3rd May 2012

CR IP TI ON BS SU

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

Kuwaitis worry Twitter cases stir sectarianism

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Turkish beauty mag ties Muslim veil to glamour

20 dead after thugs storm Cairo protest

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www.kuwaittimes.net

JAMADI ALTHANI 12, 1433 AH

Real Madrid crowned Spanish champions

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Kuwait, Iraq ask UN to repair border markers Talks ongoing on missing POWs, stolen property conspiracy theories

Building bridges

By Badrya Darwish

badrya_d@kuwaittimes.net

I

t was nice of Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber to find time from his heavy schedule to meet all the members of a Kuwait Journalists Association delegation on our return to Kuwait after touring Iraq for a week. The premier seemed eager to hear all our stories, to meet all of us and hear our comments, emotions and impressions of the trip. He wanted to know how well we were received and how we were received. He wanted to know the positive and negative sides, if any, of our trip. I felt the man meant well.

He wants this chapter closed. He wanted the KuwaitIraq dispute to be over. He kept repeating that this is a dark past which we want to bury. He said that as our brothers in Iraq are showing good intentions towards us and that they want to open a new page, we also want to open a new page. We both suffered enough, he said.

He mentioned that he sympathizes with the Iraqi nation. He thinks they were also a victim of Saddam as much as Kuwait was. Let’s give them a chance. He is serious about giving them a chance. He said, 20 years is enough. Our kids should not suffer and always carry a grudge. He dreams of seeing the relations between the two nations to go back to normal.

He stressed his feelings for the people. He says that governments come and go but the people and the country stay. He said that we should all be looking for a new brotherly and healthy relationship. Let bygones be bygones!

Sheikh Jaber is a firm believer in the media. The man was a minister of information at one time. He believes the media is the fourth estate. He asked all of us, everyone involved in different fields - whether TV or print journalists, columnists, economists or business writers - to help bury the hatchet and try to build bridges between the Kuwaiti and Iraqi nations.

The prime minister believes that the best weapon is the media weapon to change the minds of peoples and nations and to enlighten them and to remove grudges from their hearts. I fully agree with him that the power of media can turn nations upside down and the Arab Spring is the biggest example of that.

KUWAIT: HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received yesterday at Bayan Palace members of the Kuwaiti media delegation who returned from a visit to Iraq. Sheikh Jaber lauded Kuwait Journalists Association (KJA) for this initiative which reflected the strong relations between Iraq and Kuwait. He also thanked the delegation for supporting friendship between Iraq and Kuwait. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait and Iraq have jointly asked the United Nations to start repairing border markers, delayed for years due to Iraqi objections, a senior Kuwaiti official said yesterday. Kuwait’s permanent representative to the UN Mansoor Al-Oteibi told the official KUNA news agency the request was made in a joint letter by him and his Iraqi counterpart, Hamed Al-Bayati, on Tuesday.

“We requested a meeting with (Undersecretary General for Political Affairs) B. Lynn Pascoe this week to discuss taking the necessary measures to start the maintenance work on the border markers,” Oteibi said.

The work will be carried out on the basis of Security Council Resolution 833, adopted in 1993, to demarcate the borders, three years after Iraq’s late Saddam Hussein invaded the state, he said. Baghdad had objected to the repairs for the past six years because the new border line passes through Iraqi farms near Umm Qasr and Safwan. Kuwait has made the repairs a precondition for improving ties with Iraq.

The move comes just days after successful meetings in Baghdad of the joint commission headed by the countries’ foreign ministers, which concluded with a number of agreements. It also comes after a landmark visit in March by HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to Baghdad to attend the Arab summit, the first visit by a Kuwaiti leader in 22 years. Kuwait Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Sabah was quoted Continued on Page 13

Probe summons big fish as net widens MoI slams ‘criminal’ bedoons

By B Izzak KUWAIT: The two National Assembly committees investigating two major corruption scandals yesterday expanded the scope of their probe with the illegal deposits panel issuing summons for leading Shiite businessman Mahmoud Haider and the other sending its chairman on an inspection visit to the foreign ministry. The first committee is investigating allegations that 12 former MPs and a current lawmaker received huge illegal deposits into their local bank accounts, while the second is probing allegations that the former prime minister transferred millions of dinars of public funds into his private accounts abroad.

Head of the first committee MP Musallam Al-Barrak said the panel decided to summon Haider for testimony on Saturday follow-

Saudi Arabia warns Iran on Gulf islands, Bahrain RIYADH: Saudi Arabia repeated yesterday that it would not tolerate threats to the Gulf Arab states’ sovereignty, the latest warning to Iran after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s visit to an island claimed by both Tehran and the United Arab Emirates. The warning, the third in as many weeks by a member of the sixnation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), comes amid increased nervousness in the region over Iran. Shiite-led unrest is resurgent in Bahrain a year after the ruling AlKhalifa family brought in Saudi and UAE

Max 42º Min 28º High Tide 09:01 & 21:30 Low Tide 02:12 & 13:24

troops to help suppress an uprising seen

by Sunni Muslim Gulf rulers as sectarian in nature and driven by Shiite giant Iran.

“Any harm that comes across any of our countries is harm that touches us all,” Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Nayef said in a speech at a meeting of GCC interior ministers in Riyadh. Nayef also condemned what he called Iran’s “occupation” of the island and its role in events in Bahrain.

“We stress that Saudi Arabia and the rest of the council countries are standing in a Continued on Page 13

RIYADH: Interior ministers of the GCC pose for group photo after their meeting yesterday. — AP

ing “exciting and serious information” made by prominent lawyer and writer Mohammad Abdulqader Al-Jassem during his testimony yesterday. Jassem told the committee that during their interrogation by the public prosecution a few months ago, the suspected former lawmakers claimed they had received the money from Haider, a close associate of former prime minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad AlAhmad Al-Sabah, Barrak said. He said Jassem was summoned by the committee after Shiite MP Abdulhameed Dashti sent two letters asking the committee to question Jassem over the information he has about the issue.

Barrak said the committee yesterday also heard the testimony of representatives of the Burgan Bank, Ahli Bank, Gulf Bank and Kuwait Finance House Continued on Page 13

KUWAIT: Demonstrators in orange jumpsuits stage a protest in front of the American embassy in Bayan yesterday. Hundreds of Kuwaitis gathered to protest against the illegal imprisonment of Kuwaiti detainees Fawzi Al-Odah and Fayez Al-Kandari at Guantanamo Bay, demanding their release after more than 10 years of detention without a fair trial or any charges. Speakers who addressed the crowd blamed US President Barack Obama of not helping them and accused the Kuwaiti government of neglecting this important human rights issue. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Private sector wages to rise for Kuwaitis KUWAIT: Kuwaiti nationals working in the private sector are in line for hefty pay increases, following on from double-digit hikes awarded to state workers earlier this year and fuelling concerns of a spike in inflation. The civil service commission proposed increases of up to KD 330 ($1,190) per month after the government agreed to wage rises of between 25 and 30 percent for public sector employees. The commission’s proposals are likely to win Cabinet approval, which would oblige firms to honour the increases for nationals on their payrolls.

The increases for state workers followed strikes that hit Kuwait’s airport and shipping sector earlier this year.

Annual inflation reached 4.1 percent in March and, while the country’s oil wealth enables it to absorb a spike in earnings in the short term, policymakers and economists warn price pressures will mount if settlements do not moderate. The rises for private sector workers will be based on qualifications in nine categories, state-run news agency KUNA reported late on Tuesday.

The most qualified - such as physicians, pharmacists and engineers - will get KD 330 more a month. People without school education will get KD 50 more, the agency quoted commission chairman Abdulaziz AlZaben as saying. The increases were not given in percentage terms. The wage rise will cost the private sector KD 90 million a year and affect 61,000 Kuwaitis, daily AlQabas reported. Most Kuwaitis work for the state in well paid, secure jobs. Around two-thirds of Kuwait’s roughly 3 million inhabitants are foreigners, making up the bulk of its workforce. — Reuters

China activist leaves US embassy after deal BEIJING: Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng yesterday left the US embassy, where he had sought protection after fleeing house arrest, following a deal with Beijing on his safety, US officials said. Beijing pledged that the legal campaigner and his family would be treated “humanely” and moved to a safe place, US officials said, hours after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in China for pre-arranged talks. Chen, who riled Chinese authorities by exposing forced abortions and sterilisations

under the “one-child” policy, fled house arrest on April 22 and sought refuge in the US embassy, where he demanded assurances on his freedom.

In a video address to Premier Wen Jiabao released after his dramatic escape, the blind activist alleged he and his wife and young child had suffered repeated abuses at the hands of local officials in his hometown in northern China. Clinton said the United States remained “committed” to the 40-year-old legal Continued on Page 13

BEIJING: Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng (center) shakes hands with Gary Locke (right), US ambassador to China in Beijing yesterday. — AFP

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THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

LOCAL

KUWAIT: Speaking on a visit to Camp Arifjan of the US troops, Commander of the National Guards’ logistic back up, Maj. Gen Khaled Abdul Aziz Al-Raqwa stressed the importance of exchanging expertise and the continuation of joint drills between the National Guards and the US Army.

14 bedoons arrested over violent protests KUWAIT: Kuwaiti policemen arrested 14 bedoons (illegal residents) over an unauthorized protest in Taima neighborhood that turned into a riot and attempts to attack policemen.

The Ministry of Interior (MoI) said in a press release that legal action will be launched against the 14 rioters over organizing and participating in the violent protest.

The arrested are also accused of instigating a riot and threatening social security and the safety of people. The statement said that one of the arrested tried to run over two police personnel with his vehicle. The suspects are

accused of attacking policemen on duty and blocking roads, it added.

The statement denounced the behavior of the protestors, stressing that the Ministry and all security bodies are keen on countering such unauthorized gatherings that lead to riots and attacks on police officers. The MoI described the protest as unjustifiable, as specialized government bodies are currently studying their demands. It expressed hopes that all people will abide by the law and cooperate with state bodies to maintain security and stability as well as the higher interests of the State. — KUNA

KUWAIT: First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Sheikh Ahmad AlHumoud Al-Jaber Al-Sabah leaving for Riyadh yesterday.

Campaign encourages people to get married ‘Marriage Comes First’

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: The Family Consultation Department of the Ministry of Justice is holding an awareness campaign titled ‘Marriage Comes First’. This campaign, which was published in the daily press, on boards in streets and other places, encourages people to get married saying it is a priority over studying, a job, a car, purchases, a project, hanging out, friends and travelling.

Most people don’t completely or partially agree with the idea of this campaign. “We don’t know the goals of this campaign. Its slogan is not logical. How will a young guy start a family and spend on it if he is not educated and does not have a job. I doubt that any family will give their daughter to an unemployed man. I think a man should be mature to get married rather than being very young, without experience, and finally get divorced fast. Maybe this campaign is addressed to those who are above 30, as these are in the age and are ready to do so.

It’s difficult to deliver an advert with this topic (marriage) without telling more about it,” a 29year-old single man, Yousef, told the Kuwait Times. A 47-year-old wife and mother, Manal, thinks that marriage should not make us cancel all of the priorities in life. “We should have a balance in our life between all necessities. We aim to build a family, not hurry into marriage and forgot other things. I was dedicated to my children and house during the whole of the past 15 years. I never turned to my needs and what I want. And today I think I shouldn’t have given up my health completely. Now I’m tired physically. I didn’t attend any occasion or have any

social life, and this was wrong. There should be balance in our priorities,” she stated.

“My daughter is not studying in the university, and I see she is much for getting married. But I don’t agree that she gets married and stops her studying. I think men today want an educated wife who is employed. Unfortunately I think that such a campaign attracts my children very much because they hate studying,” added Manal.

According to 32-year-old Ibtisam, marriage is a priority for girls. “Maybe for men it is not a priority. Still I think that studying is more important, as it is security for future. In fact many marriages were not successful, and they didn’t know that they will not last together. Also divorce cases have increased. Studying is her protection if she gets divorced, or she will not have to stay in the shadow and at the mercy of her husband,” she pointed out.

Newly married Fatma thinks that education comes first. “Marriage is important but not a priority. For me it comes in third place after studying and a job. I didn’t leave my studies to get married. Both can’t proceed as I will be busy with marriage and won’t continue studying.

Studying and a job will make me ready for marriage. I can’t build a home if I’m not educated.

On the other hand, I see marriage as a priority to shopping or travelling. This campaign is an awareness message to people to get married.

This is the first time I hear about such a campaign,” she noted.

Men also don’t see this campaign as a priority. “Marriage is half of the religion. Lately guys care more about a car than marriage. Maybe at

Interior minister hails cooperation between More details regarding Kuwait, GCC members Hawally arson case emerge KUWAIT: Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, said yesterday that security cooperation between Kuwait and other GCC member states is based on firm pillars.

“Security cooperation between Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior and its counterparts in other GCC member states is existing, continuing and based on firm basics,” Sheikh Ahmed said before leaving to Riyadh for the 13th consultative meeting of GCC interior ministers.

Sheikh Ahmed said the overall security situation in the region, security coordi-

nation and joint plans for handling security matters will be discussed during the meeting.

He said the gathering represents a positive vision and a fresh springboard for reinforcing joint security cooperation and coordination to face regional and international security developments and changes, and to fight terrorism and illegal drugs. “There is no doubt that stable security conditions in the region are a basic request for our people to fulfill their ambitions and hopes for stability, progress and social and economic development,” he added. — KUNA

Cash deposits case: Banks cooperate with investigating committee KUWAIT: Senior banking sector officials agreed to cooperate fully with a parliamentary committee investigating irregularities committed during the previous Parliament’s tenure.

Allegedly, millions of dinars were paid in ‘political’ bribes, as mentioned in a report yesterday released by the Kuwait Banks Association (KBA).

“Despite the fact that Article 114 of the Constitution allows the Parliament to demand cooperation from ministers and public sector employees, banks also chose to cooperate with the panel and attend hearings,” said one of the sources.

The committee is investigating a case in which multi-million dinar cash deposits appeared in bank accounts of lawmakers from the previous Parliament. Believing that the deposits were bribes, the opposition launched a strong attack against the Cabinet, ultimately leading to its resignation and parliamentary dissolution. “Banks support all efforts at revealing the truth behind this case,” source added, reported Al-Qabas.

Meanwhile, the committee reportedly demanded ‘complete information’ from the Kuwait Stock Exchange(KSE) about stocks owned by former MPs and ministers, as well as spouses and children, reported AlRai yesterday. Quoting anonymous sources, the report also indicates that the Public Authority of Industry(PAI) has received a similar request.

In other news, Deputy Prime M inister and M inister of Interior requested clarifications on the con-

tent of the interpellation motion filed against him by MP Mohammad AlJuwaihel. According to sources, the information based on which allegations made are “vague... and were leaked from confidential data and could be forged.” The lawmaker reportedly replied by stating that he would speak to the press before they are sent to the minister’s office.

In the meantime, MP Mohammad Hayef insisted that any proposal to amend the Constitution would be ‘short’ if it does not include amending Articles 2 and 79 to make legislations fall in line with Sharia law “which is a Kuwaiti public demand.”

The amendments proposed by MP Faisal Al-Yahya earlier this week called for adopting full parliamentary system.

In another development, MP Dr Abdullah Al-Turaiji praised a recent government decision to rescind Kuwaiti citizenship from a dual citizen. The lawmaker previously claimed that he served in the army of his home countr y (Iraq) during Saddam Hussein’s regime. Al-Turaiji demanded that the M inistr y of Interior expose people who mediated for Iraqi serviceman to obtain citizenship, reported Al-Rai. Separately, a repor t carried by Annahar yesterday states that Shuwaib Al-Muwaizri Minister of Housing and Parliament Affairs informed the majority bloc about the Cabinet’s “deep resentment” at their rejec tion of the state’s five -year development plan presented for the fiscal year 2012-2013.

Hit and run case

A 37-year-old citizen suffered multiple bruises and a head injury after losing control over his bike in Shuwaikh.

The man was rushed to Al-Sabah hospital for treatment.

Human trafficking reports KUWAIT: The man who was arrested yesterday for setting the Hawally fire.

Traffic accident Six Bangladeshi men suffered mild injuries after the bus they were travelling in crashed into another vehicle in Sulaibiya. Some of the injured were admitted to Al-Sabah hospital while others were admitted to Farwaniya hospital.

Turath winners announced KUWAIT: The Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK) yesterday announced the names of the winners in a competition held at the sidelines of the ‘Ya Zain Turathna’ campaign launched in the period of February2 and May 5.

Speaking about the campaign, CBK’s assistant manager of advertising and PR, Amani Al-War ’ stressed that the campaign was designed in order to revive Kuwaiti heritage an get new generations acquainted with old Kuwaiti traditions. She added that a special website had been built especially for the campaign at: www.cbkturath.com where lots of information, traditional lexical items and old sayings and proverbs could be looked up. AlWar’ added that people were invited to visit the website through which they could participate in a competition to upload various tradition art form as video clips, photographs or traditional songs. She also noted that a special judging committee was

in brief

KUWAIT: Kuwait is a pioneer in the Arab world and occupies a prominent international position in terms of freedom of the press, stated Kuwait Journalists Association (KJA), quoting reports by international organizations. The statement was issued on the occasion of celebrating World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) on May 3. It stressed that Kuwait was first in the Middle East among 60 countries surveyed worldwide in 2009. It was ranked 78th internationally in 2011, but occupied the second position in the Arab region. KJA reasoned that lower ranking could be attributed to court orders and sentences passed against some journalists and bloggers who were detained by State Security Department. The statement also urged various media establishments to observe and respect the high level of freedom granted in Kuwait by practicing responsible journalism.

“Freedom does not mean inciting chaos or insulting others,” added the statement, noting that such violations led to several litigations being filed in recent years.

KUWAIT: In the recent arson case in which a 55-year-old Kuwaiti woman Umm Ali leaped from her fifth floor apartment in Hawally to escape fire, killing her instantly, police learnt that the door was locked from the inside.

Gasoline was poured onto the front door and it was set ablaze. Initial investigations revealed that the deceased tried to scale a wall near her terrace when she slipped and plunged to death. However, further investigations revealed that her relationship with some of her relatives soured, with court cases being filed against each other. The suspect was arrested within 48 hours and confessed to committing the act. Further investigations are still in progress.

Motorbike accident

News

KJA reviews press freedom

By Hanan Al-Saadoun

A 10-year-old Somali girl sustained a serious head injury after being run over by a speeding vehicle in Khaitan, noting that the girl was admitted to Farwaniya hospital.

30 they start thinking of marriage. Social media made them late in marriage, as it gave them easy access to have more relations. Men are afraid. They don’t want a traditional marriage.

They want to choose their wife. It’s difficult to choose the right wife. A Kuwaiti wife has many demands. She wants an expensive car and so on. They don’t want any husband, as they have many conditions,” stressed single 28-year-old Salah.

“Today, demands are different. Those who have installments - how can they get married?

Most girls want a complete man, which is not realistic. Before, women got married as they depended on men, but now she is independent and doesn’t need a husband. It’s not a priority or essential. Life has changed,” he added.

“Marriage is no longer a priority for men or women, but for me marriage is a priority at my age and now I’m ready for it. But it’s hard to choose a wife according to my requirements.

Parental approval is important. I want a wife who will satisfy me and my family as well,” Salah added.

Knar, 25 years old, also sees education as the first priority. “I saw the advert of this campaign once on a board in the road. But I think that study is more important than marriage at an early age. For guys, maybe if they are aiming to travel as they may catch diseases. The advert should not contain studying with the other subjects. If a young man gets married when will he have time to study? Logically, he will be busy with the family and career so he will end up without a degree. So I think marriage is a priority after graduating.”

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Justice(MoJ) plans to open cells all over the country to collect reports on human trafficking by cooperating with the ministries of Interior, Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, as well as Social Affairs and Labor(SAL) respectively. According to a source, these plans are part of ‘serious measures’ taken to tackle human trafficking in Kuwait. The ministry “seeks to utilize the role of state departments and human rights organizations to accord top priority to tackling human trafficking.” Studies will be carried out to determine the main reasons why “many women, children and labor forces fall victims to human trafficking,” as well as find solutions to this crime, said the source.

Hospitals working ‘as if they were at war’

formed comprising of the chairman of Kuwait Formative Arts Society (KFAS), Abdulrasoul Salman, KTV’s vaiety manager, Mohammed Al-Masri and the head of the executive apparatus, Elham Mahfouth.

Al-War ’ elaborated that Adel AlMusallam and Abdul Aziz Al-Attiya won the video-shooting category; Dhary Al-Jttaili won in the music; Ahmed Akbar, Nada Ma’rafi and Mubarak Bader won in photography and Lulwa Al-Sharrah and Samira AlMershi won the painting competition.

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health central medical stores were not paid their full financial dues last year, which happened for the first time in the history of Kuwait according to informed sources.

The sources said it was not due to budget matters, but due to the policy of the budget. It faces several complaints due to the shortage in medical consumables which are used for one time only, due to the delay in its purchase. They are needed for the daily work of hospitals, which are working as if they were at war.

The sources said that medical stores ignored ministerial orders, which organize the purchase of consumables. The ministry formed a committee of doctors and pharmacists to review the general orders, to chose the most suitable products for hospital needs and to compare the samples provided by companies.

But the medical stores did not accept this decision, and for some time they have jumped over the committee work, and chose their items directly without consulting the committee. They did not ask for a committee meeting for three months, i.e. all orders are chosen directly and from certain companies in particular.

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

local

GCC to set up missile shield Strong message to allies, enemies

By Ben Garcia

KUWAIT: Old office furniture is used to prevent vehicles from falling into a big hole formed in the middle of a road in Kheitan area.

—Photo by Fouad Al-Shaikh

No visas still for Pakistanis KUWAIT: Pakistani Ambassador to Kuwait, Iftikhar Aziz, conveyed the reservation of his country towards the ban on issuing visas of all kinds to Pakistanis, including family visas for Pakistani citizens.

He expressed his hope that this decision is cancelled due to its importance on the relations between the two countries. He called upon the Kuwaiti authorities to lift the ban, which was imposed one year ago.

Ambassador Aziz said it creates difficulties and several problems to Pakistani expatriates. He said the Pakistani foreign minister has conveyed the message to the Kuwaiti ambassador in Pakistan.

He said the project of oil lines from Iran to his country is a priority, as they are keen to provide power from all sources. He added that the new policy of his country towards America depends on the respect and independence of Pakistan.

KPA employees demand justice KUWAIT: A large number of Kuwait Port Authority employees gathered in front of the office of the Minister of Communication protesting the allowances passed by the Civil Ser vice Commission. They demanded justice and to correct the increments according to the jobs and dangers related to it.

“We are in front of the minister’s office to convey a message to His Highness the Prime Minister that we have been oppressed through the increase approved lately by the Civil Service Commission,” said the Union Chairman.

Ali Al-Shakoni said the increments were not studied well, and the work that port authority employees do is full of dangers, which should be taken into consideration when making increments. Many employees are subject to serious injuries while on duty, which resulted in the death of one of the workers. Scientific certificates were not considered when the increments decision was taken.

The Civil Service Commission refused the union suggestion. “We have chosen the peaceful path to convey our demands, so that we will not be blamed in the future,” Al-Shakoni said.

He expressed optimism in the Prime Minister and Minister of Communications.—Al-Anbaa

KD250 penalty for red signal jumping KUWAIT: The Ministry of Interior traffic department has completed a study to increase traffic violation penalties, official sources said.

The study covered most violations and has recommend huge financial penalties on violators. The study was prepared by a financial and administrative committee and legal consultants. It will be presented to Lt Gen Mustafa Al-Zaabi, Assistant Undersecretary for Traffic Affairs, for passing on to the Interior Minister for approval and then to the National Assembly legislative committee.

The fines for some violations are: Red signal KD 250.

Driving in the opposite direction KD 250. Driving with an expired license KD 150. Driving with a child in the front seat KD 250. Driving with a foreign license KD 150.

Wrong parking KD 50. Parking in a handicapped parking place KD 50. driving away after causing an accident KD 250. Eating, drinking, smoking or using a mobile telephone while driving KD 50. Excess speed 1-10 km KD 50. Excess speed 10-20 km KD 100. Excess speed 2030 km KD 150. Excess speed 30-40 km KD 200. Excess speed more than 40 km KD 250.—Al-Shahed

MPs fully committed to traffic rules KUWAIT: Traffic Files and Registration show that MPs are fully committed to traffic rules and have not committed any violations.

Records show that only three ministers in the current government have committed violations. They are the Minister of Public Works and Planning, Dr. Fadhal Safar, who once obstructed the flow of traffic on a public road and can pay a KD5 fine to close the file.

A violation of no parking was recorded against Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Ahmad Al-Rujaib, and he can also pay KD 5 to close the file.

The same violation is recorded against Minister of Commerce, Anas Al-Saleh, as he parked in no parking place. The rest of the MPs do not have any traffic violations recorded against them.

KUWAIT: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries want to set up and develop a missile defense shield whether the United States is behind it or not, or even with Iran’s strong objection, according to a defense analyst.

Assaf Kfour y, general manager of Tactical Report sarl, said in a telephone interview from his office in Lebanon that the GCC countries will set up a ballistic missile defense shield, although studies are not yet complete and specific dates have not been revealed.

“The GCC defense ministers agreed at the end of their meeting in Abu Dhabi to complete the studies to set up a missile shield against ballistic missiles,” he said. Dr. Abdul Latif bin Rashid AlZayani, GCC Secretary-General, said dur-

ing his keynote speech at the third edition of the Middle East Missile and Air Defence Symposium (Memad) last month that building a comprehensive plan for a missile defense shield is an impor tant strategy to protect GCC countries and that cooperation sends a strong message to both allies and enemies. “In war time, the most important thing is a civil defence system. Our success will depend on the strength of our defenses. We hope all Gulf countries will be ready to cooperate to solve international and regional problems”.

The owner of the agency’s ‘Tactical Repor t ’ who is also the provider of Intelligence on Middle East Energy and Defense Affairs, said the missile defense shield will serve as counter response to Iranian ballistic missiles.

“It is aimed to deter and not intimi-

date Iran. The missile shield is designed to defend, not to attack,” Kfour y explained. Iran’s Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said Iran strongly opposes a US-backed plan to build a missile defense shield within the Gulf States, Fars reported.

“This system is a plan of the US and Israel, and anyone who supports the plan is implementing the US and Israel’s plot,” Vahidi stated. Vahidi sharply criticized the US-backed missile defense project, saying that it is “against regional security.”

Washington is seeking to expand its missile defense shield within the Gulf States. U.S. Patriot missiles are already deployed in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The West accuses Iran of pursuing a secret nuclear weapons program, but Tehran insists it

needs nuclear power solely to generate electricity. US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, announced at the security forum in Riyadh last week the idea of a missile defense shield in the six GCC states which include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

The most important outcome of the session last week was the decision to establish a common missile defense shield against Iran. “Saudi Arabia has first launched the project and Saudi Defense Minister, Prince Salman, is showing enthusiasm to go ahead with it. The UAE has already begun building its own shield with the THAAD program, and is waiting to link it to that of the GCC,” Kfoury said.

—Agency newspaper repor ts were used in this article.

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

LOCAL kuwait digest

In my view

Why are we wasting resources?

Kuwait’s dual citizenship issue

By Dr Mohammad Al-Abduljader

T

hroughout its history, the Kuwaiti society has heavily relied on human resources, serving as the main source of wealth during times of scarcity. Our forefathers were able, through hard work, to create a small and safe country out of nothing. This has no longer been the case since the discovery of oil which is the main source of income that the country relies on today.

I came across a New York Times article the other day, discussing how the funding for using solar energy in the West has reduced, while this industry continues to flourish in China. It states that China is a pioneer in this renewable energy field; which faces the obstacle of higher costs when compared to the oil industry.

The article is very interesting because it talks about the future of renewable energy that is available in abundance in the region. Despite the fact that research on the use of solar energy began in Kuwait thirty years ago, the results are almost nil. There is no report released by a research institute detailing results of a study to utilize solar energy in Kuwait. All we have read about,instead, is news about conferences and press statements.

Solar energy was actually used in some places in Kuwait like lighthouses, while it is used for water heating in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. Kuwait has access to intense sunlight throughout the year, yet this valuable resource is wasted while it can be used in generating electricity for government buildings and residential apartments. Similar projects can effectively help the Ministry of Electricity to deal with mounting pressure to meet increasing demand for electricity.

Solar power is the future of energy resources in the world, and it appears today that China is leading the world towards that future, and could soon supplying indigenously developed technologies to market it to the world. On the other hand, we continue to overlook large human and industrial resources wasted in our country. — Al-Qabas

In my view

Iran capitalizes on GCC weakness

By Sajid Al-Abdaly

I

t is common knowledge that great tension exists along both banks of the Arabian Gulf, between Arab and the Iranians. Mere diplomatic rhetoric cannot help alter the situation.

Yet, Iran has been more clear about issuing statements towards various causes, and with the rest of the world. When Iran speaks, it is never in a reconciliatory mood. The tone it adopts is intimidating, bordering on vulgarity.

Iran’s superiority is not due to its geopolitical, military or human strength. Rather it is because of GCC countries’ weakness and the absence of a joint vision. There is no better example of this than the present attitude displayed by GCC countries towards Iran’s nuclear ambition. Iran continues to create havoc and interferes with their internal affairs.

This method, of gloating about perceived superiority has markedly affected its relations with other Gulf countries. Iran always takes action, and Gulf countries formulate a reaction, if any at all.

Take this story, which I read some time ago, as an example. In 2004, Iran’s Culture Ministry banned the entry of journalists from National Geographic and halted its activities because the magazine published an atlas depicting the ‘Arabian Gulf,’ and not the ‘Persian Gulf.’ It also showed that the UAE’s three islands - Major and Minor Tunb, Abu Mousa as being occupied by Iran. The Iranian Culture Ministry explained by saying that the water body cannot be described as being Arabian because it is of Persian origin. It says that the three islands are not ‘occupied,’ a misunderstanding exists with the UAE. It cited these reasons to ban the journalists. The said magazine responded to the Iranian request and changed its geographical information. Strangely, no Gulf country protested against this officially or through the cultural departments.

I illustrated this example to show that the country’s adamantly claims that the three UAE islands belong to it. It has adopted this tactic so that it keeps holding on to the reins of tension in the region. Yet,the other GCC countries appear to be on the other side of the spectrum.

Iran’s superiority is not due to its geopolitical, military or human strength. Rather it is because of GCC countries’ weakness and the absence of a joint vision. There is no better example of this than the present attitude displayed by GCC countries towards Iran’s nuclear ambition. Iran continues to create havoc and interferes with their internal affairs. As long as GCC countries keep suffering, Iran will enjoy this power. — Al-jarida

By Labeed Abdal

local@kuwaittimes.net

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kuwait digest

Rents are too high!

By Waleed Al-Rujaib

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onsidering the fact that Kuwaiti citizens’ standard of living is lowering year after year, newlyweds today have become unable to find suitable accommodation, thanks to the limited salaries they are paid. Despite living in an oil-rich country, young citizens are facing housing shortages or difficulties paying rents, similar to peers in resourcepoor countries.

New graduates who want to start their own businesses cannot even afford to rent small shops.

Moreover, small-scale businesses have no place in the local market dominated by huge establishments.

Baqalas (small grocery stores) have been replaced with supermarkets, while private medical facilities have replaced small clinics. Meanwhile, apartment buildings are struggling to keep up with the sprawling residential compounds, currency exchange shops are losing out against major exchange companies.

Also, restaurants and cafes are being replaced by global chains. Ordinary taxi drivers have no place among roaming and on-call taxi companies. This phenomenon is called ‘concentration of production’ in business terminology.

Rising apartments rates in Kuwait can be attributed to many factors. The main reason is that only five percent of the country’s total area is inhabited, in addition to unchecked growth of real- estate ventures and bureaucratic sluggishness that delays citizens’ housing applications.

Unfortunately, the state does not support citizens, individual investors or free business owners. Instead, they take sides with larger investors and real estate companies. Its proof lies in the form of multi-billion real estate projects passed by the country to help owners.

Kuwait has a rentier, parasitical and unproductive economy. Citizens depend on social support provided by the state to obtain health, education services, as well as basic food commodities, fuel, electricity and water. However, the government is slowly slipping away by selling these sectors to the private sector. It started with oil stations. There are talks about

privatizing electricity, health, education and even sea ports, and canceling food subsidies. This could prove to be near-fatal if combined with the government’s lack of efforts to prevent an unjustified prices rise to enforce income taxes.

If that happens and is compounded by the rising rents, I believe that it will become extremely difficult to live in Kuwait, despite the billions made in surplus from oil sale. This could become a reality if nothing is done to eradicate corruption in government departments. — Al-Rai

Baqalas (small grocery stores) have been replaced with supermarkets, while private medical facilities have replaced small clinics. Meanwhile, apartment buildings are struggling to keep up with the sprawling residential compounds, currency exchange shops are losing out against major exchange companies. Also, restaurants and cafes are being replaced by global chains. Ordinary taxi drivers have no place among roaming and on-call taxi companies. This phenomenon is called ‘concentration of production’ in business terminology.

kuwait digest

Iraqi faith campaign

By Dr Ghanim Al-Najjar

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few years after the liberation of Kuwait, and during the embargo imposed against Iraq, there appeared signs of religious inclinations that started to creep into the Iraqi scene led

by Saddam Hussein himself.

Explanations of that move varied, as there were those who described it as an uprising and some said it was an attempt to cope with the embargo. And there were those who said it was propaganda, yet regardless of the explanations, what Saddam called a faith campaign began to dominate public and private life. Even members of the Baath party were committed to the religious method, and that campaign continued until the day of the regime’s fall.

Maybe the continuation of that campaign was among the reasons for an armed Islamic action appearing against the occupation forces. More complicated was that the Al-Qaeda organization, which was just a group among others, drew all the media glamour from all other groups. Saddam’s love of attributes and idioms, strange and astonishing, followed the return of his two sons-in-law Hussein and Saddam Kamel. Following their asylum in Jordan, Iraqi security separated his daughter and their children from their husbands.

Their return was strange, as I analyzed it in a previous article.

Saddam announced that he had forgiven them. He told his tribe

that the pardon removed the state’s rights, but did not do the same for the tribe which was insulted by both of them.

A group led by Al-Hassan AlMajeed surrounded their house and a fierce battle took place. The two brothers fought fiercely, and some of their relatives were with them. Their father and sister also fought to repel the attack, but the operation ended with the death of all those who were in the house. It has been said the Uday Saddam was there, and that he fired the final bullet into Hussein Kamel’s head after stepping on his leg, as both were at odds as everybody knew.

There were those who described it as an uprising and some said it was an attempt to cope with the embargo. And there were those who said it was propaganda, yet regardless of the explanations, what Saddam called a faith campaign began to dominate public and private life.

Saddam called that incident the “Jihadi attack”. He called those who died in it “Martyrs of Fury”, and ordered that a monument be built for them. So it seems that the stock of idioms does not run out, and the same goes for the execution methodology.

Within the Faith Campaign the commander President, as he used to be called, changed the punishment of execution for those who escaped from military conscription to removing their left ear. If their escape was repeated a second time, the right ear was removed, and if it happened a third time the escapee was tattooed on his forehead. Of course, if it occurred a fourth time it meant death and that was why removing the ear was called a gift.

I was with the Amnesty International team, and we conducted tens of interviews with the victims of this gift. It was during our humanitarian mission to find out the extent of adherence of the occupation forces to international law.

I admit that it was a very difficult mission. We were able to reveal, document and publish m a ny v i ol a t i ons of We s te r n occupation forces against civilians, and this was the way the country changed politically from right to left, and from Secular Baath to Religious Baath, but executions and killing people remains the tool that breaks society’s back. —Al-Jarida

eing in possession of two citizenships or more is legitimate in principle, in many countries around the world. It is approved by the local legislator as per national laws, in accordance with national interest.

In some countries, the decision is left to the choice of the individual. In other cases, it is left to the discretion of local bodies and laws, and the second citizenship is revoked.

The differences in legislation creates many difficulties for parents and children when they decide about their options. This is especially the case when one country makes it mandatory that they choose between one of the two. In Kuwait, the issue has caused ripples in the political scene. There have problems cropping up before and after the Kuwaiti nationality law number 15/1951 was passed, brought into effect even before the Kuwait gained independence in 1961. These regulations aimed to define who Kuwaitis are and to protect them from being overwhelmed by others, safeguarding the idea of nationhood.

Those concerns, changed later with other problems appearing. The law wanted to weed out opportunists who benefit from the services provided by both countries, and some believe that they are not loyal to any country. Of course, there are exceptions to the case.

There are cases where the second citizenship is that of a Western country. The individual receives it only because he or she is the son or daughter of a foreign parent and a Kuwaiti.

Moreover, we should not exaggerate the matter. We should set fixed conditions for naturalization and not bother about what they stand to gain if they are in simultaneous possession of another country’s passport, as long as it is legal in that country. Authorities here should naturalize individuals only after enforcing rules and performing a background check to ensure that they are entitled to receive housing, free education and health services.

On top of all, we must remember that a foreign woman who marries a citizen of Kuwait may obtain citizenship after 15 years of residing in the country. A foreign man who marries a citizen of Kuwait is not eligible to receive citizenship. This practice does violate the international rule about meting out equal treatment to all individuals. I think today’s situation calls for some urgent amendments to be made to law number 15/1951 for the sake of women married to Kuwaitis, especially if she was granted nationality. This will ensure that justice served to the entire family.

kuwait digest

Where has our money gone?

By Thaar Al-Rashidi

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ver since Minister of Finance Mustafa Al-Shamali took the ministerial post he is the story of grilling in every National Assembly. I do not remember how many times he was threatened with a grilling, but for sure it is not less than 10 times. He became the Opposition story of every National Council.

The loans are a proposed grilling, and the finance portfolio is a proposal grilling, and the law of economic stability is a proposed grillling, and the insolvent fund is a proposed 15 grillings, as there are some who were paid when they were not in need, and there are some who did not receive one fil in spite of being badly in need.

Mustafa Al-Shamali is the treasurer of the state “Bait Almal”, and he is more important than all other sovereign ministries so it is very natural that he becomes the aim of the grilling. But what I don’t know is why is it that those who threaten to grill him did not do so? Although the grilling door is open for Al-Shamali and his ministry from the first day he took the post. Regardless of the personality of Al-Shamali, the Finance Minister in Kuwait deserve a grilling every minute and half. The matter is not financial violations in the ministry only but in everything. The most simple and easy question one can ask him is “where has our money gone?”

This question alone is enough to be the grilling issue, and successful to be made against any Finance Minister. So where has our money gone? And how it was spent? And who benefited from it?

The loans are a proposed grilling, and the finance portfolio is a proposal grilling, and the law of economic stability is a proposed grillling, and the insolvent fund is a proposed 15 grillings, as there are some who were paid when they were not in need, and there are some who did not receive one fil in spite of being badly in need.

Either you grill Al-Shamali and forget the threats, which are nothing but a bad political move, or leave the man get on with his work since you cannot do anything to him. — Al-Anbaa

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

local

Kuwait asks Baghdad to issue passports for 42,000 bedoons Talks underway with protest leaders

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah receiving the Arab education ministers yesterday.

Education minister urges more backing to teachers KUWAIT: Minister of Education and Higher Education, Nayef Al-Hajraf, stressed here yesterday the need for more attention to teachers to enable them to deliver their messages ably and efficiently.

In a keynote speech at the 8th conference of Arab ministers of education and higher education, Al-Hajraf said all obstacles facing teachers should be wiped out and their capabilities be boosted so as to cope with modern advancements.

All such things have become necessary for helping teachers regain their pioneering role in society, he said. “The teacher is a nation in one body,” he commended. He called on society and the Government to support teachers’ noble message, given that they are responsible for teaching “our children, who are the fruit of our present and future”.

Thanking Oman for hosting the seventh conference of Arab ministers of education and higher education in March 2010, the Kuwaiti minister empha-

sized that recommendations made during the Muscat summit should be put in place. He called for educational development blueprints in all Arab countries. “ We have adequate human and material potential to provide modern education to our children in a world where the increasingly valuable education outlines the future for peoples and nations,” he said.

Mohamed Ibn Ashour, Director General of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), said his organization is seeking to mobilize Arab efforts to ensure higher educational quality in the Arab world. He spoke highly of revamped Arab blueprints as a roadmap for common Arab action in the coming few years with a view to overhauling the Arab educational sector.

But, he reminded that the way to educational improvement in the Arab world is to revamp the profession of teaching. —KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait has asked Iraq to issue passports to 42,000 Iraqis residing in Kuwait as stateless residents, head of the state’s Central Agency for Remedying Illegal Residents Issues announced recently.

Speaking during a seminar held at a diwaniya in Yarmouk, Saleh Al-Fadhalah explained that during Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki’s visit to Kuwait, he was informed about “42,000 Iraqis living in Kuwait, claiming to be stateless.” Officials asked that they be “issued Iraqi passports to so that work permits can be issued. This is because Kuwait does not plan to deport them to Iraq.”

“When Al-Maliki asked if we have evidence to prove that they are Iraqis, we said that we have official documents to confirm their real nationalities,” Al-Fadhalah said, adding that the Iraqi premier promised to coordinate on the subject.

Moreover, he said that similar talks were held with Syria as well, but communications were suspended since the protests and secu-

rity situation deteriorated there. “Several calls were made with neighboring countries in an attempt to elicit information indicating bedoons’ real status,” he added. He went on to say that “registering 93,000 bedoons [in the agency’s records] is a heavy burden on the state.”

Kuwait has a large community of stateless residents who demand citizenship as well as civil and social rights they are deprived of owing to their illegal residence status. The government argues that a part of them are Arabs who deliberately disposed of their original passports after coming to Kuwait to seek citizenship in the oil-rich country.

On Tuesday, police used force to disperse a demonstration of nearly 200 bedoon protestors in the Taima district of Al-Jahra. Fourteen demonstrators believed to have instigated the protests were arrested.

An Al-Rai daily report identifies one of the detainees as Abdulhakeem Al-Fadhli. Activist Mohammad Al-Hajri was also named as “one of the instigators who ran away as soon as

the confrontation began.” A senior Ministry of Interior official quoted anonymously in the report confirmed that talks are underway with “leaders of bedoons [protests],” indicating that he received “outside calls that prompted him to carry out actions undermine national security.”

The latest demonstration was made in protest against a decision taken by the Central Agency to issue identification cards for bedoons in colors that indicate their legal status.

The government established the Agency a couple of years ago, with the goal of resolving the issue and naturalize those that are eligible, including residents whose Bedouin ancestors failed to register for citizenship after Kuwait gained independence more than fifty years ago.

Last year, the Agency adopted measures to grant bedoons rights to obtain marriage, birth and death certificates. The agency was given a five-year deadline to resolve the decades-old issue. — Al-Rai

Kuwaiti students comfortable in Jordan AMMAN: Kuwait’s National Assembly Jordanian-Kuwaiti friendship committee lauded here yesterday the Jordanian authority’s care and support towards Kuwaiti students, reflecting the strong relations between the two Arab nations.

The committee met here with Kuwaiti students and members of staff of the Kuwaiti embassy in Jordan. MP Saifi Al-Saifi, head of the delegation, stressed the strong relations between the people of Kuwait and Jordan, noting that meetings with Jordanian officials focused on boosting relations with Jordan within the educational domain.

The delegation also focused on supporting the needs of Kuwaiti students pursuing their studies in Jordan. —KUNA

KUWAIT: Ministry of Interior Media officer, Lt Heba Al-Khalaf, delivered a lecture to the children at Al-Wafa Kindergarten in Rumaithiya. She explained to the children traffic rules which are suitable for their age, like sitting in the back seat of the car, putting on their seat belt, crossing the road at a crossing point and being accompanied by an adult. She warned them against playing in the streets and that they must play in safe places like parks and recreation centers away from public roads.

KIB organizes anti-money laundering session

KUWAIT: Maj Gen Jassem Al-Mansouri, the director of Kuwait Fire Services Directorate, and Brig Yousef Al-Ansari, his deputy for firefighting and human resources development, yesterday received and thanked representatives of government establishments for their assistance and participation in extinguishing the Jahra tires fire. — Photos by Hanan Al-Saadoun

Stopping Rahaiya tires collection ‘wrong decision’ KUWAIT: A Kuwait Municipality insider believes that a decision passed recently by the Municipal Council to stop the dumping of tires in Rahaiya could lead to a more severe environmental problem than posed by the current disposal process.

The decision was passed during the session on Monday after a fire at the location where at least five million tires have been dumped.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the decision could lead to random dumping of tires in the open desert, as they used to be disposed of before the Rahaiya site was allocated.

“This would cost the country large amounts to recollect them”, the source said.

If that doesn’t happen, then Kuwait Municipality will have no other choice but to dispose of used tires in landfills, said the source, reiterating the huge environmental risk of this step given tires’ strong resistance to decomposition.

According to the source, the Minister of Municipality Affairs and Minister of Electricity and Water, Abdulaziz Al-Ibrahim, formed a committee to find the most suitable mechanism to dispose of the tires at Rahaiya.

The committee is formed of members from Kuwait Municipality, the Religious Edict and Legislation Depar tment, the Public Au t h o r i t y o f I n d u s t r y, t h e E nv i ro n m e n t Public Authority and Kuwait Fire Services Directorate.

The committee is expected to file its final report on Sunday. —Al-Qabas

KUWAIT: Kuwait International Bank has recently organized an educational session for all of the bank’s staff under the title “AntiMoney Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism Awareness Session”.

The session took place at the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry and was arranged by the training division of the Human Resources Department in coordination with anti money laundering (AML) unit and the bank’s senior management.

KIB has invited international experts in the field to lead the session and educate the employees about the topic highlighting on the corrupting effect money laundering has on any economy and its financial system.

Regarding the informative and important AML session, Acting CEO Loay Maqamis from KIB said: “The session has given our employees a deep insight into what is money laundering and terrorist financing is exactly about as well as it helped them understand their responsibilities towards the issue and the laws and regulations to be followed to mitigate the adverse effects of money laundering in our country.”“ Maqamis added: “We have received posi-

tive feedback from our employees whom have highly valued the session.

We will surely continue in bringing similar

sessions to our employees to better guide them and add value to their banking experience at KIB.”

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

local

Five drunk men, women arrested in Salmiya Citizen injured in hunting trip mishap

Zain opens branch in Al-Hamra Tower KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommunication company in Kuwait, recently extended its branch network with the opening of a new high-end branch that applies an innovative concept in technology and the provision of communication services. The latest addition to Zain’s extended network is in sync with the theme of Al-Hamra, one of the largest and most vital areas in Kuwait.

Through its latest branch opening, Zain provides exclusive telecommunication services in Al-Hamra Tower.

Commenting on the occasion of the branch opening, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Zain, Omar Al-Omar, said, “Customers’ satisfaction, convenience and continuous technological growth have always been our priority. The opening of our “Al-Hamra Tower ” branch further strengthens the company’s commitment to maintain such an objective and to drive its growth employing a forward-looking vision and technological innovation.”

The new branch opening is part of Zain’s expansion strategy that focuses on a geographical footprint in the main residential and commercial areas in Kuwait. It also aims to strengthen the company’s current network of branches which are currently a

total of 51 offering the best services and products to the customers according to the highest international standards.

Adding another branch to Zain’s extended network will serve the company’s customers by introducing a greater suite of products and a dedicated VIP area, and by providing greater access to the market.

Zain has the largest network of branches in Kuwait. The Al-Hamra branch will serve all kinds of customers — ranging from consumer and high value customers to corporate customers. Zain’s larger branch network will provide an innovative concept of services. It will facilitate the access to the latest communication devices and accessories for mobile phones and will roll out better VIP services.

Al-Omar said, “For us, easy access to our numerous services is a primary goal. The greater number of branches we have, the more customers across all areas of Kuwait can enjoy our latest products and services.”

Al-Omar said, “We are keen to provide the best customer services and products and to continue to improve the performance of our branches and the services we roll for our customers who outnumber 2.1 million.”

KUWAIT: Five people were arrested in Salmiya recently in connection with alcohol consumption and involvement in immoral activities.

Patrol officers monitoring apartment buildings to thwart such activities, noticed three men and two women suspiciously entering and exiting a building. The officers realized that the suspects were drunk, after approaching them. They were taken into custody to face charges.

Accidental shooting A citizen was hospitalized after sustaining a gun wound during a hunting trip in Ali Sabah Al-Salem. Police and paramedics rushed to the location where it was reported that a man was shot. He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Al-Adan Hospital. His male companion was taken into custody after explaining that he accidently shot his friend with a hunting rifle. A case was filed at the area’s police station.

Doctor assaulted An Arab physician at a public medical facility in Ahmadi lodged a complaint against a man who reportedly attacked for failing to illegally approve a sick leave. According to the doctor’s statement, the citizen faked a severe

cold and asked him to sign a sick leave request. The man reportedly beat up the doctor who refused to cooperate with his demands. Investigations are ongoing in the case.

Home burglary Police are on the hunt for a thief who broke into an Abu Halifa apartment recently and made away with jewelry and cash. Local police registered a case after a Syrian man reported that KD 8,000 and 1,500 worth jewelry in addition to his family members’ passports were stolen from his apartment.

Criminal investigators collected fingerprints from the scene.

Former envoy’s wife attacked Police are on the lookout for a female suspect who poured scalding tea over a woman, later identified as the wife of the former British ambassador to Kuwait. The victim suffered first and second degree burns. The incident took place at a restaurant in Mishref Monday night. Paramedics and police reached the location after an emergency call was made. The attacker reportedly fled with a female companion soon after committing the act. The victim was accompanied by a com-

mercial delegation from the UK and a case was filed after the victim was discharged from Bayan hospital.

Missing teen Police in Saad Al-Abdullah are on the hunt for a teenager who failed to return home from school on Tuesday. Officers were approached by a citizen who reported that his 13-year-old son was missing. The father waited for him outside school, but the boy did not show up although all other students left school. After learning that the boy did not reach home at all, the man reached the police station to report the incident.

Phone thieves caught Four suspects were arrested shortly after stealing a woman’s phone in Jleeb AlShuyoukh and patrol officers who were present. Police received an emergency call from a female citizen who reported that four men snatched her cell phone at a market’s parking lot. Two officers who were patrolling nearby were informed of the incident, and arrested the thieves. The men were taken to the area’s police station and identified as Syrian nationals. They remain in custody pending legal procedures. — Al-Rai, Al-Anba, Al-Watan

KUWAIT: Lebanese Ambassador Dr Bassam Al-Nomani hosted reception at his residence in Daiya in honor of the visiting Lebanese Information Minister Waleed Al-Da’oq and Education and Higher Education Minister Dr Hassan Diab on Tuesday. A number of prominent personalities were in attendance. — Photos by Joseph Shagra

KUWAIT: Opening of Zain high-end branch in Al-Hamra Tower.

Developments to enhance medical services in Ahmadi governorate KUWAIT: Ahmadi governorate launched new specialized clinics in the primary care facilities, and also introduced new administrative methods to enhance service in the governorate.

Head of the Primary Health Care Unit in Ahmadi Governorate Dr Fahad Al-Azmi said yesterday that the governorate is inhabited by one third of the total population of Kuwait, and there are also new residential areas annexed to it with added population, which imposes a great burden on the medical services and infrastructure.

The new clinics would help patients with diabetes and chronic diseases in Fahad Al-Ahamd Center, healthy child services would be provided in western Subaheya and Fintas Centers, and the working hours in Abu-Futaira Center would be extended till midnight, he said Geriatric care is to be provided in AlQurain Family Medical Center, along with care for conditions affecting the skin and cases involving the ear, nose, and throat, he added. These changes and additions would

help alleviate the pressure of such large number of patients who have to wait for long periods at Adan hospital, which is already at a great distance for many of them to begin with, he said.

The medical services offered in Ahamdi and Mubarak Al-Kabeer governorates witnessed a remarkable progress, especially in the dentistry field, head of dentistry services in Ahmadi governorate Dr Jaber Taqi said. New dentistry units were opened including well equipped clinics, X-ray facilities, and sterilization rooms, he said.

The electronic files of patients are currently used in most of dentistry clinics in the governorate’s primary care units, and the patient’s medical history can be looked up easily though entering the civil Id number, he explained.

New primar y care units would be opened in many areas in Ahmadi and Mubarak Al-Kabeer governorates including Ogailah, Ali Sabah Al-Salem, Ahmadi, and Bnaider where Al-Rashed Center is to offer dentistry services. —KUNA

Beirut to host Arab Economic Forum BEIRUT: The Lebanese capital of Beirut is getting ready to host the 20th Arab Economic Forum which is expected to focus on the impact of “Arab Spring” on economic stability and development in the Arab world.

Organizers of the Arab Economic Forum (AEF) held a press conference announcing the launch of the proceedings of AEF to take place in Beirut on May 10 and 11, at the Phoenicia Hotel.

The press conference witnessed the participation of Saad Al-Azhari, Vice-Chairman of the Association of Banks in Lebanon, Raouf Abou Zaki, CEO of Al-Iktissad Wal Aamal Group and Riad Salameh, governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon.

For his part, Abou Zaki, CEO of Al-Iktissad Wal Aamal Group pointed out that the 2012 Arab Economic Forum is expected to attract wide and high level attendance by prime ministers, ministers and top government officials from many Arab countries; business, finance and investment leaders from the Arab world and the wider region; regional and international development and finance institutions; experts in various fields; the Arab and international media and other interested parties. He added the forum will provide an effective platform for dialogue and discussion on many issues of the hour at the Arab and international levels. Meanwhile, Al-Azhari,

Vice-Chairman of the Association of Banks in Lebanon hailed the forum is one of the most important economic events in the Arab world.

He added that the forum is held this year in a turbulent time due to political upheavals in the Arab region and the global financial and economic crises.

As for Lebanon, Al-Azhari noted that the Lebanese economy has succeeded in overcoming the challenges of this critical situation with a package of swift measures.

Salameh, governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon, added that the banking sector in Lebanon is not affected by regional conflicts, expecting an 8 percent growth in deposits.

The 20th Arab Economic Forum will be held under the patronage of the Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati and in collaboration with the Central Bank and the Association of Banks in Lebanon.

This year’s session takes place against the background of ongoing historic political change in the Arab world, with some “Arab Spring” countries moving steadily ahead in establishing free democratic systems and revitalizing their economies while others continue to face troubling and in some cases violent conditions as they seek to emerge from the process of transition successfully and with the least possible cost. —KUNA

Lebanese minister hails Arab Media Forum BEIRUT: The 9th Arab Media Forum held in Kuwait, contributes to enhancing future media cooperation between Lebanon and other participating countries, the Lebanese Minister of Information Walid

Al-Daouk said yesterday.

Following his return to Lebanon, Al-Daouk said he will convey the greetings of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah to the Lebanese political

leadership and people, wishing them everlasting peace and stability. The Lebanese minister extended invitations to Kuwaitis to spend their summer vacation in Lebanon, especially as the country is enjoying an atmos-

phere of stability and tranquility. The two-day forum witnessed the participation of various political and media figures from Kuwait and abroad, discussing various issues related to Arab media.—KUNA

KPC highlights social role KUWAIT: Kuwait Petroleum Corporation’s (KPC) social role rivals that of its economic function as of the world renowned oil outlet, said a corporation official here yesterday.

The Managing Director of Government and Parliamentary Relations, Public Relations and Media, Sheikh Talal Al-Khalid AlSabah said on event of celebrating a new KPC publication, that the corporation always made sure that its social role was amongst its top priorities, noting that the new publication would showcase KPC’s social activities from last

year.

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation was founded in 1980 as an umbrella organization to manage the country’s diversified oil interests. As a group, KPC is actively involved in every aspect of the oil and gas industry. It engages itself in activities that range from discovering new reservoirs to delivering clean and safe fuel for motor vehicles, airplanes, ships, agriculture and power stations. It also provides several base petrochemical products that are essential for the industrial manufacturing of several basic amenities of our modern day.— KUNA

Mabanee allocates part of Avenues mall new expansion for small businesses KUWAIT: Mabanee Real Estate Company, overseeing the Avenues Mall project, said that part of the mall’s new expansion will be allocated for Kuwaiti small businesses.

The company said in a press release yesterday that the leasing process of stores in the new expansion phase was complete.

Kuwaiti owners of these small businesses were required to pay nominal fees for rent in means of support.

The new expansion will add a

new dimension to the mall. It takes the form of an old Kuwaiti souk with old architectural designs and narrow allies.

Making the Avenues one of the most prestigious malls in the world.

The mall will have an overall leasable area of more than 270,000 square meters, with over 800 stores and parking for 10,000 cars.

The total project development will cost around KD 300 million.— KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait Dive Team leader Waleed Al-Fadhel presented a lecture about voluntary work in serving Kuwait’s marine environment to Kuwait University students as part of its students council programs. The event was organized by the Environment Voluntary Foundation and featured details of the EVF teams’ achievements. A number of photos documenting environmental projects carried out around Kuwait were displayed.

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

‘World record’ for motorized toilet

US wary of ‘body bomb’ Page 10

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Rebels slay 20 Syrian troops Deadliest day for Assad’s forces DAMASCUS: Rebels killed more than 20 troops yesterday in the Syrian army’s deadliest day of a three-week-old ceasefire deal, even as UN observers said they were having a “calming” impact as they deploy on the ground. The government lost 15 soldiers in one attack alone when rebel fighters ambushed them at dawn in Aleppo province of northern Syria, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Two rebels also died in the attack near Al-Rai village, after President Bashar Al-Assad’s forces had “scaled up military operations” there in the days since the truce took effect on April 12, said the watchdog.

Clashes near Damascus killed six troops, while the army shelled and torched activists’ homes in eastern Deir Ezzor province and loyalist gunfire killed a civilian in southern Daraa, cradle of the 14-month uprising. In Daraya, soldiers killed two civilians, the Observatory said, adding another died in the same Damascus province town from wounds he sustained months ago. Despite the bloodshed, the head of a UN military observer mission said his team was having a positive effect, although he admitted the ceasefire was not holding.

