262 points on a dunk with 4:57 left in the third quarter and now has 271 for his career. He passed Oscar Robertson (246 points) and Kareem AbdulJabbar (251) earlier in the game. “That record he got tonight, with KD in the league, I don’t know how long it’s going to last,” Wade said.

It nearly wasn’t enough, as the East’s comeback had the crowd filled with entertainers and

ORLANDO: Eastern Conference’s Dwyane Wade (3), of the Miami Heat, shoots against Western Conference’s Russell Westbrook (0), of the Oklahoma City Thunder, during the second half of the NBA All-Star basketball game. —AP athletes chanting for defense — never a part of the All-Star game vocabulary — in the final seconds.

James hit two long 3-pointers in the final period, and the East had a chance when Bryant, with the crowd loudly booing, missed a free throw with 18 seconds left and the West up 151-149.

But New Jersey’s Deron Williams was short on a 3-pointer, and after the East came up with it, James fired a pass into a crowd that Griffin intercepted. On a colorful night in Orlando, from pregame performer Nicki Minaj’s pink and green hair to the neon sneakers many of the stars wore, Dwight Howard had nine points and 10 rebounds as the game’s host.

The NBA’s first All-Star game in Orlando in 20 years wasn’t close after 2½ quarters. But players always say it gets competitive in the final five minutes, and James was again up for the challenge. He hiked his scoring average to 25.9 points over his eight All-Star games, and someday he’ll probably take the record Bryant set

Kentucky women win SEC title STARKVILLE: A’Dia Mathies and Bernisha Pinkett scored 13 points each to lead No. 13 Kentucky to a 76-40 victory Sunday over Mississippi State and clinch the Wildcats’ first regular season Southeastern Conference title in 30 years.

It was a school-record 13th conference win for the Wildcats, despite losing three in a row earlier this month. “It’s been a long, long process and journey for them,” Kentucky coach Matthew Mitchell said. “Starting 10-0, you feel like you’re doing good things, and then comes the 3-game losing streak. Battling through that, it’s made the end of the season sweeter.”

Kentucky (24-5, 13-3 SEC) opened the game on a 19-7 run and led 41-17 at the half.

The Wildcats shot 40.3 percent (27-of-67) from the floor and hit 15-of-22 free throws.

Pinkett was 5 of 7 from the field with two 3pointers, and Samarie Walker added 9 points and 10 rebounds for the Wildcats.

Mathies was 5 of 12 from the field and had 4 steals to lead the UK defense. Kentucky will return home and celebrate its first title since

1982 later Sunday night on campus.

MSU (14-15, 4-12) shot 26.4 percent (14 of 53) from the field in the loss and turned the ball over a season-high 33 times.

“They play baseline to baseline on offense and defense,” MSU coach Sharron FanningOtis said. “I think what happened to them over the last few weeks was a wakeup call for what you have to do to compete.” UK forces an average of 28.4 turnovers per game and leads the NCAA in turnover margin.

“You’ve just got to be mentally tough, and focused, and know that you’ve got each other’s back,” Mathies said. “The pressure that we bring to people is, I think, something that they can’t experience anywhere else.” Kendra Grant led MSU with 9 points.

The Bulldogs finished the season on a fourgame losing streak. The loss also marked retiring Fanning-Otis’s last regular season game.

Fanning-Otis won 218 games and took MSU to 11 postseason berths (6 NCAA, 5 NIT) in her 17 seasons in Starkville and will retire after the SEC Tournament.—AP

Sunday. But he couldn’t quite catch Kobe in the game.

“Being a competitor, no matter All-Star game or not, you don’t want to get blown out,” James said. “Of course not, when you’re going against your peers and you’re going against great players and you’re playing with great players. I just wanted to try to pick it up and see if we could make a run at it, and we did.”

With the 2-year-old Amway Center considered by many the finest arena in the league, the NBA brought its midseason showcase back to Orlando for the first time since the memorable 1992 game, when Magic Johnson was MVP three months after retiring from the league because of the HIV virus.

This one was once in jeopardy of being lost when the lockout lasted into late November.

Without a settlement then, All-Star weekend may have been wiped out, as it was in 1999 following a work stoppage. The party was saved.

James and Howard, wearing bright orange shoes, danced onto the stage for pregame introductions, Howard breaking into an enormous grin when fans gave him a thunderous ovation as the last All-Star introduced. He insists that he and Magic fans still have a love affair despite his trade request, understanding he still loves the city even if not his team, and urged everyone to ignore the trade talk for a weekend and have fun. “We did it big for our city,” he said in brief pregame remarks to the crowd before the game.

Then Andrew Bynum blocked his first shot attempt.

The speedy Russell Westbrook had the East looking as if it was standing still late in the first half, and it was 88-69 at the break.

Howard and Derrick Rose ditched their orange sneakers in the second half — James kept his — and the East quickly got back into it, trimming 12 points off its deficit in less than 6 minutes. They even started to defend — Wade whacked Bryant so hard on a drive that the Lakers star needed a break between free throws to wipe blood from his nose before sinking it to tie Jordan.

Williams scored 20 points for the East.

Carmelo Anthony had 19, and Rose finished with 14. Kevin Love, who won the 3-point contest on Saturday, scored 17 points for the West, which has won two in a row. Chris Paul had eight points and 12 assists.—AP

Groupama, Puma struggle DUNEDIN: Toronto Blue Jays Yunel Escobar (left) and Jose Bautista stretch at baseball spring training. — AP

Pakistani held for spot-fixing DHAKA: Police in Bangladesh have arrested a Pakistani man on suspicion of spot-fixing during a key match in the country’s inaugural Twenty20 cricket league, officials said yesterday.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officials challenged Sajid Khan Sunday as he was frantically making phone calls from the stands during the crucial phases of a Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) encounter, the BCB security chief told AFP. “We have handed him over to police for interrogation,” Mesbahuddin Serniabat said, adding Khan had been under the BCB’s watch for days. “We have reasons to suspect that he was involved in spot-fixing,” he added, saying that an anti-corruption official from the International Cricket Council had also spoken to the man.

“On Sunday Khan called after the toss and every time a key wicket fell and a six was hit. He also tried to sneak into the dressing room and some restricted areas where only players and team staff are allowed.”

Serniabat said Khan, 36, was detained during the Chittagong Kings versus Barisal Burners match, which the latter won to seal a place in the semi-finals.

A court in the Bangladeshi capital remanded him into custody for two days

on Monday, Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka police M. Asaduzzaman told AFP. The BPL, the cricket-mad South Asian nation’s first Twenty20 league, opened on February 9 on a sour note after former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza revealed that he had received a spot-fixing proposition.

Mortaza said he had been approached by an unnamed player regarding potential spot-fixing with the Dhaka Gladiators, which he captains.

The BCB security chief said the authorities have seized Khan’s mobile in which they found a text message containing the bank account number for a Pakistani player who had been quizzed by the ICC anti-corruption official. “ We have a zero-tolerance policy towards fixing. We hope police will make a thorough investigation into the case,” he told AFP. The latest incident came after three Pakistani Test stars-Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammed Aamerwere jailed in England last year after being found guilty of spot-fixing charges. The BPL has proved to be a magnet for former Pakistani national cricketers and fringe players with 17 of them playing for the tournament’s six teams. —AFP

SANYA: France’s Groupama and American team Puma were slugging it out for the lead well to the north of their rivals yesterday as the Volvo Ocean Race entered a crucial 24 hours in Leg four.

Seven days after leaving Sanya in China, bound for Auckland, New Zealand, the boats were finally within reach of the trade winds that should catapult them south to complete the 4,000 nautical miles remaining in just 10-12 days.

After stealing the lead from Camper/Team New Zealand on Sunday, Groupama held a commanding position in the Pacific Ocean as they started to turn south, finally pointing towards the finish line after days of sailing east.

But the American crew on Puma were hitting the highest speeds around 40 nm to their north, with everything depending on which of the two boats reaches the trade winds first.

“We’re hoping to pinwheel around the inside boats further to the south, like Olympic runners arching through their first turn,” said Puma’s Amory Ross.

“Being on the outside means we’ll sail a longer track, but we’re positioned where the winds are supposed to be strongest, hopefully slingshotting us towards Auckland.”

A win in leg four for Puma or Groupama could throw open the race, which is currently being dominated by Telefonica and Camper.

Telefonica won the first three offshore legs but are struggling in light winds south of the fleet. Camper, second overall, are slipping down the Leg four leaderboard by the day and may struggle to get back in contention.

“We found ourselves in a piece of water that we don’t want to be in,” said Camper skipper Chris Nicholson. “It is now about minimising damage so we can have more opportunities further down the track.” Telefonica have 101 points, followed by 83 for Camper, 73 for Groupama and 53 for Puma.

With 30 points on offer for the leg winner against just five for last place, victory for Groupama could get them back in the hunt, while a strong finish would revive Puma’s hopes after they lost their mast on the first leg.

Leg four is due to finish in Auckland around March 8-10.

The Volvo Ocean Race started in Alicante, Spain, in October 2011 and ends in Galway, Ireland, in July. —AFP

SANYA: In this photograph provided by the Volvo Ocean Race, PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG and skippered by Ken Read from the USA competes in the Volvo Open. —AP

18

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

S P ORT S

Messi brilliance gives Barca win over Atletico

ITALY: Napoli’s Edinson Cavani (left) vies for the ball with Inter Milan’s defender Lucio during the A Series football match. —AFP

Napoli prolong Inter misery ITALY: Napoli’s late push for Serie A’s third Champions League place was aided by a 10 home victory over beleaguered Inter Milan on Sunday but wins for Udinese and Lazio kept the gap at five points.

Ezequiel Lavezzi, who scored twice in Napoli’s 3-1 Champions League last 16 firstleg win over Chelsea in midweek, was again on target as Inter suffered a seventh defeat in eight matches.

Inter boss Claudio Ranieri has been given the backing of president Massimo Moratti after dragging the 2010 European champions away from the drop zone since his appointment in September but seventh spot will not placate angry fans.

Fifth-placed Napoli had the better of the first half although Inter’s Wesley Sneijder, whose return from injury has coincided with a shift in system and a flood of defeats, went close with a curling free kick.

Argentine striker Lavezzi netted with a superb one-touch finish on 59 minutes after good running from Blerim Dzemaili and Napoli held on despite Salvatore Aronica being harshly dismissed for a foul and Inter’s Giampaolo Pazzini flashing a header wide. Udinese, in third, took advantage of leaders AC Milan drawing 1-1 with secondplaced Juventus on Saturday by cutting the gap to the top to six points following a 3-1 win at Bologna.

Lazio, who went out of the Europa League on Thursday and almost lost coach Edy Reja, are on the same points as Udinese after ending a difficult week on a high

thanks to Miroslav Klose’s 12th league goal in a 1-0 win over Fiorentina.

Napoli’s win meant they leap-frogged AS Roma, who had a day to forget as Atalanta’s German Denis bagged a hat-trick in a 4-1 win for the mid-table hosts.

Roma’s Francesco Totti was banned while fellow talisman Daniele De Rossi was left out for arriving late to a tactics session and watched from the stands as his side crumbled.

“De Rossi was late for a team meeting and we have clear rules. The coach did not want to pardon this tardiness, the rules must be respected,” Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini told the club’s TV channel.

Guido Marilungo was set up by Denis to grab a 10th-minute opener for Bergamobased Atalanta, thriving back in Serie A despite a six-point deduction for matchfixing.

Another counter-attack led to Denis making it 2-0 and although new Italy callup Fabio Borini hit back on 36 minutes, the second half belonged to Denis with Atalanta also helped by the dismissals of Roma’s Pablo Osvaldo and Marco Cassetti.

Palermo were also reduced to 10 men but after just two minutes when Federico Balzaretti was sent off for a professional foul in a 4-1 defeat at Siena, who stay two clear of the drop zone after Lecce’s 2-1 win at Cagliari. Cesena remain rock bottom following a 1-0 reverse at Chievo and Novara are just a point better off having lost 3-1 at Catania. —Reuters

Chivas secure first win MEXICO: A pep talk from Guadalajara’s new consultant Johan Cruyff helped the team notch their first win to climb off the bottom of the Mexican Clausura championship table on Sunday.

The Chivas beat Santos Laguna 2-1 at their Omnilife home, though they had goalkeeper Luis Ernesto Michel to thank for securing the three points after his stoppage-time penalty save from Hercules Gomez.

Club owner Jorge Vergara has appointed Dutch great Cruyff as a consultant in an effort to pull his underachieving side, holders of a record 11 league titles, out of a slump in which they had picked up two points in their opening seven matches.

“What Johan did was an extra motivation. He spoke to the players and told them you have to play football simply but with a lot of attitude,” coach Ignacio Ambriz said.

“Today (the players) went out on to the pitch with a lot of will,” he told reporters.

The 64-year-old Cruyff tried to temper

expectations at his presentation to the fans on Saturday.

“To think that because I’m here tomorrow you’re going to win is absurd, we want to find out where the fault lies,” he said. Yet win they did.

Guadalajara are one from bottom with five points, ahead of Queretaro on goal difference after goals from forwards Marco Fabian de la Mora in the 37th minute and Erick Torres in the 57th gave them the win.

US international Gomez pulled one back with a header in the 78th minute but Santos fell three points behind new leaders Morelia, who beat Cruz Azul 2-0.

“I know the team were ill, we had to cure them, give them more confidence to do the many things this team do well,” Ambriz said. Guadalajara’s arch-rivals America won 4-0 at Atlante on Saturday while title holders Tigres UANL were held 1-1 at Pachuca. America, Tigres and Monterrey are all two points behind Morelia. —Reuters

MADRID: Lionel Messi’s quick thinking and brilliant execution fired Barcelona to a 2-1 La Liga win at Atletico M adrid on Sunday that kept the gap on leaders Real M adrid to 10 points.

The World Player of the Year caught the Atletico defence napping to score a breathtaking 81st-minute free kick and settle an intense battle at the Calderon after Atletico striker Radamel Falcao had cancelled out Daniel Alves’s opening goal.

As the home defence lined up to defend the free kick wide on the lef t, M essi noticed Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut Cour tois out of position and curled a stunning strike over the Belgian’s head into the far top corner for his 28th league goal of the season.

Real had earlier squeaked past Madrid neighbours Rayo Vallecano 1-0 thanks to a clever Cristiano Ronaldo backheel that helped Jose Mourinho’s side equal the club record of nine straight away wins from the 2009-10 season.

The Portuguese international pounced on a loose ball at a 54th-minute corner and sent it through a crowd of players into the net for his 29th strike of the campaign, one ahead of Messi at the top of the scoring chart.

“I didn’t even think when I scored,” Ronaldo told reporters.

“I just hit the ball with my heel and therefore surprised the

defenders and the goalkeeper,” the former Manchester United player added. “I hit it strongly enough so they couldn’t stop it.

I t gave us the victor y, so it ’s

wor th t wice us much to us.”

Real ’s vic tor y at promoted Rayo’s sun-drenched stadium in the south east of the Spanish capital put Jose Mourinho’s side

on 64 points from 24 matches, with Barca on 54 in second and Valencia, who lost 2-1 at home to Sevilla, 14 points further back in third. —Reuters

MADRID: Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (center) vies for the ball with Atletico Madrid’s Brazilian defender Filipe Luis Kasmirski (left) and midfielder Diego Rivas da Cunha (right) during the Spanish League football match. —AFP

Lille denied by ten-man Rennes PARIS: Lille missed an opportunity to reduce the gap with the Ligue 1 leaders to five points when they conceded a last-gasp goal in a 1-1 draw at 10-man Stade Rennes on Sunday.

Mevlut Erding’s last-minute effort cancelled out Aurelien Chedjou’s first-half opener after Rennes had centre back Onyekachi Apam sent off for picking up two yellow cards in quick succession.

Lille remain third with 46 points from 25 games and trail leaders Montpellier by seven points after the southerners beat Girondins Bordeaux 1-0 on Saturday.

Second-placed Paris St Germain are a point off the pace following a 4-4 draw at Olympique Lyon on Saturday. Olympique Marseille’s hopes of playing in the Champions League next term took a knock when their 16match unbeaten run in all competitions ended with a 1-0 loss at Stade Brest earlier on Sunday, Paul Baysse scoring after a corner on 17 minutes.

Didier Deschamps’s side, who still have a game in hand, dropped to eighth, seven points adrift of Lille who occupy the Champions League playoff spot.

Rennes, who moved up to sixth on 40 points, got off to a good start against champions Lille but Apam was shown two yellow cards in the 36th and 37th minutes for fouling Nolan Roux and Joe Cole.

Belgium midfielder Eden Hazard sent the resulting free kick dipping into the box for Chedjou to head home as the visitors looked set for a routine win.

Rennes, however, piled on the pressure after the break and came close on several occasions with Lille banking on counter attacks.

Erding eventually found the back of the net in the 90th minute when he latched onto a Jean Armel Kana-Biyik assist.

Marseille, who had not lost a competitive game in three months, dominated throughout at Brest but home goalkeeper Steve Elana was in superb form.

The visitors were denied a penalty in the

first minute when Johan Martial, who later admitted on French TV he committed a foul, brought down Brandao in the box.

Brazilian striker Brandao then directed a header against the post. Elana made two stunning saves to deny Rod Fanni and Benoit Cheyrou from close range in the second half before tipping an Andre Ayew effort over the bar in injury time. Shortly afterwards, Eden Ben Basat cleared a Fanni header off his

goalline. “We were denied an obvious penalty after 30 seconds of play. It was a big mistake from the referee,” Marseille captain Alou Diarra told French TV channel Foot +.

“If we get and score that penalty in the first minute, the game is just not the same.”

Toulouse are seventh on 40 points from 25 games after goals by Aymen Abdennour and Emmanuel Riviere gave them a 2-0 win over bottom club Sochaux. —Reuters

FRANCE: Rennes’ Turkish forward Mevlut Erding jubilates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match. —AFP

Fluminense clinch Guanabara Cup

Deco

SAO PAULO: Fluminense won the Guanabara Cup on Sunday by beating Vasco da Gama 3-1 after striker Fred’s double and another goal from former Chelsea playmaker Deco.

In the Sao Paulo state championship, Argentina striker Hernan Barcos scored twice as Palmeiras drew Sao Paulo 3-3 in a thriller.

The Guanabara Cup is the first stage of the Rio de Janeiro state championship and Fluminense will play for the title against the winner of the Rio Cup, which begins next week.

Fluminense hadn’t won the Guanabara Cup since 1993, and it will try to win the state title for the first time since 2005.

Former Brazil striker Fred opened the scoring by converting a penalty in the 37th minute after Wellington Nem had been fouled inside the area.

Former Portugal star Deco increased the lead in the 43rd

with a long-range curling cross that went into the net, and Fred found the net again in the 57th with a right-footed shot from inside the area.

Vasco scored through Eduardo Costa in the 83rd but the result snapped its eight-match winning streak to start the season.

“This team deserved this title,” Fred said. “We were under a lot of pressure but we came through when we needed the most.”

Fred, who played at the 2006 World Cup, praised Deco’s performance. “He makes a difference,” he said. “Every time we are in trouble he takes over.” In the Sao Paulo tournament, Palmeiras played well but three times allowed Sao Paulo to equalize.

Former CSKA midfielder Daniel Carvalho scored for Palmeiras six minutes into the match in Presidente Prudente, while Barcos scored in the 38th and 72nd minutes. Sao Paulo scored through

Cicero in the 30th, Willian Jose in the 55th and Fernandinho in the 76th.

Barcos has scored four goals in his four starts with Palmeiras.

Sao Paulo played without former Brazil striker Luis Fabiano because of a muscle injury, while Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Palmeiras couldn’t count on Chilean playmaker Jorge Valdivia, also because of a muscle injury.

Palmeiras announced Sunday it is close to signing Werder Bremen midfielder Wesley, and said fans will be able to help the team gather the funds needed to pay for the player by making donations of at least $60 to the club. Players entered the field on Sunday holding a banner asking fans to help raise the $12.2 million needed to pay for the Brazilian midfielder.

On Saturday, Former Brazil striker Adriano helped Corinthians retain the lead atop the 20-team standings by scoring in the 1-0 vic-

tory over Botafogo at Pacaembu stadium.

It was the first goal of the season for Adriano, who was playing his second match after being locked up in the team’s hotel to lose weight.

Corinthians has four points more than Guarani and Palmeiras. Santos is fourth and Sao Paulo fifth. The top eight teams will advance to the playoff round of the Sao Paulo state championship.

In Barueri, Brazil forward Neymar scored in the 28th and 78th minutes for Santos in a match in which Ponte Preta had three players sent off in the second half. Playmaker Paulo Henrique Ganso also scored a goal and defender Edu Dracena added two.

Brazil doesn’t follow the European football calendar.

Regional championships are played across the country in the beginning of the year and the Brazilian league starts only in May. —AP

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

S P ORT S

CAS to hear appeal from Ukraine football teams KIEV: The Court for Arbitration in Sport in Lausanne will begin hearing the appeal of two leading Ukrainian football teams today against points deductions and other sanctions imposed by its domestic football federation over an allegedly fixed game four years ago.

The case has drawn battle lines between football-loving Ukrainian oligarchs and threatens to embarrass the country ahead of its moment in the spotlight this June when it will co-host Euro 2012 with neighboring Poland.

Ukrainian football has taken strides in recent years, with an influx of cash from rich businessmen funding the rise of teams such as Shakhtar Donetsk, which reached the quarterfinals of the Champions League last year.

But the sport in Ukraine has long been riven by divides between the powerful oligarchs, which led to warnings it could be stripped of Euro 2012 last year amid attempts to oust Football Federation of Ukraine President Hryhoriy Surkis, who is a member of tournament organizer UEFA’s executive committee.

The FFU ruled in August 2010 that a Ukrainian Premier League match between Metalist and Karpaty in 2008 had been fixed. Metalist won the game 40. The FFU says it is punishing the teams involved in the allegedly fixed game Metalist Kharkiv and Karpaty Lviv - for influencing the result. But both have appealed to CAS, and Metalist has claimed the points deduction is aimed at preventing the club from competing with the country’s top clubs such as Dynamo Kiev, which is run by Surkis’s brother, Ihor.

Players and officials from the two clubs were fined and banned, and both teams were handed a nine-point penalty for the 2011-2012 season. The sanctions have yet to be implemented pending the CAS hearing, which is scheduled to last four days.

In their decision, FFU officials pointed to a video made a few days after the game that surfaced in Ukrainian media in 2010. The video, broadcast on TVi channel, allegedly shows Karpaty defender Sergei Lashchenkov telling the club’s honorary president Petro Dyminsky how the

game was fixed. Lashchenkov scored an own goal and was sent off in the match.

A voice, allegedly Lashchenkov’s, says in the recording that he took $110,000 from Yevhen Krasnikov, Metalist’s sporting director and, along with other senior players, talked his teammates into taking $10,000 each to lose the game. The FFU banned Lashchenkov and Krasnikov from football for life, later reducing the ban to five years.

Lashchenkov, who retired in 2010, has claimed the video was edited and denied throwing the game. A spokesman for Metalist said neither the club nor its officials would comment on the case, citing an agreement between all sides not to comment ahead of the arbitration hearing. A spokesman for the FFU declined to comment for the same reason, as did a spokesman for Karpaty.

The ruling - in particular the points deduction - provoked an angry response from Metalist. It accused the Surkis brothers, who made their millions in electricity distribution and media, of a conspiracy.

Days after the decision was

announced, Ukraine soccer coach Myron Markevych, who also coaches Metalist, quit the national team, accusing the FFU of “destroying” Kharkiv soccer. Markevych had been expected to lead Ukraine at Euro 2012. Yaroslavsky said the decision had been taken personally by FFU president Hryhoriy Surkis and was “illegal and unjust.” Metalist - a team based in Ukraine’s industrial east and bankrolled by chemicals and construction magnate Oleksandr Yaroslavky - is currently third in the Ukrainian Premier League. It blasted into the Europa League’s round of 16 on Thursday with an 8-1 aggregate win over Salzburg.

The stadiums of Metalist and Karpaty will each host three Euro 2012 matches in the much-anticipated group featuring Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and Denmark. All four teams feature in the top 10 of FIFA’s current world rankings.

Metalist is the perennial third-place team in Ukraine, but has closed the gap on Dynamo Kiev and Shakhtar Donetsk in recent years. The deduction of nine points could undermine the club’s push for a

place in the Champions League.

Dynamo “doesn’t need rivals in the national championship and competitors for bonus payments in European club tournaments,” a statement by Metalist read. “We have stated more than once the real reasons for the persecution of our club, but our voice is drowned out by direct and barefaced lies.”

Fans and other club owners have long complained of collusion between the Surkis brothers to hand advantages to Dynamo.

A rebellion against Hryhoriy Surkis within the FFU last year was only stopped when UEFA warned it could to suspend Ukraine from European football, which would have threatened its right to cohost Euro 2012.The Surkises say they have done nothing wrong, and that Metalist should concentrate on improving its team.

“Instead of patiently and logically working on strengthening (Metalist’s) game,” Ihor Surkis said in 2010, “Yaroslavsky has started to look for mysterious enemies.”—AP

Euro 2012 preparations continue with friendlies

PARIS: France national football team players take part in a training session in Clairefontaine, southern Paris, ahead of the friendly football game against Germany in Breme.—AFP

Basile at a loss to explain poor Racing Club form ARGENTINA: Racing Club coach Alfio “Coco” Basile concedes he is still searching for the right formula after his side, regarded as one of the favourites for Argentina’s Clausura championship, lost 2-1 at home to lowly Banfield on Sunday.

Banfield, who came into the game on a run of six successive defeats, were a man down for an hour after defender Marcelo Bustamente was sent off and conceded a penalty converted by striker Teofilo Gutierrez in the third minute.

Banfield equalised in the 11th minute when their goalkeeper Cristian Lucchetti had a penalty saved by his opposite number Sebastian Saja but Andres Chavez netted the rebound.

Banfield’s winner, which leaves Racing with one point from three matches, came in added time from striker Rodrigo Lopez’s header at a free kick.

“My teams go out to attack, I was hired to play like that,” Basile told reporters. “We dominated but didn’t create chances. We have a good team but (the opposition) always scores. I want to win, up to now I haven’t found the formula.”

With 11 minutes to go, Gutierrez earned

a second booking and was sent off when he kicked the ball out of Lucchetti’s hands as the goalkeeper was looking to throw the ball to a team mate.

Gutierrez was booed off the Cilindro pitch by Racing’s fans, who also had harsh words for Basile at the end. The 68-year-old coach retaliated angrily: “Who are you insulting? I’ll fight you all.”

In other matches, title holders Boca Juniors beat Newell’s Old Boys 2-0 at the Bombonera to extend their unbeaten league run to 32 matches and share top place on seven points from three games with Velez Sarsfield, Tigre and All Boys.

Boca continued to lean on a stingy defence that has conceded only six goals in their last 22 league matches while scoring through striker Dario Cvitanich and a brilliant Juan Roman Riquelme free kick.

Racing’s arch-rivals Independiente are even worse off than their neighbours and languish in bottom place after three defeats, their latest 2-0 to Estudiantes in La Plata on Saturday.

San Lorenzo, another of the struggling big clubs, had a happier weekend with a 10 win at Argentinos Juniors.—Reuters

Milner: Capello’s exit not ‘ideal’ ahead of Euro 2012 LONDON: Under the temporary command of Stuart Pearce, England’s players yesterday began an uncertain buildup to the European Championship following Fabio Capello’s resignation.

The sudden departure of the coach less than four months before a major tournament has created an air of uncertainty around the England squad, who take on the Netherlands tomorrow in a friendly.

“The timing is not as ideal as you would want, changing manager so close to a major tournament,” winger James Milner said. “But we will go in as well prepared as we can be.” How England performs tomorrow could determine just how long Pearce holds onto the job. Milner believes Pearce has the credentials to remain in charge through to Euro 2012, having played for the England under-21 coach at the junior European Championship.

“He is a great manager, was a great player, and in the two under-21 tournaments we were unlucky on both occasions,” Milner

said. “We should have won at least one of them, but what I noticed was that in the tournaments I had under him, we went in very well prepared.

“He thinks about every aspect which could come up in a tournament, every eventuality. How we are going to have to play and how to plan for combating certain teams. That’s the most important thing going into a tournament, you want to feel you are ready.” Milner has been singled out as a potential captain by Pearce for tomorrow. “I think when you grow up as a kid you dream one day you might be England captain,” the Manchester City player said. “I’ve been lucky enough to play in a World Cup, so to be captain would be a great honor.”

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, however, would seem more likely to be selected as skipper.

“He is a great influence on players,” Liverpool teammate Stewart Downing said.

