29 April - Friday Times

Hair implants, whiter teeth, nose jobs all the rage

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4 Bahrain protesters sentenced to death

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Heat take 4-1 series victory over Sixers

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NO: 15073- Friday, April 29, 2011

Buzz over wedding bells See Page 45

LONDON: Royal enthusiasts use an umbrella to protect themselves from the sun as they sleep in front of Westminster Abbey in London, yesterday. Revelers are camping out outside the Abbey where Prince William and Kate Middleton are due to get married today. — AP

Local FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

In my view

Local Spotlight

Mafi oil in Syria

Media calling

By Chidi Emmanuel

By Muna Al-Fuzai

Chidi@kuwaittimes.net muna@kuwaittimes.net

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ow many dead bodies will be enough before the Big Three (US, Britain, France) and their Arab League counterparts move for a resolution (even if it is nonbinding) against Syria? ‘Gaddafi is killing his own people’ was the chorus from this Tom, Dick and Harry trio when the Western powers justified their Libyan invasion. The question at present is: What is President Assad doing right now?

‘Maybe he’s killing his own animals’? Hundreds of people have been slaughtered in Syria in the ongoing march to freedom and better governance. Unlike Libya, the US for now is limiting its response to the brutal crackdown on civilian protests in Syria to diplomacy and possible sanctions. The Arab League which championed the UN Resolution No 1973 is now reluctant to even condemn Bashar and the Syrian massacre.

Deploring what it called ‘the gross and systematic violation of human rights’ in troubled Libya, on Feb 26, 2011, the UNSC adopted Resolution 1970 (2011), demanding an end to the violence and deciding to refer the situation to the International Criminal Court while imposing an arms embargo ‘on the country’ and a travel ban and assets freeze on the family of Muammar Gaddafi and his government’s officials.

The UN Council mandated all its member states to seize and dispose of all military-related materials bound for Libya.

Resolution 1973 is the first of its kind from the UN. As a matter of fact, it broke the record for being the fastest-ever UNSC resolution. In these two resolutions, assets were frozen, Gaddafi and his cronies were referred to the International Criminal Court, an arms embargo was imposed, etc.

Some, if not all, of these restrictions have been violated by the same Big Three as they try to bend the rules to suit their interests. Western boots (CIA, French and British military personnel) are now on Libyan soil; arms are now sent to the rebels and to crown it all, the Obama administration has eased its sanctions against Libya to allow for the sale of oil controlled by the rebels. With this latest decision, ‘American companies can now deal directly with the rebels in marketing the Libyan oil.’

The move will allow Libya’s opposition forces to use the income from oil proceeds to buy weapons and other supplies. This new order modified sanctions the administration had imposed in February, freezing $34 billion in assets held

by Libyan leader Gaddafi, his family members and top government officials. I guess all these support the maxim that “the US has no permanent friend nor permanent enemy but only permanent interest.” The question is: if the West can do it in Libya why not Syria, Yemen, Uganda, Zimbabwe etc?

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fter three days of meetings, the Arab Media Forum experts called for professional and balanced media coverage. I think this appeal is needed for everyone working in the news media. I believe that the Arab world needs to be made aware of current events without exaggeration and negativity, whilst not being misled as to what is really taking place in the world. This forum, which was held under the theme, ‘Media and Social Issues’, made me wonder whether we need to see more transparency and objectivity in the reporting of current affairs, regardless of the nature of the news stories in question, whether political or social.

This call for greater professionalism will be answered only when media personnel share the belief that their mission is to present the objective truth, not to distort it to create the scenario they would like to see from a personal perspective.

For example, the experience of private channels in the Arab world proved that while they are tools for news coverage, they are certainly not the best in the world and they need to pursue higher ethical standards and to learn that their purpose is to inform viewers rather than to reshape

their opinions. In the end, the audience members have to feel that they are free to decide on issues for themselves rather than to be told how or what to think and say.

For years private TV channels were a dream in the Arab world simply because they would be free of the official channels run and controlled by state bodies. The problems with state media is that they are spun and manipulated to present only favorable views of the ruling system and are not permitted to present any controversial or unfavorable news or to think in any way outside the box.

Online journalism and blogging are the new news outlets for Arab people, especially the younger generation, and this was one of the subjects of discussion at the forum. I think that these new forms of journalism are becoming more popular due to their accessibility and am keen that young people should be given the opportunity to express their thoughts as freely as possible. Of course, we must remember that the older forms of journalism, such as TV, radio and the press, have differing objectives and are not necessarily as simple as blogging.

I think that the objectivity called for by

some of the forum participants may be harder to achieve than they imagine since, at the end of the day, private TV channels and other privately owned media are businesses, and business-owners have their own policies and objectives, even if reporters must strive for professional objectivity and impartiality in their coverage, whatever their own feelings on the subject.

There is already enough tension in the Arab world without news media adding to it, and reporters attempting to influence public reaction through their coverage could have frustrating and negative consequences. I believe that Arab media need to focus on a number of crucial subjects, like the challenges that continue to confront women in the Arab world, as well as democracy and the associated issues, and should do so in a professional, objective manner that they have not yet attained in many cases.

Ultimately, I believe that events like the Arab Media Forum can be helpful if the conclusions and recommendations made are taken into consideration and acted upon. This is an area in which the Arab world needs to make real progress in order to achieve greater development.

Scribbler’s notebook

Selling out: Kuwait’s blogosphere goes corporate?

By Jamie Etheridge local@kuwaittimes.net

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’m a long time fan of blogs in Kuwait.

When I first arrived in the country, I was delighted to discover so many great blogs where bloggers wrote openly about the politics of the country and the region, discussed the issues of the day and kept readers up with all the latest happenings in the country. For an outsider, Kuwait’s blogs provide a uniquely fascinating and insightful view into Kuwait’s culture, society and politics. I loved them and would praise them to all my friends and family.

Lately, however, I’ve noticed that many blogs have closed or only have a few random posts and others spend more time discussing their latest free gifts or the opening of a new restaurant/shop, etc. As a journalist and writer, I am sadly all too familiar with the need for and demands of advertising. We are all servants of the masters who sign our paychecks and blogs, like newspapers and magazines, often have sponsors.

I realize that blogging is work and bloggers should be paid and that advertising is the only way that this will happen. I also understand that PR can be useful and informative. I enjoy reading news of a new restaurant, especially when they are coupled with an honest review or compared with other shops/restaurants. I also appre-

ciate that consumer culture is a large part of life in Kuwait and that shopping, eating out and following the latest trends in fashion and technology all reflect what’s really happening in society here.

But where has all the political discussion gone? When the elections were taking place every year or Nabiha Khamsa happened, Kuwait’s blogosphere set the tone and agenda for what the country was talking about. When protestors were in the streets demanding government debt forgiveness or MPs were calling for yet another grilling of yet another minister, the blogosphere explained the issues, provided analysis and basically gave us all a clearer picture of what was going on and why.

More than that, the blogosphere used to take on issues of social relevance Tarsheed and the need to conserve water and power; the mistreatment of maids and menial laborers; high divorce rates and poor education.

Nowadays, it’s company promotions and the occasional controversial, but much appreciated, honest restaurant review. I know this won’t be popular with many bloggers and I guess I’ll get lots of emails hitting back at my comments. (I accept any criticism as long as it is focused on the issue and not my poor spelling or

inadequate grammar.)

Please don’t misunderstand me. I continue to love Kuwait’s blogs and read several every day. And there are many bloggers who continue to post interesting comments about life in Kuwait, about the politics of the glacial development plan or the impoverished education system, about the potential Kuwait has to be the leader in the Gulf instead of a forgotten pearl of its past.

At a time when bloggers in Egypt and Tunisia were battling for their freedom, when bloggers in Saudi and the UAE are being detained and bloggers in Syria face arrest or worse, Kuwait’s blogosphere enjoys an unmatched level of freedom of speech.

Bloggers here are a voice, a group that can influence public discourse. They have the power to shake things up. To demand Kuwait reach for its potential. To ask for improvements in education, healthcare, road networks, government services, etc.

They keep the pressure on the parliament to get things done. Bloggers represent the best and the brightest of what Kuwait has to offer.

I just hope that they will continue to serve as the voice of Kuwait’s future and not Kuwait’s future POS (point of sale).

Local FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

Conspiracy Theories

Thanks, Al-Tabtabaei!

From the editor’s desk

Traffic dilemma unsolved

By Abd Al-Rahman Alyan

By Badrya Darwish

Editor-in-Chief

myopinion@kuwaittimes.net badrya_d@kuwaittimes.net

am usually an opponent of many of MP Walid AlTabtabaei’s views. But this time I can’t do anything but salute him. I salute Tabtabaei, a member of the parliamentary Human Rights Committee, for raising the issue of the low salaries paid to cleaners and unskilled workers in Kuwait. It is high time parliament took this issue seriously and to heart. For a change, you guys are discussing an issue which concerns human rights and expat labor. This topic is not new to Kuwait, but has gone on and on for years.

Kuwait has been criticized from every corner of the world for being abusive to its foreign workforce.

Reports from left, right and centre have been vocal against the injustice to drivers, maids and other unskilled blue-collar workers.

I don’t know what the big dilemma is at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor. Why can’t it solve the problem of mistreatment of the labor force? Why can’t it introduce a system to control all issues related to these members of the expatriate workforce? Let’s not kid ourselves. We cannot do without them. So let us at least give them their rights. They work hard, cleaning our streets, cleaning our buildings and cleaning our homes. They build our infrastructure and they are an important part of our society. They

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are, in short, indispensable, whether we like it or not.

The salaries quoted by Al-Tabtabaei showed that these workers are earning an average of KD 20 a month. Al-Tabtabaei has asked the ministry to force companies who employ workers at such wages to provide them with food. Believe me, KD 20 is less than the monthly pocket money of the poorest Kuwaiti kid in Kuwait. If I didn’t want to exaggerate, I would say it is the pocket money per week of such a kid.

I am wholly supportive of Al-Tabtabaei on this these workers should be provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as regular inspections of their living quarters. I wish to read one day that the social affairs minister, whoever he or she is, or even his or her deputy, has visited the residence of one of these workers without prior notice. I would like to see his or her reaction and opinion. Even a visit by an official from the ministry or an inspector from the municipality would do - those we see inspecting illegal CD sales on the streets. For a change, they can go and visit one of the buildings where these low-paid workers are staying. They can then check how many people share a bathroom, toilet and living space and how many hours they toil a day. Thanks, Al-Tabtabaei!

Satire Wire

Wedding of the Century

By Sawsan Kazak

sawsank@kuwaittimes.net

rince William and Kate Middleton get married today. Dubbed by the media the Wedding of the Century, this moment has been keenly anticipated since even before the two were engaged. Thousands have descended on London to watch the procession, camping out on the street just to be able to get a glimpse of the happy couple on their big day. Alongside the spectators will be countless representatives of media outlets from across the world which will be broadcasting the nuptials live, complete with a sportsstyle play by play voiceover.

Why has so much worldwide attention been placed on this marriage, though? Why has every aspect of the wedding already been scrutinized and debated. From the cost of the dress to what food will be served, we have all been there for every decision. But why has this event mesmerized us more than our actual lives? Many people are annoyed at the amount of attention that has

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been given to this royal wedding, but one thing that cannot be argued is that this will be a life marker event.