Major General Robert Mood brushed off criticism that the UN Supervision Mission in Syria, or UNSMIS, had been too slow to get off the ground and said their numbers would double within days. “This is not easy and we are seeing-by the action, by explosions, by firing-that the ceasefire is really a shaky one. It’s not holding,” the Norwegian general told Britain’s Sky News. “But what we are also seeing on the ground is that where we have observers present, they have a calming effect and we’re also seeing that those operating on the ground, they take advice from our

observers.” The United Nations has accused both the regime and its opponents of violating the ceasefire that is part of a peace plan brokered by UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan. The plan calls for a halt to fighting, the withdrawal of heavy weapons from urban areas, a daily humanitarian ceasefire, media access, an inclusive political process, the right to demonstrate and the release of detainees.

The United Nations says more than 9,000 people have been killed in Syria since the antiregime uprising broke out in March 2011, while the Observatory puts the figure at more than 11,100. UN peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous said Syrian troops have kept heavy weapons in cities, and that both the government and rebels have violated the truce.

Ladsous also said UN member states had so far only offered 150 military observers for the 300-strong planned force and that Syria had refused visas for three proposed monitors. But Syrian foreign ministry spokesman Jihad Makdisi denied visa requests had been turned down and said the two sides had agreed on the nationalities that could operate in the country. “We agreed with the UN negotiating team that nationalities of observers to be mutually agreed upon... So there is no refusal per se... There are far more than 110 nationalities that can easily work in Syria,” he said.

Human Rights Watch accused the regime of committing atrocities in the eastern province of Idlib shortly before the truce took effect. “Syrian tanks and helicopters attacked one town in Idlib after another,” Anna Neistat, associate director for programs and emergencies at HRW, said in a statement. “It was as if the Syrian government forces used every minute before the ceasefire to cause harm,” she added. The New York-based watchdog

HOMS: Syrian women walk past destruction in the Bab Amro neighborhood of Homs yesterday. — AFP HRW said that during an April 3-4 attack on countries including Turkey, Lebanon, and accused regime forces of summary executions, arbitrary detentions and burning and Taftanaz, northeast of Idlib city, 19 members Jordan. Meeting with a US congressional deldestruction of civilian property. In some cases, of the Ghazal family, including two under the egation in Amman, King Abdullah II of Jordan, children were executed by regime forces. “The age of 18, were executed by regime forces. which says it hosts more than 100,000 Syrian security forces also arbitrarily detained Nine males were shot in the head or back. The refugees, called for “a political solution” to the dozens of people, holding them without any violence in Syria has also seen tens of thou- crisis, saying he was “worried” about the sands of refugees take flight into neighboring bloodshed. — AFP legal basis,” said HRW.

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

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

‘Worst’ not over in troubled Yemen SANAA: Two months after a new president took power in Yemen, replacing veteran Ali Abdullah Saleh, the UN envoy to the unrest-hit country cautioned that the worst may not be over, though a transition plan remains on track. In an interview with AFP in Sanaa, Jamal Benomar also said Yemen is still facing serious security challenges and that progress on this front is still “very relative.” The implementation of UN-backed Gulf-brokered plan that ousted Saleh is “on track,” Benomar said, but warned there is “no indication that the worst is over or no indication that Yemen is turning the page.”

Armed militias and divided forces still roam the streets of the capital with AK-47s slung on their shoul-

ders. And though much of the roadblocks and barricades on Sanaa’s main roads have been dismantled, the armed men have moved “to side streets and have stored munitions in buildings,” said Benomar. He added that “lawlessness and criminality prevail in some parts of the country,” not only in the more distant provinces in the south and the east, where AlQaeda linked militants are gaining ground, but even to some degree in Sanaa, the seat of the new government.

In the capital, police officers are few and far between. Traffic lights don’t work and the streets are littered with garbage. The country’s courts have been on strike for the past three months, putting any and

all forms of justice on hold. The national electricity grid as well as oil and gas pipelines are regularly attacked, disrupting the flow of power and fuel to Sanaa and other cities. Unless the government makes progress and begins to deliver some basic services soon, Benomar cautioned, the people will start to “question its credibility and legitimacy,” especially considering the escalating humanitarian crisis.

The latest UN statistics are alarming and point to 10 million Yemenis that are food insecure. Seven million of them are “severely food insecure” said Benomar, adding that some 700,000 children “could die this year from malnutrition if nothing is done immediately.” The streets of Sanaa are packed with children, barefoot

and begging. Men line the sidewalks, many unemployed, chewing on the local narcotic known as Qat. Buildings destroyed and damaged in the fierce clashes that rocked this city last year stand deserted, the businesses in them remain shut and the residents who moved out during the fighting have not returned.

With a difficult security environment and no real signs of economic recovery, “the people are experiencing extreme hardship,” said Benomar. Yemen was already the poorest country in the Arab world at the end of 2010. And then the Arab Spring happened and Yemenis, like their Egyptian, Tunisian, Libyan and Syrian counterparts revolted against decades of autocracy, corruption and economic stagnation. —AFP

Number of Muslims, Mormons rises in US Muslims outnumbering Jews in Midwest, South CHICAGO: American Muslims grew in number over the past decade, outnumbering Jews for the first time in most of the Midwest and part of the South, while most mainline churches lost adherents, according to a census of American religions released on Tuesday. The number of Muslim adherents rose to 2.6 million in 2010 from 1 million in 2000, fueled by immigration and conversions, said Dale Jones, a researcher who worked on the study by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. “Christians are the largest group in every state, but some of the things we found interesting was the growth of the Mormons, who reported the largest numerical gain in 26 states,” said Jones, who presented the report to a conference in Chicago.

The number of Mormons, whose Utah-based church’s formal name is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, grew by 45 percent to 6.1 million in 2010, according to the census, which asked 236 religions to count their own

adherents. Family members of adherents were generally included in the numbers. Roughly 55 percent of Americans attend services with enough regularity to be counted, according to the data. By comparison, most surveys estimate roughly 85 percent of Americans profess religious faith, though they may not attend services. Some 158 million Americans were classified as “unclaimed” by any religion in the survey.

Among major religions, the census found the number of Catholics, the largest single faith, declined 5 percent to 58.9 million during the decade. “Catholics had the largest numeric decline,” including big losses in Maine where a priest abuse scandal came to light, Jones said. In the New England region, Catholic funerals are outnumbering baptisms, he added. Among the other largest US faiths, adherents to the Southern Baptist Convention held steady at 19.9 million over the decade, the United Methodist Church lost 4

percent to 9.9 million adherents, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America lost 18 percent to 4.2 million, and the Episcopal Church lost 15 percent of its adherents to 1.95 million.

Evangelical protestant congregations continued to grow, though slowly, to 50 million adherents. Most of the growth, surprisingly, was in urban areas and the vast majority of expanding congregations have fewer than 100 members and are not large mega churches, Jones said.

Jones said Buddhists made strong gains in the Rocky Mountain states, where the number of temples and congregations increased markedly. The total number of Buddhist adherents in the United States was nearly 1 million. There was no estimate in 2000. “Based on some of the temple names, I think some of the upscale yuppie types are looking for something different than the church they grew up in,” Jones said. — Reuters

Palestinian ‘illegally’ moved kids to Gaza

SYDNEY: Canadian female action sports star Jolene Van Vugt (center) plays up to the waiting media as her support crew make some last minute adjustments prior to her setting a new land speed Guinness World Record for a motorized toilet in Sydney. — AFP

‘World record’ for motorized toilet SYDNEY: Stunt woman Jolene Van Vugt was flushed with pride yesterday after setting a new land speed record for the fastest motorized toilet. Van Vugt, a former Canadian motocross champion, steered the contraption through some early wobbles to 75 kilometers per hour in Sydney, seven kilometers more than the previous Guinness world record. Police were on

hand to record the feat. “I flew into Australia yesterday and came out here to jump straight on the toilet,” said the 31year-old. “That was so fun and I’m stoked to get the record.” Van Vugt, who is in Australia to perform at the Nitro Circus stunt show based on the hit MTV series, holds a host of world records, including being the first woman to backflip a dirt bike. — AFP

VIENNA: General view of the site of the Danube river where the body of former Libyan oil minister Shukri Ghanem was found drowned in Vienna, Austria. — AP

WICHITA: Authorities in the US have accused a divorced Palestinian man of illegally moving his three children from their home in Kansas to his native Gaza earlier this year. Their mother, Bethany Gonzales, says she wants her children back in the US, but she has limited political and legal means available to her in the Gaza Strip, a largely isolated and impoverished Palestinian territory ruled by the Islamic militant group Hamas. The father, Ahmed Abuhamda, denies any wrongdoing, saying he followed the couple’s divorce decree when he moved the children from the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park to the Middle East in February.

However, Abuhamda has been charged in Kansas with aggravated interference with parental custody. Last week, he was charged in a federal criminal complaint in US District Court with fleeing to avoid prosecution on the three state felony counts. Under the couple’s 2008 divorce decree, the children lived with the father and the mother had visitation rights. The federal court filing alleges Abuhamda used his sister’s wedding in Gaza to convince his ex-wife to sign off on passport applications for the children - 13-year-old Jehed, 10-year-old Edhem and 9-year-old Jannah. He picked up the three children from school Feb 21, but instead of returning the children in March, he unlawfully kept them in Gaza, according to court documents.

The divorce decree allows Abuhamda to move the children overseas, provided he has their mother’s permission. Abuhamda said in a phone interview from the Gaza Strip that he had her blessing, but Gonzales said that’s untrue and he deceived her. Though US authorities have charged Abuhamda, authorities in Gaza are unlikely to pursue the matter.

The US arrest warrant can be registered with Interpol, but Gaza does not have to honor it.

Gonzales could appeal diplomatically to Hamas leaders and try to put political pressure on authorities there, but there’s little guarantee they would listen.

The Hague Convention, an international treaty that provides for the return of wrongfully removed or retained children, includes only one Muslim nation, Turkey, said Andrew Zashin, an international family law attorney from Cleveland, Ohio, who is not involved in the case. Family law in Gaza, like in most Arab countries, is based on Sharia Islamic law. It awards legal guardianship of the child to the father while granting physical custody for rearing the child to the mother until a boy reaches age 9 and a girl reaches age 12, although some countries have now extended that to age 15 regardless of gender.

However, a mother would not be able to leave the country with her children without the father’s permission. “It is a very tragic situation,” said Abed Awad, an expert on Islamic Sharia law and adjunct law professor at Rutgers University Law School in New Jersey.

“She faces substantial hurdles to secure the return of her children.” The US-born Gonzales met Abuhamda in Missouri after converting to Islam at age 15. The couple talked over the phone for a year and went out on couple of dates before deciding to marry in 1996, when Gonzales was 16.

She and Abuhamda moved sporadically between the US and Gaza between 1997 and 2005. Their oldest son, Jehed, was born in Gaza, while the other two children were born in the US. After their divorce, the couple lived a 10-minute drive apart in Overland Park.

Gonzales contends she allowed the children to go to Gaza in February for the wedding and that Abuhamda led her to believe he had booked flights back to the US for them. She showed the AP an email she said her ex-husband sent her beforehand that indicated a “reservation confirmed” flight back to Kansas.

“There is no way I would agree for my kids to go there and stay there,” said Gonzales, 32.

She said she contacted authorities after she found out the return flight information was fake. By then, her ex-husband’s apartment had been cleaned out. She said she later got a text message from him saying he was not coming back. Abuhamda, 40, said his exwife knew he was taking the children to live in Gaza and that he never lied to her. “I didn’t kidnap the kids, and the kids know that we are going to live overseas,” he said.

Abuhamda, who was unaware of the US criminal charges until his family was contacted for comment, insisted he had the right to take the children. He also said he has offered to pay for his ex-wife to come to Gaza to visit them.

Gonzales, who remarried in 2010 and now has a 3-month-old son, said she talks regularly by phone with her three children in Gaza.

She said she’s fearful for them amid the “constant chaos” there. “It is not safe,” she said. “It is not safe on either side, from the airstrikes to the government that is running that area.” The Gaza Strip is a densely populated coastal enclave of 1.7 million people. Israel has launched airstrikes in Gaza in response to frequent rocket fire from militant groups targeting southern Israel. Abuhamda said the children are enrolled in an American school. They live in an apartment building in an upscale neighborhood in Gaza City, though power outages are not uncommon. —AP

News

in brief

India airspace ‘violated’ NEW DELHI: China breached Indian airspace twice in March, a minister said yesterday, adding the intrusions were reported to Beijing to “facilitate maintenance of peace” between the two Asian giants.

Chinese helicopters flew into Indian airspace on March 16 and 19, Defense Minister A K Antony told parliament, specifying that on the first incident two aircraft illegally crossed the militarized border into India. Both airspace violations occurred over India’s mountainous Himachal Pradesh state, which shares part of its border with Tibet, the defense minister told parliament’s upper house in a statement.

“Incidents of transgressions, intrusions are taken up with the Chinese side through established mechanisms such as hot lines, flag meetings, border personnel meetings and normal diplomatic channels,” Antony said. “These mechanisms facilitate maintenance of peace,” the defense minister’s statement said. The disputed border between India and China has been the subject of 14 rounds of fruitless talks since 1962, when the two nations fought a brief but brutal war over the issue.

Australian chainsaw attack SYDNEY: A man was rushed to hospital yesterday after his arm was nearly severed by a chainsaw in a horrific neighborhood dispute that saw the alleged offender’s finger hacked off with a machete. Police said they were called out to Minto in Sydney’s southwest on Tuesday evening and were confronted by the grisly scene. “Upon arrival, they located a 30year-old man with his right arm partially severed,” a police statement said. “It’s believed he had been attacked with a chainsaw during a violent altercation with a neighbor. The alleged offender, a 26year-old man, lost a finger in the incident.” Inspector Dean Smith said the pair had argued earlier in the day. “Any kind of incident that involves any kind of weapons, there’s no justification for that kind of level of violence,” he said. The Sydney Daily Telegraph quoted the father of the chainsaw victim as saying the dispute was to do with loud music and reckless driving in the street. It is alleged that when the man approached his neighbor to sort out their differences, he was attacked with the chainsaw.

Quakes rock Mexico MEXICO CITY: Several earthquakes rattled Mexico on Tuesday, but there were no reports of injuries or damage as the country celebrated a national holiday. The first quake shook near the northwest, off the coast of Baja California, just before 9 am local time and there were no reports of damage. That quake registered a 5.0 magnitude at a depth of 6 miles, the US Geological Survey said. The second tremor, in the central state of Michoacan, struck before noon and shook Mexico City, although the epicenter was more than 100 miles away. Traffic and street life in the capital continued as normal just moments after the tremor, witnesses said. “I’ve lived through plenty of earthquakes. But I didn’t feel that one,” said Elias Munoz, 70, who runs a kiosk in Mexico City’s central Roma neighborhood. The USGS said the quake that hit Michoacan had a magnitude of 5.7 and was recorded at a depth of 56 miles.

N Korea 3rd nuke test SEOUL: North Korea has apparently finished preparations for a third nuclear test and is awaiting a political decision to go ahead, a South Korean nuclear expert said yesterday. The expert also said the communist state is likely to use highly enriched uranium (HEU) for any test, and may have produced enough of it to make between three and six bombs in addition to its plutonium stockpile. There has been widespread speculation the North will stage a test following its failed launch of a long-range rocket last month, which drew condemnation from the United Nations Security Council. Similar condemnation of launches in 2006 and 2009 was followed by atomic weapons tests. Satellite photos of the Punggye-ri test site in the northeast show work in progress.

“The North has apparently finished technical preparations for a third nuclear test. What is left now is a political decision,” the expert told journalists on condition of anonymity.

Egypt’s Amr Mussa battles Mubarak-era stigma in poll SOHAG: Amr Mussa is a frontrunner in Egypt’s presidential election but the celebrated statesman who served as Hosni Mubarak’s foreign minister has to convince skeptics he will not revive the dictator’s era. In Rawafi Al-Qusair, one of those dusty southern villages the government appears to have forgotten amid patchwork fields of clover and wheat, Mussa tells peasants at a campaign rally to choose carefully.

“Egypt is in a state of tumult. That’s why I ask everyone to choose with extreme caution,” he said in a fiery stump speech, dressed down-by his usual standards-in a pinstripe jacket and blue shirt Mussa left Mubarak’s government in 2001 and had been Arab League chief for a decade when a nationwide uprising toppled the strongman in February 2011.

During the uprising, Mussa announced it was time for a “transition from one era to the other” and visited the protesters in Cairo’s Tahrir Square.

But the decade he served as Mubarak’s foreign minister has come back to haunt him, with his critics labeling him a “felool” - a nickname for remnants of Mubarak’s regime, taken from the classical Arabic term for a broken sword’s edge.

Others say Mussa, who was never a member of Mubarak’s now dissolved ruling party, is the only candidate with the credentials to lead.

Mussa, 75, dismisses his main rivals, Islamists, as novices. “The feeling in the country is growing that we do not want to be an experiment or a research centre for a new president who knows nothing about the state,” he said in an interview aboard his campaign bus as it careered from one crumbling village to the next in the impoverished south. He has brought together a team of experts to write a thorough 80-page program he says he can realistically implement. His campaign team is a mix of former diplomats and eager young liberals who took part in anti-

Mubarak protests. “It’s not something unreasonable or something impossible when I say that there are a lot of hospitals that have been built but remain closed because of certain trivial amounts of money or bureaucracy,” Mussa said.

“I really believe what the American constitution stipulated about the responsibility of the government to guarantee the pursuit of happiness,” he said. Ever the cautious diplomat, Mussa refuses to directly criticize the ruling military generals who took control after Mubarak’s ouster but vow they will hand power to an elected president by the end of June.

Mussa dismisses suggestions that the military, which has produced every president since the 1952 army coup against King Farouq, would remain in control from behind the scenes.

“When I am president, I’ll be president in the real sense of the word, whatever that means,” he said. Like other candidates, he is not certain

about his job description under a yet to be finished new constitution. The Muslim Brotherhood, which dominates senate and parliament which will appoint the constituent assembly, wants a parliamentary system in the new charter.

The Islamists are running a candidate in the election, the head of the Brotherhood’s political arm Mohammed Mursi. Mussa’s main rival, judging by polls, is the moderate Islamist, Abdel Moneim Abul Fotouh. Mussa, who insists on performing all five Muslim daily prayers even on his campaign bus, is the most secular of the leading candidates in a country where the large Coptic Christian minority and liberals fear Islamists’ growing power. “The reference point for Egypt should be national, and that’s it,” he told a Coptic bishop in the southern city of Sohag, in an apparent reference to Islamist calls for a state with an “Islamic reference.”—AFP

Egyptian presidential candidate and former Arab League chief Amr Mussa

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

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

Despite pressure, Murdoch has iron grip on empire WASHINGTON: Rupert Murdoch faces stepped up pressure over control of News Corp following a blistering report from British lawmakers on a hacking scandal but his grip on the firm is not in immediate danger, analysts say. That is because Murdoch holds the reins of the New York-based global media group through a stock structure which gives him and family members most of the voting shares in News Corp.

“It’s impossible for shareholders to oust the management of the company,” said Columbia University law professor Robert Jackson, who studies corporate governance and ethics.

Jackson said the dual-class stock structure is used in many media companies because they “don’t want to face shareholder challenges every time they miss earnings.” The structure is often employed at media firms such as The New York Times, to prevent activist shareholders

from influencing editorial policies, but also at some tech firms such as Google to allow founders to keep control. Still, Jackson said Murdoch could face tough questions from the News Corp board of directors, which has an obligation to protect the interests of shareholders.

“If there is one fundamental principle of American corporate law, it is an obligation for the board to protect shareholders,” Jackson said. Jacob Frenkel, a Maryland securities lawyer who handles corporate governance issues, said the technical issues of shareholder votes may be eclipsed by the impact of the scandal on the company’s reputation. “These findings are troublesome from a corporate governance perspective and it is reasonable to expect that as a result of the internal investigation the company is doing that there will be a significant overhaul to the governance systems

and policies at News Corp.,” Frenkel said. But that time may not have arrived yet, Frenkel and Jackson say. The focus on Murdoch comes as the British Parliament’s influential culture committee said the group had misled lawmakers and that the 81-year-old tycoon and his son James should take corporate responsibility. Murdoch shut the News of the World in July 2011 as the phone -hacking scandal exploded with revelations that the tabloid had accessed the voicemails of a murdered schoolgirl.

Frenkel said that because the parliamentar y findings were split along partisan lines “it causes a reader to question the underlying motivation of the report.” More important, said Frenkel, will be the results of the company ’s internal probe and legal advice to the board. Jackson said the board, which includes directors such as Spanish former Prime

Boko Haram warns of more attacks on Nigerian media Islamists celebrate, heap praise on bombers KANO: Islamist group Boko Haram released a video late on Tuesday celebrating its bombing of a Nigerian newspaper and warning of more attacks on local and foreign media if they published reports that were biased to the sect or insulting to Islam. Suicide car bombers targeted the offices of This Day in the capital, Abuja, and northern city of Kaduna last Thursday, killing at least five

ment in 2009. It had not previously targeted the press in its bombing campaign, although last October it killed a reporter for state TV who the sect said was an informant to President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

The video posted on the Internet opens with a Koranic song and a drawing of the Koran sitting on two crossed AK-47s. A banner in the

UNKNOWN: A video grab taken from a video from Islamist group Boko Haram shows Imam Abubakar Shekau with an AK-47 assault rifle next to him. — AFP people in apparently coordinated strikes.

Boko Haram has been fighting a low-level insurgency for more than two years and has become the main security threat facing Africa’s top oil producer, although most attacks have been in the largely Muslim north, far from southern oil fields.

The sect, which wants to impose an Islamic state on Nigeria’s more or less evenly mixed population of Muslim and Christians, has been blamed for hundreds of killings since its uprising against the govern-

northern Hausa language says: “Message from Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihadl (Boko Haram’s full name): on why we attacked ThisDay”. It then plays a video tape shot from a distance of the ThisDay Abuja office, which promptly explodes into a ball of flames and grey smoke - that suggests the sect had a cameraman set up in anticipation of the strike. “We attacked Thisday because we will never forget or forgive anyone who abused our Prophet,” a voice booms in Hausa. This day angered Muslims a decade ago

when one of its columnists suggested the Prophet Mohammad might have wanted to marry a beauty queen, an event to which the tape alludes.

JIHAD VIDEO The statement rages against local and international media for carrying reports by Nigeria’s government that a faction of the sect was behind the kidnapping of two hostages - one British, the other Italian - who were killed by their captors during a botched March rescue attempt. “We said we have nothing to do with it, yet these media houses reported that we were responsible for the incident,” it said, also complaining about reports, which it denied, that its spokesman Abu Qaqa had been captured. It warned it would attack other media houses soon, listing several local papers as next on the list and several international media as “on the verge of jointing them”.

It was at least the fifth video that Boko Haram had posted this year, mostly from self-proclaimed leader Abubakar Shekau. Shekau appears in this one, too, waving an AK-47 around. From being a secretive sect in the shadows, the group has gradually raised its media profile, which may explain both the proliferation of home videos and growing attacks on media. A spate of attacks in the past few days, including one against Christians in the north that killed 19 people on Sunday, dampened hopes that tighter security in the north had drastically reduced the sect’s capability. Nigerian forces raided the hideout of Islamist militants in Kano on Tuesday, killing the suspected mastermind of an attack on Christian worshippers in a gun battle that lasted several hours in the main northern city. — Reuters

Protest parties poised to shake up Greek politics ATHENS: Greece has long been run by two parties, but the crisis has made voters so angry that fringe groups are poised to pick up strong support in Sunday’s election, potentially redrawing the political landscape. Since the end of the military junta in 1974, the left-wing Pasok and the conservative New Democracy have alternated in power, easily winning around 80 percent of the vote between them. Now, many voters want this cosy arrangement to end. On Sunday the two parties, currently in a first-ever coalition under caretaker technocrat Prime Minister Lucas Papademos, will be lucky to pick up 50 percent, polls show.

Voters blame the two mainstream parties for making such a mess of the country’s finances over the past decades that Athens has been forced to agree to harsh austerity measures in return for two massive international bailouts. Instead, people are turning to a hodgepodge of others parties including unreconstructed communists, a far-right party whose symbol closely resembles a swastika and assorted other nationalists and leftists. Given the economic challenges still at hand, the election could yet deliver a coalition government similar to that led

by Papademos.

New Democracy is still forecast to be the biggest party, with a lead of between four and eight percent, but its leader Antonis Samaras insists that he will not work with Pasok to form another coalition government. This throws open the possibility that these smaller parties may have a real shot at influencing policy-provided they can set aside their own considerable differences and prove they are not just protest parties. “We are facing two possibilities,” says political analyst Thomas Gerakis.

“There could be a coalition between Pasok and New Democracy, the so-called memorandum parties,” he said, referring to the unpopular bailout deal Greece signed with the European Union and the International Monetary Fund in 2010. “Or there could

be an anti-memorandum government formed by the small parties, though there are major differences between them,” he said. Some of these parties, such as the Communists and leftist Syriza, have been battling the mainstream movements-and each other-for years.

“We say no to the memorandum and yes to the euro. That is why we are having success,” said Irene Dourou, a candidate with the Syriza party, which is likely to score between seven and 13 percent of the vote. “It’s the first time that we see so many people under the age of 35 supporting our campaign,” she said. To slash a deficit of 15.6 percent in 2009, the socialist government and the socialist-conservative coalition that succeeded it have slashed wages and pensions by up to 40 percent over the last two years.

“The other parties lied,” Communist party leader Aleka Papariga told a large rally in the second city of Thessaloniki on Tuesday. “They said the European Union would put Greece on a trajectory of prosperity, that salaries and pensions would be safeguarded by the euro,” she said.

New parties have surfaced as a direct result of the economic crisis, formed by dissidents ejected from Pasok and New Democracy for failing to approve additional austerity measures. One of more successful arrivals, the nationalist Independent Greeks party, has built its campaign on attacks on eurozone powerhouse Germany and pledges to repudiate the EU-IMF recovery blueprint as illegal and unconstitutional. “If we don’t kick out (EU-IMF auditors), next month they ’ll star t confiscating homes from debtors,” its leader Panos Kammenos, a former New Democracy junior minister, told Skai television in April. “We will free Greece from the shackles of the memorandum...I want our children to live free,” he said. Kammenos’ party could poll between seven and 11 percent of the vote if estimates are borne out. A total of 32 parties will field candidates in the general election. — AFP

Minister Jose Maria Aznar and former US antitrust prosecutor Joel Klein, must already be considering the possibility of a future without Rupert Murdoch. “I think we are still some time away from the

a hard decision but I don’t think we are at that point yet.” James Post of the Boston University School of Management said he expects some activist shareholders and institutions to press for Murdoch’s removal,

News Corp executive chairman Rupert Murdoch board having to make some decisions on this,” said Jackson.

“My sense is this is a board that is absolutely capable of making

even if the moves are unsuccessful. “The Murdoch family interests have a bevy of governance devices to ensure their

continued power,” Post said.

“The long-term course of News Corp may be determined more by family feud than corporate governance.”

The parliamentary report said Murdoch is not fit to run the media empire and that he engaged in willful neglect during the scandal. News Corp said the comments were “unjustified and highly partisan” and pointed out that the committee itself was split on whether to include the remarks. Phone hacking at the News of the World came to the fore in the trial of its royal correspondent Clive Goodman and Glenn Mulcaire, a private investigator, who were jailed in 2007 for illegally accessing voicemails.

Scotland Yard reopened an investigation in January 2011 and more than 40 people have been arrested.

News International has paid millions of pounds in compensation to hacking victims. — AFP

Jobs, economy drive vote in Serbia’s vote BELGRADE: Serbia votes in elections Sunday that for the first time in decades are focused on breadand-butter issues such as jobs and plummeting living standards instead of Balkan strife. Incumbent centre-left President Boris Tadic faces a tough challenge from populist conservative Tomislav Nikolic, and their two camps are also contesting parliamentary polls held the same day. Both sides are promising to fight unemployment, now hovering at 24 percent, by attracting foreign investors and bringing Serbia into the European Union. “These are the first elections since 1990 in which the economy has become the key issue,” sociologist Srecko Mihajlovic said.

A deepening economic crisis means that “instead of focusing on big political issues, voters are now concerned about... securing a normal future for themselves and their children,” he said. Serbia’s economic

outlook looks grim, with gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2011 at 1.6 percent and expected to flatten this year while economists predict unemployment will rise further. For Serb voters, the election marks a clear shift away from the era of conflict and international sanctions in the 1990s and the first decade of the 21st century.

An April poll showed that 80 percent of Serbs were “unhappy and angry” with the current situation in the country, while 60 percent said they were “depressed” about the future. “In the past, I woke up every morning fearing a new conflict or war. Nowadays I wake up thinking of how will I earn some money to make ends meet,” unemployed engineer Bojan Rocic, 35 said. The issue of Kosovo-the breakaway province that unilaterally declared independence in 2008 and loomed large in the previous elections-is hardly mentioned in the current

campaign. “Kosovo is absent from the campaign as politicians do not have a good solution for the issue, and voters do not insist on it,” said Vladimir Pejic of the Faktor Plus polling agency.

Nikolic and Tadic are neck-andneck according to the latest opinion polls, with 36.1 percent and 35.7 percent respectively in the first round vote. With 12 presidential candidates on the ballot, a second round vote is expected on May 20.

Analysts and pollsters predict Tadic will win the run-off as he has done twice before. Tadic, 54, who brought a once politically and economically isolated Serbia to the doorstep of the European Union, is focusing on EU integration and economic development through support for agriculture. “These elections are crucial for Serbia because the country will change on that day and the question is: for better or for worse?,” he has warned. — AFP

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

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

Old party takes big lead in Mexico presidential race MEXICO CITY: A month into Mexico’s breakneck campaign season, the movie-star handsome candidate of the former ruling party is 20 percentage points ahead of his two main rivals and drawing tens of thousands of cheering supporters to tightly choreographed rallies that feel as much like victory celebrations as campaign events. If the next two months go as planned, Enrique Pena Nieto will return the Institutional Revolutionary Party to Mexico’s highest office 12 years after voters fed up with its corruption, mismanagement and repression of opponents ended its 71 years of autocratic rule.

What a Pena Nieto presidency would look like, however, remains unclear. The fresh-faced, 45-year-old former governor is promising national rejuvenation after six years of a grueling drug war and sluggish economic growth, but his dozens of campaign pledges center on more mundane matters small-scale infrastructure projects such as highway overpasses and better flood control. He has offered few specifics about how he would address Mexico’s bigger problems like crime and poverty, sticking tightly to his broader themes of change and competence as he tries to ride his commanding lead to a victory in the

July 1 elections. “The important thing for me, what will be my highest priority, will be delivering results,” Pena Nieto said in a recent interview.

“Mexicans clearly want a change and I want to be that option of change.”

Pena Nieto is a riveting public speaker, but he’s slipped badly when talking off the cuff, misidentifying the titles of his supposed favorite books and acknowledging his ignorance of the price of tortillas, an essential fact for millions of voters. On the personal side, he has acknowledged cheating on his first wife with at least two different women, producing an illegitimate child with each one before his spouse died during an epileptic seizure. He also had three children with his first wife.

Voters are overlooking the negative, his backers say, because they see Pena Nieto as an able, pragmatic and inclusive leader who knows how to negotiate difficult issues, listen to people and, above all, fulfill his promises.

Critics, however, call Pena Nieto the product of sophisticated marketing, a pretty face incapable of improvising and dependent on advisers. Only Mexicans’ deep disenchantment with the governing National Action Party could allow the candidate of the PRI to become the face of change, skeptics

say. Some of the most powerful figures in the once -reviled PRI have helped engineer Pena Nieto’s rise, and his advisers have assembled a tightly disciplined and professional political team that has managed to push to the background pointed questions and criticism about the candidate’s plans for Mexico, his personal flaws, his ties to the party’s more unsavory side and his readiness to govern the country.

Among the candidate’s few larger stands is his support for changes in the law that would make it easier for a single party to have an absolute majority in the lower house of Mexico’s Congress, raising the prospect of a country where the PRI, which already governs most states, could hold the levers of powers in all levels of government - as it did for most of the last century.

Currently, the rules of Mexico’s proportional representation system make it virtually impossible for one party to win an absolute majority in the 500member lower house. Pena Nieto “has an old approach, of trying to retake what existed in the ‘60s,” said Luis Rubio, president of the Center for Development Research, an independent think tank. “What he says is, ‘I don’t believe in building, in constructing coalitions, but in taking total control in

order to do what I want.’” For a country mired in major crises, some see dangers in electing a president whose biggest selling point has been his youthful charm.

“He has the power to take advantage of his ability to seduce, this youthful image, this image of being different,” said journalist Alberto Tavira, who interviewed the candidate’s mother, lovers and other women for the book “Pena Nieto’s Women,” which portrays him as a seducer. “But let’s be honest, this isn’t always enough to govern a country.” Raised in Atlacomulco, a city in the north of Mexico state, Pena Nieto attended Roman Catholic schools and became interested in politics as a youth.

He joined the PRI at 18 and soon came under the sway of the Atlacomulco Group, an informal clique of PRI politicians with reputations as old-time political wheeler-dealers.

Following well-worn PRI practice, the group promised government projects for the common man, while lining its pockets and constructing networks of influence and loyalty through backroom deals. A return to Atlacomulcostyle politics would mark a break with the PRI’s tendency to run colorless, market-oriented technocrats for the presidency since 1982.

Pena Nieto trained as a lawyer at Panamerican University in Mexico City, part of the ultraconservative Catholic Opus Dei movement, and graduated with a master’s degree in administration from the Institute of Technology and Advanced Studies of Monterrey.

Seen as more conservative than many other PRI members, Pena Nieto worked for Mexico state Gov. Arturo Montiel, who became one of Pena Nieto’s most important mentors.

Montiel dropped out as a potential PRI presidential candidate in 2006 amid accusations that he illegally enriched himself with state funds.

Pena Nieto won election to Mexico state’s legislature, then gained national prominence in 2005 when he ran successfully to be governor of the state, winning headlines with an unusual strategy - signing 608 campaign pledges witnessed by a notary public. He says he fulfilled them all.

The National Action Party contends he didn’t. He is pursuing an identical strategy in his presidential campaign, crossing the country making pledges and promoting the image of a competent public servant focused more on fulfilling his promises with tangible practical results than focusing on questions of ideology. — AP

Florida takes aim at firms linked to Cuba and Syria Governor Rick Scott wades into foreign policy

WELLINGTON: Janet Napolitano (left), the US Secretary of Homeland Security, is greeted by Prime Minister of New Zealand John Key at the Beehive in Wellington yesterday. Napolitano heads the 200,000-strong Department of Homeland Security, which is responsible for safeguarding domestic security from global terrorism and natural disasters, as well as dealing with immigration and trade security threats. — AFP

US wary of ‘body bomb’ WELLINGTON: The United States is monitoring the possibility of terror groups trying to down aircraft by implanting explosives in the human body, Homeland Security chief Janet Napolitano said yesterday. Napolitano stressed that there was no evidence of an imminent threat from a so-called “body bomb”, but said the prospect was one of the ever-changing attack strategies that security officials had to combat.

She cited the case of Nigerian “underwear bomber ” Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who tried to blow up an airliner in 2009 with explosives hidden in his pants, as an example of the innovations adopted by militants. “It is fair to say that there are a number of ways our adversaries have explored to get explosives aboard airplanes, such as the underwear bomber,” she told reporters in New Zealand. “Another, of course... is actually implanting explosives inside an individual. “Do we have specific, credible evidence of a threat today? I would not say that we do. However, the importance is that we all lean forward and that, as people are travelling, we are sensitive to the ever-evolving threats that we see.”

Napolitano, in Wellington to sign an information-sharing agreement with New Zealand, did not specify what measures were being taken to monitor for surgically implanted bombs. “We’re always

making changes, part of what we do is predictable unpredictability,” she said.

“We don’t want our adversaries to be able to predict exactly the kinds of measures that they will see in any given airport at any given time.” Underwear bomber Abdulmutallab managed to smuggle more than 76 grams of the explosive Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) on board a Detroit-bound Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam on Christmas Day in 2009.

But the Al-Qaeda plot failed when the bomb did not detonate properly, instead causing a fire as the plane began its descent to Detroit.

Passengers and crew members were able to restrain Abdulmutallab and extinguish the blaze, allowing pilots to safely land the plane. He was handed four life sentences and an additional 50 years behind bars in February. Napolitano said the case demonstrated the global nature of the threat.

“There were people from 17 countries aboard that plane who would have perished if he had successfully detonated the PETN aboard the flight,” she said. “So this is indeed an international problem and that is why these international agreements and international interactions are ever more important in today’s world than perhaps any time in our history.” — AFP

Oklahoma man executed McALESTER: An Oklahoma man convicted of murdering a Tulsa convenience store manager almost 37 years ago was executed by lethal injection Tuesday. The execution of Michael Bascum Selsor ends more than three decades of legal proceedings in which he was twice convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to die for the Sept 15, 1975, shooting death of Clayton Chandler.

The 55-year-old Chandler was shot eight times during an armed robbery in which the thieves got away with a little more than $500. Selsor and Richard Dodson, were arrested a week after Chandler ’s death in Santa Barbara, Calif, where their car with Oklahoma tags had been spotted. Just before the execution began, Selsor, 57, looked at his son and sister. His son reached out his hand. “My son, my sister, I love you till I see you again next time,” Selsor said. “I’ll be waiting at the gates of heaven for you. I hope the rest of you make it there as well.” He didn’t

address the victim’s relatives, some of whom were watching him. Selsor then said he was ready. The lethal threedrug mixture was administered and Selsor breathed heavily a couple of times. The sound of clanging prison bars could be heard in the death chamber. Prison officials said the sounds were other death row inmates showing respect for Selsor. The clanging stopped about the same time as Selsor stopped breathing. His son and sister wept quietly in the family viewing room as Selsor’s face turned ashen. He was pronounced dead at 6:06 pm.

Shortly after that, one of Chandler’s daughters, Debbie Huggins, said her family has waited for almost 37 years for justice in her father’s death. “Today we got that justice,” she said. “We’re glad that it’s finally over. Be at peace. The race is finally over.” She said she thought about her father as she watched Selsor die. “This was much kinder what we did to him today than what he did to my dad,” Huggins said. — AP

MIAMI: Florida Governor Rick Scott waded into foreign policy yesterday and signed a bill banning local governments from contracting with companies doing business in Cuba or Syria, but acknowledged the law could not take effect without Washington’s approval.

The bill’s sponsors and strongest supporters are Cuban-American politicians from Miami who argue that Florida tax dollars should not be used to support dictatorships that oppress their people.

The Republican governor, whose campaign slogan was “Let’s Get to Work,” dismissed criticism from the Florida Chamber of Commerce and others who said the law could discourage foreign firms from investing in Florida. He said that “principles matter” while conceding that 800,000 Floridians were still looking for work in the state. “We believe in freedom. That’s why we have bills like this,” Scott added.

The legislation, which is scheduled to take effect on July 1 but appears unenforceable for now, prohibits state and local governments from awarding contracts of $1 million or more to companies doing business with Cuba or Syria. Both nations are designated by the United States as state sponsors of terrorism. It had broad support in the Republican-controlled Florida legislature despite warnings it is unconstitutional. Miami-Dade County Attorney Robert Cuevas said in a March memo that federal law does not authorize states to enact such restrictions, and that federal law trumps state law on foreign policy matters. He advised county commissioners to ignore the new law.

Scott recognized as much in a signing statement issued on Tuesday, saying the new restrictions “will not go into effect unless and until Congress passes, and President Obama signs, a law permitting states to independently impose such sanctions against Cuba and Syria.” Republican US Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen later issued a statement disputing that Congressional approval was required before the law could be enforced. “I believe the law isn’t contrary to federal law and is, therefore, effective. I don’t believe that further Congressional authorization is required,” said Ros-Lehtinen, a Cuban-American who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

CUBAN-AMERICANS IN MIND A handful of groups supporting democracy

for Syria were recognized at the bill-signing ceremony, but it was firmly focused on Cuba.

Florida is home to about 1.2 million CubanAmericans and the ceremony took place at

a series of economic sanctions against Syria in the last eight years. The pending Florida law would apply to foreign firms and their subsidiaries, and seemed aimed at Odebrecht

FLORIDA: Florida Gov Rick Scott signs House Bill 959 surrounded by politicians and activists at the Freedom tower in Miami, Florida. — AFP the Freedom Tower, a former newspaper building in downtown Miami that was used in the 1960s as a reception center for Cubans fleeing their homeland after former President Fidel Castro’s communist government took power.

Republican US Representative Mario DiazBalart, also a Cuban-American, said the law would ensure that those who receive “blood money” from tyrants and murderers would not receive tax money from Floridians.

Republican US Representative David Rivera said it would force companies to make a moral choice. “You either do business with terrorist dictatorships or you can do business with the money and resources of the taxpayers of Florida. It’s one or the other, you choose,” said Rivera, a Cuban-American.

A 50-year-old US trade embargo already prevents American firms from doing business with Cuba, and the United States has adopted

USA, a US subsidiary of Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht. The company’s US subsidiary has won numerous construction, transportation and engineering contracts in Florida, including the American Airlines Arena and a performing arts center in Miami. It is bidding on a proposed $700 million hotel and office complex associated with the Miami airport. The company has drawn criticism from Cuban exiles in Miami for its involvement in a major upgrade to the Cuban port of Mariel, near the capital Havana. Manuel Marono, the Cuban-American mayor of the Miami suburb of Sweetwater and a driving force behind the new legislation, denied it would hurt employment in Florida, where the jobless rate of 9 percent stands above the national rate of 8.2 percent. “The jobs are still going to get done, the projects are still going to get done,” Marono said. “It’s just going to get done by people that care about people.” — Reuters

NY man convicted in subway bomb plot NEW YORK: A Bosnian-born US citizen has been convicted of plotting coordinated suicide bombings of New York subways in what federal authorities called one of the biggest terrorism threats to America since the Sept 11 attacks.

A federal jury in Brooklyn found Adis Medunjanin, 28, guilty of all nine counts against him, including conspiring to carry out a suicide attack on American soil, receiving military training from al Qaeda and plotting to kill US soldiers fighting in Afghanistan. He faces possible life imprisonment when he is sentenced on Sept 7.

Medunjanin’s accused co-conspirator, Najibullah Zazi, was arrested in September 2009, just days before Medunjanin and a third member of the plot, Zarein Ahmedzay, were prepared to carry out what US Attorney General Eric Holder has called “one of the most serious terrorist threats” to the United States since the Sept 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington. Ahmedzay and Zazi, both 27, who were high school friends of Medunjanin, pleaded

guilty to planning the attacks with him and are cooperating with the government, awaiting sentencing.

Medunjanin’s attorney, Robert Gottlieb, indicated outside the court that he planned to appeal the verdict, citing “some serious legal issues” he wanted to address.

The planned attack on one of the world’s busiest subway systems, with an average weekday ridership of 5.3 million people, was at the behest of senior al Qaeda

Adis Medunjanin

operatives, according to testimony. The trial provided a rare look into the militant group’s inner workings and recruitment methods. “His conviction stands as a stark reminder of terrorists’ desire long after 9/11 to return to the city to kill more New Yorkers,” said New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly.

As the verdict was read, Medunjanin, a resident of the New York City borough of Queens, looked over several times at his mother and sister, both of whom testified on his behalf, and raised his hand in a reassuring gesture.

Afterward, his mother and sister, who was sobbing, left the courtroom and declined to speak to reporters. Gottlieb said that while his client was convicted of all charges, the case spotlighted the importance of trying a case before a jury rather than in a military tribunal, like the case of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, accused mastermind of the Sept 11 attacks.

“The world and our national government should take note that this is the way crimes should be

decided, whether or not someone is guilty - not in military tribunals, not in a star chamber, but in America.” The jury deliberated for 10 hours over two days.

AL QAEDA MISSION US Attorney Loretta Lynch, whose team prosecuted the case, said the trial showed the need for US authorities to monitor security threats as vigilantly domestically as overseas. “The rise of homegrown extremism is an issue,” Lynch told reporters outside the courtroom. “This trial has afforded a rare glimpse into the inner workings of Al-Qaeda, how they look for those who have connections to our homeland, how they recruit those who are disaffected and seeking a place to go,” she added.

Prosecutors during the trial argued Medunjanin was “ready and willing to sacrifice himself to kill” at the command of Al-Qaeda, saying he committed to carrying out a suicide attack on American soil, a mission given to him by AlQaeda operatives he met in Pakistan. — Reuters

11

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

international

Barefoot lawyers bring food security to India’s tribes KHAMMAM: It was a deal struck almost 40 years ago by a poor, illiterate Indian farmer, driven by desperation after a drought wiped out his crops and left his family close to starvation. The agreement: 10 acres of land, the size of four soccer pitches, for a mere 10 kg of sorghum grains. “My father-in-law pawned the land for food,” said Kowasalya Thati, lifting the hem of her grey sari and stepping into the muddy field of rice paddy in Kottasuraream village in the southern region of Andhra Pradesh.

“When he returned the grain later, the land owners refused to give it back. They claimed it and we had no document to prove otherwise. For 28 years, we had to work on the land we once owned. Without land, we had nothing ... not even enough food. It’s a miracle we got it back.”

Kowasalya’s family is one of hundreds of thousands who belong to India’s 700 listed tribes who are at last gaining legal titles to the land they have lived on for generations, thanks to a legal aid scheme run by the Andhra Pradesh government with international advocacy group Landesa.

In the scheme, which is likely to be rolled out nationally, young people often armed with only a secondary-level education are drawn from mud-and-brick villages and

trained as paralegals, then sent out to help people to understand their rights and secure title, or “patta”, to their land. For most tribal and landless families, that simple piece of paper means an end to a constant fear of hunger. “Land is the most important factor of production,” said Pramod Joshi, South Asia director of the International Food Policy Research Institute. “It helps ensure food security for the poorest of the poor. It has been shown in many regions that if the poor have land, they are in a better position to feed themselves.”

TRIBAL POVERTY Despite a slew of “pro-poor” policies, India’s economic boom has largely bypassed India’s tribes, who make up more than 8 percent of its 1.2 billion population, living in remote villages and eking out a living from farming, cattle rearing and collecting and selling fruit and leaves from the forests.

Social indicators such as literacy, child malnutrition and maternal mortality in these communities are among the worst in the country. Neglect by authorities and a Maoist insurgency in the tribal belt in central parts of the country have further exacerbated their plight. But the biggest threat, activists say, has always been to their land. A lack of

documents proving ownership of the land means that many are treated as criminals, exploited by wealthy land owners and money lenders, moved off their farms in illegal land grabs, or face extortion by officials.

Due to the lack of ownership papers, they are also deprived of credit from banks and government services providing help to poor land owners, making it impossible to invest in the land, boost their farm production and ensure their food security. India passed a law in 2008 to improve the lives of these groups by finally recognizing their right to inhabit the land their forefathers settled on centuries before. But four years on, activists say the Forest Rights Act has been poorly implemented and that tribal communities still are not fully aware of their rights.

Around 15 million families remain landless.

Another 28 million families-many of whom are tribals-have a tenuous claim to their land because they do not have the “patta”.

ENJOYING THE JOB In Andhra Pradesh’s Khammam district, a fertile region filled with lush rice, cotton and chili fields, trainees learn how to spot land issues and resolve disputes through land surveys, case investigation and working with the revenue department. “I am enjoying this

job as I am from a poor family myself and I understand their problems as my own,” said Krishnaiah Modugu, 30, who has worked as a paralegal for six years and helped 1,300 families gain “pattas”. “It makes me happy helping the poor secure what is rightfully theirs,” said the former primary school teacher from Basavapuram village. Four hundred villagers like Krishnaiah are working as paralegals in the state, going from one dusty village to the next, attending meetings and listening to people’s stories of land lost through exploitation, abuse and indebtedness. So far, the rural paralegals have helped deliver more than 300,000 “pattas” to families like Kowasalya’s.

“The community-based paralegal model has emerged globally as a cost-effective solution to the problem of access to justice for rural communities,” said Gregory Rake, Landesa’s India country director. Landesa says there are plans to bring these barefoot lawyers to other states in the country. A similar scheme is already running in India’s impoverished state of Orissa and will aim to provide half a million poor families with security over their land. “Land is their most important asset, yet many do not know their rights over it,” said V N V K Sastry, former director of India’s Tribal Research and

Training Institute and a government advisor on tribal development. “These schemes should be made available in all regions which have large tribal populations.”

LAND SECURITY EQUALS FOOD SECURITY Now that Kowasalya’s family owns their sprawling rice and cotton farm, they earn 10,000 rupees ($195) a month, compared with 2,000 rupees ($40) before. More importantly, Kowasalya is able to keep up to 80 kg of rice in reserve each year, ensuring her family won’t go hungry in the event of a poor harvest. She also is no longer reliant on unscrupulous moneylenders who prey on the poor, charging massive interest rates. She can apply for cheaper loans at commercial banks and has access to public schemes offering cheap seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. “Before we worked for a daily wage. When we had work, we ate. When we didn’t, we skipped meals. Most of our meals were broken rice with chili powder, sometimes vegetables,” she said as she sieved a pile of rice for lunch for her husband and three children at her brick-andcorrugated-iron-roofed home. “Since we got our land back, we no longer have to worry about food.” —Reuters

Militants hit Kabul on Bin Laden anniversary; 7 dead Taleban bombers dress in burqas

QUETTA: Supporters of hard line pro-Taleban party Jamiat Ulema-i-IslamNazaryati (JUI-N) carry portraits of the slain Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden as they pray for bin Laden during an anti-US rally in Quetta yesterday on the first anniversary of the death of Osama bin Laden. —AFP

Sacked health worker recalls knocking on Osama’s door ABBOTTABAD: A sacked Pakistani health worker recalled yesterday how she knocked on Osama bin Laden’s door just days before he was shot dead by American soldiers, an unwitting pawn in a controversial vaccination program set up by the CIA to ensnare the Al-Qaeda leader. Amna Bibi spoke to AFP while revisiting the site of bin Laden’s destroyed home with two other health workers on the anniversar y of the American raid. Sacked by the government over the fake vaccination program, they said they had been dismissed unfairly and demanded their jobs back.

Pakistan arrested surgeon Shakeel Afridi, who was recruited by the CIA to help track down the Al-Qaeda terror leader and was among a total of 18 health workers who were dismissed. The United States was not 100 percent sure that bin Laden was living in the Abbottabad house when Navy SEALs went ahead with the raid on May 2.

British newspaper The Guardian said Afridi was recruited by the CIA for an elaborate scheme to vaccinate residents for hepatitis B, a ploy to get a DNA sample from those living in the house.

“I was assigned to the vaccination of hepatitis B on April 20, and on April 20 Shakeel Afridi came himself to manage the campaign,” Bibi said. “We came to this compound. We knocked at the door for five minutes, but no one opened the door. Then we went into the house in front of Osama’s compound and asked for their number, and one girl gave us

Tariq’s number,” she said, referring to one of the men killed in the American raid on May 2 and now known to have been sheltering the bin Laden family.

“Then Shakeel Afridi called Tariq but he told him they were far away from the house and couldn’t come back, so we left. Then Shakeel Afridi continued to call me from Peshawar to go to this compound to vaccinate the women inside.”

But Bibi claimed she told the doctor she had a pain in her leg and could not return, despite his further requests to do so. Then, on April 25, he telephoned and told them not to go to the compound again. “On May 2, we heard about this incident and I called Shakeel Afridi back and asked him about the house, saying it was attacked by the Americans. He got angry and said he was in a meeting and not to talk to him. I called him again the next day and again he gave the same answer,” she said.

Pakistani officials believe Afridi may have known about bin Laden’s presence in Abbottabad and shared the information with US intelligence agents. He faces a trial for treason. Shaheena Mumraiz, another sacked health worker, said Afridi asked her for data on women aged 15 to 40 in Abbottabad, but that she had not been selected to take part in the vaccination campaign. “I never visited Osama bin Laden’s house,” she said.

“The department has asked us not to go to court and to the media. But we came here to record our protest and we want our jobs back.” —AFP

KABUL: Taleban bombers attacked a heavily fortified guesthouse used by Westerners in Kabul yesterday, in defiance of a visit by US President Barack Obama’s call that war was ending, made during a visit to Afghanistan on the anniversary of Osama bin Laden’s death. Seven people were killed after attackers dressed in burqas detonated a suicide car bomb and clashed with guards at the “Green Village” complex of guesthouses used by foreign organizations including the European Union, the United Nations and aid groups, officials said.

The attackers’ ability to penetrate a tightened security cordon in the capital raises fresh concern about the resilience of the insurgency as NATO hands over responsibility for security across the country to Afghan forces and winds down its combat presence in the next two years. The Taleban claimed responsibility for the assault and said it was a riposte to Obama, just hours after he signed a new partnership pact set to govern Afghan-US relations after 2014.

In an election-year address, Obama presented himself as a commander-in-chief capable of ending two long wars, following the US troop withdrawal from Iraq, and of crushing AlQaeda, and tried to conjure up a new dawn for a US public exhausted by conflict and recession.

“This time of war began in Afghanistan, and this is where it will end,” Obama said, recalling a decade-long “dark cloud of war” after bin Laden plotted the September 11 attacks in 2001. “Yet here, in the pre-dawn darkness of Afghanistan, we can see the light of a new day on the horizon,” said Obama, seeking a second White House term later this year.

Obama flew into Kabul in secret in the dead of night and signed a deal with President Hamid Karzai, cementing 10 years of US aid for Afghanistan after NATO combat troops leave in 2014. “We look forward to a future of peace.

We’re agreeing to be long-term partners,” Obama said at the signing ceremony at Karzai’s palace. The US president left after six hours on the ground. About two hours later, the Green Village assault began. Police said suicide attackers wearing burqas struck at 6:15 am, blowing up a car bomb, then clashing with guards. The interior ministry said seven people were killed, including a student and a guard. Kargar Noorughli, spokesman for the health ministry, said 18 people were wounded and eight admitted to hospital, including one in a critical condition and “several children”.

“It is a message to Obama that he and his forces are never welcomed in Afghanistan and that we will continue our resistance until all the occupiers are either dead or leave our country,” Taleban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said.

After several hours of fighting, NATO said all of the attackers had been killed. Tuesday’s assault came just over two weeks after one of the largest attacks in Kabul, where squads of militants targeted government offices, embassies and foreign bases more than 10 years after the Taleban were driven from power for refusing to hand over bin Laden. Karzai said the US pact was no threat to any third country and he hoped it would lead to stability in the region.

Neighboring Pakistan has long been seen as a source of instability in Afghanistan, and its relationship with both Kabul and Washington remains mired in mistrust a year after bin Laden

KABUL: Afghans push a damaged car away from the scene of a militant attack in Kabul yesterday. —AP was found and killed by US commandos on its soil. The White House said the US-Afghan pact sees the possibility of American forces staying behind to train Afghan forces and pursue the remnants of Al-Qaeda for 10 years after 2014. It does not commit Washington to specific troop or funding levels for Afghanistan, though is meant to signal to US foes that despite ending the longest war in US history, Washington intends to ensure Afghanistan does not revert to a haven for terror groups like Al-Qaeda.

But after a war that has cost the lives of nearly 3,000 US and allied troops, thousands of Afghans and cost hundreds of billions of dollars, Afghanistan’s future is deeply uncertain. Furious Republicans have accused Obama of exploiting

Nepal’s ‘magic’ surgeon brings light back to poor KATHMANDU: Dressed in his hospital scrubs, Sanduk Ruit looks into the eyes of a patient through a microscope hanging over an operating table. He makes two tiny holes in one eye, takes out a jelly-like mass of natural lens and replaces it with an artificial one that fits snugly into the patient’s eye, all in about five minutes, deftly moving his fingers clad in thin white gloves. The patient is then moved away swiftly, without any stitches, and Ruit repeats the process to remove cataracts - a leading cause of blindness in Nepal - from the eyes of another person.

The simple operation pioneered

by Ruit, a Nepali national, at the Tilganga Eye Centre in Kathmandu has benefited tens of thousands of people in Nepal and other countries in Asia and Africa, where surgical teams from the centre provide much needed care in field camps. “We are trying to set up a model of how you can conduct a very high quality prevention of blindness program at low cost and make it sustainable,” said Ruit, the centre’s founder and medical director. “If you can do it in Nepal it can be done anywhere in the

world.” Ruit said an estimated 20 million people were blind from cataracts globally. Another 60 million are at various stages of blindness, many of them in developing countries and unable to afford expensive surgery to restore their sight.

Ruit and his team of doctors at the centre have developed a simple surgical technique involving little equipment and instruments that can be used manually. No stitches are needed, and the technique can be used on a simple table in field camps. Low cost acrylic lenses called intraocular lenses - are produced at the centre’s laboratory by workers wearing bio-safe masks, helping bring the cost down to $4 per lens from more than $100 apiece for the imported kind used previously. The centre produces about 350,000 lenses annually, selling them in other nations, with the income helping pay its costs.

WITHIN REACH OF ALL One operation, which could cost up to $3,000 in the West, costs less than $300 even for the richest person in Nepal. The average cost is

$115, and those who cannot pay get the same service for free. “The beauty of this is that it allows us leverage to cover the costs for the poor, a sort of cross subsidy,” said Ruit, 56, who studied in India. “I am trying to duplicate what we are doing here in other countries.” Doctors at the centre train foreign surgeons who, in turn, replicate the technique in their own countries. “Getting such training in developed countries is both expensive and difficult. But it is easy and nice here,” said Ethiopian doctor Fikru Melka, 49. Australia’s Fred Hollows Foundation, which helped set up the lens production facility, and the Himalaya Cataract Project based in Salt Lake City, Utah, also support the centre.