“He drives teams on. If he is given the captaincy that is a good thing.”—AP

DOHA: Egypt’s Ahmed Hassan (right) challenges Kenya’s Raphael Mungai Kiongera during a friendly football match in the Qatari capital Doha.—AFP

LONDON: The contenders for this year’s European Championship get a chance to gather their squads and test out some ideas tomorrow, although few coaches will be too concerned by defeat in a full program of friendly internationals.

While fans and players from all sides will as usual be hoping for a morale-boosting victory, Germany coach Joachim Loew is among those who feels the result is unimportant with the tournament just four months away.

Germany takes on France in a meeting of heavyweights and defending champion Spain plays Venezuela, while the Netherlands heads to England and Italy hosts the United States.

Loew said the hard work has already been done, with the match in Bremen a chance to tweak things.

He pointed out that Germany finished third at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups despite losing to Italy and Argentina in the respective buildups. Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, playmaker Mario Goetze, striker Lukas Podolski and defender Per Mertesacker are all out injured, but Loew resisted the urge to call up any new players.

“We’re well-rehearsed, the philosophy fits,” Loew said. “So in the game against France there will be situations where we’ll try one or two things. We’ll probably make a few changes. It’s important generally for us to meet again, for us to be together for two or three days. “We can address some things regarding the European Championships and tell the players what we expect of them in the coming months.”

Lars Bender staked a claim for a starting place by scoring twice in Bayer Leverkusen’s 2-0 win at Cologne in the Rhine derby Saturday.

He was called up alongside twin brother Sven Bender for the first time. Podolski played for Cologne but Loew had already decided his squad.

“Of course we want to win the game against France, but in this case other aspects are more important.

The result doesn’t matter for the European Championships,” Loew said. “In the last two or three years we’ve laid the foundations.”

Germany hasn’t beaten France since a 2-1 win in Berlin on Aug. 12, 1987, when Rudi Voeller scored twice for the home side and Eric Cantona replied.

The last meeting between the sides was a 0-0 draw in Paris on Nov. 12, 2005. France won the previous four meetings. Germany, which won

KATWIJK: (From left, top) Dutch national team football players Ola John, Luciano Narsingh, Khalid Boulahrouz and Arjen Robben train ahead of the friendly match against England at Wembley stadium.—AFP all 10 of its European Championship qualifying matches, has not won a major trophy since the 1996 title in England.

There are only one or two spots available in France’s tournament squad. With Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema and Marseille forward Loic Remy injured, Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud - the French league’s top scorer with 16 goals and Tottenham forward Louis Saha could get their chance to press their claims. Saha has played only once for France in the last six years, coming on as a substitute against Belarus in the first Euro 2012 qualifier and going off injured 10 minutes later.

“I never give up. I have that inside of me,” said Saha, rejuvenated by a January transfer. “Even when I wasn’t picked, I kept on believing and working hard in the hope that I would come back one day.”

Blanc left out Bacary Sagna, saying the defender was short of matches since coming back from injury for Arsenal, while Marseille winger Morgan Amalfitano could make his debut after his crossing from the right has caught the eye this season.

“It’s a childhood dream. When you watch the 1998 World Cup and you’re 14 or 15, you think it’s very far away,” Amalfitano said. “If I get the chance, I will give everything I have.

Germany’s a big game for us.”

France is unbeaten in 17 matches but faces its strongest opponent since a 2-0 friendly loss to Spain two years ago. “We are not at the level of Germany yet,” Blanc said. “But we’ll go to Germany with ambitions.”

Tomorrow’s friendly in Malaga will

be Spain’s last before coach Vicente del Bosque names his Euro 2012 squad in May. It will also be Spain’s first without striker Fernando Torres in more than five years.

Torres netted the winning goal in the Euro 2008 final against Germany, but his scoring slump with Chelsea has cost him a place on the national team even with all-time top scorer David Villa injured.

“We had to reward players that are playing well,” Del Bosque said.

“The list is not final. There are three of four months still to go.”

Fernando Llorente and Roberto Soldado could both play and both have a shot at being Spain’s starting striker. Soldado’s strong season for Valencia - his 12 goals have it in third place in the Spanish league standings - earned him his first selection in more than five years, while young Bilbao forward Iker Muniain is in the senior squad for the first time.

While the other 15 teams set to compete in Poland and the Ukraine have a mostly settled squad, England is without a full-time coach, a permanent captain or much idea what its final squad will look like.

Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce will lead a blend of experienced and new players against the Netherlands at Wembley for what could be his only game in charge of the national team.

Pearce, who will also coach Britain’s Olympic team, is filling in until a permanent successor to the resigned Fabio Capello can be found.

Italy is without top forwards Giuseppe Rossi and Antonio Cassano - both out with long-term injuries but coach Cesare Prandelli still left

Mario Balotelli out of the game against the U.S. because of his hot temper and unpredictability.

“He still seems a little agitated to me,” Prandelli said. “When I say we have to reach the European Championships prepared, I mean I don’t want to get there with a squad who don’t know how to manage tension and provocation.

“I don’t want to see players who at the first sign of difficulty do reaction fouls and get sent off, leaving their teammates to struggle with 10 men. So we have a few months to think about it.” Udinese striker Antonio Di Natale could be chosen to spearhed the attack against the Americans.

“He’s found an extraordinary consistency,” Prandelli said. “Now I need to try to see how he can be integrated into this group.” Switzerland, which failed to qualify for Euro 2012, welcomes Argentina and Lionel Messi to Bern.

Five of the FC Basel team that beat Manchester United and Bayern Munich in this season’s Champions League could play, with goalkeeper Yann Sommer a potential world-class talent and 20-year-old winger Xherdan Shaqiri a much touted prospect. Shaqiri has called Messi “his idol.”

Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella lost Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria to a similar injury, and has called up AS Roma’s 19-year-old midfielder Erik Lamela for the first time. Also tomorrow, Ukraine is at Israel, Ireland hosts the Czech Republic, Denmark hosts Russia and Portugal is at Poland.—AP

Liverpool owner Henry celebrates first trophy WEMBLEY: On his 500th day as Liverpool owner, American sports tycoon John Henry finally had cause to celebrate. English football’s most decorated club, which Henry rescued from the brink of bankruptcy, ended six barren years without a trophy by beating Cardiff in the League Cup final Sunday at Wembley Stadium.

Not only is the triumph important for raising spirits at a club that has been a bystander to the domination of Manchester United and Chelsea in recent years, it finally casts Liverpool in a positive light following the racism scandal that engulfed Anfield, having only just recovered from the bitter court battle that saw Henry oust fellow Americans Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr. in Oct. 2010.

“We are just so happy for the supporters, they are so happy and we are so proud,” Henry said. “They have been through so much, so many things off the field that to win silverware for the first time in six years and they are used to a certain kind of excellence - to see that start to emerge again ... is just great.

“After all these years of ... things off the field, we are making progress

and finally starting to talk about what is going on on the field in a positive way.” Liverpool’s first trophy since the 2006 FA Cup followed a 3-2 victory in a penalty shootout over second-tier

nerve-racking in sport as those spot kicks at the end of the 120 minutes, certainly not either of the two World Series victories - both four-game sweeps - he has experienced as the

LONDON: Liverpool’s manager Kenny Dalglish (center), chairman Tom Werner (left) and owner John W Henry celebrate after defeating Cardiff City, winning the English League Cup at the final soccer match at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. —AP club Cardiff after the teams were locked at 2-2 at the end of extra time.

For Henry, nothing has been as

owner of baseball’s Boston Red Sox for 10 years and counting.

“It’s completely different (to the

US) because the World Series is the best of seven games and here it’s coming down to 30 minutes of overtime and these penalty kicks, which were extraordinary,” Henry said. “This is the first step for this club in moving in the direction that we hoped we would move.”

Henry’s Fenway Sports Group had go to through a trans-Atlantic court battle to force fellow owners Hicks and Gillett to relinquish control of the heavily indebted club in a 300-million pound (then $476-million) takeover.

At the time, the 18-time English champions had plunged from Premier League title contenders to relegation battlers.

The decline was halted by bringing Kenny Dalglish back as manager 13 months ago, 20 years after his trophy-laden spell in the dugout ended after a similarly successful Anfield playing career.

But the 60-year-old Scot’s judgment has since been questioned as the club’s progress stalled and he initially backed striker Luis Suarez, who received an eight-match ban for racially abusing an opponent in October. —AP

Bryant, West hold on to win NBA All-Star game

Mahan upsets McIlroy to clinch Match Play

17

16

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

Euro 2012 preparations continue with friendlies

Page 19

DUBAI: World number one Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns to Cedrik-Marcel Stebe of Germany during their ATP Dubai Open tennis match. (Inset) Cedrik-Marcel in action. —AFP

Djokovic tastes victory and defeat DUBAI: World number one Novak Djokovic experienced the emotions of victory and defeat as he re-started his season at the Dubai Open with an unusual dual role yesterday.

Djokovic’s 6-4, 6-2 win against CedricMarcel Stebe, a talented and improving young German, was a resourceful performance given his five-week absence from competition since his exhausting Australian Open triumph.

But it was preceded by a Djokovic defeat. That was his 20-year-old younger brother Marco, whom he was mentoring, and whose fate he seemed to experience almost as strongly as his own.

Djokovic the triple Grand Slam champion, experimented with some extra net

attacks and different tactical ploys, and yet retained the capacity for a tighter focus after Stebe got him break point down at 1-2 in the second set.

But Djokovic the wild card entry was playing only his third match on the ATP Tour and was unable to do himself much justice during a 6-3, 6-2 loss to Andrey Golubev. That may be a part consequence of spending much of last year sidelined after wrist surgery. But Marco also offered insights into the pressures of having such a famous sibling. “There are a lot of positive and negative things about being his brother, you know,” he said.

“Financially, you know, I have all I need and can get the coaches and the right practice environment. But everybody

expects you to be like your brother, which is really tough to achieve.

“Sometimes I have an advantage because maybe opponents get scared.

But others think ‘he’s Novak’s brother, so I must beat him.’ And that can be tough.”

Novak sympathized.

“He has to face the pressure of having the Djokovic surname,” he said. “He’s trying to fight with his mind more than with his game. When he is able to focus on that and not on his doubts he can become a world class player.”

Novak was also in no doubt that playing was easier than coaching. “It was difficult for me to sit courtside,” he said. “I have not done it too much.

“At least when I’m playing I know

what’s going on. But I was happy my brother got a wild card. He is not at his level yet, but he’s getting there.”

Novak Djokovic now has a day off before facing the winner between Omar Awadhy, a wild card from the UAE, and Sergiy Stakhovsky, the fierce-hitting Ukrainean who is capable of a much higher level than his current ranking in the seventies. today Roger Federer, the Grand Slam record-holder, will start against Michael Llodra, the runner-up at the Marseille Open on Sunday. And Andy Murray, the first Briton since the 1930’s to reach three Grand Slam finals, will face Michael Berrer, a qualifier from Germany, while Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the world number five from

Ferrer, who had the easier passage through the semi-finals after beating local favourite David Nalbandian 6-1 6-4 on Saturday, gradually wrested control from Almagro after earning a break in the fourth game of the second set.

He broke again in the third and fifth games of the deciding set and won on his second match point when Almagro went wide with a backhand down the line.

The 29-year-old Ferrer said his experience had helped him through. “With Nico they are always very physical matches. With the passing of the years one doesn’t have that anxiety of youth,” he said.

World number 11 Almagro, who has 11 titles all on clay, said Ferrer deserved his victory as the better player on the day. “I played pretty well.

Against another rival I might have won,” the 26year-old told a news conference. “At no time did I lose my confidence in my tennis. This shows how well David is playing.

“I’m perfect physically. I work hard to be in good shape after difficult matches like yesterday’s,” added Almagro, who needed three sets to overcome Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka in the last four. “(Ferrer) went up a gear and I couldn’t counter that.” —Reuters

year’s French Open. Nor has he been top of the rankings himself since June 2010, though Federer still believes that his level of play makes it possible to regain the pinnacle from Djokovic.

“It would be great to having that record (286 weeks at number one) but my life is okay without it,” Federer said.

“Pete is a friend of mine, and I don’t need to break every record he has. If I do things the right way, it will come back.

And if not, that’s fine for me. Hopefully I will get back to number one and have the record. “If I play really well from here to the US Open there is a shot at it”, Federer said. “There again there is a shot for about ten players. But I feel I am on a good roll.”—AFP

Melzer trips up Raonic in Memphis final match

Ferrer beats holder in all-Spanish final BUENOS AIRES: World number five David Ferrer claimed his 13th career title with a 4-6 6-3 6-2 victory over fellow Spaniard and 2011 winner Nicolas Almagro in the Buenos Aires Open final on Sunday.

Top seed Ferrer, runner-up to compatriot Juan Carlos Ferrero in 2010, recovered from dropping his only set of the tournament to improve his head-to-head record against world number 11 Almagro to 9-0.

“I’m really happy, this was an account I had pending. This title is something very important to me,” Ferrer said in a courtside interview.

“I’ll be back, for sure,” Ferrer told fans at the claycourt tournament at the Buenos Aires Lawn tennis Club, confirming he would return to defend the title next year.

Almagro, looking to repeat his back-to-back wins in Brazil and Argentina last year having retained his Brazil Open title in Sao Paulo last week, made the better start and broke Ferrer in the third game.

Serving for the set, the second seed found himself 40-15 down but worked his way back and took the game with his first set point, slamming down one of his 36 aces in the tournament.

France, will play Marcos Baghdatis, the former Australian Open runner-up from Cyprus. Meanwhile, Roger Federer says he would be happy not to take away Pete Sampras’ all-time record of 286 weeks as world number one, even though he stands only one tantalising week away from equalling it. Federer has already superceded the American’s record of Grand Slam titles — he has 16 to the retired Sampras’ 14 — but is prepared to accept the possibility of not getting back to the top of the rankings.

The 30-year-old world number three from Switzerland has not won a Grand Slam title for two years, even though he defeated world number one Novak Djokovic in a sensational semi-final at last

BUENOS AIRES: Spain’s David Ferrer holds the trophy after defeating his compatriot Nicolas Almagro by 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the ATP Argentina Open men’s single final match.—AFP

MEMPHIS: Jurgen Melzer wasn’t about to let an aching toe get in the way as he faced one of the hottest players on ATP Tour, who was making a second-straight appearance in the Memphis final.

The unseeded Melzer defeated Milos Raonic 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) in the final of the $1.37 million ATP and WTA Memphis Open to capture his fourth career ATP title on Sunday.

“Who would have thought I would come here break my toe and end up winning the tournament,” Melzer said. Melzer broke the big toe on his right foot when he tripped over his bed in the hotel room on Thursday night.

He decided against putting a wrap or cast on it and went out the next day and beat top seed John Isner in the quarter-finals.

Melzer, who upset Isner and third seed Radek Stepanek en route to the final, clinched Sunday’s victory in a second set tie-break when Raonic hammered a backhand into the net.

The left-handed Austrian earned $278,000 in prize money for his first win since successfully defending his crown in his hometown of Vienna two years ago.

“This is a very important time for me,” Melzer said. “I am happy I pulled it through.” It was the second year in a row the fourth-seeded Canadian Raonic lost in the Memphis final after winning the week before in San Jose.

Melzer broke Raonic’s mighty serve in the seventh game of the second set to cut Raonic’s lead to 4-3. Melzer then survived a set point in the 10th game before both players held serve to set up the tie-break. Melzer also broke Roanic’s serve in the 11th game of the first set to take a 6-5 lead. He ended the 41-minute opening set with an ace out wide on his second set point that Raonic couldn’t reach with his backhand.

By taking the first set, Melzner snapped Raonic’s 2012 win streak at 19 consecutive sets.

Raonic had not lost a set since he fell to Aussie Lleyton Hewitt in the third round of the Australia Open in January.

Melzer reached a career high ranking of eighth in the world in early 2011 but then struggled in the second half of the season, losing in the first round in three straight tournaments in August before finishing the year with a 22-23 record.

“I went through a hard time last year with a lot of back problems this is finally an achievement that puts me out of the dark times,” Melzer said. Raonic, who lost in last year’s final to American veteran Andy Roddick, came into Sunday’s championship match riding a ninematch win streak and was seeking to add the Memphis crown to titles he already won this year in San Jose and Chennai.—AFP

Nomura gets Saudi nod to offer bourse access Page 22

Kingfisher nosedive poses dilemma for Indian govt Page 24 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

China needs reform to support growth: WB Page 25

Olympus board resigns, taps chairman from bank Page 23

BRUSSELS: EU commissioner for Internal Market and Services Michel Barnier gives a press conference on priorities for the Single Market in 2012 yesterday at the EU Headquarters in Brussels. — AFP

Default still stalks Greece: Moody’s G20: Bigger euro firewall needed before more IMF funds PARIS: Greece will still be at high risk of defaulting despite the agreement last week on a rescue and part cancellation of its debt, credit rating agency Moody’s said yesterday.

The agency also warned that the terms of the debt swap could result in a severe further weakening of the capital base of the Greek banking system.

Moody’s Investors Service said that “the 21 February announcement on support for Greece is an important step forward, but the risk of a default even after this distressed exchange (of bonds) is completed remains high.”

The agency’s senior analyst Sarah Carlson said in Moody’s weekly review of worldwide events affecting credit markets that “Greece’s debt burden will remain large for many years, and the country is unlikely to be able to access the private market after the second assistance package runs out.”

She continued: “The outcome of elections, expected in April, also constitutes a source of political and implementation risk.” She said that in coming days, Moody’s would comment further on the implications of the agreement completed on February 21. On Tuesday, after a week of extremely tense negotiations, the euro-zone accepted promises from Greece of new budget measures to correct public finances and reforms to make the economy more efficient, and on condition that Greece accept tight surveillance of its administration.

The euro-zone must put in place a bigger firewall to combat its debt crisis before other countries will help by giv-

ing more cash to the IMF, the G20 top and developing economies said on Sunday. A statement released after a meeting of the group of 20 finance ministers and central bankers here said: “Euro area countries will reassess the strength of their support facilities in March. “This will provide an essential input in our ongoing consideration to mobilize resources to the IMF.” The total value of the package of loans and guarantees to Greece could be 237 billion euros. This included cancellation by private banks, insurance companies and hedge funds of debt worth 107 billion euros ($144 billion), or 53.5 percent of Greek debt in private hands and nearly a third of Greek baseline debt totalling about 350 billion euros.

The Greek parliament approved the procedure for swapping old debt into new on Friday, just in time for the swap to begin before it was too late. The objective is to give Greece breathing space to make its economy viable and so stay in the euro-zone, and to give the euro-zone more time to establish a credible firewall, or a fighting fund, to ward off pressures which could arise if Portugal, Spain or Italy get into further trouble over their public finances.

The President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso said that the deal closed the door to the chances of a Greek debt default, and the serious economic and social effec ts that default would have.

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble, however, has warned that the Greek situation may well emerge

again as an issue for the euro-zone.

Another senior analyst at Moody’s, Nondas Nicolaides, noted that the private creditors had accepted a higher “haircut” or debt cancellation than the 50 percent mentioned initially six months ago, and warned that this was “credit negative for Greek banks.” He explained: “If bondholders agree (individually to the swap), the higher haircut on Greek government bonds will effectively consume the entire capital base of the banking system.” This was a reference to heavy holdings of Greek bonds on the balance sheets of Greek banks, already being kept afloat with easy refinancing by the European Central Bank.

Moody’s commented: “The nominal haircut of 53.5 percent will translate into deeper losses for Greek banks, as the net present value loss could be as high as 75 percent, according to preliminary estimates.” This was a reference to a calculation of the amount of debt cancelled, loss of future income and its use, as valued in terms of buying power now. Calls on the euro-zone to boost their crisisfighting war chest dominated the meeting here in Mexico City, with top officials such as US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner saying it was essential to prevent more fallout worldwide. “This is going to be a very difficult process of many, many years in Europe,” he warned after the meeting. At a crunch two-day summit in Brussels starting on Thursday, EU leaders will debate whether to combine their current firewall, the EFSF, with a permanent pot due to come into effect in July.—AFP

China keeps gasoline supply flowing to Iran DUBAI/SINGAPORE: China has helped Iran dodge tightening sanctions this year by regularly selling it much-needed gasoline, shipping and trade sources said, but rising tensions could force even some Chinese companies to stop, at least temporarily.

China is the biggest buyer of Iranian crude oil and has condemned U.S. censure of one of its top trading companies for the gasoline trade. Beijing operates free of sanctions imposed by the United States and European Union.

A total of 350,000 tons, or around 10 cargoes of gasoline were shipped since the start of the year, shipping and trade sources said. Although an major oil producer, Iran’s aging refineries struggle to produce enough fuel and imports are vital to fill the shortfall.

China’s state oil traders - Unipec, Zhuhai Zhenrong Corp and Chinaoil were among the regular gasoline suppliers of Iran, five Gulf-based oil traders said. The companies were not immediately available for comment.

Chinese companies have emerged as the major gasoline suppliers into Iran, especially after trading houses such as Vitol and Trafigura and major oil companies have stopped doing business with Tehran due to sanctions. China is set to reduce the amount of crude it will buy from Iran this year, but still will remain a significant buyer and one of Tehran’s biggest trading partners.

Its oil trade with Iran is worth some $20 billion a year and its imports rose by 30 percent to a record volume of 555,000 barrels per day (bpd) last year.

While many traders believe this partnership will not budge in the face of Washington’s escalating pressure on the international community to stop doing business with Iran, it may put things on hold, at least for a while.

“Basically PetroChina was supplying them all through January but for now that appears to have stopped,” one Gulfbased trader said. “Perhaps publicity and new sanctions were just too much for them,” he added.

“PetroChina might have stopped as an entity. But they seem to be channeling all the trade through Zhuhai Zhenrong,” another Gulf-based trader said.

Washington in January imposed sanctions on the state-run company, which it said was Iran’s largest supplier of refined petroleum products.

Traders did not think the sanctions would have an impact on the company’s capability to continue selling to Iran.

“They have this company like a cash settlement desk. All the trade they have goes through this company and why would they stop? They’re buying Chinese cargoes, ships belong to China and getting the insurance in China,” he said.

China denounced US sanctions on Zhuhai Zhenrong Corp, calling Washington’s punishment an unreasonable step beyond international sanctions, aimed to curb Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, which Western governments say appear aimed at developing the means to make atomic weapons.— Reuters

22

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

business

Nomura gets Saudi nod to offer bourse access Japan bank can offer swap products to investors DUBAI: Japanese bank Nomura has gotten regulatory approval to offer foreign investors access to Saudi Arabia’s stock market, joining a growing list of banks beefing up their presence ahead of anticipated market liberalization.

Nomura’s entry comes amid steps by the kingdom to gradually open up its retail-dominated stock market, the biggest in the Arab world, directly to foreign investors in a bid to turn its local exchange into a regional hub.

Japan’s biggest bank can offer access to the bourse, called Tadawul, through total-return swap products whereby securities are issued to foreign investors, it said in an e-mailed statement yesterday.

“Nomura’s ability to execute transactions for international institutions via swaps, is a significant milestone and will help facilitate the flow of foreign capital into the kingdom,” said Khaled Al-Khattaf, chief executive officer of Nomura Saudi Arabia in the statement. Market liberalization has been considered for several years.

In December, industry sources told Reuters that the kingdom planned to offer limited direct foreign ownership. At the time, sources expected this to happen by the mid- to late-first quarter of 2012.

Foreign buyers of Saudi stocks currently do so through swap arrangements. Other large global banks such as

HSBC and Morgan Stanley already offer such access.

Nomura, which has operated in the kingdom since April 2010, offers corporate finance and wealth management services.

It also has offices in Dubai, Doha and Bahrain. The Saudi Stock Exchange is the largest market in the Middle East, with around 150 listed companies valued at $337 billion, dwarfing the Dubai bourse’s $28.5 billion and Qatar’s $97 billion, according to Thomson Reuters data. Last week, Saudi Arabia’s regulator adjusted stock ownership guidelines in a bid to boost transparency. — Reuters

Indonesia buys first Qatari condensate SINGAPORE: Petral, the trading arm of Indonesian national refiner Pertamina, bought its first Qatari condensate cargo in a tender for May delivery as it seeks to widen its crude selection, trade sources said yesterday.

Pertamina, one of the largest sweet crude buyers in Asia, has been on the search for new grades since 2010 as supply tightened in Asia on natural production declines and stronger demand within the region. In the past two years, the company has added Russian ESPO, Vityaz and Nigerian Akpo condensate to its list of approved grades for

refineries. In the latest tender, Petral bought 500,000-600,000 barrels of deodorised field condensate (DFC) and 730,000 barrels of Russian ESPO Blend crude, the sources said.

Both cargoes were sold by traders and prices were linked to dated Brent on a costand-freight (C&F) basis, although the premiums were not immediately known. The DFC has a sulfur content of about 0.3 percent and can be processed by Pertamina’s largest refinery in Cilacap, a source said, despite the grade being produced in the Middle East where crude contains more sulphur than Asian grades. — Reuters

Qatar Petroleum looking at Australia LNG facilities DUBAI: Qatar Petroleum is considering investment in Australian liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities and possibly buying into an export boom that poses the only serious challenge to its place as the world’s top LNG exporter, a company official said yesterday.

“I think we are exploring all geographical places that would really achieve our business objectives and Australia definitely is an important proposition where maybe we will be able to find good investment opportunities,” Abdulrahman Al-Shaibi, director of finance at Qatar Petroleum, told Reuters on the sidelines of a conference in Dubai. By 2020, Australia may eclipse Qatar as the world’s largest LNG exporting country. Australia is now the fourth-largest LNG exporter and is already China’s biggest supplier, with liquefaction capacity forecast to increase five times from current levels to 100 million tonnes per annum (mta) by 2020. “Qatar Petroleum International (QPI) will be embarking on different types of projects. They have in the pipeline greenfield projects very similar to the projects we have done over the last 20 years. So most probably those projects will be attracting project financing. But of course we will be looking into multi-source financing to ensure that we raise sufficient funding.”

The company is also considering raising domestic gas prices for feedstock gas,

Shaibi said.

“I think prices for feedstock have been way below prices on the international market. We are considering raising the cost of the feedstock. But still it would remain within a range which could be seen as a subsidy,” he said.

Shaibi said that petrochemicals would be “an important part of QP’s investment portfolio going forward. We still have some large projects in the pipeline.”

Qatar plans to spend $25 billion on expanding its domestic petrochemical industry over the next decade, more than doubling its annual petrochemical production capacity from 9.2 million tons now to 23 million tons by 2020. In December Qatar signed a deal with Royal Dutch Shell to develop a $6.4 billion petrochemicals complex in the Ras Laffan industrial city in the state. Earlier this month Qatar Petroleum and Qatar Petrochemical Co (QAPCO) agreed to build a $5 billion petrochemical complex at Ras Laffan to produce petrochemical products mainly to be sold to high-growth markets in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

QP was in the final stages of appointing an adviser to evaluate financing options for the project, Shaibi said. The company is also evaluating plans to tap the Islamic bond market as a means to finance new projects, he said.

MYITKYINA, Myanmar: A Myanmar fishmonger arranges fish at her market stall in Myitkyina, northern Kachin state yesterday. The World Bank said last week that it was encouraged by Myanmar’s new openness and wanted to support economic reforms but cautioned that the long-isolated state had to pay back arrears. —AFP

SICO Research raises Batelco rating to buy MANAMA: Bahrain Telecommunications Co (Batelco) is poised to recover its investment in Indian affiliate S Tel after selling its 43 percent stake in the unit, SICO Research said, raising its long-term rating on the stock to “buy” from “add.”

Batelco agreed to sell its stake in S Tel to its Indian partner for $175 million after the unit’s license was among 122 licenses the Indian Supreme Court revoked. Domestic operations currently contribute 62 percent of Batelco’s revenues, but increasing competition in a saturated home market keep the company’s interest in the Indian telecom sector alive, analyst Nishit Lakhotia said.

Lakhotia maintained his short-term “positive” rating on the stock, citing an

attractive valuation and high dividend yield. Batelco’s expected dividend yield of 10 percent is the highest in the Gulf Cooperation Council telecom universe, but competitive pressures in Bahrain will continue to hurt the company’s earnings, Lakhotia wrote in a note dated Feb. 26.

Lakhotia is a five-star rated analyst for the accuracy of his earnings estimates on the companies under his coverage, according to Thomson Reuters’ StarMine data.

StarMine awards the top 10 percent of analysts five stars, the next 23 percent four stars, and the lowest 10 percent one star.

Lakhotia raised his price target on the stock to 0.52 dinars from 0.49 dinars.

Shares of the company closed at 0.38 dinars on Sunday. — Reuters

ANALYSIS

A year into the Arab Awakening

By Raed H Charafeddine, First Vice-Governor - Banque du Liban KUWAIT: During the past year, the Arab world has gone through historic transformations. On top of the mounting death toll, the uprisings have engendered significant economic costs.