We all remember where we were when the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center were hit or when we found out Michael Jackson passed or perhaps a more fitting example, when we found out that Princess Diana had died. This is, of course, not to compare this wedding to a terror attack or tragic death, but these are large-scale events that the world watches and then talks about for weeks to come. These are the kind of stories people write books about and make movies on. This is a true life ‘fairytale’ unfolding in front of our eyes.

By watching today’s events, every girl who once wished she were a princess can vicariously live her dreams. And it’s nice for a change to have a happy event plastered all over the news. I wish the newlyweds a long life of happiness and prosperity. Whether we like it or not, April 29, 2011 will be a day to remember.

raffic in Kuwait has been the center of discussion a few times. Be it in diwaniyas, parliament or the media several reasons, several solutions have been highlighted. The most common and obvious reason is the increase in population and the most annoying solution I keep hearing is limiting the number of expats who are allowed to get a licence.

The law of the country is that only foreigners who fulfill the following criteria are allowed to apply for a licence - those who have a two-year residency, a minimum salary of KD 400 per month and are graduates. The only expats who are exempt from this criteria are doctors, specific managerial positions and obviously drivers.

I don’t understand what someone’s education or income has to do with their ability to apply for licence. I have written about many factors that play a big role in the increase of traffic such as bad roadplanning, violations by buildings that don’t make room for parking etc. However, my attention was brought to another reason that can be easily controlled: The police. For some reason, the police plans checkpoints and roadblocks at times that are known for being busy. Many times they have blocked turns in central areas where many people go at the weekend, forcing motorists to head in one direction which eventually makes matters worse than they are.

A friend of mine also brought to my attention that in certain areas, the police are setting up checkpoints before or after Friday prayers in certain expatpopulated areas. It is a well-known fact that there will be traffic heading in and out of mosques on a Friday so what is the logic of adding to that traffic and disrespecting the Friday prayers.

I think the biggest factor of traffic is that many motorists don’t respect the law and have no manners on the road. Drivers don’t like queuing on main road exits so they overtake waiting cars and try to cut into the exit and that blocks the second lane and then another car cuts via the third lane and the whole road is blocked for one exit and a whole highway has to stop for selfish drivers trying to turn left.

If that is not the reason for traffic, then it’s probably a small incident on the side of the road that has people slowing down to near stopping speeds just to watch and feed their curiosity and the police does nothing about that.

The traffic department has to revise how driving tests are done and how people pass because the test does not go into details over driver etiquette nor does it ensure that drivers have the skills to drive and understand traffic laws. The police have to be harsh on traffic violators by introducing a points system that eventually leads to violators losing their licence and having to go through a new revised driving test. Make that a government plan to tackle the problem and see how traffic will flow.

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Local FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

Help me search within me The never-ending craze of self-help talk

By Hussain Al-Qatari

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The end is nigh...er, maybe

By Ruth Riegler

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resuming anyone’s around to read this and the world isn’t a smoldering radioactive wasteland, it’s safe to say that the predictive powers of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles aren’t as good as they might be. For non-Terminator geeks, April 21, 2011 was the date given in that spin-off of the classic cinematic series for nuclear Armageddon.

This takes place when the machines finally become self-aware and wreak dreadful nuclear revenge for all the years of swearing at the microwave, laptopthumping and TV remote-hurling, wiping out their creators and pretty much everything else before assuming control of the smoking barren wilderness left behind. How the machines survive the nuclear apocalypse intact without being melted into liquid metal gloop was never quite explained, but anyway that’s the general gist.

This apocalyptic prediction was, of course, hardly new. If there’s one thing humans have been exceedingly and rather disturbingly interested in forecasting throughout our history, it’s the end of it. In 2800 BC, an Assyrian scholar and op-ed writer of the day forecast that things were getting out of hand (and proved that some things never change), inscribing on a tablet, “The Earth is degenerating today. Bribery and corruption abound. Children no longer obey their parents...and it is evident that the end of the world is fast approaching.”

A couple of millennia later, renowned German mathematician and astronomer Johannes Stoeffler predicted that on February 20, 1524, twenty planetary conjunctions would cause flooding of global and apocalyptic proportions. Given his eminent stature, the prediction wasn’t taken lightly, with over 100 books and pamphlets quickly published to warn the public of Stoeffler’s grim forecast. Boat-builders were (pardon the pun) flooded with orders, whilst thousands of people across Europe abandoned their homes and headed for high ground. One German nobleman, Count von Iggleheim, had a three-storey ark built on the River Rhine in preparation for the deluge.

As events transpired, in fact, Europe was experiencing a drought in 1524, but on February 20 a light rain began to fall. Given the prophecy of imminent deluge, even this was enough to cause public riots, with hundreds killed in the resulting panic as people quite literally trampled one another to gain passage on Count von Iggleheim’s ark. Meanwhile, the unfortunate count himself, far from being saved by his foresight, was stoned to death in the melee.

Undaunted by his miscalculation and the fatal results, Stoeffler readjusted his theory, shifting the end times to 1528 instead, although the public wisely adopted a ‘once bitten twice shy’ attitude to his apocalyptic predictions.

While seers and mystics have been the most prolific generators of apocalypse predictions, accounting for at least a few thousand premature prophecies of Judgment Day to date, as we can see from Stoeffler astronomers have been responsible for a number of End Times panics. Even poor old Halley’s Comet generated periodic dread in observers right up to last century when in 1910, as the comet was due to make its latest appearance, staff at Chicago’s Yerkes Observatory told the world that they’d discovered the lethal gas cyanogen (as in cyanide) in its tail. As if this weren’t enough, the distinguished French astronomer Nicole Camille Flammarion then stepped in to offer not a whole lot of reassurance by stating that the gas “would impregnate the atmosphere and possibly snuff out all life on earth.”

Entrepreneurial-minded traders did a roaring trade in ‘comet pills’ and gas masks, while many people prepared ‘safe rooms’ in their homes, boarding up their windows and stuffing doorjambs and keyholes with blankets, paper and whatever else came to hand. The reaction of Monsieur Flammarion to the Chicago Tribune’s headline, ‘We’re Still Here’ after Halley’s Comet passed without incident or lethal gas emanations was unnoted.

The next favorite date for apocalypsists is, of course, somewhere round December 2012 when, according to ancient Mayans and a more recent Hollywood blockbuster, humanity’s set to really definitely for sure get its terminal comeuppance. There are evidently rather a lot of people preparing themselves for the big date; typing ‘2012 world ends’ into Google yields 71.5 million results alone.

On the bright side, if this prediction has any credibility, it would mean that if you’re going to take out a massive loan you can never hope to repay, early 2012 looks like the time to do it, whilst the smokers amongst us can offer one more reason why considering the long-term health implications isn’t really all that crucial. On the downside, the end of the world taking place in 2012 could put a serious crimp in the plans of those booking holidays for 2013. But in the end, it puts everything else into perspective - whatever happens, after all, it’s not the ruth@kuwaittimes.net

ver the past year, a selfhelp trend has gone viral in Kuwait. From newspaper columnists and bloggers, to books and TV programs, this trend of self-help has become quite dominant in the various forms of media in the country. I was skeptical of it at first, assuming it was just another craze, like Kuwait’s obsession with Japanese food and mini burgers, but it appears to be something that will last for a while as businesses in that field are beginning to launch in the county.

Watching my Twitter timeline and Facebook feeds being bombarded with verses from the Holy Quran, aphorisms from Oprah Winfrey and optimistic quotations from the speeches of the Dalai Lama, I found this reason enough to examine how this new trend is operating in Kuwait.

The most important aspect of this trend is the fact that it seems to have uncovered the core in many people’s lives regardless of their different faiths and backgrounds: to be happy. Muslim readers are slowly accepting good advice even if it comes from non-Muslims and vice versa.

One beautiful thing that happens often these days is that progressive Muslim writers and thinkers are unashamed to recommend books written by Western authors to their readers.

Take for example progressive Kuwaiti writer Dr Sajed Al-Abdali, who has promoted numerous times on his public Twitter account the internationally bestselling memoir of Elizabeth Gilbert, ‘Eat, Pray, Love’. For many decades, the majority of thinkers in this part of the world discouraged people from reading books

by Western authors, claiming that Islamic heritage has enough ideas to teach people the key for happiness.

While on one hand it is a success for the author of ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ that her memoir has managed to cross geographical and language barriers and reach the hearts and intellects of

readers in the Muslim world, it is a bigger success in my opinion that Arab thinkers today are able to accept, enjoy and promote precious lessons from a nonMuslim source. There are of course many other examples, but this is by far one of the most prominent ones in my opinion.

There are also several thinkers and writers who uncover the marginalized gems of wisdom present in Islamic tradition and the Holy Quran, which for many people is a breath of fresh air since a majority of Islamists in this region don’t focus on the inclusive and positive aspects of Islam, but rather regurgitate the interpretations that promote intolerance.

One worrying thing, however, is the fact that there are many of these seminars that discuss issues of harmony in relationships and conflict-free family life which only parrot cliches. Are we really willing to take off time in our schedules, money from our pockets and attention just so we can listen to someone telling us to accept differences, enjoy life, and exercise to lose weight? A friend of mine answered this question by telling me that these things are indeed worth it. In his opinion, we consume quite a lot of our time entertaining useless ideas, and despite the fact that we know so many solutions to our problems, we don’t act on any of them. It makes perfect sense to me, but I’d rather revise the cliches I’ve memorized my whole life before signing up for a seminar or shelling out the fees to attend a course in life balance.

This is by no means an attempt to discourage people from participating in such programs, nor is it my intention to discredit self-help speakers and authors. It is only my way of suggesting that perhaps we should look within ourselves before reaching out only to be told to search within.

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Local

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

The artist with an

eye

on the world

By Sunil Cherian

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olors in chaos? Or lines in a labyrinth? Art lovers could interpret these sketches as their eyes tell them. M V John would not reveal what the overflowing eyes in his drawings are meant to represent. Asked what made him focus on human eyes, he replies, unblinking, ‘That’s a point of view.’

John, who was featured in a Foote, Cone & Belding’s (FCB) anniversary poster in 1998, has had a long love affair with the human eye. His infatuation with human eyes began while he was working at FCB Kuwait for several years in the ‘90s. The FCB photomosaic poster, designed to commemorate the US advertising agency’s 125th anniversary, featured 1,302 company employees from 73 countries. Among the myriad photos was one of John, now 49, who marveled at the amount of information and images that were around at that time. He wanted something to create unique as part of the image revolution that was taking place on the Internet. As a trained photographer and artist he was fascinated by everyday scenes and sights, eventually focusing on the most used sensory organ in a voyeuristic world, the eye.

From then on John’s pens, acrylic and oil paints were used through sleepless nights resulting in a panorama of eye-related sketches against a backdrop of human abstract figures. Deep, doleful, beady, joyous and weepy, every kind of eye expression was featured. There are now over 100 works in his eye series, some of them adorning the living room of his Salmiya flat, watching over John and the busy bustle of life around him. He lives the life of a bachelor after his family left for India for his children’s higher education. Between being a businessman and an artist, he is happy, he said, to use his time creatively, without eying a market or publicity for his artwork. “I’ve been an observer all my life,” he said.

That observation was certainly accurate. This series of interviews did not go easily, with John watching your intrepid interviewer more than he talked and expressing himself most clearly with his wide, deep-set eyes. In the third sitting he said, “Most of my drawings are black and white because our eyes are black and white”.