Ruit has personally conducted nearly 125,000 operations including in free field camps in Nepal and other countries like North Korea, China, Indonesia, India, Ghana and Nigeria.

“Like a magician, he has given back my sight,” said Krishna Kant Paudel, 81. It was the first time in four years that he could see. “I will come back to get my second cataract removed soon,” he said. About 150,000 of

the Navy SEAL special forces who conducted the raid to kill bin Laden in the Pakistani garrison town of Abbottabad on May 2 last year. But the president, who faces a tough re-election fight, did not shirk from presenting himself as the man to shepherd his country out of war and economic crisis at home. Yet US troops could be fighting for two more years, and some could remain in danger for a decade after that.

Obama bluntly told US soldiers that “some of your buddies are going to get injured, some of your buddies may get killed”.

A Pentagon report issued Tuesday said security had improved in most of Afghanistan but

Nepal’s 26.6 million people are estimated to be blind in both eyes, most of them with cataracts. But treating them is often a challenge given the country’s poverty and people’s superstitions. Nearly one quarter of the Nepalis live on a daily income of less than $1.25 and the cost of the surgery - even as low as it is - can still be a burden.

Moreover, some people are also loathe to seek treatment, thinking that blindness is a punishment for something wrong they might have done in their previous lives. Still, headway is being made and the results can be awe inspiring. Ruit recalled how he was moved by a woman who had given birth to a baby boy when she was blind but saw her son for the first time when he was 4-years-old after surgery in a field camp in eastern Nepal. She looked at the child for a few moments, then jumped to grab him, wept tears of joy and began kissing him, Ruit said, eyes glinting with emotion. “I was totally moved by the expression of her face. This is the power of such a simple surgical intervention,” he said.—Reuters

conceded that insurgent sanctuaries in Pakistan and corruption pose “long-term and acute challenges”. About 87,000 US troops and 44,000 other international forces are deployed in Afghanistan along with 344,000 Afghan army and police, the report said. The deal signed by Obama and Karzai was concluded just over two weeks before a NATO summit in Chicago. On Monday, Obama had publicly questioned whether his Republican opponent Mitt Romney would have taken the same decision as he did to launch the audacious raid that killed bin Laden in Pakistan. Romney welcomed Obama’s visit, saying US soldiers and public needed to hear what was at stake in Afghanistan.—AFP

New damning figures for India ‘flying coffin’ MiGs NEW DELHI: Dubbed “flying coffins” or “widow makers” in the air force, India’s ageing collection of Soviet-era MiGs have long been unpopular with airforce pilots. New figures unveiled yesterday show why. India’s Defense Minister A K Antony said there had been 482 accidents in the last 30 years, resulting in the deaths of 171 pilots and 39 civilians. The MiG fleet is now 873-strong.

New Delhi’s acquisitions began in 1966 with MiG-21 interceptors, and the next two decades saw the induction of the high-speed M iG 25, ground-attack M iG 27 and the fourth-generation MiG-29 fighter jets into the Indian Air Force. Experts say a majority of the accidents involved India’s single -engined MiG-21s, a combat aeroplane which has been flown by some 50 countries since it was developed by then Soviet Union in the 1950s. “A total of 171 pilots, 39 civilians, eight service personnel and

one aircrew lost their lives in these accidents,” the defense minister told parliament, referring to the period from 1971-1972 to April 19 this year.

The accidents were blamed on “human error and technical defects”.

Antony in Februar y said that the Indian Air Force would start phasing out its mainstay MiG-21s, comprising 40 percent of its total fleet, beginning 2014. Recurring crashes involving the single - engine M iG-21 inspired Bollywood film “Rang De Basanti” (Color It Saffron) in 2006 and sparked a spirited campaign in 2003 by relatives of a killed pilot for the scrapping of the war jets. India plans to replace its MiGs with 123 modern aircraft in a deal worth $12 billion.

France’s Dassault Aviation in January won the right to enter exclusive negotiations to sell its Rafale planes.

Price negotiations are currently under way between the French firm and India. —AFP

12

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

international

Malaysia rally fallout could delay polls KUALA LUMUR: Recent police clashes with election-reform protesters in Malaysia have dented premier Najib Razak’s reform credentials and may force him to push back elections, analysts say. Najib was widely expected to set a June date for what is predicted to be a close battle between his ruling coalition and the opposition led by Anwar Ibrahim, but observers say Saturday’s protest may have changed his thinking. Tens of thousands took to the streets of the capital Kuala Lumpur to demand clean elections, defying government curbs on the rally.

Angr y demonstrators broke through barricades and clashed with police, who fired tear gas and chemical-laced water on crowds and arrested 512 people. All have since been released. Analysts say the events may

have tarnished Najib’s efforts to win votes by pledging to loosen the longruling coalition’s authoritarianism. “(Najib) will definitely push back elections to the latter part of the year or even to next year,” said Khoo Kay Peng, an independent political analyst.

Khoo said the curbs on the rally and the police reaction may jeopardize Najib’s standing among more liberal voters. “If Najib holds elections in June, his component parties’ and his own party’s urban seats will be wiped out,” Khoo said. Activists and the opposition say Malaysia’s electoral system is riddled with fraud and pro-government bias, accusing Najib of footdragging on reforms. He denies the allegations. Portraying himself as a reformer, Najib has criss-crossed the

country, drumming up support in key constituencies and indicating polls were near.

The ruling coalition he now heads has governed Malaysia since independence in 1957 but had its worstever showing in 2008 elections, raising the specter of the coalition finally losing power. Najib will face voters at a time of slowing economic growth, a flowering of public debate aided by the Internet, and growing impatience with entrenched corruption and a controversial system of racial preferences for majority Malays. About 60 percent of Malaysians are Muslim Malays, but there are sizeable ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities.

Najib was stung by heavy criticism of a police crackdown on a clean-polls rally last year. He has since launched a

campaign to repeal some authoritarian laws and pledged to expand civil liberties to regain voter support. But Saturday ’s events could undercut much of that, said Ibrahim Suffian, director of Merdeka Centre, Malaysia’s leading polling organization.

“For sure, Najib will reconsider holding early polls. Those who attended (the rally) will vote the opposition because of the harsh treatment by the police. They will question Najib’s reform agenda,” he said. Police say 25,000 attended the rally while Bersihthe election-reform activist group that organized it-put the figure at 250,000. “ There were Malays, Chinese and Indians of all ages (at the rally). There is an awakening and a lack of fear to express themselves. It is a messy situation for Najib,” Suffian said. Najib took

over in 2009 after the previous year’s election debacle led the dominant United Malays National Organization par ty to dump his predecessor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Wong Chun Wai, chief editor of the pro-government The Star-Malaysia’s top English daily-said in a column after the protest that elections would be pushed back to at least September.

However, James Chin, a political science lecturer at the Malaysian campus of Australia’s Monash University, said the weekend’s events were a mixed bag for Najib and unlikely to impact the polls timing. “Urban voters will abandon Najib because of the police action on the protesters. But in rural areas, voters will see Najib as a strong leader who can guarantee stability,” he said.—AFP

Suu Kyi makes historic debut in parliament Military still all-powerful in political system NAYPYITAW: Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi took a historic oath yesterday to join a parliamentary system crafted by the generals who locked her away for much of her long struggle against dictatorship, ushering in a dramatic new political era. The 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner’s debut in a parliament stacked with uniformed soldiers could accelerate reforms that have already included the most sweeping changes in the former British colony since a military coup 50 years

she took the oath in a shortened 40-minute session. Later, she told reporters: “I have always been cautiously optimistic about developments. In politics, you also have to be cautiously optimistic.” Suu Kyi’s entry into parliament comes a month after her party’s landslide victory in a by-election and two days after backing down in a standoff over the wording of an oath to protect the constitution sworn by all new members of parliament.

The parliamentary session was to have

NAYPYITAW: Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi speaks to reporters after attending a regular session of Myanmar Lower House in Naypyitaw yesterday. —AP ago. The signs of change have already prompted some countries to suspend sanctions.

But the wildly popular daughter of assassinated independence hero Aung San also faces the difficulty of managing the expectations of a nation impatient for change and the hopes of Burmese who see her as a sole beacon for democratic freedom. It is unclear how rapidly she can deliver on her ambitious campaign promises, including the overhaul of Myanmar’s army-drafted constitution, in a legislature dominated by former members of the military junta who ruled for nearly half a century before ceding to a quasi-civilian government last year.

“Only time will tell,” she replied when asked by a Reuters reporter of the day’s significance, as she waded through a chaotic throng of reporters on her way to the chamber where

ended on Monday but was extended in part to allow Suu Kyi and fellow members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) to take their seats. Entering the chamber, she at first sat down on her own, near the block reserved for serving military men who have a quarter of the seats under the constitution, and seemed relaxed as other lawmakers greeted her. She then lined up with colleagues to take the oath, including a pledge to uphold a constitution her party wants to change because it gives the military a leading political role.

Taking a conciliatory tone, Suu Kyi said she remained open on the question of revising the oath. “The key to all of this is flexibility and practicality,” she said.

GOODWILL TOWARDS MILITARY Asked if she felt awkward working with the military, she replied, “Not at all, I have tremen-

China resists as US, allies push sanctions against North Korea UNITED NATIONS: The United States, European Union, South Korea and Japan have submitted a list of about 40 North Korean companies to the UN Security Council’s sanctions committee for possible black listing due to Pyongyang’s recent rocket launch, envoys said. The committee, which includes all 15 Security Council members, received an initial response from China that it would only consent to adding two entities to the UN list of banned North Korean firms, which the United States and its allies see as too few, envoys said on the condition of anonymity.

“The US, Europeans, Japan and ROK (South Korea) have together produced a list of around 40 entities to be designated by the 1718 Committee,” a senior diplomat said. “ The challenge remains as usual squarely on PRC (China).” The United States was continuing to press China to allow more North Korean firms to be sanctioned, envoys said. The North Korea sanctions panel is known at the United Nations as the “1718 committee.” It refers to the first sanctions resolution on North Korea, council resolution number 1718, which

the council adopted in 2006 after Pyongyang’s first nuclear test.

It passed another, more stringent sanctions resolution in 2009 after North Korea’s second nuclear test. Last month, the council in a “presidential statement,” strongly condemned North Korea’s April 13 rocket launch, called for adding names to the list of those hit by existing UN sanctions and warned Pyongyang of further consequences if it carried out another missile launch or nuclear test. It was not immediately clear which firms the council would blacklist.

The United States, European council members, Japan and South Korea have also proposed expanding the UN list of goods that North Korea is forbidden to import, diplomats said. They said the proposed banned goods related to missile technology. China, North Korea’s protector on the Security Council and a permanent vetowielding member, also backed the council’s presidential statement from two weeks ago, ensuring its unanimous adoption. The statement gave the council’s North Korea sanctions committee 15 days to propose new sanctions listings. —Reuters

dous goodwill towards the military. It doesn’t in any way bother me to sit with them.” Her comments reflect the dramatic scale of change in the former Burma, given the military’s past treatment of Suu Kyi, who was first detained by the army in 1989, and then spent 15 of the next 21 years in detention until her release from house arrest in November 2010.

Many lawmakers hope Suu Kyi’s parliamentary debut will be a catalyst for further reform by the government of President Thein Sein, a former general who has freed hundreds of political prisoners, loosened strict media controls, legalized trade unions and protests, and started a dialogue with ethnic minority rebels.

“Parliament will be stronger because of her good relationship with the international community,” said Khin Maung Yi, a lawmaker from the National Democratic Force party. “We parliamentarians have wanted her in the legislature for a long time ... Many laws have to be changed and amended.”

Suu Kyi’s story of triumph over tragedy began in 1988 when she left her family life in Britain to take care of her dying mother in Yangon. She soon found herself thrust into politics as nationwide protests erupted against the military, addressing crowds of thousands before her 1989 arrest. A year later, her NLD won 392 of 485 house seats in a rare election, which the regime ignored. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 during the first of three stints under house arrest.

Even in her brief periods of freedom, she never left Myanmar, afraid the military would not let her return.

She refused to leave to be with British husband Michael Aris, an Oxford University academic, when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He died in Britain in 1999. Four years later she survived an assassination attempt in an attack on her motorcade in which dozens of supporters were killed. This led to another spell in detention ordered by a regime that brutally suppressed dissidents. But as Myanmar changes, so does Suu Kyi. While her decades of defiance were lauded by the world, her decision to join an imperfect political system has also been saluted by the West, which has started relaxing sanctions.

And her campaign promise to amend the constitution could put her on a collision course with the army. Last week the military filled its 25 percent house quota with higher-ranking officers in an apparent attempt to boost its parliamentary clout. But even some of Suu Kyi’s fierce rivals in the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) see her presence as a boon for a parliament with limited powers. “With Suu Kyi on board, parties will be more diverse, with different perspective and opinions,” said Kyaw Soe Lay, a lower house USDP lawmaker. “This works in the interest of those in the parliament.” —Reuters

SEOUL: Masked men with axes burst a large balloon plastered with a picture of North Korea’s young leader Kim Jong-Un at a rally by thousands of conservative activists in Seoul yesterday. Electronic jamming signals from North Korea have affected scores of civilian flights in and out of South Korea amid rising cross-border tensions. —AFP

Pyongyang accused of jamming GPS systems SEOUL: Electronic jamming signals from North Korea have affected scores of civilian flights in and out of South Korea, a Seoul official said yesterday, amid rising tensions with Pyongyang. “We’ve confirmed the GPS (global positioning system) jamming signals have been stemming from the North,” Lee Kyung-Woo, a deputy director at the state Korea Communications Commission said. The transport ministry, in a statement and in comments to AFP, said the jamming had affected 252 flights since last Saturday but did not identify who was responsible.

The North has been accused before by Seoul of jamming GPS systems but there was no previous widespread effect on civilian flights. In recent weeks it has frequently threatened offensive action against the South, amid growing fears it may soon carry out a nuclear test following a failed rocket launch last month that sparked international criticism. The North accuses Seoul’s leaders of disrespect during Pyongyang’s celebrations last month of the centenary of the birth of founding leader Kim Il-Sung.

A transport ministry statement said 241 flights by nine South Korean airlines and 11 flights operated by nine foreign airlines had been affected since last Saturday. It said Seoul that day issued a warning notice for pilots and airlines.

Kim Choon-Oh, a ministry director, said GPS disruption was noticeable around Incheon airport, the South’s main international gateway. “Authorities are tracing the origin,” he said. “Despite disruption in GPS, there is no serious threat to the safety of flights because planes are using

other navigation devices.” Kim said there was a brief effect on the GPS systems of civilian flights last year, “but this kind of widespread disruption is unusual”.

A spokesman for Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff declined to say whether the jamming was also directed against the military. “There has been no problem in our military operations,” he said. The South’s then-defense minister said in October 2010 that a North Korean jamming device capable of disrupting guided weapons posed a fresh threat to security.

Minister Kim Tae-Young told parliament the North had imported Russian equipment to jam South Korea’s GPS reception and could achieve this effect over a distance of up to 100 kilometers. Kim said the North was thought to have been responsible for the intermittent failure of GPS receivers on naval and civilian craft along the west coast from August 23 to 25 that year.

In March last year the South’s Yonhap news agency said the North had used jamming equipment to block South Korean military communication devices.

It said the strong jamming signals had caused minor disruptions to phones and navigational devices using GPS at military units near Seoul. The latest incidents did not endanger civilian flights, a senior official at the Seoul Regional Aviation Administration said on condition of anonymity. “No aircraft has ever been in danger as they can use different systems such as INS (Inertial Navigation System) when GPS systems are disturbed,” the official said. “There is absolutely no problem in air traffic control as we use radar for controlling aircraft.” —AFP

Blind lawyer strikes popular chord in China BEIJING: The blind activist at the center of a diplomatic tussle between the US and China did not set out to be a dissident. Chen Guangcheng taught himself law to defend the constitutional rights he saw trampled so often. “What do the authorities want me to do? Lead a protest in the streets? I don’t want to do that,’” New York University law professor Jerome Cohen recounted Chen as telling him in a moment of frustration after a local court rejected one of his lawsuits.

While Chen never took to the streets, his supporters rallied in his defense when he was imprisoned on what they call fabricated charges and when he was later kept under house arrest and beaten. Ultimately they helped free Chen, seeing him as a symbol for human dignity and for the promise that the law could bring justice in a society seen as unfairly tipped toward the powerful. After Chen’s surprising escape from his well-guarded rural home April 22 and into the protection of US diplomats in Beijing, his fate is now being discussed in high-level negotiations.

Both governments are trying to

keep the case from overshadowing Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s arrival Wednesday for annual talks on global hotspots and economic imbalances. Chen’s predicament his improbable flight to hoped-for freedom - has thrilled the many Chinese who are savvy enough to get around Internet censorship to learn

about it. And it has reaffirmed for his supporters the qualities they have long admired: Chen displays a determination for upholding the law while exuding a charisma that reassures those around him.

“He’s just the most extraordinary person,” activist blogger He Peirong said Friday, four days after she picked

BEIJING: Blind lawyer Chen Guangcheng makes a phone call as he is accompanied by US Ambassador to China Gary Locke in a car on the way to a hospital yesterday. —AP

up a bloodied Chen outside his village and sped toward Beijing and shortly before she was detained by police for helping him. “He never gives up. He’s very spirited, willful and optimistic,” she said. His principled steeliness was on display in a video statement recorded while he was in hiding last week. In it, he calmly catalogs the mistreatment of him, his wife, his 6-year-old daughter and his mother while under house arrest. He names the officials who took part in the abuse and then demands an investigation and the protection of his family members, whose whereabouts are not known.

“I also ask that the Chinese government safeguard the dignity of law and the interests of the people, as well as guarantee the safety of my family members,” Chen said. The 40year-old Chen is emblematic of a new breed of activists that the Communist Party finds threatening. Often from rural and working-class families, these “rights defenders,” as they are called, are unlike the students and intellectuals from the elite academies and major cities who led the Tiananmen Square democracy movement. —AP

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

NEWS

20 dead after thugs storm Cairo protest

Black smoke, dust and sand rise after UAE F-16 fighter jets fired missiles during joint manoeuvres with the French army in the desert of Abu Dhabi yesterday. — AFP

No messages to Iran in UAE, France war games CAMP HAMRA, United Arab Emirates: France concluded yesterday two weeks of war games with the United Arab Emirates, which officials from both sides insisted were not related to regional tensions involving Iran. The exercises, held every four years, came after a simmering row over ownership of three Gulf islands contested by the Emirates and Iran, and the United States’ deployment of cuttingedge F-22 fighter jets to the UAE. However, French and Emirati military officials insisted yesterday that the “Gulf 2012” war games had been scheduled years ago, and that they carry no political messages to any side.

“There is no relation or link between military training taking place and political events, swings, or instability in the region,” said Major-General Pilot Rashad Salem Al-Saadi, head of the UAE Joint Command and Staff College. The commander of French forces during the war games, Vice Admiral Marin Giller, also said the exercises had “no link to anything happening in the region.” The exercises were attended by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al-Nahayan, who is also the deputy supreme commander of the UAE armed forces. They took place in the western Al-Hamra desert region near the border with Saudi Arabia and shores of the Gulf, about 250 km from the coast of Iran.

Tehran had in the past threatened to retaliate to a possible military attack over its nuclear drive by blocking the Strait of Hormuz, through which most Gulf oil is exported.

Tensions have been growing across the region as Western powers have been pressing Iran over its nuclear program.

While the issue is currently the subject of talks, the next round of which will take place in Baghdad on May 23, Israel and the United States have both warned military action remains an option should diplomacy fail. Washington has sided with the UAE in the dispute over the Gulf islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb.

More than 4,500 troops - 1,800 of them from France took part in the military exercises, which were previously held in 1996, 2000, 2005 and 2008. During the manoeuvres, troops simulated a war pitting the UAE and its ally against a neighbouring state which has invaded the Gulf country.

“We are able to work together (in the) air, land and sea and also have combined teams with Emirati and French officers and soldiers,” Giller told reporters. “It went very well.”

France has bolstered its military ties with the Gulf state since it set up its first permanent military base in Abu Dhabi, the wealthiest and largest of the UAE’s seven emirates. The base, which hosts around 500 French army, navy and air force personnel, was opened by President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2009. France is a leading military supplier to the UAE, and the two countries are linked by a 1995 defence pact. — AFP

Many worrying Twitter cases stir sectarianism KUWAIT: Kuwait is about to take a firmer line on regulation of social media, uneasy about people who it says use Twitter and Facebook to stoke sectarian tensions and wary of spillover from turmoil in nearby Gulf states and Syria. Although Kuwait has largely been spared the sectarian violence that flares in other countries in the region, the Sunni government is constantly aware of the potential for Sunni-Shiite tensions to boil over.

Authorities are particularly sensitive to developments in Bahrain, where the Sunni monarchy has cracked down on mainly Shiite protesters. Kuwait also borders Iraq and Saudi Arabia and sits across the Gulf from non-Arab Shiite power Iran.

Lately there are signs that frictions are heating up, and much of the activity is being stoked online. “Twitter is becoming a platform that many people are using and many people are watching. You cannot look at this without neglecting what is happening in the region,” said Kuwaiti Twitter user and blogger Jassim Al-Qamis.

Twitter has enjoyed runaway popularity in Kuwait, whose oil wealth and freer political system have helped to shield it from Arab Spring-style anti-government demonstrations. One million accounts were registered in the country of 3.6 million inhabitants as of April, a twofold rise in 12 months, according to Paris-based Semiocast, which compiles Twitter data.

“You have the extreme Islamists in Kuwait and you have a tension between Saudi and Iran. This is fuelling the discussion here,” said Qamis, who has written online about the unrest in Bahrain and has 2,000 followers tracking his Twitter messages. “People are becoming proxies of powers in the region. Kuwait has become a battlefield for this.”

The rift between Sunnis and Shiites dates back some 1,400 years, originating in a debate over who would succeed Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as leader of the Muslim community. But it now can also encompass different political, social and historical outlooks and splits down ethnic lines. Shiites make up about one third of Kuwait’s 1.1 million nationals and vocal members can be found in senior positions in parliament, media and business. — Reuters

CAIRO: Thugs attacked an anti-military protest near the defence ministry in Cairo yesterday, sparking clashes which killed 20 people in the politically tense run-up to Egypt’s first post-uprising presidential poll. In a bid to placate the protesters calling for an end to military rule, the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) said it was ready to hand power to civilian rule on May 24 if a candidate wins the first round of the election. The army said previously it would hand over at the end of June.

The dawn assault sparked fierce clashes between the unidentified attackers and the protesters, who have been camping out to demand an end to military rule, with both sides hurling petrol bombs and rocks, the official said. The army deployed troops in central Cairo to quell the clashes, a military source told AFP. A doctor at a field hospital set up in the area said 20 people were killed and dozens injured. Four presidential candidates announced they were temporarily suspending their campaigns over the killings.

The Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohammed Mursi told reporters he decided to stop campaigning for 48 hours “in solidarity with the protesters.” The SCAF as the ruling authority was “the first to be responsible”, he said. His main Islamist rival, Abdel Moneim Abul Fotouh, cancelled all activity for the day, his camp told AFP, while leftist candidates Khaled Ali and Hamdeen Sabbahi also announced they were suspending their campaigns. Amr Mussa, a former Arab League chief and now a frontrunner in the race, said yesterday’s violence was “proof of the need to put an end to the transitional period according to the timetable, without delay”.

Egypt’s military chief of staff, Sami Enan, said the army may transfer power to an elected president on May 24 if the vote is decided from the first round. The military had previously said it would transfer power by the end of June. The presidential election is scheduled for May 23 and 24, and a run off for June 16 and 17 if there is no outright winner in the first round. “We are looking into handing over power on May 24 if the presi-

dent wins in the first round,” state television quoted chief of staff Sami Enan as saying.

After clashes subsided in the afternoon, hundreds of protesters set off from Fath mosque in central Cairo towards Abbassiya, chanting “martyrs, in the millions, we are heading to the council”. “Down with military rule!

The people want the ouster of the field marshal!” they chanted in reference to Hussein Tantawi who heads the ruling military council. In Abbassiya, hundreds more joined the protests including presidential candidate Abul Fotouh. Leading dissident Mohamed ElBaradei denounced what he termed the “massacre” outside the defence ministry. “SCAF & Government unable to protect civilians or in cahoots with thugs. Egypt going down the drain,” the former UN nuclear watchdog chief posted on Twitter.

The targeted protesters, supporters of Salafist politician Hazem Abu Ismail, have been camped out since Saturday after the electoral commission barred the popular hardline Islamist from contesting the election. “The army’s intervention has come hours too late,” said Amnesty International’s Philip Luther, director for the Middle East and North Africa. “There appears to be no will within Egypt’s ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to prevent these tragic events. After the weekend attack, the authorities should have been prepared for the violence.”

On Sunday, one person was killed and 119 were injured in earlier clashes between Abu Ismail supporters and residents of Abbassiya. Protests since the popular uprising that toppled president Hosni Mubarak last year have often turned violent, with thugs associated to the previous regime frequently blamed. The electoral commission on April 14 barred 10 candidates, including the Brotherhood’s Khairat El-Shater and the former president’s intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, from standing in the poll to choose Mubarak’s successor. Abu Ismail’s nomination was rejected because his mother had taken joint US citizenship, but many of his supporters believe he was the victim of a “plot” by the authorities. — AFP

CAIRO: Egyptian protesters beat a man who they accused of attacking them in the Abbassiya district yesterday. — AFP

Probe summons big fish as net widens Continued from Page 1 who confirmed that the Central Bank can access any information about deposits at local banks any time it wants, whether these deposits are for individuals, companies or establishments. The representatives also said the Central Bank can obtain without obstacle the files of MPs in the banks to see classified details about their accounts, Barrak said. He said that representatives of two banks refused to be questioned under oath and accordingly the committee decided to summon their chairmen and general managers for a meeting on Sunday.

Barrak revealed that the committee has asked certain government departments to provide details about the ownerships of MPs and ministers in stocks, farms, land, private houses and investments. This also applies to their spouses and underage children.

Head of the second probe committee MP Faisal Al-Mislem meanwhile said yesterday he made an inspection visit to the foreign ministry and met senior financial officials in relation with the transfers made by the former prime minister.

Mislem, who is authorized by the committee to make such visits, said he asked the foreign ministry officials for all documents related to the money transfer procedures that were conducted through the ministry at the instructions of the former prime minister or his aides.

The lawmaker said the purpose of the visit was to complete information the officials had given to the committee. He said he also asked the officials to provide evidence that the money was returned to state treasury as was claimed by former acting foreign minister Ali Al-Rashed.

Mislem said the committee will meet today with the head of the Audit Bureau Abdulaziz Al-Adasani who had earlier declined a summons to testify before the committee on the pretext that the bureau had been asked by the government to investigate the issue. The committee is also due to hear the testimony of Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak AlSabah, the highest official yet to be summoned by the panel.

Separately, the Interior Ministry yesterday accused stateless protesters of carrying out criminal acts against police officers during a demonstration in Jahra. Riot police

used batons and armoured trucks to disperse a group of about 200 bedoons on Tuesday, the latest such rally seeking improved rights in the state. Numbering up to 180,000 people, the stateless are denied citizenship under strict nationality laws in Kuwait, whose citizens are entitled to generous welfare benefits. “We regret the attacks by demonstrators in Taima (Square) and the shameful acts punishable by law that they committed,” the ministry said in a statement on state-run news agency KUNA. Demonstrators “tried to run over police officers, destroy equipment and devices, ignite tyres and block roads,” it said. Authorities said 14 people were arrested.

In another development, the Assembly will hold a special session today to debate the second round of voting on a law stipulating the death penalty for those who commit blasphemous crimes by insulting God, the Holy Quran, prophets, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), his wives and some companions. The legal and legislative committee has made slight amendments to the law by making it possible for the defendant to repent and thus be pardoned.

Saudi Arabia warns Iran on Gulf islands Continued from Page 1 unified line with Bahrain and the UAE to protect sovereignty and stability, considering their security a part of the council’s security as a whole.”

Ahmadinejad made a rare visit on April 11 to Abu Musa, one of three Gulf islands also claimed by the UAE and located near oil shipping routes at the mouth of the Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz. Bahrain’s Formula One race last month drew fresh attention to ongoing clashes between Bahraini security forces and mostly Shiite protesters, although the main Shiite Islamist Wefaq party denies any links with Iran. Tensions with Iran have increased since the Gulf Arab countries’ western allies tightened sanctions over Iran’s suspected nuclear weapons program.

Tehran says its nuclear activities are entirely peaceful.

Saudi foreign minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal said in a speech over the weekend that Gulf Arab states are pushing ahead with plans for a political union that would involve joint foreign and defence policies, an idea floated by Saudi King Abdullah last December.

After Ahmadinejad’s visit to Abu Musa, some 60 km (40 miles) off the UAE coast, the Islamic Republic said its sovereignty over the three islands was not negotiable but it has also called for talks with the UAE to clear up “misunderstandings”. Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, quoted by the student news agency ISNA, said Iran wanted to “have the best possible relations with the UAE, as our trade and economic relations are significant.” — Reuters

Kuwait, Iraq ask UN to repair border markers Continued from Page 1 by media as saying yesterday that the two countries signed a deal to regulate navigation in the Khour Abdullah waterway, where Kuwait is building a mega port that Iraq says will strangle its shipping lines.

Oteibi said talks were ongoing

with Iraq on the whereabouts of 370 missing Kuwaitis taken prisoners during the 1990-91 occupation, and to return stolen Kuwaiti property, especially state archives. He said Kuwait is assisting Iraq to secure an exit from under Chapter 7 of the UN Security Council imposed after its invasion of the state. The two coun-

tries have not yet resolved other outstanding issues. Iraq is still required to pay $16 billion of war reparation to Kuwait on top of $25 billion already paid. Baghdad currently pays five percent of its oil and gas revenue into a special United Nations fund that pays the compensation. — AFP

China activist leaves US embassy after deal Continued from Page 1 campaigner, whose treatment she has repeatedly criticised in the past. “Mr Chen has a number of understandings with the Chinese government about his future, including the opportunity to pursue higher education in a safe environment. Making these commitments a reality is the next crucial task,” she said in a statement. “The United States government and the American people are committed to remaining engaged with Mr Chen and his family in the days, weeks and years ahead.”

But responding to a question on Clinton’s statement, China’s foreign ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said: “What the US needs to do is to stop misleading the public and stop making every excuse to shift responsibility and conceal its own wrongdoing.” He said the US should not “interfere” in China’s domestic affairs and urged it to “take necessary measures to prevent a similar incident”.

Chen spoke to Clinton by telephone soon after he left the embassy for a nearby hospital, where he was treated for an injury sustained during his escape and reunited with his family, a senior US official said. “After saying in Chinese how grateful he was that she had mentioned him in the past and supported his case, he said in broken English, ‘I want to kiss you’,” the official told reporters on condition of anonymity. US officials also said that Chen never sought passage to the United States and instead wanted to live and work in China alongside his family.

Hours later, however, a shaken Chen told AP in a telephone interview from his hospital room that US officials told him the Chinese authorities would have sent his family back to his home province if he remained inside the embassy. He added that, at one point, the US officials told him his wife would have been beaten to death.

“I think we’d like to rest in a place outside of China,” Chen said, appealing again for help from US officials. “Help my

family and me leave safely.”

Any renewed abuse against Chen could prove to be a political nightmare for President Barack Obama’s administration, which has faced calls to show its commitment to safeguard human rights in China. The case had threatened to overshadow the annual meeting between leaders of the world’s two largest economies on key issues ranging from North Korea’s rocket launch to Syria.

Despite yesterday’s agreement, Beijing demanded that the United States apologise for what it called “interference” in its affairs. “China is very unhappy over this. The US action is an interference in China’s internal affairs and China cannot accept it,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said. “China demands that the US apologise and thoroughly investigate this incident, deal with the people who are responsible and ensure these types of incidents do not occur again,” he said.

A US official said there would be no repeat of the incident, but declined to comment on China’s call for an apology. Chen’s flight came despite round-the-clock surveillance around his home in eastern Shandong province, where he has alleged that he and his family suffered severe beatings after he ended a four-year jail term in 2010. In the video released after his escape, he appealed to Wen to punish several local officials he said had made his family’s life a misery. Before the Chen case, Washington had hoped to showcase small signs of progress in relations with China at the Strategic and Economic Dialogue, which also includes US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. Largely in response to inflationary pressure, China has let its yuan appreciate.

Currency levels have long been a source of friction, with US lawmakers charging that Beijing keeps the value of the yuan artificially low to flood the world with cheap exports. — Agencies

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THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

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Issues

US elections and fight over dogs

By Bernd and Debusmann merica’s electorate is sliced, diced and analyzed in minute detail, but there’s one comparative poll yet to be conducted: What is worse in the eyes of voters, having eaten dog meat or having put the family dog in a crate on the roof of a car for 12 hours? This is not a trifling question in a country with close to 80 million pet dogs, whose owners treat them as family members and might be disinclined to give their votes to a candidate perceived as a dog eater, in the case of President Barack Obama, or a dog abuser, in the case of his presumptive Republican rival for the presidency, Mitt Romney.

The crated dog on the roof, an Irish setter named Seamus, has dogged Romney on and off ever since the story came to light in 2007. Obama’s dog-eating is a recent addition to the ever-growing catalog of anecdotes collected by Republican and Democratic activists and campaign operatives to paint the other side’s candidate in the darkest possible colors. The dog stories have legs, so to say, and are likely to stay part of the election campaign until it finally ends on Nov 6. To refresh the memories of those who might have followed the campaign for weightier topics - high unemployment, say, or the war in Afghanistan - here is a recapitulation of what happened so far.

While Seamus rode atop the Romney family station wagon on the way to a vacation in Canada, the dog was struck by a bout of diarrhea that resulted in fecal matter running down the windows. Romney pulled up at a gasoline station, hosed down the car, the crate and the dog, and continued on his way. That was in 1983, but the story was revived in the Republican primary campaign when one of Romney’s rivals said it pointed to character flaws.

President Obama’s involvement in the canine aspects of the campaign stems from a passage in his 1995 memoir Dreams From My Father (Chapter 2, page 37) that recounted how he was “introduced to dog meat (tough), snake meat (tougher) and roasted grasshopper (crunchy)” by his Indonesian stepfather, Lolo Soetero. Obama lived in Djakarta between the ages of six and 10.

Jim Treacher, a conservative blogger for the website The Daily Caller, came across that passage and published it on April 17 as an antidote to the potentially damaging effect of Romney’s dog-on-the-roof episode. “Say what you want about Romney,” Treacher wrote, “but at least he only put a dog on the roof of his car, not the roof of his mouth. And whenever you (liberals) bring up the one, we’re going to bring up the other.” The dog wars were on.

Aides to Obama and Romney traded jocular tweets about their bosses’ attitudes toward dogs for days until the president himself took up the issue at the April 28 White House Correspondents’ dinner, an occasion presidents traditionally use to mock themselves (and others).

Riffing off a famous sound bite from Sarah Palin, Republican candidate for vice president in 2008, Obama asked: “What’s the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull?” A pit bull is delicious.” Particularly with soy sauce.

Obama also showed a mock Republican attack contrasting the rivals’ competing vision of an American dog’s life after the November elections. Under Obama: “dogs forced into government-controlled automobiles”. Under Romney: a dog’s “freedom to feel the wind in his fur”. The ad’s final shot shows Romney standing in front of Air Force One, a Boeing 747. Strapped to the aircraft’s roof: a dog kennel. For some pundits, the whole dog debate shows that the election campaign has sunk to new lows. “One does wonder what the rest of the world must think of us?

Is this what happens to old democracies? Are we too silly to be taken seriously anymore?” asked Kathleen Parker, a conservative columnist. Probably not. It’s a safe bet that parts of the world would welcome a dose of politics interlaced with the kind of levity that, now and then, accompanies the political discourse in the United States.

As to the yet-to-be-conducted missing survey on dogeating vs dog-on-the-roof: there actually is a poll on the relative dog friendliness of Romney and Obama. But it was conducted before the president’s culinary adventures in Indonesia became a topic of such fascination that a Google search for “Obama and dog-eating” yields 43 million hits. (“Romney and dog” yields just 28 million). In March, Public Policy Polling, a Democratic polling company, asked 900 voters who they thought would be a better president for dogs. Thirty-seven percent opted for Obama and 21 percent for Romney. Thirty-five percent said learning of Seamus’ rooftop trip had made them less likely to vote for Romney. That result practically guarantees that the dog issue will stay alive. Entertainment for some, silliness for others.—Reuters

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Obama ‘playing defense’, but has advantage

By John Whitesides he battle for the White House is still in its early, often silly stages - a time when issues such as the economy and national security can be overshadowed by spats over which candidate would be better for dogs. But in the end, the Nov 6 election between Democratic President Barack Obama and presumed Republican nominee Mitt Romney will hinge on 10 politically divided states, nine of which Obama won when he defeated Republican John McCain in 2008. The states range from former Republican strongholds such as North Carolina and Virginia to a few key battlegrounds - namely Ohio, Florida and Nevada - where a sputtering economy gives Romney a chance to break through.

Pennsylvania, Colorado, Iowa, Arizona and New Hampshire also are up for grabs.

Obama dramatically expanded the political playing field for Democrats in 2008 by winning states such as Indiana that had not backed a Democratic presidential contender in a generation. In this year’s state-by-state race for the 270 electoral votes needed to win the election, Obama is the early favorite in states that would give him 227 electoral votes. Romney leads in states that would give him 180. That gives Obama larger room for error than Romney as the two wrestle for the 131 electoral votes at stake in the toss-up or “swing” states.

A state’s electoral votes reflect its number of seats in Congress, most of which are based on population. Larger states such as California (which has 55 electoral votes and likely will go for Obama) and Texas (which has 38 and is likely to back Romney) can be windfalls, but in close elections, narrowly divided states such as Ohio (18 votes) typically determine the outcome. All of the states except Maine and Nebraska award all of their electoral votes to the candidate who carries the state. When Obama rolled up 365 electoral votes and nearly 53 percent of the popular vote to defeat

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McCain in 2008, Obama’s personal ratings were strong and he did not have much of a record on spending, deficits and healthcare for foes to target.

But jobless rates above 8 percent, and public doubts about Obama’s leadership on the economy and his landmark healthcare overhaul have helped push his approval ratings below 50 percent since then. That has put him at risk in several of the key states he won in 2008. “Obama will be playing defense, but he has some ground that he can give up and still win,” said Bruce Haynes of Purple Strategies, a bipartisan consulting firm that is conducting monthly opinion polls in swing states. “To some extent, he’s running a national triage operation, and he just can’t lose too many patients,” Haynes said. “He can lose a few states from 2008, but he has to have some firewalls.”

Both Obama and Romney head into the campaign with a solid base of states where they can expect easy wins. Obama is likely to carry the West Coast and most New England and Northeastern states, while Romney will be heavily favored to sweep most states in the South and Great Plains. Obama must defend seven states he won in 2008 by fewer than 10 percentage points - Colorado, Ohio, Indiana, New Hampshire, Virginia, North Carolina and Florida. Romney is an early favorite to reclaim traditionally Republican Indiana. But to deny Obama a second term, he also needs a combination of victories in the fiercely contested swing states of Ohio and Florida, historically conservative North Carolina and Virginia and in one or two other toss-ups.

Polls show close races in all of the key battlegrounds, although Obama has slight leads in Ohio and Florida, the cornerstones of any Romney victory scenario. The Obama campaign promises to compete in all of the states it won in 2008, and hopes to get a boost in the southwestern state of Arizona with the help of the state’s growing Hispanic population, whose support has been trending toward Democrats.

The candidates’ recent campaign schedules are signaling which states they see as crucial.

Obama traveled to New Hampshire, Colorado and Iowa last week, and will hold his first formal campaign rallies on Saturday in Ohio and Virginia. Romney, meanwhile recently has been in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Arizona, North Carolina and New Hampshire.

“We have worked hard to expand the map and have many ways to get to 270 electoral votes,” Obama campaign manager Jim Messina told reporters in a conference call last week.

“We believe there are even more pathways than there were before, but clearly Virginia and Ohio are two critical states in this campaign.” If Romney can hold all 22 of the states won by McCain in 2008, he could start his path to the White House by reclaiming Indiana and Virginia - which until Obama came along had not backed a Democrat in a presidential race since 1964 - and North Carolina, which had been reliably Republican since 1976. The traditional battlegrounds of Ohio and Florida, king makers in recent national races, loom again as critical pieces of Romney’s electoral puzzle. Florida’s hotly disputed results gave Republican George W Bush the 2000 election, while Democrat John Kerry’s upset hopes were dashed when Ohio narrowly backed Bush in 2004.

Both states have been hit hard by economic turmoil under Obama, although Ohio’s unemployment rate has recovered to dip slightly below the national average. Florida is one of four battlegrounds, along with Nevada, North Carolina and Arizona, with unemployment rates higher than the national average of 8.2 percent. Even reclaiming Virginia, North Carolina, Indiana, Ohio and Florida and their combined 86 electoral votes from Obama would leave Romney four electoral votes short of 270, forcing him to take at least one other state from the battleground list. “It is very difficult to see how Romney can win without taking those five states,” Quinnipiac pollster Peter Brown said. And even then, “he still needs one

more”. Republican strategist Todd Harris counters that Obama’s record on the economy and as the overseer of a rising federal debt - now at more than $15 trillion - will complicate the president’s re-election bid. “It’s going to be a lot tougher for the president this time than in 2008,” Harris said. “As hard as the Obama campaign is trying to make this election about Mitt Romney, the fact is this is going to be a referendum on the president’s record and the idea of whether people want four more years of the same.” Democrats hope that Republicans’ harsh rhetoric on immigration - including Romney’s opposition to a bill that would give legal status to children of illegal immigrants who serve in the military or go to college - will accelerate a recent shift of Hispanics toward Democrats.

Such a shift could particularly boost Democrats in the western states of Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. Obama won about twothirds of Hispanics’ votes in 2008, aiding his victory margins in Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada. Hispanics - who account for 16 percent of the US population and grew 43 percent during the last decade - also could have key roles in Ohio, North Carolina, Florida, Virginia and elsewhere. “The tone of the immigration debate has been very ugly. It’s going to be a challenge for any Republican ... to appeal to Hispanic voters,” Democratic strategist Karen Finney said.

Other factors could help Romney in the West. Nevada has been hit hard by a 12 percent state unemployment rate and record home foreclosures. It also has a big Mormon population and remains a friendly target for Romney, who is Mormon. Republicans also are confident of keeping Arizona, a conservative state with a high foreclosure rate, a significant Mormon population and a long history of backing Republicans in presidential elections. “There is no way Obama is going to do better this time than he did in 2008,” Harris said. “The election will come down to a question of how much worse he does.” —Reuters

Obama has 2 narratives on Afghanistan

By Anne Gearan n President Barack Obama’s twin narratives, the United States is both leaving Afghanistan and staying there. The different messages are meant for different audiences, one at home and one away. As Obama’s brief, symbolic visit to Afghanistan on Wednesday made clear, the more important audience is American voters fed up with a war that will be in its 12th year on Election Day in November. The president flew in secret to sign a long-awaited security compact with Afghanistan. It was after midnight in Kabul when the signing took place, and 4 am there when Obama addressed Americans in a specially arranged speech at 7:30 pm Washington time on network television. By the time most Afghans woke up, Obama was gone.

“My fellow Americans,” Obama said from Bagram Air Field, “we have traveled through more than a decade under the dark cloud of war. Yet here, in the predawn darkness of Afghanistan, we can see the light of a new day on the horizon.” The backdrop of armored troop carriers matched Obama’s message of praise for US forces who fought and died in Afghanistan, but it was an odd fit for what followed - a direct appeal to American optimism and self-interest in an election year. “As we emerge from a decade of conflict abroad and economic crisis at home, it is time to renew America,” Obama said. The agreement pledges ongoing US support for Afghanistan after 88,000 US combat forces leave. The pact envisions wideranging US involvement in Afghan economic and security affairs for a decade, if only as an adviser or underwriter. It gives Afghans a promise of more roads and schools and support for the uneven Afghan fighting forces. It gives the US a security foothold in the country to bolster Afghan forces for their continued fight against Taleban-led militants or Al-

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Qaeda, and to keep an eye on neighboring Iran. Obama’s emphasis on a long-term US commitment to Afghanistan reflects a lingering worry about the threat of a Taleban resurgence after 2014, when US and NATO combat forces are scheduled to leave.

The Taleban claimed responsibility for attacks that rocked Kabul a few hours later.

Officials and witnesses said a suicide car bomber and Taleban militants disguised in

will remain for some years to conduct counterterrorism strikes and otherwise train and advise Afghan forces, and help the Afghans collect and exploit intelligence on insurgents and other military targets.

The agreement was long sought by the US-backed government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, the perpetually skittish leader who has publicly voiced fears of what would befall his country if the United States quickly

US President Barack Obama delivers an address to the American people on US policy and the war in Afghanistan during his visit to Bagram Air Base yesterday in Afghanistan. — AFP burqas attacked a compound housing hundreds of foreigners in the Afghan capital, killing seven. With the agreement signed Tuesday, the US also has in mind the strategic significance of preserving a military partnership on Iran’s eastern frontier, even if it does not include permanent US bases. Even after the US combat mission is concluded in 2014, it is likely that thousands of US troops

packed up and left. “I recognize that many Americans are tired of war,” Obama said in the speech. “But we must finish the job we started in Afghanistan and end this war responsibly.” The larger rationale of the agreement was to reassure Afghan leaders that the United States would not repeat the mistake it made in the 1980s. Then, Washington withdrew support for anti-Soviet

militia forces in Afghanistan and set the stage for Taleban rule. The Taleban then allowed Al-Qaeda to use the country to plan the terror attacks of Sept 11, 2001.

In his speech, Obama turned the signing of the promise to stay in Afghanistan into a vehicle for his other promise - to go. The signing was a quick and businesslike affair at Karzai’s palace in Kabul. There were pleasantries, but no pageantry. There was also no opportunity for Karzai to make one of the off-message demands or denunciations of US behavior that have exasperated US officials in the past, even when they acknowledged Karzai had a point. “The Afghan people will understand that the United States will stand by them,” Obama said, with Karzai seated beside him at the signing table. “They will know that the United States can achieve our goals of destroying Al-Qaeda and denying it a safe haven, but at the same time we have the capacity to wind down this war and usher in a new era of peace here in Afghanistan.”

With that, it was back to the sprawling US airbase outside the capital to underscore that last point, that he will close down the war and bring US forces home. By alighting in Afghanistan on the anniversary of the raid that killed Sept 11 mastermind Osama bin Laden, Obama was also making an unsubtle show of the power of the presidency. Not only is he the commander in chief who can finally end what many Americans see as an unwinnable war - Obama was telling Americans that he is the commander in chief who bagged the biggest bad guy in America’s recent history. “This time of war began in Afghanistan, and this is where it will end,” Obama said in the speech. Republicans warily saluted Obama’s war-zone trip but accused him of craven politics nonetheless.

“Clearly this trip is campaign-related,” said Sen Jim Inhofe, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. — AP

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

sp orts ‘Biological passport’ victim

UEFA won’t wipe CL bans

Campbell hangs up his boots

LONDON: A Portuguese long-distance runner has become the first track and field athlete suspended for doping based on the “biological passport” program that monitors blood profiles for signs of cheating.

The IAAF said yesterday that 38-year-old Helder Ornelas has been banned for four years by the Portuguese federation after being found guilty of doping without an official positive test.

Ornelas, who has competed in two Olympics, was sanctioned based on a series of blood test results collected by the International Association of Athletics Federations between December 2008 and November 2010.

“It is the first time that the athlete biological passport has been used in athletics as sole evidence in support of an anti-doping rule violation,” the IAAF said.

The passport program monitors an athlete’s blood variables over time to check for evidence of performance-enhancing drugs or methods. — AP

LONDON: UEFA will not wipe the suspensions preventing six Bayern Munich and Chelsea players featuring in the Champions League final despite an appeal from the global football players’ union to change the rule.

Bayern’s David Alaba, Holger Badstuber and Luiz Gustavo, and Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic, Raul Meireles and Ramires are serving one-match UEFA bans for picking up their third bookings in the competition in the semifinals.

“UEFA said it will not respond to the appeal for clemency for the six players who will have to miss the coming Champions League final because they were awarded a yellow card in the second match of their semifinal,” FIFPro said in a statement. “In fact, UEFA states the rule will stay in force for the coming three years.”

A yellow-card amnesty rule already applies after the quarterfinals in UEFA’s European Championship and FIFA’s World Cup. “Different rules can apply in different competitions,” UEFA executive committee member Michael van Praag, who heads the body’s Champions League Rules group, said in the FIFPro statement.

Van Praag said UEFA “did not receive any request whatsoever concerning the yellow card rule, not even from the representative of Bayern Munich.” The Champions League final is in Munich on May 19. —AP

LONDON: Former England defender Sol Campbell announced his retirement from football yesterday, ending a stellar 19-year career that was marked by his acrimonious switch from Tottenham to fierce north London rival Arsenal. The 37-year-old Campbell - a powerful, ball-playing centerback who played 73 times for his country - called time on his career having failed to find a club following his release from Newcastle at the end of last season.

“It’s hard to let go when you have been a top sportsman for a long, long time,” Campbell said.

“To say that I am not going to play professional football again is difficult because I’ve had a long time at the top.” Campbell made one of the most controversial moves in the history of English football when he left Tottenham - where he was captain - after 10 years to join Arsenal in 2001, provoking a deluge of criticism from angry Spurs fans.

Campbell won two league titles and two FA Cups in that first stint with Arsenal, when he was part of the “Invincibles” team that went through the 2003-04 season unbeaten in the league. — AP

Orioles pound Yankees

DENVER: Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Mark Ellis (14) turns a double play after tagging out Colorado Rockies’ Carlos Gonzalez (5) on Troy Tulowitzki grounder during the first inning of a baseball game. —AP

Lilly dominant in Dodgers’ win DENVER: Ted Lilly threw six solid innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers got home runs from Dee Gordon, Andre Ethier and AJ Ellis in a 7-6 win over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night.

Lilly gave up four hits and two runs while the Dodgers pounded out 11 hits off Rockies right-hander Jhoulys Chacin and then held on despite a shaky bullpen per formance. The victor y capped a big day for the storied franchise that marked the end to the tumultuous Frank McCourt era.

The $2 billion sale of the team to Guggenheim Baseball Management, a group that includes former Los Angeles Lakers star Magic Johnson, was finalized Tuesday, just hours before the Dodgers improved to an NL-best 17-7.

Lilly (3-0) improved to 9-2 against the Rockies. Javy Guerra worked the ninth for his eighth save in 10 chances. Chacin (0-3) allowed seven runs in 4 2-3 innings. He struck out three and walked four.

D’backs 5, Nationals 1 At Washington, Trevor Cahill took a four-hit shutout into the eighth inning to help Arizona beat Washington to stretch the Nationals’ losing streak to five games.

Teenager Bryce Harper went 0 for 3 in his home debut for the Nationals.

Harper, the No. 1 pick in the 2010 draft, is 2 for 9 since being recalled from the minors on Saturday.

Cahill (2-2) allowed one run and six hits in 7 1-3 innings. Justin Upton had two hits and two RBIs, and John McDonald and Miguel Montero each had two hits and an RBI for the Diamondbacks.

Jordan Zimmermann (1-2) gave up four runs, three earned, in 6 1-3 innings for Washington, which has scored only seven runs during its skid.

Cardinals 10, Pirates 7 At St. Louis, Adam Wainwright worked seven innings for his first win since September 2010, and the Cardinals got big nights at the plate from David Freese and Matt Holliday.

Freese’s sixth home run and third in five games was a tiebreaking three-run shot off Charlie Morton (1-2) in the fifth.

Holliday homered in the sixth off Jared Hughes to cap a three-hit night with two RBIs. Allen Craig had two hits and an RBI in his season debut after rehabbing from knee surgery performed last fall shortly after he belted three homers in the World Series. Wainwright (1-3) allowed four runs and five hits. Jose Tabata and Pedro Alvarez each hit a two-run homer for Pittsburgh.

Marlins 2, Giants 1 At San Francisco, Giancarlo Stanton homered for the second time in three games to help back Ricky Nolasco’s third straight win, helping Miami earned its second victory in 10 games.

Hanley Ramirez had an RBI single in the fourth that ended Matt Cain’s home scoreless streak to start the season at 21 innings.

Nolasco (3-0) outdueled Cain (1-2) in the Marlins’ sixth victory against the Giants in their last eight meetings - a

stretch that includes Nolasco’s 2-1 win over Cain last Aug. 12 in South Florida.

Struggling Miami closer Heath Bell pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his third save in six chances and first since walking a career-high four batters and taking his third loss Thursday in a 3-2 road loss to the Mets. Pablo Sandoval homered for the Giants.

Padres 2, Brewers 0 At San Diego, pinch-hitter Mark Kotsay belted a two-run homer with one out in the eighth, lifting San Diego to the victory.

Kotsay, who played with Milwaukee last year, drove a 1-1 pitch from Francisco Rodriguez (0-3) to right field.

Will Venable was aboard on a single.

It was Kotsay’s fourth career pinch homer and his first since Aug. 9, 2002, at Cincinnati during his first stint with the Padres. Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun, who had his first three-homer game and added a triple for six RBIs in Monday night’s 8-3 win, went 1 for 4 with a single.

Edinson Volquez tossed seven innings of three-hit ball before Andrew Cashner (2-1) pitched the eighth for the win. Huston Street closed it out for his fourth save in four chances, finishing a three-hitter for the Padres’ first shutout of the season.

Phillies 4, Braves 2 At Atlanta, John Mayberry Jr. doubled and scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning, and Philadelphia beat in the first meeting of the season between the NL East rivals.

After Brandon Beachy gave up only two runs in seven innings to outlast Phillies star ter Cole Hamels, Philadelphia broke a 2-2 tie with two runs against left-hander Jonny Venters (2-1).

Mayberry, in the game as a pinch hitter, doubled to right with one out, moved to third on Jimmy Rollins’ single and scored on Venters’ wild pitch to Placido Polanco. Shane Victorino added an infield hit and Hunter Pence singled to right, driving in Rollins for a 4-2 lead.

Antonio Bastardo (1-1) pitched a perfect seventh. Jonathan Papelbon earned his ninth save by retiring the Braves in order in the ninth.

Astros 6, Mets 3 At Houston, Chris Snyder hit a threerun homer and Jed Lowrie added a tworun shot to power Houston to the victory.

Lowrie’s drive off Jonathon Niese hit the inside of the foul pole in left field in the first inning. Snyder pushed the lead to 5-0 in the next inning with his first home run of the season, which landed in the Crawford Boxes in left field.

Houston has won the first two games of this three-game series. The Astros had lost six consecutive series entering Monday. Niese (2-1) allowed a seasonhigh five runs and six hits in three innings.

Houston star ter J.A. Happ (2-1) allowed six hits and three runs with seven strikeouts in 6 1-3 innings, which was his longest outing of the year. Brett Myers threw a perfect ninth for his sixth save. —AP

NEW YORK: Buck Showalter earned his 1,000th victory as a major league manager and Brian Matusz ended his 11-month losing streak as the Baltimore Orioles beat the New York Yankees 7-1 Tuesday night. Chris Davis and J.J. Hardy homered off struggling Phil Hughes (1-4), giving the Orioles their first win in five tries against the Yankees this year.

Showalter, whose first win came 20 years ago across the street at old Yankee Stadium when New York’s Scott Sanderson beat Boston ace Roger Clemens, improved to 1,000-958 in 14 seasons with the Yankees, Arizona, Texas and Baltimore. He joined Dusty Baker, Bruce Bochy, Davey Johnson, Jim Leyland, Mike Scioscia and Bobby Valentine among active managers in the 1,000-win club.

Matusz (1-3) allowed six hits in 6 1-3 innings to win for the first time since beating Oakland last June 6. He had been 0-12 with a 10.47 ERA in 14 starts since, the longest active losing streak in the majors and one short of the Orioles record set by Mike Boddicker from 1987-88.

Rays 3, Mariners 1 At St. Petersburg, Matt Joyce had two of Tampa Bay’s three hits, a solo homer and an RBI triple, to help the surging Rays beat Seattle for their ninth victory in 10 games.

Tampa Bay rookie Matt Moore (1-1) scattered seven hits over five innings to get the win, which kept the first-place Rays atop the AL East standings.

Michael Saunders hit a solo homer and Jesus Montero went 4 for 4 for Seattle, but the Mariners were 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position. They have lost four straight following a four-game winning streak. Joyce tripled off starter Hector Noesi (1-3) and scored on Luke Scott’s sacrifice fly for a 2-0 lead in the first. Joyce’s team-leading sixth homer made it 3-1 in the third. Burke Badenhop and Joel Peralta combined for three scoreless innings out of Tampa Bay’s bullpen. Fernando Rodney struck out the side in the ninth to earn his eighth save in eight opportunities.

The Rays played without third baseman Evan Longoria, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list before the game with a partially torn left hamstring. The three-time All-Star is expected to be sidelined four to eight weeks.

Blue Jays 8, Rangers 7 At Toronto, Brett Lawrie homered leading off the ninth inning to give the Blue Jays a comeback victor y over Texas. Francisco Cordero blew a save opportunity in the top of the ninth, but Lawrie won it in the bottom half against Mike Adams (0-1) with a shot that bounced off the top of the wall in left-center, his third.

It was the second Blue Jays homer of the game to bounce off the wall and out: Kelly Johnson’s three-run shot in the third did the same. Jose Bautista also connected for Toronto, which rallied from 5-0 down to beat the team with the best record in baseball.

Cordero (1-1) allowed Michael Young’s tying single in the ninth. Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton (back) sat out for the second straight game and remains day to day.