A year later, the euphoria of overnight democratic change has given way to the more pragmatic challenges of transition. Much emphasis has been placed on the political aspect of these popular revolts, and while this facet is undoubtedly of utmost importance, one should be mindful that these uprisings have also brought economic, financial and social problems yet again to the forefront.

These dimensions had a central role in triggering the desire for democratic change across the region and will help to determine the sustainability of this new Arab order.

The Group of Eight leading industrial nations has attempted to guide this rapidly evolving Middle East in a favorable direction by engaging with opposition groups at a time when it still had leverage, rather than later, after newly elected representatives were in power. But, given the challenges at hand, international support has fallen far short of expectations.

Opponents of IMF support claimed that aid packages were unevenly extended and denounced tough conditions. As an alternative, they called for investment of Arab liquidity within the region.

With the exception of Libya and Syria, the response of the Arab League, Arab Monetary Fund and other Arab organizations has been, not surprisingly, quasi-absent, reinforcing the lack of leadership in the region, its inefficient institutional functioning and the reliance on western support and patronage.

In my view, we are not being sufficiently alarmist in drawing attention to the fact that the combination of the global economic crisis, a lack of liquidity for unanticipated expenditures and overwhelming demands on the same sources of funding suggests that nascent Arab revolutions will not receive sufficient external financial support to meet their needs. If we do not plan for contingency funds that are used wisely, the region risks further destabilization that will in turn cause further political, social and economic distress. In a nutshell, growth last year in the Middle East and North Africa region (Mena) was distressed by the disruption of activity, the reduction of investment, the fall of foreign investment inflows coupled with capital flight and lower tourism receipts. At the same time, surging global commodity prices have pushed governments to respond by increasing spending, including on wages, food and fuel subsidies, which increased fiscal deficits. As a result, forecasts of economic activity for the Mena region have been revised downwards.

Ratings agencies have also revised their sovereign ratings to account for the increased political risk. In line with deteriorating investor confidence, sovereign credit default swap spreads have widened and countries’ borrowing costs in international markets have increased.

In the context of delayed political transition awaiting the outcomes of elections in some countries and prolonged conflicts in others, the main risk in the medium term would be the inability to re-establish confidence and anchor investors’ expectations.

The problem facing Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and other countries is that given today’s uncertainty, the amount of funding they need to cover external deficits and public financing is growing, while their borrowing costs are increasing steeply.

Restoring confidence is greatly dependent on political outcomes.

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

.2730000 .4350000 .3640000 .3010000 .2760000 .2930000 .0040000 .0020000 .0752550 .7331860 .3830000 .0710000 .7187560 .0040000 .0430000

CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES US Dollar/KD .2772000 GB Pound/KD .4353980 Euro .3693970 Swiss francs .3063660 Canadian dollars .2783410 Danish Kroner .0496720 Swedish Kroner .0418710 Australian dlr .2968400 Hong Kong dlr .0357410 Singapore dlr .2210700 Japanese yen .0034590 Indian Rs/KD .0000000 Sri Lanka rupee .0000000 Pakistan rupee .0000000 Bangladesh taka .0000000 UAE dirhams .0755000 Bahraini dinars .7355710 Jordanian dinar .0000000 Saudi Riyal/KD .0739400 Omani riyals .7202810 Philippine Peso .0000000

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. ASIAN COUNTRIES

Japanese Yen Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht Irani Riyal - Transfer Irani Riyal - Cash

3.598 5.667 3.154 2.436 3.341 213.250 35.672 3.580 6.336 8.873 0.271 0.273

.2805000 .4450000 .3730000 .3120000 .2840000 .3040000 .0070000 .0035000 .0760110 .7405540 .4000000 .0760000 .7259800 .0072000 .0500000 .2793000 .4386970 .3721950 .3086870 .2804500 .0500480 .0421880 .2990880 .0360120 .2227450 .0034850 .0057140 .0023510 .0030880 .0034320 .0760720 .7411440 .3950500 .0745000 .7257370 .0065750

Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

GCC COUNTRIES 74.150 76.402 722.230 738.540 75.715

Pakistani rupees Philippine peso Qatari riyal Saudi riyal Singapore dollar South Africa Sri Lankan rupees Sterling pound Swedish krona Swiss franc Syrian pound Thai bhat Tunisian dollar UAE dirham U.S. dollars Yemeni Riyal

ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash 47.500 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 46.282 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.272 Tunisian Dinar 189.860 Jordanian Dinar 392.670 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.865 Syrian Lier 6.003 Morocco Dirham 33.814 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 277.950 Euro 370.650 Sterling Pound 431.930 Canadian dollar 268.420 Turkish lire 153.940 Swiss Franc 300.620 Australian dollar 277.000 US Dollar Buying 277.750 GOLD 315.500 159.000 81.500

20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

Bahrain Exchange Company COUNTRY

SELL CASH

Australian dollar Bahraini dinar Bangladeshi taka Canadian dollar Cyprus pound Czek koruna Danish krone Deutsche Mark Egyptian pound Euro Cash Hongkong dollar Indian rupees Indonesia Iranian tuman Iraqi dinar Japanese yen Jordanian dinar Lebanese pound Malaysian ringgit Morocco dirham Nepalese Rupees New Zealand dollar Nigeria Norwegian krone Omani Riyal

301.400 740.540 3.600 282.000 546.900 45.400 51.300 167.800 47.580 378.400 36.600 5.810 0.032 0.161 0.242 3.530 394.890 0.188 94.630 45.600 4.280 236.500 1.804 51.200 723.280

SELL DRAFT

299.900 740.540 3.377 280.500

223.100 46.125 376.900 36.450 5.655 0.031

723.100

3.070 6.515 76.600 74.350 223.110 38.590 2.343 444.200 313.000 4.200 9.360 75.820 278.400

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

Currency

Sterling Pound US Dollar

TRAVELLER’S CHEQUE 444.200 278.400

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Rate for Transfer

Selling Rate

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

278.350 280.050 442.450 374.710 311.100 737.105 75.760 76.405 74.185 391.815 46.117 2.314 5.685 3.068 3.361 6.470 682.780 3.525 9.265 5.860 3.650 92.105

3.48 3.399 5.661 2.335 3.561 3.068 75.78 740.53 46.12 396.07 723.54 76.77 74.34

3.70 3.550 5.790 2.625 4.250 3.200 76.50 74.05 47.70 394.60 728.00 77.25 74.70

Kuwait Bahrain Intl Exchange Co.

GOLD 1,852.400

10 Tola

394.570 0.187 94.630 3.570 235.000

3.160 6.860 77.030 74.350 223.110 38.590 2.653 446.200 43.500 314.500 4.200 9.420 198.263 75.920 278.800 1.310

Rate per 1000 (Tran)

US Dollar Pak Rupees Indian Rupees Sri Lankan Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso UAE Dirhams Saudi Riyals Bahraini Dinars Egyptian Pounds Pound Sterling Indonesian Rupiah Yemeni Riyal Euro Canadian Dollars Nepali rupee

278.400 3.064 5.690 2.355 3.385 6.545 75.930 74.415 740.400 46.095 447.400 3.190 1.550 380.300 285.100 3.690

Al Mulla Exchange Currency

UAE Exchange Center WLL Currency

Transfer Rate (Per 1000)

Australian Dollar Canadian Dollar Swiss Franc Euro Sterling Pound

301.77 282.38 315.62 377.53 444.64

304.00 284.00 314.00 378.00 445.00

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)

278.050 376.700 444.000 280.300 3.475 5.673 46.070 2.312 3.393 6.463 3.063 740.450 75.750 74.250

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

business Commodity Update

Oil and gold driving commodities higher

By Ole S Hansen

Dollar under-performs in global forex markets

M

iddle East tensions, a weaker dollar, easy money at zero rates and stronger stock markets all helped commodities to good gains this week with the DJ-UBS commodity index rising by 2.4 percent. All sectors saw gains with energy and precious metals not surprisingly continuing to be the main contributors while agriculture and industrial metals were more subdued. The dollar was weaker, especially against the euro following Greece receiving its bailout.

Silver rose 6.3 percent following a generally strong technical move across precious metals, WTI crude outperformed Brent crude which rose to a ninemonth high above $120. US farmers will boost planted acreage of corn to the most since 1944 in order to take advantage of continued high prices.

The war of words between Iran and western nations continues with investors and consumers beginning to fear a messy conclusion to the stand-off.

Brent crude has made a definite move back above 120 dollars, rallying to the highest level in nine months as supply worries offset concerns that a subsequent slowdown in the global economy could curb demand, just like it did during and after the Libyan conflict last year. In the process, the price of crude oil measured in both euro and sterling rose above its 2008 peak and is now posing a fresh problem for European economies already struggling with the debt crisis.

Strong Libyan output While most of the focus and tension continues to centre around Iran and its intentions it is the real supply outages in smaller OPEC countries like Yemen, South Sudan and Syria that are doing the damage right now. Despite news that Libya plans to export 1.2 million barrels in February, up from around 970k in January, these events combined have still triggered a sizeable drop in output.

These geopolitical events have increased the competition for spot deliveries of Brent crude and as a consequence have moved the forward curve steeper into backwardation. The chart below shows how the upside price pressure on Brent crude has been concentrated at the front of the curve with the April 2012 shifting $13.7 higher during the past month while deferred prices have rallied much less.

The technical outlook for WTI crude has also improved and once resistance at 103.50 gave way the rally picked up in speed and in process it managed to outperform Brent crude with the discount to Brent narrowing to $15 from a recent peak of $18. Goldman Sachs closed a long position in Brent crude and instead moved to WTI crude on the assumption that the June opening of a pipeline from Cushing to the US Gulf Coast will slowly begin to bring the price of WTI crude in line with the global market price represented by Brent crude.

Gold lifted by platinum The price of gold continued its ascent as it rallied to a three-month high after having cleared a technical hurdle just above 1,760. Silver followed suit and in the process moved back above its 200-day moving average. The move was very much driven by technical buying with hedge funds and others jumping on the technical buy wagon. So what caused the move higher in gold? Was it on the back of increased worries about the developing situation in oil markets?

Probably not, as the crisis surrounding Iran has been known and slowly escalated since December with no apparent demand for extra gold as a result. Physical demand out of China and India is in fact reported to have been weak during the last couple of weeks so no support there either.

The below chart probably tells us the story as this move was one of those rare cases where the tail actually wagged the dog. The much smaller platinum market helped drive gold higher as the price spread between the two approached parity for the first time in five months. A four-week long illegal labor dispute at mines in South Africa, the world’s largest producer of platinum, has increased the prospect of a shortage of platinum, especially after the mining company announced that it was facing a 50 percent shortfall in its April deliveries.

The longer term outlook for platinum supplies however still points towards a surplus according to analysts. On that basis there seems to be some reluctance in driving the platinum price back above gold which in turn helped gold break through resistance.

Having cleared $1,763 a troy ounce traders will now look towards the November high at 1,803 as a possible top in this current move while support can be found at 1,750.

Hedge funds Large professional investors such as hedge funds seem to be looking for better opportunities in stocks and other products, and are still not engaging fully in this rally as recent US data shows. Speculative investments in futures on the New York COMEX exchange are still some 10.5 million ounces below the August peak and actually dropped a bit last week after five consecutive weeks of increased long positions. Exchange traded funds which are primarily used by retail investors and those holding a longer term view are back to recent peaks with some 2,392 metric tons currently being held by the largest exchange traded fund (ETF)providers. Nearterm support for gold will be provided by a weaker dollar, oil related inflation worries combined with the tensions in the Middle East.

US farmers will be busy this spring with the United States Department of Agriculture estimating the largest crop since 1944 which will help propel US farm income to the second highest on record. Higher production combined with a reduced South American crop should bode well for exports in the coming marketing year which will overall help keep prices under control as the sector continues to grow inventories. The uncertainty of South American production has lifted soybean prices to a new five-month high and has outperformed corn by more than 10 percent since the beginning of the year. This could potentially sway some farmers towards planting soybeans instead of corn. This “battle of acreage” will increase the focus on price relations as we approach spring. —Saxo Bank

NBK WEEKLY MONEY MARKET REPORT KUWAIT: The US dollar had a weak performance against its major counterparts this week as Greece have secured their second bailout package by the European Union, causing the greenback to plummet against the majors.

The euro opened the week at 1.3176, rising slowly in anticipation of the agreement of the Greek bailout package. The single currency then rallied during the middle of the week, as Greek officials have accepted harsh austerity measures set by EU finance ministers to secure a second bailout payment. The euro continued to rise on good economic data to reach a high of 1.3475, closing the week at 1.3448. The sterling pound underwent a highly volatile week, as it opened at 1.5878, before plunging to a low of 1.5647, after talks surfaced of more easing and uncertainty in the British economy. The Pound then regained after the Bank of England have turned down proposals of more easing, and strong economic data. The pound erased its losses, with optimism striking European markets after the Greek agreement, ending the week as it started, at 1.5876. The Japanese Yen opened the week at 79.58, only to hike to a 6-month high against the weakening US dollar, helped by disappointing economic data from Tokyo. The Yen reached a high of 81.05, but closed the week at 80.96.

The Swiss franc followed suit, as it opened the week at 0.9170, then gaining against the greenback gradually during the week, reaching 3-month lows, to close at 0.8959. Sales of previously owned US houses rose in January to the highest level since May 2010, signaling that the housing market is regaining its footing. Although the figure came short of the forecasted, existing home sales rose from 4.38 in December to 4.57 in January. The rise came as strengthening job market, combined with a drop in home prices and mortgage rates, opted demand to rise.

Purchases of new homes in the US fell from last month one-year high of 324,000, to 321,000. While sales were lower, the figure still exceeded forecasts significantly, indicating that the housing market is stabilizing.

Furthermore, consumer sentiment unexpectedly climbed to a one- year high this month.

The University of Michigan final index for February rose to 75.3 from 75.0 at the end of last month.

Jobless claims The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits last week was unchanged at the lowest level since the 2009 recession, signaling that the suffering labor market is regaining its momentum. Jobless claims applications held 351,000, exactly as last months’ figure, falling short of the forecasted rise to 352,000. In addition, the last two weekly readings for claims were the lowest since March 2008.

Euro-zone finance ministers agreed last week on the second rescue package for Greece in less than two years to prevent an

imminent default after forcing Athens to commit to severe cuts and higher losses on private bondholders. These new austerity measures imposed on Athens are widely disliked among the population who started riots and unrest in the country’s capital, adding pressure on politicians who must contest an election expected in April.

Finance Ministers settled measures to cut Athens’ debt to 120.5% of gross domestic product by 2020. The rescue package came in time just before a major bond repayment is due next month. Moreover, Greece will be placed under permanent surveillance by an increased European presence on the ground, and it will have to deposit funds to service its debt in a special account to guarantee repayments.

Jean-Claude Junker, who chairs the Euro group of finance ministers, said, “The agreement on Greece’s new program and private

sector involvement would lead to a significant debt reduction for Greece and helps secure the country’s future in the Euro-area.”

In addition, Italian and Spanish bond yields fell amid relief among investors that a threat to the wider euro-zone is avoided, although expectations of an agreement were largely priced into foreign exchange and stock markets. German business confidence rose more than expected to a 7-month high last month, as progress in Europe’s debt crisis winded down the risk of a recession. The German Ifo Business climate rose to 109.6, above last months’ 108.3, the fourth straight gain and

the highest reading since July 2011. With Greece securing a second bailout package, and falling yields on government debt from Spain and Italy, investors’ optimism surged in February as the figure provides evidence that the economic contraction Germany had last year was only a stopover.

Industrial orders European new industrial orders bounced back in December, indicating that the region’s economy is stabilizing. Orders in the 17nation euro-area rose to 1.9% from November, much higher than expected. The region’s economy may struggle to gather strength as governments from Ireland to Spain step up spending cuts to fight the sovereign debt crisis.

The United Kingdom posted the biggest budget surplus in 4-years last month, driven by local spending cuts, safeguarding the

country’s top-notch credit rating. Revenue exceeded spending by 7.75 billion pounds, versus a surplus of 5.20 billion Pounds last year. The figures provided relief to Chancellor George Osborne after Moody’s warned last week that the UK could lose its triple-A rating if weak growth undermined its tough austerity program. The improvement in the finances was driven almost entirely by lower borrowing by local authorities, reflecting spending cuts in services, while tax revenue grew at the same pace as spending by central government. Furthermore, Bank of England Governor Mervyn King said that quarterly growth this year would probably “zigzag” due to an extra public holiday.

GDP drops UK economy shrank in the fourth quarter of last year despite higher consumer spending and strong export growth as businesses slashed investment. Gross domestic product dropped 0.2% from the third quarter last year, but growing 0.7% on the year. The Bank of England, which added another 50 billion Pounds of stimulus earlier this month, predicted that GDP growth was likely to remain weak in the near term but would gradually strengthen, reaching an annual rate of around 3.0% by the first quarter of 2014.

Japan posted a record trade deficit last month as the Yen’s strength and weaker global demand eroded manufacturers’ profits and slowed the nation’s recovery from last year’s earthquake and tsunami. The deficit topped the previous record seen during the financial crisis in 2009, underlining concerns that a persistent trade gap may undermine the country’s ability to finance its debt. The gap widened to 1.48 trillion Yen ($19 billion) and shipments dropped 9.3% from a year earlier as energy imports surged. In contrast, the government is seeing progress in its campaign to rein in the Yen, with the currency trading at the weakest in seven months against the US dollar after the Bank of Japan last week announced extra monetary stimulus.

Kuwait Kuwaiti Dinar at 0.27775 The USDKWD closed at 0.27775 on Thursday.

Olympus board resigns, taps chairman from bank

FRANKFURT: Passengers rest in a terminal while a group of ground staff is beginning a new three-day strike in a long-running pay dispute at the international airport in Frankfurt yesterday. It follows a three-day strike last week at Europe’s third-busiest airport. Airport operator Fraport says it kept more than 80 percent of flights running and expects to do so this time too. — AP

Fraport sees 200 flight cancellations FRANKFURT: Airport operator Fraport expects around 200 flight cancellations yesterday at Frankfurt, Europe’s thirdbusiest airport in terms of passenger numbers, it said as a strike by airfield workers continued into a third week. Lufthansa, which accounts for around half of the airport’s average daily movements of 1,300, said it was cancelling around 140 flights.

The latest walkouts began on Sunday at 2000 GMT and are due to run until 0400 GMT on Thursday. Each day of strikes is costing Fraport around 1 million euros ($1.4 million) in lost revenue. Lufthansa said last week the first four days of strikes had cost it a high double-digit million euros amount, but has declined to provide a new estimate since.

The GdF union is calling for higher pay and shorter hours for around 190 staff who work on the airport apron. Fraport says the demands, which would equate to pay increases of between 50 and 70 percent, are unreasonable.

The walkouts by staff representing just 1 percent of Fraport’s workforce have also resulted in calls for changes to Germany’s labour laws to prevent such small groups of striking workers from exercising such pressure.“A mini-union cannot be allowed to blackmail a company in this fashion,” CDU/CSU politician Michael Fuchs said last week. Fraport’s own staff council has distanced itself from the striking workers, say-

ing they were not acting in the best interests of the workforce as a whole. Ver.di, one of Germany’s largest trade unions, said on Sunday that if the GdF succeeded in its demands, it would make similar requests for other groups of workers at the airport. A Fraport spokesman said yesterday: “This validates Fraport’s view that there shouldn’t be such big differences in pay for similar roles within the group.”

One attempt at mediation has already failed, with Fraport rejecting the proposal, saying that in some places it went above what the union had requested. Latest talks broke down on Friday, with the GdF saying Fraport had made a lower offer than before the strikes. “Nothing has changed since last week, when Fraport made this ‘ominous’ offer,” a GdF spokesman told Reuters TV. “We are ready to talk and we will respond if Fraport comes to us.”

A Fraport spokesman said the group was waiting for the GdF to recognize it had made a good offer and to end the strikes.

“They have already played their trump card, and we have shown that we can cope well on strike days,” he said.

The number of flights cancelled since the walkouts began on Feb. 16 is around 1,400, including yesterday’s expected cancellations. Shares in Fraport and Lufthansa fell yesterday, with Fraport down 1.2 percent and Lufthansa, also burdened by high oil prices, down 3.6 percent. — Reuters

TOKYO: The entire board of scandal-tainted Olympus Corp is resigning, and a new president and chairman were tapped yesterday to lead a turnaround at the Japanese medical equipment maker.

The changes at Olympus, embroiled in controversy because of a cover-up of massive losses from the 1990s, will become final at the April 20 shareholders’ meeting, it said in a statement. Changes to the board had been expected. Hiroyuki Sasa, 56, with experience in the company’s key medical equipment business, will become president, it said. Yasuyuki Kimoto, 63, former executive at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., which is Olympus’ main bank, will become chairman. Their appointments need shareholders’ approval.

Sasa promised to win back public trust, and carry out reforms to prevent a recurrence of the dubious bookkeeping that has sent Olympus shares plunging. He said governance will be beefed up, and the new 11-member board, named yesterday, includes six outside members.

“My duty is to win back as soon as possible the trust from everyone and repair this damaged brand,” said Sasa. The scandal sur faced late last year when then Olympus President Michael Woodford raised questions about huge payments for financial advice and acquisitions of companies unrelated to the company’s mainstay businesses.

Tokyo-based Olympus at first denied any wrongdoing but later acknowledged it hid 117.7 billion yen ($1.5 billion) in investment losses dating back to the 1990s.

Earlier this month, three former Olympus

executives, including the company’s exchairman, were arrested on suspicion of orchestrating the cover-up.

Tsuyoshi Kikukawa, the former chairman, resigned from all posts at Olympus last year. The company is suing him and 18 other former and current executives for damages in the cover-up. The deception, which only came to light only because Woodford blew the whistle, has raised serious questions about corporate governance in Japan, and whether major companies are complying adequately with global standards.

Olympus has carried out an internal probe, setting up an independent panel, and found that some executives were involved in the deception. Woodford was fired in October after raising his concerns.

He tried to make a comeback but gave up his fight after failing to win backing from major investors including Japanese megabanks.

Woodford, a British national and a rare foreigner to head a major Japanese company, had demanded the resignation of the entire board. Shuichi Takayama, who at first denied any wrongdoing but later acknowledged the cover-up, apologized again for the scandal. Time had come for him and other board members to resign because they had set the path for a recovery, he said. “They will certainly be able to rebuild our company,” he said of the new board.

Olympus shares slipped 3 percent to 1,373 yen in Tokyo. The announcement of the new board came after trading had ended.—AP

TOKYO: Hiroyuki Sasa (left), newly appointed president of troubled Japanese optical maker Olympus, speaks while current president Shuichi Takayama (right) looks on at a press conference in Tokyo yesterday. —AFP

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

business

Kingfisher nosedive poses dilemma for Indian govt Airline’s collapse to hurt reforms, banks NEW DELHI: As Kingfisher Airlines careens toward collapse, the Indian government finds itself between a rock and a hard place. The government, already weakened by a string of corruption scandals over the past year, will face further political heat if it tries to rescue a money-losing private carrier - especially one owned by a flamboyant liquor baron.

If it lets Vijay Mallya’s airline fail, however, the government will hurt state-run banks, which own about a fifth of Kingfisher’s shares and three-quarters of its $1.3 billion debt.

Kingfisher is struggling with fewer flights and pilots, staff demoralized by unpaid salaries, and outstanding dues to aircraft lessors, oil companies, airports and tax authorities. It needs at least $400 million quickly to keep flying, figures Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA), a consultancy . Mallya’s plans to raise funds through a share sale have been stalled and he has been lobbying the government to get state-run banks to lend more.

But a senior executive at State Bank of India (SBI), the lead lender to Kingfisher Airlines, said at the weekend it would not consider any fresh loans for the carrier until it raised new equity itself. “Everything depends on equity infusion - how much comes in, whether that will meet the requirements,” the bank’s Deputy Managing Director, R Venkatachalam, said in an interview on Saturday in his Mumbai office. “First it has to come.”

The fast clip at which the government has moved to change regulations in the past two months - airlines can now directly import fuel, lowering their costs, and private carriers can fly overseas more - has lifted expectations that Mallya may eventually win the help he needs from the government.

“India: Kingfisher’s national carrier,” one Tweeter quipped last week.

A government bailout for a private carrier would not go down well with the public in India, where airlines are still not the common man’s preferred mode of travel. Conscious of that, the government insists it is not looking to bail Kingfisher out. Mallya avoids the bailout word too and, instead, says he is only asking for more working capital, which Aviation Minister Ajit Singh says is up to the banks to decide on.

However, late last year Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke of finding ways to help Kingfisher, which has led many to believe that in the end the government will come to its rescue.

“Is the government being duplicitous about its stand on the increasingly distressed Kingfisher Airlines?” the daily Business Standard wrote in an editorial, advocating no more funds from state banks for a carrier that wasn’t ‘too big to fail’.

Saving a private airline would be risky for Singh’s government, which has faced pressure from allies, political

opponents and civil activists for more than a year over graft. “After all the charges of crony capitalism ... if the government rolls out the red carpet for Kingfisher, it will once again come under attack,” said Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, a political analyst.

Mallya, whose liquor business clout helped win him a seat in the upper house of parliament two years ago, could use his political ties to save the carrier he started in 2005.

Allowing foreign carriers to buy a stake in Indian carriers is probably the

West, NEPC Airlines and several others shut down operations within a few years of their launch for reasons ranging from inability to manage cost to funding concerns.

Mallya, who had so far run a very successful liquor empire - turning it into the world’s second-largest by volume through acquisitions - probably chose to ignore past lessons.

He took pride in getting a five-star rating for his airline, making it the first Indian carrier to provide passengers with a personal video screen, offered a

MUMBAI: India’s Kingfisher is struggling with fewer flights and pilots, staff demoralized by unpaid salaries, and outstanding dues to aircraft lessors, oil companies, airports and tax authorities. key policy step Kingfisher desperately wants the government to take. Unlike in 2007, when ailing airlines were bought over by Kingfisher and Jet Airways, there are no domestic carriers circling to buy up rivals today.

“In the short term, it is in urgent need of money. If they get about 10 billion rupees ($200 million) now, that will last them about three to six months; and after that we will definitely have FDI (approval for foreign direct investment),” said Sharan Lillaney, an aviation analyst at Angel Broking.

However, foreign carriers have shown little interest so far in investing in the Indian airline sector, which has grown by 17 percent in 2011 but intense competition has driven five out of six local carriers to massive losses.

Indian carriers are on course to post cumulative losses of up to $3 billion for financial 2011/12, CAPA estimates. “I don’t think FDI is the answer to all the problems. Indian carriers need to resolve the fundamental issues of excess capacity, high cost structures and unviable pricing strategies,” said K apil Arora, a par tner with Ernst & Young.

After India embraced economic reforms two decades ago, a slew of private carriers rose in the Indian skies and then ran into the ground. Modiluft, East

superior level of service and even handpicked air hostesses himself. For Mallya, who owns several yachts as well as cricket and Formula One teams, an airline was an extension of his persona.

“For sure, there was ego and vanity at play because even when he started the airline it was not a secret worldwide that the airline business doesn’t bring in easy money,” said Santosh Desai, a brand strategist and columnist.

In a rush to expand, Mallya acquired Air Deccan in 2007 for $220 million, a deal that saved the tottering low-cost carrier but over-leveraged Kingfisher.

Soon after, a global downturn hit Indian carriers hard, choking access to the equity market. Most airlines survived the crisis, but a debt mountain built up at Kingfisher and the top carrier, Jet Airways. Equity markets recovered, but Kingfisher failed to raise fresh funds.

This, along with operational losses partly due to high fuel costs - Kingfisher has never reported a profit - were crippling.

Questions have also been raised about its business model. “India is a very price-sensitive market. In transportation, it is a volumes game; many of the frills do not matter in a short two-hour flight,” said Amber Dubey, director of aviation at global consultancy firm KPMG. “What passengers really want is

on-time performance (OTP), clean and safe aircraft, efficient service and low fares.” Kingfisher now flies only 175 daily flights from a peak of 400 six months ago, with only 28 of its fleet of 64 operational. Lessors have started cancelling leases for planes, and the aircraft Kingfisher owns are mostly pledged with lenders.

An uncer tain future and delayed salaries have driven away about 300 pilots and a few hundred other staff to rivals. The carrier is also losing prime slots at key airports, which, along with a staff crunch, may prevent a quick return to normal operations even if it does survive this debt tsunami.

About nine-tenths of Mallya’s 58.61 percent stake in Kingfisher is pledged.

Even the brand ‘Kingfisher’ has been used as collateral, according to media reports.

The company is now seek ing to restructure its $1.3 billion debt, which may force lenders to take a writedown, extend fresh loans and make Mallya plough in fresh equity.