The recipient of an Al-Anba

award for his artwork, John played key roles in the advertising field in Kuwait before he started his own enterprise, Al-Arab United Trading and Contracting Company. John’s creative energy does not stop at his series of eyerelated sketches. He has also produced an album of Indian ghazal songs, a rare path to tread in the music industry. Some of the songs on the album portraying expat life, are penned by ONV Kurupp, one of the winners of India’s highest literary award, the Jnanapith Award, who’s only one of the great songwriters name-checked on the album.

Another of his ventures is an online brand directory website, ezeebrands.com, which offers a window on the world of business brands, with links to other sites concerned with associated material.

He’s also currently working on setting up an online gallery for any artists wanting to tell the world about their artworks. Artists will be able to upload images of their work which can then be shown to the world for sale. “I’ll get only the commission,” John said. “But it’s not for business, it’s for artists who cannot find their space in the world - like me.”

M V John

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Years

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

High heels or healthy feet?

By Nisreen Zahreddine

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ina, an expat in her 20s has undergone a major transformation in her sartorial style since she discovered that long nights of chronic back pain were associated with her obsession with wearing stilettos. “I was really upset when an old friend of mine happened to see my bare feet and said that my big toe wasn’t straight anymore because of the shoes I was wearing, while she always used to compliment my feet before,” Lina explained. Soon after this misshapen toe was pointed out, Lina began experiencing back pain, something an orthopedic specialist related to her love of high heels. “I felt terrible pain in my toes and the backs of my feet; just touching them felt like I was walking on jagged rocks, which made me feel terrible and less able to work.”

Lina is certainly not alone in suffering for fashion. Another European expat was given similar bad news by her beautician while having a pedicure done: “Your feet are deformed,” she recalled the beautician telling her. Despite this deformity and persistent back pain, however, this stiletto addict has no intention of reconsidering her high heel habit: “I have been wearing high heels for almost 20 years now and I don’t think I will stop it any time soon”, she said.

Dana, a young Kuwaiti woman, adores stilettos and is indifferent to the health hazards they might bring. “I

love sandals with sky-high heels, they’re very elegant,” she said. She does, however, acknowledge that her high heel habit means that she needs to put a lot more effort into maintaining healthy, nice-looking feet than she might otherwise have to. Her recipe is simple: she dips her feet almost daily in salty hot water. Dana swears that this helps in reducing the pain and reddening, as well as helping to get rid of the dead skin which has accumulated massively around her heels.

Manal, a young Lebanese woman and another self-confessed stiletto enthusiast, has recently been trying to cut down on her high heel habit.

“Recently, I’ve had problems with my vertebrae and [as a result] I decided to control the obsession with high heels,” she explained. Manal added that she’ll wear high heels even when lounging around at home. “I don’t know what I’d do if stilettos hadn’t been invented!” she said. Once again, however, back pain has recently forced Manal to reconsider her love affair with high heels.

Orthopedic consultant Dr. George Dabbagh had some sobering news for stiletto addicts though. He told Kuwait Times that wearing high heels is one of the main factors behind back pain, slipped discs and calcification (when calcium builds up around the bone) in women. In medical terms, he said, high heels are any shoes with heels that exceeds four or five centimeters in height. Conversely, Dr Dabbagh also warned against wearing extremely flat, thin-soled shoes,

especially ballerina pumps, which could also be damaging to the feet. According to him the best choice would be selecting a pair of shoes where the difference in height between the sole cupping the ball of the foot and the heel at the back is no more than two to three centimeters. Solid chunky heels are always preferable for healthy feet and posture, he added.

“If there are any problems with one’s back, wearing high heels constantly will worsen it and intensify them,” Dr Dabbagh warned. Even women who do not suffer from back pain should avoid regularly wearing high heels, he recommended, adding that this is even more strongly advised for those who do. Older women, meanwhile, should also strenuously avoid wearing high heels on a regular basis in order to avoid back pain or other associated problems, he continued.

Dr Dabbagh added that whilst wearing high heels on a regular basis is a very bad idea healthwise, wearing them once or twice a week for a few hours at time, rather than on a daily basis, should pose no problems.

Hair implants, whiter teeth, nose jobs all the rage

By Abdullah Al-Qattan

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nstead of paying KD 8,000 for a brand new head of hair, 31-year-old Kuwaiti citizen Humoud decided to do some research online and picked a cheaper option that would give him the hair he has long yearned for. Humoud said that he boarded a plane to Iran and got his longlost hair back for only KD 1,800. For a wide variety of people, getting the perfect look means travelling abroad. Kuwaiti private clinics usually charge KD 1 per hair, and sometimes a bald man needs as many as 8,000 to 10,000 hairs. Simple math shows that covering your balding head with new hair could add up to KD 8,000 to KD 10,000 or even more.

Usually when people ask how far a person is ready to go when it comes to plastic surgery, it means where will they draw the line. For a host of Kuwaiti men, however, the question means: are they willing to go to Saudi Arabia, Iran or even China in the pursuit of the perfect hair transplant, nose job or facelift? Getting a nose job of German quality at Chinese prices has become a major trend recently, as guys of

different ages become increasingly more preoccupied with doing some ‘upgrades’ to their appearance here or there.

Humoud was not alone in his pursuit of being hirsute. Twenty-year-old compatriot Jassem, who was already suffering hair loss, said that he was contemplating whether or not to have hair implant surgery at a clinic outside Kuwait. He made the decision quickly after contacting one of the representatives of a foreign clinic here in Kuwait.

Jassem said that upon calling the representative of the overseas clinic, he was able to quickly set up an appointment with a consultant to answer all his questions.

“When you first sit down you get the feeling that you are in a secret meeting and that something wrong is going on,” Jassem said. He explained that the clinic representative didn’t only bring along pictures of people who had already been given a new head full of hair, implanted at the overseas clinic, but also offered would-be patients a package deal that included specially priced airline tickets, as well as reservations at a high-class hotel there, along with additional cosmetic rhinoplasty and dentistry work.

So, after receiving a new glossy mane of

hair and a perfect nose, patients could also express their joy at their new look with a blinding white smile that could be seen from a distance.

As a destination for those seeking cosmetic surgery, Al-Khafji has long been popular amongst local patients seeking that perfect smile. Fawaz, a 33-year-old Kuwaiti, pointed out that whilst going abroad to have one’s teeth fixed and/or whitened can end up costing as much as one would pay to have the same work done in Kuwait once one factors in the cost of airline tickets, hotel accommodation, etc, “since Al-Khafji is just a two-hour drive away, you are saving money and getting the best results at once”.

Women, of course, discovered the benefits of cosmetic surgery much earlier than men. The contemporary dream of most Kuwaiti women comes in three parts: a perfect husband, a well-paying job and a nose job done in Lebanon or Iran. Noorah, a 27year-old Kuwaiti woman, says that some women today walk around believing that nobody else will be able to tell they’ve had a nose job when in fact some people especially other women - can tell not only

that they’ve had one, but whether it was done in Lebanon or Iran, for example.

In their defense, some women explain that nose jobs or liposuction sessions can cost between KD 2,000 and KD 3,000 in Kuwait compared to only half that price in any other country. They also suggest that foreign clinics are more “in the bag” when it comes to offering the assurance of a job well done.

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K’S PATH rehomes, cares for

th to raise a a p t h g i r w The

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aren ess

of animal welfare

Ayeshah Al-Humaidhi, Chairman of K’S PATH, feeds Ayana the striped hyena.

By Ben Garcia

A

six-year old non-governmental organization has embraced the task of taking care of stray animals in Kuwait through education. K’S PATH which stands for Kuwait Society for the Protection of Animals and Their Habitat has taken on the mission of caring for abandoned animals through spreading awareness. In the words of K’S PATH Chairman Ayesha Al-Humaidhi, greater awareness of animal welfare is needed. “Education is key to changing views about animals in Kuwait,” Al-Humaidhi said. Speaking with Friday Times, she noted that K’S PATH last month hired an ‘Education Coordinator and Assistant’ to develop and implement a multifaceted education program for the organization, which has been specifically designed to be taught in Kuwait’s public and private schools and will be launched in the next school year. “We want to improve the treatment of animals in Kuwait and that we believe education is key to change views about animal welfare here,” she explained.

The following is an excerpt from the interview with K’S PATH Chairman Ayesha Al-Humaidhi.

KT: Can you tell us briefly about the history of K’S PATH? AA: K’S PATH was founded in March 2005 and is a nonprofit organization that works to protect animals and their habitat. The organization started by focusing on building a companion animal shelter helping dogs, cats and other household pets but quickly

expanded to include farm animals and wildlife. The current sanctuary houses dogs, cats, rabbits, ducks, tortoises, turtles, hamsters, mice, donkeys, a horse, baboons and birds.

FT: Since its establishment how many animals [dogs, cats, birds, fish, lions, deer, eagles, horses] have been rescued to date? Where do you keep them? Is there a shelter available for them?

AA: Gosh, that is a large question but I will do my best.

Here’s the list of animals in our shelter. Dogs: 6,000, cats: 5,000, birds: 20, gazelles: 2, donkeys: 6, horses: 2, baboons: 10, tortoises: 4, ducks: 6, rabbits: 40, hamsters: 30, mice: 5, hyena: 1 - and I am sure I am forgetting a few. For dogs, cats and other companion animals, we are an adoption center. This means we provide shelter to adoptable animals until they can find a home. For wildlife and farm animals we provide sanctuary as space allows. For larger wild animals, such as the hyena, we rehabilitate the animals then look for a more appropriate place for the animal. In the case of the hyena, we sent her to the Al-Ain Wildlife Park.

FT: How do you care for them? What are their regular regimens to offer them normal lives like other pets?

AA: We do our best to provide each animal with a species-appropriate setting. For dogs we provide them with large kennels measuring 1.5m by 4m where they’re grouped in twos or threes to provide companionship. The dogs are taken out for playtime in their play yards a minimum of four times per day in addition to spending one-on-one time with a staff member or a volunteer in our garden and are all taken for a long walk on our farm again by a staff member or volunteer. In their kennels they always have a comfortable bed, toys and items to chew.

Our cats are housed communally in rooms with couches, dining tables and other household items again to keep them happy and relaxed.

Our equine animals (horses, ponies, asses, etc) each have their own stable for sleeping in the evening and are turned out during the day into one of our three corrals. The raptors are housed in large very tall cages so they can perch very high making them feel safe. Our baboons have two very large specially designed enclosures that allow them to climb very high and sleep at night, as well as forage for food. The enclosures provide many spaces to hide away from the sun. So we try very hard to

provide each species of animals with appropriate housing for both their physical and mental health in the long term.

FT: How do you control their population?

AA: We spay and neuter all companion animals. With wildlife and farm animals we castrate the males, thus controlling the population.

FT: What is the culture of Kuwait especially in keeping animals at home? Is there growing trends in keeping pets at home in Kuwait?

AA: Generally pet ownership is not a highly valued activity although it is definitely on the rise. This rise is a double-edge sword because, unfortunately, many people getting pets are getting them for the wrong reasons and without adequate knowledge about pet ownership and the needs of each animal.

The result is animal suffering and many more animals being given up whether directly to us or turned onto the streets of Kuwait. It is a difficult situation to deal with.

FT: In some apartment blocks and other buildings, the owners discourage tenants from keeping any pets at home? What is your advice to people who want to keep a dog/cat at home?