Tigers 9, Royals 3 At Detroit, Austin Jackson had four hits and Rick Porcello pitched eight strong innings to lead the Tigers past Kansas City.

The Tigers scored five runs in the first and

won for only the third time in 11 games.

Porcello (2-2) took advantage of the offensive support to snap out of his slump, allowing three runs and seven hits. In his previous two starts, the right-hander was 0-2 with a 15.26 ERA. Luke Hochevar (2-2) yielded nine runs on 12 hits and three walks in four innings.

The teams were washed out Monday night, Kansas City’s second rainout in three days. The Royals have lost two straight following a three-game winning streak that came on the heels of a 12-game skid.

Athletics 5, Red Sox 3 At Boston, Jarrod Parker scattered four hits over 6 2-3 innings for his first major league win and Oakland stopped a three-game skid by beating Boston.

Jemile Weeks ended on 0-for-12 slump with a leadoff single and finished 2 for 5 with two RBIs and two runs for the A’s. Oakland scored the first five runs to back Parker (1-0), who made his third career start on a frigid night at Fenway Park.

Mike Aviles hit a two-run single in the ninth before Jordan Norberto got two outs for his first major league save. Red Sox starter Felix Doubront (1-1) gave up five runs and six hits in four innings.

Angels 4, Twins 0 At Anaheim, Jerome Williams pitched a three-hitter for his second major league shutout and Torii Hunter homered for the fourth time in five games to lead Los Angeles over struggling Minnesota.

Howie Kendrick also went deep against Francisco Liriano (0-4), but Albert Pujols was 0 for 4 with a run-scoring groundout. The threetime NL MVP has gone a career-worst 31 games and 125 at-bats since his last home run on Sept. 22, 2011, with St. Louis.

Williams (2-1) threw 109 pitches, striking out six and retiring 18 of his last 19 batters to finish in an economical 2 hours, 10 minutes. It was his third complete game in 81 career starts. His other shutout was on June 27, 2003, with the Giants, a seven-hitter against Oakland in his sixth big league start.

The 30-year-old right-hander from Honolulu faced only one batter more than the minimum before walking Denard Span with two outs in the ninth. The Twins have lost eight of nine and have a major league-worst 6-17 record.

White Sox 7, Indians 2 At Chicago, Gordon Beckham broke out of a slump with three hits and Chicago beat Cleveland on a rainy, fog-filled night in the Windy City. Beckham was mired in a 0-for-10 slide and was batting just .153 before he belted a solo homer in the third inning to give the White Sox a 2-1 lead.

He also singled in a run in the fifth. AJ Pierzynski also had a solo homer for Chicago, which is 3-0 against Cleveland this season.

Chris Sale (3-1) allowed one run and three hits in six crisp innings. Shelley Duncan connected NEW YORK: Yankees Derek Jeter follows for Cleveland, snapping the team’s 11-game through on his seventh-inning single dur- homerless streak. Ubaldo Jimenez (2-2) issued ing the Yankees baseball game against the six walks in 4 2-3 innings and was charged Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. —AP with seven runs, four earned. —AP

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

Tampa Bay Baltimore NY Yankees Toronto Boston Cleveland Detroit C’ White Sox Kansas City Minnesota Texas Oakland Seattle LA Angels

American League Eastern Division W L PCT 16 8 .667 15 9 .625 13 10 .565 13 11 .542 11 12 .478 Central Division 11 10 .524 12 11 .522 12 11 .522 6 16 .273 6 17 .261 Western Division 17 7 .708 12 13 .480 11 14 .440 9 15 .375

GB 1 2.5 3 4.5 5.5 6 5.5 6.5 8

National League Eastern Division Washington 14 9 .609 Atlanta 14 10 .583 NY Mets 13 11 .542 Philadelphia 12 12 .500 Miami 9 14 .391 Central Division St Louis 15 8 .652 11 11 .500 Cincinnati Milwaukee 11 13 .458 Pittsburgh 10 13 .435 Houston 10 14 .417 Chicago Cubs 8 15 .348 Western Division LA Dodgers 17 7 .708 13 11 .542 Arizona San Francisco 12 11 .522 Colorado 11 12 .478 San Diego 8 17 .320

.5 1.5 2.5 5 3.5 4.5 5 5.5 7 4 4.5 5.5 9.5

Devils down Flyers, series tied

PHILADELPHIA: New Jersey Devils’ Zach Parise (right) and David Clarkson, laying on the net, who scored what would be the game-winning goal celebrate during the third period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series with the Philadelphia Flyers. —AP

PHILADEPHIA: Adam Larsson and David Clarkson scored their first goals of the playoffs as the New Jersey Devils posted a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday to level their Eastern Conference semifinals series at 1-1.

Larsson and Clarkson scored consecutive goals in the third period to rally the Devils past the Flyers and make up for the absence of Ilya Kovalchuk. The Devils played without their regular-season leading scorer because of a lower body injury. Travis Zajac added a late goal to make it 3-1, and Bryce Salvador scored a late empty-netter for the Devils. Game 3 is today in New Jersey.

Matt Read scored 2:53 into the game to give the Flyers hope they could jump to a commanding series lead. Instead, the offense went into a funk and goalie Ilya Bryzgalov couldn’t protect the advantage. Even without Kovalchuk, the Devils did what they wanted against Bryzgalov, taking close shots and domi-

nating the play in the Flyers’ zone.

Bryzgalov, who signed a $51 million, nine-year deal last summer, was especially stout in the second period when he bailed out the Flyers offense with a 12save period. The Flyers went more than 18 minutes in the period before taking a shot on Martin Brodeur. “I didn’t sense frustration. We were comfortable with how we played the first two periods,” Devils coach Peter DeBoer said. “And it was just a matter of keeping it going in the third, and the goals came.”

Kovalchuk’s injury opened a roster spot for Larsson, a rookie defenseman, to be activated. His shot from the circle beat Bryzgalov on his glove side early in the third for the equalizer. “Down a goal, third period, and it was huge,” DeBoer said of the rookie’s goal. “I feel great for Larsson. He’s been out a few games, and he responded.” Clarkson made it 2-1 minutes later when he scored off a rebound. on Read’s goal. —AP

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

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KUWAIT: Sheikh Humoud Al-Mubarak with dignitaries.

Ammar Al-Tamimi

Abdelaziz Al-Muzayyen

Kuwait team win squash opener KUWAIT: Kuwait’s squash national team started their matches in the 16th Asian teams championship with a win against Sri Lanka 3-0, in the opening match of the tournament where 15 men and 8 women teams are participating. Kuwait’s Abdallah Al-Muzayyen, Ammar Al Tamimi and Salem Al-Fayez gave Kuwait a good start in the event being held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah at Salem AlSabah International Squash Complex.

Abdullah Al-Muzayyen defeated his Sri Lankan opponent by 11-4, 11-3, 11-2, while Salem Fayez won by 11-3, 11, 2 and 11-4, while Ammar Al Tamimi won 11-3, 11-6, and 11-2, The opening ce re m o ny p ro ce e d e d t h e m a tc h e s a s J a h r a Governor Sheikh Mubarak Al-Humoud Al-Jaber Al-Sabah represented HH the Premier, in the presence of PAYS Chairman Maj Gen (Ret) Faisal AlJazaf, and Dr Humoud Fulaiteh, and S quash Association officials.

Jahra Governor said he is proud to represent HH Sheikh Jaber in this major event with a large number of Asian teams, and hoped that it comes out with a high level standard. Meanwhile, PAYS chairman said, Kuwait’s squash game has made giant strides in recent years, be it with results in foreign tournaments or in organizing major events. He also appreciated the efforts of presidents and members of Kuwait Squash Association, and said PAYS is keen on supporting all games.

Results of the first day In the men’s category Pakistan defeated China 30, South Korea defeated Chinese Taipie 2-1, and Jordan topped Singapore with the same score. Hong Kong and Malaysia had easy wins against Iraq and Palestine with the score of 3-0 as did Japan against Iran. In the women’s category South Korea came out the winner against Japan 2-1, while Malaysia defeated Sri Lanka 3-0 as well as Hong Kong and India did with Iran and China.

Kim on the track to nowhere

LONDON: RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft at RAF base Northolt, where four of the aircraft will be based as part of the Olympics related security exercise in west London. The Typhoon interceptor aircraft forms a part of a co-ordinated defence against possible threats to the London 2012 Olympic Games. — AP

London Games organisers braced for biggest test LONDON: London 2012 organisers braced themselves for their biggest test of the Olympic Park yesterday while assuring spectators that airport-style security would not mean hours of queuing to get in. Six test events are taking place at five venues over the next week with 11,000 staff, including volunteer ‘Games Makers’, learning the ropes and seeking to iron out any problems before the July 27 opening ceremony.

Organisers expect more than 140,000 spectators and 3,000 competitors to attend hockey, water polo and athletics events as well as Paralympic wheelchair tennis, boccia and athletics at the park in east London.

The crowd flow is expected to peak at 75,000 on Saturday, when the stadium hosts a university and schools athletics event and is officially opened by a lucky spectator picked from the audience with the clock ticking down to 2,012 hours to go. By next week, after what amounts to the first and only comprehensive preGames trial of the Park and spectator areas, organisers will have carried out 42 test events in 12 months across 28 venues.

A queue of staff and contractors snaked along the pavement early on Wednesday as reporters, warned to allow up to 90 minutes to clear accreditation and security scans, arrived for a briefing

at the hockey venue.

That meeting, with LOCOG chief executive Paul Deighton, started behind schedule but spectators streaming in later said their queues had been much shorter and in most cases around 10 minutes.

Some complained of a lack of signage once inside what is still a building site in some areas, with workers in fluorescent jackets erecting sponsor sites including a huge McDonalds restaurant near the main stadium.

Groups of schoolchildren trailed past signs warning them to keep off the newly planted areas, with landscaped lawns and flowerbeds.

Long queues to clear immigration at London’s Heathrow airport have triggered front-page headlines in recent days, with fears for the country’s image ahead of the Games, but Deighton was confident that would be dealt with.

“Given the publicity that this has attracted, the government and all the authorities responsible are very focused on making sure that Heathrow works well at Games time,” he said.

“I am very focused on it and we will take care of it,” added Deighton, who said Wednesday’s accreditation queue at the Park was a one-off that was flagged up in advance.

“I think for spectators, we encourage

them to build in plenty of journey time,” he added. “You’ve got the whole park to see and enjoy before getting into your venue...so we want to make it a great experience. “But we wouldn’t expect the queues coming in through security to extend beyond 20 minutes and in most cases it will be very fast.”

Deighton said the main spectator entrance at the Stratford Gate side of the Park on Saturday would have 60 screening points for pedestrian access and there would be another 100 at Games time.

“The principal thing we are trying to achieve is to see how the Olympic Park, as an overall zone, works when it has got a whole set of events going on,” he told reporters standing in front of the pinkand-purple hockey field.

“It’s to see how we cope with those crowds, moving around the whole Park, in and out of venues, to and from the Park and through security.”

Organisers expect work on temporary buildings for London 2012 concessions to be completed by early next month while sponsor areas should be finished by the beginning of July.

Work by broadcasters to lay cables around the Park will be completed by mid July while landscaping and the installation of flags and banners will continue up until Games time. — Reuters

CHARLOTTE: The practice range at Quail Hollow was filled with PGA Tour players Tuesday afternoon, making it too busy for Anthony Kim. He took his game - or what’s left of it - behind a row of trees near the short-game area where no one could watch. He found a patch of grass where he could fire shots through a wide gap in the trees, and Kim stayed there for nearly two hours under a hot sun.

Kim didn’t want anyone to watch. And he didn’t want to hear the whispers that have followed him for the last four months. What’s wrong with this guy?

He attributes it to nagging injuries - the left thumb that was operated on in 2010 and cost him a spot on the Ryder Cup team, right elbow, right wrist. There is no structural damage and nothing to keep him from playing, though he is losing practice time. And it shows.

Kim has completed only two of the nine tournaments he has played. He has missed the cut four times.

He was disqualified after opening with a 78 at Riviera.

He withdrew from the last two tournaments he played, after a 79 in the first round at Houston and midway through the opening round in San Antonio after he hit a 5-iron out of bush without realizing there was a rock next to his ball. Kim said the ball went 200 yards and the rock went 15 yards.

Kim said his caddie cleaned out his locker at the Texas Open when he pulled out. He didn’t feel like facing other players who would see him leaving a tournament far too early.

“I hear it all the time ... across the locker room doors,” Kim said. “I hear people, ‘What is going on with him?’ I hear little comments. ‘He doesn’t care about golf.’

Everyone has a reason. No one knows the reason but me. I need to hit balls, practice. But I’m hurting myself by hitting more balls.”

He is No. 210 on the money list with $33,960. In his first five seasons on the PGA Tour, he averaged $107,585 per tournament. If he doesn’t turn it around soon, Kim is in danger of losing his card.

He is well aware of this. It’s one thing to hear it from the players. Kim even heard from his mother. “My mom told me, ‘Hey, there’s a caddie that said he made $60,000 caddying at my club. The caddie stays at home and works four days a week. He’s made $60,000. You’ve only made $30,000,’ “ Kim said. “I couldn’t do anything but laugh.” Laughter has been rare this year.

Kim was not eligible for the Masters. He is not exempt for the US Open. Tuesday was the first time he hit balls since he withdrew from the Texas Open. After one swing, he clutched his right elbow. There was a duck-hook with the driver, another shot that resembled a shank. The other shots were mostly good, though Kim said he still feels a jolt in his elbow even after hitting wedges.

“My body feels like it’s coming back, and then there’s one little thing after another,” he said. “It’s been a frustrating year. I’m trying to have a good attitude, but it gets tougher and tougher.”

It’s hard to believe that only four years ago, Kim was being heralded as a rising star. He won Quail Hollow by five shots for his first PGA Tour win, then won the AT&T National two months later to become the first American under 25 since Tiger Woods to win at least

twice in one season. At the Ryder Cup that year, he was catalyst in a rare American victory.

That’s becoming a distant memory. Reasons are starting to sound more like excuses. “I feel closer than everyone thinks,” Kim said. “I don’t see why I can’t go out there and shoot in the mid-60s every day. I know the golf I have played has been closer to 80 than 60.

But I don’t feel that much different.”

Everything about him is different, though. He no longer has a bag deal, so Kim is using a red carry bag that says “Oklahoma Sooners,” a bag typically seen at college tournaments. He no longer has a big entourage. He has lost some of his swagger, though the 26-year-old Kim is engaging as ever, quick to smile and delightful when he’s around kids.

His mother, who showed a sense of humor with the dig about the club caddie, remains his biggest fan. She rarely comes to tournaments and cares only that her son is happy, even if he wants to stop playing golf and come home to Los Angeles.—AP

TORREY PINES: This Jan. 26, 2012 file photo shows Anthony Kim waiting his turn standing on the edge of the cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. — AP

Fans can watch every Olympic event live online

LONDON: Argentina’s Rocio Sanchez Moccia (center) goes down as she competes with China’s Ma Wei (right) during the women’s preliminary round field hockey match. — AP

NEW YORK: Usain Bolt could be defending his Olympic 200-meter title on a Thursday afternoon in the United States. Fans will be able to watch the race live online for the first time during this summer’s London Games, but what they’ll see is very different from the tape-delayed, prime-time package that will still air a few hours later.

NBC executives decided to shift from their longtime philosophy and make every event available as it happens, convinced that the plan will build interest in the Olympics and not siphon off viewership from the traditional nightly broadcasts. That means the Internet streams will be fairly minimalistic, a move aimed at tempting fans to re-watch the competition in a more stylized presentation on the network that evening.

“You’ll be able to live the moment,” said Rick Cordella, the vice president and general manager for NBC Sports Digital.

The online coverage will use the world feed

instead of NBC camera angles. That’s what viewers in many smaller countries see on their local networks, so the production is high quality, if less specialized than Americans are used to for the Olympics. There will be basic graphics and, for some popular sports, announcers from the Olympic Broadcasting Services.

Cordella said he didn’t know yet which commentators would call high-profile events like track, swimming and gymnastics for the OBS. And if Bolt wins in another world record, fans will have to wait until prime time to see a postrace interview. “It’s not infringing upon prime time,” Cordella said.

NBCOlympics.com streamed many smaller sports live during the 2008 Beijing Olympics for a total of 2,200 hours, but the big-ticket events were held back. This year, more than 3,500 hours will be shown on the website. For the top sports, replays will not be available online until after the

event airs in prime time. The service will include extra feeds for certain sports - fans can watch each apparatus in its entirety during gymnastics and up to five courts for tennis.

Most of the Internet streams will be available only to viewers who subscribe to cable or satellite services. They will need to “authenticate,” log in to prove they are customers. The “ T V Everywhere” model has become popular with many networks as a way to allow viewers to watch programs on multiple devices while encouraging them to stick with cable and satellite providers. Cordella said he believed viewers were becoming more familiar with the process.

Social media has proliferated since Beijing, and NBC is counting on buzz from viewers who watch events live to attract others to the primetime broadcasts. “If Bolt sets a record and prances over the finish line,” Cordella said, “you want to see that.”— AP

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

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76ers stop Bulls charge

Stephen Hendry plays a shot in this file photo

Hendry brings curtain down on glittering snooker career SHEFFIELD: Stephen Hendry’s retirement from snooker after his exit at the world championship on Tuesday brought an end to a glittering career in which the Briton won a record 32 ranking titles.

After becoming the youngest player to compete in the tournament in 1986 aged 17, Hendry won his first world title four years later when he beat Jimmy White 18-12.

The Scot dominated the game in the 1990s, adding a further six world titles and a host of other tournament victories to his haul. His seventh world title, which set a record, came in 1999 when he beat Mark Williams 18-11.

Viewed by many pundits as the game’s greatest-ever player, he will be remembered as a supreme competitor and superb break-builder whose style revolutionised the game.

However, Hendry’s form dipped in recent years and he was forced to qualify for this year’s world championship. He made a superb start to the tournament, compiling a maximum 147 break in his first round match against Stuart Bingham on his way to victory.

A comprehensive 13-4 win against defending champion John Higgins followed, leading to suggestions that Hendry might emerge as a surprise contender to win the tournament.

But his hopes of defying the odds were effectively ended when he found himself 7-1 down at the end of the first session in his quarter-final against compatriot Stephen Maguire.

After the 43-year-old Hendry failed to mount a comeback, suffering a 13-2 defeat at the Crucible Theatre, he announced his decision to retire.

“I am officially retired now from tournament snooker,” he told reporters. “It was not a spur-of-the-moment thing. I thought about it last year but two or three months ago I just decided enough was enough.

“I didn’t tell many people. I only told two or three people, but this is me finished from tournament snooker. “It was quite an easy decision. There’s a few reasons. The schedule didn’t help and the fact that I’m not playing the snooker I want to play didn’t help. The fact I’m not enjoying practice doesn’t help. “I want to do other things. I’ve got a lot of commitments now in China, which I’ve signed up for, and I can’t do that and play snooker because I would never be at home.

“I’m delighted I made a maximum here, that’s why I was more animated than normal when making it. I was delighted to do it on my last appearance here.”

Hendry, who won his final full ranking title in 2005 when he lifted the Malta Cup, banked about 9 million pounds ($14.60 million) in prize money.

When it was clear that he was no longer a serious contender to win major tournaments, Hendry decided it was time to bow out. It was fitting that he made his farewell appearance at the Crucible - scene of some of his greatest triumphs.—Reuters

LISBON: France’s Richard Gasquet returns a ball to Italy’s Paolo Lorenzi during their Estoril Open tennis match. Gasquet defeated Lorenzi 6-1, 6-1. —AP

Gasquet, Wawrinka move into Estoril quarterfinals OEIRAS: Richard Gasquet powered past Paolo Lorenzi of Italy 6-1, 6-1 at the Estoril Open yesterday to reach his fifth quarterfinal of the season.

The second-seeded Frenchman broke twice in the opening set and three times in the second to close out a commanding per formance on clay in 66 minutes.

Gasquet, who lost to Novak Djokovic in the 2007 Estoril final, hit 24 winners.

Third-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka recovered from a shaky start to beat Spanish qualifier Ivan Navarro 7-6 (5), 6-1.

The big-serving Swiss saved break points in his first two service games before being broken in the sixth game on a double fault. He broke back immediately and

had five set points at one stage in the tiebreaker.

Wawrinka overpowered his opponent in the 20-minute second set, serving out the match in damp and windy conditions at the rain-disrupted event. In the women’s event, top-seeded Roberta Vinci of Italy advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Portugal’s Maria Joao Koheler. Fourth-seeded Petra Cetkovcka of the Czech Republic downed Britain’s Heather Watson 6-3, 6-1, and sixth-seeded Kaia Kanepi of Estonia ousted Vania King of the United States 6-4, 64. Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhstan knocked out 2006 champion Zheng Jie of China 6-4, 6-1.—AP

Haas claims Tsonga scalp BERLIN: Top seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga crashed out of the ATP tournament here yesterday, beaten 6-1, 6-4 by former German number one Tommy Haas in their second round clash.

Haas, who was as high as number two in the world in 2002 but has slid to 134 in the rankings after suffering several injuries, tore into world number five Tsonga’s serve breaking him in both the second and fourth games of the first set.

Tsonga, who has not played since losing to compatriot Gilles Simon in the Monte Carlo Masters quarter-finals, put up more of a fight in the second set but Haas made the break in the fifth game to go 3-2 up and held on to claim the win.

“Simply said it was that Tommy played

better than me,” said Tsonga. “He didn’t allow me any time to express myself, or to control the ball. “It wasn’t down to a lack of practice as I put in two two hour sessions and normally that is sufficient.

“Obviously conditions are different when you are practicing and playing a competitive match, the court as well. But I played well at Monte-Carlo and before that in the Davis Cup so I was match ready.”

Haas, who is now a naturalised American, will play Cyprus’s 2006 Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis in the quarter-finals.

Tsonga for his part will move on to the Rome Masters to fine tune his preparation for the French Open which begins later this month.—AFP

CHICAGO: Jrue Holiday scored 26 points and Lou Williams added 20 as Philadelphia beat Chicago 109-92 on Tuesday night to level their first-round playoff series in the Bulls’ first game since Derrick Rose’s season-ending knee injury.

The point guard received a standing ovation and waved to the crowd as he limped onto the court to present the game ball, then watched from the stands as the 76ers outscored Chicago 36-14 in the third quarter to take an 83-69 lead.

Game 3 is tomorrow in Philadelphia.

Holiday was 11 of 15 from the field, and the Sixers shot 59 percent overall. Evan Turner chipped in with 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

Joakim Noah led the Bulls with 21 points and eight rebounds and John Lucas III scored 15 points. Rose missed 27 games during the regular season because of a variety of injuries, and the Bulls went 18-9 in those games.

Celtics 87, Hawks 80 At Atlanta, Paul Pierce had 36 points and 14 rebounds as Boston wiped out Atlanta’s 11-point lead in the second half even without point guard Rajon Rondo. The series is level at 1-1. Game 3 is Friday night in Boston, and Rondo will be back for that one having sat out a one-game suspension for bumping an official in the opener.

The Hawks took a 65-54 lead late in the third quarter. But Boston sliced it to 66-61 by the end of the period. Pierce hit his first 3-pointer of the series after missing 10 to stretch the lead to 7972 with 31/2 minutes left.

Pierce finished 12 of 26 from the field and dropped to his knee and Tebowed after a free throw that locked it up with just a minute to go.

Kevin Garnett had 15 points and 12 rebounds for Boston. Joe Johnson had 22 points for Atlanta.

Lakers 104, Nuggets 100 At Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant scored 38 points to lead Los Angeles over Denver and to a 2-0 series lead. Andrew Bynum followed up his playoff-opening triple-double with 27 points and nine rebounds for the Lakers, who still haven’t trailed in this series despite but had some anxious moments in the closing stages as the

Nuggets and Ty Lawson, who scored 25 points, went on a fourth-quarter charge. Los Angeles’ 19-point lead in the third quarter dwindled to four with 3 minutes to play, but Ramon Sessions scored four key points in the final 1:14 before Bryant’s icing free throws with 9.4 seconds left.

The Nuggets lost their ninth straight road playoff game. Game 3 is tomorrow in Denver.—AP

LOS ANGELES: Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (middle) tries to drive through Denver Nuggets’ Danilo Gallinari (left) and Al Harrington during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series.—AP

Ukraine’s image takes a beating as Euro nears KIEV: It was never meant to be like this.

When Ukraine was named co-host of Europe’s biggest soccer feast in 2009, its leaders hailed the award as a milestone on the road to joining the European mainstream. A delighted Yulia Tymoshenko, then prime minister, told her compatriots her government had scraped together “every kopeck” to make the dream possible.’ Her jubilant tone foresaw the former Soviet republic turning a confident, smiling face to the world in the month-long Euro-2012 soccer tournament which it will co-host with Poland, its cheer-leader in Europe. That was in December 2009.

Now, with the first games to be played in Ukraine on June 9, Tymoshenko lies in prison on hunger strike, nursing bruises after what she said was a beating by prison guards. Images of her show her trademark peasant braids lying in a forlorn tress across her shoulder.

Western leaders, some of whose national teams will compete in Euro-2012, have reacted with horror. Led by Germany, leaders of several European Union countries have called off scheduled visits to Ukraine in protest at the treatment meted out by President Viktor Yanukovich’s leadership.

Amid talk of a possible boycott of the June 8 ceremonial opening by European politicians, Ukraine has accused of European powers of resorting to Cold War tactics. A series of mystery bomb blasts in the city of Dnipropetrovsk last week which injured 30 people have raised security concerns. The government says they were organised by forces out to destabilise the nation. Identikits of suspects have been issued but there have been no arrests.

The opposition has hinted darkly that the bombs could be the work of authorities and law enforcement bodies with the aim of diverting attention from the Tymoshenko affair.

The trial and sentencing of Tymoshenko to seven years in jail for alleged abuse of power has already cost Ukraine a landmark political agreement with the European Union. Its signing has been put on indefinite hold.

It has even put Yanukovich off-side with his country’s big neighbour and former Soviet master, Russia. President Dmitry Medvedev just last week said: “The persecution of political opponents (in Ukraine) is absolutely unacceptable.”

Some believe Yanukovich, also under pressure from the United States on the issue, will release Tymoshenko- or at least let her go to Germany for medical treatment. But he has refused to budge on the issue since sentence was passed on Tymoshenko last October, despite intense EU pressure.

With EU politicians apparently prepared to take only piecemeal action ahead of the Euros without concerted sanctions, it seems more likely he will seek to ride out the Europeans’ displeasure and shrug off poor publicity during the tournament. “It is a kind of last attempt by the EU to change the course of things in Ukraine,” said Olga Shumylo-Tapiola, visiting scholar at Carnegie Europe. “It’s very close to a deadlock. I would not see any bright future for Ukraine’s relations with the European Union.”

ry. Elegant women and dating agencies.

Bread-basket, bride-basket.

Platini, for all his otherwise generous comments, added another label last month when he harangued Ukraine over the sky-high prices of accommodation on offer to visiting fans.

Ukraine’s hoteliers were “bandits and swindlers” for jacking up prices tenfold in the four Euro-hosting cities of Kiev, Lviv, Kharkiv and Donetsk, he said.

The Kiev government, which expects at least one million fans to visit Ukraine, has sought to curb hoteliers with antitrust investigations and a planned deal with a low-cost airline that officials say will offer $300 return trips from London.

All the same, there are signs that many fans are opting to stay at home and follow their national team’s fortunes on television rather than make the trek to Ukraine.

UNFAIR CRITICISM? The 2004-5 Orange Revolution street protests against the sleaze and corruption of the old guard made Ukraine many friends in the West. It continued to bathe in the after-glow of that popularity long after the “Orange” leaders came to power, fell out among themselves and were voted out of office.

So for Ukraine a lot of the European reaction is unexpected and seems unfair especially given its huge efforts to overhaul a ramshackle infrastructure in double quick-time and make it fit to host one of Europe’s biggest sporting events.

In less than two years, it has laid thousands of kilometres of new road, built new airport terminals and laid on high-speed train services between Euro locations.

Kiev’s Olympisky stadium, where the July 1 final will be played, has been completely revamped from the outdated Soviet relic which first opened in 1923.

UEFA president Michel Platini, who has toured Euro venues over the past two years and often chided Ukraine along the way, recognised the huge effort. “Bravo to all responsible for Ukraine’s preparations,”, he said late last year, giving a thumbs up.

But long-standing prejudices and suspicions among Ukraine’s critics that the country was too much of a lightweight to be entrusted with the Euros have persisted. Ukraine lends itself easily to stereotypes and cliches. Chernobyl. Borshch soup. The Orange Revolution. The gigantic Klitschko boxing brothers. Europe’s grana-

YANUKOVICH DILEMMA Yanukovich, a heavily built hard man who has run Ukraine since February 2010 after narrowly beating Tymoshenko for the presidency, may still hope the Euro competition will infuse people with some joy amid mounting economic woes that threaten his party’s success in an end-ofyear election. He has a lot of prestige among Ukraine’s powerful elite riding on a successful tournament. Professional football in Ukraine is a potent symbol of wealth and power, impossible to separate from its macho, big money politics.

A successful football club is a ‘musthave’ for some oligarchs. Many top Ukrainian league clubs are in the hands of wealthy industrialists.

Take, for example, Ukraine’s richest man Rinat Akhmetov, billionaire owner of the Shakhtar Donetsk club who bankrolled Yanukovich’s election campaign in 2010. The lavish Donbass Arena stadium he has built in the eastern mining town will stage one of the Euro semi-finals.

Akhmetov, who Forbes says has a net worth of $16 billion, will not want a Euro flop. But freeing Tymoshenko, his nemesis for years, still does not seem an option for Yanukovich. The charismatic opposition politician directly threatened the business interests of many of Ukraine’s oligarchs when she was in power.

Commentators say Yanukovich has nursed a deep grudge since his humiliation in the 2004 Orange Revolution which she led and which deprived him of the

presidency when his election was judged rigged and overturned.

Sharp of tongue, she went out of her way to belittle him in a later campaign for the presidency in 2010 which she lost.

“Yanukovich only gets irritated by statements on boycotts and is very unlikely to decide as the EU and Americans want him to decide,” said ShumyloTapiola.

“It is personally difficult for him to release Tymoshenko. One of the reasons is that he feels he will look weak at home,” she said.

BOYCOTT THREATS Boycott threats by European politicians are multiplying. Czech President Vaclav Klaus and German President Joachim Gauck have cancelled participation in a summit of central European presidents in the Ukrainian Black Sea resort of Yalta on May 11-12 over Tymoshenko’s case. A German government spokesman has said any visit by Chancellor Angela Merkel during the tournament will be linked to her fate.

And in Brussels, a spokeswoman for European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said he would not take part in any events in Ukraine because of the Tymoshenko affair.

Ukrainians themselves are divided over the rights and wrongs of the Tymoshenko case and Europe’s reaction.

“Boycott is not what football is about.

Football is football and it should be allowed to take place in any conditions and in any weather,” said Serhiy, a passerby on a Kiev street.

But Anatoly Shirokov, an employee at the Ukrainian national academy, backed European politicians in putting pressure on Yanukovich. “Europe is playing by its rules and that is where human rights are observed, where there is transparent democratic exercise of power and where you do not see parodies like the mock trial of Yulia Tymoshenko.”

But Tymoshenko seems able to create trouble for Yanukovich by just lying in prison. Kharkiv, the city where she is being held, will stage three matches in the Euro qualifying stages. With the city flooded with foreign journalists, the Yanukovich leadership is aware of the fertile PR ground that Tymoshenko will be able to exploit without even stirring from her prison bed.—Reuters

KIEV: Supporters of the Ukrainian Communist Party wave communist party flags during a May Day rally on Independence Square, with an advertising poster for the Euro 2012 soccer tournament seen at center. Kiev is one of Ukraine’s four cities which, together with Poland, will co-host the Euro 2012 soccer tournament.—AP

Pakistan’s cricketer to be released today — lawyer KARACHI: Former Pakistan paceman M ohammad Asif will be released from a British prison early today after completing half of his one-year sentence for spot-fixing, his lawyer said.

The 29-year-old was jailed by a court in London in November last year after he was found guilty of conspiring to cheat and conspiring to accept corrupt payments over deliberate no-balls bowled during the Lord’s Test against England in August 2010.

“Asif’s release is a matter of few

hours and I look forward to meeting him and helping him in his legal fight to restore what was an otherwise brilliant reputation he once had,” the player’s lawyer Ravi Sukul told Pakistan’s Geo television in London. Asif’s friend and coach Mohammad Haroon had previously said the fast bowler would be released on Saturday May 5. Sukul said Asif could stay in England while he explored the possibility of launching an appeal against his conviction.

“I have a strong belief that if cer-

tain procedures had been applied in Asif ’s benefit at his trial, they could have persuaded the jury to come to a different conclusion,” said Sukul. Besides Asif, Salman Butt, Pak istan’s Test captain in 2010, and Mohammad Aamer were also jailed on the same charges.

Aamer was released in February after three months in jail. Butt is serving a term of 30 months.

Mazhar Majeed, the agent for three players who was accused of striking the deal, was jailed for 32 months. The International Cricket

Council (ICC) also banned the three players for a minimum of five years.

All three players have the right to appeal against the ICC ban in the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sports. Aamer, who pleaded guilty in the London court, last month appeared in an ICC video to warn future players against fixing. Like Aamer, Asif was also considered as one of the fastest rising paceman at the international level. Before his ban, Asif had taken 106 wickets in 23 Tests. He also had 46 wickets in 36 one-day internationals.—AFP

18

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

S P ORT S

FC Tokyo and Ulsan Hyundai through to ACL knock-outs HONG KONG: Japan’s FC Tokyo booked a place in the knock-out stages of the AFC Champions League with an entertaining 4-2 victory over Australia’s A-League champions Brisbane Roar yesterday.

Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai secured Group F’s second spot in the last 16 with a 3-2 win away against Beijing Guoan, with still one round to go in the group stages.

the match with 10 men, in Uzbekistan.

The Roar, who lost to Tokyo 2-0 at home in their previous encounter, got off to a flying start in the fourth minute when a free kick from German Thomas Broich hit the right post and Albanian Besart Berisha knocked in the rebound.

But only a minute later Hideto Takahashi lashed an equaliser in off the post from outside the box, and midway through the first half Kenta

ABU DHABI: United Arab Emirates’ Al-Jazira Club player Ali Ahmed Mabkhout (right) challenges Uzbekistan’s Nasaf goalkeeper Hasanov Gayratjon (front left) during their AFC Champions League Group A football match. —AFP In Group E, Adelaide United, runners-up in 2008, made certain of going through, despite failing to find the back of the net in a scoreless draw against Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor.

In later play yesterday two-time winners Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia also assured themselves of a place in the last eight as they won away 2-1 against second-placed Pakhtakor, who finished

Mukuhara added a second.

Broich pulled one back in the 33rd minute, but Kazuma Watanabe was brought down by Bahrain defender Sayed Mohamed Adnan in the area at the end of the first half and hit home from the spot for the Emperor’s Cup winners to retake the lead.

Watanabe scored a second on the hour to the

delight of the home fans, who had come out to see the team in torrential weather. “We lost a goal first and then we tied it and took the lead. It was big,” said FC Tokyo’s Austrian coach Ranko Popovic.

“We were down and then up. It was a historical moment for FC Tokyo, who took part in the AFC Champions League for the first time and qualify for the next round. I’m really happy about it.”

FC Tokyo face a showdown with Ulsan Hyundai in two weeks in the final group match to decide who goes top of the table and takes home advantage into the next stage.

In Group E, Pohang Steelers, who beat Gamba Osaka 2-0 win at home, will face off against Bunyodkor to decide who makes the knock-outs, with the Uzbeks needing a win to go through.

Goals from the Steelers’ Kim Jin-Ryong and Derek Asamoah were enough to sink any faint hopes Gamba, the 2008 tournament winners, may have had of going through.

“I am really happy because the result has revived our hope of reaching the last 16,” said Pohang coach Hwang Sun-Hong.

“The match against Bunyodkor is now very important. As it will be a decisive game I will ask my players to keep their concentration for the next match.”

Adelaide United’s qualification was a huge boost coming after a poor season in the Australian A-League, although they still need to beat Gamba in Japan to ensure home advantage in the last 16.

Reds winger Iain Ramsay had two good opportunities in the first half, his first shot sailing over the cross bar and his second cleared off the line.

Defender Iain Fyfe then missed a close-range header in the 66th minute before a speculative 15-metre drive from Fabian Barbiero deflected off a teammate and went wide.

“We find ourselves in the top 16 in Asia and that’s a huge benefit to the club, the branding of Adelaide United continues in Asia and that’s a reputation that we hold so much for years to come,” said Adelaide coach Luciano Trani.

All the goals in the Al-Ittihad match came in the second-half as Naif Hazazi opened the scoring for the visitors just before the hour mark.

Pakthakor replied in sterling fashion levelling through Irakli Klimiashvili in the 69th minute but their hopes of going on to win from there were dealt a huge blow a minute later as defender Egor Krimets was sent-off.

Indeed it was to be a really sour end to the night for the hosts as in the final minute of the match Mohammed Abusabaan nipped in to score the winner.—AFP

VIVA announces names of the 10 winners selected to attend United’s training program KUWAIT: VIVA, Kuwait’s newest and most advanced mobile telecommunications service provider, yesterday announced the names of the ten players who will visit Manchester to practice at Manchester United’s Cardington training ground, and to play a game at Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United.

The top 10 players, who were chosen from the 50 winners of VIVA’s recently held three day Manchester United Training Program in Abu Dhabi in March 2012, are: Abdullah Meshari Al Yehia, Khaled Faisal Al Khudhur, Ali Mohamed Ali Al Mutawa, Sayed Abdullah Abdel Reda, Abdelrahman Adel Al Attar, Ali Mansour Abdullah Abl Sadeq, Bader Waleed Bader Al Qanaei, Meteb Fahad Nahar Al Mutairi, Duaij Al Duaij, and Mahmoud Mohamed Jawad Abdullah Sadeq.

All the players will enjoy a fully funded week-long training camp in Manchester being trained by the best Manchester United coaches. The Manchester United Soccer School (MUSS) is a private facility very close to Manchester city center. The players are set to travel on 7 July, experience the MUSS training from 8 until 13 July, when they will play a game at Old Trafford, followed by a tour of Manchester City on 14 July and return to Kuwait on 15 July.

The players will be accompanied by trainers, supervisors as well as VIVA officials who will all ensure that they are taken care of during their travels.

The top 10 players were chosen by a joint judging committee consisting of MUSS coaches, a Kuwaiti team led by players from the Kuwaiti National Football team, and former players from Al-Qadsiya Club. Each of the 50 players were judged on the basis of their footballing capability and talent, physical fitness, discipline, their communication skills amongst each other as players and their general conduct on and off the field.

The training program focused on different technical areas, such as dribbling, short passing, turning and finishing. The programs were also designed to develop young players in other fields, such as tactical understanding, and mental, physical and social growth.

Commenting on this occasion, Abdulrazzaq Al-Essa, S enior Communication Manager at VIVA said: “We are very pleased to support these young athletes in bringing them closer to their dream of becoming professional football players. VIVA is very committed to encouraging young people to develop their talents and hone their skills, and the Manchester United program is just one of the many ways in which we are trying to do this. We have been ver y pleased with the enthusiastic response to this competition and we look forward to developing similar programs in the future.”

In 2011, VIVA announced its sponsorship of Manchester United for five years, starting with the 2011- 2012 Premier League season. In August 2011 VIVA started to provide football fans the chance to win VIP tickets to watch Manchester United play at Old Trafford in England. To support its sponsorship, VIVA has also developed a number of exciting promotional offers and distinguished gifts, entertaining programs, interactive competitions, and organized a number of activities to provide the subscribers with chances to watch the club stars playing matches at Old Trafford.

In 2011, Manchester United broke the league record by becoming league champions for the 19th time, making the club the most successful in the history of English football. The club is currently at the top of the league and is well placed to extend this record by becoming Premier League Champions of the 2011/2012 season.

KOC organizes Masters Cricket KUWAIT: True to its name, the masters’ cricket trophy brought together those cricketers who after having completed 50 years are still playing active cricket in Kuwait. Organized by KOC Cricket Committee and sponsored by Mahmoud Abdullah, Indian Masters XI played the Pakistan Master XI on the green outfield of Hubara cricket ground on Friday.

Indian Masters captain Iqbal Vanoo won the toss and elected to bat first. Opener Javed Kaloo was out cheaply for 4 only. Aditya also could not stay for long and was out for three runs. A fruitful partnership between Tahir (23) and Ganesh (41) took the total past 50. After the departure of Tahir, Robin was out for a duck.

Ganesh however continued in the company of Venkatesh who was the top scorer with 48. The middle order collapsed against some ver y good bowling by

Javed (2 for 17), Iftikhar (2 for 17).

Khalid Mahmoud, Shafiq, Faiz and Fazal took one wicket each.

Dilshad (47) and Javed (41) batted calmly without taking any undue risks and pushed the score steadi-

India Captain receives trophy The Indian Masters scored 134 runs in 20 overs.

Pakistani Masters openers

ly. However after their departure, Indian Masters bowlers Robin and Munawwar contained the bats-

men and managed to claim the wickets of Pakistani Masters captain Liaqat Ali (8), Khalid Mahmoud (12) and Khalid Khan (3). Veteran Ejaz and Faiz took them past the target with the loss of 5 wickets. Munawwar took 2 for 24, Robin, Venkatesh and Kaleem took one wicket each.

Shehzad Manzoor, Head of Chancery, Embassy of Pakistan in Kuwait and the sponsor, Mahmoud Abdullah gave away the trophies to the captains of the Pakistani Masters XI, Liaqat Ali & Indian Masters XI, Iqbal Vanoo. Prizes to the teams were given by Shehzad, Mahmoud, Sarwar, GS of KOC CC and Arif Butt.

Javed was given Man of the Match trophy by Fadhel Abbas.

KOC CC GS, Mohd. Sar war thanked Mahmoud Abdullah for bringing the senior cricketers of Kuwait together for a very competitive but cordial match.

Both teams with guests

BANGALORE: Royal Challengers Bangalore’s KP Appanna (third left) celebrates with teammates the wicket of Kings XI Punjab’s Mandeep Singh during the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket match. —AP

Punjab beat Bangalore by four wickets in IPL BANGALORE: Kings XI Punjab overcame a spate of late run outs to beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by four wickets on the next-to-last ball yesterday, exacting revenge for an earlier loss to the same opponent in the Indian Premier League.

Azhar Mahmood claimed the prize wicket of Chris Gayle for 71 in finishing with 3-20 to help restrict Bangalore to 158-5 at Chinnaswamy Stadium. Punjab then totaled 163-6 in 19.5 overs.

Indian batsmen Nitin Saini (50) and Mandeep Singh (43) ensured Punjab’s chase was on track before captain David Hussey (45) took the team to the brink of victory.

But the run outs of Mahmood, Hussey and Abhishek Nayar in the space of seven deliveries made it a close game after only seven had been needed from the last two overs.

Piyush Chawla smashed a six to seal the win and push Punjab up to fourth in the nine-team standings with five wins and five losses from 10 games. Bangalore is sixth with four wins, five losses and a no-result.

“We tried to clutch defeat from the jaws of victory, but a win is a win,” Hussey said.

“We have confidence now and need to go back and perform in front of our home crowd.”

For Bangalore, Gayle displayed his usual

repertoire of shots, mostly down the ground, for four sixes and six fours in 42 deliveries - including a six recorded at 111 meters. He added 119 for the second wicket with Virat Kohli, who hit 45 with two sixes and three fours in 42 balls.

But the fall of those two batsmen in successive overs hurt the hosts. Gayle, who was dropped on 39 by substitute David Miller off seamer Parvinder Awana, was caught by the same fielder when he tried to pull a delivery from Mahmood.

Mahmood also removed AB de Villiers (17) and Andrew McDonald (9) in the last over of the innings.

Praveen Kumar also bowled well even though he was wicketless. The India seamer, who had missed out on playing at the 2011 World Cup due to an elbow injury, conceded just eight runs off four overs.

Bangalore won the previous game between the two teams at Mohali by five wickets with three balls to spare.

Scores: Kings XI Punjab 163-6 in 19.5 overs (Nitin Saini 50, David Hussey 45, Mandeep Singh 43, Andrew McDonald 2-25) def.

Royal Challengers Bangalore 158-5 (Chris Gayle 71, Virat Kohli 45, Azhar Mahmood 320). —AP

Pietersen exits IPL as Clarke makes debut NEW DELHI: England batting star Kevin Pietersen flew home yesterday after a highly successful stint in the Indian Premier League as Australia captain Michael Clarke made his debut in the Twenty20 tournament. Pietersen, who left midway through the league to prepare for England’s home series against the West Indies, scored 305 runs at an average of 61.00 in his first season with the Delhi Daredevils. He played eight matches for

the top-of-the table side, featuring a brilliant innings of 103 not out off 64 balls against the Deccan Chargers on April 19. Pietersen, who had in the past played for Royal Challengers Bangalore, will miss the last six league matches.

“Sad day leaving India today,” the England star tweeted. “Will be back soon. Special thanks to Delhi Daredevils. And another thank you to the people of India. Clarke, who had shunned the

four previous editions of the cash-rich tournament, signed up with the Pune Warriors this year for an undisclosed amount to play after Australia’s recent tour of the West Indies. The Australian skipper shrugged off jetleg after the long journey from the Caribbean to strike 41 off 31 balls on Tuesday night, but could not prevent Pune from suffering a 13-run loss at the hands of bottomplaced Deccan Chargers in Cuttack. Clarke has six

more league games to help Pune, led by former India captain Sourav Ganguly, finish among the top four in the nine-team competition and qualify for the play-offs. Pune, owned by the Sahara group, are currently lying seventh in the table with four wins and six defeats. “Clarke is a class act and it’s great to have him with us,” said Ganguly, whose international career featured many fierce, competitive clashes with the Australians. —AFP

Kevin Pietersen

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19

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

S P ORT S

Valencia, a cruel reflection of Spain’s economic woes VALENCIA: Once the beacon of Spain’s new economic grandeur, the Mediterranean region of Valencia has become a symbol of all that is wrong with the country.

Over the last decade, surfing on a property boom, Valencia spent billions hosting the America’s Cup sailing competition and the European Grand Prix motor race, launching Hollywood-style movie studios, and building the biggest aquarium in Europe, a Sydney-style opera house and several museums.

But now years of free spending, coupled with a hangover from a burst real estate bubble and the collapse of local banks, have put Valencia on the brink of being bailed out by the central government - which has huge budget problems of its own.

The building sector’s implosion has forced into the open allegations that corrupt Valencian politicians, developers and bankers were in cahoots during a decade of easy money at low interest rates after Spain joined the euro in 1999.

Valencia and other indebted regions have become a liability for Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, in office since December, as Spain sinks into a second recession since 2009 and investors speculate that it may follow Greece, Portugal and Ireland into the arms of an international bailout.

Valencia’s problems are particularly embarrassing for Rajoy, who has made austerity central to

his policies, as his centre-right People’s Party has run the region since 1995, being re-elected four times in the process.

“They said it was all to put Valencia on the map, and that’s what they did, put us on the map, for corruption, for waste ... bringing shame on Valencia,” said Ignacio Blanco, a member of the regional legislature for the leftist Esquerra Unida party. Valencia, home to five million people, is not the only one of Spain’s 17 autonomous communities with debt problems.

Several of the regions, which account for close to half of all public spending in Spain, are facing liquidity problems and their massive overspending pushed the country’s 2011 budget deficit to 8.5 percent of gross domestic product, overshooting a 6 percent target agreed with the European Union.

VALENCIAN JUNK Valencia can no longer borrow funds from the banks or markets. Standard and Poor ’s credit agency rates Valencia’s bonds as junk and said in February that the central government would probably have to provide further extraordinary support to help the region to service its debt in 2012.

If it cannot cut its deficit drastically Valencia may become the first of the autonomous communities, which control their own health and education spending, to have its budget taken over by

the central government under new austerity laws.

In January the regional government delayed a 123 million euro ($162.80 million) payment to Deutsche Bank by a week and local press reports said the central government had to underwrite the payment.

Valencia’s finance head did not respond to repeated requests for an interview on the region’s debt situation. The Generalitat, as the Valencian government is known, is sitting on 4 billion euros in unpaid bills to street cleaners, healthcare suppliers and other providers. The central government is now providing emergency lines of credit to get the providers, many of them small companies, paid.

In return for the loans, Valencia must cut its deficit to 1.5 percent of its economic output from 3.68 percent last year. Beyond the money owed to the providers, Valencia has 20 billion euros in other debt, the second biggest regional pile after its wealthier northern neighbour Catalonia. Valencia and Catalonia are Spain’s two most indebted regions, both with debt equalling 20 percent of their yearly economic output.

The Generalitat is drastically tightening its belt in administrative spending, as well as health and education. In February, thousands marched in the city of Valencia, the regional capital, after students complained they had to take blankets to class because the schools could not afford to pay for

heating. Vicent Baggetto, a spokesman for the association of Valencia’s public school directors, said about 60 schools might have to close down as they are not receiving enough money from the regional government to operate properly.

“We are in a part of the tunnel where we don’t see the light, so we don’t know if we’re moving forward or backward or even if we’re moving at all,” he said. In the hospitals, nurses and doctors complain they lack syringes and beds.

“The (central) state has to get us out of this quagmire or we won’t get out of it,” said Vicente Peiro Romero, a lawyer who acts as a spokesman for a group of 35 suppliers of material for hospitals - medical equipment, surgical gloves and the like who have not been paid by the regional government for the last three years.

“WE DON’T NEED ANYBODY” Last Friday the regional government raised taxes and university fees, and privatised chunks of healthcare. This followed spending cuts of about 1 billion euros announced earlier this year along with layoffs of public employees.

“We don’t need anybody to come and save us,” said Maximo Buch, Valencia’s economic councillor, when he presented plans to cut the region’s deficit. Alfonso Grau, the head of finance for the city of Valencia, said local authorities can manage without being rescued. —Reuters

Newcastle shatter Chelsea’s Champions League challenge Chelsea 0

Newcastle 2

LONDON: Tottenham’s Emmanuel Adebayor (top centre) scores past Bolton’s goalkeeper Adam Bogdan during their English Premier League soccer match. — AP

Spurs roll past Bolton Bolton 1

Tottenham 4

BOLTON: Tottenham Hotspur strengthened their bid for Champions League football next term with a 4-1 win away to Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium here yesterday.

Emmanuel Adebayor scored twice as Spurs, a day after manager Harry Redknapp was overlooked for the England job in favour of Roy Hodgson, enjoyed their first away win of 2012.

The result ensured Tottenham remained in fourth place, ahead of Newcastle on goal difference who beat Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge yesterday, and took them to within just a point of third-placed north London rivals Arsenal, with just two games of the season left.

Usually, the top three clubs in England qualify for the Champions League proper, with the fourth-placed side entering the preliminary round.

But if Chelsea beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League final at the German club’s home ground on May 19, they will take the place that would otherwise go to the team finishing fourth.

Defeat left Bolton in the relegation zone and not even the presence in the stands of Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba, who suffered a cardiac arrest when these teams met in an FA Cup tie in March, could inspire his teammates to a much needed victory.

Bolton keeper Adam Bogdan needlessly spilled a 12th minute effort from distance by Gareth Bale before recovering to superbly deny Rafael van der Vaart from close range.

Six minutes later Aaron Lennon was left frustrated when his goal-bound effort, after exchanging passes with Adebayor, deflected off Mark Davies and fizzed narrowly wide.

It looked like being one of those nights for Spurs when van der Vaart’s curling 25-yard freekick fell wide in the 31st minute before Tottenham keeper Brad Friedel was forced into his first save, denying David Ngog with his chest.

The game was opening up and moments after the industrious van der Vaart had again forced a save from Bogdan, Tottenham took the lead in controversial circumstances in the 37th minute.

Sandro appeared to handle the ball to win the corner from which Bale teed-up Luka Modric to arrow in an unstoppable 25-yard finish.

Bolton then spurned a glorious chance to equalise in first-half stoppage time when a Tim Ream free-kick was nodded back across goal for Dedryck Boyata, who slashed wildly over while unmarked from eight-yards.

Fortunately for the hosts, Nigel Reo-Coker was not so wasteful. The 27-year-old former Aston Villa midfielder had only managed to score two goals since joining last summer but he showed wonderful composure to beat Friedel with a low 51st minute volley after a clever flick by Ngog.

Suddenly, Bolton were on top for the first time. Wanderers captain Kevin Davies, who had scored both goals in last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Sunderland, went close with a header before a dipping attempt by Chris Eagles which almost had Muamba leaping from his seat. —AFP

Rangers thrash Dundee GLASGOW: Rangers finally gave their fans something to cheer about as they clinched second place in the Scottish Premier League with their biggest home win of the season as they thrashed Dundee United 5-0 at Ibrox yesterday.

After surviving an early scare, the Gers, who were docked 10 points for entering administration in February, scored three goals in 15 firsthalf minutes to end the game as a contest by the 20th minute. Steven Whittaker fired Rangers into a fifth-minute lead before Sone Aluko doubled their advantage with a superb solo goal 12 minutes later. The Nigerian had his second of the game in the 20th minute and only a combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping stopped Rangers adding more before the break as they laid siege to the United goal.

Jamie Ness got his first goal of the season in the 57th minute and substitute Alejandro Bedoya added a late fifth to end any hopes Dundee United had of catching Motherwell in third place and qualifying for the Champions League. At Ibrox, Rangers made two changes to the side that lost to Celtic, with starting spots handed to Ness and Algerian Salim Kerkar.

United started the game knowing only a win

would be enough if they were to catch Motherwell and Garry Kenneth tested Allan McGregor with a 25-yard free-kick that the visiting keeper tipped round the post. Rangers lined up in an attacking 3-5-2 formation and it did not take long for it to pay dividends.

Rhys McCabe played in Whittaker down the right channel and he curled the ball around Dusan Pernis from 10 yards.

United had the chance to equalise five minutes later when the ball broke to Gary MacKayStevens in the box but his fierce strike was tipped over by McGregor.

The home side always looked a threat going forward and Pernis had to be alert to stop McCabe’s deflected shot sneaking in before Aluko doubled their lead with a sensational goal. The Nigerian international went on a mazy run and skipped past a few United challenges before racing into the box and firing past the helpless keeper.

Just over three minutes later, Aluko claimed his ninth of the season when he cut into the box from the right and fended off some hapless challenges to slot the ball into the bottom-left corner. —AFP

LONDON: Chelsea’s hopes of finishing in the Premier League’s top four suffered a hammer blow as Newcastle kept their own challenge for a Champions League place on course with a stunning 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge yesterday.

Roberto Di Matteo’s side looked drained by their recent gruelling schedule as they delivered a flat performance that was punished by two astonishing goals from Newcastle striker Papiss Demba Cisse.

It was just Chelsea’s second defeat in 17 matches under interim manager Di Matteo, but it could prove so costly as the Blues now trail fourth placed Tottenham and fifth placed Newcastle by four points with only two games remaining. Unless Tottenham and Newcastle fall apart in their final fixtures, Chelsea will need to win the Champions League final against Bayern Munich on May 19 to avoid failing to qualify for Europe’s elite club competition for the first time in owner Roman Abramovich’s nine-year reign.

For Newcastle, this was the perfect response to Saturday’s 4-0 defeat at Wigan and their seventh win in eight matches-which keeps them level on points with Tottenham-was just reward for Cisse’s superb finishing and a supremely disciplined display. It will have made uncomfortable viewing for leaders Manchester City, who travel to Newcastle on Sunday in a crucial game for both clubs. With the FA Cup final against Liverpool looming on Saturday, Di Matteo made six changes to the side that thrashed QPR 6-1, with Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Juan Mata joining Didier Drogba on the bench.

Fernando Torres was one of those who kept his place and the Spaniard led Chelsea’s early assault on Tim Krul’s goal. Torres’s movement and energy threatened to unhinge Newcastle on several occasions and his pace took him clear to whip over a low cross that Daniel Sturridge scuffed wide. But that failed to rattle Alan Pardew’s well-drilled outfit and it soon became clear Chelsea were lacking the relentless aggression which has defined their revival under Di Matteo. The lethargy that suffocated their performance allowed Newcastle to grow in confidence.

They went close to taking the lead from a wellworked set piece routine that saw Demba Ba hook a bicycle kick over the bar after Mike Williamson headed down Hatem Ben Arfa’s free-kick. Chelsea’s defenders were guilty of more slack marking as Senegal striker Cisse opened the scoring in the 19th minute.

Davide Santon was allowed to make a driving run towards the Chelsea penalty area and the

LONDON: Chelsea’s Ramires (centre) during goal mouth action in the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge Stadium. — AP defender flicked a pass to Cisse, who had enough time and space to clip the ball into the air with one touch and lash an unstoppable shot past Petr Cech with his second.

It was Cisse’s 12th goal in just 12 appearances for the Magpies since his January move from German club Freiburg. Starved of service, Torres was forced to seek the ball in wider positions and he delivered one teasing cross that Florent Malouda headed just wide. In Ba, Cisse and Ben Arfa, Newcastle possessed a much more threatening forward line and Ba twice went close to doubling the visitors’ lead before the break. First he tormented Branislav Ivanovic with a surging run and fired in a low shot that Cech pushed away for a corner. And from the

EPL results/standings Bolton 1 (Reo-Coker 51) Tottenham 4 (Modric 37, van der Vaart 60, Adebayor 62, 69); Chelsea 0 Newcastle 2 (Cisse 19, 90+3).

Played Tuesday: Stoke City 1, (Jerome 69) Everton 1 (Crouch 45-og); Liverpool 0, Fulham 1 (Skrtel 5-og).