This has been in the works for six months, however, and it is unlikely an agreement can be reached in a hurry. In a deal done early last year, lenders converted debt into a stake of just over 23 percent in the carrier at about 65 rupees a share. But the stock has lost about 60 percent since the beginning of 2011, closing down 4.35 percent at 24.20 rupees on Friday.

Kingfisher’s end, if it happens, would be the biggest failure in Indian aviation history and would impact the sector in the short term. “If you see such a substantial number of seats being removed from the market suddenly, it will have a very adverse impact on the fares,” said E.K. Bharat Bhushan, chief of India’s aviation regulator. A collapse could also lead to thousands of job cuts and the withdrawal of flights on some loss-making routes that Kingfisher flies exclusively or shares with state-run Air India.

Kingfisher’s market share in domestic skies, which has halved to about onetenth in recent months, will get divided among rivals, with the low-cost carriers benefitting most.

Ever since Air India and Kingfisher flew into turbulence, budget carriers’ market shares have increased dramatically.

If Mallya can keep moving levers in Delhi, as he has in the past, Kingfisher could remain more than a brand of beer.

If he falters and the government withdraws the life support, Kingfisher could run into the ground quickly.

The failure would also dent Mallya’s image, crafted through the years with massive display of wealth, wine and women. “Mallya represented the extreme of an exuberance that India has seen lately,” said Santosh Desai. “But business cycles can be cruel and those traditional values of caution and prudence take precedence over unfettered ambition.” — Reuters

Sanctions risk rerun of oil’s 2011 flash crash, says Kemp LONDON: Soaring oil prices and the loss of exports from South Sudan, Syria and Iran pose awkward questions for investors and policymakers.

Last year, a similar surge following the outbreak of the Libyan civil war eventually resulted in the flash crash on May 5 and the decision to release emergency stocks by the United States and other members of the International Energy Agency (IEA) on June 23.

Investors and policymakers are being pressed to explain why the outcome this time will be different. The problem is that the circumstances are nearly identical. The IEA is struggling to explain why it made sense to release stocks following the Libyan outage but does not make sense to release them following the loss of production from South Sudan, Yemen and Syria, and the tightening stranglehold on Iran’s exports.

Investors cannot explain why the market will be better supported in 2012, following a rally which has left almost all hedge funds with large long positions, when last year’s nearly identical rally set the market up for the largest one-day price drop on record.

The IEA cited Brent spreads as a sign of mounting tightness in the physical market last year to explain why it decided to release emergency stocks. Supply disruptions and the Iranian embargo have had an almost identical impact in 2012.

Some observers have suggested a stock release would not be justified in 2012 because unlike last year there has not actually been a significant disruption in supplies. The IEA should wait until tanker traffic is actually halted or threatened through the Strait of Hormuz, they argue, before providing additional barrels to the market.

But this argument ignores the losses of oil from South Sudan, Syria and Yemen, and Iran’s growing difficulty in finding buyers for its crude, which appears to have cut the country’s exports by several hundred thousand barrels per day. The tightening timespreads for Brent imply those losses are just as real as in 2011. If the release of 60 million barrels was justified last year, it would seem to be justified again in 2012. Investors also face the awkward reality that the oil rally looks just as stretched as it did last year. WTI prices rose $30 per barrel (35 percent) between the outbreak of fighting in Libya and the flash crash. But they have now risen $33 (44 percent) since their recent low last October as outages and tensions surrounding Iran mount.

On the brink of the crash, hedge funds and money managers had amassed long futures and options positions amounting to 400 million barrels of crude (and short positions amounting to just 38 million), helping push front-month WTI prices to $114. Last week, hedge funds had amassed 326 million long positions, and 36 million shorts, according to the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), helping take WTI prices to almost $110. The inconvenient truth for hedge funds and policymakers is that the situation in 2012 is an almost exact re-run of 2011 — which suggests the outcome might be the same. The main difference is even more awkward for policymakers. In 2011, the disruption of supplies was caused by an external shock from Libya. In 2012, it has been caused by a combination of external shocks (South Sudan, Yemen, possibly Syria) and a self-inflicted wound caused by sanctions imposed on Iran’s oil sales by the EU and the United States.

“The problem is that the oil price spike we’re seeing is being driven by foreign policy, not the fundamentals of supply and demand,” said a UK energy official, reported in the Financial Times (“Obama pressed to open emergency oil stocks” Feb. 27).

Policymakers are reluctant to admit there is a serious shortage of crude and order a stock release because it would mean admitting they badly miscalculated the impact of sanctions. — Reuters

G20 alert to economic threat from rising oil

NEW YORK: A customer shops at Lowe’s, in New York. Lowe’s Cos said yesterday, its fourth-quarter net income rose 13 percent on an 11 percent rises in revenue as it benefited from an extra week in the period. —AP

Lowe’s q4 net income climbs, revenue rises MOORESVILLE, North Carolina: Lowe’s Cos’ fiscal fourth-quarter net income rose 13 percent on an 11 percent rise in revenue, helped by an extra week in the period compared with a year ago. The results beat Wall Street estimates and the home improvement company forecast fiscal 2012 revenue above Wall Street’s expectations.

Its shares gained 83 cents, or 3.1 percent, to $28 in premarket trading Monday. Lowe’s reported net income of $322 million, or 26 cents per share, for the period ended Feb 3. That’s up from $285 million, or 21 cents per share, a year earlier. The current quarter included 3 cents per share for store closings and other items. Removing those items, earnings were 29 cents per share.

Analysts predicted earnings of 24 cents per share, according to a FactSet

survey. Analysts estimates typically exclude unusual items.

The Mooresville, NC, company said that the extra week in the period contributed $766 million to its sales and about 5 cents per share to its earnings.

Lowe’s performance was likely also given a boost by the mild winter weather across the US, which Home Depot Inc said last week helped its fourth-quarter profit increase as homeowners spent more on renovation projects. Lowe’s said its revenue rose to $11.63 billion from $10.48 billion, topping Wall Street’s estimate of $11.35 billion. Revenue at stores open at least a year climbed 3.4 percent, with the figure rising 3.5 percent in the US This metric is a key indicator of a retailer’s health because it excludes results from stores recently opened or closed. — AP

MEXICO CITY: The world’s leading economies said they were “alert to the risks of higher oil prices” and discussed at length the impact that sanctions on Iran will have on crude supplies and global growth. Finance ministers and central bankers from the Group of 20 said in a statement after two days of talks that they welcomed a commitment from producer countries to ensure oil supplies. Higher prices at the gas pump could undercut the US economic recovery, push Europe deeper into recession and stoke already-high inflation in many emerging economies.

Brent crude prices rose to a nearly 10month high of $125 a barrel on Friday as Europe and Asia cut back on buying Iranian oil and seek out supplies from elsewhere to enforce sanctions designed to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil producer and a member of the G20, increased exports sharply in the past week and is offering extra supplies to its biggest customers. “We were quite pleased to hear that some of the oil-producing countries, in particular Saudi Arabia has indicated its determination to contribute to rebalancing and mitigating of the risks but clearly we have to remain vigilant,” International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde said.

Other petroleum exporters in the G20 group include Russia, Canada and Mexico.

A senior G20 official said there had been considerable discussion on the sidelines of the meeting in Mexico City about the potential impact that sanctions against Iran may have on the global economic recovery. US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said he had “encouraging conversations” with countries planning to cut Iranian oil imports and said he was also seeing cooperation to get banks to crack down on transactions with

Iran. Facing the threat of higher oil prices, Geithner said last Friday that the United States is weighing the circumstances that could warrant tapping the nation’s strategic oil reserve. But Geithner did not openly call for other G20 countries to evaluate releasing their own reserve stockpiles during the meetings in Mexico, G20 sources said. Countries hold oil reserves as a buffer against sudden drops in supply.

Italian Economy Deputy Minister Vittorio Grilli said discussions focused on adjusting production to avoid price peaks. “There is still over-capacity on the oil market, so it is a risk stemming from the geo-political situation not from an excess of demand,” he said. Bank

of Japan Governor Masaaki Shirakawa said on Saturday policymakers are closely watching the impact of looser monetary policy on oil prices. The Bank of Japan, the European Central Bank and the US Federal Reserve are all taking unconventional measures to pump up banks with cash in the hopes of boosting the economy. Low interest rates and central bank asset-purchase programs can fuel higher oil prices as investors seek out higher yields in commodity markets. While Shirakawa said the current rise in crude prices was more due to geopolitical tensions, analysts are eyeing the potential for more easing from the ECB and the Federal to bolster commodity prices. — Reuters

MEXICO CITY: The European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Olli Rehn (right), speaks next to the President of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi (left), during a press conference in the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Mexico City on Feb 26. —AFP

25

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

business

Emerging economies to challenge US hold on WB MEXICO CITY: Emerging economies said that they will challenge a tradition that has placed an American at the head of the World Bank for decades, as the Obama administration shows sensitivity to the need for change at global institutions.

Emerging economies said it was time to break a decades-old tradition that has long shut out candidates from the developing world and kept an American at the head of the World Bank and a European leader at the International Monetary Fund.

The problem emerging economies face is finding a candidate willing to challenge the United States, which is the largest and most influential shareholder in the World Bank and IMF. “I am sure the United States will nominate an excellent candidate but it is imperative that the process this time be contestable,” said Amar Bhattacharya, director of the G24 Secretariat, whose members include major developing and emerging economies. “There are very strong candidates in the developing world.

It is important, therefore, that emerging and developing countries make

every effort to identify suitable candidates from the developing world,” he added.

Bhattacharya said emerging and developing countries would try to come up with a list of candidates by the deadline for nominees on March 23.The politically-thorny issue of whether the leadership of the World Bank should be reser ved for an American was not formally raised during G20 meetings of finance ministers in Mexico City at the weekend.

But US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner privately sounded out ministers from emerging economies on the sidelines on qualities necessary to head the World Bank, but did not say who the U.S. candidate might be, senior G20 official told Reuters.

Addressing a closing news conference on Sunday, Geithner made no direct comment about the World Bank but appeared to send a message that Washington recognized the need for change to reflect the growing economic might of emerging economies. “ The US has played a major role, and has been very supportive, of reforms in the IMF and

other international financial institutions to significantly increase the voice and vote of the major emerging economies in those institutions,” Geithner said. “That is very much in the interest of the United States, and certainly in the interest of the broader legitimacy and effectiveness of those institutions. We are very committed to making sure those reforms take effect and we can build on those reforms in the future,” he added.

The question of who should head the World Bank did not feature prominently at the G20 as expected as ministers focused on Europe’s efforts to manage its debt crisis and ensuring that the IMF is properly funded to deal with potential global fallout from Europe’s troubles.

Three people most often mentioned as possible US nominees are all American: former US Treasur y Secretar y Lawrence Summers, USSecretary of State Hillary Clinton, and US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice. The State Department has said Clinton would not be taking the job.

“They can put forward their candidate but rather than it becoming a

destructive exercise, it should be a constructive process to that we attempt to build consensus on who the candidate should be,” South

World Bank President Robert Zoellick African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said. “It is idealistic but let’s give it a shot.”Groupings such as the BRICS - Brazil, Russia, India, China and

South Africa - have struggled to come up with candidates given the longstanding dominance of Europe and the US in the institutions.

Mexico’s central bank chief Agustin Carstens, who last year launched an unsuccessful bid against France’s Christine Lagarde for the IMF top job, has ruled himself out of the World Bank race. So has Nigeria’s Finance Minister and former World Bank Managing Director Ngozi OkonjoIweala.

Over the last few years the World Bank has taken steps to enhance emerging markets’ power and influence, endorsing a plan in 2010 that gave more voting power to developing countries, making China the thirdlargest shareholder behind the United States and Japan.

Its chief economist is from China and two of the three managing directors are from emerging markets Egypt and Indonesia.

The World bank is the leading provider of development grants and loans to poorer countries and its president is one of the world’s top policymakers. — Reuters

China needs reform to support growth: WB Current growth model unsustainable: Zoellick

FRANKFURT: A swan passes by the skyline including the European Central Bank, seen centre, on the river Main in Frankfurt, Germany. The European Central Bank said yesterday, the amount lent to businesses by banks leveled off in January after a steep plunge in December. — AP

Essar Energy earnings miss forecast, may scrap projects LONDON: India-focused Essar Energy posted core earnings well short of forecasts, hit by weaker refining margins and depreciation of the rupee, and warned it may scrap some power projects.

Full-year earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) were $624.8 million, compared with $696.5 million in 2010 and the average forecast of $685 million by 10 analysts which was supplied by the company.

Essar is facing twin setbacks in India, its key market for oil products and electricity, due to delays in government approval to mine cheaper coal from its own resources and a court ruling which ended a tax break for a subsidiary.

“The full-year results reflect challenges on funding position, project execution and fuel sourcing,” Deutsche Bank analysts said. Essar’s shares, which are worth less than a third of their 2010 listing price, slumped 8.1 percent to 115.8 pence at 1042 GMT, making the company the biggest loser on Britain’s bluechip index.

Essar Energy — 77 percent-owned by privately-held Indian conglomerate Essar Group-is the majority shareholder in India-listed Essar Oil which is trying to review an Indian court ruling ending removing its deferred payment of sales tax. Essar Oil had deferred $1.24 billion under a tax break from the government of India’s western state of Gujarat, where the company’s Vadinar refinery is located.

Under the previous deal, the sales tax had been repayable from 2021 onwards.

Naresh Nayyar, Chief Executive of Essar Energy, said he was confident that any repayments due will be met through internal funding and new loan facilities, and that Essar Energy will be able to refinance a $450 million loan which expires in December.

“We don’t see any issue of raising this capital or raising these funds and meeting our obligations in the case that our review petition is not successful,” he said on a call with reporters. The company also said that it might not participate in a future $609 million capital raising planned by Essar Oil, potentially reducing its 87 percent stake in the unit. Essar Energy said it was having to source higher cost coal from outside India to fuel its power stations as it awaited government clearance for it to be able to start mining its own coal.

As a result, Essar said it may shelve plans for three power projects which would require $3.1 billion of investment.

“Essar Energy has also decided to progress the construction of three of its later stage power projects at Salaya II, Salaya III and Navabharat I, totalling 2,970MW, which were due to be commissioned in 2014, only against certain milestones,” said the company.

Deutsche Bank analysts said that the decision to possibly scrap the power projects and not participate in the Essar Oil capital raise would give Essar Energy more headroom and make refinancing attempts easier. — Reuters

Prudential to relocate HQ from London LONDON: Prudential, Britain’s biggest insurer, is considering moving its headquarters from London to escape tough new capital rules for European insurers, the company said in a statement.

The company did not specify where it would move but there has been longrunning speculation that Prudential could shift its headquarters to Hong Kong in recognition of Asia’s large and growing contribution to its growth.

Prudential is concerned a conflict between Europe’s Solvency II regime and US insurance regulations could force it to hold billions of pounds of extra capital against its US-based Jackson National Life unit if it remains domiciled in Europe.

“Prudential regularly reviews its range of options to maximize the strategic flexibility of the Group. This includes consideration of optimizing the Group’s domicile, including as a possible response to an adverse outcome on Solvency II,” the company said in its statement.

“There continues to be uncertainty in relation to the implementation of

Solvency II and implications for the Group’s businesses. Clarity on this issue is not expected in the near term,” Prudential said. Solvency II, due to come into force in 2014, could force European insurers to hold extra cash reserves against subsidiaries operating in countries that have less exacting capital standards.

This extra capital requirement would be waived for countries whose insurance regulations are deemed by European regulators to be equivalent to Solvency II. No decision has yet been taken on whether US capital rules for insurers are compatible. Prudential generates 45 percent of its sales in Asia, and has secondary stock market listings in Hong Kong and Singapore. The company uses cash from its mature UK business to fund expansion in the booming economies of Southeast Asia, and in 2010 launched an abortive $35 billion bid to buy local rival AIA, a deal which would have doubled its size in the region. Prudential will confirm it is reviewing its domicile in its 2011 annual report. — Reuters

BEIJING: China needs a new economic strategy after three decades of rapid growth and must reduce the dominance of state companies and promote free markets to achieve its goal of becoming a high-income society, the World Bank and Chinese researchers said yesterday.

The recommendations in a report on development of the world’s second-largest economy through 2030 come amid debate in the ruling Communist Party over the future course of reform as a new generation of leaders prepare to take office this year.

The report’s emphasis on curbing state industry clashes with Beijing’s strategy over the past decade of building governmentowned champions in fields from banking to technology and is likely to provoke opposition. “As China’s leaders know, the country’s current economic growth model is unsustainable,” said World Bank president Robert Zoellick at a conference about the report, coauthored with a Chinese Cabinet think tank, the Development Research Center.

China has reached a “turning point” and needs to “redefine the role of the state,” said Zoellick. The report highlights the fact that after three decades of reforms allowed Chinese entrepreneurs to become world leaders in export-driven manufacturing, state companies still control domestic industries from steel to airlines to oil to telecommunications. Government companies are supported by low-cost credit from state banks. Business groups complain regulators shield them from foreign and private competitors despite Beijing’s market-opening pledges.

China’s leaders have promised repeatedly to support entrepreneurs who create its new jobs and wealth. But most bank lending still goes to state companies and Beijing’s huge stimulus in response to the 2008 crisis set back reforms by pouring money into government industry while thousands of private companies went bankrupt.

The 468-page report recommends an array of politically thorny changes that might hurt state companies and ruling party factions that rely on them for patronage.

It calls for Beijing to open state-dominated industries to private competition, including areas deemed strategic such as energy. It says market forces should play a bigger role in bank lending decisions and interest rates. It recommends changing a household registration system that limits the ability of rural migrants to work in cities.

The report refrains from recommending major state companies be privatized - an option that would be politically unacceptable.

It says Beijing should allow local governments

to start collecting property taxes to reduce their reliance on revenue from land sales, a practice that has led to urban sprawl and triggered protests over seizures of farmland for development.

“As a high-income society, China’s aspiration is to enjoy a per capita income on par with advanced economies,” the report says.

“Realizing China’s vision for 2030 will demand a new development strategy.” Zoellick acknowledged reforms might face opposition from entrenched interests that benefit from the old system. He said Beijing should make changes gradually to build support from new

economist for East Asia and one of the report’s lead authors.

Nehru cited the need to support an aging population, competition for natural resources and potential environmental damage. “In the next 20 years, even with reforms, China’s growth is expected to slow.

But managing the smooth slowdown to a sustainable path in the medium-term will be challenging, and a key risk could be if growth suddenly slows,” he said. China’s economic growth declined to 8.9 percent in the final quarter of last year after Beijing hiked interest rates and tightened other controls to cool an

BEIJING: A woman walks on a pedestrian overpass near a real estate project cordoned off by advertisement boards showing government slogans in Beijing yesterday. — AP groups that profit from more open markets.

In a reflection of high-level support, Zoellick said work on the report began 18 months with an endorsement by President Hu Jintao and Vice President Xi Jinping. Xi is due to succeed Hu as China’s paramount leader.

Vice Premier Li Keqiang, a top economic official, gave “unwavering commitment to this project,” Zoellick said. Early drafts were discussed with a wide range of Chinese officials, which should help to win support for its recommendations, Zoellick said.

Adding urgency to the need for change, the researchers expect China’s rapid growth to slow from 9 percent a year to about 5 to 6 percent by 2015.

“There will be many risks and challenges going forward, especially if China is unable to change its current pattern of growth,” said Vikram Nehru, a former World Bank chief

overheated economy and inflation. Chinese leaders reversed course in December and promised more bank lending to help companies cope with the slump in global demand but changes have been gradual.

Zoellick said he expects China to achieve a “soft landing” this year and avoid an abrupt slowdown.

He contrasted China’s ability to make changes with the difficulties faced by crisis-hit Italy and Spain in restructuring their economies amid little or no growth.

“What I am picking up from discussions, not only in Biejing but with provincial party secretaries, is a recognition that it is better to undertake structural reforms while the economy is growing,” he said.

“The timing of this report is also important, because you’ll have a leadership transition in China.” — AP

China targets 21% cut in energy use

TOKYO: An elderly woman walks past a dumper truck at a construction site in Tokyo yesterday. — AP

TOKYO: China, the world’s biggest energy consumer, aims to cut its energy consumption per unit of industrial value-added output by 21 percent by 2015, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported yesterday.

China is expected to save the equivalent of 670 million tons of coal during the 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-2015), according to the country’s industrial energy conservation plan for the five-year period issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

The plan also sets detailed targ e t s f or cuts by several energyintensive sec tors, Xinhua said, adding that the steel, non-ferrous, petrochemical and electronics industries are required to reduce their energy use per unit of value-added

output by 18 percent from 2010.

The chemical engineering, building materials and textile sectors must cut their energy consumption per unit of output by 20 percent, while the machinery industry should target a 22-percent fall in energy use per unit of output.

The government has adopted a slew of measures to promote energy savings and emission reductions and to ease its increasing thirst for energy, including phasing out polluting industries and building energy-saving buildings.

Thanks to the nation’s efforts, energy consumption per CNY 10,000 (USD 1,587) of industrial value-added output dropped from 2.59 tons of coal equivalent in 2005 to 1.91 tons in 2010, said the plan. — KUNA

26

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

business

Kuwaitization at Warba Bank surpasses 62% Bank exceeds standard Kuwaitization level KUWAIT: Kuwaitization at Warba Bank had crossed 62% in a very shor t span of time, said Anas Yousef Al-Ateeqi, Chief Human Resources Officer at Warba Bank.

Such percentage exceeds the level endorsed by the Central Bank, explained Al-Ateeqi, which reflects Warba’s commitment to introduce local expertise and talents into the bank’s different segments. “This should create significant support to the bank in the coming phase with hopes to achieve our aspirations in the near future.”

With this regard, Al-Ateeqi elaborated, “We firmly believe in the importance of the human element, especially the Kuwaiti, and are fully committed since the beginning to support national employment. We are also keen on providing contributions to continuously develop the unique professional cadres in Kuwait.” He added, “We trust Warba’s significant strategy to support the promising Kuwaiti national labor in the banking sector in addition to providing them with suitable employment opportunities, considering it as a successful investment factor that

would reflect positively on the labor market, sooner or later.”

“The process of backing the work team at Warba Bank with experienced Kuwaiti nationals will help elevate the bank’s status to higher levels along with top finan-

Anas Yousef Al-Ateeqi, Chief Human Resources Officer at Warba Bank cial institutions in Kuwait. This is in addition to the bank’s active role in supporting the Kuwaiti society by providing fruitful employment opportunities.”

Al-Ateeqi moreover emphasized the bank’s responsibility in

initially training national labor with firm practices in order to meet the coming phase with the total know-how and proficiency.

“We will continue towards this direction despite the bank’s introduction to the market. We do acknowledge the importance of attracting experienced Kuwaiti youth to Warba Bank, who would continue reaching out to the bank’s goals and aspirations,” concluded Al-Ateeqi.

Warba Bank, an Islamic Bank established by virtue of an Amiri Decree, was officially registered in the Central Bank of Kuwait’s list of Islamic Banks on April 5, 2010.

Kuwait, represented by Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), owns 24% shares of the bank while the remaining 76% of shares, fully subscribed by the government, have been equally allocated among all Kuwaiti nationals.

Warba Bank offers a range of customized Sharia-compliant services and solutions which are available through the banks three divisions of Retail, Investment and Corporate Banking. Branching out in four strategic locations, Warba Bank has over 150 employees.

MEA operates its new A320 MSN5000 on first commercial flight to Kuwait irbus delivered the A320 with manufacturer serial number (MSN) 5000 to Lebanon’s national carrier, Middle East Airlines (MEA). With this delivery MEA will operate one of the most modern fleets in the region.

On this occasion MEA ChairmanDirector General, Mohamad El Hout declared “ We are honored to become the operator of this brand new A320 with its distinctive serial number 5000 during the 25th anniversary year of the first flight of

A

the A320 as a single-aisle aircraft and the most modern, fuel efficient in its category, we have not only benefited from the outstanding operational efficiency of the aircraft but were also the first airline in the Middle East to introduce our widebody cabin product on a single-aisle aircraft, thus offering our customers state of the art on-board entertainment with Audio/Video On Demand as well as a superbly comfortable and spacious cabin experience that has greatly contributed to MEA’s

success.” Close to 8,300 A320 Family aircraft have already been ordered and more than 4,900 delivered to more than 350 customers and operators worldwide reaffirming its position as the world’s best-selling single -aisle aircraft family. The A320neo has over 95 percent airframe commonality with the current A320, making it an easy fit into existing fleets while offering up to 500 nautical miles (950 kilometres) more range or two tons more payload at a given range.

Pure Gold Jewellers launches special diamond pendant to celebrate Kuwait National Day KUWAIT: Award winning jewellery retailer Pure Gold Jewellers has launched a special pendant that doubles as a brooch to commemorate the 51st Kuwait National Day. The carefully crafted jewellery features the Kuwait national flag nestled in a heart of gold.

The beauty of the piece is accentuated with brilliant diamonds and myriad colors of semi-precious stones.

According to Karim Merchant, CEO & MD of Pure Gold Jewellers: “The heart shaped pendant cum brooch speaks of one’s love and pride for Kuwait as the country celebrates its National Day. This is an occasion to honor Kuwait’s history and culture, as well as the country’s many achievements. Kuwait is an important market for us and we would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the country and our customers in Kuwait.”

The 6.25 grams 18 karat gold pendant/brooch features 7 cents diamonds and 1.25 carat of semiprecious stones. It is available in white and yellow gold.

Pure Gold Jewellers outlets in Kuwait can be found in leading shopping malls including The Avenues, Airport Mall, Al-Manshar Mall, Bairaq Mall and also at the Kuwait Duty Free, apart from kiosks in select locations.

Pure Gold Jewellers is an award winning jewellery retailer known for excellent customer service. It is now one of the fastest growing jewellery brands in the region, with over 100 stores across Middle East and opening 200 stores in India shortly.

Pure Gold Jewellers is a recipient of the “Best Service Performance Brand” award in the large business category for three consecutive years - 20072008, 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 - under the Dubai Service Excellence Scheme (DSES) of the Dubai Department of Economic Development.

The company also topped in the ‘Best Customer

Service’ category in the UAE jewellery sector in an annual study by international consultancy Ethos Consultancy for the year 2009 and 2010.

Pure Gold Jewellers has been consistently ranked as a Superbrand by UAE Superbrand Council for four consecutive years since 2009.

REDTAG opens new Kids Showroom at Ali Sabah Al Salem KUWAIT: REDTAG, the region’s leading value fashion, lifestyle and home-ware retailer, opened their ninth outlet in Kuwait at Ali Sabah Al-Salem (Umm AlHaiman) area at 5pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012. The new showroom, located at the Dhaiya Ali Sabah AlSalem Co-operative Society, was inaugurated by the society’s chairman, Mohammad Fahad Al-Hajri in the presence of REDTAG management, staff and a large gathering of customers.

Commenting on the opening of the new REDTAG Kids Showroom, Mohammed Javed Mallick, Country Manager for REDTAG Kuwait said, “The new exclusive showroom for kids, which is also our ninth showroom in Kuwait and our 80th store in the Middle-East, consolidates our position as a leading retailer of fashion, lifestyle and home-ware products to the midmarket segment.”

“The exclusive Kids showroom will carry a wide range of apparels, accessories and products for kids and babies.

The textiles, colors, styling and design of the products have been especially chosen keeping in mind the young customers and their active lifestyle, in order to ensure comfort, style, durability and ease of cleaning. Customers visiting the new REDTAG showroom will find the same value elements that they have come to expect and appreciate in our brand,” added the Country Manager.

Ernest J. Hosking, CEO of REDTAG Group said, “By opening our ninth REDTAG store in Kuwait, we have taken a significant step forward in our plan to position REDTAG as a fashion retailer who makes the shortlist of any pricesensitive shopper in Kuwait. REDTAG is already a force to be reckoned with in Bahrain, KSA, Qatar, UAE and Jordan and we want the brand to achieve the same stature in Kuwait during 2012.

Shoppers at the REDTAG store at the Ali Sabah Al Salem store can expect to pick up good quality fashion wear for kids at affordable prices. They can also expect to see new collections in the store regularly and frequently”.

The Dubai based REDTAG brand, which challenges customers to ‘Rediscover Value’, through all their branding messages, is aimed at the mid-market segment looking for value in the products they buy. The merchandize assortment and product offerings are specifically designed for people to whom the quality and worth of products they purchase are equally important. This emphasis on product quality

and customer segmentation underlines the secret behind the success of REDTAG - providing customers with a value proposition that is a combination of good quality fashionable merchandise, provided in comfortable shopping environment at very affordable prices.