AA: The first question that must be asked is if the landlord will allow pets. If the answer is no, then that individual should not get a pet. If the landlord allows it, then we need to look at what is the most appropriate pet for this person. Is it a dog or a cat, what size, what activity level and so on? Pet ownership is a big responsibility along with being a longterm commitment. Dogs and cats can live 15 years and a prospective owner needs to be able to make that commitment.

FT: How can people learn about your activities?

AA: They can visit our website www.kspath.org or call our hotline 6700 1622 or join our group on Facebook “K’S PATH”.

FT: What are the requirements for adoption?

AA: Our first requirement is for the person to come to our shelter during open hours so we can meet them and conduct an interview. If they are approved for adoption, we will help them choose an appropriate pet. To adopt, the person will need to sign an adoption contract and pay our adoption fee of KD 30.

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FT: How do you monitor their welfare if pets are considered for adoption? Is there any monitoring system to track down pets in order to ensure their safety and welfare?

AA: We provide a follow-up service to all our adopters for a minimum of one year.

FT: Since K’S PATH is a non-profit organization, who are the companies that support your programs financially or by buying food supplies for the animals?

AA: The people supporting us are animal lovers in the community and companies that see the value in our efforts to protect animals and the environment.

The K’S PATH sanctuary in Wafra. the area of Ahmadi. Under this program dogs are humanely captured and evaluated for adoption. Cats will be sterilized and released which is an internationally proven method of cat control. We hope that the government of Kuwait will appreciate the effectiveness of this partnership between KOC and K’S PATH and change the methods used nationally.

FT: What activities have you been doing to eradicate the abuse of animals?

AA: Education is the key to trying to change views on animals. Last month we hired an Education Coordinator and Assistant to develop and implement a multifaceted education program in both public and private schools. We plan to launch the program in the new school year.

FT: There are many abandoned animals. What should we do if we spot a stray animal?

AA: If the dog or cat is friendly, we ask the community to please pick the animal up and bring it to the shelter.

Feral cats should be left alone as they are able to fend for themselves and survive. As for dogs, if a dog is injured or its safety is being directly threatened, please give us a call or email us and we will try to help.

FT: Are you in favor of government’s method of impounding cats/dogs found homeless then eventually killing them via chemicals? What is the best method though?

AA: The government does not impound dog/cats as their method of animal control. The current predominant method of animal control in Kuwait is poisoning, which is an extremely cruel and inhumane method as well as being dangerous and ineffective. There is an exception to this with Kuwait Oil Company (KOC). KOC approached K’S PATH several months ago to design and implement a humane animal control program for

FT: What’s your reaction to comments by individuals saying that you should rescue abused expats rather than abused animals?

AA: We never make a choice between animals and humans. As human beings, we are responsible to all creatures in need and as a country hoping to continue to develop, our attention has to be turned to all aspects of humanity. We can’t help one and leave the others behind. There are groups in Kuwait that work very hard to help people in need and we applaud them for their work and provide support where we can. We have chosen to serve the animal population and it is through all of our efforts combined that Kuwait will improve for everyone in need.

FT: Do you really think K’S Path is needed in Kuwait?

Why? AA: I think all you have to do is step out of our house and look around you to answer that question. Animals are suffering in Kuwait, wild animals are being illegally smuggled into the country and sold, birds are being shot, the environment is being degraded at an astonishing level. If groups like K’S PATH don’t step up, what will be left?

Local FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

Royal Wedding celebrated through art in Kuwait

KUWAIT: British Ambassador to Kuwait Frank Baker poses with the winners, teachers and parents after the awards ceremony yesterday.—Photos by Ben Garcia

Fatima Dashti poses at the display of her work at the embassy

also added their national flag and the royal throne.”

Fatima Dashti’s portrait of William and Kate set against a bright and colorful background was equally lauded. “I used royal colors here and adorned the portray with wedding bells to announce their union. I love doing this kind of stuff and I’m very happy to have been selected as the winner,” she said. The runners-up in the close-fought contest were Yasmine Magdy and Marwan Salah Hashem, both from the English Academy, in second and third place in the junior category, and Johar Amer from the Kuwait English School, along with Rogina Faraq from the English School of Fahaheel in second and third place in the Senior category.

“I think they all deserve our appreciation and applause,” Ambassador Baker said in his speech at the event. “Looking at these beautiful paintings really amazes me so much; they all look gorgeous.

Thank you for your participation.” The ambassador added that the excellent artworks submitted for the competition are “proof that there are budding young artists out there and this endeavor could just be a great start for their great fame in the future.”

The ambassador also revealed that HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad Al-Sabah will be represented at the royal wedding by Sheikh Jaber Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, who arrived in London on Wednesday to prepare for the event. Sheikh Jaber Al-Abdullah certainly won’t be the only person from Kuwait keen to see Prince William marry his bride, however, the ambassador told reporters. “Many Kuwaitis are already excitedly waiting in London to witness the historic wedding. We are all very excited as well and this is going to be the most spectacular and multicultural wedding in history.”

Habeeb Hassan poses by his work

By Ben Garcia KUWAIT: Kuwait is not exempt from the British Royal wedding obsessions gripping the world, as the second-in-line to the British throne Prince William and Kate Middleton prepare to exchange their vows today in London’s Westminster Abbey. To celebrate the royal wedding, the British Embassy in Kuwait, in cooperation with the British Council, organized a painting competition for junior and senior students, under the theme ‘Contemporary Royal Wedding.’

The British Embassy was inundated with entries from elementary and high school students, especially those at Kuwait’s leading international English schools. The awards ceremony was held at the British Embassy yesterday in the presence of the British Ambassador to Kuwait Frank Baker and the entrants’ proud parents and teachers.

The competition was divided into two categories: Junior for those in the 9-11 age group and Senior, for 12-14 year-olds, with Habib Hassan from The English Academy and Fatima Dashti from the British School of Kuwait winning the respective top prizes in the two categories.

Hassan’s work was especially recognized by the ambassador being the most creative, with his painting showing the popular London landmarks Big Ben and London Bridge. “The two birds in this painting represents Prince William and Kate Middleton,” 11-year-old Habib Hassan explained. “I chose birds to represent them because they symbolize peace and they [Prince William and his wife] will rule in peace. In the background I also painted the famous London landmarks to virtually bring you inside England and have the real essence of the place. I

Kuwait Energy hosts Kuwait-Iraq forum

By Hussain Al-Qatari KUWAIT: Kuwait Energy Company and the Gulf Studies Center in the American University organized Wednesday evening a forum to discuss bilateral relations between Kuwait and Iraq.

With a panel of speakers specialized in economics, politics and social issues, the forum covered a variety of subjects including logistics, tourism, the role of private sector, and investment between both countries. The event was chaired

by Waleed Al-Nisf, the Editor in Chief of AlQabas newspaper.

Dr Mohammad Akbar, the Director of the Gulf Studies Center at AUK said during his speech that the two countries share quite a lot in common. “As other states around the region undergo a big transformation, it is indeed

important that Kuwait and Iraq foster the relations with one another,” he said. He added that while both countries mutually decided to turn a new page and forget a difficult era in their history, efforts still need to be made in order to foster cultural, social and economic relations between both states.

Dr Ibrahim Bahr Aloloum, former Iraqi minister of oil, noted that the role of the private sector in the development of Iraq is essential and is no longer a mere option. “We believe that the Kuwaiti private sector has the ability to change the status quo, as it has the experience and resources required to create a rich fruitful atmosphere for investments,” he said. He also added that the honest dialogue between both parties is essential for improving relationships, thanking the organizers of the forum for allow-

ing for such an opportunity.

Managing Director of Kuwait Energy Company Dr Mansour Aboukhamseen mentioned that the cultural, social and economic relationship between Kuwait and Iraq dates back to many decades ago. “The outlook for the relationship between both countries seems to be quite bright; there are great efforts from both parties to rekindle the strong ties between both countries,” he said.

Discussing tourism, businesswoman Nabila Al-Anjari, the General Manager of Leaders Group for Consultation and Training said that tourism between both countries can be the backbone for a flourishing economy. “Kuwaitis have always loved traveling to Iraq before the troubled era of Saddam, and we are looking forward to see and possibly invest in Iraq’s tourism sector today,”

she said. Al-Anjari stressed that tourism is one of the most sensitive subjects to discuss, since it involves the perceptions of the people of both countries of one another. She said that safety is a major player in improving tourism.

Iraqi researcher and academic Nabil Yaseen stressed that investing the relationship between Kuwait and Iraq’s people is essential, since human relations are the core of all other relationships between both countries. “There are, to this day, many people in both countries who blame one another for the mistakes of Saddam’s regime. It is not going to be of any benefit if politicians and investors meet as long as the people aren’t willing to rekindle the relationship with one another. Kuwait and Iraq need to establish projects that will re-bridge the people with one another again,” he said.

Local FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

News

in brief

Kuwait Radio marks 60th anniversary KUWAIT: Kuwait Radio will mark its sixtieth anniversary in May with the launch of a new station ‘Huna Al-Kuwait’ (Here’s Kuwait). In a press release issued yesterday, Kuwait Radio said that the new station would be launched under the auspices of oil minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, who is also the Minister of Information. It explained that the new station’s name was chosen since these were the first two words ever heard on Kuwait Radio in its very first broadcast in 1951 by the late media figure, Mubarak Al-Maiyal. The press release also revealed that a number of events will be held to mark Kuwait Radio’s anniversary and the launch of the new station, including the rebroadcasting of some of the memorable programmes from Kuwait Radio’s 60-year history and an exhibition of photos on Kuwait Radio.

IT agency warns of online fraud KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Central Agency for Information Technology yesterday warned local internet users of the growing danger from email fraudsters using various scams to cheat unsuspecting people out of money. A report issued by the agency noted a recent surge in fraudulent e-mails from copycat sites of international official bodies and banks, requesting financial and personal information from individuals. These messages include links to fake sites where hackers can retrieve users’ confidential information, which they can then use to empty their bank accounts, open fraudulent accounts or otherwise misuse the personal details in question. The report said that anyone receiving emails claiming to be from their banks or other official bodies should first check with the bodies in question before responding to any such communications to ensure that the communications are genuine. Recipients should also install firewalls and anti-spam and anti-spyware software on their computers and notify the relevant authorities on receiving any such fraudulent communications.

New Cabinet set to be announced next week MP warns against forces of corruption KUWAIT: The new Cabinet will almost certainly be announced next week, most probably Monday or Tuesday, sources said, amid increasing threats of grillings to be filed by opposition MPs against the premier and several ministers. Based on available information, the most probable date for the government is expected to be May 3, when the national assembly is due to resume its regular sessions which have been suspended since the government quit about a month ago.

If the new Cabinet is announced on May 3, then its members will not take the oath to become members of parliament on the same day and this is likely to take place at the next regular session scheduled for May 17, further blocking the Assembly from holding meetings. Most of the sources have expected the change in the new Cabinet to be limited and is unlikely to affect senior ruling family members who are ministers.

The five ruling family ministers are also expected to be retained in the

same posts, including defense, interior and foreign affairs. Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahd is also expected to stay as deputy premier for economic affairs but he is likely to get a different ministry. Also, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah is expected to be retained as oil minister, losing the information portfolio.

Independent MP Hussein AlHuraiti yesterday criticized the delay in forming the new government, saying that in accordance with the constitution, the period for forming a new Cabinet should not exceed 15 days. He said that many MPs have certain reservations over a number of ministers and if they are retained in the new Cabinet, those MPs are expected to use constitutional tools against them. But Huraiti advised MPs to judge new ministers by their performances and not on their names.