English Premier League table after yesterday’s matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): Man City Man Utd Arsenal Tottenham Newcastle Chelsea Everton Liverpool Fulham West Brom

Aberdeen 1 (Vernon 53) Hibernian 2 (Reynolds 7-og, O’Hanlon 17); Inverness CT 0, Dunfermline 0; Kilmarnock 0, St Mirren 2 (McGowan 9, Thompson 45); Rangers 5 (Whitaker 6, Aluko 17, 20, Ness 57, Bedoya 84) Dundee Utd 0.

Played Tuesday: Hearts 0, Motherwell 1 (Higdon 29) Scottish Premier League table after yesterday’s matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): 28 25 18 14 14 14 10

3 4 7 11 8 7 13

4 7 11 11 13 15 13

78 73 49 59 43 43 41

20 28 42 50 43 38 59

87 69 61 53 50 49 43

St Mirren 36 9 15 12 39 50 42 Aberdeen 36 9 12 15 35 43 39 Inverness CT 36 8 9 19 39 60 33 Hibernian 36 7 9 20 36 65 30 Dunfermline 36 5 10 21 39 76 25 Note: Rangers deducted 10 points for going into administration

36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36

26 26 20 19 19 17 14 13 13 13

5 5 6 8 8 10 10 10 10 7

5 5 10 9 9 9 12 13 13 16

88 86 68 63 55 62 47 43 46 41

27 33 44 40 46 41 39 38 48 47

83 83 66 65 65 61 52 49 49 46

Sunderland Swansea Stoke Norwich Aston Villa Wigan QPR Bolton Blackburn Wolves

36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36

11 11 11 11 7 9 9 10 8 5

12 11 11 10 16 10 7 4 7 9

13 14 14 15 13 17 20 22 21 22

44 43 45 43 49 44 34 50 44 47 63 43 36 50 37 38 60 37 40 63 34 42 73 34 47 75 31 38 79 24 — relegated

PSG re-launch title bid

SPL results/standings

Celtic 35 Rangers 36 Motherwell 36 Dundee Utd 36 St Johnstone35 Hearts 36 Kilmarnock 36

resulting set-piece, Ba turned quickly to whip a powerful strike against the bar with Cech beaten.

Newcastle suffered a blow midway through the second half when midfielder Cheick Tiote was stretchered off after lengthy treatment following an aerial clash with John Obi Mikel.

But the closest they came to an equaliser was John Terry’s glancing header from substitute Mata’s corner that was superbly cleared off the line by Santon.

It was Cisse who delivered the killer blow in the third of 10 minutes stoppage time when he took aim from way out on the left and arrowed an incredible looping shot over Cech into the far corner to seal the points. — AFP

FRANCE: Paris Saint-Germain’s midfielder Mohamed Sissoko (top) vies with Saint-Etienne’s midfielder Josuha Guilavogui during their French L1 football match. — AFP

PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain reinvigorated their Ligue 1 title challenge by winning 2-0 at home to Saint-Etienne yesterday, cutting Montpellier’s lead at the top of the table to three points with three games to play.

Nene put PSG ahead from the penalty spot in the 21st minute at Parc des Princes after Sylvain Marchal had been harshly penalised for sliding in on Jeremy Menez in an attempt to block the winger’s shot.

Menez hit the post on the half hour but PSG had to wait until the 88th minute for Javier Pastore to make the game safe, the Argentine crisply dispatching Christophe Jallet’s low cross to claim his 12th goal of the season. Carlo Ancelotti’s side visit Valenciennes on Sunday before hosting Rennes and travelling to Lorient, while Montpellier’s run-in sees them visit Rennes, host third-placed Lille, and then go to Auxerre on the season’s final day.

The win moved PSG back in front of defending champions Lille, who had briefly taken possession of second place by winning 1-0 at Nice earlier in the evening.

Tulio de Melo scored the game’s only goal in the sixth minute, nodding in a left-wing cross from Eden Hazard after the Belgian winger had bamboozled a pair of defenders with a sharp Cruyff turn.

Lille’s fourth consecutive win took Rudi Garcia’s side to within five points of Montpellier, who were held to a 2-2 draw by Evian on Tuesday.

“We knew it’d be difficult to win here,” said Garcia. “Although we couldn’t make the game safe, we put a lot of energy into defending well. By winning here, we’ve shown that we’ll

be there until the end of the season.”

Lyon’s chances of a top-three finish are almost extinct but they are on course to finish fourth after winning 4-1 at home to Valenciennes. Cris put the freshly anointed French Cup winners ahead with a 69th-minute header after Lisandro Lopez’s deflected opener had been quickly cancelled out by a Renaud Cohade penalty.

Lisandro made it 3-1 shortly after before Jimmy Briand scrambled home from close range in the closing stages. “We’ll try not to worry about the other teams and the objective is to focus on ourselves so that we have no regrets at the end of the season,” said Lyon coach Remi Garde.

Rennes slipped from fourth to fifth after losing 2-0 at Bordeaux, while Toulouse remain seventh following a 0-0 draw at Brest.

Marseille finally brought their 13-game winless run in the league to an end by winning 1-0 at home to Nancy through a 31st-minute strike from top scorer Loic Remy.

Second-bottom Sochaux spurned the chance to climb out of the bottom three, blowing a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 at Ajaccio in a match that saw David Sauget and Yassin Mikari sent off for the visitors.

Christian Kinkela and Richard Socrier claimed Ajaccio’s goals to lift their side three points clear of the relegation places-a day after fellow Corsican side Bastia sealed their promotion from Ligue 2. Elsewhere, Caen calmed their own relegation anxieties by winning 1-0 at home to Lorient courtesy of a scorching 30yard shot from Thomas Heurtaux mid-way through the second half. —AFP

Newcastle shatter Chelsea’s CL challenge

Punjab beat Bangalore by four wickets in IPL

19

18

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

Ukraine’s image takes a beating as Euro nears

Page 17

BILBAO: Real Madrid’s players toss Real Madrid’s Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho (center) after winning the Spanish League football match against Athletic Bilbao. Real Madrid won the Spanish League title for the first time since 2008. — AFP

Real crowned Spanish kings MADRID: Real Madrid claimed their first Spanish title in four years ending the reign of bitter rivals Barcelona to boot as they beat Athletic Bilbao 30 yesterday for what is their 32nd league crown.

Gonzalo Higuain, Mesut Ozil and Cristiano Ronaldo scored the goals to give Jose Mourinho a record-breaking four titles in four different countries and the victory required with two games remaining.

Mourinho’s first Spanish league title ended Barca’s run of three successive league titles in his second season at the club.

Madrid needed to win after Barcelona had earlier beat Malaga 4-1 with goals from Carles Puyol and a hat-trick from Lionel Messi that saw him break Gerd Mueller’s record for goals in a single European season. Madrid started at a great pace and Higuain and Fabio Coentrao both went close within the first two minutes.

Markel Susaeta then tested Iker Casillas in the Madrid goal with a header before Madrid were awarded a penalty on 11 minutes for a clear handball by Javi Martinez. However, Ronaldo shot straight down the centre which was easily saved by Gorka Iraizoz - it was his second penalty

miss in a week after last Wednesday’s Champions League shoot-out against Bayern Munich.

The Portuguese star need not have worried, five minutes later ‘los blancos’ were ahead when Higuain hit an unstoppable shot from 20 yards.

At the other end Athletic did not have as much luck when the referee turned down claims for what looked to be another clear handball, this time by Sami Khedira.

The title then became a virtual certainty on 20 minutes when Ronaldo found Ozil with a sweeping cross from the right-wing for the German midfielder to double the lead.

The home side kept up an aerial bombardment of Madrid’s defence throughout. Inigo Perez provoked a great save from Casillas before Mikel San Jose followed-up only to strike the bar on the stroke of half-time.

Five minutes after the interval Ronaldo headed home a corner to add the third and his 44th league goal of the season.

Athletic continued to look for a consolation roared on by a partisan home crowd, but they were reduced to 10 men on 73 minutes when Martinez was sent-off for a second yellow card

Coach sacked after punching own player ROME: Fiorentina coach Delio Rossi was sacked yesterday after punching his own player Adem Ljajic during yesterday’s Serie A clash against Novara, taking exception to the midfielder’s sarcasm. Fiorentina acted quickly after the match ended 2-2 with owner Andrea Della Valle announcing the 51-year-old’s dismissal for “a serious action from a mild person.”

The club was known to be reviewing the incident, which took place during the first half, even before the game ended.

With his side losing 2-0 at home to the team second bottom in the league after just half an hour, Rossi decided to act and hauled off Serbian Ljajic to bring on Ruben Olivera. As he went back to sit in the dugout, Ljajic, 20, sarcastically applauded his coach’s decision.

Rossi took exception to the player’s reaction and leapt into the dug-out and seemed to punch Ljajic in the face. The scene continued for several seconds with Rossi trying to attack his player with a burst of hammer-fist punches as Fiorentina officials tried to separate the pair.

A couple of substitutes also tried to calm the situation, pulling Ljajic away from his irate coach. Dalle Valle said Rossi had left him no other option.

“I spoke with Delio Rossi and he was ready to apologise,” he said. “But the decision to sack him is a must due to the values this club has followed over the last few years. “It’s a decision I would have never wanted to take but there is no justification for Delio Rossi’s actions. “The sacking is for his own good, he’s a great person.” The referee did not see the incident and neither coach nor player was punished.

But Fiorentina’s fans showed exactly whose side they were on by jeering the young Serb with some shouting: “You’re a gypsy”. Rossi, on the other hand, was cheered and clapped. He was only hired in November after the sacking of Sinisa Mihajlovic and had faced pressure a few weeks ago with his side in dire form and heading towards the relegation trapdoor. —AFP

after another handball.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola had earlier named a strong side as the Catalans attempted to delay Madrid’s celebrations as long as possible.

A defeat against fourth placed Malaga would have handed the title to Madrid without them kicking a ball, but Barca ran out convincing winners over fourth placed Malaga.

Also yesterday Valencia won 4-0 at home to Osasuna, for whom Dejan Lekic was sent-off before half-time, with a double each from Aritz Aduriz and Jonas Goncalves to edge closer to sealing third position and a Champions League place. The win leaves Valencia three points clear of Malaga and six ahead of city rivals Levante.

Barcelona’s triple Ballon d’Or-winner Lionel Messi broke Gerd Mueller’s record for goals in a European season here yesterday as he scored a hat-trick in the game with Malaga to take his tally to 68.

The 24-year-old Argentinian’s eighth hattrick of the season was enough to overhaul Mueller’s record, which the German striker set while playing for Bayern Munich in the 1972-73 season. — AFP

Spanish League results/standings Athletic Bilbao 0, Real Madrid 3 (Higuain 16, Ozil 20, Cristiano Ronaldo 50); Valencia 4 (Aduriz 77, 87, Jonas 83, 88) Osasuna 0; Sevilla 1 (Negredo 5) Real Betis 2 (Etxebarria Urkiaga 43, 90+2); Barcelona 4 (Puyol 13, Messi 35-pen, 59-pen, 64) Malaga 1 (Rondon 26); Real Zaragoza 1 (Edu Oriol 10) Levante 0; Real Mallorca 1 (Castro 62) Rayo Vallecano 0; Atletico Madrid 1 (Gabi 54) Real Sociedad 1 (Vela 90+1).

Played Tuesday Granada 2 (Ighalo 29, 34) Espanyol 1 (Didac 54); Getafe 1 (Miku 59-pen) Racing Santander 1 (Diop 64); Sporting Gijon 2 (Lora 39, Galvez 85) Villarreal 3 (Mario 19, Senna 43-pen, Perez 56).

Spanish league table after yesterday’s final two matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): Real Madrid

36 30 4

2

Barcelona Valencia Malaga Levante Atletico Madrid Real Mallorca Athletic Bilbao Osasuna Sevilla

36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36

3 10 13 14 12 13 12 10 14

27 16 16 15 13 13 12 11 12

6 10 7 7 11 10 12 15 10

115 30 94 - champions 108 27 87 58 43 58 52 51 55 51 49 52 50 45 50 40 42 49 49 49 48 39 59 48 42 44 46

Real Betis 36 Getafe 36 Espanyol 36 Real Sociedad 36 Granada 36 Villarreal 36 Rayo Vallecano 36 Real Zaragoza 36 Sporting Gijon 36 Racing Santander36

13 12 12 11 12 9 12 10 9 4

7 10 9 11 6 14 4 7 7 15

16 14 15 14 18 13 20 19 20 17

44 52 46 40 49 46 45 51 45 45 51 44 34 53 42 39 51 41 50 68 40 32 60 37 40 67 34 25 57 27 — relegated

Juve stumble against Lecce ROME: Ten-man Lecce threw a spanner in the Serie A title works as they held Juventus to a 1-1 draw yesterday, allowing AC Milan to close the gap at the top to just one point.

Juve seemed to be cruising to victory after an early goal while their relegationthreatened opponents were reduced to 10 men early in the second period.

But Andrea Bertolacci’s goal five minutes from time snatched a draw and allowed Milan, 2-0 winners over Atalanta, to reduce their arrears.

And it was a horror mistake from Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon that gifted Lecce the equaliser, suggesting the Turin giants might just be cracking under the title pressure.

It ended Juve’s eight-match winning run and gives Milan renewed hope of retaining their crown. Juve were off to a dream start and it came from their fabled midfield.

The incomparable Andrea Pirlo was given too much time on the edge of the box and he put in a delightful chip over the defence for Claudio Marchisio to run onto and although his header looked tame, goalkeeper Massimiliano Benassi seemed to slip and the ball crept in.

Marchisio was next to send a clever chip over the top for Arturo Vidal to run onto but he swept his left foot shot just past the upright.

Any chance Lecce had of dragging themselves back into the contest seemed to die 10 minutes into the second period when Juan Cuadrado was harshly sent off for a second booking.

Juve missed a hatful of chances but then Buffon’s first touch from Andrea Barzagli’s back-pass was horribly heavy and Bertolucci nipped in to rob him and score.

Milan started brightly and a pair of efforts from Kevin-Prince Boateng and one from Zlatan Ibrahimovic tested goalkeeper Andrea Consigli. On nine minutes, Boateng found Muntari in the box, although the Ghana mid-

fielder was perhaps offside, to poke in from close range. It wasn’t all one-way traffic as Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati was forced into a diving save to keep out German Denis’s header.

Milan enjoyed the lion’s share of chances but they had to wait until injury time to wrap up the points through Robinho. Inter Milan’s Champions League hopes took a knock as they lost 3-1 at Parma and now trail Napoli and Udinese by three points in the race for third.

Inter took the lead after just 13 minutes as Dejan Stankovic tried to tee up Diego Milito but his cross was too far in front of the Argentine forward, only for Wesley Sneijder to arrive at the back post to squeeze in the ball from a tight angle.

But two goals in two minutes turned the game on its head. Sebastian Giovinco robbed Lucio and then nutmegged Walter Samuel to set up a tap-in for Jose Marques.

And moments later diminutive striker Giovinco nipped between the two centrehalves to run clear and fire in off the bar.

Former Inter forward Jonathan Biabiany sealed the points late on with the third.

Udinese matched Napoli’s points with a 10 win at already relegated Cesena, although they trail the southerners on head-to-head record.

The only goal came when Danilo’s misshit shot bobbled up and allowed Diego Fabbrini to arrive at the back stick to prod in.

Cesena had a chance to equalise but Adrian Mutu crashed his penalty against the bar.

Lazio are two points off third after they were held 1-1 at home to Siena, who went in front when Andrea Rossi’s cross from the left was headed home by Mattia Destro.

But Lazio were handed a lifeline with a generous penalty award after Andrea Candreva flopped in the box, with Cristian Ledesma firing home the spot-kick. Novara joined Cesena in Serie B as they were relegated after a 2-2 draw at Fiorentina. — AFP

TURIN: Lecce’s midfielder Manuele Blasi (right) vies for the ball with Juventus’ midfielder Claudio Marchisio during the Serie A football match. — AFP

Italian League results/standings AC Milan 2 (Muntari 9, Robinho 90) Atalanta 0; Catania 0 Bologna 1 (Ramirez 79); Cesena 0 Udinese 1 (Fabbrini 4); Fiorentina 2 (Montolivo 48-pen, 71) Novara 2 (Jeda 14, Rigoni 30-pen); Genoa 2 (Palacio 11, Jankovic 76) Cagliari 1 (Ariaudo 13); Juventus 1 (Marchisio 9) Lecce 1 (Bertolacci 85); Lazio 1 (Ledesma 62-pen) Siena 1 (Destro 26); Parma 3 (Marques 53, Giovinco 55, Biabiany 82) Inter Milan 1 (Sneijder 13).

Italian Serie A table after yesterday’s matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): Juventus 36 21 15 0 63 19 78 Siena 36 11 11 14 44 41 44 AC Milan 36 23 8 5 70 28 77 Cagliari 36 10 12 14 37 44 42 Napoli 36 15 13 8 64 43 58 Fiorentina 36 10 12 14 36 43 42 Udinese 36 16 10 10 48 35 58 Palermo 36 11 9 16 48 56 42 Lazio 36 16 8 12 51 46 56 Genoa 36 10 9 17 48 67 39 Inter Milan 36 16 7 13 53 50 55 Lecce 36 8 12 16 40 54 36 Roma 36 15 7 14 55 50 52 Novara 36 6 11 19 31 63 29 Parma 36 13 11 12 51 53 50 —relegated Bologna 36 12 12 12 39 42 48 Cesena 36 4 10 22 22 54 22 Catania 36 11 14 11 45 48 47 — relegated Atalanta 36 13 13 10 40 38 46 Note: Atalanta deducted six points at start of season Chievo 36 11 12 13 30 41 45 for match-fixing

Business

BAE Systems profit growth hinges on Saudi jet deal Page 22

No windfall from Qatar ban on Islamic windows Page 23

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines wind up share swap deal

India CB ‘intervenes’ as rupee slides Page 25

Page 24

LISBON: A broker reacts while working in the trading room of a Portuguese bank yesterday in Lisbon. Portugal raised the euros1.5 billion ($1.98 billion) it wanted in a short-term debt auction yesterday but investors demanded higher interest rates on the loan in a reminder that the country’s debt problems remain a long way from being solved. —AP

EU factories falter, Asia flourishes Euro-zone hits record jobless rate, fuels growth debate LONDON/SINGAPORE: Euro-zone factories sank further into decline last month but manufacturers in Asia upped their tempo to meet growing demand from the United States and China, exposing a widening gulf between Europe and the rest of the world.

Worryingly for European policymakers, a downturn that is hitting Italy and Spain hard, now appears to be taking root among core members France and Germany. The data hit the euro and dented optimism following a similar survey on Tuesday that showed the pace of growth in US manufacturing picked up much more than expected.

“The numbers coming out of the eurozone give no cause for comfort. The China economy is holding up, but the debt crisis in Europe is weighing on growth and its rippling across the world,” said Peter Dixon at Commerzbank.

“Global concerns on growth are there, despite stellar numbers from the United States.”

US fac tor y ac tivity accelerated last month, data showed on Tuesday, but private employers hired far fewer people than expected in April, figures released earlier on Wednesday showed.

Meanwhile, euro-zone unemployment spiked to a record 10.9 percent in March, piling pressure on governments yesterday to shift from austerity-first to growth policies so as to revive the economy. The figures, up from 10.8 percent in February, coincided with a survey showing manufacturing in the 17-nation euro-zone stumbling to near three-year low levels as spending cuts and tax rises push the bloc towards recession.

Almost 17.37 million men and women, 169,000 more than in February, were out of work in March as the unemployment rate rose for the 11th month in a row, hitting a euro-era high, according to the Eurostat data agenc y. The Mark it Purchasing Managers’ Index, a closely watched indicator, fell sharply to 45.9 from 47.7 in March, signalling contraction of the manufacturing sector for a ninth month running.

“That the euro-zone is in recession is not

news but the fact that the ‘level’ of recession is not easing at all at the start of the spring is more than worrisome,” said ODDO Securities analyst Bruno Cavalier.

Mark it ’s Euro -zone Manufac turing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) dropped to 45.9 last month from 47.7 in March, slightly below a preliminary reading and

Firms cut workers at the fastest pace in over two years after new orders fell for the 11th straight month. Data from Germany, Europe’s largest economy, showed its manufacturing sector contracted for the second month running in April and it was a similar picture in neighboring France.

Only a handful of the 17-nation bloc’s economies are still growing and the euro-

BRUSSELS: European Commissioner for the Internal Market Michel Barnier (left) speaks with EU Commissioner for the Economy Olli Rehn (right) and President of the European Investment Bank Werner Hoyer (center) during a meeting of EU finance ministers at the EU Council building in Brussels yesterday. —AP

marking its lowest reading since June 2009.

It has languished below the 50 mark that divides growth from contraction for nine months.

The outlook for manufacturing, which drove a large part of the bloc’s escape from recession, is far from bright, and a fresh economic downturn looms.

zone as a whole is expected to suffer a mild recession until the third quarter of this year, a Reuters poll showed last month.

Manufacturing in Spain, now at the centre of the euro-zone storm, shrank at its fastest pace in nearly three years and Italy - also under pressure over its towering debts - saw new orders evaporating more quickly than

at any time since March 2009.The downturn is taking a toll on jobs. Unemployment in the euro-zone rose to 10.9 percent in March, equalling the record high of 15 years ago, separate data showed yesterday, driven by rises in Italy and Spain.

A gauge of China’s manufac turing offered more evidence that the world’s second-biggest economy bottomed out in the first quarter of the year. And factory growth in emerging rival India ticked up.

The HSBC China PMI, which concentrates mainly on privately-owned firms, remained below the 50 threshold for the sixth month running. But it rose to 49.3 in April from 48.3, hinting that the rate of deterioration had slowed, and was stronger than last week’s “flash” estimate.

“The pace of China’s slowdown has stabilized,” said Hongbin Qu, chief economist for China & co -Head of Asian economic research at HSBC. HSBC’s indicator was weaker than China’s official PMI, which soared to a 13-month high of 53.3 in April, highlighting an ongoing divergence between China’s larger, predominantly state-owned enterprises that dominate the official data and the smaller, private firms that struggle to get credit. Bulging order books helped nudge India’s factory activity up even as slower output growth and increasing price pressures dampened sentiment, its business survey showed.

Similar data released yesterday showed manufac turing ac tivity in Asia’s key exporters South Korea and Taiwan grew but at a slower pace. The uneven performance in China, taken together with data on Tuesday showing US factory growth accelerating but barely any growth in British manufacturing, underscores a bumpy and stillfragile global economy.

“The effect of the solid US manufacturing activity will be felt in Asia in about six months, supporting my view that Asian exporters will gradually recover towards the end of the year,” said Hirokazu Yuihama, a senior strategist at Daiwa Securities in Tokyo. — Reuters

Egypt needs to do more to secure aid, says IMF DUBAI: Egypt needs to do more to secure a $3.2 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund, including gathering broad political support and identifying other sources to finance its funding gap of up to $12 billion, an IMF official said yesterday.

Masood Ahmed, IMF director for the Middle East, told Reuters that Egypt still needed to do “some technical work” to finalize its economic program. Asked whether he thought there was enough domestic political support for the program, Ahmed said: “I think that process (of getting political support) is advancing but I do not think we are at the point yet where we could move forward.”

“There’s still more work to be done to close

down those three areas,” he said, referring to the economic program, political support and alternative financial sources.

“We are ready as soon as pillars are there for that program to move forward relatively quickly,” Ahmed said after presenting the regional economic outlook in Dubai. Egypt and the IMF are in discussions on a $3.2 billion loan program, which Egypt had requested earlier this year but which had been opposed by the powerful Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party. Egypt’s $236 billion economy has been laid low by 18 months of political turmoil. Last week, parliament overwhelmingly rejected the army-appointed cabinet’s plan to cut state spending, hampering the govern-

ment’s efforts to secure IMF help needed to avoid a fiscal crisis and potential currency devaluation.

“Egypt has pressing economic and financial challenges and that’s why we believe it is important to move forward now to finalize the content of the program, to get support for it and to mobilize the financing for it,” Ahmed said. The country’s finance minister said last week the government expected the Fund’s aid to start flowing from May. The IMF is insisting that any agreement on financing is backed by Egypt’s government and political partners ahead of presidential elections later this month. This would ensure the deal would outlast the political transition

following the polls. The IMF expects Egypt’s inflation-adjusted economic growth to ease to 1.5 percent this year, which would be the slowest pace since a 0.3 percent expansion in 1992 and down from 1.8 percent in 2011. Its fiscal gap should widen to 10 percent of gross domestic product in 2012, from 9.9 percent last year. Egypt has said it expects Saudi Arabia to deposit $1 billion at the Egyptian central bank by the end of April as part of a $2.7 billion package to support Egypt’s battered finances.

Egypt’s foreign reserves have tumbled by more than $20 billion to $15 billion during a year of political turmoil following the ouster of Hosni Mubarak. — Reuters

US factory orders fell in March WASHINGTON: Demand for US manufactured goods dropped by the most in three years in March, driven lower by a sharp fall in volatile orders for commercial aircraft.

Still, more recent data suggest the decline may be temporary.

The Commerce Department said yesterday that orders for factory goods fell 1.5 percent, the steepest decline since March 2009, when the economy was mired in recession. Orders rose 1.1 percent in February. Aircraft orders plummeted nearly 50 percent. But excluding transportation goods, orders were unchanged.

Demand for less durable items, such as food, chemicals and gasoline, rose 0.5 percent. The report comes a day after a private survey found that the manufacturing sector expanded in April at the fastest pace in 10 months. New orders, production and a measure of hiring all rose.

The April survey from the Institute for Supply Management helped the Dow Jones industrial average close Tuesday at its highest level in more than four years. It followed a series of weaker reports in recent weeks that showed hiring slowed, applications for unemployment benefits rose and factory output dropped.

US business added a meager 119,000 jobs in April, payrolls firm ADP reported yesterday, lending credence to fears that the labor market has hit a soft patch.

Expectations had been for a rise of around 170,000. The figures are seen as a harbinger of official unemployment and jobgrowth statistics, which will be released on Friday.

Both figures are eagerly awaited.

Investors, policymakers and ordinary Americans have been confounded by a string of uneven data, and are looking for some definitive sign about the direction of the recovery. This is likely to be seen as a confirmation of things heading in the wrong direction.

“This report was clearly disappointing,” said Thomas Julien an economist for Natixis. March’s disappointing ADP report, showing 209,000 jobs were created, was revised down to 201,000.

Sales of cars and trucks in April were mixed. Toyota and Chrysler on Tuesday reported big US sales gains for April, but those gains came at the expense of General Motors and Ford. Auto production has been solid in recent months as Americans have increased their purchases of cars and trucks, a good sign for further gains in factory output. — Agencies

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

BUSINESS

BAE Systems profit growth hinges on Saudi jet deal Group submits Eurofighter proposal to Oman LONDON: British defense group BAE Systems said its chances of delivering profit growth in 2012 hinged on talks to finalize a fighter jet deal with Saudi Arabia, in a year marked by tight government defense budgets.

“Whilst little sales growth can be expected for the group in 2012 in the current market conditions, modest growth in underlying earnings per share is anticipated, assuming a satisfactory conclusion to Salam negotiations (with Saudi Arabia) in 2012,” BAE, Europe’s biggest defense contractor, said yesterday. In 2007 Saudi Arabia signed a contract with BAE to buy 72 Typhoon aircraft, 24 of which have been delivered to the Royal Saudi Air Force. The Salam deal, as it is known, is worth around 4.5 billion pounds ($7.3 billion).

Earlier this month BAE said the contract to build the remaining 48 jets in Britain had been signed but changes to the price of the deal had yet to be agreed. “Salam trading ... remains deferred until ongoing negotiations have been concluded,” BAE said.

BAE, which is involved in the production of F35 fighter jets and Astute class submarines sys-

tems, said the approval of the United States’ 2012 defense budget had resulted in less disruption to the award of contracts than in 2011 but that delays to the approval of 2013 budgets were likely.

“Saudi contract negotiations must be successfully concluded given the importance of this to BAE as both an offset to declining US land revenues and management’s ability to do further buybacks,” said Morgan Stanley analyst Rupinder Vig. Shares in BAE were down 1.2 percent at 292.9 pence by 0810 GMT, valuing the group at 9.6 billion pounds.

BAE shares have fallen 10 percent in the last year, underper forming the FTSE All Share Aerospace & Defence Index by almost 18.5 percent.

BAE’s rivals across the Atlantic last week reported improving earnings. US peers Northrop Grumman, Boeing and Lockheed Martin reported better than expected first quarter results and made bullish noises about the year ahead.

Analysts expect BAE to post flat earnings before interest, tax and amortisation (EBITA) for 2012.

The company reported EBITA of 2.02 billion

US Treasury dithers on floating rates

Banque Saudi Fransi eyes debut dollar sukuk DUBAI: Banque Saudi Fransi, the kingdom’s fifth biggest bank by market capitalization, plans to issue its first dollardenominated Islamic bond, or sukuk, depending on market conditions, and has picked banks to arrange investor meetings. The lender has picked Citi, Deutsche Bank and Credit Agricole to arrange global roadshows starting in the Saudi capital Riyadh on May 7, the banks said.

The same banks are arrangers and dealers on the company’s recently-established $2 billion sukuk program. A benchmark dollar-denominated Islamic bond, or sukuk, may follow the meetings, subject to market conditions, arranging banks said. Benchmark is usually understood to mean at least $500 million.

Banque Saudi Fransi’s existing $650 million 4.5 percent conventional bond, maturing 2015 was bid at 104.25 levels yesterday, to yield 2.7 percent. It was trading at a zero-volatility spread (zspread) of about 210 basis points, Thomson Reuters data showed.

The z-spread is a pricing tool which calculates the number of basis points

that need to be added to a zero-coupon yield curve to make the bond’s discounted cash flows equal the bond’s present value.

Yields have consistently fallen since the bond was launched, hitting a low of about 2.3 percent in mid-April. Although domestic riyal-denominated sukuk issuance has risen dramatically this year so far, with a mammoth $4 billion equivalent sale from General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA), Saudi borrowers are not as active in dollar markets.

But many - especially investmentgrade corporates - would find substantial demand. In March, Saudi Electricity Co reportedly received orders in excess of $15 billion for a $1.75 billion sukuk issue.

A strong regional bid as well as significant global Islamic liquidity are likely to support any potential issue from the bank. Roadshows are due to end on May 11 in London, and will also cover the United Arab Emirates, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Shares were trading 0.5 percent higher at 0920 GMT, and are up 13 percent year to date. — Reuters

ADNOC keeps June crude supply steady TOKYO: Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (ADNOC), the main exporter for OPEC member the United Arab Emirates, will supply full contractual crude oil volumes to Asia in June, steady from May, an industry source said yesterday.

ADNOC has notified Asian buyers that it will supply its four main grades - Murban, Lower Zakum, Umm Shaif and Upper Zakum - at contractual volumes in June, the source said.

ADNOC also resumed giving buyers the option of asking for all grades’ cargoes to be 5 percent more or less than

pounds for 2011, a 7 percent fall on 2010.

Earlier this year BAE’s Eurofighter consortium lost out in the deal to supply 126 fighter jets to India, which chose France’s Dassault Aviation, which makes Rafale jets, as preferred bidder. The setback came after Japan chose to buy 42 Lockheed Martin F-35 jets instead of the Eurofighter.

This leaves Oman and the UAE as the largest potential markets for the Eurofighter, both of which are significantly smaller than India and less certain to move forward.

The British arms maker said it had submitted a proposal to the government of Oman to sell it 12 Eurofighter jets with a five-year support, pilot and ground crew training package.

BAE last year launched a review into its shipbuilding operations, which could lead to the closure of one or more of its British dockyards. It cut 3,000 UK jobs last year, having shed 15,000 positions globally over the previous two years.

Hundreds of BAE workers are to stage a protest outside the company’s annual shareholder meeting in London later yesterday as part of their campaign to save jobs. — Reuters

contracted volumes for June, the source said. Last month, ADNOC granted the socalled tolerance to only the three grades except Murban for May, and did not afford the right to load 5 percent more than the contractual supply of Murban, sources said.

But, in reality, the buyers could have exercised the so-called “plus tolerance” option on Murban crude because supplies were plentiful, the sources said.

Murban is the main export grade for the UAE. ADNOC produces most of the country’s crude. — Reuters

WASHINGTON: The US Treasury Department is postponing a decision on whether to issue securities with floating rates or negative yields, saying it wants more time to study the changes that could help finance the rising national debt.

Treasury said yesterday that it was still examining selling securities with a floating interest rate rather than a fixed rate. It also said it continued to study selling securities that could be auctioned with negative yields, which essentially provide a means for investors to pay the government for the privilege of buying those securities.

Offering a floating rate on Treasury securities would be similar to variable rate mortgages.

Investors would make money if rates go up. And even though the government would have to pay out more under that scenario, it might consider that a risk worth taking because it could draw more investors and raise more money to finance its debt. Treasury officials said they are still studying a large number of comments on the new securities. They gave no time table for making a decision.

Three months ago they said they expected to decide by May. In February, the Treasury’s bond advisory committee had urged the government to offer both instruments.

Mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have had success in selling floating-rate securities.

Treasury officials said the comments that have been received have been for the most part encouraging.

Treasury last brought out a new type of security 15 years ago in 1997.

Those securities, called TIPS for Treasury inflation-protected securities, have yields that are indexed to inflation.

Treasury also announced yesterday that it will auction $72 billion in Treasury securities next week in its regular quarterly refunding. Those securities will include $32 billion in 3-year notes, $24 billion in 10-year notes and $16 billion in 30-year bonds.

Those auctions will be part of the government’s schedule of borrowing $182 billion in the current April-June quarter. That would be the smallest quarterly borrowing since $45 billion was borrowed in April-June quarter of 2008. The government borrowed $401 billion in the January-March quarter.

But it typically borrows less in the spring because it receives more revenue from the annual tax returns due in April. The government is projected to run a fourth consecutive $1 trillion plus deficit this year. Those deficits have pushed annual borrowing needs to record levels. — AP

NEW YORK: A MasterCard sign on a revolving door in New York. MasterCard said yesterday its first-quarter profit rose 25 percent on a big spike in card use overseas. Its net income was $682 million, or $5.36 per share, on revenue of $1.8 billion. — AP

ICAP opens Dubai office in derivative push DUBAI: ICAP Plc, the world’s largest interdealer broker, has opened an office in Dubai with a financial futures and options team, as the British firm seeks to expand its derivatives business in the Middle East.

ICAP said yesterday its Dubai office, which will initially have four employees, will be led by Senior Executive Officer, Sharaz Hussain, formerly of MF Global. He will report to Gary Pettit, global head of financial futures and options in London.

“With the rapidly expanding economy in the Gulf region, ICAP considers it essential to have a strong presence in the Middle East, complementing its presence to the East and West of the region,” the company said in a statement.

ICAP has also hired Michael Drennan, who also used to work at MF Global which

filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection six months ago, to head its North America Future and Options team based in Chicago.

The interest rates, commodities, foreign exchange and equity derivatives broker already has offices in London, New York, Chicago, Singapore, Sydney and Wellington.

Large Middle Eastern sovereign funds and institutions have been using sophisticated derivative trading instruments since the global financial crisis, helping banks counter a slump in the region’s traditional league-table business.

In March, ICAP said it was trading in line with market expectations, with a strong performance at its commodities and energy arm helping offset tougher conditions on its credit markets side. — Reuters

Abu Dhabi’s TAQA to start work on Dutch gas project ABU DHABI: Abu Dhabi National Energy Co (TAQA) will begin work on the delayed Dutch Bergermeer gas project in July after winning approval from the country’s highest administrative court to start operations, it said yesterday.

The joint venture project with EBN, an independent company with the Dutch State as its sole shareholder, was suspended due to environmental concerns, with the administrative court asking for additional tests to be done. “The decision of the Council of State is the final stage of a transparent and meticulous process in which environmental concerns have been of the absolute highest priority,” TAQA said. TAQA, which is 75-percent owned by the government of Abu Dhabi, said ten of the eleven competent authorities had earlier approved the project, including the national parliament. “ TAQA will shor tly commence preparatory work. Work on the well site will star t after the meadow birds

breeding season (in July),” the company said.

TAQA and EBN will invest more than 800 million euros ($1.06 billion)in the drilling of 14 new wells, the construction of the gas treatment installation in Alkmaar and the intervening pipelines.

With a working volume of 4.1 billion cubic metres (the average annual gas consumption of 2.5 million households in the Netherlands), the Bergermeer facility will be the largest accessible gas storage facility in Europe.

It is a key part of Netherlands’ ambition to become a gas hub once it stops exporting gas in 2025.

In December, TAQA said it secured three energy firms as launch customers for the Bergermeer facility. TAQA, which owns assets in Canada and Europe, sold a 650 million ringgit ($215 million) denominated Islamic bond or sukuk in February as part of plans to diversify its funding sources.

Its shares were trading down 0.8 percent on the Abu Dhabi bourse at 1040 GMT yesterday. —Reuters

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 .4470000 .3640000 .3020000 .2790000 .2840000 .0040000 .0020000 .0751460 .7321300 .3830000 .0710000 .7177210 .0040000 .0430000

CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES US Dollar/KD .2768000 GB Pound/KD .4484580 Euro .3648090 Swiss francs .3035920 Canadian dollars .2806160 Danish Kroner .0490400 Swedish Kroner .0410640 Australian dlr .2861000 Hong Kong dlr .0356810 Singapore dlr .2234780 Japanese yen .0034470 Indian Rs/KD .0000000 Sri Lanka rupee .0000000 Pakistan rupee .0000000 Bangladesh taka .0000000 UAE dirhams .0753920 Bahraini dinars .7345100 Jordanian dinar .0000000 Saudi Riyal/KD .0738330 Omani riyals .7192410 Philippine Peso .0000000

.2805000 .4570000 .3720000 .3120000 .2870000 .2940000 .0070000 .0035000 .0759020 .7394880 .4000000 .0760000 .7249340 .0072000 .0500000 .2789000 .4518600 .3675760 .3058950 .2827450 .0494120 .0413750 .2882710 .0359510 .2251740 .0034730 .0053030 .0021750 .0030770 .0034200 .0759640 .7400820 .3944840 .0743930 .7246980 .0066570

Kuwait Bahrain Intl Exchange Co. Currency

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

277.900 3.056 5.300 2.135 3.400 6.620 75.765 74.265 738.800 45.920 457.900 3.090

Yemeni Riyal Euro Canadian Dollars Nepali rupee

1.550 373.800 289.200 3.350

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

Al Mulla Exchange Currency

Transfer Rate (Per 1000)

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

277.550 370.500 453.500 285.200 3.495 5.283 45.914 2.130 3.387 6.548 3.060 739.100 75.600 74.100

SELL DRAFT SELL CASH

Australian Dollar Canadian Dollar Swiss Franc Euro Sterling Pound Japanese Yen Bangladesh Taka Indian Rupee Sri Lankan Rupee Nepali Rupee Pakistani Rupee UAE Dirhams Bahraini Dinar Egyptian Pound Jordanian Dinar Omani Riyal Qatari Riyal Saudi Riyal

291.88 286.56 310.72 370.82 454.22 3.53 3.394 5.249 2.154 3.300 3.059 75.64 739.47 45.93 395.51 722.50 76.6677.75 74.2374.25

292.00 287.00 311.00 372.50 456.50 3.65 3.550 5.700 2.550 4.000 3.250 76.50 741.00 47.25 394.50 6.00

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Rate for Transfer

Selling Rate

US Dollar Canadian Dollar Sterling Pound Euro Swiss Frank Bahrain Dinar

278.950 281.210 444.240 365.770 303.830 738.695

COUNTRY 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 Pakistani rupees Philippine peso Qatari riyal Saudi riyal Singapore dollar South Africa Sri Lankan rupees Sterling pound Swedish krona Swiss franc Syrian pound

SELL CASH 291.300 739.480 3.660 285.700 546.100 45.400 50.400 167.800 47.650 371.800 36.530 5.550 0.032 0.159 0.228 3.560 394.050 0.188 93.890 45.500 4.280 230.500 1.802 49.700 722.240 3.140 6.820 76.920 74.240 226.200 38.120 2.649 455.400 42.400 309.800 4.300

9.400 198.263 75.810 278.400 1.340

9.240 75.710 278.000

GOLD 1,730.190

10 Tola Sterling Pound US Dollar

TRAVELLER’S CHEQUE 453.400 278.000

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co.

Bahrain Exchange Company

UAE Exchange Centre WLL COUNTRY

Thai bhat Tunisian dollar UAE dirham U.S. dollars Yemeni Riyal

75.925 76.570 74.345 392.660 46.178 2.189 5.426 3.082 3.411 6.549 684.255 4.440 9.120 5.875 3.480 92.305

SELL DRAFT 289.800 739.480 3.395 284.200

Japanese Yen Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht Malaysian Ringgit

3.481 5.292 3.056 2.122 3.315 225.400 35.856 3.394 6.582 9.058 91.180 GCC COUNTRIES 74.190 76.443 722.620 738.940 75.756

226.200 45.983 370.300 36.380 5.265 0.031

Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

3943.000 0.187 94.040

ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash 47.650 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 45.920 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.298 Tunisian Dinar 182.12 Jordanian Dinar 392.880 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.866 Syrian Lier 4.853 Morocco Dirham 33.628

3.320 229.000 722.060 3.065 6.602 76.490 74.240 226.200 38.120 2.135 453.400 308.300 4.300

EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 278.100 Euro 369.87 Sterling Pound 454.000 Canadian dollar 284.94 Turkish lire 157.610 Swiss Franc 307.97 US Dollar Buying 276.300 20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

GOLD 298.500 149.000 75.500

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

BUSINESS

Stocks hit by euro-zone, US data; euro slides NEW YORK: Global stocks and the euro fell yesterday after disappointing news on euro-zone manufacturing activity and US private-sector jobs growth reignited concerns about a global economic slowdown.

The data came a day after an index of US factory activity posted its strongest growth rate in 10 months and sent the Dow Jones industrial average to its highest close in four years. US equities opened lower, while Treasury prices advanced as investors shed stocks and other riskier investments and sought safety in government debt.

Euro zone factories sank further into decline last month, with the downturn hitting Italy and Spain hard and appearing to take root among core members France and Germany. European shares erased earlier gains, with the FTSEurofirst 300 down 0.4 percent. Investor caution ahead of Friday’s key payrolls report also grew after

a report showed US private employers added 119,000 jobs in April, well short of expectations. “It’s definitely disappointing.

After Tuesday’s ISM manufacturing data, the market was primed for an upside surprise, so this definitely takes the steam out of the sails,” said Boris Schlossberg, director of currency research at GFT in Jersey City.

The Dow Jones industrial average was down 58.27 points, or 0.44 percent, at 13,221.05. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index was down 8.02 points, or 0.57 percent, at 1,397.80. The Nasdaq Composite Index was down 9.30 points, or 0.30 percent, at 3,041.14.

The MSCI world equity index fell 0.5 percent to 327.70. The euro fell for a third straight session against the dollar and was last down 0.8 percent at $1.3130. A rush to safety by investors pushed yields on German 5-year and 10-year bonds to near record lows. German Bund futures hit a

record high of 141.53. The ECB meets on Thursday, with pressure growing on the bank to use bond buying and other measures to shield weaker euro members from additional pain. Expectations are also growing that the ECB may soon cut borrowing costs, eroding the euro’s interest rate advantage.

Oil prices dipped as the weak economic data dampened the demand outlook.

Brent crude for June slipped 53 cents to $119.14 a barrel and US crude for June was down 50 cents at $105.66.

Gold prices retreated towards $1,647 an ounce but remained within its recent ranges as the mixed signals on global growth and waning expectations of further easing in policy by the US Federal Reserves kept investors sidelined.

Benchmark 10-year Treasury notes traded up 9/32 in price to yield 1.9137 percent. — Reuters

BEIJING: The stock price monitor is reflected on the sunglass of an investor at a private securities company yesterday. — AP

No windfall from Qatar ban on Islamic windows Big boost seen for full-fledged Islamic banks

WASHINGTON: Members of Occupy DC and union activists march to the White House during a May Day demonstration in Washington on Tuesday. More than 20 arrests were reported in various cities, including 10 at Los Angeles international airport and others in Oakland and Seattle, where shop windows were smashed. — AFP

Buoyant stocks may fuel Gulf IPO revival DUBAI: A resurgence of stock market trading in the Gulf Arab region is raising hopes for a revival of initial public offers, more than three years after the global financial crisis brought share sales to a grinding halt.

Traditionally a popular source of funding for companies in the region, IPO activity suffered a sharp drop during the global financial crisis as moribund equity markets and a lack of investor appetite deterred companies from trying to raise funds through that channel.

It still has not recovered. Equity capital markets issuance in the Middle East, the vast majority of it in the Gulf Arab oil exporters, totalled a meagre $1 billion in the first quarter of 2012, a 21 percent decline from a year earlier, Thomson Reuters data shows.

The trend may be about to reverse, however, as a pick-up in regional stock markets, high oil prices and a rebound in economic growth give companies a strong incentive to tap public markets in order to expand.

The Saudi Arabian stock market has gained 18 percent so far this year, while Dubai is up 20 percent. That compares with a 12 percent rise in the MSCI emerging markets index. Just as importantly, stock trading turnover in the Gulf has expanded several fold from last year’s levels, suggesting supplies of new shares could be absorbed more easily. This appears to be forcing a rethink towards public offers at Gulf corporations across a range of sectors, from private equity firms to water bottling and construction companies.

They are being encouraged by difficulties in obtaining other forms of financing.

Bank loans are hard to get for many companies as the euro zone debt crisis prompts European banks to reduce their exposure in the Gulf. And while big companies with high credit ratings are issuing bonds heavily - Middle East debt issuance nearly doubled to $11 billion in the first quarter - this channel is not open to many smaller firms.

“What we are seeing is that a number of companies are interested in tapping the IPO route in the region,” said Jon Breach, Dubai-based chief executive of BDO Corporate Finance Middle East.

“Stock markets have had a steady start to the year and bank financing is still tight.

IPOs are becoming a viable option and a source of development or acquisition capital for the right businesses.”

The biggest potential magnet for IPOs is Saudi Arabia’s stock market, the largest in the Arab world, both because of its sheer size and because there is a large pipeline of companies which earlier suspended plans for IPOs. For example Saudi Fransi Capital, the brokerage arm of Banque Saudi Fransi, has six IPOs in the pipeline, including three that might launch in the first half of the year, its chief executive said in an interview in February.

In 2011, the bourse saw five IPOs, but values were tiny in comparison to big offers conducted a few years ago; telecommunications operator Zain Saudi’s 2008 debut raised 17.8 billion riyals ($4.7 billion).

“The rationale for doing an IPO in places like Saudi hasn’t changed. People who have been considering an IPO on the markets have not gone away,” said Phil Gandler, regional head of transaction advisory services at consultants Ernst & Young. “ When the markets dropped, they backed away for a while but now that the pricing mismatch is narrowing, we are seeing more interest.” Local firm Al-Tayyar Travel Group has received approval to sell a 30 percent stake to the public, the bourse regulator said in April, two years after the firm scrapped a similar sale due to a lack of demand.

Other potential IPO candidates include Construction Products Holding Co, Saudi Arabia’s largest manufacturer of building materials and a unit of Binladin Group. It has mandated the investment banking arms of Gulf International Bank and Samba Financial Group for an IPO in 2012, industry sources said. Health Water Bottling, held by Saudi Arabia’s family-owned Olayan Group, has picked Morgan Stanley for a potential Saudi IPO, sources told Reuters last month.

“Sectors such as consumer and construction in Saudi Arabia have fared relatively better and have been immune from the impact of global and regional factors,” BDO’s Breach said.

Other Gulf countries also have IPOs pending. In Oman, Bank Nizwa, the sultanate’s first Islamic bank, plans to raise $156 million by selling 40 percent of its capital in an IPO on the Muscat Securities Market. Another Islamic bank under formation in Oman, Al Izz International Bank, is expected to conduct an IPO of 40 percent of its 100 million rial ($260 million) capital

by June 2012, the central bank said earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Swiss lender Credit Suisse is advising Qatar First Investment Bank, a private equity firm, on a listing of all of its shares on the Doha bourse, two bankers with knowledge of the deal told Reuters in April. Even Dubai, which has not seen a single public listing in over three years, is gearing up for potential IPOs in 2013.

“Dubai has been surprising us recently in terms of private company interest in a local IPO. It is still early stages and we don’t expect a listing this year, but sentiment has moved slightly,” said Declan Hayes, managing director for transaction services at Deloitte Middle East.

Cross-border listings by Gulf companies, which fell out of favor after several planned IPOs stalled and Dubai’s DP World received a lukewarm reception for its dual listing in London last year, may also pick up after the recent IPO of Abu Dhabi-based NMC Health in London.

The healthcare firm raised 117 million pounds ($187 million) in last month’s offer.

Although priced at the bottom of its expected range, the sale is causing other strong businesses in the Gulf to consider overseas listings, bankers said. “For crossborder IPOs, we are seeing some interest in potential listings in London and Hong Kong,” Hayes said. — Reuters

DOHA/DUBAI: A year after Qatar ordered conventional banks to stop offering Islamic financial services, an expected windfall for its Islamic banks has yet to materialize. Nor is it clear that banks’ customers are benefitting from the policy.

The episode illustrates the difficulties that countries face as they manage the relationship between conventional and Islamic banking. Trying to adjust that relationship carries risk, for both regulators and the banks themselves. “In hindsight, it has increased regulatory risk in Qatar, which is inconsistent with their ambitious and welcome efforts to develop their financial services industry,” said Mohieddine Kronfol, chief investment officer for regional fixed income at Franklin Templeton Investments in Dubai.

Qatar’s central bank took the industry by surprise in Februar y last year when it announced that at the end of 2011, conventional banks would no longer be allowed to run “Islamic windows”-sections of the banks which operated according to religious principles. Islamic banking services could only be offered by separate, dedicated institutions.

The central bank’s move appeared to be designed to ensure the purity of Islamic finance, by removing any possibility that Islamic loans and deposits could mingle with conventional funds bearing interest, which is forbidden to Muslims. Before the ban, Islamic windows had captured a significant amount of business in Qatar; they accounted for 54.6 billion riyals ($15 billion) or 31 percent of all Islamic banking assets in the country during 2010, according to the International Monetary Fund. Combined assets at all banks, conventional and Islamic, totalled 572 billion riyals.

So the ban looked set to have a seismic impact on Qatar’s banking industry. One institution affected was HSBC Amanah,the Islamic arm of global giant HSBC Holdings ; it opened its doors in Qatar in 2010, only to have to close months later.

In the wake of the decision, the shares of the country’s several full-fledged Islamic banks, such as Qatar Islamic Bank and Masraf Al Rayan, surged on expectations that they would attract money leaving the defunct windows. “We’ll have a much bigger customer base. We see it as a very positive move,” Adel

Mustafawi, chief executive of Masraf Al Rayan, said at the time.

Credit rating agency Moody’s Investors Service declared the “segregation of Islamic banking in Qatar is credit negative for conventional banks, positive for Islamic banks.” It predicted Islamic banks would benefit from access to a larger pool of customers and improve their profit margins. Conventional banks would lose between 8 and 16 percent of their deposit bases, assets and profits, Moody’s estimated.

It hasn’t happened that way. There was little sign of the expected flow of money into Qatar’s Islamic banks last year; their total assets grew 35 percent, according to central bank data, but that marked a slowdown from 39 percent expansion in the previous year.

Masraf Al Rayan’s assets soared 59 percent last year but profitability declined as measured by return on assets, dropping to 2.55 percent in 2011 from 3.49 percent a year earlier.

Meanwhile the performance of Qatar’s conventional banks improved; their assets grew 23 percent in 2011, up from a 16 percent rise in 2010. The biggest negative impact, Moody’s predicted, would be felt by the country’s largest lender, Qatar National Bank. But assets at QNB jumped 35 percent last year and its return on assets actually improved slightly.

The figures suggest that either depositors kept much of their money in conventional banks as Islamic windows closed, or Islamic banks suffered a growth slowdown that more than offset the benefits of the windows closing - or a combination of both.

Globally, banks’ customers can be divided into three categories, according to consultants A.T. Kearney: loyalists of conventional banks, loyalists of Islamic ones, and a “floating mass”-by some estimates, 60 or 70 percent of the total - who base their choice of bank primarily on pricing and service quality rather than religious permissibility. Qatar’s data implies many conventional banks continued to attract the floating mass after their Islamic windows closed.

Most of Qatar’s conventional banks have still not fully divested their Islamic loan portfolios; instead, they have taken advantage of a provision in the ban which, according to com-

mercial bankers, allows them to hold existing Islamic loans until maturity, as long as they do not extend fresh ones.

At Doha Bank, for example, Islamic financing activities represented 7.4 percent of total loans for 2011, down from 12.6 percent in the previous year.

Qatar’s crackdown on Islamic windows contrasts with most Muslim countries, which permit the windows to operate as long as the banks show they are taking steps to prevent any mingling of their conventional and Islamic funds. Islamic banking resembles conventional banking in many respects, with modifications to respect religious principles.

For example, depositors do not receive interest but may get a share of profits from funds invested by the bank; loans do not charge interest but may carry certain fees.

The Qatari central bank did not describe the motives for its ban in a public statement, but commercial bankers said that in addition to protecting the purity of Islamic finance, it apparently wanted to level the playing field in banking: conventional institutions with Islamic windows were larger than pure Islamic banks, and so enjoyed better economies of scale.

More competition in one area, however, may be offset by the loss of it in another area.

Islamic finance customers now have fewer options; an IMF report in January this year said there was a need to “manage the impact on banking sector competition in view of the decline in the number of institutions providing Islamic banking services from 12 to four”.

And some Qatari banks may remain indirectly involved in Islamic windows through affiliates abroad. For example, Commercial Bank of Qatar shut its Islamic window last year. But it is the largest shareholder, with 35 percent, in National Bank of Oman, the second largest lender by assets in Oman.

National Bank plans to start Islamic banking operations in Oman later this year, its chief executive Salaam bin Said al-Shaksy told Reuters in February.

“We’ve got a whole team working on t h e I s l a m i c w i n d o w. We a r e t r y i n g t o launch it between the second and third quarter. Of course, the sooner the better for us,” he said. — Reuters

Greek bank sues Reuters over investigative report LONDON: One of Greece’s biggest banks has filed a lawsuit against Reuters claiming 50 million euros ($66 million) in damages over a story that exposed a series of property deals between the bank and companies run by the family of its executive chairman.

Piraeus Bank in Athens has sued both the news agency, a unit of Thomson Reuters Corp, and the article’s author, reporter Stephen Grey. The lawsuit accuses Reuters of malicious defamation and of wishing “to harm the entire Greek banking system.”

The Reuters special report, headlined “A Greek banker’s secret property deals” and published on Apr2,; PDF version: http://link. reuters.com/nun47s], reported Piraeus had rented at least seven properties that were owned by a series of private investment companies directed among others by the wife and two children of the bank’s executive chairman, Michalis Sallas, and financed by Piraeus bank loans.

The lawsuit says: “The bank never bought or leased any property, particularly illegal ones, from its chairman or his family.”The article was based on a study by Reuters of Greek corporate records and company statements,

documents filed in Greek land registries and interviews with legal, accounting and property experts.

In a written statement, a Piraeus spokesman said: “Piraeus Bank has already started legal proceedings in the competent Greek Courts against Reuters as a result of its inaccurate and highly defamatory report.” The spokesman said the bank possessed “sufficient evidence and data” to disprove allegations in the article, but the bank declined to provide details.

Reuters director of global communications Barb Burg said: “We continue to stand by our story. Due to the ongoing legal process, we cannot comment further at this time.”

Prior to publication, Piraeus and Sallas declined to answer questions about the deals, which had not been declared to shareholders. The bank, whose stock price has fallen 97 percent since its peak in 2007, is due to receive up to five billion euros as part of a bailout backed by European taxpayers.

The lawsuit says that the article’s publication caused the bank’s shares to tumble 14.5 percent, representing a loss to the bank at the time of 46 million euros. The shares had more than recovered their value a week later before declining again. — Reuters

BERLIN: German Labor Minister Ursula von der Leyen addresses a press conference yesterday in Berlin. The German labor market continues to defy the euro-zone debt crisis, even if seasonally-adjusted unemployment increased slightly last month. — AFP

China’s manufacturing contracts in April: HSBC SHANGHAI: Manufacturing activity in China contracted for the sixth straight month in April but at a much slower pace, banking giant HSBC said yesterday, lifting hopes the giant economy may have turned a corner.

HSBC’s purchasing managers index (PMI) came in a 49.3 in April, up from 48.3 in March, HSBC said in a statement.

A reading below 50 indicates contraction, while anything above 50 points to expansion. The figure is also higher than the preliminary 49.1 announced by the bank on April 23. It comes a day after official PMI data showed manufacturing activity at its highest level in 13 months in April, lifting hopes that Asia’s biggest economy is picking up after a recent lull.

“As easing measures are starting to work and additional easing measures are on the way... we expect Chinese GDP growth to bottom out in (the second quarter) and recover modestly,” HSBC’s chief economist for China, Qu Hongbin, said in the statement.

He forecast gross domestic product (GDP) growth of more than 8.5 percent for the second half of the year. China’s economy grew 8.1 percent in the first quarter of 2012, its slowest pace in nearly three years.

Beijing has already cut bank reserve requirements twice since December as policymakers aim to boost lending to spur growth. Analysts widely expect the government to further loosen monetary policy as it looks to kickstart growth.—AFP

24

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

business

Oil slips on European manufacturing data LONDON: Oil eased yesterday as weak economic data in Europe hit the demand outlook, countering more positive figures from China and the United States.

Brent crude for June slipped 30 cents to $119.36 a barrel by 1040 GMT, after settling 19 cents higher at $119.66 on Tuesday. US crude for June was down 41 cents at $105.75.