Being a value-focused retailer offering a range of fashions for the entire family and home-ware for budget-conscious shoppers, the REDTAG brand offers the latest in fashion and acces-

sories for men, women, children, infants and newborns, supplemented by a comprehensive range of merchandise for the home, dining, bed, bath as well as home dÈcor items and toys. As a one-stop shopping destination concept, the REDTAG brand is a compelling proposition in the retail market and this is proven by the fact that the company has grown from 29 stores to a chain of 100 stores in the region within the past five years.

Jazeera Airways announces first beneficiary of ‘Jazeerati’ Mufeeda Al-Masri receives a free flight ticket KUWAIT: Award winning Jazeera Airways yesterday announced the first beneficiary of the recently launched frequent flier program called ‘Jazeerati”. Frequent traveler Mufeeda Al-Masri, was rewarded a free flight for flying Jazeera Airways 10 times since the launch of the program in November 2011.

The frequent flier program is available to all customers across the Jazeera Airways network and works by rewarding each customer or family with a free flight for every 10 boarding passes they collect. Once collected, the traveler can redeem the boarding passes for a free flight to any Jazeera Airways destination.

Once redeemed, the free flight will be available for a period of one year, and can be used towards any Jazeera Airways destination, at any time during the year, high season included.

Jazeera Airways CEO, Stefan Pichler, said: “We thank Al-Masri for continuing to choose Jazeera Airways for her travels. By being our first Jazeerati beneficiary, Al-Masri is now part of our history will be always remembered as the first beneficiary of this program.”

Over the last year Jazeera Airways has rolled out a series of value-enhancing passenger experience-boosting initiatives. Today, the airlines’ Economy Class amenities include 40 kilograms in free baggage allowance for every passenger, a complimentary selection of on board meals that change every month, so frequent travelers can always count on a new meal experience when flying with us.

The airline’s Business Class travelers get both an upgraded experience and exclusivity, starting with exclusive check-in lines and business lounge access, up to 60 kilograms in free baggage allowance, and an exclusive on-board cabin.

Jazeera Airways currently serves 18 destinations across the Middle East.

Jazeera Airways CEO Stefan Pichler rewards Mufeedah Al-Masri, the first beneficiary of Jazeerati.

Gold slips on Europe concerns SINGAPORE: Gold prices slipped yesterday, weighed down by modest risk aversion across financial markets as concerns about the eurozone persisted, although high oil prices cushioned the slide.

Bullion prices rallied more than 3 percent last week, as investors got some relief after Greece secured a bailout and expectations of further monetary easing boosted gold’s appeal as an inflation hedge. During a weekend meeting of Group of 20 finance ministers and central bankers, euro zone nations were told to put up more money to fight their debt crisis if they wanted more help from the rest of the world. “ There is a softer turn across commodities after the G20 added to the risk anxiety,” said Nick Trevethan, senior commodity strategist at ANZ in Singapore.

“Gold failed to break the $1,780 resistance last week and is likely to bounce between $1,760 and $1,780, but the eventual breakout will be towards the upside.” Spot gold lost 0.4 percent to $1,773.04 an ounce

by 0633 GMT, after posting a gain of 3.3 percent last week. It hit a fivemonth high of $1,787.11 last Thursday. US gold was little changed at $1,775. Technical analysis suggested that gold could rise towards $1,797 an ounce during the day, Reuters market analyst Wang Tao said. Oil prices hovered below a 10month high as heightened tension over Iran’s disputed nuclear program remained supportive. Geopolitical instability in the region could propel gold, traditionally a beneficiary of political and economic turmoil, to higher levels, analysts said. The dollar weakness also helped underpin the sentiment in gold. The dollar index inched up yesterday, hovering above its lowest level in more than two months hit on Friday. “So long as the dollar remains weak, it is possible for gold to overtake the $1,800-level in the short term,” said an official at a Tokyo-based bullion house, but cautioned that gold’s upside could be limited if solid evidence of an economic recovery emerged. —Reuters

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

TECHNOLOGY Review

Oscars iPad app wonderful, but distracting FAIRFIELD: Interactivity during the Academy Awards telecast once meant booing at the television every time there was a winner I hadn’t picked for my Oscars pool. This year, I had my head glued to an iPad instead. The Oscars’ official companion app returned this year, after winning an Emmy in 2011 for outstanding creative achievement in interactive media.

Produced by ABC, the network that televised Sunday’s ceremony in the US, the free software gave me backstage access, a journey through history and a chance to challenge friends on predicting winners.

Before the show, I used the app to link my Oscars picks to Facebook so I could compete with friends and track their progress throughout the evening. I viewed video clips on how people dress up for the ceremony and how celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck prepares a party appetizer. Movie critics, including The Associated Press’ Christy Lemire, chimed in on major nominees.

There was video of Oscars host Billy Crystal’s 1992 opening monologue, backstage speeches by winners last year and Jack Palance’s spontaneous push-ups after winning best supporting actor in 1992.

During the show, I got a “backstage pass” to video not available on TV. Ads from Sprint occasionally interrupted the live streams. The app was available in the U.S. for Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch, but

you really needed the iPad’s larger screen to make the best use of it. Shamefully, there wasn’t a version for the millions of Android phones and tablet computers out there, let alone BlackBerrys and other devices. It reminded me of how annoyed owners of Apple’s Mac computers felt when companies made software only for Windows computers. Those fortunate enough to own an iPad - or borrow one, as I had - got a more extensive, but less polished perspective than the one on TV: The app gave me access to 24 camera views during the ceremony, the walk down the red carpet before the show and the Governors Ball afterward.

Some of what I would have missed if I had relied on the TV telecast: A view of stars milling around and chatting during the commercial breaks. It was neat seeing them rush to their seats as the show was about to resume. Winners in front of a “thank you” camera backstage, as they acknowledged family and friends they didn’t have time to name during the few minutes they had on stage. Other backstage cameras with press appearances and interviews, plus a view of the TV production’s control room.

Stars grabbing drinks before the show on the “lobby bar” cam, along with views of celebrities arriving, walking on the red carpet and entering the theater. Another

camera got me interviews not available on television. Cameras trained on stars arriving at the Governors Ball and the stations where winners got their awards personalized with engraved nameplates. I was able to watch six camera views at once or choose one at a time with alerts on what I was missing elsewhere. I had no control over where each camera pointed, however.

The app also offered to have the show’s producers choose a camera view for me, just like television, though the stream was focused on the backstage happenings instead.

The experience came across as paradise for movie buffs. What I liked was the raw feel to the video, a sense that you were a spy at the ceremony, getting a perspective that wasn’t tailored to the masses. At one point, I also saw workers move a couch backstage during a photo op with the first winner. Apparently winners looked better standing.

Other people may get bored with the three awards for short films, but I was genuinely interested in what the winners had to say, having seen all 15 nominees in a theatre a few weeks ago. Meanwhile, I got bored with all the attention on “The Artist” and “Hugo” on TV, as they won 10 awards combined. Out came the iPad. One of the app’s best features was its ability to show me how friends were doing with their own

Oscars picks. I wished more of my friends had used it, so that I could have competed with a broader group. It wasn’t as satisfying beating just three. I also wished the app had a database of past Oscars winners and bios on the nominees.

The app was video-centric, with Twitter feeds and the Oscars picks thrown in. And only selected Twitter posts were available.

Had I not checked elsewhere, I would have missed one making fun of Zach Galifianakis and another from “Darth Vader” referring to the Oscars statues as tiny C-3POs. I have a larger gripe regarding the app’s lack of closed captioning. Beyond excluding those with hearing problems, the app was disturbing to family and friends who wanted to watch on T V. I wished I could have kept the iPad volume down and followed the backstage action through captions instead.

More highlights from the telecast also should have been made available on demand. Twenty clips were available within an hour after the show ended, but not the opening comedy skit or the tribute to moviemakers who had died. I was so glued to the iPad that I missed celebrity prankster Sacha Baron Cohen, posing as The Dictator, “accidentally” spilling what he said were ashes of the late North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il on red carpet host Ryan Seacrest. To see it, I needed the TV’s

digital video recorder. Overall, though, I found the app pleasant to use. It was far better than the early days of the Internet, when a broadcaster would add a chat room to a website and call it “interactivity”.

These types of extensive “second screen” offerings will become more popular and pervasive over time, especially for big events such as the Oscars, the Super Bowl, the Olympics and perhaps Election Night.

People are going to have their phones or tablet computers with them anyway. By offering an app, broadcasters capture viewer attention that might otherwise have gone to texting or tweeting.

That said, it’s not always a good thing.

When watching with a group, it’s best to sit back and relax and enjoy the company of those around you. I missed out on that human interaction by focusing on the app.

I could have stayed home and done that.

My cousin’s daughter asked at one point, “Why don’t you just watch the Oscars?” meaning the television. Smart for a 5-yearold. I do encourage broadcasters to continue developing these companions, but I urge viewers to refrain from using them in the company of others. It’s bad enough that we spend much of our free time with ears covered by headphones and our eyes glued to a gadget.Some events are meant to be enjoyed with others, free of technological distractions. —AP

Nokia pins hopes on Windows smartphone Nokia eyes comeback with cheaper handsets

BARCELONA: A hostess holds an LG Optimus Vu smartphone during a presentation yesterday the opening day of the Mobile World congress. — AFP

Can’t decide what to watch on TV? A new app may help SAN FRANCISCO: Channel surfers know that finding a great show to watch on television can be a daunting task, especially among the hundreds of channels available.

Peel, an app for iOS and Android, aims to solve the problem by providing personalized recommendations based on the television shows that users already like. The app is similar to how Pandora recommends music, or how Netflix suggests films. “It stemmed from recognizing the complexity that the average user is faced with when selecting the right TV program,” said Scott Ellis, the vice president of marketing for Peel.

“We wanted to move away from the channel grid that has become so pervasive and think about content at the core of the experience.” Released last year as a personalized TV guide, the app was relaunched last month to incorporate a social platform for sharing and discovering television shows with friends. According to Ellis, the impetus for incorporating a social platform was to replicate the “water cooler” type of conversations that tend to be the way most people discover new content.

“It’s about how to use an intelligent app to find the right show to watch based on the shows I like today and based on shows my friends are watching,” he said. Through the app users can share their favorite shows with friends, as well as their “guilty pleasures”, which Ellis said usually consist of reality shows. Friends’ favorite shows are

also accounted for in the algorithm that makes content recommendations.

The app also pairs up with the Peel Smart Remote for consumers who want to control their television sets without using their remote controls. The pear-shaped piece of hardware takes commands from the app and then uses infrared to control the television, settop box, or virtually any other device in a user’s living room.

“You can go from discovering, to selecting and then watching,” Ellis said, adding that the device solves another modern day problem-having too many remotes. Ellis said that once more devices incorporate infrared, it will be possible to control the television without requiring another piece of hardware. The company has partnered with Samsung, which has pre-installed Peel on select devices that have infrared. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 Plus, launched in October, was the first device to incorporate what they call the Peel Smart Remote app.

“Within a single element experience, users can discover shows and control the television set without purchasing a separate piece of hardware,” he said. Ellis said that the next steps for the app are to integrate a more interactive second-screen experience for television shows. The company plans to focus on the social aspect of the app going forward, and to announce a partnership with a major television show in the coming weeks. Peel is a free app available in the United States.— Reuters

We are getting less friendly on Facebook CHICAGO: Whether it’s pruning friends lists, removing unwanted comments or restricting access to their profiles, Americans are getting more privacy-savvy on social networks, a new report found. The report released Friday by the Pew Internet & American Life Project found that people are managing their privacy settings and their online reputation more often than they did two years earlier. For example, 44 percent of respondents said in 2011 that they deleted comments from their profile on a social networking site. Only 36 percent said the same thing in 2009. The findings come a day after the Obama administration called for stronger privacy protections for people who use the Internet, mobile devices and other technologies with increasingly sophisticated ways of tracking them. Pew’s findings suggest that people not only care about their privacy online but that, given the tools, they will also try to manage it.

Along those lines is “profile pruning,” which Pew reports is on the rise. Nearly two-thirds of people on social networks said last year that they had deleted friends, up from 56 percent in 2009. And more people are removing their names from photos than two years ago. This practice is especially common on Facebook, where users can add names of their friends to photos they upload.

Among other findings: Women are much more likely than men to restrict their profiles. Pew found that 67 percent of women set their profiles so that only their “friends” can see it. Only 48 percent of men did the same.

Think all that time in school taught you something? People with the highest levels of education reported having the most difficulty figuring out their privacy settings.

That said, only 2 percent of social media users described privacy controls as “very difficult to manage.”

The report found no significant differences in people’s basic privacy controls by age. In other words, younger people were just as likely to use privacy controls as older people. Sixty-two percent of teens and 58 percent of adults restricted access to their profiles to friends only.

Young adults were more likely than older people to delete unwanted comments.

Fifty-six percent of social media users aged 18 to 29 said they have deleted comments that others have made on their profile, compared with 40 percent of those aged 30 to 49 and 34 percent of people aged 50 to 64.

Men are more likely to post something they later regret. Fifteen percent of male respondents said they posted something regrettable, compared with 8 percent of female respondents. —AP

BARCELONA: Struggling cell phone maker Nokia Corp. has unveiled two new handsets that it hopes will revive its fortunes at the start of the world’s largest mobile phone trade show yesterday. Chief executive Stephen Elop told reporters at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona that the new phones - a low-price euro189 ($254) smartphone that runs on Windows software and a handset with a high-resolution 41 megapixel camera - demonstrates “the actions necessary to improve the fortunes of Nokia.”

“With great products for consumers, I think the rest will fall into place,” Elop said. Analysts said the new smartphone could attract users because of its low price but investors sent Nokia shares down more than 5 percent to euro4.10 ($5.50) in afternoon trading in Helsinki, erasing a big boost it gained on Friday in anticipation of new announcements at the trade show. Nokia has lost its once-dominant position in the global cell phone market, with handsets running on Google’s Android software and iPhones enjoying booming popularity. The Finnish company is attempting a comeback with smartphones using Microsoft’s Windows software in what Elop has called a “war of ecosystems.” “We will accelerate our global reach with new mobile devices and services,” Elop said. Malik Saadi, an analyst at the London-based Informa Telecoms & Media, said the introduction of Nokia’s new Lumia 610 smartphone means the company is “now one step closer to bringing its (Windows Phone 7) to the entry level smartphone segment” and

BARCELONA: President and CEO of Nokia Stephen Elop gives a press conference to present Nokia’s new mobile phones yesterday the opening day of the Mobile World Congress. — AFP “clearly shows strong dedication”

by Nokia to its Windows strategy and smartphones for the non-U.S market.

Nokia launched its new Windows Phone 7 in October, eight months after Elop announced a partnership with Microsoft Corp., in a major strategy shift for the firm.

Nokia said it would gradually replace the old Symbian platform used in its smartphones with the Windows operating system. Neil Mawston, a London-based analysts for Strategy Analytics, said Nokia’s new camera phone is impressive but that markets were expecting

more. “Technologically it is ‘wow’ but they have integrated it into a Symbian phone which is viewed as, rightly or wrongly, yesterday’s technology, whereas I think there was some expectation that it might be in a Windows phone which is tomorrow’s technology,” Mawston said. The new phones were introduced less than three weeks after Nokia announced plans to stop assembling cell phones in Europe by the year-end as it shifts production to Asia and to cut another 4,000 jobs - its latest attempts to cushion itself from stiff competition in the smartphone sector. The job

cuts follow nearly 10,000 layoffs announced last year.

Once the bellwether of the industry, Nokia has lost its dominant position in the global mobile phone market, with Android phones and iPhones overtaking it in the growing smartphone segment. It’s also been squeezed in the low-end by Asian manufacturers making cheaper phones, such as ZTE. Nokia became the leading handset maker in 1998 and reached 40 per cent market share in 2008, but the company has gradually lost share since then - falling to below 30 per cent last year. — AP

Company claiming iPad trademark sues Apple SHANGHAI: Apple Inc. is facing yet another challenge to its use of the iPad trademark in China - this time in a court in California. Proview Electronics Co., a unit of Proview International Holdings, which claims it owns the iPad name, filed a lawsuit against Apple’s use of the trademark in mainland China at the Santa Clara Superior Court on Feb. 17, Proview spokeswoman Alice Wang said.

An attempt by Proview to win an injunction to stop Apple from selling iPads in Shanghai was foiled this week when a court there rejected the

case pending the resolution of a similar lawsuit in a higher court in China. Apple had no immediate comment on the California lawsuit. The companies are feuding over whether Proview sold the mainland Chinese rights to the iPad trademark to Apple in a 2009 deal.

Proview claims the sale of the iPad China trademark to a company representing Apple by its Taiwan affiliate in 2009 was invalid. Proview has not challenged the sale of other worldwide rights to the iPad trademark to Apple in the 35,000 British pound ($55,000) deal. Apple con-

BEIJING: An Apple Store employee (left) shows an iPad2 to a customer at an Apple Store. —AP

tends that Proview included the mainland Chinese trademark in the sale and says it violated that contract by failing to transfer the trademark rights to Apple.

Proview’s lawyers have indicated their company is open to settling its claim to the trademark. In the meantime, the two sides have engaged in legal skirmishes in Hong Kong and in southern China’s Guangdong province, where Proview’s main office is based. There, lower courts have sided with Proview in two cases. The Guangdong High Court is due to hear Apple’s appeal of the first decision on Feb. 29.

Proview International Holdings was once one of the world’s leading makers of computer monitors, with sales in 50 countries and more than 7,000 employees in factories in Taiwan and China. But the company’s main focus on manufacturing cathode-ray tube displays - the boxy monitors that have since been replaced by LCD screens - appears to have hurt its performance.

The company’s website now says it makes LCD displays, LCD televisions and LED lights. But Proview is deep in debt and faces its shares being removed from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The company developed what it said was an “iFamily” range of products, including iTV, iWeb and iPAD. It launched its iPAD in 2000, but unlike Apple’s 2010 tablet computer, Proview’s earlier version failed to hit the market sweet spot that might have made it a hit. Proview has sought to have commercial authorities in many Chinese cities stop sales of Apple’s iPad. In suspending the case being heard in Shanghai, Pudong District Court rejected a demand for an injunction to stop iPad sales in Shanghai, where Apple has three big stores. — AP

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health & science

Scientists slam NASA budget cuts Is it bye-bye Mars missions?

CLANWILLIAM: This picture shows a farm worker harvesting rooibos tea at the Elandsberg Eco Tourism fields. — AFP

Climate change threatens South Africa’s rooibos tea CLANWILLIAM: Farm workers swing their sickles through red branches, bundling them up before laying them out in the sunshine to dry. The annual harvest at Groenkol Rooibos tea estate, in South Africa’s Western Cape helps quench the world’s growing thirst for “red bush” tea, but farmers fear that climate change could destroy the delicate eco-system that their crop depends on.

Annual exports of rooibos have quadrupled in the last 13 years. The tea is popular for its perceived health benefits as well as its refreshing taste and has become a trendy drink in many countries. It contains no caffeine and just a tiny amount of tannin.

But rooibos tea only grows in this Western Cape region-nowhere else in the world. “Rooibos is endemic to this area, it grows wild here and only here,” said Chris Du Plessis, who runs Elandsberg Eco Tourism. “If you go up that hill and down the other side you’ll find that 90 percent of the plants that grow there don’t grow on the other side.” Very few plants can survive in the dry, sandy terrain but rooibos bushes thrive in this area, living in symbiosis with micro-organisms in the soil. Farmers have tried to grow rooibos in Australia, the United States, even China each time they’ve failed. Willem Engelbrecht inherited Groenkol Rooibos Tea Estate from his father.

Since taking on the farm, he’s noticed distinct changes in the weather. “Over the last 10 years, there are more and more strange things happening,” said Engelbrecht. The area already endures extreme weather conditions. The temperature drops to freezing in the winter, and reaches 48 degrees (118 Fahrenheit) in the summer. Now, summers are hotter and winters, drier. As a result,

Engelbrecht has had to adapt his farming techniques.

How long the boom can last?

“In the past we used to plough the soil, these days we plough less and we keep material on the soil to act as isolation, basically to preserve the moisture.” But if temperatures continue to soar, farmers like Willem will find it difficult to cope, posing risks to the 600 million rand ($78 million, 59 million euro) rooibos industry. Climate change experts warn that the Western Cape will be hit hard over the next 100 years. “A plausible scenario is a further three degree (Celsius) temperature increase over much of this region,” said Francois Engelbrecht of South Africa’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.

“At the same time, this region is projected to become generally drier. So the general picture that is painted for all of the Western interior and coastal regions of South Africa is indeed not a very positive one.” But those who depend on rooibos for their livelihood are trying to remain positive. The rooibos industry is booming, with the Cederberg area producing 12,000 tonnes of tea a year, half of which is sold for export. That’s enough to make 4.8 billion cups of tea a year. Tea production also provides an estimated 4,500 jobs to the area, with much of the harvesting and drying done by hand.

“Rooibos is now gaining ground in a lot of countries and is grown from a very small base, so I think business can grow exponentially,” said Willem Engelbrecht. The question for farmers like Engelbrecht, is how long this boom can last, before climate change kills off their crop. — AFP

WASHINGTON: NASA is making a cosmic Uturn on the road to Mars. For the past two decades, the US space agency has been practically obsessed with Mars. It has hardly missed an opportunity about every two years to fling robotic spacecraft at the red planet.

This summer, the most high-tech rover ever, Curiosity, will land near the Martian equator in search of the chemical building blocks of life. The more scientists study Mars, the closer they get to answering whether microbial life once existed there, a clue to the ultimate question: Are we alone? Presidents have long talked about sending astronauts to Mars. Two years ago, President Barack Obama stood in Kennedy Space Centre and said it was more of a priority than going to the moon and wanted astronauts there by the mid-2030s.

But robotic Mars missions slated for 2016 and 2018 were cut from the president’s new budget proposal, even though NASA has spent $64 million on early designs with the European Space Agency for the two missions.

The most ambitious Mars flight yet and one the National Academy of Sciences endorsed as the No. 1 solar system priority - a plan to grab Martian rocks and soil and bring them back to Earth - is on indefinite hold. “We’re really at a crossroads,” NASA planetary sciences chief Jim Green said. NASA will skip the 2016 launch opportunity and if officials are lucky, they hope still to salvage something relatively cheap for 2018, when Mars passes closest to Earth. But it won’t be the large rock-collecting mission that scientists had been counting on. What a new mission for 2018 would be is still not clear even to NASA senior officials.

To scientists, the message from the White House seems simple: Bye -bye, Mars.

Yesterday, upset Mars researchers met with NASA officials to figure out how to reboot the program beyond the 2013 mission. If Obama’s budget sails through as outlined, “in essence, it is the end of the Mars program,” said Phil Christensen, a Mars researcher at Arizona State University. It’s like “we’ve just flown Apollo 10 and now we’re going to cancel the Apollo program when we’re one step from landing,” he said.

It’s not that NASA officials don’t think Mars is worth exploring further; it’s just that they don’t think they can afford it anymore.

Obama has proposed cutting 10 other federal agency budgets this year including Defence, Homeland Security and Education. NASA’s 0.3 percent budget cut was among the smallest.

In fact, the $28.3 billion cuts to the Defense Depar tment dwar f NASA’s entire $17.7 spending plan for 2013. “We’re trying to iden-

PASADENA: NASA administrator, Charles Bolden, (second from left) examines a replica of the Mars Science Laboratory rover at NASA’ Jet Propulsion Laboratory. — AP tify a way to (explore Mars) in these very difficult fiscal times,” NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said last week at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., the epicenter of Mars research. Researchers are partly to blame because they promise to do a mission cheaply and when they get approval, costs soar, said Alan Stern, a former NASA sciences chief. He called it “committing suicide in slow motion” and said it’s been happening in the Mars program since 2006.

An even more over-budget space telescope forced more cuts to NASA science. The Curiosity mission costs $2.5 billion - almost $1 billion over budget. Many scientists believe the life question can only be answered by examining Martian samples back on Earth and that astronauts should not set foot on Mars before that happens. Stern said: “We are probably back to being 15 to 20 years from a Mars sample return.” If NASA ignores Mars for a decade, it runs the risk of a brain drain, said Ed Weiler, who resigned last year as NASA’s sciences chief because of budget battles over Mars. “Landing on Mars is a uniquely American talent and there aren’t too many things that are uniquely American,” Weiler said.

In 19 tries, Russia has had little to no success when it comes to Mars. The European Space Agency currently has a spacecraft circling the planet but its lander crashed. NASA

has had six Martian failures during its 20 tries.

The Europeans are talking to the Russians and Chinese to replace the U.S. in the upcoming missions.

Earthlings have been captivated by Mars since the 1900s when amateur astronomer Percival Lowell saw what looked like canals.

The life question was tackled by the twin Viking spacecraft, which landed in 1976. Their rudimentary experiments failed to turn up signs of life and NASA lost interest. The space agency launched an ambitious probe in 1992 but lost contact with it right before it was to slip into orbit.

After that failure, NASA came up with a blueprint for Mars: Each mission followed up on discoveries found in the previous flight, and all focused on water, a key element for life. “It’s become a more interesting planet every time we go back there,” said Wesley Huntress, who spearheaded the new Mars program and went on to run NASA’s sciences division.

That’s why the Planetary Society and others are lobbying to save the Mars program, starting with meetings this week. Bill Nye, the former science television personality who heads the society, said exploring Mars is central to humanity’s future: “We do it to learn more about ourselves, to learn more about our relationship with the cosmos, to learn more about our place in space.” — AP

Fitness DVDs remain hale and hardly over the hill

RANUA: Palle-Jooseppi, a male brown bear of Ranua Zoo, wakes up after winter hibernation. —AFP

Fitness program for mentally ill expands KEENE: Back when he was a selfdescribed friendless recluse, Craig Carey spent hours sitting in a chair doing nothing or driving around in his car, alone.

Then a fitness program for people with serious mental illness turned his life around. “The In SHAPE program gave me something to grab onto. I came out of my shell, I went to other programs ... got a part time job,” he said. “I started to say, ‘OK, my life is getting back together.’”

Carey, 47, of Keene, was diagnosed with manic depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder 15 years ago. In 2003, he became one of the first clients at Monadnock Family Services to join In SHAPE, a program so successful that the state has won a $10 million federal grant to replicate it at the rest of the state’s community mental health centers. The goal is to expand a program that now serves 150 people to 4,500 participants in the next five years.

The average life span for someone with a serious mental illness is 25 years shorter than someone in the general population, a gap that has been largely overlooked even though an estimated 10.4 million American adults - including about 43,000 in New Hampshire - fall into that category, said Dr. Stephen Bartels. He will supervise the program funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. “It can legitimately be said that this is largest and most important health disparity in the nation that has been unappreciated,” said Bartels, director of Dartmouth College’s Centers for Health and Aging. People with serious mental illnesses such as depression or schizophrenia are more likely to smoke and be

obese, putting them at greater risk for diabetes, heart disease and other chronic disease. And medications used to treat their mental illnesses often cause weight gain or leave them feeling too lethargic to exercise. Spending money on wellness efforts now will be less costly than expensive treatments for chronic diseases later, Bartels argues. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a sustained 10 percent weight loss will reduce an overweight person’s lifetime medical costs by $2,200-$5,300 by lowering costs associated with high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and high cholesterol. A report released this month by the nonprofit, nonpartisan Trust for America’s Health found that reducing the average body mass index by 5 percentage points in the United States could lead to more than $29 billion in health care savings in five years.

And there are societal benefits as well, said Ken Jue, who created the In SHAPE program in 2003. Some participants have gone back to work after decades of unemployment. Others have gone back to school. “As people have become involved in the program and as they begin to improve their physical health, they develop a sense of self-confidence that really frees them up to do some incredible things,” said Jue. Jue, a consultant to Monadnock Family Services, was the agency’s CEO in 2002 when he noticed a troubling trend. “I was sitting in a funeral of a client of the agency ... and I realized in the middle of the funeral that I’ve been to a lot of these funerals, and people were pretty young. —AP

NEW YORK: Despite the brave new workout world of streaming videos and smart phone exercise apps, the old-fangled fitness DVD has never been in better shape. As people seek to live healthier, it remains the go-to workout aid for many who like their exercise accessible, inexpensive and private, according to a recent report. “Consumers are getting more and more advice from doctors to exercise,” said Agata Kaczanowska, industry analyst for IBIS, which conducted a market research study of the $264 million-dollar fitness DVD industry.

Nearly one-third of Americans who visited a healthcare professional in 2010 were advised to exercise, she explained. “And a lot of these firsttime workout people are uncomfortable going to gym or working out in public.” So while movie DVDs are generally considered to be on life support, IBIS found that fitness DVD production revenue climbed at an 11.2 percent annualized pace in the five years to 2012.

The report, which gathers information from market trends, industry sources and government figures forecasts that the industry will grow 9.8 percent in the next five years. Kaczanowska said 18 to 34 year-olds account for a healthy 35 per-

cent of fitness DVD sales, followed by 35 to 50 year-olds at 33 percent. People 55 and over account for 20 percent. The industry is even beginning to target childhood fitness.