The Popular Action Bloc has publicly said it will file to grill Prime Minister HH Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on the same day the Cabinet takes oath

KUWAIT: Police trucks recently destroyed 15,462 liquor bottles of various brands and kinds along the Seventh Ring Road. Security sources noted that the liquor had been confiscated in cases filed in the years 2000, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2010. The destruction operation was supervised by the district attorneys Nasser Al-Bader, Fahd Al-Awadhi, Mohammed Al-Hajri and Faisal Al-Hassan.

in the Assembly. But it appears that cooperation with the National Action Bloc over this issue has witnessed some cracks and it appears that the liberal National Bloc will not support the grilling of the prime minister.

Also, Islamist MP Ali Al-Omair said that all ministers who accept to be in the new Cabinet should be prepared to face any grilling, adding that he believes that this is the main reason for many personalities declining invitations to be in the next Cabinet.

In another development, independent MP Shuaib Al-Muwaizri warned that fighting between the forces of corruption in Kuwait will lead to catastrophic results on the country and its future and called on all parties to confront corruption and the fighting. Muwaizri said that fighting is taking place between forces of corruption to “rob the country’s resources” and over ministerial positions or parliamentary seats to boost their influence and serve their selfish interests at the expense of the country.

Local FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

KUWAIT: Minister of Electricity and Water Bader Al-Shuraian is seen during the graduation of the first batch of inspectors. — KUNA

MEW set for the summer KUWAIT: The Ministry of Electricity and Water is to provide an additional 2,200 megawatts of energy for the summer season to avoid power outages or cuts.

Minister Bader Al-Shuraian said there is less of a challenge this year as all power stations will be working at full capacity, with Al-Zour station also planned to start service in June to supply 1,300 megawatts. The minister was speaking on the sidelines of a ceremony marking the authorization of the first batch of ministry staff to issue legal notices and

fines upon inspections.

“Last year, we had two units with capacity of 500 megawatts out of service in Sabiyya and Doha. Service and maintenance this year was excellent and all units are back online in full force.” As for the situation when it comes to water, the minister noted the state’s water reserve is stable and there is no intention for water supply restrictions ahead.

“As of next week, all desalination units would be operational to full

All doors open for bedoons to voice grievances KUWAIT: The Executive Director of the Central System for Remedying the Status of Illegal Residents (CSRSIR) Yousef Saleh Al Fadhalah yesterday reiterated the government’s seriousness on addressing the problems of illegal residents. “This body was formed for this reason and our doors are open. We are all ears for any complaint from any illegal resident,” Fadhalah said during a ceremony organized by the popular committee for monitoring illegal residents’ human rights to honor him due to his body’s role in ensuring that illegal residents’ human rights are respected.

Fadhalah thanked the popular committee for the honor bestowed on him, noting that the CSRSIR, which was formed only last year, had already attained considerable achievements.

“From the very beginning of our work, we were aware of the needs of this group, so we held several meeting to put forward solutions and discuss how to provide them with their needs,” he said. The CSRSIR has helped in solving the problem of official birth, marriage, divorce, and death certificates and healthcare as well as children education, he added. Fadalah pointed out that the government has already passed a law allowing stateless residents free healthcare at government hospitals. The government has also established a special fund to finance the education of stateless children at private schools.

At the CSRSIR’s recommendation, the government has approved food rations for stateless residents, Fadhalah added, stressing that decisions on naturalization are a sovereign matter: “We only present our reports and recommendations to the government, and it can decide whether these individuals deserve Kuwaiti nationality or not,” he clarified. For his part, the head of the popular committee Jaber Al-Fadali said that the decision to honor Fadhalah was taken in order to show the committee’s gratitude and appreciation of his efforts to facilitate the rights of Kuwait’s stateless residents and help to solve their problems. — KUNA

capacity, and we also hope to see the fruit of rationalizing plans and awareness campaigns to head into the summer with good reserves on hand.” The cooperation of many state bodies with campaigns aiming to curb power and water consumption was “good”, the minister said, pointing out “the Ministry of Defense cut its consumption by 300 megawatts and the Ministry of Education by 240 megawatts last year.”

Curbing peak hour power consumption in particular translates into saving in

expensive fuel, he said.

The issue of nuclear power came up, and the minister remarked the recent disaster in Japan merits much careful thought and the state’s specialized committee is still in the first stages of its handling of this proposal. As to the authorization of ministry staff to issue notices of violations on premises and bodies failing to pay their dues to the ministry, Al-Shuraian said this aims to counter waste of power and water due to carelessness and ignorance. — KUNA

Cooperation urged to control diseases MOSCOW: All the relevant bodies should cooperate and coordi- between all GCC health institutions and their global counterparts nate their efforts to counter a growth in non-communicable dis- in the campaign to eradicate these disease, which are responsible eases, said Kuwait’s Minister of Health Dr Helal Al-Sayer yesterday. for a considerable percentage of international mortality rates. A Speaking on the sidelines of his participation in the First Global non-communicable disease, or NCD, is a medical condition or disMinisterial Conference on Healthy Lifestyles and Non-communi- ease which is non-infectious. NCDs are diseases of long duration, cable Disease Control currently taking place in Moscow, Dr Al- which generally show a slow rate of progression. They include Sayer said that Kuwait has introduced a number of special pro- heart disease, stroke, cancer, asthma, diabetes, osteoporosis, grams for improving healthcare and countering non-communica- Alzheimer’s disease, cataracts, and more. According to the WHO, ble diseases. Kuwait also works closely with the World Health NCDs to be by far the leading cause of mortality in the world, Organization (WHO) to draw upon international experience in being responsible for 60 percent of all deaths.

The three-day conference is a key milestone in the internationfighting these diseases, he added. al campaign to curb the impacts The health minister of cancers, cardiovascular disrevealed that non-communieases, diabetes and chronic lung cable diseases like diabetes diseases, which was jointly affect 16.7 percent of organized by the Russian Kuwaitis, whilst a further 24 Federation and the WHO and percent suffer from high will conclude today. Its aim is to blood pressure and a remarksupport WHO member states able 80 percent of the popudevelop and strengthen policies lation are obese. He highand programs on healthy lighted the importance of lifestyles and NCD prevention. the role played by civil socieThese efforts are based on the ty organizations in curbing global strategy for the preventhese diseases. Another sention and control of NCDs and its ior official attending the action plan, which include multievent, Dr Tawfiq Bin Ahmad sector innovative approaches to Khoja, the Director General prevention and care. The conferof the Gulf Cooperation ence is also taking place in the Council (GCC) Health lead up to the United Nations Ministers Council Executive General Assembly High-level Board, told KUNA that the GCC has formulated a num- MOSCOW: Minister of Health Dr Helal Al-Sayer is Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable ber of innovative approaches seen during the conference. — KUNA Diseases on 19-20 September in its drive to control these diseases in the past seven years. The GCC Health Ministers 2011.

The Kuwaiti delegation to the conference includes Dr Al-Sayer Council has issued more than 30 resolutions that were then developed into an eleven-year plan (2011-2022) for countering and Assistant Undersecretary of Kuwait’s Ministry of Health (MoH) non-communicable diseases, he added. Dr Khoja indicated that Dr Yousef Al-Nisf, MoH Assistant Undersecretary of Health diabetes affects between 15 and 30 percent of adults in the GCC Services Dr Qais Al-Duwairi, head of the ministry’s Legal member states, whilst high blood pressure affects 10-20 percent Department Mahmoud Abdulhadi and head of its Public and obesity affects over 70 percent. He also called for cooperation Relations department Faisal Al-Dousari. — KUNA

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Defiant Syria vows more crackdown

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ALABAMA: A man pauses to look at damage from a deadly tornado yesterday in Tuscaloosa, Ala. — AP

Tornadoes rip through US South Death toll passes 190; Alabama worst hit BIRMINGHAM: The worst storms to slam southern US states in years flattened buildings and overturned vehicles, with intense tornados and floods leaving a trail of destruction and 190 people dead. The severe weather killed 128 people in Alabama on Wednesday alone, authorities said, and President Barack Obama said Washington would be rushing assistance to the battered southeastern state. States of emergency were declared in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and Oklahoma, and governors called out the National Guard to help with rescue and cleanup operations. The National Weather Service (NWS) had preliminary reports of more than 300 tornados since storms began Friday, including more than 130 on Wednesday alone.

Alabama was especially badly hit, caught by two lines of storms and an evening tornado that tore through the city of Tuscaloosa, home to the University of Alabama.

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walter Maddox told CNN that the tornado had “obliterated blocks and

blocks” of his city, leaving 36 people dead there. “Infrastructure has been absolutely devastated,” he said yesterday. “When you look at this path of destruction, likely five to seven miles long and half a mile to a mile wide, I don’t know how anyone survived,” Maddox said. “There are parts of this city I don’t recognize.... It is a dark hour for our city.”

A tornado also struck the city of Birmingham and officials were still assessing the damage. “This has been a very serious and deadly event that’s affected our state, and it’s not over yet,” Alabama Governor Robert Brantley told reporters after the second string of storms. Stunned Birmingham residents assessed the damage yesterday, some counting their blessings to still be alive, others distraught over the loss of their loved ones or homes. “There were two-by-fours (wooden beams) falling out of the sky,” convenience store manager Jack Welch said, adding that “there were well over 30 homes destroyed” just behind his store in Birmingham.

Facilities manager John Filmore said he was grateful to be alive, as he walked up his

front steps-the only part of his home still intact after a tornado ripped it to its foundations. Some personal property swept up by the killer twisters was found 50 miles away, as power was knocked out in communities across the south.

The Tuesday-Wednesday storms are believed to be the deadliest US natural disaster since Hurricane Katrina of 2005, and Accuweather.com said the tornados were the worst since 310 people were killed on April 3, 1974. The NWS issued a rare “high-risk” warning of tornados, hail, flash flooding and dangerous lightning for parts of Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi.

It warned that severe weather could also strike 21 states from the Great Lakes down to the Gulf Coast and across to the Atlantic, and tornados were reported as far east as Virginia and Maryland. In Mississippi the storm killed 32 people and caused damage in 50 of its 82 counties, according to Greg Flynn at the state’s emergency management agency. He said most of the deaths and damage were caused by tornados and high winds. State

officials reported 11 dead in Arkansas, 10 killed in Georgia, seven in Virginia, and another three killed in Missouri and Tennessee, with the overall toll likely to rise. Storm victims across the region were trapped in homes, trailers and cars by falling trees. Hail the size of golf balls cracked windows.

Roads were washed out or rendered impassable by fallen trees and power lines across the region. Homes, schools and businesses were flattened, flooded and set on fire by lightning. “Our citizens have endured days of consecutive severe storms and flooding,” said Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear. “We urge Kentuckians to remain on alert until this storm system finally passes.” Hundreds of people were evacuated from their homes in Missouri after levees failed to hold back swollen rivers.

“I’m just glad my family is safe,” said Chris Pigg, who spent the night at a shelter with his wife and daughter and wasn’t sure if he’d have a home to return to after the Black River breached the levee in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.— AFP

International FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

Syria unrest embarrasses Iran TEHRAN: Syria, Iran’s main Arab ally, has put Tehran in an uncomfortable position as it has reacted cautiously to a bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protests there in contrast to its sharp criticism of other Arab regimes. Leaders in the Islamic republic firstly kept silent over the crisis in Syria, which has claimed hundreds of lives, before it tried to minimize the importance of events there. Iran’s hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said earlier this month that his country was not “interfering” in Syria. “The government of Syria is our very good friend... so are the people of Syria... the government and the people of Syria can solve their issue through dialogue,” he said at the time. The unrest in Syria serves “the objective of the United States, its allies and the Zionist regime (Israel) to break the resistance’s forefront,” he added.