The euro-zone’s manufacturing sector slipped further into decline last month as a downturn that started in the periphery appeared to be taking root among core members France and Germany, a survey showed yesterday.

Germany’s manufacturing sector shrank at the fastest pace in nearly three years in April, and manufacturing activity in France, Italy and Greece also retreated while unemployment in Germany and France rose. “It does feel a bit like we are in a negative death spiral,” said Bjarne Schieldrop, chief commodity strategist at SEB in Oslo. “Austerity measures over an extended period are showing up in disappointing economic activity.”

It was a different story in the United States. US manufacturing growth in April hit its highest level in 10 months, while China’s factory sector also expanded last month, government data showed on Tuesday. Oil remains well below the highs above $126 per barrel seen in March, and the relatively small upward move on Tuesday after the strong US data highlights the overall bearish tone, Schieldrop said.

“It seems like we are more sensitive to downside news, as even when there was stronger data from the United States, there was not much of a reaction in the Brent market,” he said. SEB has a forecast of

$115 per barrel for the third quarter.

While Europe was the main concern of investors, lingering worries about the outlook for China, also helped to pressure prices. “China is a concern, with new loans falling sharply last month. The question is whether the government’s easing measures have come in time for a soft landing,” said Gordon Kwan, head of energy research at Mirae Asset Management in Hong Kong.

Chinese bank lending is estimated to have dropped 30 percent in April from a month earlier as demand for credit declined, the official China Securities Journal reported yesterday.

Fears about disruption to supply from Iran have eased somewhat in recent weeks, with more conciliatory words coming from Jerusalem and Tehran, which has also helped to keep prices off recent highs.

Iran is optimistic about talks with world powers about its nuclear program, but it will never give up its right to the peaceful use of atomic energy, a senior Iranian official said yesterday.

Even if there were to be further disruption from sanctions on Iran, action by other oil producers and possible inventory releases will mute impact on the oil price, Schieldrop at SEB said.

“Saudi Arabia can pump more oil, and we are seeing increased production from Iraq and Libya,” he said. In the United States, crude oil stocks rose by 2 million barrels last week, the industry group American Petroleum Institute (API) said, less than expected.

Ahead of weekly inventory reports, a rise of 2.5 million barrels for crude, a sixth consecutive build, was forecast in a Reuters survey of analysts. — Reuters

US dollar exchange rate stabilizes against dinar KUWAIT: Exchange rate of the US dollar against the Kuwaiti dinar stabilized, standing at KD 0.277, whereas the euro dropped to KD 0.366, compared to Tuesday’s figures, said the daily bulletin of the Central Bank of

Kuwait (CBK) yesterday. Exchange rate of the Sterling pound rose to KD 0.450, and the Japanese yen remained unchanged, at KD 0.003.

The Swiss franc also stood at KD 0.305. —KUNA

AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines wind up share swap deal Airlines under pressure from unions KUALA LUMPUR: Budget carrier AirAsia and state-owned Malaysia Airlines said yesterday they have terminated a share swap deal signed last year but will continue plans to collaborate in areas such as procurement, training and aircraft maintenance.

Analysts said the move wasn’t a surprise because of pressure on the government from Malaysia Airlines’ 15,000-strong workers’ union ahead of general elections widely expected in the next few months. The union feared the tieup would prompt a restructuring plan with job and salary cuts to help the loss-making carrier return to the black.

“The unwinding of the share swap appears to be politically driven. The government doesn’t want to alienate any voters ahead of general elections,” said Mohamad Amirullah Yaacob, an analyst with Kenanga Research.

Under the pact reached last August to end their rivalry and boost business, Tune Air, the parent of AirAsia, got a 20.5 percent stake in Malaysia Airlines. In return, government investment arm Khazanah got a 10 percent stake in AirAsia.

Khazanah said the “cross-holding of shares has become a distraction to management’s efforts to turn around” the flag carrier, but didn’t elaborate. It said no cash will change hands with the unwinding of the pact.

The two airlines said in statements to the stock exchange that plans for Malaysia Airlines to focus on the premium market and AirAsia on low-cost routes “shall cease to be operative” following the move.

AirAsia Chief Executive Tony Fernandes and his deputy

Kamarudin Meranun have also resigned from Malaysia Airlines’ board as of the end of April, the carriers said. Instead, they said the airlines would form an entity to give them better bargaining power in procuring fuel, components and other items, and would also explore plans to tie up to provide aircraft component maintenance and repair services.

Analysts said abandoning the pact doesn’t make much of a difference to AirAsia but casts a pall

on Malaysia Airlines’ future. The flag carrier is struggling to rebound after suffering a hefty 2.52 billion ringgit ($832 million) loss last year, reversing a profit of 234 million ringgit ($77 million) in 2010.

It is unclear how the flag carrier will position itself with competition expected to intensify going forward, analysts said. They said Malaysia Airlines, which has said it will cut routes by 12 percent this year, has a bloated work force

of 20,000 employees which makes it inefficient. “The issue is how will Malaysia Airlines fix itself. It is facing turbulent times amid an environment of high jet fuel prices and intensifying competition,” said Ahmad Maghfur Usman, an analyst with OSK Research. Malaysia Airlines said it will make an announcement soon on plans to raise funds for new planes to be acquired this year, including five superjumbo A380 aircraft. — AP

Kuwait stocks advance KUWAIT: Trading ended at Ku wait Stock Exchange yesterday with the main indices were green. The price index gained 41.2 points to reach 6,440.9 points, while the weighted index came to 418.33 points a rise of 1.86 points.

Trades came to 7,322 spot transactions worth KD 48,768,740, with 764,730, 000 shares changing hands till end of session.

As for sector indices, there were all green.

Top gainer sector was banking which put on 67.7 index points. Top share for the day was that of Al-Safat Real Estate Company, while biggest loser was the Taameer Real Estate Investment Company. Top-volume share was that of Abyaar Real Estate Deve lopment Company. — KUNA

25

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

BUSINESS

Indian central bank ‘intervenes’ as rupee slides MUMBAI: India’s central bank likely intervened in the foreign exchange markets yesterday to prop up the currency after the rupee slid to a near four-month-low against the dollar, traders said.

The unit fell below the key 53 rupees to the dollar level, hitting an intraday low of 53.01 — a level last seen in January-and then recovered slightly to 52.87 on the suspected intervention.

The partially convertible currency has been hurt by global uncertainty, weak domestic economic data, weakening overseas fund inflows and pressure from oil importers who have to exchange rupees for dollars when they purchase crude. Energy-hungry India imports around four-fifths of its crude oil needs to fuel its economy.

“There was a modest (RBI) intervention, at 53 rupee levels,” a trader said, declining to be named. He said that some state-run banks also sold dollars, possibly on behalf of the RBI. The RBI intervenes only to pre-

vent sharp volatility and has a policy of not commenting on rupee movements or confirming forex market interventions.

But traders estimated this was the ninth such central bank action this year so far. Abhishek Goenka, chief executive of India Forex, a consultancy firm, said: “Internationally, the dollar is getting into a recovery phase.” And Naveen Mathur, associate director of commodities and currencies at Mumbai’s Angel Broking, said: “Weak economic conditions are not allowing for the rupee to appreciate.”

Last month the bank cut interest rates by a bigger-than-expected 50 basis points-its first reduction in three years-in an effort to spur growth.

But concerns about India’s widening trade gap, which last year hit a record $184.9 billion, and its fiscal deficit offset any investor hopes that the rate cut could spur flagging economic growth, traders said.

The rupee-Asia’s worst performing currency in 2011 — hit a recordlow of 54.30 against the dollar in mid-December. The Indian currency then recovered to 48.67 rupees to the dollar in February, led by strong foreign fund buying of Indian equities and debt, but then slid again as share prices softened.

Meanwhile, India’s factory sector picked up slightly in April, powered by new orders, but rising prices highlighted ongoing inflation risks, a business survey showed yesterday.

The HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), a key measure of factory output, edged up to 54.9 in April from 54.7 in March, led by new orders. A reading above 50 points to expansion while a reading below 50 suggests contraction. “Business conditions seem to have improved a bit and the increase in order flows from domestic and overseas customers suggest the pace of growth could hold up in coming months,” said

HSBC’s chief India economist Leif Eskesen.

But “inflation accelerated with both output and input prices rising faster.

This suggests that upside risks to inflation remain,” he added.

The figures suggested that the central bank’s recent half-point rate cut “could turn out to have been premature and too aggressive,” he said. The Reser ve Bank of India reduced rates last month, its first such move in three years, after hiking borrowing costs 13 times since March 2010 to curb stubbornly high prices.

Inflation, which was nudging double digits for most of 2011, has now fallen to just under seven percent but the rate rises, along with a sluggish global economy, dragged on gross domestic product growth.

Asia’s third-largest economy grew 6.9 percent in the fiscal year to March, the second lowest pace in a decade.

Last week, Standard & Poor’s

downgraded India’s credit outlook to negative, saying the slowing economy and swelling fiscal

deficit was putting the country’s prized investment-grade rating at risk. —Agencies

NEW DELHI: An Indian tea vendor receives a twenty rupee note from a customer at a roadside stall in New Delhi. India’s central bank likely intervened in the foreign exchange markets yesterday to prop up the currency after the rupee slid to a near four-monthlow against the dollar, traders said. —AFP

UBS Q1 profit slumps 54% on debt charge Bank manages to cut high risk assets

KOLKATA: Chairman and Managing Director of India’s Bharti Airtel Limited, Sunil Mittal delivers a speech during the launch of Airtel’s 4G services in Kolkata. —AFP

India’s Bharti quarterly profit dives surprise 28% NEW DELHI: India’s leading mobile phone firm by subscribers, Bharti Airtel, repor ted yesterday a worse -thanexpected 28 percent dive in quarterly net profit, hit by debt charges and foreign exchange losses. But investors ignored the plunge, focusing instead on the company’s stronger operating performance, driving up the company’s stock by more than two percent. The mobile phone operator said net profit slid to 10.06 billion rupees ($191 million) in the three months to March from a year earlier. The figure undershot market expec tations that profit would decline to around 12.5 billion rupees.

The fall marked Bharti’s ninth straight quarterly profit drop in India’s fiercely competitive mobile market, which has over a dozen players.

Interest charges from its $3.2-billion acquisition of faster 3G spectrum and Bharti’s $10.7-billion debt-funded purchase in 2010 of the African mobile operations of Kuwait’s Zain weighed on earnings.

Foreign exchange losses and tax provisions also dragged down profit. But revenues climbed 15 percent to 187.29 billion rupees as Bharti’s average revenue per user-a key performance measure-increased 1.1 percent.

I ts number of customers also jumped nearly six million in the final quarter to 181.3 million, double the addition in the previous three months.

“The operating numbers were basically good so this has offset the disappoint-

ment over the headline profit,” said a Mumbai telecom analyst who could not be named due to his company’s policy.

Bharti’s shares rose 2.05 percent to 316.65 on the back of the results, outpacing a slightly firmer overall market.

“The year has ended with the company’s customer base crossing 250 million across 20 countries,” Bharti’s billionaire chief Sunil Bharti Mittal said. The earnings came amidst turmoil in India’s telecom market after the Supreme Court this year cancelled 122 secondgeneration (2G) mobile licenses issued in 2008 on grounds the distribution process was under-priced and corrupt.

The telecom regulator has proposed that the government auction the airwaves using a reserve price nearly 10 times the price used in 2008, raising alarm in the sector.

“These rates would be unsustainable for the industr y,” Bhar ti managing director Akhil Gupta told reporters, saying they would push up tariffs and threaten India’s goal of pushing the mobile phone network across rural areas. The developments have created uncertainty about the future of India’s mobile market, which had been seen as one of the nation’s biggest liberalization success stories and a promoter of economic development. “The recent regulatory developments in India will have significant implications on the future of telephony and broadband as well as India’s global competitiveness,” Mittal warned. —AFP

Comcast Q1 earnings up 30% NEW YORK: Comcast Corp, the country’s largest cable company, reported a 30 percent profit increase in the first quarter, beating expectations on the strength of Super Bowl advertising and its popular broadband ser vice. The Philadelphia-based cable company said yesterday that its net income rose to $1.224 billion, or 45 cents per share, for the January to March period from $943 million, or 34 cents per share, a year ago.

Analysts polled by Fac tSet were expecting earnings of 42 cents per share for the latest Quarter Revenue rose to $14.9 billion, above analysts’ expectation of $14.4 billion. The increase was 9.6 percent compared with the combined cable and NBC Universal results a year ago. Comcast’s acquisition of a majority stake in NBC Universal, which owns TV channels and movie studios, closed at the end of Januar y last year. NBC Universal’s results shone in the quarter.

It accounts for a third of Comcast’s revenue, but grew much faster, at 18 percent from last year. Revenue at the NBC broadcast network grew 37 percent thanks to the Super Bowl. Fox broadcast it last year.

Excluding the Super Bowl, NBC’s rev-

enue grew 17 percent, helped by improving prime -time ratings and shows like “The Voice” and “Smash.” At Universal Studios, revenue grew 22 percent on the theatrical success of “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax” and “Safe House.”

Comcast’s more predictable cable business revenue grew at lower pace 5.7 percent from last year.

CEO Brian Roberts has suggested that Comcast might be able to reverse the long-standing industry-wide trend of cable-TV subscribers cancelling in favor of satellite and phone-company TV services, but that prospect was not in evidence in the first quar ter : Comcast lost 37,000 cable subscribers, roughly the same number it lost in the same quarter last year.

Comcast added 439,000 Internet subscribers. That was the best quarterly result in four years.

Meanwhile other cable companies report a slowdown in the recruitment of new subscribers, since most households already have broadband.

Comcast appears to be gaining subscribers from households with slower phone-company “DSL” broadband.

Comcast shares slipped 20 cents to $30.40 after initially rising as high as $32 in premarket trading. —AP

ZURICH: Swiss banking giant UBS reported that net profit slid by 54 percent to 827 million Swiss francs (688 million euros, $910 million) in the first quarter of 2012, sharply below expectations, in a statement yesterday.

The company was in particular hit by an exceptional charge of 1.2 billion francs for bad debt, it said in a statement. In February UBS had forecast a tough first quarter owing to the economic crisis when it posted its results for 2011, with net profit sliding 44 percent yearon-year to 4.2 billion francs.

“Given challenging market conditions, I am proud of what our employees have achieved, delivering high-quality results while deploying less risk and successfully executing our strategy,” chief executive Sergio Ermotti said in the statement.

The result came in 25 percent lower than the average forecast of 1.1 billion francs by analysts polled by financial firm AWP. Like Swiss giant Credit Suisse, which last week reported a 96-percent drop in first-quarter profit, UBS said it had massively cut its highrisk assets to bring its books into line with new international regulations under the Basel III rules, drawn up in the wake of the global financial crisis to make banks reinforce their capital reserves. UBS said it had reduced Basel III risk-weighted assets by about 30 billion francs. The bank highlighted good performance in its core division, wealth management, which registered pre-tax profit of 803 million francs in the first three months of the year, up 70 percent from the last three months of 2011.

The wealth management Americas division reported its highest pre-tax profit ever at $209 million (157.8 million euros), up more than 30 percent from the figure for the previous quarter. The bank said the two divisions were boosted by inflows from the Asia-Pacific region, emerging markets and Switzerland.

But the investment banking division registered a 373-million-franc loss, against a 14-

million-franc loss the quarter before. UBS sounded a cautionary note on its financial outlook, underlining that banks still face a tough environment because of the euro-zone debt crisis, concerns about the European banking system, budget deficit battles in the United States and overall uncertainty about

exchange, which was 0.58 percent higher overall. Analysts at Notenstein bank said the quarter was “a rather disappointing start to the year” for UBS, but said the growth of the wealth management divisions looked promising.

Tim Dawson, an analyst at equities broker-

ZURICH: Swiss banking giant UBS’ headquraters in Zurich. the global economy.

“Failure to make progress on these key issues would make further improvements in prevailing market conditions unlikely and would have the potential to continue the headwinds for revenue growth, net interest margins and net new money,” it said. The bank said it was on track to reach its goal of cutting costs by two billion francs by the end of 2013.

UBS shares were up 4.77 percent to 11.87 francs in mi-day trading on the Swiss stock

age Helvea, said UBS, which underwent a tumultuous period after the sub-prime mortgage crisis in 2007, appeared to be on track to reduce costs and risky assets in line with its long-term targets.

But he said short-term, “the group’s outlook statement remains highly contingent on certain external factors” such as the debt crisis. “Our own views on the shares broadly mirror that-good long-term value but unclear prospects in the near-term,” he said. —AFP

German inflation angst returns to Europe BERLIN: While its European partners agonize about recession, austerity and rising unemployment, Germany is shifting its attention to a very different, and yet familiar, source of angst - inflation.

Despite recent data showing German consumer prices rose by just 2 percent in April, the slowest pace in over a year, some economists see the beginnings of a dangerous price bubble that could come back to haunt the country in the years to come. The high cost of oil and signs that German wages and property prices are on the rise, after stagnating for the better part of the last decade, are contributing to the anxiety.

But the main source of concern is the easy monetary policy of the European Central Bank (ECB), which has pushed interest rates down to a record low and provided massive amounts of liquidity to euro zone banks in a desperate bid to stem the debt crisis that has haunted the bloc since 2009. The central bank’s approach may be appropriate for countries like Spain and Greece, which are struggling with crushing recessions and unemployment rates approaching 25 percent.

But it poses a growing risk to healthy Germany, the argument goes, even if the true threat to Europe’s largest economy may not become apparent for many months. “In the years after the euro’s launch, interest rates were too high for Germany and too low for countries like Spain and Ireland.

Now the story has been turned on its head,” said Joachim Scheide, head of forecasting at the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.

“There’s nothing dramatic happening at the moment, but the inflation dangers for Germany over the next two to three years are very high,” he said. “There is a significant risk that this ends in disaster.”

The Kiel institute was one of eight think-tanks to warn last month in a twice-yearly report that the dire state of some euro members could make it difficult for the ECB to return to a more normal policy stance in time to prevent a strong rise in German inflation.

A week later, in an unusual public foray into the realm of monetary policy, German Economy Minister Philipp Roesler called - in a written statement approved by the cabinet - for the ECB to return to “normal mode” and focus on its “clear mandate” of price stability.

That made it official - the German government itself was worried about inflation.

Why is this significant? After all Germans have had a visceral aversion to higher prices ever since hyperinflation under the Weimar Republic in the early 1920s eviscerated the savings of an entire generation. Worrying about price rises is nothing new for Germany. The big difference with the current bout of angst is that it could have huge implications for Europe and its hopes of emerging from its debt crisis.

Higher German wages, some economists believe, are precisely what are needed to get the bloc back on track. If German consumers had a bit more disposable income, it could boost demand for imported products from Europe’s ailing periphery, bolstering growth there.

If German workers cost a bit more, Germany’s competitive advantage might be reduced, making it easier for other European countries to sell their goods. If there was ever a time for Germany to tolerate higher prices, it may be now.

That’s why public expressions of inflation anxiety in Germany are worrying to some. Should the fears harden over the course of this year, pressure on the ECB to rein in its expansionary policy - from the Bundesbank, politicians and the German media - would surely grow.

If that pressure led to a more restrictive monetary policy, it could render moot the soon-to-beunveiled growth strategy European leaders have been talking about so much in recent weeks.

“If the people in charge - mostly the Germans at this point insist that the adjustment must come entirely through a fall in the absolute level of wages and prices in countries with current account deficits and large amounts of debt, then Europe is in for a difficult, and perhaps lost, decade,” MIT professor and former IMF chief economist Simon Johnson wrote this week.

“But if part of the adjustment can come through higher German

wages - recognizing productivity gains and consistent with continued prosperity - the path forward will be easier.”

So does Germany really have an inflation problem? German wages are certainly on the rise. Last month, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative party said it would try to introduce a new nationwide minimum wage law in parliament by the end of the year, a move which would push up salaries in one fell swoop. In March, the two million workers in the German public sector received a pay increase of 6.3 percent over two years. IG Metall, which represents 3.6 million workers in the engineering sector, is demanding a 6.5 percent raise for this year alone.

The union’s readiness to launch warning strikes this week and the bolder rhetoric of its leaders underscores just how strong its position has become in a sector where many firms are delivering robust profits, working at full capacity and struggling with skilled labor shortages.

“It’s our turn now,” Michael Sommer, head of the DGB federation of German unions, said in a May Day speech. Still, fears of a German wage-price spiral seem overdone to many economists.

Data published by the Federal Statistics Office last month showed that hourly labour costs in the German private sector rose at the lowest rate - 19.4 percent - of any country in the European Union over the past decade. —Reuters

26

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

business Burgan Bank announces only Visa Platinum Credit in Kuwait that guarantees cash back KUWAIT: Burgan Bank announced International Airport.” To find out more yesterday the distinctive feature of its about Burgan Bank’s service as well as Visa Platinum Credit card which its latest promotions, customers are includes a cash back guarantee on all required to visit their nearest Burgan purchases, an unparalleled offering Bank branch or contact the call center across Kuwait. Along with a multitude on 1804080. For more details, customers can log on to the of discounts and special bank’s website on features tailored to cuswww.burgan.com tomers’ exclusive needs, Established in 1977, the VISA Platinum Credit Burgan Bank is the Card from Burgan Bank is youngest commercial accepted globally, providBank based in Kuwait, with ing greater freedom and a significant focus on the convenience to shop anycorporate and financial where in the world. institutions sectors, as well Designed to suit the as having a growing retail lifestyle of its distinand private bank customer guished customers, the Visa Platinum Credit card Muneera Al-Mukhaizeem base.

Burgan Bank has four from Burgan includes exclusive discounts and privileges from the majority owned subsidiaries: Gulf Bank most prestigious merchants in addi- Algeria - AGB (Algeria), Bank of tion to free valet parking at selected Baghdad - BOB (Iraq), Jordan Kuwait venues and shopping malls in Kuwait. Bank - JKB (Jordan) and Tunis “With the summer season coming up, International Bank - TIB (Tunisia), (colwe looked ahead to accommodate our lectively known as the “Burgan Bank customers’ needs,” said Mrs. Muneera Group”). The Bank has continuously Al-Mukhaizeem, Chief Retail Banking improved its performance over the Officer - General Manager at Burgan years through an expanded revenue Bank, and added that “Visa Platinum structure, diversified funding sources, credit card from Burgan Bank offers and a strong capital base. The adoppeace of mind through our medical tion of state-of-the-art services and and legal referral while travelling in technology has positioned it as a addition to complementary free trendsetter in the domestic market access to the Pearl Lounge in Kuwait and within the MENA region.

Jumeirah Group completes 2012 Roadshow in Kuwait KUWAIT: Jumeirah, the global hospitality management company headquartered in Dubai and a member of Dubai Holding has successfully completed its 2012 Roadshow in Kuwait with an impressive event held at Sheraton Kuwait Hotel and Towers on April 24.

Enhancing engagement with key travel and trade partners in Kuwait, whilst introducing new regional and international hotels and resorts across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Rome, Frankfurt, Istanbul and new serviced residence in London were the key objectives of the 2012 roadshow.

During the roadshow in Kuwait, Jumeirah Group also affirmed that the glittering new Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa will open doors for guests by end of 2012. Conveniently located at a close proximity to Kuwait City’s business centre and only 10 minutes away from Kuwait International Airport, Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa is poised to be Kuwait’s finest five star hotel.

Upon opening, the magnificent Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa will feature 316 rooms and suites along with 80 residential suites and 12 palatial villas. The hotel will also offer a wide choice of cuisines at its six speciality restaurants, cafes and lounges.

State of the art and spacious conference room options at the hotel will soon position Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa as the most sought after venue for organizing meetings and events in Kuwait. With a 200m long private beach, the hotel also boasts of hosting the biggest talise spa in Kuwait at 3500m.

With a key focus on Kuwaiti families and couples, Jumeirah group has introduced attractive summer campaign for consumers across key hotel properties in Dubai.

The new promotion offers 10% off the Best Available Rate (BAR) with a host of value added benefits, which include many exclusive complimentary benefits such as breakfast, beach access, usage of the kids club and free internet access.

Besides these, guests would also be entitled to complimentary admission to the hugely popular Wild Wadi Waterpark, which is situated next to Burj Al Arab, Madinat Jumeirah and Jumeirah Beach Hotels.

Commenting on the completion of roadshow in Kuwait, Thomas Grundner, Vice President of Global Sales in Jumeirah Group said, “The onset of summer season marks the start of outbound travel and our roadshow in

Kuwait was the perfect platform to introduce Jumeirah’s summer promotions to our valued travel and trade partners. This along with information about new properties will enable them to offer unbeatable luxury offers to prospective customers.”

The theme of the 2012 Roadshow is to bring Jumeirah’s “Stay Different” philosophy to life and showcase Jumeirah’s three brand pillars Culturally Connected, Thoughtful and Generous and Imaginative and Exhilarating.

In line with Jumeirah’s brand promise of STAY DIFFERENTTM, the roadshow events in Kuwait also witnessed the hospitality company introducing new hotel proper ties including Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa which will open on April 24th, Jumeirah Bilgah Beach Hotel, Baku opening in Spring 2012 and Jumeirah Creekside Hotel Dubai in 2012 summer.

In the first quarter of 2012 Jumeirah took over the management of Jumeirah Grand Hotel Via Veneto in Rome and launched a second Jumeirah Living with Grosvenor House Apartments by Jumeirah Living in London, which opened in March 2012.

With 2012 London Olympics fast approaching, Grosvenor House Apartments by Jumeirah Living in London offer a viable and comfortable residence option for the discerning visitors. Set in London’s exclusive Park Lane, Grosvenor House Apartments by Jumeirah Living combines the comfort and security of a private Mayfair residence with the services of a five star hotel to offer a new category of hotel residences.

Jumeirah Group witnessed tremendous growth in the year 2011 as six new hotels across three continents were opened. These included Jumeirah Zabeel Saray in Dubai, Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel in Shanghai, Jumeirah Dhevanafushi and Jumeirah Vitavelli in the Maldives, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi and Jumeirah Frankfurt. So far it has opened a further four in 2012 - Grosvenor House Apartments by Jumeirah Living in London, Pera Palace Jumeirah in Istanbul, Jumeirah Grand Hotel Via Veneo in Rome and Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa in Mallorca, Spain.

The hospitality major now operates 20 luxury hotels, resorts and residences around the world. From 2011 until the end of 2012, Jumeirah Group aims to more than double the number of properties it manages and almost quadruple the number of countries in which it operates.

Bahrain king inaugurates $2.1bn Al Dur project GIC project Kingdom’s largest power & water plant KUWAIT: King Hamad Bin Isa AlKhalifa, King of Bahrain, yesterday inaugurated Bahrain’s largest independent power generation and water desalination plant owned by Al-Dur Power & Water Company (Al Dur). The ceremony, which was attended by Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa and more than 600 local, regional and international dignitaries and business leaders and shareholders and partners of the company.

Al Dur has been established to help meet the growing demand in the Kingdom of Bahrain for clean, reliable and competitivelypriced power and water. The plant, which began commercial operations in February 2012, has a capacity of 1,234 MW of power and 218,000 m3 per day of the highest quality water in the GCC today.

This is equivalent to approximately one-third of the Kingdom’s installed power capacity and one-third of its water requirements. With the additional capacity that Al Dur will supply to the national grid of the Kingdom, the plant has the potential to transform Bahrain from an importer of power at peak periods of usage to an exporter of power to other GCC countries. The Bahraini Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) is the sole off-taker of the plant output under a 25-year Power and Water Purchase Agreement.

Al Dur has been developed at a total cost of $2.1 billion by International Power-GDF SUEZ, a world leader in independent power and water generation, and Gulf Investment Corporation, the largest financial investor in power and water projects in the GCC. Its shareholders include a number of local Bahraini institutions: Social Insurance Organization, Bahrain Islamic Bank, Capital Management House, First Energy Bank and Instrata Capital.

Commenting on the occasion, Abdulhussain bin Ali Mirza, Minister of Electricity of the Kingdom of Bahrain, said: “We are honored by the patronage and presence of His Majesty the King to mark the official inauguration of the Al Dur power and water plant. His support reflects

His Majesty’s keen interest in developing landmark projects of this scale in the Kingdom and in particular, those that contribute towards enhancing the quality of life for citizens and their access to vital services. EWA is working

Executive Officer of Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC).

“As Bahrain’s single largest independent producer of power and water, Al Dur is a critical part of the Kingdom’s economic infrastructure. With the launch of

the first of its size in the Middle East to use Reverse Osmosis (RO), a technology that combines advanced technique with environmental preservation,” said Phillip Cox Chief executive officer of International Power. This

King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa and other dignitaries during the inauguration of Bahrain’s largest independent power generation and water desalination plant owned by Al-Dur Power & Water Company (Al Dur). hand-in-hand with the private sector in order to support Government efforts to expand the Kingdom’s infrastructure. We are confident that the launch of Al Dur and its partnership with EWA will ensure the stable and secure supply of power and water to support ongoing growth and diversification of the economy. We would also like to congratulate His Royal Highness the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and the Crown Prince His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Isa Al Khalifa on this important occasion. This significant investment made by the shareholders of Al Dur is a direct reflection of their confidence in the Kingdom, its leadership and its strong prospects for the future.” “We are delighted to inaugurate this landmark project in the Kingdom of Bahrain,” said Hisham Al-Razzuqi, Chief

commercial operations at the plant, the Kingdom’s power and water supply has been secured well into this decade. Reliable access to power and water is essential to fuelling growth and we are proud to play an important part in the Kingdom’s further economic development for the benefits of all citizens. We thank His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa and the leadership and government of the Kingdom of Bahrain for the support they have extended to Al Dur and its shareholders and for continuing to make Bahrain an ideal location for pioneering private sector projects.”

Developed and built by bestin-class partners and contractors, Al Dur uses cutting edge technologies that put the plant at the forefront of reliability, safety and environmental friendliness. “For water desalination, the plant is

enables Al Dur to operate with maximum efficiency whilst simultaneously protecting the integrity of Bahrain’s natural environment at all times. The plant is fully compliant with World Bank standards for environmental emissions and the drinking water produced at Al Dur is to very exacting standards that meet or exceed World Health Organization ( WHO) requirements.

The plant’s technology and design provide other unique features ensuring uninterrupted production and supply of power and water. Al Dur is capable of transferring automatically to liquid diesel fuel in the unforeseen event of gas supply disruption. It is also the only private power production facility in the Kingdom capable of independently restarting the national grid in the unlikely event of a nationwide black out.

Henderson fund outflow led by institutions LONDON: British investment manager Henderson saw a net outflow of 857 million pounds ($1.4 billion) from its funds in the first quarter, largely because of a continuing decline in its low-margin institutional business.

Henderson saw a net first-quarter institutional outflow of 610 million pounds, a net drain of 110 million at its retail arm, predominantly from its British funds, and a 137 million outflow from insurance clients.

The fund manager, which bought out struggling rival Gartmore last year and has Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho spearheading its latest advertising campaign, was hit by institutional clients heading for the exit in 2011. The outflow contrasted with rival Aberdeen Asset Management , which on Monday reported a net inflow for the first three months of 2012 of 2.4 billion pounds.

Henderson shares were down 4.4 percent at 1136 GMT though analysts attributed the drop in part to the shares going ex-dividend on Wednesday, after which investors buying the shares do not qualify for the latest dividend payout.

Kuwait coaching conference on May 6, 7 Gulf Lead Consultants (GLC) is holding the second Kuwait Coaching Conference under the theme of “Maximize the Power of your Human Capital” on May 6 and 7, 2012 at Hilton Kuwait Resort. Elite of professionals and experts from the United State of America, United Kingdom, Kuwait, and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will share their experience in coaching.

Coaching is an effective tool used by leaders, managers, and experts to enhance the performance and achieve personal and corporate objectives. In 1990, coaching emerged in the scene as a distinct profession. Later, The International Coach Federation was founded in 1995 and by 2011 it certified over19000 coaches.

The conference will cover organizational coaching, manager as a coach, and executive coaching.

Conference sessions in each day will be followed by a mini workshop on Executive Coaching and Manager as a Coach respectively. Participants will have the chance to learn from and engage with professionals from the region and internationally.

The Conference is sponsored by the Civil Service Commission, Viva Telecom, and Kuwait Hotels Company. The media sponsors are Kuwait Times and Alrai newspapers. For registration and inquiries please call 22915678 or 99194993.

American Express Mideast wins ‘Best Premium Credit Card’ Banker ME Product Awards 2012 KUWAIT: American Express Middle East announced yesterday that it has won an award for “Best Premium Credit Card” at the Banker Middle East Product Awards 2012, hosted by CPI Financial in Dubai.

The Platinum Card from American Express Middle East was recognized in the “Best Premium Credit Card” category for offering exclusive privileges and benefits to Cardmembers, with its excellent features and market share being key factors in winning the award. Senior officials from American Express Middle East received the prestigious award at a glittering award ceremony in Dubai.

Among the unique privileges that the Platinum Card offers its Cardmembers, are exceptional 24/7 worldwide customer care; dedicated travel and lifestyle services, no Pre-set Spending Limit, giving Cardmembers the purchasing power that suits their lifestyle; access to over 600 airport lounges across the world; travel and purchase protection insurances; and access to the global awardwinning Membership Rewards(r) program.

Membership Rewards enables Platinum Cardmembers to earn one point for nearly every dollar spent on the Card, which can be redeemed across a wide selection of reward categories including flights with 11 regional and global airlines, 5-star hotels, dining and entertainment and charity donations.

American Express Middle East also intro-

duced a new Membership Rewards Merchandiser program offering points redemptions on high-end branded items.

“We are delighted that the Platinum Card has been recognized with this prestigious award, which further cements its strong reputation in the MENA region,” said Mazin Khoury, Chief Executive Officer, American Express Middle East.

“The Platinum Card holds a promise of extraordinary experiences and superior benefits, elegantly enabled by personalized service superior to any other brand.

It is also internationally recognized as one the world’s most prestigious cards, and those who carry it, stand apart from the crowd.”

“For example, the key differentiator that the Platinum Card offers is the personalized service that comes with the Card and that allows each Cardmember to access a Premium Account Manager to assist them with all Card-related, travel and lifestyle needs,” Mazin added.

The Banker Middle East Product Awards recognize the outstanding achievements of banks and financial institutions from around the Gulf region in developing banking products and services that are either exceptionally innovative or have generated excellent financial results and/or transference of market share. The awards are recognized as the most widely known and credible in the banking sector.

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THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

TECHNOLOGY

CSR strengthens its audio platform with High Fidelity Class-D Amplifier CAMBRIDGE: Extending and enhancing its audio platform offerings, CSR plc (LSE: CSR; NASDAQ: CSRE) yesterday announced the acquisition of Direct Digital Feedback Amplifier (DDFAT ) technology, a proprietary, highly scalable digital Class-D audio amplifier technology which will allow CSR to offer a broader, more complete range of audio solutions to OEMs that dramatically simplify system designs and reduce cost while achieving unsurpassed audio quality.

The innovative DDFA technology will enable CSR to provide complete, high-performance, all-digital audio processing pipelines, from source to speakers, for a variety of wireless and wired active speakers, speaker docks, sound bars and other consumer audio products.

“This patented DDFA technology now gives us the unique ability to produce incredibly compact digital power amplifier

stages that combine the high energy efficiency of Class D operation with output sound quality that until now has only been possible with the very best linear amplifiers,” said Anthony Murray, Senior Vice President for the Home Business Group at CSR. “With the acquisition of DDFA technology, CSR will be able to provide a complete audio platform solution to address the needs of our customers in existing and emerging new markets for wireless audio.

We believe the DDFA technology will enable us to ultimately offer our customers a broad range of truly all-digital audio solutions that deliver significant cost and quality benefits over traditional designs, and which will spark entirely new consumer product categories.”

The acclaimed NAD VISO 1 Wireless Digital Music System from NAD Electronics

is a prime example, where DDFA technology has been selected as the amplifier solution. Greg Stidsen, Director of Technology and Product Planning of NAD explains: “DDFA is the ideal digital amplifier technology to meet our performance needs while at the same time providing the processing features that allow our engineers to perfectly optimise the system’s acoustic performance.”

DDFA Technology Benefits The DDFA architecture employs a fast and highly accurate digital feedback loop to create a Class-D audio switching amplifier that sets new standards in digital amplifier sound quality. Even when used with an inexpensive, unregulated power supply, including switching power supplies, digital amplifiers based on DDFA technology can achieve THD+N perform-

ance levels of less than 0.004% and a dynamic range of 120dB, according to our internal studies.

The DDFA architecture is highly scalable in terms of power output, number of channels and the range of applications it is suitable for. Implementations with today’s chipset are able to produce 20 to 250 Watts with up to eight single-ended or four bridge-tied load channels using a single modulator, with flexible combinations of modulators and feedback processors allowing a variety of channel counts to be implemented. Applications cover the entire range of consumer audio products, from docking stations, active speakers and sound bars to premium AV receivers, component high-fidelity amplifiers and home entertainment systems.

Unlike more traditional linear amplifier solutions, the DDFA architecture inte-

grates the functions of DAC, DSP, pre-amp and power amp to significantly simplify system design, maintain signal integrity and reduce cost. DSP capability includes dedicated configurable IIR filters supported by mix/map functions to implement active crossovers and parametric EQ for room or cabinet equalization.

Conventional functions such as tone and volume controls also benefit from the full digital implementation, avoiding the degrading side-effects seen in analogue implementations.

Advanced power management features enable the DDFA architecture to provide intelligent short-circuit protection, programmable clip management, dynamic compression, configurable power and current limiting. DDFA technology from CSR is already deployed in mass-produced consumer audio products.—AP

Science ensures North Korea nuke test would be no secret Infrasound, hydroacoustic monitors pick up vibrations

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg

Ex-AOL executive calls Facebook new ‘walled garden’ BEVERLY HILLS: A former AOL executive says Facebook is doing what the Internet portal should have done: It is keeping its structure as a “walled garden.”

For years, AOL tried its best to keep users hooked with exclusive articles, chat rooms and other features reserved for paying customers. Facebook likewise keeps posts and photos within a group of friends or acquaintances who sign up for accounts.

“When you have the walled garden, it was wonderful how it perpetuated itself,” Bob Pittman, AOL’s former chief operating officer, said Tuesday at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills. “When you wanted to talk to someone in the walled garden, you had to join the walled garden.”

Pittman, earlier a founder of MTV, said AOL’s decision to break down its walls beginning in 2004 “probably was the downfall of AOL.” He’d left AOL in 2002, before it reached that juncture, but he said Facebook is unlikely to make the same mistake.

“Facebook is the next walled garden. It’s the second walled garden after AOL. They are really smart, and they are not letting anybody convince them to get rid of the walled garden.”

Pittman, who now heads radio giant Clear Channel, said AOL’s ability to sell access to the large community inside its walls was what created its value.

Facebook is certainly valuable. It is expected to offer shares to the public this month for the first time in an offering that could give the company a market capitalization of more than $100 billion.

Once the country’s largest Internet access provider, AOL Inc. started giving away its AOL.com email accounts for free in 2006 just to draw traffic. It had little choice as Internet users increasingly abandoned dial-up connections for broadband. AOL lost millions of subscribers who had been paying $19.95 a month. AOL then turned to online advertising, which makes up the bulk of its revenue and growth prospects today. —AP

WASHINGTON: North Korea remains largely cut off from the Internet and mobile phone technology that links much of modern society, but any nuclear test would be swiftly revealed by global scientists, experts say.

Thousands of earthquake specialists would be able to measure the seismic waves from any underground blast and alert the world in real-time, a capacity that has grown since the hermit state’s last nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009. Speculation has mounted that North Korea could soon conduct a third nuclear test, after a failed rocket launch last month embarrassed the new regime of leader Kim Jong-Un. “Just within a very few minutes it would be really obvious that they would have done this,” said Paul Richards, a leading expert in nuclear weapons seismology and a professor at Columbia University. “The only delay would be the delay in which seismic waves travel around the world to various stations,” he added.

Those waves travel about five miles per second, and would be picked up first by the nearest monitoring stations in South Korea and Japan, followed by other worldwide outlets that typically record hundreds of earthquakes each day. The waves from a nuclear test look different to scientists than the waves from an earthquake, so there is no chance of getting the two confused, Richards said.

A report earlier this year by the US National Research Council, a part of the National Academy of Sciences, described a host of recent improvements to worldwide technology when it comes to detecting and verifying a nuclear test.

“Technical capabilities for seismic monitoring have improved substantially in the past decade, allowing much more sensitive detection, identification, and location of nuclear events,” it said. The number of certified international monitoring stations grew from three in October 2000 to 264 in February of 2011, bring the global network envisioned by the

Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization to near 90 percent complete, it said.

The threshold for detecting a test has dropped too, with regional monitors now able to sense an explosion as small as 20 tons or 0.020 kilotons explosive yield. The 2006 North Korea explosion was detected at a magnitude 4.1 and was believed to be around one

up vibrations in the air and oceans that are undetectable to the human ear. Many of these nuclear test sensing capacities are held by an international monitoring network of nations that have signed on to the as-yet unratified Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT ), adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1996.

But others belong to individual

authorities” in case of a nuclear explosion in the atmosphere or in space, the NRC noted.

“Lots of people will know very quickly,” said Christopher Paine, director of the nuclear program at the Natural Resources Defense Council, adding there has been no “revolution” in technology but rather a series of gradual improvements.

YALU RIVER: In this file photo, North Koreans look out on a boat sailing on the Yalu River, the China-North Korea border river, near North Korea’s town of Sinuiju. —AFP kiloton explosive yield; while the 2009 test registered 4.5 and was believed to be a few kilotons.

Other advanced methods include radionuclide monitoring, whereby sophisticated sensors pick up evidence of atomic debris in the air and can offer a solid confirmation of the place and time of a nuclear test. The world’s “radionuclide network has gone from being essentially non-existent to a nearly fully functional and robust network with new technology that has surpassed most expectations,” said the National Research Council report.

In addition, infrasound and hydroacoustic monitors can pick

nations’ military and spy agencies, in some cases surpassing the abilities held by the global network.

For instance, the US Air Force operates special planes that can fly to the location of a radioactive plume and collect data for analysis.

Such tests allowed the US Director of National Intelligence to confirm the North Korea test in 2006 along with its location, date and size. The Air Force also maintains a 1,000 member staff focused solely on nuclear event detection. The United States has access to a wealth of data from satellites that would be “immediately available to the military

“What has really changed is the rather vast expansion and penetration of the Internet and of cell phone technology.” As technology opens up societies that were once closed, some day science may be just one of several methods to verify the actions of secretive governments, he said.

“North Korea is the last example of a Stalinist state that remains pretty much cut off from the communication that that every other country in the world is attached to,” Paine said. “Societies are becoming much more irreversibly transparent despite what their governments might try to do.”— AFP

Mobile app helps report unfair airport screeners CALIFORNIA: A Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch eReader on display at a Best Buy in Mountain View. An infusion of money from Microsoft Corp. sent Barnes & Noble Inc.’s stock zooming Monday, as the software giant established a way to get back into the e-books business. —AP

DT to acquire PLX in $330 million deal SAN JOSE: Chipmaker Integrated Device Technology Inc. said Monday that it agreed to buy PLX Technology Inc. for about $330 million in cash and stock. IDT said the acquisition will help it expand its core serial switching and interface business. The boards of both companies approved the merger. The deal is expected to close by the end of June.

Stockholders will receive $3.50 in cash and 0.525 shares of IDT common stock for each share of PLX stock outstanding. Based on IDT’s closing price on Friday, the total transaction is valued at about $7 per PLX share with a total value of $330 million for

the deal. PLX shares jumped $2.72, or 68.3 percent, to $6.70 in after-hours trading Monday. IDT shares fell 47 cents, or 6.9 percent, to $6.31 in the aftermarket.

IDT expects to reap $35 million annually from the merger by fiscal 2014, excluding transaction costs, with earnings benefiting by the third fiscal quarter of 2013, which ends in December.

Under the terms of the deal, Sunnyvale, Calif.-based PLX may solicit higher bids from third parties until May 30. If it does not consummate the agreement with IDT, PLX will have to pay IDT breakup fees in certain circumstances. —AP

WASHINGTON: A Sikh advocacy group launched a free mobile application Monday that allows travelers to complain immediately to the government if they feel they’ve been treated unfairly by airport screeners.

Launched at midnight by The Sikh Coalition, the FlyRights app had fielded two complaints by 10 a.m. EDT Monday.

The first complaint came from a woman who said she felt mistreated after she disclosed to a screener that she was carrying breast milk. A man who is Sikh filed the second complaint, saying he was subjected to extra security even though he had not set off any alarms. The woman’s complaint was based on gender and the man’s, religion, said coalition program director Amardeep Singh.

Singh said the Department of Homeland Security and Transportation Security Administration were notified of the app before its launch. The agencies agreed to allow the app to use the agencies’ system for submitting the complaints.

TSA said in a statement that it does not profile passengers on the basis of race, ethnicity or religion and is continually working with communities, including The Sikh Coalition, “to help us understand unique passenger concerns.” The agency said it supports “efforts to gather passenger feedback about the screening process.”

The app, available for iPhone and Android phones, was conceived in response to complaints from Sikhs in the US, who since the Sept. 11, 2001,

terrorist attacks are routinely subjected to additional inspection, Singh said. Some are made to remove their turbans, which Sikhs wear for religious reasons, Singh said.

The app is intended for everyone who feels they are racially profiled or subjected to other unfair treatment. It is also intended to provide better data on how often such incidents occur.

In light of the shooting of Trayvon Martin, immigration laws in Alabama and Arizona, and the anniversary of the Rodney King trial “it has never been more readily apparent how the practice of racial profiling impacts all Americans,” said Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. The conference helped launch the app.

After completing screening, a person can go to the app and click on the “report” button. The app will automatically fill in the person’s name, phone number and email address. The app asks questions such as race and name of airport, as well as the basis of the complaint, such as religion or gender. It has “submit” and “share” buttons to post on social media that a complaint was filed. The app also contains information on rights of passengers and TSA procedures.

The Sikh Coalition gets hundreds of complaints of unfair treatment and profiling, Singh said. By contrast, he said, the Department of Homeland Security said in its last report to Congress on civil rights and civil liberties that 11 people in the US submitted complaints in the first six month of 2011.

“My hope is that this app will exponentially increase the number of complaints filed with the TSA, flood the system so they get that this is a problem. For too long the Transportation Security Administration has been able to tell Congress this is not an issue, nobody’s complaining,” Singh said.

Passengers can ask to speak to supervisors or customer support managers at an airport, contact the TSA Contact Center, submit feedback through “Talk-to-TSA” online or file a civil rights complaint through its website, the agency said.

Prabhjit Singh, a motivational speaker, said he has been profiled 30 times, starting in Feb. 2007 when he was taking an early morning flight from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport to Alabama. In that incident, he was told he had to go through a mandatory patdown of his turban, even though he had not set off the detector. But after asking for information on the TSA policy, a supervisor told him he could not fly, he said.

“Out of those 30 incidents, I have not yet been able to take myself and write down all the information I needed to and been able to convey that to the Sikh Coalition. This app will allow me to do that,” said Prabhjit Singh, who is not related to Amardeep Singh.

“When I sat down on that airplane, after that experience, I looked around at everybody else ... and I thought, they did not have to go through what I had to go through to get on this airplane,” he said. —AP

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

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

Can an African ‘green revolution’ help feed the world?

SABA SABA: Her bare feet coated with mud, Sabena Gitau trudged down the rain-sodden hillside to her banana plantation, machete in hand. She chose and cut several giant bunches of bananas, which she strapped to a motorbike to be taken to nearby Saba Saba town, 77 km north of Nairobi, to be weighed, graded and sold. A decade ago, Gitau made the same 10 km trip a couple of times a month, on foot with her bananas on her back, earning about 420 shillings ($5) for the dawn-to-dusk trek.

Today, after planting improved varieties and working as part of a cooperative to boost her access to markets, the 59-year-old grandmother earns 30,000 shillings ($360) a month from her bananas, selling them at 13 shillings a kilo rather than three. “I am not educated. My father denied me that chance.

But I’ve made something of my life,” said Gitau, who has bought seven dairy cows with some of her profits. She also recently planted 100 passion fruit vines as part of an $11 million project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Coca Cola, to have 50,000 Kenyan and Ugandan smallholders produce fruit for Minute Maid juice and double their incomes in the process.

As the world looks for ways to boost food production by at least 70 percent by 2050 to feed an increasingly hungry planet, many people are looking to sub-Saharan Africa-a region with 50 to 60 percent of the planet’s unused arable land. Crop yields in Africa average about one metric ton per hectare.

That’s well below many other parts of the world that produce up to seven tons per hectare, suggesting there is potential for big boosts in production. Experts say efforts like Gitau’s banana project-which combine improved seeds and crop varieties, better access to markets and information for small-

scale farmers, improved transportation and the like-could be part of the blueprint for a 21st century agrarian revolution in Africa.

‘THE LAST FRONTIER’ “Africa is now the last frontier in terms of arable land,” said James Nyoro, the Rockefeller Foundation’s managing director for Africa. “With the population growing to 9 billion, the rest of the world will have to depend upon Africa to feed it.” Some in the sector see huge promise. “I have no doubt whatsoever that Africa can feed itself and that Africa can be a major contributor to world food security,” Namanga Ngongi, the former president of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), told AlertNet. “If you only increase productivity by 50 percent in Africa, Africa will go from food deficit to food surplus. And that can be done with access to simple inputs that are available today.” The barriers that have so far held back Africa’ agricultural success are formidable. They include lack of land tenure, particularly for women, and shrinking plot sizes; limited use of irrigation and fertilizer; unreliable water supplies; and inadequate access to credit. Unpredictable weather, degraded soils, inefficient markets and poor infrastructure compound the problem, while a history of political instability, conflict and poor governance has made investors reluctant to pump money into agriculture.

But experts say the formula for increasing yields for African smallholders, who make up 80 percent of the continent’s farmers, is relatively simple. Just organize them into larger groups, provide them with better materials and training and connect them to markets. “In a sense, it’s a no brainer,” said Gordon Conway, a professor of international development at Imperial College, London.

“Give them fertilizer. Give them seed. Give them water. And they can do it.”

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) projects that sub-Saharan Africa’s share of the total world production of cereals will be 8.6 percent in 2050, up from 4.5 percent in 2005-07. “That said, with improved management and inputs, in many places African crop yields have the potential to double or even triple,” said Christopher Matthews, the FAO’s media relations officer in Rome. Gitau formed an association with 100 other farmers, so that they could aggregate their produce and attract big buyers from Nairobi, instead of being exploited by local middlemen.

They started selling bananas by the kilo, instead of using the “eyeball” method, where buyers size up the fruit - and the degree of desperation on the farmer’s face - and haggle. Secondly, Africa Harvest, a non-profit organization headquartered in Nairobi, taught Gitau’s group how to grow higher yielding, disease-resistant tissue culture bananas. The big question is how to scale up these scattered success stories and turn around Africa’s dismal record as the only continent where per capita food production has declined over the past 20 years.

SEEDS OF CHANGE One of the biggest challenges lies right at the start of the chain: seed production. “If you’re able to have good seed and appropriate fertilizer, and on time, I think really the production side of agriculture would probably be resolved,” said AGRA’s former president, Ngongi. AGRA is providing technical support to 70 seed companies across Africa to produce more seed. In 2011, they produced 40,000 metric tons of seed, which AGRA hopes will rise to 250,000 metric tons

by 2018 and reach 5 to 10 million farmers.

In drought-prone parts of Kenya, as few as 10 percent of farmers buy seeds. “They just save seed and recycle,” said James Karanja, director of Freshco, a private seed company set up after liberalization of the market in the late 1990s. “You have to train them and show them: ‘Just sacrifice those few coins, that 200 shillings ($2) you have.

Buy this seed. It’s going to make a difference in your life.’” Yet farmers living on the edge of hunger are understandably wary about spending money on the unknown. “It’s not as simple as saying: ‘Hey, the seed is out there. Why the hell aren’t you using it?’” said Kostas Stamoulis, director of the FAO’s

Agricultural Development Economics Division.

“If I use it and it fails, then my family will die from hunger. If you have a family that lives from hand to mouth, you are not going to take that risk.” Rajiv Shah, head of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), believes greater investment in agricultural research is the number one priority for Africa to achieve a green revolution.

“Agricultural research in sub-Saharan Africa pays off a return on investment of $25 for every dollar invested,” he told AlertNet, highlighting a USAID-funded project that has tripled maize yields in Kenya with better seeds and improved techniques. — Reuters

LAGOS: Workers in the fishing industry raise a fish to salute Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola during workers rally to mark May Day in Lagos on May 1, 2012. — AFP

Polar bears can swim vast distances: Study GPS collars only fit females, so no males

New breakthrough German technology at Dar Al Shifa KUWAIT: Dar Al Shifa Hospital announced that the hospital is now equipped with a new and exclusive breakthrough in three of their machines at the Diagnostic Imaging Center.

Digital Flat Panel Detector technology is now available in fluoroscopy, radiography, and portable radiography machines. Commenting on this addition, Dr Tarek El Senan, Consultant and Head of the Diagnostic Imaging Department in Dar Al Shifa Hospital, said, “This detector technology runs a full-body examination, including dynamic fluoroscopy exams for gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, fallopian tubes evaluation, post bariatric surgery assessment, deformity imaging, and bed side portable radiography.

The equipment can accommodate patients with body weight up to 250 kg without compromising image quality and a reduced radiation dose compared to similar modalities.” He continued, “At Dar Al Shifa

Hospital, we continuously aim to integrate the latest in medical technologies to better serve our patients.” Dr Alexandra Yozanova, Clinical Development Manager at Dar Al Shifa Hospital noted, “With the availability of this technology, patients can now have general xray imaging done with a much lower-dose radiation than available before, thereby, enhancing patient safety. The installation of a uniquely developed machine reinforces Dar Al Shifa Hospitals commitment to continuous quality improvement and excellence in patient care.” “Exceptional image quality is key to optimizing diagnosis, while low dose imaging helps to minimize the radiation risk in patients which is achieved through the digital flat panel detector technology to ensure that a high image quality is possible with low radiation dose at all times,” commented Dr Amr Bassyouni, Medical Director at Dar Al Shifa Hospital.

ANCHORAGE: Polar bears are capable of swimming vast distances, a potential survival skill needed in an Arctic environment where summer sea ice is vanishing, a study led by the US Geological Survey showed on Tuesday. The study, published in the Canadian Journal of Zoology, tracked 52 female polar bears in the southern Beaufort Sea off Alaska. Between 2004 and 2009, a period of extreme summer-ice retreat, about a third of those bears made swims exceeding 30 miles in distance, according to the study results.

The 50 recorded ultra-marathon swims averaged 96 miles, and one bear was able to swim nearly 220 miles, according to the study results.

The duration of the long-distance swims lasted from most of a day to nearly 10 days, according to the study. The bears’ movements were tracked using global positioning system collars. All the animals in the study were females because male polar bear necks are too thick for GPS-equipped collars, said Karen Oakley, a supervising biologist at the USGS Alaska Science Center. Many of the polar bears in the study had young cubs with them, and it appears that at least some of the cubs - which were not collared - might have been able to keep up with their mothers in the water, USGS officials said.

The scientists were able to track 10 of the studied bears within a year of collaring and found that six still had their cubs, the lead scientist said in a statement released by the USGS. “These observations suggest that some cubs are also capable of swimming long distances. For the other four females with cubs, we don’t know if they lost their cubs before, during, or at some point after their long swims,” Anthony Pagano, a USGS scientist and lead author of the study, said in the statement. While the demonstrated longdistance swimming ability is likely a good thing for polar bears, scientists were concerned about the animals expending too much energy in their efforts to travel across open water, the USGS statement said.

Oakley said the study sample was too small to draw conclusions about the fate of the entire polar bear population, which in 2008 was designated as threatened and granted Endangered Species Act protections because of rapid warming in their Arctic habitat. The study simply describes behavior that was observed, Oakley said. “It’s just very interesting that in fact they can swim long distances, and cubs can swim long distances,” she said. “Do all the cubs that attempt to swim these long distances survive?

We don’t know.”

Scientists do not know whether such longdistance swimming is a new behavior, USGS offi-

cials said. The technology to track long-distance bear swims accurately was not available in the past, Oakley said. “The GPS technology, which is relatively new, is what allowed us to really do the actual in-depth analysis of this,” she said. But polar bears probably lacked the opportunity or need to make such long swims in that part of the Arctic in the past. In past decades, polar bears were always able to rest on available floating summer sea ice, she said. “These long distances of open water didn’t use to exist in the southern Beaufort Sea,” she said. “Did they swim these really long distances? Well, they didn’t have to because they weren’t there.”— Reuters

WUPPERTAL: Polar bear Anori plays at the zoo in Wuppertal, western Germany, with her mother Vilma (left). Anori was born January 4, 2012 at the zoo in Wuppertal and is a half-sister of world famous polar bear Knut, who died last year. — AFP

How do you count the world’s hungry people?

US health centers for poor, uninsured see ranks swell WASHINGTON: US community health centers that cater to the poor and uninsured saw their patients’ ranks swell by nearly 18 percent from 2008 to 2011 as job loss left more Americans without health insurance, the Obama administration said on Tuesday. A report released by the White House said 20 million Americans now receive healthcare services through 8,500 community health centers, up from 17 million four years ago.