“With the focus on childhood obesity, there’s a push for parents to convince their children to exercise more, so I really do see that picking up as a trend,” she said. Inexpensive and widely available, fitness DVDs thrived in the recession.

Kaczanowska expects them to weather the recovery well, despite increased competition, because the number of people told to exercise will increase.

“There will be growth in the symbiotic relationships between online viewers and DVD exercisers,” she said. “A lot of companies are using online videos to promote their DVDs.” Jill Ross, co-owner of Collage Video, has been marketing fitness DVDs to consumers for 25 years. She said even when DVD technology was on its way in, fitness customers were among the last to embrace it. “Women and men who use fitness DVDs tend to have a large library of them,” she explained. “They typically rotate a dozen over the course of a couple of weeks.”

Those people, she said, are more likely to

Paws get Japanese scientists thinking TOKYO: Ever wonder how dogs can walk barefoot in the snow? Now a Japanese scientist may have the answer-an internal central heating system. The secret lies in how dogs circulate their blood to prevent cold surfaces from chilling the rest of their bodies, according to Hiroyoshi Ninomiya, a professor at Yamazaki Gakuen University, just west of Tokyo.

The system uses warm, oxygenated blood to heat the cold blood that has been in contact with a cold sur face before returning it to the dog’s heart and central circulation. “Dogs exchange heat at the end of their legs. Arterial blood flows to the end of their legs and then heats up venous blood before returning it to the heart,” Ninomiya said of his findings, published in the journal Veterinary Dermatology.

“In other words, they have a heat exchange system in their feet.” Ninomiya studied a preserved dog’s leg under an

electron microscope and found that because of the proximity of arteries and veins in the foot pad, the heat in the blood carried from the heart to the arteries is easily conducted to the cooler blood in the veins.

This heat transference maintains a constant temperature in the foot pad, even when exposed to extremely cold conditions. Dogs are not alone in having this sort of heat exchange system, which is shared by other animals such as dolphins, Ninomiya said. But not all dogs thrive in the cold, due to refining by breeders seeking specific traits, he added. “Dogs evolved from wolves, and so they still have some of that ancestry remaining,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean that one should always go and drag around in the snow all the time.

There are many varieties of dogs nowadays that are not able to stand the cold.” — Reuters

stick with the same format. And why change when the exercise offerings are forever expanding? “Whatever you’re interested in, whether it’s classical barre or intense cardio, there’s a DVD,” she said, along with an instructor to suit every taste. “Jillian Michaels (former trainer on TV’s “Biggest Loser) is pretty intense. She shouts at people, but they like her,” Ross said. “Leslie Sansone is more of a girl-next-door type. She does walking programs: two, three-mile walks, and people will buy every one of them.”

Currently selling well, Ross said, is anything with ballet in it, interval workouts, that combine aerobics and toning, and interval workouts alternating short segments of time.

“Women in particular are looking for more dumbbell exercises for bone strength,” she said.

Ross said while major manufacturers maintain high standards, some videos are still produced without sufficient thought to their home market; missteps can range from doing complicated moves with little or no instruction to travelling 40 feet (12 meters) across a gym floor. “How many people do you know who have a 40-foot (12-meter) living room?” she said. “We try not to carry those.” — Reuters

Turkey’s quadruple limb transplant fails ANKARA: Turkish surgeons removed both arms and legs from a patient who underwent what was touted as the world’s first quadruple limb transplant due to metabolic complications, the hospital said yesterday. Fifty-two doctors from Ankara’s Hacettepe University Hospital performed the transplant on Friday, attaching two arms and two legs to Sevket Cavdar. Doctors had first removed one leg from the patient after his heart and vascular system failed to sustain the limb and then the other leg and two arms.

“The science council (of the hospital) decided to remove the organs one by one due to additional metabolic complications in the following process,” the hospital said in a statement. “Our patient is now in the intensive care unit. The critical process is still continuing,” it added. Contacted by AFP, the doctors declined to share any details about the patient. The operation came on the heels of the country’s firstever face transplant at another Turkish university hospital. Last month, a team of doctors at Akdeniz University in the southern city of Antalya successfully performed the operation on a 19-year-old boy whose face was burned when he was a 40-day-old baby. — AFP

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health & science

Medical tattoos offer important health information KANSAS CITY: Tattoos have long served as fashion statements, but a small number of Americans are now relying on them for a more practical, potentially lifesaving purpose: to warn first responders about important medical conditions. Some medical tattoos are being used to take the place of bracelets that commonly list a person’s allergies, chronic diseases or even end-of-life wishes. “Bracelets are nice, but something as strong as a tattoo ... that is a strong statement,” said Dr. Ed Friedlander, a Kansas City pathologist who has “No CPR” tattooed in the centre of his chest, where a paramedic would see it.

Friedlander, 60, got the tattoo to emphasize his decision to forgo CPR if his heart stops. Medical tattoos don’t appear to carry much legal weight. It’s unclear whether an ambulance crew racing to treat a gravely ill patient could honor a request such as Friedlander ’s based on the tattoo alone. But the markings do offer a simple and permanent way to give rescuers important health details.

M elissa Boyer, of Nashville, Mich., wore bracelets for years to identify her as a diabetic, but she kept losing or breaking them. The

31-year-old decided months ago to get a 31/2-inch tattoo on her lef t forearm that includes the medical symbol and identifies her as a Type 1 diabetic. I t also declares her allergies to penicillin and aspirin.

“It’s been 29 years that I’ve had (diabetes), and I went through Idon’t-know-how-many bracelets,” she said. “I went and got the tattoo, and it made life easier.” The American M edical Association does not specifically address medical tattoos in its guidelines. But Dr. Saleh Aldasouqi, an endocrinologist at M ichigan State Universit y, hopes that might change.

Aldasouqi, who has written about the tattoos, has seen them among his diabetic patients and feels they are becoming so popular that the medical profession needs to help guide their development. “My intention has been to bring this issue to the surface so that medical organizations can have a say in that,” he said. “When you just Google it, you’re going to find hundreds of stories and discussions, but no medical say. So I feel we leave our patients kind of afloat.”

I t would be helpful, for

instance, if the tattoos were uniform or placed in the same area of the body so responders would know where to look, he said. “My perspective is that we as physi-

beforehand.

If one of his diabetic patients sought a tattoo, Aldasouqi would recommend using a licensed tattoo artist and carefully controlling

KANSAS CITY: In this photo, pathologist Dr. Ed Friedlander displays his tattoo with a medical directive to not use CPR. —AP cians need to be involved in this,” he added. Aldasouqi does not advocate for or against the tattoos, but he says patients and doctors should discuss the idea

blood sugar during the procedure.

The National Tattoo Association, a nonprofit that raises awareness about tattooing, does not track the numbers or styles of tattoos.

Sailor Bill Johnson, a spokesman for the association, said he does about one medical tattoo a year at his shop in Orlando, Fla. “Nine times out of 10, it’s either allergic to something, penicillin or peanuts,” he said. Still, it’s questionable whether medics or doctors would be under any obligation to honour end of-life instructions in a tattoo, unless they could be sure the patient also had signed legally binding papers.

Laws on do-not-resuscitate orders can vary widely from state to state.

M issouri law does not address medical tattoos at all.

“What we can tell you is what the law says. What we can’t tell you is what assumptions people are going to make,” said Gena Terlizzi, spokeswoman for the state Department of Health and Senior Services. However, emergency professionals are always on the lookout for information about a patient’s condition and treatment preferences, and that includes looking for medical tags, bracelets and possibly tattoos, said Dr. David Tan, medical director of Washington Universit y Emergency Medical Services in St. Louis.

“It’s something I have not seen

a whole lot of, but it’s out there,” Tan said. “I think tattoos just aren’t that conventional. But I don’t think it makes it any less useful.” A tattoo alerts “any medical professional to stop and think a moment,” he added. Tattoos are unlikely to replace medical alert jewelry, said Ramesh Srinivasan, spokesman for the MedicAlert Foundation, which sells more than 100,000 pieces of jewellery a year that have medical conditions on them.

Unlike tattoos, MedicAlert jewelry also provide information that gives a “complete snapshot” of the person’s health that can be accessed by professionals. “Tattoos are totally different,” Srinivasan said. “What’s the validation behind it?” Friedlander encourages patients to make their own medical decisions and to spell out their wishes ahead of time. He has paperwork outlining his preference to avoid CPR, but the tattoo, he explained, will “make people a whole lot more comfortable about honoring my known wishes.” “In pathology, you think a lot about the end of life,” he said. “Nobody would ever accuse me of not loving life. ... When this thing stops beating, it’s time for me to move on.” —AP

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

W H AT ’ S O N

Diwaniya announcement

F

ormer Information Minister Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah welcomes visitors to his diwaniya this evening, Tuesday, February 28, 2012, temporarily at the diwan of the late Hamad Saleh Al-Humaidhi in Shamiya, Block 2, Street No. 24, house No. 1.

Greetings

Presenters

Dr. Huda Shabaan

Presenters and organizers

Delegates

Mona Yacoub

FAWSEC Educational Company hosts conference

T

Afrah Rafi is celebrating her 10th birthday today. May the Almighty shower all His blessings on you always. Best wishes from parents, grand- parents, friends and relatives.

he FAWSEC Educational Company; owner of Al-Bayan Bilingual School and Fawzia Sultan International School hosted its second Kuwait International Educators’ Conference at Al Bayan Bilingual School on January 27-29, 2012. Twenty-five presenters specialized

in various fields of education were invited to present in the conference from Kuwait, the region and abroad. Presenters were from the Kuwait Association for Learning Differences (KALD), Center for Child Evaluation and Teaching (CCET), Soor Center, the American University of Beirut,

the Interactive Knowledge Center in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Buffalo State SUNY in the USA, Canada, and the UK. The conference was in part sponsored by a number of companies and associations that adopt a social responsibility towards students in Kuwait through supporting the latest in

educational methods and learning strategies. Among them were the; Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), Dow, The Sultan Center, Ali AbdulWahab and Sons, Al Dawliah Electronics, Hitachi and Wataniya Telecom.

Happy birthday to Heba Ramzi. Love and best wishes from parents and relatives in Kuwait and Sri Lanka.

Wish you Happy Birthday to Mohammad Parvez. Best wishes from: Father - Anwar Basha, Mother-Sajida, Sister-Faiz, Aslam, Tabasum, Ashraf, Ayan, Haji, Daada, Daadi, Naana, Naani, uncles & aunty.

Announcements Kuwait Improv Fun lovers of Kuwait unite. A get together by people who love to surprise, be surprised and just be about at anything are welcome to Kuwait Improv, a gathering, reminiscent of the famous American TV program Whose Line is it Anyway, informally organized by American School of Kuwait teacher Brad Manker. No histrionic talent required, but a willingness to share.

Please contact: mankerb@ask.edu

Carmel School celebrates ‘Incredible Earth’

O

n Feb 9, UKG of Carmel School celebrated their annual day. After saluting the two countries of Kuwait and India the tiny tots performed a prayer dance “I will say a prayer for you”.

The program was graced by Shobha Vaddadhi, Principal of Jabriya Indian School who enjoyed the little ones and

was appreciative of the school and the children. In her message the emphasized on the need to listen to children rather than impose and demand.

Celebrating ‘Incredible Earth’ through a musical, little aliens landed to see it in all its marvel and beauty, greenery and splendour. Much to the delight of the par-

ents the children enthralled the audience with an array of dances like the Rain Dance, Rainbow Dance, Butterfly Dance, Hawaiian Dance, Honky Tonk to mention a few. They also got the parents up in their seats trying to spot them in a power point presentation “Can you spot me mummy & daddy?” In the finale, the UKGs promised

the audience to preserve and protect the only planet that has life on it because it is so special. The meticulously designed costumes for each dance was beautiful, truly a feast for the eyes. The confidence with which the little ones performed was ‘par excellence’ which goes to prove that at Carmel, caramelizing takes place quickly.

Tulu speaking classes Here’s a great opportunity for parents who always wished their children could learn Tulu. Tulu Koota Kuwait, in its objective towards promoting Tulu language and culture, is pleased to announce the opening of Tutu Speaking Classes “Tulu Siri” at Indian Public School Salmiya @ 11:30 am. For more details kindly contact Ramesh Kidiyoor97204716/99596457,Shalini Vijay 66502369,Tharendra P. Shettigar 66757979,Jayalaxmi Karkal - 66958848, Sathyanarayana Salian - 66585077,Vanitha Dias94996459. And our Website: www.tulukootakuwait.org Email: info@tulukootakuwait.org Music festival On March 1, 2012, the “Blend Music Festival,” a mellow acoustic get-together of several local musicians, will take place in Bayt Lothan, the official sponsor, host, and curator of the event. This event will be FREE of charge and open to everyone to attend. We hope to see you all there, and here’s to a great start to 2012! The “Blend Music Festival” will be the first of many concerts to be held; there are a handful of musicians on board, and more will be added to the sets at a later stage. Here is the program for March 1st: 1- Ali Sleeq with Gary Ruston & Kevin Owen = JAZZ; 2- Hadi Sarieddine, Bader Nana, & Sarj = ROCK; 3- Lewis Chapman - FOLK / ROCK.

‘Football in the Community’ initiative

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ike Finn, Academy Director from the P.G.A. in association with Everton F.C. and sponsored by Porsche Centre Kuwait, Behbehani Motors Company, visited Bangladesh recently to donate footballs to several village schools and arrange future soccer coaching programmes as part of the global ‘Football in the Community’ initiative that provides opportunities for young people to become involved in the sport. The Premier GOAL Academy recently organised a visit to Kuwait for youngsters from Palestine, while Coach Peter Mapendere visited Zimbabwe to donate footballs to community groups for disadvantaged youngsters.

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W H AT ’ S O N

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

Embassy Information EMBASSY OF BRAZIL The Embassy of Brazil requests all Brazilian citizens in Kuwait to proceed to the website www.brazil.org.kw (Contact Us Form / Fale Conosco) in order to register or update contact information. The Embassy encourages all citizens to do so, including the ones who have already registered in person at the Embassy. The registration process helps the Brazilian Government to contact and assist Brazilians living abroad in case of any emergency. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF CANADA The Embassy of Canada is located at Villa 24, AlMutawakel 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 closed from 12:30 to 01:00 pm for lunch break. Consular Services for Canadian Citizens are provided from 09:00 A.M until 12:00 P.M on Sunday through Wednesday. Canada offers a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that Consular Officials can contact and assist Canadians in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform Canadians of a family emergency at home.

The Embassy of Canada encourages all Canadian Citizens to register online through the Government of Canada Travel Website at www.voyage.gc.ca. The Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi provides visa and immigration services to residents of Kuwait. Individuals who are interested in visiting, working or immigrating to Canada are invited to visit the website of the Canadian Embassy to the UAE at www.uae.gc.ca. nnnnnnn

The Address Downtown Dubai crowned GCC Anchor MasterChef

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hefs Daniel Edward, Speciality Sous Chef and Dedy Supriady, Executive Pastry Chef from The Address Downtown Dubai were awarded the coveted GCC Anchor MasterChef Challenge title for the second year. The Anchor MasterChef Challenge 2011 and now 2012 winners produced exceptional signature dishes and an outstanding creative menu from a ‘mystery basket’ of ingredients, which included sea bass, baby chicken and Anchor Extra Yield Cooking Cream, in a competition finale held this week in the Culinarium, Fonterra’s state-of-the-art kitchen in Dubai.

The panel of industry judges were impressed by the team’s original and inspiring menu in the first round and their calmness under pressure in the final. Chefs Daniel Edward and Dedy Supriady were just one of over 35 teams of top chefs from across the GCC competing in the third Anchor MasterChef Challenge held during January and February. Closely following in second place were Yousif Ahmed and Seyed Hanif from The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa, Bahrain and in third place, Demas Tri Saputra Latief and Nilmini Gunasena from The Ivy Restaurant, Dubai.

“This competition has been another great experience for us and winning for a second year running is really incredible,” says Daniel Edward. “We felt are competitors were much tougher this year and we felt the pressure, particularly when we were plating up ready for judging in the final.”

Dedy Supriady agrees. “It has been an amazing experience but really hard work at the same time! The feedback we received from the judges throughout the competition has been really helpful and we are taking all their advice on board. It was a great

learning experience. All the teams who took part are very talented and they certainly didn’t make this an easy win for us.

We are delighted.”

This is the third year Fonterra, the world’s largest dairy exporter, has run the GCC Anchor MasterChef Challenge and with near to 80 chefs participating, it is the largest independent culinary competition of its kind in the region. Following the final in the Culinarium, Chef Peter Hallmanns, Senior Advisory Chef for Fonterra Brands Middle East and manager of the competition says he was impressed by the determination he saw from the winning team. “It’s so inspiring to see Chefs Daniel and Dedy challenging themselves and their peers with their modern cuisine. They approached both rounds with a great attitude and clearly wanted to produce menus that would make an impact, and their choice of ingredients was inspiring and they truly deserve the Anchor MasterChef Challenge title for the second year.

“Once again this competition has been a fabulous success,” Chef Peter continues.

“Young, up -and-coming chefs in the GCC do face a disadvantage in the global culinary scene as they do not have access to the wide range of training institutions that are available to chefs working in the European countries of France, Switzerland and Germany. This is why professional com-

petitions such as this are so important as they offer additional support and learning and they give the chefs the opportunity to test their skills amongst the best in the region and help keep them at the top of their game.”

In second place were Yousif Ahmed and Seyed Hanif from The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa, Bahrain. Yousif Ahmed says, “We would obviously have loved to have won but to be able to show what we are capable of has been a real honour and our second place title has not discouraged us - we will go away and work harder so we can come back and win next year!”

The final was held on Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 February and saw seven GCC teams produce a threecourse menu from a ‘mystery’ basket of ingredients. In addition to the three highest ranking teams, the following four teams were vying for the title: lBengt Karlsson and Mohammed Ayoob M. Ibrahim from Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Dubai lMavila Sateesh Kumar and Amaratunga Arachchige, Damith C. from Moevenpick Hotel and Resort Al Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia lWael Alawar and Mohamad Hamdan from The Diplomat Club, Qatar lAssim Al-Bulushi and T.B. Chamara, Oman Air Catering Unit

For the first time in the competition’s history, Chef Peter Hallmanns and colleague Chef Maher Naddaf, Advisory Chef for Fonterra in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, ran a number of cook-off events across the GCC to seek out the most competent teams to take part in the final.

At each first round cook-off, the competing teams of two chefs prepared their signature three-course menu, which was judged by Fonterra’s in-house chefs and independent chefs from the respective countries. For the final, a panel of independent and accredited judges were selected. Throughout the competition the dishes were judged adhering to the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS), recommended standards.

The final was held at Fonterra’s Culinarium in Dubai, its professional stateof-the-art kitchen, which hosts competitions, workshops and training sessions for chefs from across the GCC throughout the year.

The team from The Address Downtown Dubai received AED 15,000 per team; Runners-up team The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa, Bahrain received AED 10,000 and the team from The Ivy Restaurant, Dubai in third place received AED 5,000. Through Fonterra’s ongoing initiatives, hundreds of professional chefs from across the GCC have had the opportunity to put themselves forward to compete against their peers and push the boundaries of the region’s culinary industry.

The Anchor MasterChef Challenge is just one of a number of regular culinary events hosted by Fonterra. The New Zealandbased company is committed to providing young chefs with the opportunity to develop their skills through demanding competitions and challenging workshops.

EMBASSY OF CYPRUS The Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus requests Cypriot citizens living in Kuwait to register with the Embassy. This registration service is provided so that the Embassy can update its contact list and assist Cypriot citizens in cases of emergencies. Registration information can be emailed to cyprusembassykwt@gmail.com or faxed to 22253227 or given by phone to 65906048 (Mrs Christine). nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF KOREA The Embassy of the Republic of Korea wishes to inform that it has moved to Mishref.

New Address: Embassy of the Republic of Korea Mishref, Block 7A, Diplomatic Area 2, Plot 6 The Embassy also wishes to inform that it will be opened to the public on the following office hours: Saturdays to Thursday Morning: 8:00 am to 12:30 pm Lunch Break: 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm Afternoon: 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF MYANMAR Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar would like to inform the general public that the Embassy will move its office to new location at Villa 35, Road 203, Block 2, AlSalaam Area in South Surra. The Embassy wishes to advice Myanmar citizens and travellers to Myanmar to contact Myanmar Embassy at its new location from 26 January, 2012. Tel. 25240736, 25240290, Fax: 25240749, e-mail:myankuwait11@gmai1.com nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF NIGERIA The Nigerian embassy has its new office in Mishref. Block 3, Street 7, House 4. For enquires please call 25379541. Fax25387719. Email- nigeriakuwait@yahoo.com or nigeriankuwait@yahoo.co.uk nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF RUSSIA Embassy of the Russian Federation will hold the elections of the President of the Russian Federation on March 3, 2012 between 8 am and 8 pm in the Embassy’s premises by the address: Kuwait City, Daiya, Block 5, Diplomatic campus, Plot 17. All Russians are invited to participate. They are requested to present valid Russian passports. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF UKRAINE We’d like to inform you that in response to the increasing number of our citizens who work in the state and the need for 24-hour operational telephone in case of emergency the Embassy of Ukraine in the State of Kuwait has opened “hotline telephone number” (+ 965) 972-79-206. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF VENEZUELA Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, request Venezuelan citizens living in Kuwait to register with the Embassy, This registration service is provided so that the Embassy can update its contact list and assist Venezuelan citizens in cases os emergencies. Registration Information 25324367 or by email: embavenez@gmail.com. Our time is from Sunday to Thursday from 8.30am till 2 pm. nnnnnnn

KES students commemorate Remembrance Ceremony

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n February, 40 students from Kuwait English School embarked on a history tour of France and Belgium. The focus of the tour was to learn more about the First World War and the French Revolution. In Paris the students visited sights such as the Palace of Versailles, Les Invallides and the Place de la Concorde, where many French peasants had their heads chopped off by the guillotine during the revolution. In Belgium the students visited sites of the First World War including Ypres and Passachadale.

They explored the trenches and even saw unexploded shells that were nearly 100 years old. The highlight of the visit was being invited to represent Kuwait at the Menin Gate Ceremony to remember those that gave their lives in the war.

The ceremony began with the Buglers playing the last post and the two minute silent. Then

four stents (Amy Morgan, Burzin Kohina Ahmed Al-Sharida and Nadia laid wreaths of poppies with inscriptions in English and Arabic at the base of the gate. The ceremony was a moving and emotional experience for the students.

Head of History and tour leader, Helen Towler commented: “The whole experience helped history come alive for the students. Exploring these sites in the snow with temperatures of -12 meant they developed real empathy for the soldiers who suffered four harsh winters in the trenches.” One of the pupils commented “The experience was amazing. I learnt so much about the horror of the trenches and also the bravery of the soldiers. My favourite part was seeing a dug-out. I want to thank our teachers Towler, Hardy, Hill, Williams and Walid for making this experience possible.”

EMBASSY OF THAILAND The Royal Thai Embassy in Kuwait, wishes to invite the Kuwaiti companies that deal business with Thai companies or those agencies of Thai commercial companies to visit the Embassy’s Commercial Office to register their relevant information to be part of the embassy’s business and trade database. The Royal Thai Embassy is located in Jabriya, Block 6, Street 8, Villa No. 1, Telephone No. 25317530 25317531, Ext: 14.

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

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

TV PROGRAMS

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

RSPCA: On The Frontline Wildlife SOS International Ned Bruha: Skunk Whisperer Animal Cops Phoenix There’s A Rhino In My House!

Shamwari: A Wild Life The Really Wild Show Chris Humfrey’s Wildlife Talk To The Animals Cats 101 Dogs 101 Orangutan Island Wildlife SOS International Escape To Chimp Eden In Too Deep Amba The Russian Tiger World Wild Vet

00:45 01:15 01:45 02:35 03:05 03:35 04:00 04:20 04:30 04:45 05:00 05:05 05:25 05:36 05:50 06:10 06:20 06:30 06:45 06:50 07:10 07:20 07:35 08:05 08:35 09:20 09:50 10:20 11:10 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:45 14:15 14:45 15:35 16:25 17:10 17:40 18:10 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:50 21:20 21:50

Eastenders Doctors Waking The Dead 2 Point 4 Children After You’ve Gone Keeping Up Appearances Me Too! Charlie and Lola Gigglebiz Bobinogs Poetry Pie Fimbles 3rd & Bird Forget Me Not Farm Me Too! Charlie and Lola Gigglebiz Bobinogs Poetry Pie Fimbles 3rd & Bird Forget Me Not Farm 2 Point 4 Children After You’ve Gone The Weakest Link Eastenders Doctors Holby City Born and Bred Keeping Up Appearances 2 Point 4 Children The Weakest Link Eastenders Doctors Holby City Born and Bred The Weakest Link Eastenders Doctors Holby City 2 Point 4 Children The Old Guys Red Cap After You’ve Gone Keeping Up Appearances Lark Rise to Candleford

00:20 02:10 03:00 03:45 04:30 05:20 06:05 07:45 08:10 08:55

Karina: Wild On Safari Animal Cops Specials 2009 Untamed & Uncut Shark Attack Survivors Ned Bruha: Skunk Whisperer Karina: Wild On Safari There’s A Rhino In My House!

Escape To Chimp Eden In Too Deep Animal Precinct Orangutan Island Chris Humfrey’s Wildlife Talk To The Animals The Really Wild Show Project Puppy My Cat From Hell There’s A Rhino In My House!

New Breed Vets With Steve

Masterchef 10 Years Younger Celebrity Fantasy Homes Bargain Hunt Antiques Roadshow Celebrity Fantasy Homes Gok’s Fashion Fix James Martin’s Champagne House Swap Bargain Hunt

09:40 Masterchef Australia 10:25 Bargain Hunt 11:10 Antiques Roadshow 12:00 Come Dine With Me 12:50 10 Years Younger 13:40 Fantasy Homes Down Under 15:10 Celebrity Fantasy Homes 15:55 House Swap 16:40 Bargain Hunt 17:25 Antiques Roadshow 18:15 Bargain Hunt 19:00 Raymond Blanc’s Kitchen Secrets 19:30 James Martin’s Champagne 20:45 James Martin’s Brittany 21:05 Fantasy Homes Down Under 22:40 Bargain Hunt 23:25 Antiques Roadshow

00:40 Samurai Jack 01:30 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 02:20 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 03:10 Best Ed 04:00 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 04:25 Adventure Time 04:50 Generator Rex 05:15 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 05:40 Grim Adventures Of Billy And Mandy 05:55 I Am Weasel 06:55 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 07:20 Powerpuff Girls 07:45 Angelo Rules 08:00 Casper’s Scare School 08:30 The Amazing World Of Gumball 08:45 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 09:15 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 09:40 Batman: The Brave And The Bold 10:05 Angelo Rules 10:30 Chowder 10:55 Adventure Time 11:20 Eliot Kid 11:35 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 12:00 Ben 10 12:25 Sym-Bionic Titan 12:50 Courage The Cowardly Dog 13:15 I Am Weasel 13:40 Best Ed 14:05 Cow & Chicken 14:30 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 14:50 Eliot Kid 15:15 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 15:40 Ben 10: Alien Force 16:05 Courage The Cowardly Dog 16:30 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 16:55 The Amazing World Of Gumball 17:10 Adventure Time 17:35 Regular Show 18:00 Cow & Chicken 18:25 Bakugan: Gundalian Invaders 18:50 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 19:15 Angelo Rules 19:30 Total Drama World Tour 19:55 Hero 108 20:25 Sym-Bionic Titan 20:50 Adventure Time 21:25 The Grim Adventures Of Billy & Mandy 21:50 Courage 22:25 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 22:50 Cow And Chicken 23:00 Ben 10 23:50 Courage The Cowardly Dog

00:00 00:25 01:15 02:00 02:50 03:35 04:25 05:15 06:00 06:20 06:45 07:05 07:30 07:55 08:10

Kim Possible Fairly Odd Parents Stitch Replacements Emperor’s New School Stitch Replacements Fairly Odd Parents Hannah Montana Forever Recess Timon And Pumbaa Phineas And Ferb Good Luck Charlie Phineas And Ferb Wizards Of Waverly Place

08:35 09:00 09:25 09:40 09:47 Pooh 09:50 10:15 10:40 10:45 11:10 11:35 12:00 12:25 12:45 13:10 13:30 13:55 14:20 14:30 14:55 15:20 15:45 16:10 16:40 17:05 17:30 17:55 18:20 19:10 19:30 19:35 20:00 20:25 20:50 21:15 21:35 22:00 22:50 23:35

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

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Jake & The Neverland Pirates Handy Manny The Hive 00:15 Destroyed In Seconds Mini Adventures Of Winnie The 00:40 Blueprint For Disaster 01:35 Dirty Jobs Recess 02:30 Overhaulin’ So Random 03:25 Ultimate Survival Have A Laugh 04:20 Mythbusters Hannah Montana Forever 05:15 How Does It Work Suite Life On Deck 05:40 How It’s Made Jake & Blake 06:05 Dirty Jobs Sonny With A Chance 07:00 Mythbusters Wizards Of Waverly Place 07:50 Wreckreation Nation Phineas And Ferb 08:45 Fight Quest So Random 09:40 How Does It Work Suite Life On Deck 10:05 Cake Boss Wizards Of Waverly Place 10:30 Border Security Have A Laugh 10:55 Auction Kings Phineas And Ferb 11:25 Rising: Rebuilding Ground Good Luck Charlie Zero My Babysitter’s A Vampire 16:00 Overhaulin’ Fish Hooks 16:55 Ultimate Survival Shake It Up 17:50 Mythbusters Wizards Of Waverly Place 18:45 Cash Cab Us Timon And Pumbaa Good Luck Charlie Fish Hooks Suite Life On Deck Good Luck Charlie 00:40 Space Pioneer Have A Laugh 01:35 Weird or What?