However, Ahmadinejad conceded that there is “no alternative but to

accept the freedom of the people... and the vote of the majority in Syria and elsewhere.” Iran’s conservative-dominated parliament, which is usually quick to take tough stances in foreign policy, has so far remained silent on the situation in Syria. Events there have been covered by the media, which has stuck to reporting only factual developments.

Tehran’s cautious stance with Syria is in contrast with its repeated verbal attacks against the repression of other popular movements sweeping the Arab world, including in Bahrain which is predominantly Shiite like Iran, but is ruled by Sunnis.

“Iran backs the Arab movement in other nations, but not the one in Syria because Syria is resisting Israel and it is in line with the Iranian foreign policies,” Mohammad Saleh Sedghian, head of Tehran-based think-tank the ArabIranian Studies Centre said. “Iran shapes

its foreign policies with Arab nations based on the level of that nation’s resistance against Israel,” he added.

“Meanwhile, some elites have criticized this differentiation, and Iranian officials have adopted a more balanced stance these days,” Sedghian added. The United States last week accused Iran of helping the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad to crack down on the demonstrators, a charge Tehran vehemently denied as it indirectly criticized Damascus for the first time.

“We respect the sovereignty of other countries and we respect the demands of people. We consider as unacceptable the use of violence against the people of any country,” foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said in response to the statement from Washington without directly referring to Damascus. Though dominantly Sunni, Syria is ruled by the minority Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shiite Islam,

and has been the main ally of Tehran in the Arab world since the 1979 Islamic revolution. Strategically, a weaker or changed regime in Syria “could have negative consequences for Iran,” said Mehrdad Serjouie, an independent analyst in Tehran.

“Syria is Iran’s connecting bridge to Hezbollah in Lebanon,” which is vehemently backed by Tehran, and “Israel will gain the most from this disruption (of ties). The pressure lever on Israel will lessen,” he added. Amir Mohebian, director of Arya Strategic Studies, a moderate think-tank, said he believes that “given the anti-Israeli sentiment in the Arab revolts, (a victory of) democratic movement would not put Syria under the influence of Israel.” However he acknowledged that “Iranian support for the regime of President Assad may be perceived negatively by the Syrian opposition,” and weigh on relations with Tehran if it came to power.— AFP

Angry over Libya, Moscow takes hard stance on Syria MOSCOW: Russia is refusing to cooperate with the West over the unrest in Syria as it does not want to wreck ties with a traditional ally and feels let down by the Western military action in Libya, analysts said. On Wednesday, Moscow clashed with the West at the United Nations over Syria’s deadly crackdown on opposition protests, with Russia and China blocking a proposed Security Council statement condemning the Syria violence. The position MOSCOW: Russian stands in contrast to its President Dmitry more cooperative stance Medvedev looks at his own last month when President reflection, while visiting Dmitry Medvedev ordered the Lytkarino Optical Glass Russia to abstain from the Factory in the town of UN Security Council resoluLytkarino. — AP tion on Libya that essentially authorized military action.

Medvedev, who seeks better ties with Washington, risked worsening his relationship with his senior partner in the ruling tandem Vladimir Putin, who is known for his uncompromising position on the use of force in crises. But now the Kremlin feels cheated by the West, accusing it of exceeding the UN mandate and getting entangled in a military operation in Libya. And if the West expects Russia’s cooperation on Syria, Kremlin goodwill will be in short supply, analysts said. “Russia has seen what happened in Libya. It would be logical to assume that Russia’s stance on Syria would be more clear-cut that that on Libya,” said Alexander Filonik, head of the Arab Studies Center at the Institute of Oriental Studies. “There is concern that events in Syria could develop according to the Libyan scenario,” he said.

Yevgeny Satanovsky, president of the Institute of the Middle East, struck a similar note. “Russia’s position on Libya was simple-run around this minefield yourself. On Syria it will be even simpler,” he said. “The logic calls for Russia to say ‘no’.”

Mindful of accusations of human rights violations at home, Russia has traditionally been sensitive about UN interference in what it considers the domestic affairs of sovereign nations.

Nerves are especially frayed ahead of presidential polls next March amid frenzied speculation over whether Medvedev or Putin will stand. Putin last month famously called the UN resolution on Libya a “medieval call to crusade” and this week again slammed the West over its action in Africa. — AFP

BORDER: Syrians cross the border as they flee violence in Syria, in the Wadi Khaled area, about one kilometer from the Lebanon-Syria border yesterday. — AP

Defiant Syria vows more crackdown UK revokes wedding invite for Syrian envoy DAMASCUS: Syria defiantly vowed to restore “security and stability” across the country despite growing international censure for its violent crushing of dissent, as activists called for more protests today.

Growing anger at the regime’s brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, meanwhile, saw Britain yesterday withdraw the Syrian ambassador’s invitation to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

And in the southern town of Daraa, epicenter of the protests that have shaken President Bashar Al-Assad’s once uncontested rule, water and power have been cut and the death toll has risen to 42 on the fourth day of a military siege, a rights activists said. Syria has been rocked since March 15 by increasingly strident prodemocracy demonstrations, which the authorities have attempted to crush through violence that rights groups say has killed at least 453 civilians.

Information Minister Adnan Mahmud

said yesterday that the crackdown would continue, despite a European Union threat of sanctions and growing world pressure to allow peaceful protests. “The authorities are determined to restore security, stability and peace to the citizens,” Mahmud said.

“In Daraa, the army intervened at the request of the population to restore security,” he added. According to the minister, more than 50 soldiers and dozens of police have been killed and hundreds injured since the revolt began. Further showdowns are expected after the weekly main Muslim prayers today, when protesters traditionally emerge from mosques to stage mass street demonstrations.

“Friday of Anger, April 29, in solidarity with Daraa,” says a notice on the Syrian Revolution 2011 page of Facebook, a motor of the protests in which demonstrators inspired by uprisings elsewhere in the Arab world are seeking greater freedoms. “To the youths of the revolution, tomorrow we

will be in all the places, in all the streets ... we will gather at the besieged towns, including with our brothers in Daraa,” said the statement posted online yesterday.

“We will not leave Daraa isolated,” it said, adding demonstrations would also be staged in other flashpoint towns such as Homs in the centre of the country and Banias in the northwest.

A London-based spokesman for Syrian opposition activists called on the army to protect citizens confronted with “brutal repression and killings by security forces.”

“We hope that Bashar Al-Assad still has an ounce of humanity in him so he can stop this massacre, otherwise the response will be on the street, where hundreds of thousands will turn out to demonstrate against him and his regime, demanding his departure,” Ausama Monajed said. His group on Wednesday called upon the regime to implement real reform lest it is “overrun by a popular revolution.” —AFP

International FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

Blast hits cafe in Morocco, 14 die RABAT: A massive explosion ripped through a cafe popular among tourists in the Moroccan city of Marrakech yesterday, killing 14 people including foreigners and wounding 20 in what the government called a criminal act. If confirmed as terrorism, the blast in the iconic Djemma ElFna square would be Morocco’s deadliest bombing in eight years. The explosion just before noon tore the facade off the two-story terracotta-colored Argana cafe, leaving awnings dangling. Panicked passersby dragged away bodies and tried to put out flames with fire extinguishers, witnesses said.

Moroccan government spokesman Khalid Naciri said that the 14 slain people came from a variety of countries but he did not say which ones. “We worked for more than an hour, maybe less, on the hypothesis that this could eventually be accidental. But initial results of the investigation confirm that we are confronted with a true criminal act,” Naciri said in an interview with France-24 television.

He said that more about the bombers’ methods should be known within hours.

“There was a huge bang, and lots of smoke went up, there was debris raining down from the sky. Hundreds of people were running in panic, some towards the cafe, some away from the square. The whole front of the cafe is blown away,” witness Andy Birnie, of north London, told the AP by telephone. Birnie is honeymooning in Marrakech. The square is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its snake charmers, fire breathers and old town, or medina. “It was lunchtime so the square was very busy.

We had just walked into the square, but were shielded by some stalls,” Birnie said.

The state news agency MAP quoted a statement from the Interior Ministry as saying that 14 people were killed and 20 hurt in the explosion. The ministry said it appeared to be a “criminal act” and an investigation is under way.

The nationalities of the victims were not immediately clear. The Spanish foreign ministry said it wasn’t aware of any Spaniards among the victims but that its consul in Casablanca was making inquiries. Morocco is largely calm but was hit by terrorist bombings in Casablanca in 2003 that killed 45 people, including the suicide bombers.

Moroccan authorities have regularly rounded up terror suspects since then and have been on alert for terrorist activity.

The Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group, or GICM, a militant group was believed linked to those attacks. The GICM has also been implicated in the deadly attacks in Madrid in March 2004. Al-Qaeda has an affiliate operating in North Africa that stages regular attacks and kidnappings in neighboring Algeria. Morocco has said in the past that it has dismantled several Al-Qaeda plots. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb currently holds four Frenchmen hostage after kidnapping them in Niger last year, and recently released new images and audio recordings of their voices. — AP

MARRAKECH: A victim lies amid the debris of an explosion which ripped through a cafe popular among foreign tourists in the Moroccan city of Marrakech yesterday. — AP

MUHARRAQ: A man looks at a billboard in Muharraq, Bahrain yesterday demanding no leniency for those who opposed the Bahraini regime. — AP

4 Bahrain protesters sentenced to death 3 defendants sentenced to life in prison DUBAI: A Bahraini court sentenced four men yesterday to die over the killing of two policemen during recent political unrest, state media reported, a move that could boost sectarian tensions in a close US ally. The ruling came amid heightened antagonism between Bahrain’s Shiite Muslim majority and its Sunni ruling family after the island kingdom crushed antigovernment protests last month with military help from fellow Sunni-led Gulf Arab neighbors.

The verdicts handed out by a military court marked only the third time in more than three decades that Bahrain had issued a death sentence.

One of the prior cases came in the mid-1990s, during the greatest unrest Bahrain had seen before this year.

Three other defendants in the current case got life sentences, state media said. Rights groups and relatives of the condemned men dismissed the proceedings as a farce. “They were activists in their villages and we think they were targeted because of their activities,” said Nabeel Rajab, head of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights.

“This will deepen the gap between the ruling elite and the population.”

Bahrain’s state news agency said the verdicts could be appealed and that defendants had “every judicial guarantee according to law and in

keeping with human rights standards.” Relatives of the condemned men attended the sentencing disputed this. “Even the accusations contradicted each other,” said a relative of one of the men sentenced to death, who said there were discrepancies between statements by prosecutors and coroner reports issued at the time of the killings.

At least 29 people have been killed since the protests started, all but six of them Shiites. The six included two foreigners-an Indian and a Bangladeshiand four policemen.

The recent turmoil began with Shiite-led political protests in February demanding greater political liberties, a constitutional monarchy and an end to sectarian discrimination. A few Shiite groups called for abolishing the monarchy. Bahraini Shiites say the ruling family systematically denies them equal access to employment and land, and say the naturalization of predominantly Sunni Muslim foreigners, including some who man the security forces, proves a policy of discrimination.