“Those numbers really took a big jump,” Mary Wakefield, who heads the US Health Resources and Services Administration, told reporters. “A lot of those folks were people who, when they lost their jobs early on, lost their coverage.” The administration said health centers were able to accommodate larger numbers of patients because of funding provided by President Barack Obama’s embattled healthcare reform law and the administration’s earlier economic stimulus package. The report, the latest in a

series of government releases aimed at underscoring the value of healthcare reform, surfaced as the US Supreme Court deliberates about the future of the law known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Community health centers, which often serve low-income areas where there are few doctors or hospitals, provide a cornerstone for the law’s goal of expanding healthcare access to more than 30 million uninsured Americans. The ranks of the uninsured, which equaled 1-in-4 Americans last year, pose major social and financial challenges for the $2.6 trillion US healthcare system. But the high court could overturn the reforms in a ruling expected next month, ending the administration’s plans to expand coverage and much of its support for community health centers. The law also faces repeated election year calls for repeal from Republican politicians who call it government over-reach and a potential drag on the economy.—Reuters

LONDON: Two years ago, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launched a petition to fight hunger with the slogan: “1,000,000,000 people live in chronic hunger and I’m mad as hell.” Since then, more than 3.4 million people, including actors, pop stars and footballers, have added their voices to the online campaign calling on governments to make the elimination of hunger their top priority. But outrage over the “horrifying figure” of 1 billion hungry people around the world, as it was described by former FAO head Jacques Diouf, has turned to embarrassment in some quarters in light of growing doubts about the accuracy of the number. Many researchers say the estimate was simply too high.

“The fact that it’s 1 billion is a much better story, and that’s why it stays in people’s minds,” said Richard King, a food policy expert with Oxfam. “It’s a great number.”

The controversy led the Committee on World Food Security, a top-level UN forum, to urge the FAO to overhaul its calculations using better data and methodology and to call for a set of internationally agreed food-security indicators. The first fruits are due in October when a new estimate of the number of undernourished people will be published

along with revisions for previous years as part of the FAO’s annual report on food insecurity. The figures will incorporate fresher data on world food supplies and more timely and comprehensive household consumption surveys from different countries, said Carlo Cafiero, a senior FAO statistician. The report will also include supplemental indicators of hunger, such as the share of household budgets spent on food. “If you only present one number, there is a tendency to over-interpret it and take it as if it were capturing everything, but we want to try and be more explicit in recognizing the various dimensions of food insecurity,” Cafiero said.

Nutritionists working in the field have long complained that the FAO’s hunger estimates focused too narrowly on calorie intake, ignoring the bigger picture - protein, vitamin and mineral deficiencies in diets and the serious health problems they cause.

METHODOLOGY Calculating the number of hungry people around the world at any given moment, let alone predicting how that number is likely to change in the future, is no easy task. Models for working out how many people don’t have enough to eat are not as precise or forward-looking as experts would

like, partly due to lags in the release of national-level statistics. Moreover, shifting economic conditions alter the buying power of the poor day by day, and food harvests - increasingly affected by extreme weather - fluctuate, causing price volatility.

When the FAO came under pressure to say how much hunger was increasing due to skyrocketing food prices and the global financial crisis in 2008, it decided to combine US Department of Agriculture projections of how economic turmoil would hurt food production, consumption and trade with its own hunger estimates of previous years, and extrapolate from there. It estimated a “historic high” of 1.02 billion undernourished people, or around one-sixth of humanity, in 2009. But problems emerged with the assumptions behind the number. Economic conditions did not turn out to be as disastrous as anticipated, and food production and consumption held up better than expected.

In addition, prices didn’t rise as much as feared in some developing countries, like India and China, because they used export bans and subsidies to keep them down. Finally, many people were able to maintain the amount of calories they ate by switching to cheaper foods and cut-

ting spending on other basic needs like education and healthcare, surveys suggest. “All evidence now is pointing to the fact that the situation was not so desperate in terms of (people’s) calorie intake as, at that time, everybody thought it was,” FAO’s Cafiero said. In 2010, FAO forecast a drop to 925 million undernourished people and in 2011 it didn’t produce a number at all given the dispute over its methods.

NECESSARY DATA The question is not whether metrics are necessary, but how to collect, interpret and share the data to present a realistic and accurate picture of the food security situation.

Improving the way hunger is calculated could have far-reaching consequences for the way governments and aid agencies respond more effectively to hunger crises, experts say.

Aid groups say information from their work with local communities can contribute to a fuller picture of hunger nationally, regionally and globally, for example. “We have a responsibility to bring the view from the field ... to make sure it’s not just a technical exercise, but reflects the reality on the ground,” said Alberta Guerra, a Romebased food policy officer for ActionAid. —Reuters

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

H E A LT H

‘Green bullet’ innovations aim to feed the world Grassroots innovations flourishing worldwide

Women with melanoma fare better than men LONDON: Women diagnosed with melanoma are more likely to survive the skin cancer than men and less likely to have it recur, according to a European study. The findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, support earlier research showing that women are less likely to die from melanoma, the deadliest of the skin cancers. Researchers suggested that biological differences between the sexes might influence how the body deals with the cancer, although a definitive explanation on the better outcome for women remains uncertain.

Lead author Arjen Joosse, who is completing his PhD at Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and his team looked at four clinical trials that melanoma patients had joined. The more than 2,600 study participants were followed for two to 12 years.

O ver time, 366 of the men and 267 of the women died. This meant women were 30 percent less likely to die from any cause during the time studied, and also about 30 percent less likely to die from the melanoma than men. They were also 30 percent less likely to have a relapse.

“Our first conclusion is indeed it’s something biological,” Joosse told Reuters Health.

Earlier studies had hinted that behaviors explained the differences between men and women - such as women being perhaps more likely to visit their doctor after noticing changes on their skin, and being diagnosed with cancer earlier as well as having thinner tumors. But even when the researchers took into account the thickness of the tumors, they found that women still had a 30 percent advantage over men in the progression of the disease. “Once somebody has melanoma, we absolutely believe that men and women deal with it differently, in general,” said Vernon S ondak , chair of the department of Cutaneous Oncology at Moffitt Cancer Center and a professor at the University of South Florida College of Medicine, who was not involved in the study.

The obvious potential explanation was estrogen, Joosse said but if estrogen were responsible, then post-menopausal women, who have low estrogen levels, should have a smaller advantage over men in their age group than younger women have over younger men. But older women still held to their advantage, the group said, adding that more research is needed. Sondak said genes might have something to d o w i t h J o o s s e’s f i n d i n g s, a d d i n g t h a t because the causes of men’s poor melanoma outcomes are unknown, stressing the behaviors that are known to prevent cancer and promote earlier detection are important. “Behavior is something we can modify. Awareness is something we can increase. Genes are a little harder to change,” he said. — Reuters

LONDON: In flood-hit fields in the Philippines, farmers are testing a hardy new variety of rice that can survive completely submerged for more than two weeks. In Kenya’s Kibera slum, poor urban families are turning around their diets and incomes just by learning to grow vegetables in sack gardens outside their doors.

And in India, a push to help marginalized rural communities gain title to their land is leading to a significant drop in hunger. These are just a few of the kinds of innovations and initiatives that experts say will be critical if the world is to feed itself over coming decades as the population soars, cities sprawl and climate change takes its toll.

By 2050, the planet will need at least 70 percent more food than it does today to meet both an expected rise in population to 9 billion from 7 billion and changing appetites as many poor people grow richer, experts say. “Can we feed a world of 9 billion? I would say the answer is yes,” said Robert Watson, chief scientific adviser to Britain’s Department of Environment and Rural Affairs and a former chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

But doing so will require fundamental changes to unsustainable but well-entrenched policies and practices, from eating so much meat to spending trillions on agriculture and fuel subsidies, he said. In the meantime, many hunger fighters say the answer lies in clever alterations to the way food is planted, watered, harvested, stored, transported, sold, owned and shared.

Many of those changes are already being tested in the world’s farms and fields, in laboratories and government offices, in factories and markets. Some are even speaking of the beginnings of a 21st century food revolution.

MYRIAD ‘GREEN BULLETS’ Unlike the last centur y ’s agricultural “Green Revolution”, which dramatically boosted world food production with new high-yielding crop varieties and more irrigation, this revolution must rely on myriad “green bullets” to tackle hunger. They range from persuading farmers in Africa’s drought zones to switch from water-hungry rice to hardier crops like sorghum or millet, to helping them build pest-proof grain silos that allow food to be stored longer or sold when prices are higher. With 70 percent of the world’s people expected to live in cities by 2050, finding ways to help city dwellers grow food in small urban plots or roof gardens, or group together to buy food at cheaper prices, is a major focus.

In California’s East Palo Alto, for instance, older inner-city residents - who are particularly vulnerable to high food prices - are learning growing techniques for the first time and producing food for themselves and a neighborhood market. Other urban areas are turning to vertical hydroponic gardens clinging to the edge of skyscrapers.

Women - who grow at least 40 percent of food in Africa and Asia - will need improved land rights and better access to information, something being made much easier by the spread of mobile phone technology, experts say. Rural women in India’s Andhra Pradesh state now use advance drought warnings, relayed by Internet and mobile phone, to switch to more droughttolerant crops-a move that has saved harvests and helped stem the usual wave of migration to cities in drought times. Changing farming practices by adopting more water-conserving drip irrigation or planting crops amid fertilizing trees, as is now happening throughout Africa, will also be key.

So will cutting the at least 30 percent of the world’s food supply eaten by pests, spoiled on the way to market or thrown away unused from plates and supermarkets. Simply getting supermarkets to stop offering twofor-one specials - which can encourage people to overbuy - would be a start, some anti-hunger activists say, as would improving roads in regions like South Asia and Africa where transport delays mean produce often rots on the way to market. Solutions to the threat of

SULTANPUR: An employee harvests mushrooms at the Himalya International Limited food processing facility at Sultanpur village near Vadnagar, some 110 kms from Ahmedabad. The plant, which occupies some 21 hectares of land, grows mushrooms, processes potatoes and other vegetables, and milk. — AFP

worsening hunger will vary by region, by country, sometimes even from one farm or village or apartment building to the next, experts say. Not all ideas will succeed, and scaling up those that do prove to work, as quickly as possible, will be essential.

In a world where an estimated 900 million people are already hungry today, curbing surging consumption in rich nations and those fast getting rich, especially India and China, will be particularly important, experts say. “If we look at the graph of (rising) human consumption, that’s the one to worry about,” said Phil Bloomer, director of campaigns and policy for Oxfam Great Britain. “That is a graph that should strike panic in our hearts.” Persuading rich people to eat less meat and fewer milk products, which take a lot of grain to produce, would go a long way toward curbing ever-rising demand for grain.

‘NO NORMAL TO GO BACK TO’ Many innovations focus on easing the adverse effects of climate change on food production. While warmer weather and growing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere could spur plant growth and food production in some regions-and open a few northern reaches of the world to farming-many more regions are expected to see worsening losses from droughts, floods, storms, rising sea levels and higher temperatures that can cause crop yields to drop.

“It used to be there was an extreme weather event here or there but we knew that in a year or so things would go back to normal,” said Lester Brown, a food security and sustainability expert, and president of the US-based Earth Policy Institute. “Now there is no normal to go back to.” That ’s why scientists from

Bangladesh to Tanzania are developing new resilient varieties of maize, wheat, rice and other crops that can survive underwater, or with very little rain, or even both extremes in the same season, and still produce a reliable crop.

Other innovators are focusing on the effects of growing water scarcity. “A substantial amount of our food production worldwide comes from non-renewable groundwater sources, and in the long run that is not sustainable,” said Peter Gleick, a leading water expert and head of the US-based Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment and Security. In villages where glacier-fed streams are set to become more irregular or disappear in the years ahead, or where flooding from heavy rain is quickly followed by drought, communities are learning to harvest and store water to ensure supplies throughout the year. They are also developing water-conserving irrigation methods to make what they have available last.

Will all such innovations be enough to feed 9 billion people by 2050? Possibly, say experts, but success will depend on making enough key changes fast enough.

In addition to on-the-ground solutions, those changes will need to include major policy shifts-including potentially a ban on turning grain into biofuel or limits on food speculation. “Food insecurity and climate change are already inhibiting human well-being and economic growth throughout the world, and these problems are poised to accelerate,” said John Beddington, Britain’s chief science adviser, in a March report by the International Commission on Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change. “Decisive policy action is required if we are to preserve the planet’s capacity to produce adequate food in the future.” — Reuters

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THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

W H AT ’ S O N

Announcements Yoga with the Golden Era Club The Golden Era Club presents ‘The Eight Fold Path to Yoga’ on Fridays, 11th and 25th May; 5 to 7 pm.

Yoga here! Yoga there! Yoga everywhere! Yet, few comprehend Yoga’s true nature! Join Yoga Guru Aacharya Shashikala Pushkarna - on this unique journey to the true ‘union’ between the mind, body and spirit. All seniors (60+) are cordially invited.

Venue- House #34, next to Abu-Tammam Intermediate School for Boys, Sate Alhusari St., Block 2, Rumaithiya. For details call 97172788/ 66208183 or drop a line to goldenera60@yahoo.com Indian overseas congress Arts competitions 2012 Indian Overseas Congress, Kuwait is conducting 6th Arts Competitions, 2012, on the 11th and 12 May 2012 at United Indian School. IOC once again welcome the growing buds of the Indian expatriate community in Kuwait from various disciplines to test their talents and competency in the field of arts. The winners of this prestigious competition will be awarded with trophies and medals later in the IOC function. The competitions are for Elocution, Solo, Poetry Recitation, Classical Dance, Folk Dance, Group Dance (Cinematic), Indian Patriotic Song, Mono Act, Drawing/Painting and Poster Poetry writing. Although the competitions are meant for children from various disciplines, Elocution, Solo and Indian Patriotic Song Competitions will be held for contestants above 18 years also. The closing date of receiving entry forms is 4th May, 2012. The entry forms are available at the following places: Abbassiya - Hidine Super Market, Sakina Book Stall; Salmiya - Uduppi Restaurant, Sakina Book Stall; Riggae - Al Dallah Super Market, Fahaheel -Royal Mobile Services and Sales. Filled forms can be sent to fax : 24331461 or Email : iockuwait@yahoo.com Or delivered to Sakina Book Stall, Abbassiya. For more details, please contact: 24316426, 66110570, 66853100, 99827113, 99576162, 99325841.

People of Uttrankhand state form association It gives us pleasure to inform you that we, the people of Uttrankhand \ state from India, have decided to form an Association which will soon be registered with Indian embassy Kuwait. Nearly 200 people have already been connected and have given their valuable views and suggestions. All people have given their positive response. Anyone from Uttrakhand who is interested in joining the Association can contact Ravindra Singh Rawat on 6609 4925, dhirendrasrawat@hotmail.com for more information.

Frontliners function tomorrow Frontliners Association, Kuwait is conducting a starstudded “National Integration and Grand Cultural Show’ on May 4, 2012 (Friday) at 6pm at Al-Jeel Jadeed, School, Hawally. The highlight of the function will be the release of “Frontliners Book - series 16” by writer NC Mohandoss. Three eminent persons with illustrious career will grace the occasion of the Book release. Gopalaswami, Former Chief Election Commissioner will be the Chief Guest. V. Ponraj, Scientist & Advisor to former President Dr Abdul Kalam, is a key public figure whose recent tasks included the preparataion of “Koodankulam Report” and conducting special training session for the MLAs after the Assembly election last year and Vivek, the special guest for the evening - is a ‘Padma Shri’ awardee and a popular Tamil film comedian known to south with a string of awards for his hilarious and stylish performances. For details contacy 99816937, 55483266.

‘Arangetram 2012’ tomorrow Nandhanam School of Dance, an institute to promote India’s rich culture and values in Kuwait, is conducting its first “Arangetram 2012”, a student’s debut on stage dance performance, at the American International School, Maidan Hawalli - Kuwait on Friday, May 4, 2012. The program will start by 05:45 pm and the guests are requested to be seated 15 minutes before the program. For information contact 97895754, 99129611, 67057758.

Intensive Free Arabic Course in IPC IPC is opening an intensive Basic Arabic Course for ladies commencing from June 3-July 8, 2012. The class will be from 5 -7 pm and 3 days a week.

Registration is on! For information, call: 22512257.

Iranian Contemporary Art Date: 23rd April to 10th May, 2012 These are images of conflations and juxtapositions. Sabzi’s paintings signify the crossroad of cultures and evoke one of the most pertinent signs of the multiculturalism that has been the hallmark of the arts in late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. His art represents that humanized perspective where in memory persists across cultural zones, even when and where it has no relevance. So many of his works speak of conditions where values and perspectives seep through the chinks of any culture’s shield of protection. They are about the kind of interconnectedness that can no longer be undone; they are about the end of purity and the end of searching for origins and essence.

FOKE announces Vanitha Fest

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adies wing of Friends of Kannur Expatriates Association, FOKE, announces ‘FOKE Vanitha Fest 2012’ on Friday, May 11, 2012 in a day-long function to be held at Indian central school, Abbasiya. The main attraction of the event is the cookery competition for ladies and gents. Competition on cake-baking and pudding for ladies and biriyani and payasam (kheer) making for gents will be held on that day. A separate salad dressing competition is also arranged for children below 18 years of age.

Mehndi design competition for ladies, baby show for babies of 1 to 2 years old (babies born on or after May 11, 2010), Fancy dress for children are also organized for the public. All the competitions are open to all public.

The full-day event will start at 9:00 am. Various other attractions including cultural programs by FOKE Ladies Wing, food stalls, and fun activities for kids, etc will be organized as part of the Ladies Fest 2012, the organizers said. To participate in any of the above competition, please send your entries to fokevanithavedi@yahoo.com or contact 69639744, 55480290. Last date for submission of entries is May 5.

KNES celebrates Earth Day

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arth Day is a day early each year on which events are held worldwide to increase awareness and appreciation of the earth’s natural environment.

Earth Day is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network and is celebrated in more than 175 countries every year. In 2009, the United Nations designated April 22 International Mother Earth Day. Earth Day is planned for April 22 in all

years at least through 2015.

Kuwait National English School celebrated this day by planting a tree to help increase the number of trees and decrease CO2 emissions not only in Kuwait, but worldwide. Each year group was represented by a class representative who read a pledge on behalf of the whole class. Pledges ranged for recycling more often, protecting forests and look-

ing after the world’s oceans. Protecting and conserving the environment is a serious matter for all students of Kuwait National English School and these students are leading ‘Green Ambassadors’ for their school and country.

Kuwait National English School is also proud to be one of the contributors to the Earth Day Network’s ‘One Billion Acts of Green’. Kuwait National English School

hope that more and more schools in and around the Middle East is aware of the importance of this day and that more schools will get involved in 2013. Let’s make Mother Earth Green again!

‘Bhava Gayakan’ P Jayachandran to perform in Kuwait

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fter love, music is the second most “instrument” which touches the heart of every one, young and old alike. For love and music both have no barriers whatsoever and they transcend all boundaries. And when love and music mingle together and attain great heights because of the deep devotion of a musician then there is favour and applause not only men but of the creator himself who has gifted man with natural talents in music.

This very fact has been established time and again by many a great musician from time immemorial. One such great devotee of music is Jayachandran, a great playback singer the South India has seen and heard.

Paliyath Jayachandran, popularly known as P. Jayachandran, who has won one National Award, four Kerala State Awards and four Tamil Nadu State Awards is going to perform in Kuwait on 10th May 2012, in Integrated Indian School, Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh from 6:30 pm

onwards. He has recorded songs in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi languages. Jayachandran is also

affectionately called the Bhava Gayakan.

Jayachandran has carved his own niche in the South Indian music and till

now has over 10,000 recorded songs to his credit in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada and Telugu. Jayachandran with his sweet and romantic voice has made light film music memorable with his immortal love songs which always tingle young hearts.

The intensity of this mellifluous voice could do such justice to love and romantic songs that Jayachandran is considered to be the most suited and God-gifted singer of love songs. For Jayachandran, age too has not been a barrier over the years of singing. Indeed his voice is getting younger with the passing of time just as love and music are ageless.

Major Ravi, a well known Malayalam Film Director will be added attraction.

Major A. K. Ravindran, (alias) Major Ravi is a former Indian Army Officer and a Malayalam filmmaker. He is a recipient of the President’s medal, joined the Indian army as a jawan in 1975 and graduated from the Army Cadet College to become a commando in the year 1988. He led the mission codenamed Operation One-eyed

Jack to capture suspects of the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, the experiences of which inspired him to direct Mission 90 Days (2007).

After working for around two decades for the Indian Army, he became a military consultant for Indian films. He has worked with the likes of Priyadarshan, Rajkumar Santhoshi (Pukar), Kamal Haasan (Aalavandan), Mani Ratnam (Kannathil Muthamittal), He has earlier made a children’s film but his first feature film is Keertichakra, a film on Kashmir militancy and is multilingual. He has also made a movie “Kandahar” featuring Mohan Lal and Amitabh Bachchan. Major Ravi has been associated with many Hindi and Malayalam films before directing on his own.

Young restaurateur heads Dawat restaurants

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ynamic, enthusiastic, vibrant, purpose-driven, result-oriented and dedicated are some of the words that reflect the personality of Nikita Kohli, the Hospitality & Marketing Manager of Al-Sabah & Kohli General Trading and Contracting Company that owns the chain of restaurants in Kuwait and which include the highly acclaimed Dawat Restaurants. It is a delightful experience talking to this young lady on her favorite subject of food, which she considers a passion rather than just a responsibility and extension of her job.

“You must like what you are doing you have to have a real passion for your work and want to be better at it every day. You should not do it because you need to, you should do it because you want to,” said the energetic young restaurateur.

A graduate of hospitality management and marketing from the globally renowned Glion Institute of Higher Education in Switzerland, Kohli always wanted to be associated with the food industry because of her deep love for anything related to food. It was sheer chance that her father, Ravi Kohli owned the Dawat chain of restaurants, otherwise she would have ventured elsewhere to fulfill her love for the food business and to quench her entrepreneurial thirst.

So here was a dream come true for her!

Although she inherited the ethics and values of the food business from her father, yet it is her own perception and vision towards this industry which not only carries on the legacy, but gives it new approaches, new dimensions and new horizons. It is her interpretation of the academic knowledge combined with thoughtful execution that enhances the salient features of this business and

scales it to new heights.

She has implemented international standards in the day-to-day operation of the restaurants. The loyalty of Dawat Restaurant’s customers has now passed on to the next generation, which is ample proof of their commitment to the continuity and improvement of this business. Today, Dawat, one of Kuwait’s lead-

at Dawat have successfully overcome through our exquisite dishes, comfortable ambience and unmatched service,” said Nikita.

“At Dawat Restaurants, everything starts from the kitchen; it is not about having the most luxurious ambience or chic exclusivity, it is all about food - great food served with impeccable service.

cess that Dawat is renowned for.

Dawat ventured into providing the grandeur of hospitality to the people of Kuwait by opening its first branch in Benid Al-Gar in 1992 and extended its roots by opening its second branch in Mahboula in 2005 and third branch in Jahra in 2008. Increasing popularity of Dawat among the public encouraged the

ing restaurants, brings alive the subtle flavors of the authentic Indian cuisine with its delectable dishes prepared in clay or tandoor oven and has expanded their culinary offerings by an extensive range of Chinese specialties.

“Over the years, diners in Kuwait have evolved into a more sophisticated and cosmopolitan crowd, and to please their discerning palates the country offers every type of culinary experience, from authentic ethnic cuisine to high-profile 5-star dining rooms. Remaining distinctive in this setting is a challenge that we

Customer service is another top priority for us. Each customer is treated as a VIP and we take good care of them - that is what brings them back to our restaurants and makes dining at Dawat the preferred dine-out experience,” added the suave restaurateur.

At a tender age of 22 years, Nikita’s overall achievements are commendable.

Dawat today has four branches all over Kuwait - each one boasting their own success stories. They have recently opened their fourth branch in Farwaniya, which adds to the same legacy of suc-

opening of a fourth branch in Farwaniya.

Dawat international Restaurants are located in the following areas of Kuwait: Bneid Al-Gar at the Bisher & Kazmi Tower; Abu Halifa at the Commercial Real Estate Complex; Jahra at the Al-Alamia Mall and, in Farwaniya, at the Tawfique Commercial Complex, Al-Munawer Street, opposite to Alghanim Electronics.

Sadu House Opening: 7 May 2012 5pm-8pm Exhibition Hours: 8 May, 9am - 1pm & 4- 8pm, 9 May, 9am - 1pm For its launch exhibition, Zen Crafts presents the richness of Gulf handicrafts, blending traditional and modern design to create unique and expertly crafted contemporary pieces. An exquisite limited collection of hand-woven textiles inspired by the bedouin art of Sadu weaving, and award-winning designer/ silversmith Nedda ElAsmar’s take on the modern mabkhar, the Gulf’s iconic incense burner, will be unveiled. Join us on this cultural journey from Kuwait to Laos and Brussels in the brand’s quest for new interpretations of our Gulf heritage. Sodu House is located in Kuwait City, on Gulf Street, next to the Kuwait National Museum. For more Information please call 99402406 or email info@zericrafts.com Visit www.zericrafts.com Kala-Kuwait, Balakalamela tomorrow KALA-Kuwait is pleased to announce the registration for the Balakalamela-2012, the art & literary completions for Indian school children, to be held on two consecutive Fridays 27 April 2012 & 4 May 2012 at Carmel School, Khaitan, to provide maximum opportunity for the students to participate. Based on the repeated requests from the community, KALA have included instrument music also in addition to the existing list of items. Competitions on

dance and performing arts are scheduled to 27 April 2012 while Literary & instrument music competitions will be held on 4 May. The registration is free and forms are already distributed to Indian schools in Kuwait as well as available in our website www.kalaonweb.com The filled form may be sent to kalabalakalamela@gmail.com or fax to 24317875. The completions shall be for the 3 categories Sub-Junior, Junior & Seniors and are open to students from Class-I to XII. The prize distribution will be on June 1, the KALA mega event for the year ‘Thathwamasi’ at Central School Auditorium Abbassiya. For further information/ clarification contact 66180229, 66863957, 97817100, 67765810 KKIC to hold Islamic Conference for Indian Students Kuwait Kerala Islahi Centre (KKIC) will conduct an Islamic Students Conference (ISCON 2012, Kuwait) for Indian teenage students on May 4-5 at the Kuwait Grand Masjid premises. The conference, adopting the phrase ‘Knowledge for Salvation’ as its slogan, is aiming at invigorating the moral conscience of the student community.

The core events will include workshops on value based character building, scientific personality assessment and self management techniques. Ashraf Ekarul, Education Secretary to KKIC informed that experienced trainers, academics, Islamic scholars and other dignitaries will attend the two day conference.

Open House for Indian Citizens The Ambassador of India will be holding an Open House for Indian citizens to address their problems/grievances on Wednesdays of the second and the fourth week of every month between 1500 hrs and 1600 hrs at the embassy. In case Wednesday is an Embassy holiday, the meeting will be held on the next working day. To ensure timely action/followup by the Embassy, it is requested that, wherever possible, Indian citizens should exhaust the existing channels of interaction/grievance redressal and bring their problems/issues in writing with supporting documents. It may be mentioned that Embassy of India’s Consular Wing is providing daily service of Open House to Indian citizen on all workings days from 1000 hrs to 1100 hrs and from 1430 hrs to 1530 hrs by the consular officer in the Meeting Room of the Consular Hall. For any unaddressed issues, Second Secretary (Consular) could be contacted. Furthermore, the head of the Consular Wing is also available to redress grievances. Similarly, a labor wing Help Desk functions from 0830 hrs to 1300 hrs and 1400 hrs to 1630 hrs in the Labor Hall to address the labor related issue.

There is also a 24X7 Help Line (Tel No. 25674163) to assist labors in distress. For any unaddressed issues, the concerned Attaches in the labor section and the head of the labor wing could be contacted.

31

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

W H AT ’ S O N

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.

■■■■■■■

ACK embraces Sports Open Day

W

ith the participation and attendance of about 1,100 people, Australian College of Kuwait (ACK) organized a sports open day, which featured activities, competitions, and prizes, as well as outstanding sports events and open championships where professional athletes from the US, Egypt, Iran, Bahrain participated, in addition to a number of professional Kuwaiti athletes, including Salem Al-Hasan, Arabs table tennis champion.

ACK has traditionally organized such sports events as it believes in the importance of sports in our lives, and at the aim of building a generation that enjoys sports spirit and fitness, according to the saying “sound mind in a sound body”. ACK also aims at encouraging its students to involve in sports activities and to act in a teamwork spirit, for

the positive reflections on their academic and career lives.

The sports day included five miscellaneous championships, covering basketball, volleyball, table tennis, and baby foot.

Amidst fans cheering and enthusiasm of players, the sports day went on with interesting details and various events. Winners acquired rankings and were awarded with cash prizes, trophies and medals. Cash prizes were KD 500, KD 400, KD 300, KD 200, and KD 100 for the winners of first places. The sports day was admired by the attendants and the group of participant and fan students of ACK, who commended the role of the sports activities centre and a group of students for their efforts and great organization.

EMBASSY OF CANADA The Embassy of Canada is located at Villa 24, Al-Mutawakel 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 until 12:00 on Sunday through Wednesday. 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.

■■■■■■■

EMBASSY OF CYPRUS The Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus requests Cypriot citizens living in Kuwait to register with the Embassy has moved. 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).

■■■■■■■

EMBASSY OF INDIA The Embassy of India will remain closed on Sunday, May 6, 2012 on account of ‘Buddha Purnima’.

■■■■■■■

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: Saturday 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 ■■■■■■■

FAIPS-DPS takes off to NASA

F

ahaheel Al-Watanieh Indian Private School was the first Indian school from Kuwait, that had the proud privilege to visit the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at Orlando, Florida as a part of the 14-day trip to USA from March 22 to April 5, 2012 of which three days were spent at Educational Camp in Kennedy Space Center (KSC), NASA at Orlando,

Florida. The purpose of this trip was to familiarize the students with the challenges that space administrator face on earth and beyond. The campers were put forward with various engineering challenges and the students gave a remarkable performance and stood first in competition with several other schools from various parts of the world.

The space instructors demonstrated

basic aspect of aeronautics through motion stimulators like trajectory, microgravity, turbulence of an orbiter (Multi Access Trainer) etc. The students got a chance to explore the launch stations, visitor’s complex and had the opportunity to have lunch with astronaut Fred Gregory. On the last day of the camp, the students were felicitated with Graduation Certificate and received vari-

ous other souvenirs. The students also visited cities like New York, Washington DC and Florida and were empowered by their great history. Once again, FAIPSDPS held its flag sky-high in representing the school in NASA.

EMBASSY OF MYANMAR Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar would like to inform the general public that the Embassy has moved 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.

Tel. 25240736, 25240290, Fax: 25240749, email:myankuwait11@gmai1.com ■■■■■■■

EMBASSY OF NEPAL The Embassy of Nepal will be moving from its current location to a new place in Jabriya, Block 8, St. 13, House No. 514, effective from 15th April, 2012. Till the new telephone connections are installed, the Embassy may be contacted by email: info@nepembku.org ■■■■■■■

EMBASSY OF ROMANIA The Embassy of Romania to the State of Kuwait would like to inform that the Consular Section of the Embassy will be closed for construction works beginning with 18 April 2012, till 10 May 2012. During this period of time the Consular Section will not issue any type of visas for Romania and will not issue any Romanian passports or travel documents. The Consular Section will only be able to assist with notary deeds. We would like to apologize for any inconvenience.

■■■■■■■

EMBASSY OF SLOVAKIA The Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Kuwait would like to inform the public that on the occasion of Labor Day, the Embassy will be closed on Tuesday, May the 1st.

The Embassy will also be closed on the occasion of Liberation Day on Tuesday, May the 8th.

■■■■■■■

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.

■■■■■■■

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.

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

Classifieds THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Airlines JZR QTR JZR JZR ETH GFA UAE ETD DHX FDB MSR QTR JZR THY KAC DHX FAH JZR KAC BAW JZR KAC KAC FDB KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC UAE ABY IRA QTR IRA FDB ETD BAB GFA MEA JZR MSR KNE MSC JZR MSR GFA KAC FDB OMA KNE QTR SVA RJA KAC JZR SYR KAC QTR KAC JZR JZR ETD RKM UAE GFA SVA UAL JZR TAR JZR ABY KAC KNE KAC KAC JZR BAB KAC FDB KAC MSR MSC KAC KAC KAC JAI KAC KAC AXB FDB OMA MEA QTR GFA ALK UAE JZR ETD BBC ABY QTR JZR DHX AIC RBG GFA UAL JZR DLH THY KLM

Arrival Flights on Thursday 3/5/2012 Flt Route 185 DUBAI 148 DOHA 539 CAIRO 267 BEIRUT 620 ADDIS ABABA 211 BAHRAIN 853 DUBAI 305 ABU DHABI 370 BAHRAIN 67 DUBAI 612 CAIRO 138 DOHA 503 LUXOR 770 ISTANBUL 154 ISTANBUL 170 BAHRAIN 201 DUBAI 555 ALEXANDRIA 412 MANILA 157 LONDON 529 ASSIUT 206 ISLAMABAD 382 DELHI 53 DUBAI 302 MUMBAI 332 TRIVANDRUM 352 COCHIN 284 DHAKA 362 COLOMBO 855 DUBAI 125 SHARJAH 605 ISFAHAN 132 DOHA 617 AHWAZ 55 DUBAI 301 ABU DHABI 436 BAHRAIN 213 BAHRAIN 404 BEIRUT 165 DUBAI 618 ALEXANDRIA 470 JEDDAH 9621 ASSIUT 201 DAMASCUS 610 CAIRO 219 BAHRAIN 672 DUBAI 57 DUBAI 645 MUSCAT 472 JEDDAH 140 DOHA 500 JEDDAH 640 AMMAN 788 JEDDAH 257 BEIRUT 341 DAMASCUS 546 ALEXANDRIA 134 DOHA 118 NEW YORK 535 CAIRO 357 MASHAD 303 ABU DHABI 310 RAS ALKHAIMAH 857 DUBAI 215 BAHRAIN 510 RIYADH 982 WASHINGTON DC DULLES 177 DUBAI 328 TUNIS 777 JEDDAH 127 SHARJAH 176 GENEVA 474 JEDDAH 502 BEIRUT 542 CAIRO 125 BAHRAIN 438 BAHRAIN 786 JEDDAH 63 DUBAI 104 LONDON 624 SOHAG 9623 SOHAG 618 DOHA 674 DUBAI 614 BAHRAIN 572 MUMBAI 774 RIYADH 562 AMMAN 389 KOZHIKODE 61 DUBAI 647 MUSCAT 402 BEIRUT 146 DOHA 221 BAHRAIN 229 COLOMBO 859 DUBAI 135 BAHRAIN 307 ABU DHABI 43 DHAKA 129 SHARJAH 136 DOHA 513 SHARM EL SHEIKH 872 BAHRAIN 981 CHENNAI 3553 ALEXANDRIA 217 BAHRAIN 981 BAHRAIN 239 AMMAN 636 FRANKFURT 772 ISTANBUL 411 AMSTERDAM

Time 0:15 0:20 0:30 0:50 1:45 2:20 2:25 2:30 2:55 3:10 3:20 3:25 3:55 4:35 4:55 5:00 5:30 6:00 6:15 6:30 6:40 7:15 7:30 7:45 7:50 7:55 8:05 8:15 8:20 8:25 8:30 8:35 9:00 9:15 9:20 9:30 9:35 10:00 10:55 11:05 11:25 11:35 11:45 12:30 13:30 13:40 13:40 13:45 14:00 14:15 14:25 14:30 14:55 15:00 15:00 15:05 15:05 15:15 16:00 16:00 16:20 16:35 16:50 16:55 17:20 17:20 17:25 17:30 17:35 17:40 17:45 17:45 17:55 18:00 18:15 18:30 18:40 18:40 18:45 18:45 18:55 19:00 19:20 19:25 19:30 19:35 19:40 19:50 19:55 20:00 20:10 20:15 20:25 20:35 20:55 21:15 21:15 21:20 21:25 21:30 21:35 22:00 22:00 22:25 22:30 22:35 22:40 22:55 23:10 23:40 23:40

Airlines AIC UAL DLH THY ETH UAE FDB DHX ETD MSR QTR QTR JZR JZR GFA THY KAC BAW FDB JZR ABY JZR KAC KAC IRA UAE QTR KAC FDB ETD IRA BAB JZR GFA KAC KAC MEA KAC JZR MSR KNE MSC KAC JZR GFA FDB MSR KAC OMA KAC KNE JZR KAC RJA JZR SVA SYR QTR KAC KAC ETD JZR JZR QTR RKM UAE GFA JZR TAR ABY SVA UAL KNE JZR FDB BAB MSR MSC JZR KAC JAI FDB KAC KAC KAC OMA MEA KAC GFA DHX ALK ABY ETD UAE FAH QTR KAC KAC JZR DHX BBC QTR AXB RBG GFA KAC JZR KAC

Departure Flights on Thursday 3/5/2012 Flt Route 976 GOA 981 WASHINGTON DC 637 FRANKFURT 773 ISTANBUL 621 ADDIS ABABA 854 DUBAI 68 DUBAI 371 BAHRAIN 306 ABU DHABI 613 CAIRO 139 DOHA 149 DOHA 164 DUBAI 200 DAMASCUS 212 BAHRAIN 771 ISTANBUL 545 ALEXANDRIA 156 LONDON 54 DUBAI 256 BEIRUT 126 SHARJAH 534 CAIRO 671 DUBAI 787 JEDDAH 606 MASHHAD 856 DUBAI 133 DOHA 101 LONDON 56 DUBAI 302 ABU DHABI 616 AHWAZ 437 BAHRAIN 356 MASHHAD 214 BAHRAIN 541 CAIRO 165 ROME 405 BEIRUT 501 BEIRUT 776 JEDDAH 623 SOHAG 471 JEDDAH 9622 SOHAG 785 JEDDAH 176 DUBAI 220 BAHRAIN 58 DUBAI 611 CAIRO 561 AMMAN 646 MUSCAT 673 DUBAI 473 JEDDAH 124 BAHRAIN 617 DOHA 641 AMMAN 512 SHARM EL SHEIKH 505 JEDDAH 342 DEIREZZOR 135 DOHA 773 RIYADH 613 BAHRAIN 304 ABU DHABI 238 AMMAN 538 CAIRO 141 DOHA 311 RAS ALKHAIMAH 858 DUBAI 216 BAHRAIN 134 BAHRAIN 328 TUNIS 128 SHARJAH 511 RIYADH 982 BAHRAIN 475 JEDDAH 266 BEIRUT 64 DUBAI 439 BAHRAIN 607 LUXOR 9624 ASSIUT 184 DUBAI 283 DHAKA 571 MUMBAI 62 DUBAI 331 TRIVANDRUM 343 CHENNAI 351 KOCHI 648 MUSCAT 403 BEIRUT 543 CAIRO 222 BAHRAIN 171 BAHRAIN 230 COLOMBO 120 SHARJAH 308 ABU DHABI 860 DUBAI 102 DUBAI 137 DOHA 301 MUMBAI 205 ISLAMABAD 554 ALEXANDRIA 873 BAHRAIN 44 DHAKA 147 DOHA 390 MANGALORE 3554 ALEXANDRIA 218 BAHRAIN 411 BANGKOK 528 ASSIUT 415 KUALA LUMPUR

Time 0:05 0:25 0:30 2:15 2:45 3:45 3:50 3:55 4:05 4:20 4:50 5:40 6:55 7:00 7:05 7:10 8:10 8:25 8:25 9:00 9:05 9:10 9:20 9:35 9:35 9:40 10:00 10:00 10:05 10:15 10:15 10:25 10:30 10:45 11:30 11:45 11:55 12:00 12:15 12:25 12:25 12:45 13:10 13:20 14:25 14:25 14:30 14:40 15:00 15:05 15:15 15:30 15:45 15:50 15:55 16:00 16:05 16:15 16:25 16:30 17:20 17:30 17:40 17:45 17:55 18:05 18:20 18:20 18:25 18:25 18:35 18:40 18:45 18:50 19:25 19:30 19:55 20:00 20:05 20:15 20:35 20:40 20:50 20:55 21:05 21:10 21:15 21:30 21:35 21:50 21:55 22:10 22:20 22:25 22:30 22:35 22:40 22:45 23:00 23:00 23:05 23:10 23:10 23:15 23:30 23:40 23:50 23:50

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

112 Ministry of Interior website: www.moi.gov.kw For labor-related inquiries and complaints: Call MSAL hotline 128

Fajr: Duhr: Asr: Maghrib: Isha:

03:38 11:45 15:21 18:26 19:50

THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY FOR CIVIL INFORMATION Automated enquiry about the Civil ID card is 1889988

Hospitals

ACCOMMODATION Room available in New Riggae in a central AC flat without kitchen facility for single, non-smoker, south Indian executive bachelor.

Contact. 99515956.

2-5-2012 Sharing accommodation available with Pakistani family in Kheitan, bachelor or couple. Please contact: 99868113. (C 3972)

dishwasher, deep freezer, dining table with 6 chairs, heaters, curtains, computer table, CD players, Ikea racks, roller blinds, Tel: 99510519 / 66210509. (C 3981) 3-5-2012

FOR SALE Volvo 940, model 98, KD 750. Tel: 66464874.

(C 3983) Household goods at throwaway prices, beds, sofa sets, cupboards, lamps,

SITUATION VACANT Required English speaking nanny / maid. Please call 99824597. (C 3982) 3-5-2012

INTERNATIONAL CALLS Afghanistan Albania Algeria Andorra Angola Anguilla Antiga Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Congo Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Cyprus (Northern) Czech Republic Denmark Diego Garcia Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador England (UK) Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia

0093 00355 00213 00376 00244 001264 001268 0054 00374 0061 0043 001242 00973 00880 001246 00375 0032 00501 00229 001441 00975 00591 00387 00267 0055 00673 00359 00226 00257 00855 00237 001 00238 001345 00236 00235 0056 0086 0057 00269 00242 00682 00506 00385 0053 00357 0090392 00420 0045 00246 00253 001767 001809 00593 0020 00503 0044 00240 00291 00372 00251

Falkland Islands 00500 Faroe Islands 00298 Fiji 00679 Finland 00358 France 0033 French Guiana 00594 French Polynesia 00689 Gabon 00241 Gambia 00220 Georgia 00995 Germany 0049 Ghana 00233 Gibraltar 00350 Greece 0030 Greenland 00299 Grenada 001473 Guadeloupe 00590 Guam 001671 Guatemala 00502 Guinea 00224 Guyana 00592 Haiti 00509 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Honduras 00504 Hong Kong 00852 Hungary 0036 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Iceland 00354 India 0091 Indian Ocean 00873 Indonesia 0062 Iran 0098 Iraq 00964 Ireland 00353 Italy 0039 Ivory Coast 00225 Jamaica 001876 Japan 0081 Jordan 00962 Kazakhstan 007 Kenya 00254 Kiribati 00686 Kuwait 00965 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Laos 00856 Latvia 00371 Lebanon 00961 Liberia 00231 Libya 00218 Lithuania 00370 Luxembourg 00352 Macau 00853 Macedonia 00389 Madagascar 00261 Majorca 0034 Malawi 00265 Malaysia 0060 Maldives 00960 Mali 00223 Malta 00356 Marshall Islands 00692

Sabah Hospital

24812000

Amiri Hospital

22450005

Maternity Hospital

24843100

Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital

25312700

Chest Hospital

24849400

Farwaniya Hospital

24892010

Adan Hospital

23940620

Ibn Sina Hospital

24840300

Al-Razi Hospital

24846000

Physiotherapy Hospital

24874330/9

Clinics Rabiya

24732263

Rawdha

22517733

Adailiya

22517144

Khaldiya

24848075

Khaifan

24849807

Shamiya

24848913

Shuwaikh

24814507

Abdullah Salim

22549134

Al-Nuzha

22526804

Industrial Shuwaikh

24814764

Al-Qadisiya

22515088

Dasmah

22532265

Bneid Al-Ghar

22531908

Al-Shaab

22518752

Al-Kibla

22459381

Ayoun Al-Kibla

22451082

Mirqab

22456536

Sharq

22465401

Salmiya

25746401

Jabriya

25316254

Maidan Hawally

25623444

Bayan

25388462

Mishref

25381200

W.Hawally

22630786

Sabah

24810221

Jahra

24770319

New Jahra

24575755

West Jahra

24772608

South Jahra

24775066

North Jahra

24775992

North Jleeb

24311795

Ardiya

24884079

Firdous

24892674

Al-Omariya

24719048

N.Khaitan

24710044

Fintas

3900322

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

FIRE BRIGADE

PRIVATE CLINICS Ophthalmologists Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 General Practitioners Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Urologists Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Psychologists /Psychotherapists

Paediatricians

Plastic Surgeons Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf

22547272

Dr. Khaled Hamadi

Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari

22617700

Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed

Dr. Abdel Quttainah

25625030/60

Family Doctor Dr Divya Damodar

23729596/23729581

Psychiatrists Dr. Esam Al-Ansari

22635047

Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan

22613623/0

Gynaecologists & Obstetricians DrAdrian arbe

23729596/23729581

Dr. Verginia s.Marin

2572-6666 ext 8321

Endocrinologist

25665898

Dr. Zahra Qabazard

25340300 25710444

Dr. Sohail Qamar

22621099

Dr. Snaa Maaroof

25713514

Dr. Pradip Gujare

23713100

Dr. Zacharias Mathew

24334282

(1) Ear, Nose and Throat (2) Plastic Surgeon Dr. Abdul Mohsin Jafar, FRCS (Canada)

25655535

Dentists Dr Anil Thomas

3729596/3729581

Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami

25343406

Dr. Shamah Al-Matar

22641071/2

Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly

25739272

Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed

22562226

Dr. Salem soso

22618787

Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer

22561444

Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan

22619557

Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash

22525888

Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan

25653755

Dr. Bader Al-Ansari

25620111

General Surgeons Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer

22610044

Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher

25327148

Internists, Chest & Heart Dr. Adnan Ebil

22639939

Dr. Mousa Khadada

22666300

Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan

25728004

Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra

25355515

Dr. Mobarak Aldoub

24726446

Dr Nasser Behbehani

25654300/3

Soor Center Tel: 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688

info@soorcenter.com www.soorcenter.com

Neurologists Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri

25633324

Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan

25345875

Gastrologists Dr. Sami Aman

22636464

Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly

25322030

Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali

22633135

Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa, Ph.D. 2290-1677 Susannah-Joy Schuilenberg, M.A. 2290-1677

25339330

Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Physiotherapists & VD Dr. Deyaa Shehab

25722291

Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees

22666288

Rheumatologists: Dr. Adel Al-Awadi

22655539

Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan

Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman

25330060

Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah

25722290

Internist, Chest & Heart DR.Mohammes Akkad

24555050 Ext 210

Dr. Mohammad Zubaid MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Assistant Professor Of Medicine Head, Division of Cardiology Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Farida Al-Habib MD, PH.D, FACC Inaya German Medical Center Te: 2575077 Fax: 25723123

2611555-2622555

William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677

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

23980088

Al-Mangaf

23711183

Al-Shuaiba

23262845

Al-Jahra

25610011

Al-Salmiya

25616368

POLICE STATION Al-Madena Police Station Al-Murqab Police Station Al-Daiya Police Station Al-Fayha’a Police Station Al-Qadissiya Police Station Al-Nugra Police Station Al-Salmiya Police Station Al-Dasma Police Station

22434064 22435865 22544200 22547133 22515277 22616662 25714406 22530801

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

TV PROGRAMS

00:45 Untamed & Uncut 01:40 Buggin’ With Ruud 02:35 Wildest Arctic 03:30 Wildest Africa 04:25 Safari Vet School 04:50 Safari Vet School 05:20 Going Ape 05:45 Wildlife SOS 06:10 Cell Dogs 07:00 Orangutan Island 07:25 Breed All About It 07:50 Breed All About It 08:15 The Really Wild Show 08:40 Cats Of Claw Hill 09:10 Project Puppy 09:35 Project Puppy 10:05 Safari Vet School 10:30 Safari Vet School 11:00 Animal Precinct 11:55 Animal Cops South Africa 12:50 Last Chance Highway 13:45 RSPCA: On The Frontline 14:10 Wildlife SOS 14:40 Safari Vet School 15:05 Safari Vet School 15:30 Animal Battlegrounds 16:00 The Really Wild Show 16:30 Baby Planet 17:25 Cats 101 18:20 Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 19:15 Wildlife SOS 19:40 Going Ape 20:10 Orangutan Island 20:35 Animal Battlegrounds 21:05 The Animals’ Guide To Survival 22:00 Wild Britain With Ray Mears 22:25 Wild Britain With Ray Mears 22:55 The Snake Buster 23:20 The Snake Buster 23:50 K9 Cops

00:00 Newsday 00:30 Asia Business Report 00:45 Sport Today 01:00 Newsday 01:30 Asia Business Report 01:45 Sport Today 02:00 Newsday 02:30 Asia Business Report 02:45 Sport Today 03:00 Newsday 03:30 Hardtalk 04:00 BBC World News 04:30 World Business Report 04:45 BBC World News 05:00 BBC World News 05:30 World Business Report 05:45 BBC World News 06:00 BBC World News 06:30 World Business Report 06:45 Sport Today 07:00 BBC World News 07:30 World Business Report 07:45 Sport Today 08:00 BBC World News 08:30 Hardtalk 09:00 BBC World News 09:30 World Business Report 09:45 Sport Today 10:00 BBC World News 10:30 BBC World News 11:00 GMT With George Alagiah 11:30 GMT With George Alagiah 12:00 BBC World News 12:30 World Business Report 12:45 Sport Today 13:00 Impact With Mishal Husain 13:30 Impact With Mishal Husain 14:00 Impact With Mishal Husain 14:30 World Business Report 14:45 Sport Today 15:00 BBC World News 15:30 Hardtalk 16:00 The Hub With Nik Gowing 16:30 The Hub With Nik Gowing 17:00 The Hub With Nik Gowing 17:30 World Business Report 17:45 Sport Today 18:00 World News Today With Zeinab Badawi 18:30 World News Today With Zeinab Badawi 19:00 World News Today With Zeinab Badawi 19:30 World Business Report 19:45 Sport Today 20:00 BBC World News America

20:30 Hardtalk 21:00 BBC World News 21:30 World Business Report 21:45 Sport Today 22:00 BBC World News America 22:30 Asia Business Report 22:45 Sport Today 23:00 BBC World News 23:30 Asia Business Report 23:45 Sport Today

00:30 Bakugan: New Vestroia 00:55 Bakugan: New Vestroia 01:20 Powerpuff Girls 02:10 Courage The Cowardly Dog 03:00 The Amazing World Of Gumball 03:25 Ben 10 03:50 Adventure Time 04:15 Powerpuff Girls 04:40 Generator Rex 05:05 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 05:30 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 05:55 Angelo Rules 06:00 Casper’s Scare School 06:25 Eliot Kid 06:50 The Amazing World Of Gumball 07:15 Adventure Time 07:40 Regular Show 08:05 Grim Adventures Of...

08:55 Courage The Cowardly Dog 09:45 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 10:10 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 10:35 Powerpuff Girls 11:25 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 11:50 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 12:15 Ed, Edd n Eddy 13:05 Ben 10: Alien Force 13:30 Bakugan: Gundalian Invaders 13:55 Camp Lazlo 14:45 Powerpuff Girls 15:35 Angelo Rules 16:25 Grim Adventures Of...

17:00 Total Drama: Revenge Of The Island 17:25 The Amazing World Of Gumball 17:40 Adventure Time 18:05 Regular Show 18:30 Ben 10 18:55 Generator Rex 19:20 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 19:45 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 20:10 Courage The Cowardly Dog 21:00 Star Wars: The Clone Wars 21:25 Star Wars: The Clone Wars 21:50 Cow And Chicken 22:00 Codename: Kids Next Door 22:50 Ben 10 23:15 Ben 10 23:40 Chowder

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

Miami SWAT Destroyed In Seconds Mythbusters Penn & Teller Tell A Lie Miami SWAT How It’s Made How Stuff’s Made Coal Futurecar Mythbusters Ultimate Survival Border Security Auction Hunters How It’s Made How Stuff’s Made Sons Of Guns Battle Machine Bros Extreme Explosions Border Security Auction Hunters Coal Futurecar Wheeler Dealers Ultimate Survival Mythbusters How It’s Made How Stuff’s Made Border Security

20:35 21:00 21:30 22:25 23:20

Auction Hunters Scrappers Sons Of Guns First Week In Kidnap And Rescue

00:35 How The Universe Works 01:25 The Tech Show 01:50 Weird Or What?

02:40 Cool Stuff & How It Works 03:05 Cool Stuff & How It Works 03:35 Weird Connections 04:00 Weird Connections 04:25 Stunt Junkies 04:50 Stunt Junkies 05:20 Smash Lab 06:10 How The Universe Works 07:00 The Gadget Show 07:25 The Gadget Show 07:50 Mighty Ships 08:40 Weird Or What?

09:35 Cool Stuff & How It Works 10:00 Cool Stuff & How It Works 10:25 Weird Connections 10:50 Weird Connections 11:20 Smash Lab 12:15 Stunt Junkies 12:40 Stunt Junkies 13:05 How The Universe Works 13:55 The Gadget Show 14:20 The Gadget Show 14:50 Weird Connections 15:15 Weird Connections 15:40 The Tech Show 16:05 Smash Lab 17:00 Mighty Ships 17:50 Moon Machines 18:40 Wallace & Gromit’s World Of Invention 19:05 Wallace & Gromit’s World Of Invention 19:30 Sci-Trek 20:20 The Gadget Show 20:45 The Gadget Show 21:10 Smash Lab 22:00 Wallace & Gromit’s World Of Invention 22:25 Wallace & Gromit’s World Of Invention 22:50 Sci-Trek 23:40 Mighty Ships

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

Fairly Odd Parents Fairly Odd Parents Brandy & Mr Whiskers Brandy & Mr Whiskers Replacements Replacements Emperor’s New School Emperor’s New School Brandy & Mr Whiskers Brandy & Mr Whiskers Replacements Replacements Fairly Odd Parents Fairly Odd Parents Fish Hooks Recess So Random Wizards Of Waverly Place Good Luck Charlie Shake It Up Phineas And Ferb Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Jake & The Neverland Pirates Handy Manny The Hive Mouk Recess So Random Hannah Montana Fish Hooks Jake & Blake Sonny With A Chance Wizards Of Waverly Place Phineas And Ferb Recess Jessie A.N.T. Farm Good Luck Charlie Suite Life On Deck Shake It Up Phineas And Ferb Jessie A.N.T. Farm

THE RESIDENT ON OSN ACTION HD

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

Recess Wizards Of Waverly Place So Random Fish Hooks Shake It Up Good Luck Charlie Wizards Of Waverly Place Hannah Montana Phineas And Ferb Shake It Up Jonas So Random Good Luck Charlie Good Luck Charlie Wizards Of Waverly Place Wizards Of Waverly Place Kim Possible

06:00 Kid vs Kat 06:20 American Dragon 06:45 Rekkit Rabbit 07:10 Iron Man Armoured Adventures 07:35 Iron Man Armoured Adventures 08:00 Iron Man Armoured Adventures 08:25 Iron Man Armoured Adventures 08:50 Kick Buttowski 09:15 Zeke & Luther 09:40 I’m In The Band 10:05 Phineas And Ferb 10:30 Kid vs Kat 10:55 The Avengers: Earths Mightiest Heroes 11:20 Aaron Stone 11:45 Rekkit Rabbit 12:10 American Dragon 12:35 Kick Buttowski 13:00 Phineas And Ferb 13:25 I’m In The Band 13:45 Kid vs Kat 14:10 Pair Of Kings 14:35 Zeke & Luther 15:00 Rekkit Rabbit 15:25 Pokemon: Black And White 15:50 Timon And Pumbaa 16:15 Rated A For Awesome 16:40 Pair Of Kings 17:05 Zeke & Luther 17:30 Mr. Young 17:55 Phineas And Ferb 18:20 Phineas And Ferb 18:45 Fort Boyard - Ultimate Challenge 19:10 Kickin It 19:35 Kick Buttowski 20:00 Pair Of Kings 20:25 Zeke & Luther 20:50 Escape From Scorpion Island 21:20 Aaron Stone 21:45 The Avengers: Earths Mightiest Heroes 22:10 Phineas And Ferb 22:35 Kid vs Kat 23:00 Programmes Start At 6:00am KSA

00:25 Kendra 00:55 Style Star 01:25 E!es 02:20 THS 03:15 Behind The Scenes 03:40 Extreme Close-Up 04:10 Sexiest 05:05 Extreme Hollywood 06:00 50 Cutest Child Stars: All Grown Up 07:50 Behind The Scenes 08:20 E! News 09:15 Kendra 09:45 Kendra 10:15 50 Most Insane Celebrity Oops 12:05 E! News 13:05 Khloe And Lamar 13:35 Khloe And Lamar 14:05 Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami 14:35 Kourtney & Kim Take New York 15:00 Style Star 15:30 THS 16:25 Behind The Scenes 16:55 Ice Loves Coco 17:25 Ice Loves Coco 17:55 E! News 18:55 THS 19:55 Giuliana & Bill 20:55 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 21:25 Fashion Police 22:25 E! News 23:25 Chelsea Lately 23:55 Keeping Up With The Kardashians

00:05 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 00:30 Unique Sweets 00:55 Unique Sweets 01:20 Unique Sweets 01:45 Kid In A Candy Store 02:10 Kid In A Candy Store 02:35 Unwrapped 03:00 Unwrapped 03:25 Meat & Potatoes 03:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 04:15 Good Eats 04:40 World Cafe Asia 05:05 Gourmet Farmer 05:30 Chopped 06:10 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 06:35 Healthy Appetite With Ellie Krieger 07:00 Food Network Challenge 07:50 Gourmet Farmer 08:15 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 08:40 Kid In A Candy Store 09:05 Good Eats 09:30 Paula’s Best Dishes 09:55 World Cafe Asia 10:20 30 Minute Meals 10:45 Reza, Spice Prince Of India 11:10 Unwrapped 11:35 Easy Chinese: San Francisco 12:00 Food Network Challenge 12:50 Aarti Party 13:15 Cooking For Real 13:40 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 14:05 Healthy Appetite With Ellie Krieger 14:30 Reza, Spice Prince Of India 14:55 30 Minute Meals 15:20 Mexican Made Easy 15:45 Iron Chef America 16:35 Cooking For Real 17:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics

17:25 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 17:50 Aarti Party 18:15 Kid In A Candy Store 18:40 Guy’s Big Bite 19:05 Mexican Made Easy 19:30 Food Network Challenge 20:20 Iron Chef America 21:10 Cooking For Real 21:35 Cooking For Real 22:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 22:25 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 22:50 Aarti Party 23:15 Aarti Party 23:40 Meat & Potatoes

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

The Haunted Psychic Witness LA: City Of Demons Cops And Coyotes Dr G: Medical Examiner The Haunted Psychic Witness Disappeared Forensic Detectives Murder Shift Mystery Diagnosis Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth Did I Marry?