Wizards Of Waverly Place 02:25 The Tech Show Hannah Montana 02:50 Building the Future Phineas And Ferb 03:40 Engineering Thrills Shake It Up 04:35 How Does That Work?

Fish Hooks 05:00 How Stuff’s Made Recess 05:25 Mega Builders Shake It Up 06:20 Junkyard Mega-Wars Wizards Of Waverly Place 07:10 Space Pioneer Sonny With A Chance 08:00 The Gadget Show 08:50 How Does That Work?

09:15 How Stuff’s Made 09:40 Building the Future 10:35 Engineering Thrills 11:25 Mega Builders 12:20 Junkyard Mega-Wars Wacky Races 13:15 Space Pioneer Dastardly And Muttley 14:05 Weird or What?

New Yogi Bear Show 14:55 How Does That Work?

Duck Dodgers 15:20 How Stuff’s Made The Perils Of Penelope Pitstop 15:50 The Gadget Show Tom & Jerry Kids 16:40 The Tech Show A Pup Named Scooby-Doo 17:05 Junkyard Mega-Wars The Jetsons 18:00 Space Pioneer Puppy In My Pocket 18:50 Mega Builders Popeye 19:40 Through the Wormhole with Tom & Jerry Morgan Freeman Looney Tunes 20:30 Meteorite Men Scooby Doo Where Are You! 21:20 Thunder Races Droopy: Master Detective 22:10 The Gadget Show Wacky Races 23:00 Through the Wormhole with The Flintstones Morgan Freeman A Pup Named Scooby-Doo 23:50 Meteorite Men Popeye Classics The Garfield Show Bananas In Pyjamas Baby Looney Tunes Gerald McBoing Boing Jelly Jamm 00:15 Mexican Made Easy Pink Panther And Pals 00:40 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Pink Panther And Pals 01:05 Reza, Spice Prince Of India Puppy In My Pocket 01:30 Good Eats The Scooby Doo Show 01:55 Andy Bates Street Feasts Scooby Doo Where Are You! 02:45 Easy Chinese: San Francisco The Flintstones 03:35 Reza, Spice Prince Of India Duck Dodgers 04:25 Mexican Made Easy Tom & Jerry Kids 05:15 Kid In A Candy Store Pink Panther And Pals 05:40 Good Eats Wacky Races 06:05 Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam Jelly Jamm 06:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Baby Looney Tunes 06:50 Food Network Challenge Bananas In Pyjamas 07:35 Barefoot Contessa - Back To The Garfield Show Basics A Pup Named Scooby-Doo 08:00 Food Network Challenge Scooby-Doo And Scrappy- 08:50 Reza, Spice Prince Of India 09:15 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Looney Tunes Basics Puppy In My Pocket 09:40 Good Eats 10:05 Healthy Appetite With Ellie Pink Panther And Pals Krieger Pink Panther And Pals 10:30 Paula’s Best Dishes Tom & Jerry 10:55 Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam Tom & Jerry 11:20 World Cafe Asia The Garfield Show 11:45 30 Minute Meals The Scooby Doo Show Scooby-Doo And Scrappy- 12:10 Unwrapped 12:35 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 13:00 Good Eats Jelly Jamm 13:25 Guy’s Big Bite Baby Looney Tunes 13:50 Aarti Party Gerald McBoing Boing 14:15 World Cafe Asia Bananas In Pyjamas 14:40 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Pink Panther And Pals Basics Tom & Jerry 15:05 Healthy Appetite With Ellie Looney Tunes Krieger Scooby Doo Where Are You! 15:30 Unwrapped Droopy: Master Detective 15:55 Paula’s Best Dishes The Flintstones 16:20 Andy Bates Street Feasts 16:45 Chopped 17:35 Guy’s Big Bite 18:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 18:25 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 18:50 Aarti Party 19:15 Good Eats 19:40 Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam 20:05 Reza, Spice Prince Of India 20:30 Food Network Challenge 21:20 Guy’s Big Bite 22:10 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 23:00 Food Network Challenge 23:50 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics

THE WARRIORʼS WAY ON OSN ACTION HD

00:00 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 00:25 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 00:40 Special Agent Oso 00:55 Little Einsteins 01:20 Timmy Time 01:30 Jungle Junction 01:45 Handy Manny 01:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 02:20 Special Agent Oso 02:50 Jungle Junction 03:15 Little Einsteins 03:40 Higglytown Heroes 04:10 Jo Jo’s Circus 04:30 Special Agent Oso 05:00 Jungle Junction 05:25 Little Einsteins 05:50 Higglytown Heroes 06:20 Jo Jo’s Circus 06:40 Special Agent Oso 07:10 Jungle Junction 07:35 Little Einsteins 08:00 Higglytown Heroes 08:30 Jo Jo’s Circus 08:50 Jungle Junction 09:15 Higglytown Heroes 09:45 Handy Manny 10:00 Special Agent Oso 10:15 Jungle Junction 10:45 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 11:10 The Hive 11:20 Handy Manny 11:35 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 12:05 The Hive 12:15 Mini Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 12:20 Mouk (Cema) 12:45 The Hive 12:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 13:20 Imagination Movers 13:45 Art Attack (Cema) 14:10 Imagination Movers 14:35 Special Agent Oso 14:45 Lazytown 15:10 Handy Manny 15:25 Jungle Junction

15:40 Imagination Movers 16:05 The Hive 16:15 Special Agent Oso 16:25 Little Einsteins 16:50 Lazytown 17:15 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 17:40 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 18:05 Mouk (Cema) 18:20 Handy Manny 18:30 The Hive 18:40 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 18:55 Imagination Movers 19:20 Lazytown 19:45 Art Attack (Cema) 20:10 The Hive 20:20 Special Agent Oso 20:30 Jungle Junction 20:45 Handy Manny 20:55 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 21:25 The Hive 21:35 Little Einsteins 22:00 Mini Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 22:05 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 22:25 101 Dalmatians 22:50 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 23:20 The Hive 23:30 Mini Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 23:35 A Poem Is...

00:55 Style Star 01:25 THS 03:15 25 Most Stylish 04:10 Sexiest 05:05 Extreme Hollywood 06:00 THS 07:50 Behind The Scenes 08:20 E! News 09:15 Scouted 10:15 THS 12:05 E! News 13:05 Kendra 14:05 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 15:00 Style Star 15:30 THS 16:25 Behind The Scenes 16:55 Khloe And Lamar 17:55 E! News 18:55 THS 19:55 Kourtney & Kim Take New York 20:55 Chelsea Lately 21:25 Kendra 22:25 E! News 23:25 Chelsea Lately 23:55 Keeping Up With The Kardashians

00:00 Enfusion 00:50 Pinks: Lose The Race, Lose Your Ride 01:40 Eddie Jordan’s Bad Boy Racers 02:30 World Combat League 03:20 Pinks: Lose The Race, Lose Your Ride 04:10 Enfusion 05:00 Fantasy Factory 05:50 Eddie Jordan’s Bad Boy Racers 06:40 World Combat League 07:30 Tread BMX 09:00 IFMXF 2011 09:25 FIM World Motocross MX1/MX2...

10:15 Ticket To Ride 2009/2010 11:05 X-Traordinary 11:55 Gumball 3000: 2008 12:45 Ed’s Up 13:35 Pinks: Lose The Race, Lose Your Ride 14:25 Eddie Jordan’s Bad Boy Racers 15:15 World Combat League 16:05 Gumball 3000: 2008 16:55 Ed’s Up 17:45 IFMXF 2011 18:10 FIM World Motocross MX1/MX2...

19:00 Ticket To Ride 2009/2010 19:50 X-Traordinary 20:40 Eddie Jordan’s Bad Boy Racers 21:30 Pinks: Lose The Race, Lose Your Ride

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

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

Stalked: Someone’s Watching Dr G: Medical Examiner The Haunted A Haunting I Married A Mobster Scorned: Crimes Of Passion Stalked: Someone’s Watching Dr G: Medical Examiner The Haunted A Haunting Mystery Diagnosis CSU Forensic Detectives Murder Shift Mystery Diagnosis Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth Did I Marry?

On The Case With Paula Zahn Disappeared Murder Shift Mystery Diagnosis Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth Did I Marry?

On The Case With Paula Zahn Disappeared CSU Forensic Detectives Murder Shift Real Emergency Calls Mystery Diagnosis Who On Earth Did I Marry?

On The Case With Paula Zahn Disappeared Couples Who Kill Deadly Women: Face To Face

Bite Me With Dr. Mike Leahy Banged Up Abroad Banged Up Abroad Naked Lentil Destination Extreme Somewhere In China Perilous Journeys Bite Me With Dr. Mike Leahy Banged Up Abroad Banged Up Abroad Naked Lentil Destination Extreme Somewhere In China Perilous Journeys Bite Me With Dr. Mike Leahy A World Apart Treks In A Wild World Endurance Traveller On The Camino De Santiago Warrior Road Trip Racing Around The Clock Dive Detectives A World Apart Treks In A Wild World Endurance Traveller On The Camino De Santiago Warrior Road Trip

HOT TUB TIME MACHINE ON OSN CINEMA

00:00 02:00 04:00 PG15 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00

Army Of Darkness-18 The Final-18 True Justice: Deadly CrossingRiddles Of The Sphinx-PG15 Triassic Attack-PG15 No Time To Fear-PG15 Fighting-PG15 Triassic Attack-PG15 Blank Slate-PG15 Fighting-PG15 Sanctum-18 The Warrior’s Way-PG15

01:00 Sinners & Saints-18 03:00 Elle: A Modern Cinderella Tale-PG15 05:00 Despicable Me-FAM 07:00 The 19th Wife-PG15 09:00 The LXD: Secrets Of The RaPG15 11:00 Make It Happen-PG15 13:00 My Dog Tulip-PG15 15:00 The Nanny Express-PG15 17:00 Certified Copy-PG15 19:00 The Spy Next Door-PG 21:00 Hot Tub Time Machine-18 23:00 The Gray Man-PG15

03:00 The Simpsons 03:30 Mr. Sunshine 04:00 Dharma And Greg 08:30 The Simpsons 12:30 Dharma And Greg 14:00 Mr. Sunshine 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Mr. Sunshine 19:00 Two And A Half Men 19:30 Hot In Cleveland 20:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 21:30 The Colbert Report 22:00 Weeds 22:30 American Dad 23:30 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

01:00 Jason X-18 03:00 True Justice: Deadly CrossingPG15 05:00 Carriers-PG15 07:00 Superman/ Batman: Apocalypse-PG15 09:00 Rocky v-PG15 11:00 Iron Man 2-PG15 13:15 Freight-PG15 15:00 Rocky v-PG15 17:00 Ip Man-PG15 19:00 Largo Winch 2-PG15 21:00 The Warrior’s Way-PG15 23:00 They Wait-18

00:00 Paper Man-PG15 02:00 Woke Up Dead-PG15 04:00 Babe-FAM 06:00 Babe: Pig In The City-FAM 08:00 My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend-PG15 10:00 102 Dalmatians-PG 12:00 One Hot Summer-PG15 14:00 What’s The Worst That Could Happen?-PG15 16:00 Paper Man-PG15 18:00 You Again-PG15 20:00 Mean Girls 2-PG15 22:00 Defendor-PG15

00:45 Mother And Child-18 03:00 Cats & Dogs-PG 04:30 Revenge Of The Bridesmaids -PG15 06:00 My Name Is Khan-PG15 09:00 Easy A-PG15 11:00 My Sassy Girl-PG15 13:00 A Christmas Carol-PG 15:00 Prom-PG15 17:00 Easy A-PG15 19:00 Wrong Turn At Tahoe-18 21:00 Mean Girls 2-PG15 23:00 Paranormal Activity 2-18

00:00 Winnie The Pooh-FAM 01:45 In Search Of The Titanic-PG 04:00 Dork Hunters And The Pirates Of Tortuga Island-PG15 06:00 Mars Needs Moms-PG 08:00 Gladiators: The Conspiracy-PG 10:00 Flicka 2-PG15 12:15 Winnie The Pooh-FAM 14:00 Dork Hunters And The Pirates Of Tortuga Island-PG15 16:00 Christmas In New York-PG 18:00 Flicka 2-PG15 20:00 The Nimbols: Part I-FAM 22:00 Gladiators: The Conspiracy-PG

00:00 01:00 01:30 03:30 05:30 06:30 07:00 08:00 11:30 12:30 14:30 16:00 17:00 19:00 21:00 22:00 22:30 23:00

Super Rugby Highlights Volvo Ocean Race Highlights Scottish Premier League Super Rugby Trans World Sport Volvo Ocean Race Highlights Super Rugby Highlights Premier League Darts Super Rugby Highlights Super League Volvo Ocean Race Super Rugby Highlights Scottish Premier League Super Rugby Trans World Sport Futbol Mundial Volvo Ocean Race Highlights Super League

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00

WWE Experience V8 Supercars V8 Supercars Speedway Intercontinental Le Mans Cup UFC Unleashed WWE NXT WWE Bottom Line Speedway Le Mans Series Highlights V8 Supercars WWE Bottom Line WWE Vintage Collection Le Mans Series Highlights Speedway Power Boats UIM WWE NXT WWE Experience

00:00 Premier League Darts 04:45 Trans World Sport 05:45 ODI Cricket Highlights 06:15 Live Cricket ODI 14:30 Trans World Sport 15:30 Premier League Darts 19:00 ODI Cricket Highlights 19:30 Volvo Ocean Race 20:30 Top 14 Highlights 21:00 Futbol Mundial 21:30 ODI Cricket Highlights 22:00 Trans World Sport 23:00 Scottish Premier League Highlights 23:30 Golfing World

00:00 Scottish Premier League Highlights 00:30 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 01:00 Pro 12 Celtic League 03:00 Super Rugby Highlights 04:00 World Pool Masters 05:00 US Bass Fishing 06:00 FIVB Beach Volley Ball 07:00 Golfing World 08:00 European PGA Tour Highlights 09:00 Scottish Premier League Highlights 09:30 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 10:00 World Cup of Pool 11:00 World Pool Masters 12:00 US Bass Fishing 13:00 Super Rugby Highlights 14:00 Golfing World 15:00 Asian Tour Highlights 16:00 Scottish Premier League 18:00 Super Rugby 20:00 Asian Tour Highlights 21:00 ODI Cricket Highlights 21:30 Pro 12 Celtic League 23:30 Premier League Darts

00:00 Ancient Aliens 01:00 Ax Men 02:00 Investigating History 03:00 Ice Road Truckers 04:00 IRT: Deadliest Roads – The Andes 05:00 UFO Files 06:00 Ancient Aliens 07:00 Ax Men 08:00 Investigating History 09:00 Ice Road Truckers 10:00 IRT: Deadliest Roads – The Andes 11:00 UFO Files 12:00 Ancient Aliens 13:00 Ax Men 14:00 Investigating History 15:00 Ice Road Truckers 16:00 IRT: Deadliest Roads – The Andes 17:00 UFO Files 18:00 Ancient Aliens 19:00 Ax Men 20:00 Investigating History 21:00 Storage Wars 21:30 Pawn Stars 22:00 Pawn Stars 22:30 Storage Wars 23:00 Mud Men

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

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Jerseylicious Homes With Style Open House Videofashion Daily Videofashion News How Do I Look?

Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?

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Clean House Dress My Nest Mel B: It’s A Scary World How Do I Look?

Giuliana & Bill Kimora: Life In The Fab Lane Jerseylicious Glam Fairy Fashion Police Elements Of Style Giuliana & Bill Clean House: New York Wicked Fit Glam Fairy

00:00 Globe Trekker 01:00 Glutton For Punishment 01:30 Trabant Trek 02:00 Essential Specials 03:00 Tall Ship Explorers 04:00 Cruising The Amazon 05:00 Globe Trekker 06:00 Planet Food 07:00 Glutton For Punishment 07:30 Life’s A Trip 08:00 Globe Trekker 09:00 World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides 10:00 Globe Trekker 11:00 Planet Food 12:00 Flavours Of Chile 12:30 Life’s A Trip 13:00 Globe Trekker 14:00 Planet Food 15:00 Cruising The Amazon 16:00 Tall Ship Explorers 17:00 Globe Trekker 18:00 Life’s A Trip 18:30 Flavours Of Peru 19:00 Planet Food 20:00 Globe Trekker 21:00 Inside Luxury Travel-Varun Sharma 22:00 Sophie Grigson In Thailand 22:30 Sophie Grigson In The Orient 23:00 Planet Sports

Classifieds TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Airlines QTR JZR JZR JZR ETH THY UAE OMA DHX QTR MSR FDB ETD RJA GFA KAC DHX FCX JZR JZR KAC BAW KAC JZR KAC FDB KAC KAC KAC KAC UAE ABY QTR ETD FDB IRA GFA IRA JZR MEA MSR MSR JZR RKM KAC GFA KAC FDB UAL GRF QTR KAC SVA DLH RJA KAC JZR QTR KAC JZR JZR ETD UAE GFA SVA RBG ABY JZR FDB ALK JZR KAC FDB KAC KAC KAC JZR KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC FDB KAC OMA AXB JAI DHX MEA GFA QTR UAE JZR ABY KLM AIC JZR UAL BBC DLH

Arrival Flights on Tuesday 28/2/2012 Flt Route 138 DOHA 185 DUBAI 267 BEIRUT 539 CAIRO 620 ADDIS ABABA 772 ISTANBUL 853 DUBAI 641 MUSCAT 370 BAHRAIN 148 DOHA 612 CAIRO 67 DUBAI 305 ABU DHABI 642 AMMAN 211 BAHRAIN 544 CAIRO 170 BAHRAIN 201 DUBAI 555 ALEXANDRIA 529 ASSIUT 416 JAKARTA 157 LONDON 412 MANILA 503 LUXOR 206 ISLAMABAD 53 DUBAI 352 COCHIN 302 MUMBAI 332 TRIVANDRUM 284 DHAKA 855 DUBAI 125 SHARJAH 132 DOHA 301 ABU DHABI 55 DUBAI 605 ISFAHAN 213 BAHRAIN 619 LAR 165 DUBAI 404 BEIRUT 623 SOHAG 610 CAIRO 201 DAMASCUS 310 RAS ALKHAIMAH 672 DUBAI 219 BAHRAIN 512 TEHRAN 57 DUBAI 982 WASHINGTON DC DULLES 93 KANDAHAR 140 DOHA 546 ALEXANDRIA 500 JEDDAH 8413 SHARJAH 640 AMMAN 562 AMMAN 257 BEIRUT 134 DOHA 678 ABU DHABI 561 SOHAG 1535 CAIRO 303 ABU DHABI 857 DUBAI 215 BAHRAIN 510 RIYADH 3555 ALEXANDRIA 127 SHARJAH 777 JEDDAH 8073 DUBAI 227 COLOMBO 177 DUBAI 614 BAHRAIN 63 DUBAI 502 BEIRUT 542 CAIRO 744 DAMMAM 787 RIYADH 786 JEDDAH 618 DOHA 674 DUBAI 166 PARIS 104 LONDON 774 RIYADH 61 DUBAI 552 DAMASCUS 647 MUSCAT 389 KOZHIKODE 572 MUMBAI 372 BAHRAIN 402 BEIRUT 217 BAHRAIN 136 DOHA 859 DUBAI 135 BAHRAIN 123 SHARJAH 443 AMSTERDAM 981 CHENNAI 239 AMMAN 981 BAHRAIN 43 DHAKA 636 FRANKFURT

Time 0:20 0:20 0:45 0:50 1:45 2:15 2:35 2:50 2:55 2:55 3:00 3:05 3:10 3:10 3:15 4:40 5:15 5:30 6:00 6:20 6:25 6:40 6:45 7:25 7:40 7:45 7:50 7:55 8:05 8:15 8:30 9:00 9:05 9:15 9:20 9:45 9:55 10:50 11:20 11:55 12:30 12:55 13:00 13:10 13:20 13:25 13:40 13:50 14:05 14:15 14:20 14:30 14:30 14:35 14:40 14:45 15:00 15:25 15:30 16:10 16:25 16:50 16:55 17:15 17:20 17:20 17:40 17:45 17:55 18:10 18:15 18:35 18:40 18:45 18:50 18:55 19:05 19:10 19:15 19:25 19:30 19:35 19:40 20:00 20:05 20:15 20:30 20:45 21:00 21:20 21:25 21:35 21:40 21:55 22:00 22:05 22:05 22:45 23:00 23:45 23:50

Airlines UAL AIC BBC JZR PIA DLH ETH THY FDB UAE OMA DHX MSR ETD QTR QTR JZR GFA RJA JZR KAC FDB BAW KAC JZR KAC KAC JZR KAC JZR KAC UAE ABY ETD FDB QTR GFA IRA KAC IRA KAC JZR MEA KAC MSR KAC JZR MSR RKM GFA FDB KAC KAC UAL KAC RJA SVA JZR KAC KAC KAC QTR DLH JZR QTR ETD JZR RBG UAE GFA ABY SVA FDB JZR JZR ALK FDB JZR KAC KAC FDB KAC DHX KAC OMA KAC DHX JAI MEA GFA KAC FCX QTR ABY KAC JZR UAE KAC KLM JZR KAC

Departure Flights on Tuesday 28/2/2012 Flt Route 981 WASHINGTON 976 GOA 44 DHAKA 502 LUXOR 240 SIALKOT 637 FRANKFURT 621 ADDIS ABABA 773 ISTANBUL 68 DUBAI 854 DUBAI 642 MUSCAT 371 BAHRAIN 613 CAIRO 306 ABU DHABI 139 DOHA 149 DOHA 164 DUBAI 212 BAHRAIN 643 AMMAN 200 DAMASCUS 545 ALEXANDRIA 54 DUBAI 156 LONDON 677 ABU DHABI 256 BEIRUT 671 DUBAI 511 IMAM KHOMEINI 1534 CAIRO 561 AMMAN 560 SOHAG 101 LONDON 856 DUBAI 126 SHARJAH 302 ABU DHABI 56 DUBAI 133 DOHA 214 BAHRAIN 604 ISFAHAN 165 ROME 618 LAR 541 CAIRO 776 JEDDAH 405 BEIRUT 501 BEIRUT 624 SOHAG 785 JEDDAH 176 DUBAI 611 CAIRO 311 RAS ALKHAIMAH 220 BAHRAIN 58 DUBAI 551 DAMASCUS 673 DUBAI 982 BAHRAIN 613 BAHRAIN 641 AMMAN 501 JEDDAH 786 RIYADH 617 DOHA 743 DAMMAM 773 RIYADH 141 DOHA 8413 FRANKFURT 238 AMMAN 135 DOHA 304 ABU DHABI 538 CAIRO 3966 ALEXANDRIA 858 DUBAI 216 BAHRAIN 128 SHARJAH 511 RIYADH 8074 DUBAI 266 BEIRUT 134 BAHRAIN 228 DUBAI 64 DUBAI 184 DUBAI 283 DHAKA 361 COLOMBO 62 DUBAI 343 CHENNAI 171 BAHRAIN 351 KOCHI 648 MUSCAT 543 CAIRO 373 BAHRAIN 571 MUMBAI 403 BEIRUT 218 BAHRAIN 381 DELHI 102 BAHRAIN 137 DOHA 124 SHARJAH 301 MUMBAI 554 ALEXANDRIA 860 DUBAI 205 ISLAMABAD 443 BAHRAIN 528 ASSIUT 411 BANGKOK

Time 0:45 0:50 1:00 1:05 1:10 1:20 2:45 3:15 3:45 3:50 3:55 3:55 4:00 4:00 4:40 5:40 6:55 7:00 7:10 7:30 7:40 8:25 8:40 8:55 9:00 9:00 9:15 9:15 9:20 9:30 9:35 9:40 9:45 10:00 10:05 10:10 10:40 10:45 11:45 11:50 12:00 12:15 12:55 13:00 13:30 13:40 13:50 13:55 14:10 14:20 14:35 14:40 15:05 15:20 15:35 15:35 15:45 15:50 15:50 16:15 16:25 16:30 16:35 17:15 17:25 17:35 17:40 18:00 18:10 18:15 18:25 18:35 18:40 18:45 19:05 19:10 19:20 19:55 20:15 20:20 20:40 20:55 21:00 21:05 21:15 21:55 22:00 22:15 22:20 22:25 22:30 22:30 22:35 22:40 22:45 22:45 22:50 23:00 23:05 23:35 23:55

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

ACCOMMODATION Sharing accommodation available in Abbassiya near United Indian School, new building/ separate room/ toilet/ balcony for decent executive bachelor.

Contact: 97208351.

(C 3885) Sharing accommodation available in Khaitan, behind old Pakistani School, big room with separate bathroom for small family or two working ladies.

Contact: 55847242.

28-2-2012 Required sharing accommodation with separate toilet for a small Sri Lankan family, within Abbassiya or near Indian Central School.

Contact: 66552905.

(C 3883) 26-2-2012 Accommodation available with separate attached bathroom for couple, decent lady or decent bachelor with kitchen, drawing satellite facilities in C-A/C flat new building in Salmiya, Amman Street.

Contact: 99678634.

(C 3878) Room available in Salmiya near City Center for a decent bachelor. Rent KD 75/-. Contact: 99959140.

(C 3881) 25-2-2012

LOST I lost my State Life Insurance paper, with policy number 633000205 of M. Younas. Anyone who has found it, call: 60741774. (C 3882) 25-2-2012

SITUATION VACANT Wanted housemaid in Farwaniya area, full time.

Contact: 97514390.

22-2-2012

MATRIMONIAL Australian man, 50 years divorcee, living in Kuwait, Lebanese born, seeking alliance from Kuwait, single lady, divorcee, widow no problem, must be God fearing and love to travel and going out. Contact: Email:

FOR SALE

No: 15372 Toyota Prado 2006, golden color, 4 doors, 6 cylinder, 101000km done, full options, Price KD 5,250/-.

Contact: 66729295.

(C 3886) Mitsubishi Lancer 2009, golden color, GLX, 75000km, Price KD 1,900/-.

Contact: 50699345.

(C 3887) 28-2-2012

CHANGE OF NAME I, Eshfak Esmailbhai Huseiny, holder of Indian Passport No. U009826, have changed my name to MUSTAFA ESMAILBHAI HUSEINY. (C 3884) 28-2-2012

dadogeorge@hotmail.com (C 3879) 22-2-2012

TUITION

Foreign Schools, Administra-tive, American, English, Australian, Bahrain, Electric and Gulf Sciences, Algbra Prel, Mathematics, intermediate, gmat, sat college, math98, 110 pre calculus geometry. 97619261

Business management teacher with doctoral degree for universities, institutions, corporate & all student levels. Over 10 years experience. Call 66495951.

(C 3817)

A Syrian Arabic language teacher. Masters in methods of teaching and follow up of 10th grade and 11th grade students. 97934291

Mathematics teacher, Intermediate and secondary Exams models, Easy method, Exams from past years with solutions.

97301901

Islamic education teacher for elementary and intermediate stages. Experienced in Kuwait curricula. Easy explanation, and summary of the subject, training for exams.

66292985

English teacher (3) years experience, looking for a job and ready to start with all educational stages.

55963993 Mathematics teacher for Universities, Institutions,

Syrian Arabic language teacher for elementary and intermediate stages.

Experienced in following learning difficulties, and those weak in reading and writing. 97264100

34

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

stars CROSSWORD 601

STAR TRACK

CALVIN & HOBBES

Aries (March 21-April 19) Today, your attention may be turned to the welfare of others in your business or people who work under you. Your energy is high and your creative juices are flowing, ready to be applied to any situation.