Bahrain, blaming the protests on regional powers including Shiite neighbor Iran, declared martial law and welcomed troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to back up security forces which set

about crushing demonstrations.

Bahrain this week expelled an Iranian diplomat it said was part of a spy network based in Kuwait, which in March sentenced two Iranians and one of its own nationals to death over espionage. Government officials have said that four policemen were killed during the unrest that gripped the country in February and March, at least three of whom were run over by cars around March 16. Since then, Bahrain’s security forces have detained hundreds of people, at least three of whom have died in custody.

Opposition groups and international aid organizations say hundreds of people have been sacked from public sector jobs for participating in the protests.

Bahrain says it has taken steps only against those who committed crimes during the unrest. The state news agency on Wednesday said 312 people detained under martial law had been released and about 400 others referred for prosecution. Yesterday’s verdicts were the first to emerge from prosecutions related to the protests and their aftermath. Relatives of the condemned men who attended the sentencing said there was no indication of when sentences might be carried out. Bahrain hosts the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet.— Reuters

International FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

US helps Libyan rebels as Gaddafi open new fronts TRIPOLI: The United States threw a financial lifeline to rebels controlling eastern Libya while forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi harried insurgent strongholds in the west and far southeast of the country. Government troops kept up shelling overnight of the besieged rebel outpost of Misrata, where aid ships have been attempting to bring in emergency supplies and evacuate the wounded. A local doctor said by telephone that seven insurgents were killed when a checkpoint came under rocket and heavy artillery fire. The Arabic Al Jazeera television said forces under Gaddafi, who has ruled the oil-producer over four decades, also clashed with rebels in the remote southeastern district of Kufra, near the Egyptian border. It gave no further details.

The rebel-held western town of Zintan came under fire from government forces using multiple rocket launchers yesterday.

“Gaddafi forces have been using Grad missiles to bomb the town including inhabited areas. Today alone, 80 missiles hit the town,” said a rebel spokesman in Zintan identifying himself as Abdulrahman. “Fortunately the majority of Zintan residents have already left their homes and fled either towards the Tunisian border or to secure areas in and around Zintan,” he said. After weeks of fast

National Council spokesman Abdel Hafiz Ghoga told a news conference in Benghazi in the east on Wednesday. The United States voiced confidence in the Benghazi-based council Wednesday as the US Treasury moved to permit oil deals with the group, which is struggling to provide funding for the battle-scarred areas under its control.

The order by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control may help to clear up concerns among potential buyers over legal complications related to ownership of Libyan oil and the impact of international sanctions.

The first major oil shipment from rebelheld east Libya, reported to be 80,000 tons of crude, was expected to arrive in Singapore yesterday for refueling but oil traders told Reuters finding a buyer was not straightforward, with many of the usual traders still worried about legal complications. A tanker booked for Italian oil company Eni to carry crude to Italy from Gaddafiheld territory in Libya never arrived in port and left empty last week because the sanctions meant the government would not have got paid, trade sources said. “They didn’t want the crude to go, because they wouldn’t have gotten any money for it,” an industry source said on Wednesday, adding, “They could use it to refine into gasoline.”

Residents say proGaddafi forces have been surrounding mountain-top towns in western Libya, cutting them off from food, water and fuel supplies and unleashing indiscriminate bombardments on their homes with rockets and mortars. Libyan officials deny targeting civilians, saying they are fighting armed gangs and Al-Qaeda sympathizers who are terrorizing the local population. Rebels who seized a remote post on the westBENGHAZI: A Libyan rebel carries a banner as he ern border with Tunisia takes part in a military parade calling for arming the hurriedly dug trenches revolution and rejecting foreign ground troops after hearing that forces loyal to Gaddafi were on intervention in the conflict, in Benghazi. — AP their way to re-take the moving advances and retreats by rebel and crossing. The rebel spokesman in the pro-Gaddafi forces along the Mediterranean Western Mountains town of Zintan, scene of coast, fighting appears to have settled into a some of the region’s most intense fighting, pattern of clashes and skirmishes from the said there was heavy bombardment there mountains of the west to the southeastern on Wednesday, that at least 15 people were desert. wounded and five houses destroyed.

French and British-led NATO air attacks Both the rebels and the European Union have eased the plight of poorly trained and said the shelling of the Misrata port threatarmed rebels, but have not brought the col- ened a vital supply and rescue route. “We lapse of the Gaddafi leadership rebels had are receiving reports of hospitals being overwished for. The protracted struggle has whelmed by a growing number of woundsown division among Western countries on ed,” EU Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva how to increase pressure on Gaddafi and said in a statement. An aid ship took advangiven him time to shore up support among tage of a brief lull in the fighting on tribal and political allies from his Tripoli Wednesday to rescue Libyans and a French power base. Senior rebel National Council journalist wounded in the fighting in spokesman Abdel Hafiz Ghoga told a news Misrata, along with migrant workers, from conference in the rebel heartland city of the western rebel enclave and headed for Benghazi that he was particularly concerned Benghazi, centre of the rebel heartland in by use of Russian-made Grand missiles, fired the east. “Despite heavy shelling of the port in volleys, often from the back of trucks. area ... about 935 migrants and Libyans have “Many in the Western Mountains in towns been rescued and are now safely en route to such as Yefrin, Zintan and Kabau are being Benghazi,” the International Organization for killed by this indiscriminate shelling,” rebel Migration (IOM) said.— Reuters

TARHOUNA: Students rally in support of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, at a school yard in Tarhouna district, Libya. — AP

Libyan rebels battle to capture Misrata airport Powerful blast rocks Tripoli MISRATA: Libyan rebels fought to capture Misrata’s airport yesterday after pushing back Muammar Gaddafi’s forces from the city’s lifeline sea port and as the country’s tribes urged the strongman to quit. A powerful blast rocked Tripoli soon after NATO warplanes overflew the capital, while the insurgents appealed for heavy weapons from the West and refugees streamed out of danger zones in western Libya. Rebels in Misrata said they were confident victory was “very close” for them in the strategic port city, as a UN panel arrived in Libya to investigate violence and human rights abuses.

“Our freedom fighters have managed to defeat the soldiers of Gaddafi” by forcing them out of Misrata, Khalid Azwawi, head of the local transition committee, told a news conference late Wednesday. “They managed to force them to leave, but not very far. That’s why Gaddafi is trying to bomb the port,” he said. Rebel fighters backed

by NATO air strikes said Wednesday they drove Gaddafi’s troops out of missile range of the port, an aid conduit for the city of half a million people under siege for more than seven weeks.

Fighting continued around the airport on Thursday morning, the rebels said. “Significant Gaddafi forces” were concentrated around the airport a few kilometers west of town, rebel military chief Ibrahim Bet-Almal said, noting “cooperation between (his) forces and NATO.” “We’re trying to clear this area” on the city’s outskirts, which was rocked by continuous explosions on Wednesday night as missiles and rockets fell randomly, he said.

Rebel comrades defending Zintan, in the mountains southwest of Tripoli, also pushed back Gaddafi forces who bombarded the town with at least 20 Grad rockets, wounding three people and damaging a hospital, before retreating.

Late Wednesday, an AFP team in the town witnessed rebels firing off celebratory salvos into the night as a NATO warplane flew overhead. In Brussels, rebel military chief Abdulfatah Yunis, who used to be Gaddafi’s interior minister, urged the West to deliver heavy weapons and warned that the strongman could use mustard gas on them in a bid to stay in power. “Gaddafi is desperate now.

Unfortunately he still has about 25 percent of his chemical weapons, which maybe he will use since he’s in a desperate situation,” Yunis told a news conference. “So we have to stop him. We have to cooperate to stop him,” he said.

Chiefs or representatives of 61 tribes from across the North African country called for an end to Gaddafi’s four-decade rule, in a joint statement released Wednesday by French writer BernardHenri Levy. “The Libya of tomorrow, once the dictator has gone, will be a united Libya, with Tripoli as its capital and where we will at last be free to build a civil society according to our own wishes,” it said.

Levy has become an unofficial spokesman in Paris for the revolt and is credited with pressing President Nicolas Sarkozy to mobilize international political and military support for it. “Each of the tribes in Libya is represented by at least a representative. In this list of 61 signatures, some tribes are represented 100 percent, others are still divided,” he said. Having secured Misrata’s port, rebels were bolstered by the arrival of a ship carrying humanitarian supplies including food and medicines, as well as at least one boat loaded with arms, an AFP correspondent reported.

Othman Belbeisi of the International Organization for Migration said 1,091 people were evacuated to the eastern rebel stronghold of Benghazi despite heavy shelling. Among them were hundreds of Niger citizens and the French blogger Baptiste Dubonnet, who was in critical condition after suffering a gunshot wound to the neck. Further west, 5,150 people crossed from western Libya into Tunisia at the Dehiba border post within 48 hours as fierce fighting raged in the region, a Tunisian police source said. Witnesses said the area was rocked by artillery and mortar fire. “There is a lot of fire in the area at the foot of the mountains,” said a taxi driver at the border, 200 kilometers south of Ras Jdir, the main crossing point into Tunisia the rebels seized yesterday.

The United Nations said a three-member international panel arrived in Libya on Wednesday to begin a UN-ordered inquiry into the violence and abuses since Gaddafi forces began a crackdown against protesters in mid-February. The team was led by Egyptian war crimes expert Cherif Bassiouni and included Jordanian-Palestinian lawyer Asam Ader and Philippe Kitsch, a Canadian who was the first president of the International Criminal Court.

The inquiry was “ordered after reports emerged of serious human rights abuses against civilians in Libya, where initially peaceful protests have transformed into open conflict between opposition groups and the Gaddafi regime,” it said.— AFP

International FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

US raps China for ‘serious backsliding’ on rights BEIJING: A US envoy accused China of “serious backsliding” on human rights yesterday following talks on the issue that were held as Beijing carries out a severe crackdown on government critics. Assistant Secretary of State Michael Posner also indicated China rebuffed US appeals to soften the crackdown and resolve the cases of prominent artist Ai Weiwei and other detained activists and dissidents. “In recent weeks we have seen a serious backsliding on human rights and the discussion of these negative trends dominated the human rights dialogue over the past few days,” Posner told reporters.

“The most senior officials of the United States are deeply concerned about the deterioration of human rights in China,” he added.

Posner, whose brief includes human rights, led the US delegation to the two-day

US-China Human Rights Dialogue, a recurring discussion held this time in Beijing. The US State Department had made clear beforehand that it would zero in on China’s clampdown and a “negative trend of forced disappearances, extralegal detentions, and arrests and convictions”. Chinese authorities have launched their toughest campaign against government critics in years after anonymous online appeals emerged in February calling for weekly protests to emulate those that have rocked the Arab world.

Scores of Chinese activists and rights lawyers have been rounded up since the emergence of the “Jasmine” campaign, which has gone largely unheeded. Human rights groups had urged the Americans to step up pressure in the dialogue, which has been criticized as a toothless talking shop that had achieved nothing so far in pressur-

China-US dialogue BEIJING: Human rights is one of the most contentious issues in US-China ties and the two powers yesterday end a two-day annual dialogue on the issue. Washington said it would speak strongly about Beijing’s crackdown on dissent. Here are some questions and answers about Chinese human rights, the dialogue and US policy.