On The Case With Paula Zahn Disappeared Street Patrol Street Patrol Murder Shift Mystery Diagnosis Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth Did I Marry?

On The Case With Paula Zahn Disappeared Forensic Detectives Murder Shift Real Emergency Calls Mystery Diagnosis Mall Cops – Mall Of America On The Case With Paula Zahn Disappeared Nightmare Next Door Nightmare Next Door Dr G: Medical Examiner

01:10 Jinxed!-18 02:50 Leather Jackets-18 04:20 Laws Of Gravity-18 05:55 Life Of Sin-18 07:45 The Pride And The Passion-PG 09:55 Hannibal Brooks-PG 11:40 Mgm’s Big Screen-FAM 11:55 The Happy Ending-PG 13:45 How To Succeed In Business Without Trying-PG 15:45 Ghoulies 17:05 Hickey And Boggs-PG 18:55 High Tide-PG 20:35 Hunter: Back In Force-PG 22:00 The Lost Brigade-18 23:20 Hardware-18

00:00 Departures 01:00 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 01:30 Bondi Rescue: Bali 02:00 The Green Way Up 02:30 The Green Way Up 03:00 Making Tracks 03:30 Making Tracks 04:00 On Surfari 04:30 On Surfari 05:00 Dive Detectives 06:00 Departures 07:00 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 07:30 Bondi Rescue: Bali 08:00 The Green Way Up 08:30 The Green Way Up 09:00 Making Tracks 09:30 Making Tracks 10:00 On Surfari 10:30 On Surfari 11:00 Dive Detectives 12:00 Departures 13:00 By Any Means 14:00 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 14:30 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 15:00 Pressure Cook 15:30 Pressure Cook 16:00 Extreme Tourist Afghanistan 17:00 Bondi Rescue: Bali 17:30 Bondi Rescue: Bali 18:00 Danger Men 19:00 Calcutta Or Bust 19:30 Making Tracks 20:00 Danger Beach 20:30 Danger Beach 21:00 City Chase Rome 22:00 David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 1 22:30 David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 1 23:00 Bite Me With Dr. Mike Leahy

00:00 02:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 PG15 12:00 14:00 15:45 17:15 19:00 22:00

Child’s Play 2-18 The Godfather-18 Arctic Predator-PG15 Ticking Clock-PG15 Stonehenge ApocalypseOng Bak 2-PG15 Ticking Clock-PG15 Ballistica-PG15 Ong Bak 2-PG15 The Godfather III-18 The Resident-18

01:00 Black Death-PG15 03:00 Make It Happen-PG15 05:00 Waiting For Superman-PG15 07:00 Bright Star-PG15 09:00 Make It Happen-PG15 11:00 The Social Network-PG15 13:00 The Tempest-PG15 15:00 Ice Dreams-PG15 17:00 St. Trinian’s 2: The Legend Of Fritton’s Gold-PG15 19:00 From Paris With Love-PG15 21:00 Hanna-PG15 23:00 Spread-R

00:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 01:00 The Colbert Report 01:30 It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia 02:00 Hung 02:30 American Dad

THE TEMPEST ON OSN CINEMA 03:00 Perfect Couples 04:00 Friends 04:30 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 05:30 Seinfeld 06:00 Weird Science 06:30 Dharma And Greg 07:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 08:00 Friends 08:30 Perfect Couples 09:00 Seinfeld 10:30 Dharma And Greg 11:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 12:00 Weird Science 12:30 Friends 13:00 Seinfeld 13:30 Dharma And Greg 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 16:00 The Colbert Report 16:30 Weird Science 17:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 18:00 Perfect Couples 19:00 Cougar Town 19:30 How I Met Your Mother 20:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 21:30 The Colbert Report 22:00 The Big C 22:30 The Cleveland Show 23:00 American Dad 23:30 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 07:00 08:00 08:30 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 22:00 23:00

Grimm The Glades Law & Order: Criminal Intent Once Upon A Time Boardwalk Empire Live Good Morning America Switched At Birth Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show The Martha Stewart Show The View The Glades Once Upon A Time Live Good Morning America Switched At Birth The Ellen DeGeneres Show Emmerdale Scandal American Idol Downton Abbey Boardwalk Empire

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

Parenthood Law & Order: Criminal Intent Grimm The Glades Once Upon A Time Friday Night Lights Parenthood Emmerdale Coronation Street Surface Law & Order: Criminal Intent The Glades Once Upon A Time Emmerdale Hot In Cleveland The Ellen DeGeneres Show Surface Parenthood Emmerdale Hot In Cleveland The Ellen DeGeneres Show Surface Scandal American Idol Downton Abbey Combat Hospital

00:45 02:30 05:00 07:00 09:00 PG15 11:00 13:00 15:00 PG15 17:00 19:00 21:00 23:00

Maximum Risk-18 Bram Stoker’s Dracula-18 4.3.2.1.-18 Hurricane Season-PG15 True Justice: Deadly CrossingWild Bill-PG15 Red Faction: Origins-PG15 True Justice: Deadly CrossingA Way With Murder-18 Street Kings 2: Motor City-18 Fade To Black-18 Bad Guys-18

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 18

01:00 03:00 PG15 05:00 07:00 09:00 10:45 12:30 15:30 17:15 18:45 21:00 22:30

Double Wedding-PG15 Griff The Invisible-PG15 Inspector Gadget (1999)Double Wedding-PG15 Straight Talk-PG15 16 To Life-PG15 Guarding Tess-PG Vice Versa-PG 16 To Life-PG15 The Out Of Towners-PG15 Tomcats-18 The 41-Year-Old Virgin Who...-

Square Grouper-18 Moonlight And ValentinoGrace Of My Heart-PG15 Catch That Kid-PG Private-PG15 Divorces!-PG15 Spartacus-PG15 Private-PG15 Who Is Clark Rockefeller-PG Miracle-U Babies-18 Return To Paradise-PG15

01:00 Scream 4-18 03:00 Forrest Gump-PG15 05:30 Celine: Through The Eyes Of The World-PG15 07:30 Good Hair-PG15 09:00 Love N’ Dancing-PG15 11:00 At Risk-PG15 12:45 Alabama Moon-PG15 14:45 Robin Hood (2010)-PG15 17:00 Love N’ Dancing-PG15 19:00 How Do You Know-PG15 21:00 Hanna-PG15 23:00 No Strings Attached-18

00:00 Jetsons: The Movie-FAM 02:00 The Enchanted Mountain-PG 04:00 Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure-PG 06:00 Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs.

Evil-PG 08:00 Jetsons: The Movie-FAM 10:00 Cher Ami-PG15 12:00 D’fenders-PG 14:00 Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure-PG 16:00 The Nimbols: Part I-FAM 18:00 Cher Ami-PG15 20:00 The Adventures Of Elmo In Grouchland-PG 22:00 D’fenders-PG

00:00 MSNBC Hardball W/ Chris Matthews 01:00 MSNBC Politicsnation 02:00 Live NBC Nightly News 02:30 ABC World News W/ Diane Sawyer 03:00 MSNBC The Ed Show 04:00 MSNBC The Rachel Maddow Show 05:00 MSNBC The Last Word W/ Lawrence O’Donnell 06:00 NBC Nightly News 06:35 ABC Nightline 07:00 ABC World News W/ Diane Sawyer 07:30 Live NBC Nightly News 08:00 MSNBC The Rachel Maddow Show 09:00 MSNBC The Last Word W/ Lawrence O’Donnell 10:00 ABC World News Now 10:30 Live ABC World News Now 11:00 NBC Early Today 11:30 ABC America This Morning 12:00 ABC America This Morning 12:30 Live ABC America This Morning 13:00 Live ABC America This Morning 13:30 MSNBC First Look 14:00 Live NBC Today Show 17:57 Live MSNBC Hardball W/ Chris Matthews

18:38 Live MSNBC The Ed Show 19:19 Live MSNBC The Rachel Maddow Show 20:00 MSNBC Andrea Mitchell Reports 21:00 MSNBC Newsnation 22:00 MSNBC Martin Bashir 23:00 MSNBC The Dylan Ratigan Show

01:00 Trans World Sport 02:00 European PGA Tour Highlights 03:00 European Tour Weekly 03:30 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 04:00 Super Rugby 06:00 Trans World Sport 07:00 Snooker World Championship 10:00 Super Rugby Highlights 11:00 Scottish Premier League 13:00 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 13:30 Trans World Sport 14:30 European Tour Weekly 15:00 Live Snooker World Championship 19:00 WWE NXT 21:00 Live Snooker World Championship

00:00 02:00 05:30 06:00 07:00 11:00 13:00 13:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:00

Scottish Premier League Premier League Darts Futbol Mundial Super Rugby Highlights Scottish Premier League Adventure Sports Triathlon Scottish Premier League Super Rugby Highlights AFL Highlights Trans World Sport Futbol Mundial Live Premier League Darts

00:00 Futbol Mundial 00:30 City Centre Races 01:00 Adventure Sports 03:00 Snooker World Championship 06:00 World Cup Of Pool 07:00 Golfing World 08:00 Asian Tour Golf Show 08:30 European Tour Weekly 09:00 Total Rugby 09:30 Trans World Sport 10:30 Snooker World Championship 13:30 Golfing World 14:30 Asian Tour Golf Show 15:00 European Tour Weekly 15:30 Live European PGA Tour 19:30 Golfing World 20:30 Total Rugby 21:00 Scottish Premier League Highlights 21:30 Scottish Premier League

00:00 01:00 04:00 04:00 06:00 06:00 07:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 09:00 09:30 10:00 12:00 12:00 12:30 13:00 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:30 16:30 17:00 17:30 18:00 18:00 18:30 18:30 19:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

V8 Supercars Highlights PrizeFighter UFC The Ultimate Fighter UFC Unleashed UFC The Ultimate Fighter UFC Unleashed WWE NXT WWE SmackDown WWE Vintage PrizeFighter This Week in WWE UAE National Race Day V8 Supercars Highlights V8 Supercars Extra WWE Experience Live NRL Premiership WWE Vintage Collection WWE Bottom Line WWE Experience Mobil 1 The Grid V8 Supercars Highlights V8 Supercars Extra V8 Supercars Highlights UFC The Ultimate Fighter UAE National Race Day Mobil 1 The Grid UAE National Race Day Mobil 1 The Grid UAE National Race Day WWE NXT WWE SmackDown UFC The Ultimate Fighter UFC 145 WWE Bottomline UFC The Ultimate Fighter UFC Unleashed

35

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

stars CROSSWORD 665

STAR TRACK

CALVIN & HOBBES

Aries (March 21-April 19) You will make career gains with your ability to sense quality and choose accordingly. You will be intensely examining ideas, thoughts and concepts. You have an eye for what slows your progress and you move forward to make changes happen. Searching, research and detective work may also become a part of your day. Relationships are very important to your future career plans, whether they are business, personal or social relationships. You could be more than a little interested in purchasing the things you see in a store or on display this afternoon. Your current appreciation for just about everything may lead you to overspend. Before making a rash decision on purchases, remember the energy you must put forth to earn the money that pays the bill.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Your career may be tied more to your appearance and how you come across to others than to what you do just now. You may find that success comes by concentrating on your outward manner—the way others see you. This could involve cosmetics, clothing, perfumes, etc. If you are working today, you will find that working in teams will be most favorable. There are optimism and foresight today. You are well slanted toward friends and family this afternoon.

Companionship with others is most rewarding and you enjoy every opportunity to be social. This is also a good day to build and deepen a love relationship. Your mind may be very clear and your thoughts are brought into a sharp focus. Communication between friends and family is enjoyed.

POOCH CAFE ACROSS 1. The month following March and preceding May. 4. United States writer of poems and plays about racial conflict (born in 1934).

10. A workplace for the conduct of scientific research.

13. Large brownish-green New Zealand parrot.

14. Any of various spiny trees or shrubs of the genus Acacia.

15. To make a mistake or be incorrect.

16. Someone whose business is advertising.

18. A low vibrating sound typical of a contented cat v 1.

19. Aircraft landing in bad weather in which the pilot is talked down by ground control using precision approach radar.

20. Any of numerous local fertility and nature deities worshipped by ancient Semitic peoples.

21. Urged social reform in 19th century England.

23. A soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal.

24. A silvery ductile metallic element found primarily in bauxite.

25. A unit of magnetomotive force equal to 0.7958 ampereturns.

26. A college town in central New York on Lake Cayuga.

30. The 16th letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

31. A solution containing a phosphate buffer.

34. English courtier (a favorite of Elizabeth I) who tried to colonize Virginia.

37. A belt-shaped region in the heavens on either side to the ecliptic.

39. Fermented alcoholic beverage similar to but heavier than beer.

40. A graphical recording of the cardiac cycle produced by an electrocardiograph.

42. Follower of Rastafarianism.

43. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad.

45. The ninth month of the Hindu calendar.

46. Measure of the US economy adopted in 1991.

47. A town and port in northwestern Israel in the eastern Mediterranean.

48. United States writer (born in Poland) who wrote in Yiddish (1880-1957).

51. Half the width of an em.

52. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad.

56. A percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance.

59. The blood group whose red cells carry both the A and B antigens.

61. Mild yellow Dutch cheese made in balls.

62. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey).

63. A port city in southwestern Iran.

66. (informal) Of the highest quality.

67. An ugly evil-looking old woman.

68. A member of an agricultural people of southern India.

69. The habitation of wild animals.

DOWN

Gemini (May 21-June 20) This is a time to find a better form of advertising for a future promotion. You have set out to create the best, most enticing bait or draw that you can find. Everything external and business-oriented should prosper, particularly if honesty and truth are your guides. When you discuss your ideas, others may come up with additional input. Your current situation may demand some reevaluation. It may be very hard for you to make a decision but when you do, you will be very pleased. Do not give up on a current project—offer your input when you feel the timing is good. You have a great deal of mental drive and can lavish great thrust toward mental pursuits of all kinds. Ideas, words, books, etc., can be pursued with great gusto now.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) This day has the possibility of being an easy, calm day that should flow along smoothly. Ideas and interaction with authority figures or mature people may be in the forecast. Working with— rather than against—the flow should be easy to manage. This is a great time to concentrate on whatever work is scheduled for today. Opportunities are available to make good use of your time. Your organizational abilities and sense of responsibility will be what guides you and proves successful. Whether you are working in a job, earning money or have the responsibility of raising a family, you will give your full attention over to creating a successful outcome. This evening you may find yourself enjoying a long conversation, writing a letter, or making a special call.

NON SEQUITUR

Leo (July 23-August 22) Your timing should be perfect, and with your flexible attitude, you should be quite helpful to others in a group situation. Positive energies are stirring with regard to your career or life path. Success depends upon your own ambition and drive, which are strong at this time. You may find yourself busy helping friends this afternoon. Someone may need a sitter or perhaps a movie is in order. Although you might enjoy some fun activity alone, you are willing to help or join in with others whenever asked or needed. There is a chance to understand those around you and to have a special time with someone you love this evening. A secret love or a lost love is on your mind tonight—there is still time for renewal or healing with a romantic partner.

ZITS

Virgo (August 23-September 22) You begin work at an early hour this morning—perhaps in hopes of leaving work early in the afternoon. Your intuition will serve you well in business today. You may feel that you are shouldering more than your usual responsibilities today. You take an attitude of the winner and are often referenced to the newcomer or visitor as a person that can be followed. Your work ethics are strong and valuable to all around you. You will be receiving helpful advice about a financial matter later today. This may involve the purchase of an antique, or a precious stone. If so . . . make sure you get a professional to guarantee the value of your purchase for insurance reasons. Extend your compassion through acts of kindness this evening.

Libra (September 23-October 22)

MOTHER GOOSE AND GRIMM

1. Jordan's port.

2. Of or relating to the feet.

3. Avatar of Vishnu.

4. A decree that prohibits something.

5. A radioactive element of the actinide series.

6. Leaf fibers of the raffia palm tree.

7. Sharpness of vision.

8. A member of a people of Turkic speech and Mongolian race inhabiting vast regions of central Siberia.

9. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine.

10. A human limb.

11. Type genus of the family Arcidae.

12. (informal) Exceptionally good.

17. Primitive chlorophyll-containing mainly aquatic eukaryotic organisms lacking true stems and roots and leaves.

22. Being nine more than ninety.

27. A kind of heavy jacket (`windcheater' is a British term).

28. Being or given to servile imitation.

29. (pathology) An elevation of the skin filled with serous fluid.

32. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad.

33. The act of scanning.

35. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism.

36. The activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose.

38. Source of a tough elastic wood.

41. A city in southeastern Spain.

44. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey).

49. An narrative telling the adventures of a hero or a family.

50. A steep rugged rock or cliff.

53. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind.

54. The front of the head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear.

55. A primeval personification of air and breath.

57. A compartment in front of a motor vehicle where driver sits.

58. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth.

59. A state in midwestern United States.

60. A flexible container with a single opening.

64. A public promotion of some product or service.

65. A silvery soft waxy metallic element of the alkali metal group.

Yesterday’s Solution

This is a great day to gain positive results from your hard work.

You may find ways in which to secure a promotion or new job. You crave organization and practicality and you want to get things accomplished. The good life and all that is fine and luxurious, may be what you value just now. Material things are foremost on your mind in many respects. You could enjoy making your own way and finding solutions to whatever problems you have. Health and work goals take on a greater importance for you now. After work friends that need your help could cause you to put your plans on hold; it is a worthy cause. Do not hesitate to ask others to help you when you need it—at a later time. Do not be disappointed if they are not as enthused as you just now.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) You may be asked to guide or help others in matters of importance this morning. Money matters are successful today, though not without some real effort. You may be prone to worry more than usual this morning, but time proves this a pointless effort. You make enjoyable company with your sense of humor this afternoon. If you choose to develop your intuitive abilities there is a good chance you will surprise yourself with little effort.

Think before you volunteer yourself too quickly so that your time will be well spent. Sometimes you can go a bit overboard in obligating your energies before you realize it. Your tendency to be charitable toward others does not go unnoticed. Enjoy special celebrations this evening.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Work flows along quite uneventfully today. The most beneficial item that your company sells, produces or helps to produce may be in the process of improvement now. The afternoon finds you busy with your own projects. You seem idealistic today and this is an excellent time to enlist others to your cause. Great rewards come from communal efforts as long as you stay with the project for the long haul and see things through to the end result. A young person may learn a little about money today from observing you. If you have checked other prices in town, you might want to go ahead with some purchase you have been thinking about lately. Conversations with family members this evening may call for more questions—fewer comments.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

To

Taking care of business is a major theme where your emotional orientation is concerned. You crave organization and expediency and you want to get things completed. You may also want to yell, scream and stomp your feet about a financial injustice. Other than, perhaps, making you feel better, it will not really do much to make things come into balance for now.

Most people take pride in the fact that they are your friends and that they do business with someone as conscientious as you are. People value you for your independence and unique qualities. This is a great time to be with others and to work together, regardless of any delays or feelings. There is mental busywork now.

Work, achievement and ambition are your priorities.

Yesterday’s Solution Yester

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) You may be sought after as just the person for a particular job today. You could be most influential with others and convincing in giving instructions or guidance. Your self-expression is clear and lends itself to your particular ideas and thoughts. You can demonstrate great understanding to the needs of others just now and are in a good position to lead or relate to groups and the general society. You could come up with new solutions or inventions. You look for ways to be more organized. You aim to have a place for everything with everything in its place and anything that gets in the way gets on your nerves. There is a kind of romantic wistfulness characterizing your approach to life. Secret loves, lost loves—all you need is love.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Word Sleuth Solution

You may find that your personal and career growth may depend on how you can handle the very sensitive psychological material that may be coming up now. Your analytical insights pay off for you quickly, as you waste little time getting to the heart of matters. Work should be a primary focus for now. An opportunity to make good decisions is yours now; higher-ups are watching. You are most practical and what happens now may have a lasting effect on your profession and perhaps, life direction. Your work or career is in real harmony with the rest of your life. You could gain from subordinates or young people this afternoon.

Your home environment, friends and surroundings receive encouragement. Your personal life becomes most positive.

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THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

lifestyle G O S S I P

‘Glee’ star

Amber Riley collapses on red carpet

he 26-year-old actress was attending the TV Academy of Arts and Sciences in North Hollywood for a panel discussion in front of Emmy voters, and while doing interviews she fainted and fell to the floor. However, she has confirmed she is fine and was simply dizzy from the paparazzi flash bulbs. In a series of posts on twitter, she wrote: “Hey guys, I’m okay :) I got a little dizzy from all the photog flashes! You’d think I’d be used to it by now, still a red carpet amateur I guess. Gonna get checked out but I feel fine. Thank you for all the concern and well wishes.

Amber - who plays Mercedes Jones in the musical TV show - was able to continue with the panel discussion. The third season of the show, which also stars Lea Michele, Corey Monteith and Dianna Agron, is close to wrapping up.

found parenthood a ‘hard adjustment’

T

he 54-year-old actress - who raises Claudia Rose, 19, and John Henry, 17, with husband David E. Kelley - always likes to be in control so admits it was a shock when she realised it wouldn’t be easy to combine her career with having a family. She said: “I think all women who work and have families struggle with finding the right balance. “I’m such a control freak and I was able to juggle a lot until I had my first child. It was a rude awakening for me. It was the first time in my life I couldn’t do everything. “I realised at that point that a person could have it all, but they can’t do it all. That’s a really hard adjustment for me. But there’s nothing more unpredictable and harder and humbling than being a parent.” The ‘Dark Shadows’ actress also insisted she can’t see herself ever retiring because she feels defined by her work. She added in an interview with Stylist magazine: “Work is a lot of how I define myself and maybe that’s not healthy, but it’s true. It feeds me, you know. “I can’t see myself ever retiring. Ever. I started working part-time when I was 14 and still at school and I’ve never stopped. “From the moment I started I loved it and I feel like I always need to be productive in some way. When the kids were growing up, it was challenging and creative and a big project.

“But who knows? I may not always be acting, I hope I am.”

Rod Stewart’s son has

Michelle Pfeiffer

his ‘cheeky’ sense of humour

T

Kristen Stewart happiest when driving

he ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ actress - who is dating her ‘Twilight’ co-star Robert Pattinson - is at her most contended when she is away from film sets and listening to music in her car. She said: “When am I happiest? In my car with the right friend - I like to drive and I love being in Los Angeles, it always feels like, ‘Ahhh.’ “So I would say if the right song came on, windows down, that’s a great feeling. To just be exciting to be moving, to be like, ‘Here we are.’ However, she does have long-term plans in the movie business and expects she will direct a film one day.

She added: “I want to direct movies. Sometimes I think, ‘God, I want to do that, I want to do that next,’ but then I work with someone who’s great at what they do and I think, ‘I’m not there yet.’ Discussing her best time on the film-set, Kristen admits her debut in 2002 movie ‘Panic Room’ with Jodie Foster is still her favorite. She said: “I was really lucky. Jodie’s incredibly professional but she’s not too professional because she’s so cool. “She’s just another member of the crew. I love that and it’s completely influenced me.”

T

he ‘Blow’ hitmaker admires the young pop superstar and thinks a duet between them would be great.

Kesha has a very eclectic music taste and can imagine herself just as easily recording with legendary Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. She said: “The range of artists I want to work with is so vast, it’s bizarre. I would love to have Keith Richards on the record. I would sure as hell like to do a collaboration with Bieber and at the same time do a song with the Flaming Lips. If someone is a real artist, you can’t confine them to a particular genre. It’s my mission to make it all make sense somehow.” The 25-yearold singer is very proud of the success she has achieved so far in her career but although she has topped charts all over the globe she still feels like the “dirty little sister” of the biggest pop stars. In an interview with V magazine, she contemplated: “I do feel like there are the pop stars of the world and then I’m like their dirty little sister, running around in combat boots because I can’t walk in heels.”

Kesha believes her outsider mentality comes from the fact her mother Pebe raised her and her older brother Lagan as a single parent and things were tough for the three of them. The pop beauty - who has no knowledge of her father’s identity - also had a hard time at high school and she wants her difficult experiences to inspire her fans. She explained: “I try to include my fans in my message. I do

T

he ‘Maggie May’ hitmaker became a father for the eighth time last February when wife Penny Lancaster gave birth to their son Aiden and the model - who also has six-year-old Alistair with the singer - can already see her husband’s personality echoed in the youngster.

She said: “Aiden used to resemble his daddy but he’s more like a Lancaster now as he’s got a larger build, the Stewarts are a bit more slender. “He’s got a very funny sense of humour already and is very cheeky though, which he probably gets from his dad.” Rod became a grandfather last year when daughter Kimberly gave birth to her first child Delilah whose father is actor Benicio Del Toro - and the little girl and Aiden get along very well. Penny told Britain’s HELLO! magazine: “He has a lovely relationship with Kimberly’s little girl. He says, ‘Delilah! Delilah!’ and they play together in our playroom. She’s crawling all over the place now.”

And Penny also takes delight in watching her two sons play together. She said: “They absolutely adore one another.

Aiden comes with me to pick his big brother up from school and he yells, ‘Alastair! Alastair!’ at the gates - he really misses him when he’s not at home. Alastair just dotes on him too - he likes to feed him his bottle and he’s built little train tracks for him to play with.”

feel like there is an element of what I’m doing that is about where I come from, which is working-class. I was never the cool kid; I was never hot in high school. I was never popular. You don’t have to be perfect and you don’t have to be rich and you can still be successful.”

T

Jessica Simpson gives birth to baby girl T

he 31-year-old singer - who had been dating fiance Eric Johnson for six months when she became pregnant - gave birth to the 9lb 18 oz baby on Tuesday morning and the couple has given her the full moniker Maxwell Drew Johnson. The name comes from Jessica’s maternal grandmother Tina, whose maiden name is Drew. Jessica’s family was spotted at a Los Angeles hospital today sparking speculation she was in labor. The baby is more than a week overdue, having been expected on April 21. Last month Jessica held a baby shower where she received a number of gifts from stars including Jessica Alba, her sister Ashlee and ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ star Ellen Pompeo. A source said: “It was a kid friendly shower with many of her friends bringing babies. She received tons of gifts mostly wrapped in pink gift wrap and boxes. There were several books, stuffed toys and clothes among other items.” Guests were treated to extravagant buffet food featuring some of Jessica’s favourite cuisine, including deep fried Oreos and Twinkies.

Allman clears all heart tests regg Allman will begin a book tour next week after passing heart tests at The Mayo Clinic. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member had delayed the tour after experiencing arrhythmia following recent hernia surgery related to his 2010 liver transplant.

Publicists say Allman underwent tests at the Jacksonville, Florida, clinic last Friday and was cleared.

His new memoir, “My Cross to Bear,” came out Tuesday.

The 62-year-old keyboard player and singer will start the tour May 8 in Atlanta. Allman was a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band. In the new memoir he chronicles the band’s rise to fame, his own personal struggles with drugs and women and his brother Duane’s death. — Agencies

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THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

lifestyle F E A T U R E S

Saudi and foreign women attend the opening of a cultural art exhibition in Riyadh yesterday. —AFP

MOCA honors photographer

Leibovitz

A

nnie Leibovitz has photographed practically every celebrity, rock star and politician over the past four decades, but when she was honoured by the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art, she showed a photograph of Niagara Falls. Leibovitz received the 7th MOCA Award to Distinguished Women in the Arts Tuesday at a private luncheon at the

Photographer Annie Leibovitz speaks at the 7th Annual MOCA Award to Distinguished Women in the Arts luncheon in Beverly Hills, Calif. Tuesday, May 1, 2012. The event honoured Leibovitz. —AP

Regent Beverly Wilshire hotel in Beverly Hills. She showed the Niagara Falls image and told a story about a recent trip there with her children featured in her new book, “Pilgrimage.”

She said the MOCA honor “means a lot to me.” “This award has been given to a great group of women, very distinguished company,” she said, noting that artist

Barbara Kruger was among the guests Tuesday. “And here I am in California. This is where I learned to be a photographer.”

Leibovitz, 62, started shooting for Rolling Stone magazine in 1970 while still a student at the San Francisco Art Institute. She went on to work for Vanity Fair and Vogue and has released several books of her photographs. Her “Pilgrimage” collection is currently on view at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Some of her most iconic images include a naked John Lennon curled around clothed Yoko Ono and Demi Moore nude and pregnant on the cover of Vanity Fair.

Ever humble, Leibovitz snapped photos, Facebook-style, with fans’ pocket cameras before accepting her award from her friend Maria Shriver. In one of her rare public appearances since filing for divorce from Arnold Schwarzenegger last summer, Shriver described Leibovitz as a living legend and “a woman of brilliance.” “I’m here out of friendship for her, but really out of respect for the way she has lived her extraordinary life,” Shriver said. “You have chosen (to recognize) a woman who has had an incredible effect not just on the arts, not just on fashion, not just on photography, not just on women, but on all of us.” Actresses Marisa Tomei, Rosanna Arquette and Daphne Zuniga were among the celebrities at the luncheon that benefited MOCA’s educational programs. A group of young students participating in Contemporary Art Start also attended the event. —AP

Rare Paul Cezanne watercolor auctioned in US

A

rare watercolor by French artist Paul Cezanne fetched $19.12 million at Christie’s auction house in New York late Tuesday. The painting, titled “A Card Player,” kicked off a spring auction of impressionist and modern art. The watercolor, which measures 46.7 by 30.5 centimetres, was found in the private collection of the late Heinz Eichenwald, a medical doctor and art collector who emigrated to the United States in the mid-1930s and spent his career in Dallas, Texas. The watercolor was last seen in public in 1953. The work “is one of the artist’s preparatory studies for Les joueurs de cartes (Card Players), the seminal five-painting series that CÈzanne completed between 1890 and 1896,” Christie’s said in a statement.

The auction house had estimated it would sell at between $15 and $20 million. Over the course of one hour, 31 paintings and sculptures went under the hammer. Several were sold at below or just above their price estimate, while three did not meet the minimum requested bid.

Successful sales include a 1907 Henri Matisse painting titled “Peonies”-a white-and-blue checkered vase holding flowers-that was auctioned for $19.2 million, far above its original estimate of between $8 million and $12 million.

“The Sleeper (Marie-Therese Walter),” a 1932 portrait by Pablo Picasso, was valued at between $5 million and $7 million, and sold at $9.88 million.

However a larger Picasso painting, “Two Reclining Nudes” (1968), was sold for $8.8 million. Its value had been estimated at between $8 million and $12 million. A Joan Miro painting titled “L’arÍte rouge transperce les plumes bleues de l’oiseau au p‚le bec” had an estimated value

of between $4.5 million and $6.5 million, and sold for $4.33 million. An Alberto Giacometti figure, “Bust of Diego,” was withdrawn just before the auction began. Christie’s said its sales for the night totaled $117 million dollars. Last night at Sotheby’s auction house the iconic “Scream” by Norwegian Edvard Munch goes under the hammer. The 1895 painting is estimated to be worth $80 million. —AFP

Sharon Kim, Christie’s International Director for Impressionist and Modern Art, adjusts Jouer de cartes by Paul Cezanne at Christie’s April 26, 2012 in New York. — AFP

Re-enactors share lives of frontier women S

Kristi Heasley at her home in Jessamine County, Kentucky, is passionate about frontier history and participates in re-enactments and educational events in her spare time. — MCT photos

tanding in her plain cotton skirt, rifle slung on her shoulder, precious seeds tucked into a dried-out gourd, Kristi Heasley looks every inch a woman ready to take on the Kentucky frontier. A barely seasoned chicken hangs on a stick over a low fire, and the smoke seems to follow Heasley as she tends the flames and talks about the hardships of being female on the frontier. There was little shelter. Families might live under a lean-to for months.

Everything you needed, you had to make. There was no corner store because there were no corners.

Some early pioneers to Kentucky literally wore rags that used to be their clothes, and they couldn’t find a way to fashion new ones, she said.

Children would sometimes wear “green” furs: pelts that had been removed from an animal but not fully cured or cleaned. It was hard living, and women did everything from tending crops to chopping wood and raising children.

“Women had to do all that and sometimes take up a rifle,” Heasley likes to say. Over many years as a history buff and re-enactor, Heasley has collected a wealth of knowledge that she shares as part of a Women on the Frontier program, at Fort

Kristi Heasley prepares corn meal biscuits.

Boonesborough, Ky. The weekend events are a Cliff’s Notes version of the kinds of adventures undertaken throughout the year by Heasley and her friends, who like to spend primitive weekends in the woods, hike in period clothing, catch and kill game to eat and occasionally shoot at each other with old-fashioned firearms.

The women don’t use ammunition, just black powder to create a bang and some smoke. Visitors learn the many skills a woman needed to survive in the mid- to late-1700s, a time when would-be settlers were walking through the Cumberland Gap

because the trail couldn’t accommodate wagons. The skills include packing for the journey to “Cantuckee,” learning primitive cooking methods and learning how to spin wool and fire a flintlock.

Men, of course, are welcome, but they might have to do some “women’s work.” Finding food was a constant challenge back then, Heasley said. And mothers, as they often do today, would do without in order to make sure their families were fed. The first thing pioneers would have done after finding a place to settle is to plant corn, the seeds car-

ried from back east in a hollowed and dried gourd. In fact, she said, planting corn was a condition for claiming title to land.

Although women couldn’t own land or vote at the time, there was some greater measure of freedom in the wild, Heasley said. Women working in the fields would sometimes abandon the prescribed layers of dress to work in their gown-like underclothes instead of dragging the floor with skirt hems that might sneak up past their ankle. Infection from burns suffered while cooking, often from petticoats catching

flames, was a leading cause of death, she said. The fort’s living historian, Bill Farmer, said the annual event provides, like many events at the fort, an important insight into frontier life. Heasley, a mother of two who sells advertising in her modern life, said there are few records or diaries that show what life was like for these early Kentucky settlers, but it’s clear that without frontier women, there would have been no frontier. For information: Bill Farmer, (859) 527-3131 or ftboone@bellsouth.net. Fortboonesborough livinghistory.org. — MCT

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

lifestyle M u s i c

&

M o v i e s

The statue of Joan of Arc is seen before ceremonies.

— AP photos

Pauline Finet performs as Joan of Arc during the opening ceremony of the 600th anniversary of the birth of Joan of Arc, in Orleans, central France, Sunday April 29, 2012.

T

A man dressed like a Middle Age soldier attends ceremonies.

An artistic projection showing Joan of Arc is seen at Orlean’s cathedral during ceremonies.

C

harles “Skip” Pitts, the longtime Memphis guitar player for Isaac Hayes whose distinctive sound helped define soul and make “Shaft” cool, has died. He was 65. Tim Sampson, communication director with the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, said Pitts died Tuesday in Memphis after a long struggle with cancer. Pitts was responsible for the unforgettable wah-wah pedal guitar sound on Hayes’ “Theme from Shaft,” the ‘70s Blaxploitation film that remains a memorable moment in American popular culture - mostly due to the enduring popularity of the song. Pitts’ 1971 riff was angry and bristling with menace, capturing a dangerous vibe that transcended the screen and translated to the streets of a tense nation.

He also was responsible the guitar line from The Isley Brothers’“It’s Your Thing,” also a distinctive, influential moment in American music. Schooled by neighbor Bo Diddley while growing up in Washington, DC, Pitts first recorded when he was 15 and had a long, historic run in Memphis after moving there to join Hayes. He played with the deep-voiced soul singer for nearly four decades, worked as a session musician for Stax Records where some of America’s greatest music was made and logged time with many significant soul and blues acts, including Al Green, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Rufus Thomas and Albert King. Late in his career, he made appearances in movies like “Black Snake Moan,” to which he also contributed three soundtrack entries, and “Soul Men” and performed on the score for “Hustle and Flow.” Most recently he appeared on Green’s “I Can’t Stop” and Cyndi Lauper’s “Memphis Blues,” both of which were nominated for Grammy Awards. He also released an album last fall with his band The Bo-Keys. — AP

he normally tranquil city of Orleans is buzzing with festivities over the next two weeks to mark the 600th birthday of one of France’s best cultural exports: Joan of Arc. On Tuesday, the Loire River swarmed with wooden boats filled with locals dressed in medieval garb - re-enacting Joan of Arc’s legendary entry into the city in 1429. It’s an event that liberated Orleans from English invaders, and sealed her place in the history books. It has inspired over the centuries myriad novels, poems, rock songs, operas, plays and even a blockbuster feature film with Milla Jovovich.

“It’s marvelous to see the children dressing up and learning about this great French heroine who’s known all over the world,” said Jacques Dubarre, dressed in a velvet mantel. “Of course we’re also having fun.” In a testament to her international appeal, some 600 contemporary artists - from as far as the US, Japan and Russia - have made portraits of Joan of Arc through the ages that will be projected on the City Hall this Friday. Later in the week, a medieval market will be the scene of period cuisine and music, while a sound and light show will be projected on the city’s Gothic cathedral to celebrate her life. Despite the enduring fame, it’s been a rocky ride for the teenage legend.

At just 17, Joan led the French army to victory, only to be burned at the stake as a heretic two years later. She was heralded as a political symbol of the French far left during World War II, only to be snatched up as the mascot of the far right thirty years later. It seems like the only thing that anyone can agree on is that she is the ultimate French icon. “The two most famous figures from France are Napoleon and Joan of Arc, no others quite come close,” said Russian journalist Vladimir Dobrovolsky, one of the estimated 40,000 people who attended Tuesday.

But why does a woman whose achievements spanned a mere 2 years inspire so much fascination? “She achieved greatness but died young and was wronged. She had strong convictions and character but she was a woman, a virgin,” said Olivier Bouzy, historian and adviser on Luc Besson’s 1999 movie, “The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc.” “Yes, in many ways she was ahead of her time.” In France she is seen as a sort of symbol of the nation (“nation” being a feminine word in French), but the myths around her began relatively late.

It was in World War I that an effigy of Joan of Arc in armor, which appeared on pictures and postcards, first came to

symbolize war and nationhood - in this case, the French fight against Germany. “Yes, she is the symbol of the nation at war, but the biggest myth is that she actually led the French in battle. She was a prophet who morally guided the army to victory. She was no commander or fighter,” said Bouzy.

Questions about her exact identity have left subsequent

eras room to fill in the gaps and allowed diverse groups to claim her as inspiration. French far right leader Marine Le Pen staged her anti-immigrant National Front’s annual May 1 rally Tuesday in front of a huge Joan of Arc banner. Bouzy predicts Joan’s identity may shift yet again: “Since the ‘80s she has been an extreme right political figure, but after the Luc Besson film, she’s back in the realm of culture, softer.” There indeed seems to be renewed interest in the “softer” cultural face of Joan of Arc. She is currently the subject of a play by the well-known Japanese drama company Theatre No, which will run in Orleans from Saturday. “Everyone wants to appropriate her, and have their piece,” said Orleans deputy mayor, Jean-Pierre Gabelle, “but this festival will put her back where she belongs.”— AP

A

A statue of Joan of Arc with the French flag is seen in Orleans during the opening ceremony.

verdict in the trial of a Tunisian television station director accused of insulting sacred values for having screened the Franco-Iranian film “Persepolis” is set for today, court sources said. Nabil Karoui’s Nessma television station broadcast the award-winning animated film, which recounts the Iranian revolution and its aftermath through the eyes of a young girl, on October 7 last year. But it sparked outrage because of scenes depicting God, whose representation is banned in Islam. Within two days of the broadcast, Islamic militants attacked the television station’s offices and Karoui’s home during violent demonstrations in Tunis.

“The judgment will be historic and will have an effect on the entire region,” Kaoui said following a final hearing last week. He added that the ruling would mark “a decisive day for freedom of expression and the press.” In late 2010, Tunisian protesters toppled the entreched dictatorship of Zine el Abidine Ben Ali, sparking similar uprisings across the Arab World. A moderate Islamist party called Ennahda won the most seats in October elections, the first since Ben Ali fell. While the party has assured it has no plans to create a extremist religious state, some have voiced fears the Islamist movements within the country, emboldened by the Ennahda victory, may try to restrict free expression and secular values. — AFP File photo shows the director of the Tunisian private TV channel Nessma television, Nabil Karoui, leaving the courthouse in Tunis after the postponement of his trial. — AFP

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

lifestyle M u s i c

&

M o v i e s

“F

irst Position” is a welcome antidote to tawdr y reality shows like “Dance Moms” and breathless competitions like “So You Think You Can Dance.” Director Bess Kargman’s documentary follows a half-dozen aspiring professional ballet dancers at the Youth America Grand Prix, an elite competition for performers ages 9-19 where prizes, scholarships and contracts with prestigious companies await.

Structurally similar to the documentaries “Spellbound” (about the National Spelling Bee) and “Waiting for ‘Superman’” (about publicschool students hoping for chances at a better education), “First Position” reveals the home lives of these youngsters as they prepare and lets us get to know their families, all of whom have made huge sacrifices to foster their children’s dreams. They come from varied backgrounds but they’re all inspiring in their focus and discipline, as well as their willingness to embrace a childhood that is far from ordinary.

There’s Aran, the 11-year-old son of a career Navy man whose work has taken the family to Italy, which means Aran must travel two hours every day to Rome to train. He’s got a lean, fairhaired elegance about him as well as self-possession and finesse beyond his years. His bedroom is stuffed with baseball gloves and a BB gun as well as a device to help him define his toe pointe. Fourteen-year-old Michaela was born in war-ravaged Sierra Leone and adopted by a Jewish couple from Philadelphia after her parents were killed. She’s strong and muscular but hopes to defy expectations of what a black ballet dancer should look and move like by performing a delicate piece from “Swan Lake.”

Soft-spoken Joan Sebastian, 16, came to the United States from a small, mountain village near Cali, Colombia. He lives in a sparse apartment in Queens and calls home when he can, hearing reminders from his parents about the importance of his time here. But he doesn’t need any extra motivation: He’s clearly a very serious, driven young man who dreams of dancing with

the Royal Ballet in London someday. Twelveyear-old Miko and her 10-year-old brother, J.J., are both dancers of half-Japanese, half-British descent living in the San Francisco Bay Area, although big sister is obviously the more talented and focused of the two. Like many advanced young dancers, she’s home schooled to allow more time for rehearsal and travel.

Then there’s 17-year-old Rebecca, a blonde, all-American, self-proclaimed princess from suburban Maryland who tries to maintain as much of a normal teenage life as possible (she attends public high school, has a boyfriend, was a cheerleader). She’s got the body, looks and talent to be a star ballerina, but she also knows that time

is running out and contracts with top companies are scarce. Kargman gives everyone equal time and attention - she depicts no one as a villain or diva, nor does she lead us toward rooting for any particular dancer. Even Rebecca comes off as gracious and polite, wishing her competitors good luck backstage and wondering why others don’t do the same.

The director’s tasteful, intimate approach features all of the theatricality of the art form with none of the backstage drama; “The Turning Point,” this is not. Her film actually may be a little too understated, a little too safe. But Kargman is both a former ballet dancer herself as well as a journalist, so she knows not only what’s impor-

tant but also how to stay out of the way and let the story tell itself in her filmmaking debut. Little girls (and some boys) will love “First Position”: It’s an ideal film for kids to see with their families, even if they don’t know their plie from their grand jete.

“First Position,” a Sundance Selects release, is unrated but contains nothing more offensive than some mangled toenails. Running time: 94 minutes. Three stars out of four. — AP

In this film image released by Sundance Selects, Rebecca Houseknecht is shown in a scene from the film ‘First Position.’ — AP

T File photo shows British boy band ‘The Wanted’, from left, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness, Max George, Tom Parker and Nathan Sykes at the Empire State Building in New York. — AP

After UK diss,

The Wanted fires back with success

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art of The Wanted’s excitement over its recent success in America comes from being initially dissed in its native United Kingdom. “Some radio stations in the UK who found out we were a boy band refused to play (our music),” said member Nathan Sykes. “They were like, ‘We love the song, but we can’t play boy bands because we’ll lose our credibility.’” Added Max George: “These are like the most uncool people in the world.”

Being a boy band has somewhat haunted the British based-quintet since its formation in 2009. People in the industry have tried to put the group in a box; the guys were even told at one point they’d need to learn how to dance.

“We’re like, ‘No! No chance,’” Sykes recalled. “And then we moved record labels very shortly afterward.” But coming to America - and achieving some success - is a dream come true for the group. After releasing two top five albums and five hit singles in Europe, they’ve now duplicated some of that in America with the party jam “Glad You Came,” which has spent eight weeks in the top 10 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. Their US manager is Scooter Braun, who also manages Justin Bieber. “In America, before they even questioned who we were, they were like, ‘We like the song. Let’s play it,’” said Jay McGuiness.

“And that changed things for us.”

The song has peaked at No. 3 and is the first single from the band’s self-titled US debut EP, released last week; The Wanted drop a full-length album this fall. The EP features songwriting and production work by Diane Warren, Ryan Tedder, Claude Kelly, Steve Mac and Wayne Hector.

And they almost recorded a song written by Adam Levine. “It’s difficult with someone like him though,” George said. “How are we going to record that and make it sound better?” The Wanted are on the scene when boy bands have made an official comeback, with fellow Brits One Direction leading the pack. But The Wanted - whose youngest member is 18 and oldest is 23 says the group isn’t a typical boy band, mainly because they play instruments: George is on bass, McGuiness plays the drums, the piano for Tom Parker, while Sykes and Siva Kaneswaran are on guitar.

Still, they don’t reject the label, despite some of the early predicaments it caused. “I was nearly ill at the thought of being in a boy band,” Sykes admitted. “But then we sat down, had a meeting and we were like, ‘No, this is how we want to do it differently. We want to have a new take on boy bands.’” “We love all of our fans, but it isn’t specially aimed at boy band fans,” McGuiness said.

“Our music can crossover to everyone, and we try not cheese people out too much.” — AP

he Hollywood venue that hosts the annual Oscars show was renamed the Dolby Theatre on Tuesday, after the audio pioneer gained naming rights previously held by bankrupt camera company Kodak. Kodak pulled out weeks before this year’s Academy Awards show in February, and talks have been ongoing to find a new backer for the venue, next to the iconic Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. Britain-founded, California-based audio technology pioneer Dolby announced a deal with the CIM Group, which owns the Hollywood & Highland Centre of which the Oscars venue is part, to put its name on the theatre for the next 20 years.

“Dolby is a brand recognized around the world for creating the best, most life-like entertainment sound experiences in any environment,” said Dolby Laboratories chief Kevin Yeaman. “This partnership with CIM allows the Dolby Theatre to be not only the world stage for the Academy Awards, but for Dolby innovations for decades to come,” he added. Dolby said it would use the deal to showcase its latest Dolby Atmos sound system, which it described as “a break-through audio technology that delivers the most natural, life-like sensory experience,” in the 3,400-seat theatre. The accord was welcomed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), which organizes Hollywood’s top annual awards show.

“The Academy’s Board of Governors believes that the home for our awards is in Hollywood. It is where the Academy and the motion picture industry are rooted,” said AMPAS head Tom Sherak.

“We are pleased to have a new agreement with CIM that will continue our longstanding partnership,” he added. CIM Group co-founder Shaul Kuba added: “Dolby Laboratories has a long history in Hollywood and has made significant contributions to the entertainment industry. “It is a respected international brand and technology innovator. We are proud to welcome them as our partner on the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center,” he said.

A bankruptcy court in February approved Kodak’s request to cancel its contract with the until-then Kodak Theatre, ruling that it

was “in the best interests of the debtors, their estates, their creditors and other parties.” The contract between Eastman Kodak and theatre owner CIM was valued at $72 million — $3.6 million per year for 20 years. The theatre, inaugurated in November 2001 with seating for 3,332, has hosted the Academy Awards since 2002. Kodak, an iconic American firm that introduced generations of consumers to mass-market cameras, filed for bankruptcy in January. — AFP

Iron Maiden’s flying frontman to fix heavy metal

I

Bruce Dickinson

ron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson has taken over an aircraft maintenance hangar in Wales and hopes to create hundreds of jobs at the facility, he said yesterday. Dickinson, 53, an airline pilot when he is not rocking out stadiums, has taken a lease on the Twin Peaks hangar in St Athan, next to Cardiff Airport, to set up an aircraft maintance repair and overhaul operation. The heavy metal singer’s Cardiff Aviation firm will not only fix aircraft but train people to become engineers and pilots. “ This is an absolutely unbelievable facility,” said Dickinson, who had traded in his stage gear for a suit and tie as he visited the hangar. “You could virtually eat your dinner off the floor here,” he told BBC television.

“Pessimistically, if we haven’t created 250 to 300 full-time jobs in a year, we’ll be out of business. Optimistically, within two years, you could be looking at 1,000 to 1,500 jobs here.” Dickinson said he had his house redecorated but had never taken on anything on this scale before. “The current facilities for maintaining aircraft in the UK... in general they’re not great,” he explained.

“There’s a massive opportunity. Aircraft have to be maintained. They’re very valuable assets.” The facility used to repair Royal Air Force VC10 airliners until March when the RAF pulled out after 75 years.

Iron Maiden, whose hits include “Run to the

Hills” (1982), “The Number of the Beast” (“1982”) and “Can I Play with Madness” (1988), are one of the pioneers of heavy metal and one of the most successful rock bands of all time. On recent tours, Dickinson has flown the band himself.

South Wales was hit hard by the decline in the coal and iron industries.” We have been working closely with Bruce Dickinson and Cardiff Aviation on this exciting project for some time and delighted it has come to fruition,” said Welsh Business Minister Edwina Hart.” This is exactly the type of investment needed-bringing money into the local economy.”—AFP

Rare Paul Cezanne watercolor auctioned in US

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

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These photos taken on April 17, 2012 show models preparing for a photo shoot for Ala Magazine in Istanbul. —AFP photos

C

an the Muslim headscarf be synonymous with glamour?

Turkey’s first fashion magazine for conservative Islamic women looks set to win the challenge. In less than a year since it was launched last June, the monthly Ala-meaning “beauty”-has become a mainstream glossy. With a circulation of 20,000, it is only slightly behind the Turkish versions of Cosmopolitan, Vogue and Elle magazines. Ala’s pages are splashed with models reflecting a conservative Islamic style, all wearing headscarves and long dresses, with their arms and necks covered.

Ala’s editor, 24-year-old Hulya Aslan, has first-hand experience with Turkey’s headscarf troubles. Because she insisted on wearing one, she had to give up a university education, instead finding work at a bank.

“Now there is normalisation, an improvement. Now our veiled comrades can enter university and have more professional opportunities,” she told AFP. “For the last five or six years we can say we have turned the corner.” Ala, created by two advertisers, offers the usual fare of health tips, travel pages and celebrity interviews, supplemented by a strong dose of loud and clear Islamic activism.

“Veiled Is Beautiful” proclaims one advertisement, driving home the point with the words: “My way, my choice, my life, my truth, my right.”

But such slogans sound more like a reference to the struggles of the past, when secularism monopolised the social scene and the Islamic headscarf, often viewed as a political symbol, met hostile reactions.

The struggle continues despite the 2002 poll victory of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP), which has Islamist roots and many of whose members have spouses who wear headscarves, including Erdogan’s wife Emine. Although the strict application of secularism has been loosened under AKP rule, headscarves are still off-limits for civil servants. It is now allowed in some universities, while many others ban them.

In Turkey, 60 percent of women wear some type of hair coveringsometimes also hiding their necks and ears-according to a 2006 survey conducted by the Istanbul-based Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation. The fashion world now sees a growing demand from conservative Turkish women who are keen to assert themselves. “There are now much prettier things than before,” said Merve Buyuk, a 22year-old trainee at Ala. “Designers have now understood that we exist.

They’ve started making clothes that are not necessarily black or brown. ... I’m pretty happy with this change.” Ala is hoping to influence conservative women’s fashion and cash in on it with advertising revenue. “With this magazine, we are changing trends. We say that women in headscarves can follow trends. There are more and more products on the market they can access,” Aslan said.

Communication scientist Nilgun Tutal of Istanbul’s Galatasaray University said Ala attests to the rise of middle- and upper-class Muslims who are adapting to the consumer society, thanks to almost 10 years of AKP rule and Turkey’s sustained economic growth. “At one time, Islam, to distinguish itself from the West, took a position hostile to consumer society. But today, these people, to express their success, can only do that through consumer society,” Tutal said. — AFP

F

ashion moves in waves, and in today’s easier, unfussy stage, glitz and gold might seem over the top. But boring isn’t the only way to do a pared-down look.

Exotic skins - and many more faux exotic skins - can bridge the gap between too much and not enough. Choices go from neon embossed leathers that mimic python and ostrich to rare and very expensive tree frog skin. It’s mostly accessories, but there are a lot of skin-inspired printed fabrics out there, too.

People are drawn to the look because it’s “discreet luxury,” says Colleen Sherin, senior fashion director at Saks Fifth Avenue. She sees consumers pulling back from ostentatious embellishment in favour of pieces with a longer life, and that goes for the wealthy, too.

“If we’re talking about the real thing, they’re investment pieces. You buy them for quality and longevity - a croc, alligator or ostrich shoe or bag - you’ll truly have it forever, and you’ll be able to pass it down to your children, nieces and nephews. Even the rich are thoughtful about how they spend their money,” Sherin says. And for those who cannot afford the real thing, the mimicking leathers and quite sexy prints are good stand-ins, she says.

“It’s a trend because it’s available to everyone,” she says. In its May issue, Harper’s Bazaar features Penelope Cruz in a croc-embroidered gown and croc sandals by Givenchy; Salvatore Ferragamo’s emerald croc beauty case; croc boots from Calvin Klein; and a Reed Krakoff croc luggage piece. Yes, exotic skins and their less expensive cousins are widely available, agrees Jana Matheson, creative director of Judith Leiber, but it’s still an “insider” look, which, of course, seems to make it all the more desirable. The leather bags at Leiber run $195-$795, while genuine skins can cost several thousands of dollars.

“Exotics are a secret luxury. It’s an insider club,” she says. “If you understand skins and know what you’re buying, you don’t have to show off. If you have a brown, beaten-up piece of luggage that happens to be croc, an innocent bystander wouldn’t know it, but you would - and your friends might.” Some of the most exotic exotics she’s worked with include tegus lizards, stingrays, tree snakes and frogs, which, she explains, are so small they’re used for small pieces and even then they need to be pieced together. “They are pretty inconvenient,” she says. Matheson says there isn’t a single customer for the look because there is so much variety: suitcases, evening bags, belts and shoes. You can have any color of the rainbow, turn them metallic, paint them or bleach them so there are no natural markings, just the texture.

So far the only thing she hasn’t figured out how to do is get crystals to adhere to the bumpy surface. California-based designer Heather Belle made it a mission to craft leather versions of exotic skins not because she was taking an environmental position, she says, but because the faux versions look as good as the real thing - for a much lower

cost. (Also, she notes, python-skin products, for example, are banned in California.) She’s also working with a plastic that’s almost like a galvanized rubber. “My background as artist and painter has allowed us to develop a handcrafted replica without destroying or killing animals. I’m not maligning those who do, but we have a choice and that choice is of the highest quality and standards at a better price,” Belle says.

She adds, “I love this process. ... I’m playing with recreating elephant skin right now, but it’s hard getting the painting process down to create something really luxurious and beautiful.” Skins and skinlike leathers take colour so well, allowing people to participate in the season’s other big trends: big, bold, bright and neon hues. The trend in handbags has been clean, simple silhouettes, but now there’s a bit of a backlash, says Shelby Kruzhkov, director of merchandising for handbags and small leather goods for retailer Henri Bendel. “I think we’re eventually going toward embellishment again, but now, in the interim, interesting materials have become the most important thing.”

Bendel’s uses mostly lookalike leathers because they mimic the real thing so well while keeping down costs. The embossed versions of ostrich and stingray look “very luxe and classy” and instantly elevate an otherwise simple outfit, Kruzhkov says, while snake, croc and lizard skins can easily be incorporated into a 24-hour wardrobe, from day to night.

The wearer can treat them as a seasonless “basic,” even though they are eye-catching and fashion-forward, she says. Clutch handbags are probably the most popular “exotics” accessory, but a satchel, suitcase or tiny evening bag are popular, too.

Leiber’s Matheson suggests a fold-over lunch-bag style, while Saks’ Sherin says a belt is a good baby step into the look. Or, she adds, a silk blouse covered in a skin pattern can go under almost any jacket or blazer. She says she likes seeing this creative evolution of a classic; it makes for “wise shopping” as a trend now and closet workhorse later. Her own brown crocodile suitcase - which belonged to her grandmother - still gets regular use. Matheson gets good stories out of her exotic-skin pieces, too. People always ask questions and offer compliments. “There’s the fantasy of where you can go with these or where you’ve been,” she says. “Skins just say ‘adventure.’” — AP

A blue clutch purse made of croc embossed leather.

File photo shows a model wears a python embossed leather jacket at the The Elie Tahari Fall 2012 collection during Fashion Week in New York.

—AP photos

A burnt orange handled bag made of croc embossed leather.

In this undated image released by Judith Leiber, a herringbone and python print clutch purse is shown.