You are buoyed with the confidence to succeed at any project you attempt. As usual, you are able to sway others to your cause through speeches or arguments—your thinking is most lucid. This is a good time to lead the way on a project, for your originality is unusually heightened. Your friends are most important to you. To you dreamers of impossible dreams, you just might make them come true today. Do not, however, let your high spirits get too far ahead of the need to pay attention to the little details.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) You are realistic about your abilities and expectations for success. Your nature will most likely be very calm now, as you take a serious attitude toward your life. This is an excellent time to close your office door and get many things accomplished. You feel successful and able to handle difficult situations. Good advice from a guide or older person may be forthcoming. Something electric is in the air and your charisma shines! Your ability to effectively communicate with both friends and colleagues is increased. The practical use of your time and energy will most certainly pay off—bringing good times to all. This afternoon is a good time to be with friends. You may also attract a new love interest. If you are not involved in a love relationship you could be soon.

POOCH CAFE ACROSS 1. Having or denoting a low vocal or instrumental range.

5. The act of rising upward into the air.

9. Long green edible beaked pods of the okra plant.

13. A Loloish language.

14. (prefix) Indicating difference or variation.

15. A hymn of praise (especially one sung in ancient Greece to invoke or thank a deity).

16. Any of numerous local fertility and nature deities worshipped by ancient Semitic peoples.

17. A island in the Netherlands Antilles that is the top of an extinct volcano.

18. (Greek mythology) Goddess of discord.

19. Reports of the work of a society or learned body etc.

21. Give an education to.

23. Lower in esteem.

25. A colorless and odorless inert gas.

26. (Old Testament) In Judeo-Christian mythology.

29. A small pellet fired from an air rifle or BB gun.

32. An interest followed with exaggerated zeal.

36. According to the Old Testament he was a pagan king of Israel and husband of Jezebel (9th century BC).

39. The sacred city of Lamaism.

42. Offering fun and gaiety.

43. A person forced to flee from home or country.

44. Assist or encourage, usually in some wrongdoing.

46. An informal term for a father.

47. A soft yellow malleable ductile (trivalent and univalent) metallic element.

49. (Akkadian) God of wisdom.

51. A position particularly well suited to the person who occupies it.

53. Make or become black.

55. Enthusiastic approval.

59. Squash bugs.

60. An Arabic speaking person who lives in Arabia or North Africa.

63. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth.

64. The month following February and preceding April.

65. A member of an agricultural people of southern India.

67. The 13th letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

68. (prefix) Coming before or being preliminary or preparatory.

69. A port city in southwestern Iran.

70. A sweetened beverage of diluted fruit juice.

DOWN 1. A small cake leavened with yeast.

2. A Kwa language spoken in Ghana and the Ivory Coast.

3. A branch of the Tai languages.

4. A deep bow.

5. Large South African antelope.

6. Leaf or strip from a leaf of the talipot palm used in India for writing paper.

7. American dramatist (1928- ).

8. Taking place over public roads.

9. An organization of countries formed in 1961 to agree on a common policy for the sale of petroleum.

10. A Chadic language spoken in Chad.

11. An Indian side dish of yogurt and chopped cucumbers and spices.

12. Typical geese.

20. 16 ounces.

22. A monarchy in northwestern Europe occupying most of the British Isles.

24. A metallic element having four allotropic forms.

27. The longer of the two telegraphic signals used in Morse code.

28. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind.

30. A flexible container with a single opening.

31. Of or relating to or characteristic of the Republic of Chad or its people or language.

33. A soft silvery metallic element of the alkali earth group.

34. A desert in central Asia.

35. One thousandth of a second.

37. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism.

38. Having undesirable or negative qualities.

40. Optical instrument consisting of a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision.

41. A Dravidian language spoken in southern India.

42. American dramatist (1928- ).

45. An inhabitant of ancient Thebes.

48. Relating to or near the ulna.

49. An associate degree in nursing.

50. Jordan's port.

52. An international organization of European countries formed after World War II to reduce trade barriers and increase cooperation among its members.

54. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine.

56. A Tibetan or Mongolian priest of Lamaism.

57. In bed.

58. Flat and uninspiring.

61. A unit of absorbed ionizing radiation equal to 100 ergs per gram of irradiated material.

62. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey).

66. The blood group whose red cells carry both the A and B antigens.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) This is a good day to just reflect, listen and work. You may have trouble in business because of a failure to communicate; carefully listen to your own voice. Do not be afraid to ask questions so that you will best know how to serve and perform your job. This is an excellent time to get many things accomplished. It may be difficult to initiate new projects at this time but planning can certainly be important toward a successful outcome. You should find a constructive manner in which to release the tremendous energy that you feel inside after your workday is completed. Leisure activities with friends could be enjoyed as well as a little physical exercise. Competitive games or bicycling through the neighborhood will be a good stress relief, if it is good weather.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

NON SEQUITUR

You should expend great zest in moneymaking efforts. This is a time when you enjoy good relations with family members and the financial position may improve because of your association with a relative or friend; perhaps a bet will pay. This is a feel-good day! Friendships are a source of great pleasure and you, in turn, should be quite popular. This harmony is very useful in easing past tensions in a relationship or in concluding some long-term business matter. The time is ripe for a sudden and unexpected change in the normal routine of family life.

You could be planning a move. Perhaps it is a long trip. A common interest in spiritual and mystical values among family members may occur at this time. Enjoy getting to know a family member.

Leo (July 23-August 22) This is a nice day that should just flow along particularly well.

You are quick thinking and have many ideas worth developing. This is also an excellent day to take on a mentally difficult project such as to approach a subject with someone you were too shy about before, ask for a raise or speak publicly.

Fears should just melt away. Good luck! Parental instincts may come to the forefront now and you make every effort to please the people you love. Also, there is a strong wish to make your surroundings as pleasant as possible. You will enjoy a fresh cut bouquet of flowers for the table this evening. You do well in activities that include children or young people. You may even find that you are quite talented at entertaining these young folks.

ZITS

Virgo (August 23-September 22) Business dealings may be particularly fruitful today. You may find that many projects come to fruition this morning, especially large ones. Your name and reputation are spreading and you work to make significant changes in the workplace. There are credible outcomes that appear almost effortless to others. Someone needs your help this afternoon and you have the energy and the desire to pitch in and lend a helping hand. This is a time when you can expect a little boost, some sort of extra support or recognition from those around you. You may feel that you are in touch and in harmony. Also, romance is heightened in your personal relationship and you should take the time to actively cultivate this. You enjoy quiet conversations with friends tonight.

Libra (September 23-October 22)

MOTHER GOOSE AND GRIMM

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) There is a perfect balance between your career needs and personal needs today. Neither side of you has to struggle with the other. You have a supersensitive awareness of the moods and needs of others, making this an excellent time to run seminars or work with groups. This evening there may be offers to expand your energies—learn or express yourself in writing, music, poetry, etc.

We are always evolving into a new cycle, learning, moving encountering new experiences. You will feel as though you are blocked if you do not go for the ride today. You are extremely creative and when given the opportunity to excel in your field of talent—you should go for it! This is an extremely inspired time. You make for stimulating company this evening.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Job interviews or proposals for advancement can be positive and possible today. You may experience a little slow down in productivity as you recognize the need to stop and listen to the process of a problemsolving dilemma. Job interviews or proposals for advancement can be affirmative and probable now. There may be conflicts about the direction a certain project should go or . . . people working under you may not perform to your standards. Absorbing the finer techniques of problem solving is a good thing to do. The situations of today may point to the exact changes you must make in order to really feel that you are on the right path of your life journey. Opening up to a close friend may help you to gain or change your focus.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

To

Yesterday’s Solution

Relations with a spouse or business partner are on a solid ground. Mental stimulation from others gains your attention now and it’s a good idea to make every effort to participate. Any current project should be a great success because of all your contributions. You may experience a negative person within your family or friend’s group this afternoon. However, you will find good results happen when you find extra time to listen. Careful—you may tend to dominate the family or friend setting in order to secure tranquility that may be threatened just now. Occasionally, listening becomes most helpful when one only listens. Stability and permanence satisfy a deep emotional need. Expressing affection should come easily at this time.

There is much contemplative thinking about your work. There should also be a great deal of communication, which could prove beneficial with people of the opposite sex. Problems in the workplace may surface between you and a co-worker—or emotional problems at home may seriously interfere with your attention to your work. Concentrate on the job first! There are opportunities this afternoon for success or financial growth that were not previously available.

Lady Luck may smile brightly on you. However, you may have to move quickly in order to secure a tidy profit. Your thinking is tuned into the thoughts and emotions of others. Engaging in heartfelt discussions with loved ones is important this evening. A healing happens.

Yesterday’s Solution Yester

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) You are rewarded as you find ways in which you can make more money in the future—success will soon follow. A good balance is important and you are the one to find that healthy balance. Your own work or career can be most stable. Examine your work or career and make any necessary adjustments. A period of great mental activity and energy has begun. You have a lot on your mind and feel a strong need to communicate and gather ideas. Realize that this is a busy time at work for you and allow yourself more time for each project, problem customer or instructions to others. Taking your work home with you will cause you to lose sleep and trust us . . . you won’t be ahead of anything by losing sleep. The good feelings are strong this evening!

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Word Sleuth Solution

This is not a good time to make decisions about a relationship or business deal. The decisions and actions today will have longterm effects. Think things through and give your answer or thinking on a particular matter after some careful thinking. Your path of self-development and expression becomes more and more unusual—setting you apart from the crowd and from all that is traditional. This may mean a shift from your normal job description—an opportunity to excel. You show a great deal of interest in all family matters, particularly the general living environment in the home. Further, you may find yourself talking or listening to the family members of your household on a one-to-one basis. A new understanding is unfolding.

A

y

e niv rsar n

Years

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

i n f o r m at i o n

FIRE BRIGADE

112

Al-Madena

22418714

Al-Shohada’a

22545171

Al-Shuwaikh

24810598

Al-Nuzha

22545171

Sabhan

24742838

Al-Helaly

22434853

Al-Fayhaa

22545051

Al-Farwaniya

24711433

Al-Sulaibikhat

24316983

Al-Fahaheel

23927002

Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh

24316983

Ahmadi

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

lifestyle O S C A R S

‘The Artist’ earns best-picture, lead-actor Oscars

Producer ‘The Artist,’ Thomas Langmann (3rd L) and Best Director for ‘The Artist’ Michel Hazanavicius react onstage after ‘The Artist’ won Best Movie at the 84th Annual Academy Awards on February 26, 2012 in Hollywood, California. — AP/AFP photos

“T

he Artist” won five Academy Awards including best picture, becoming the first silent film to triumph at Hollywood’s highest honors since the original Oscar ceremony 83 years ago. Among other prizes Sunday for the black-and-white comic melodrama were best actor for Jean Dujardin and director for Michel Hazanavicius. In a night of few surprises, the other top Oscars went to Meryl Streep as best actress for “The Iron Lady,” Octavia Spencer as supporting actress for “The Help” and Christopher Plummer as supporting actor for “Beginners.”

“The Artist” is the first silent winner since the World War I saga “Wings” was named outstanding picture at the first Oscars in 1929. “I am the happiest director in the world,” Hazanavicius said, thanking the cast, crew and canine costar Uggie. “I also want to thank the financier, the crazy person who put money in the movie.” The other wins for “The Artist” were musical score and art direction. Martin Scorsese’s Paris adventure “Hugo” also won five Oscars, all in technical categories. Streep’s win was her first Oscar in 29 years, since she won best actress for “Sophie’s Choice.”

She had lost 12 times in a row since then. Streep also has a supporting-actress Oscar for 1979’s “Kramer vs. Kramer.”

“When they called my name, I had this feeling I could hear half of America go, ‘Oh, no, why her again?’ But whatever,” Streep said, laughing. “I really understand I’ll never be up here again. I really want to thank all my colleagues, my friends. I look out here and I see my life before my eyes, my old friends, my new friends. Really, this is such a great honor, but the thing that counts the most with me is the friendship and the love and the sheer joy we’ve shared making movies together,” said Streep, the record-holder with 17 acting nominations.

Streep is only the fifth performer to receive three Oscars. Jack Nicholson, Ingrid Bergman and Walter Brennan all earned three, while Katharine Hepburn won four. It was a night that went as expected, with front-runners claiming key prizes. Streep’s triumph provided a bit of drama, since she had been in a two-woman race with Viola Davis for “The Help.” The biggest surprise may have been the length of the show, which clocked in at about three hours and 10 minutes, brisk for a ceremony that has run well over four hours some years. The 82-year-old Plummer became the oldest acting winner ever for his role as an elderly widower who comes out as gay in “Beginners.”

“You’re only two years older than me, darling,” Plummer said, addressing his Oscar statue in this 84th year of the awards. “Where have you been all my life? I have a confession to make. When I first emerged from my mother’s

Songwriter Bret McKenzie, Best Original Song Award for ‘Man or Muppet’ from ‘The Muppets,’ poses in the press room with Will Farrell and Zach Galifianakis.

Best Director for “The Artist” Michel Hazanavicius.

Brandon Oldenburg, second from left, and William Joyce, second from right, pose with presenters Ellie Kemper, left, and Wendi McLendonCovey as they jump with their awards for best animated short film for ‘The Fantastic†Flying†Bo oks of Mr Morris Lessmore’.

womb, I was already rehearsing my Oscar speech.” The previous oldest winner was best-actress recipient Jessica Tandy for “Driving Miss Daisy,” at age 80. Completing an awards-season blitz that took her from Hollywood bit player to star, Spencer won for her role in “The Help” as a headstrong black maid whose willful ways continually land her in trouble with white employers in 1960s Mississippi.

Spencer wept throughout her breathless speech, in which she apologized between laughing and crying for running a bit long on her time limit.

“Thank you, academy, for putting me with the hottest guy in the room,” Spencer said, referring to last year’s supporting-actor winner Christian Bale, who presented her Oscar. Dujardin became the first Frenchman to win an acting Oscar. French actresses have won before, including Marion Cotillard and Juliette Binoche. “Oh, thank you. Oui. I love your country!” said Dujardin, who plays George Valentin, a silent-film superstar fallen on hard times as the sound era takes over. If George Valentin could speak, Dujardin said, “he’d say ... ‘Wow! Merci beaucoup! Genial!

Formidable!’” Claiming Hollywood’s top-filmmaking honor completes Hazanavicius’ sudden rise from popular movie-

Producer Thomas Langmann, left, Jean Dujardin, second from left, director Michel Hazanavicius, third from left, James Cromwell, center, and actresses Berenice Bejo, third from right, Penelope Ann Miller, second from right, and Missi Pyle with Uggi the dog, foreground, pose with the awards for best picture, best director and best actor for ‘The Artist’. maker back home in France to internationally celebrated director. Hazanavicius had come in as the favorite after winning at the Directors Guild of America Awards, whose recipient almost always goes on to claim the Oscar.

The win is even more impressive given the type of film Hazanavicius made, a black-and-white silent movie that was a throwback to the early decades of cinema. Other than Charles Chaplin, who continued to make silent films into the 1930s, and Mel Brooks, who scored a hit with the 1976 comedy “Silent Movie,” few people have tried it since talking pictures took over in the late 1920s. The only other

Jean Dujardin accepts the Oscar for best actor in a leading role for ‘The Artist’.

Actress Meryl Streep holds her Oscar for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for “The Iron Lady”.

Octavia Spencer reacts while holding her award for best supporting actress for ‘The Help.’

(From left) Alex Henning, Rob Legato, and Ben Grossman, winners of the Visual Effects Award for ‘Hugo.’

Oorlagh George and Terry George pose with their awards for best live action short film for ‘The Shore’.

Best Sound Mixing in “Hugo,” Tom Fleischman and John Midgley.

Octavia Spencer, right, poses with presenter Christian Bale and her award.

filmmaker from France to win the directing Oscar is “The Pianist” creator Roman Polanski, who was born in France, moved to Poland as a child and has lived in France since fleeing Hollywood in the 1970s on charges he had sex with a 13-year-old girl. Hazanavicius, known in his home country for the “OSS 117” spy comedies but virtually unheard of in Hollywood previously, won a prize that eluded half a dozen of France’s most-esteemed filmmakers, including Jean Renoir, Francois Truffaut and Louis Malle, who all were nominated for directing Oscars but never won.

The five Oscars for “Hugo,” which led contenders with 11 nominations, included cinematography, art direction and visual effects. The visual-effects prize had been the last chance for the “Harry Potter” franchise to win an Oscar. The

Eugene Gearty (right) and Philip Stockton, winners of the Sound Editing Award for ‘Hugo.’

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, left, and Daniel Junge pose with their awards for best documentary short for ‘Saving Face’.

finale, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2,” had been nominated for visual effects and two other Oscars but lost all three. Previous “Harry Potter” installments had lost on all nine of their nominations. The teen wizard may never have struck Oscar gold, but he has a consolation prize: $7.7 billion at the box office worldwide, including $1.3 billion from “Deathly Hallows: Part 2,” last year’s topgrossing movie. “And yet they only paid 14 percent income tax,” Oscar host Billy Crystal joked about the “Potter” franchise.

Another beloved big-screen bunch, the Muppets, finally got their due at the Oscars. “The Muppets” earned the best-song award for “Man or Muppet,” the sweet comic duet sung by Jason Segel and his Muppet brother in the film, the first big-screen adventure in 12 years for Kermit the frog and company. Earlier Muppet flicks had been nominated for four music Oscars but lost each time, including the song prize for “The Rainbow Connection,” Kermit’s signature tune from 1979’s “The Muppet Movie.” “I grew up in New Zealand watching the Muppets on TV. I never dreamed I’d get to work with them,” said “Man or Muppet” writer Bret McKenzie of the musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords,” who joked about meeting Kermit for the first time. “Like many stars here tonight, he’s a lot shorter in real life.” —AP

Winners of Best Documentary Feature ‘Undefeated,’ TJ Martin, Dan Lindsay and Rich Middlemas.

Robert Richardson, winner for Best Cinematography for ‘Hugo.’

Director for Iran’s Foreign Language entry ‘A Separation,’ Asghar Farhadi.

Christopher Plummer holds his Oscar for best actor in a supporting role for ‘Beginners’.

Screenwriters Nat Faxon, Jim Nash and Alexander Payne, winners of the Best Adapted Screenplay Award for ‘The Descendants’.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

lifestyle O S C A R S

CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER, BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, “BEGINNERS”

“W

hen they called my name, I had this feeling I could hear half of America going, ‘Oh no. Come on ... Her, again?’

You know. But, whatever,” Streep said rolling her eyes to enthusiastic applause.

“My friends, thank you, all of you, departed and here, for this inexplicably wonderful career.” Backstage, she told reporters that her win was unexpected and “thrilling”: “I understand Streep Fatigue. It shocked me that it didn’t override tonight ... It was like I was a kid again. I mean, I was a kid when I first won one. Two of the nominees weren’t even conceived.”

“T

“Y

his is my ninth time ... hosting the Oscars, so just call me War Horse,” he said, in a nod to director Steven Spielberg’s best picture-nominated film.

“So tonight, enjoy yourselves because nothing can take the sting out of the world’s economic problems like watching millionaires present each other with golden statues.” —Reuters

ou’re only two years older than me darling, where have you been all my life,” Plummer said, before kissing his gold statue. “ When I first emerged from my mother’s womb, I was already rehearsing my Academy thank you speech, but it was so long ago, mercifully for you, I have forgotten it.”

JEAN DUJARDIN, BEST ACTOR, ‘THE ARTIST’

OCTAVIA SPENCER, BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS, “THE HELP”

BILLY CRYSTAL, HOST

ASGHAR FARHADI, BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM, “A SEPARATION”

“I

’m a benefactor of all of the riches that the real-life Minnys and Aibileens, Skeeters, Constantines, Celias ... basically reaped,” Spencer said, referring to characters from the film. “I hope it’s a hallmark of more for young, aspiring actresses of color. I hope that in some way I can be some kind of beacon of hope, especially because I am not the typical Hollywood beauty,” Spencer said of her win. “I’m just going to live in this moment because it’s never happened (before), and Lord knows it may never happen again.”

MICHEL HAZANAVICIUS, BEST DIRECTOR, ‘THE ARTIST’

“A “I

love your country,” declared Dujardin, who referred to the first Academy Awards in 1929, which honored films from 1927 and 1928. “It’s funny because in 1929 it was ... Douglas Fairbanks who hosted the first Oscar ceremony,” he said. “It cost $5 and it lasted 15 minutes. Times have changed.” Dujardin ended his acceptance speech shouting in his native French “Oh Putain! Genial! Merci! Formidable! Merci beaucoup!” (“Bloody Hell! Brilliant! Thanks! Fantastic! Thank you very much!”) followed by: “I love you!”

The cast of the “The Bridesmaids” presents the Oscar for Live-Action Short Film onstage.

t this time many Iranians all over the world are watching us and I imagine them to be very happy. They are happy not just because of an important award or a film or a filmmaker, but because at the time when talk of war, intimidation, and aggression is exchanged between politicians, the name of their country, Iran, is spoken here through her glorious culture, a rich and ancient culture that has been hidden under the heavy dust of politics. I proudly offer this award to the people of my country, the people who respect all cultures and civilizations and despise hostility and resentment.”

“I

want to thank Uggie the dog. I think he doesn’t care, I’m not sure he understands what I say. He’s not that good, but thank you,” Hazanavicius joked.“ Sometimes life is wonderful and today is one of those days,” the director added. “What I want to make now is an adaptation of an American movie named ‘The Search,’” he said backstage, referring to a 1948 film starring Montgomery Clift and directed by Fred Zinnemann.

‘

‘

MERYL STREEP, BEST ACTRESS, ‘THE IRON LADY’

The Film Academy pays tribute to late actress Elizabeth Taylor onstage.

Oscar winners

Presenter Chris Rock

Actors Penelope Cruz and Owen Wilson present the Oscar for Original Music Score.

Actors Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis present the Oscar for Song onstage.

Best picture: “The Artist.”

Best director: Michel Hazanavicius for “The Artist.”

Best leading actor: Jean Dujardin in “The Artist.”

Best leading actress: Meryl Streep in “The Iron Lady.”

Best supporting actor: Christopher Plummer in “Beginners.”

Best supporting actress: Octavia Spencer in “The Help.”

Best foreign language film: “A Separation” (Iran).

Best animated feature: “Rango.”

Best original screenplay: “Midnight in Paris.”

Best adapted screenplay: “The Descendants.”

Best original score: “The Artist.”

Best original song: “Man or Muppet” from “The Muppets.”

Best art direction: “Hugo.”

Best cinematography: “Hugo.”

Best costume design: “The Artist.”

Best documentary feature: “Undefeated.”

Best documentary short: “Saving Face.”

Best film editing: “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.”

Best makeup: “The Iron Lady.”

Best short animated film: “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore.”

Best short live action film: “The Shore.”

Best sound editing: “Hugo.”

Best sound mixing: “Hugo.”

Best visual effects: “Hugo.”

Most Oscars won “The Artist” - 5 “Hugo” - 5 “The Iron Lady” - 2 “Beginners” - 1 “The Help” - 1 “Midnight in Paris” - 1 “The Descendants” - 1 “A Separation” - 1 “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” - 1 “Undefeated” - 1 The following nominated films failed to win any awards: “Albert Nobbs” “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2” “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” “The Tree of Life” “Bridesmaids” “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” “My Week with Marilyn” —AFP

Actresses Rose Byrne and Melissa McCarthy joke onstage.

Presenter Michael Douglas

Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas

Ben Stiller and Emma Stone present the Oscar for Visual Effects.

‘The Artist’ earns best-picture, lead-actor Oscars

38

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

Host Billy Crystal speaks onstage during the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. — AP/AFP photos

Moments to remember from Oscars 2012

T

he Oscar telecast takes hours, but it’s the moments we remember. Just a few of them, of course - ones that are so emotional, funny, or bizarre that they’ll stand out in our collective memories, candidates for future Oscar montages, of course, but also for office watercooler talk. Here’s a running look at some of the Oscar moments we may be talking about in the morning:

MAIS C’EST FORMIDABLE! The evening had a decidedly French accent, thanks to best-picture winner “The Artist,” and one of its most charming moments was the acceptance speech by Jean Dujardin, best actor for his wordless (almost) turn as silent film star George Valentin. “I love your country,” he exclaimed, adding that if Valentin could speak, he’d say: “ Wow! Amazing! Great!” and a few other things, including a rather salty colloquialism. It was all still charming. He didn’t seem too upset that a few days ago he was upset for best actor at the Cesar awards, France’s equivalent to the Oscars.

reference became a running theme. After 82year-old Christopher Plummer won the supporting actor prize, Crystal quipped: “The average age for winners has just jumped to 67.”

MERYL AND MARRIAGE From longevity in life to longevity in marriage: One of the most moving moments of the night came when Meryl Streep, winning best actress for “The Iron Lady,” thanked her husband, Don Gummer - not at the end, but at the beginning of her speech, so that the music wouldn’t drown out the acknowledge-

ment as it often does. “Everything I value most in our lives, you gave me,” Streep said tearfully.

Then she thanked a man she called her other partner: J. Roy Helland, her makeup artist on every movie for 37 years - who had quite a night, also taking home a statuette for transforming Streep into Maggie Thatcher. “Thanks Meryl, for keeping me employed for the last 37 years,” said Helland, who won with Mark Coulier.

I’M FREAKING OUT! The first emotional moment of the evening

came with Octavia Spencer’s expected yet still heartwarming supporting actress win for her turn as a tart-tongued maid in “The Help.”

From tart- tongued to a little tongue-tied: “Please wrap up ...I’m wrapping up!” she cried.

“I’m freaking out!”

YES, ANOTHER ONE...

This could become a trend: For the second year in a row, a winner dropped an F-bomb.

Last year it was supporting actress winner Melissa Leo; This year it was documentary feature winner TJ Martin, co-director of

Billy Crystal talks about Uggie, seen onscreen.

THE CUTEST DOG IN THE WORLD Uggie, the adorable dog in best-picture winner “The Artist,” made a charming appearance onstage when the movie won best picture. However, his director allowed that the canine star does have his limits. “I don’t think he understands what I’m saying,” Michel Hazanavicius said when he won his own statuette. “He’s not THAT good.”

A MESS ON THE CARPET (NOT FROM UGGIE) Sacha Baron Cohen always has something up his sleeve. This year, the comic actor spilled it all over Ryan Seacrest’s sleeves - and the red carpet, too. Parodying the Muammar Gaddafitype dictator he plays in his upcoming film, “The Dictator,” Baron Cohen showed up carrying what he said were the ashes of the late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. Then he spilled them all over the E! host’s tuxedo. Said Seacrest: “Anything can happen and it most certainly did, all over my lapel.”

BONJOUR BILLY! Last year, the joke-starved Oscar audience was so thrilled to see Billy Crystal by the time he showed up that they gave him a standing ovation - before he even said a word. (Many felt hosts James Franco and Anne Hathaway lacked enough comic spark). Now back as host, Crystal was greeted warmly if less ecstatically as he launched into his timeworn routine: first the montage where he inserts himself into films - he even got a kiss from George Clooney in his “Descendants” hospital bed - and then his medley of songs. “You didn’t think I wasn’t gonna do this, did ya”? he quipped. No, we didn’t.

LISTEN TO YOUR ELDERS It was a night that celebrated veterans and those of a certain age, which may be why Crystal, in a search for a bit o’ youth, brought Justin Bieber into his “Midnight in Paris” bit.

Later he was even blunter: “We’re gonna slam the 78 to 84 demographic,” he said. Next year, he added, we’d be in the Flomax Theater, referring to the prostate medication. The old-age

“Undefeated,” which documents a high school football team. Martin confessed he’d been, er, defeated by his excitement. “That was not the classiest thing in the world,” Martin said backstage. “However, it did come from the heart.”

A CIRCUS IN THE HOUSE Wait, was that Spider-Man flying up to the rafters? No, this wasn’t the Tonys, it was the Oscars, and those were Cirque du Soleil aerialists in a lavish tribute to the movies. Crystal noted the circus-like atmosphere when he quipped: “We’ve got puppets, acrobats ... we’re a pony away from a bar mitzvah!”

Actors from the Cirque du Soleil perform onstage during the ceremony of the 84th Annual Academy Awards.

Actor Sacha Baron Cohen dressed as his role of the Dictator arrives on the red carpet.

WARDROBE MALFUNCTION? Jennifer Lopez doesn’t shy away from sexy gowns - remember the famously skin-baring Versace dress she wore to the 2000 Grammys?

Well, this time, some viewers speculated on Twitter and elsewhere that a bit too much breast was visible in her Oscar gown with a plunging V-neck by Zuhair Murad. Her stylist hastened to report that it was an optical illusion. “While the dress did give the illusion of sheer-ness, (the) joke’s on everyone who wishes they saw something!” Mariel Haenn said in a statement. — AP

Uggie the dog, from the film “The Artist” waves in the press room.