WHY IS HUMAN RIGHTS A CONTENTIOUS ISSUE? The United States has a tradition of pressing other states, especially communist states, about their restrictions on citizens’ political, legal and religious rights. Communist Partyruled China has been a focus of such criticism from the White House, Congress and US groups, especially since 1989, when the Chinese army crushed student-led protests for democracy centered on Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. In the United States, China’s rights record can galvanize conservatives and liberals, religious groups, lawyers, and trade unionists, making for potent coalitions. China has long rejected US criticism as meddling and Cold War-style subversion. It has also honed counterarguments: that the United States is hypocritical, that China is committed to its own version of human rights, and that providing basic subsistence and economic development takes priority over individual political rights. The resulting friction can be volatile as US criticisms overlap with worries about Chinese trade policies, mutual distrust over military intentions, and Chinese fears Washington is bent on overturning Communist Party rule.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CRITICISMS? The United States, other Western governments, and human rights advocates in China and abroad have repeatedly criticized Beijing for a range of restrictions on citizens: China’s detention and jailing of dissidents and human rights advocates, often using sweeping state security laws and secretive Communist Party-run courts to punish critics. Dozens of rights lawyers and activists have been arrested, detained or placed in secretive informal custody since February, when party fears of contagion from anti-authoritarian uprisings across the Arab world triggered a crackdown by China’s domestic security apparatus.

Re-education-through-labor camps. This imprisonment system is used to hold people for up to three years, or four years on extension, without trial or easy means to appeal. Laborreeducation allows police to sidestep courts and critics say the system violates international rules and China’s own laws. The camps hold tens of thousands of people accused of prostitution, illegal drug use, theft and other offences, and also dissidents and protesters.

Tibet and Xinjiang. Beijing faces international criticism that it is repressing religion and legitimate political demands in these two western regions with large ethnic minority populations who feel little affinity with the rest of China. The United States has urged China to lift restrictions on Christian, Muslim and other religious groups. China says it respects citizens’ right to worship, but it also demands that they accept party oversight and limits. Groups, such as a Protestant “house” church in Beijing that has recently challenged those limits and sought a permanent place of worship, risk detention or arrest. —Reuters

ing China to improve its human rights record. But it appeared that the latest installment had similarly achieved no breakthroughs, with China yesterday repeating its insistence that its handling of dissent was its own business.

“We are against any country interfering in China’s internal affairs under the pretext of human rights issues,” foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a regular news briefing, when asked about the dialogue’s outcome. Posner said the US side raised a number of sensitive rights issues including restrictions on religious groups, China’s handling of restive minorities such as Tibetans and Muslim Uighurs, and the detentions of scores of rights lawyers and activists. These included the case of Ai Weiwei, a prominent artist and staunch critic of the Communist Party whose disap-

pearance into police custody in early April sparked criticism from around the world.

While refusing to characterize China’s response in detail, Posner said China’s delegation, led by foreign ministry official Chen Xu, acknowledged that government critics had vanished. “There was a recognition that in the past month people had disappeared,” he said. Yet he made clear the US otherwise made no headway in particular cases such as Ai’s. “We did not get an answer that satisfied us,” he said of Ai. Posner indicated China similarly rebuffed appeals in the case of jailed dissident writer Liu Xiaobo-who won the Nobel Peace Prize in October-and his wife Liu Xia. Liu was jailed in 2009 for 11 years for subversion, and Liu Xia has been incommunicado under house arrest since shortly after the Nobel announcement.—AFP

Israel growls as Palestinians applaud Fatah, Hamas deal Israeli leaders fear Hamas takeover of West Bank JERUSALEM: Israel said yesterday a Palestinian unity deal would sabotage prospects for peace and stemmed from panic by Hamas and Western-backed President Mahmoud Abbas over popular uprisings in Syria and Egypt. The surprise reconciliation between the Islamist group that runs Gaza and Abbas’s Fatah movement that exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank presented a new challenge for Israel as it mounts a diplomatic drive against a Palestinian campaign to win UN recognition of statehood ambitions in September. “The agreement between Fatah and the terror organization Hamas is a fatal mistake that will prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state and will sabotage chances of peace and stability in the region,” Israeli President Shimon Peres said.

Peres, a respected elder statesman, said in a statement he feared Hamas would ultimately take over the West Bank after a Palestinian election envisaged by the unity deal and that the influence of Hamas ally Iran would be strengthened as a result.

Peace talks between Israel and Abbas’s administration resumed in September in Washington but quickly fizzled after Prime Minister Benjamain Netanyahu refused to extend a partial building freeze in Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the reconciliation pact was unveiled on Wednesday, Abbas signalled negotiations with Israel would still be possible during the term of a new interim government formed under the agreement. He said the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which he heads and to which Hamas does not belong, would still be responsible for “handling politics, negotiations”. But Abbas said Palestinian unity is vital.

“Dislike, agree or disagree (with Hamas) they’re our people. You, Mr Netanyahu (are) our partner,” Abbas, speaking in English, told Israeli peace activists who met him.

Israeli leaders have said they cannot talk to Hamas, which has spurned Western demands to renounce violence, recognize Israel and accept existing interim peace agreements. “This (unity) deal ... stems

from panic-a huge panic,” Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman told Army Radio, a view echoed by Defence Minister Ehud Barak in a separate interview. “(Hamas leader) Khaled Meshaal, sitting in Damascus, sees his patron President (Bashar) al-Assad shooting up mosques, tanks firing deliberately (at civilians), and understands the ground is burning under him,” the far-right minister said.

In the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Palestinians said the unity accord was born

line” for Israel. He held out the possibility of withholding Palestinian tax revenues that Israel transfers to the Palestinian Authority and a suspension by the US Congress of crucial financial aid to Abbas’s administration if it shares power with Hamas. Abbas has said he will not return to US-sponsored peace negotiations until settlement-building is halted in the West Bank and in East Jerusalem, areas Israel captured in a 1967 war and which Palestinians want as part of a future state.

WEST BANK: Palestinian security officers take part in a training session in the West Bank city of Jenin yesterday.— AP of a deep-seated popular desire to overcome the Hamas-Fatah divide and reflected frustration over the slow move towards statehood. “The signing of the agreement is very, very good and I pray to God to make it succeed because we are one people in one trench,” said Salman Al-Dairi, 50, who described himself as a Fatah supporter in Gaza.

Lieberman also said Abbas had “leaned for years” on Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian president toppled by a pro-democracy revolt in February, and now felt his own position was shaky. The result, according to Lieberman, was an alliance between Palestinian factions that “crossed a red

Israel has called that an unacceptable pre-condition, and has been urging Western governments to oppose Palestinian plans to ask the UN General Assembly in September to recognize a Palestinian state in all of the West Bank and Gaza. Next month, Netanyahu is due to address a joint meeting of the US Congress, a speech that had been widely expected to include new, interim steps towards a peace agreement. Speaking on Wednesday after the unity deal was revealed, Netanyahu said: “The Palestinian Authority must choose either peace with Israel or peace with Hamas. There is no possibility for peace with both.”—Reuters

International FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

India picks Europeans, spurns US for jet order NEW DELHI: India has rejected US firms for an $11 billion fighter jet contract, shortlisting European companies instead, in a move that could sour its relationship with the United States while broadening its strategic ties with other regions. The rejection comes despite lobbying from President Barack Obama during a high-profile visit to India five months ago, and coincides with the unexpected resignation of the US ambassador to India, who cited “personal, professional, and family considerations” in a statement yesterday.

The US embassy in India declined to comment if Timothy Roemer’s resignation was linked to the jet decision, with a spokeswoman referring queries to a statement on their website. Roemer said in a separate statement on India’s decision: “We are...deeply disappointed by this news. We look forward to continuing to grow and

develop our defense partnership with India.”

Lockheed Martin’s F-16 and Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet did not meet the Indian Air Force’s technical requirements, a defense ministry source told Reuters.

“The Americans will be very unhappy and people who have been backing the contract will say India has not sufficiently taken into account the political relationship with the US,” said Kanwal Sibal, a former Indian foreign secretary. “That is a political setback for relations.” Relations between the two democracies have been on the rise after the end of the Cold war, when India was seen as closer to the Soviet Union. The two nations signed a landmark civil nuclear cooperation deal in 2007 and Obama last year promised to back India’s bid for a permanent place on the UN Security Council during a visit with more than 200 business executives. In his three-day trip-the longest stay in any foreign

country by Obama-the US leader also announced $10 billion in business deals.

But suspicions remain. India has strived to broaden the base of its diplomatic relationships, working along with China, Russia and other emerging powers to avoid being perceived as part of the US camp. India has also been unwilling to commit to greater defense ties, including joint military exercises and patrols. Obama, meanwhile, has been walking a diplomatic tightrope, on the one hand trying to boost diplomatic and business ties with India while on the other ensuring relations with Pakistan and China, nations often at loggerheads with India, stay stable. India also ruled out Sweden’s Saab JAS-39 and Russia’s MiG-35, departing from a long-running tradition of relying mainly on Russian aircraft for its Air Force.

Eurofighter, which makes the Typhoon fighter jet shortlisted for the order, is a four-

nation consortium of EADS , representing Germany and Spain, Britain’s BAE Systems and Italy’s Finmeccanica. Dassault makes the Rafale. The contest now sets up a showdown between two multi-role European fighters now actively deployed in policing the no-fly zone over Libya, both hungry for export sales to compensate for defense spending cuts at home. The order has been keenly contested by global defense firms and has seen lobbying from leaders like Britain’s David Cameron, France’s Nicholas Sarkozy and Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev. “To the extent that it has come down to the Rafale or Typhoon, the Europeans have, in a sense, won. India is balancing its international relationships,” said Howard Wheeldon, senior strategist at BGC Partners in London. Boeing said it was disappointed with the decision and would seek a “debrief” from the Indian Air Force before considering its options. —Reuters

Petraeus exit adds to US troubles in Afghanistan Leadership change affects important local relationships

KARACHI: Pakistani women mourn the death of their family member, killed in a blast in Karachi yesterday. — AP

Taleban attack Pakistan navy bus, 3rd this week KARACHI: Taleban militants detonated a roadside bomb in the Pakistani city of Karachi yesterday, killing four members of the navy, the third attack on the navy in less than a week. A motorcyclist was also killed in the blast targeted at a navy bus, while at least five people were wounded, navy spokesman Commander Salman Ali and a hospital official said. Security experts say the attacks on the navy, seen as a soft target with less effective protection, could be part of a new strategy to widen their violent campaign.

Militants linked to Al-Qaeda and Taleban have carried out several attacks on the Pakistani army and air force, which spearhead offensives against them in their northwestern strongholds near the Afghan border, but the navy had not been targeted before this week’s attacks. The Taleban claimed responsibility for the attack, as they did for the twin attacks in Karachi on Tuesday, when two bombs hit buses carrying navy personnel, killing four people and wounding 56. “Our men carried out this attack and all security forces are our target,” Ehsanullah Ehsan, a Taleban spokesman, told Reuters by phone from an undisclosed location. “They will be attacked everywhere in the country. Our organisation is still strong in cities of Pakistan.”

A senior security official said educational institutions run by the Pakistan Navy in Karachi were closed for three days after Tuesday’s attacks. Karachi is Pakistan’s biggest city and commercial hub. It is also home to the main base of the Pakistani navy. “It is a precautionary measure as the militants are targeting navy buses, many of which are used to pick and drop school children,” the official said, who declined to be identified. “We may have to extend the closure further given the situation.” Some security experts said the insurgents were after all security forces, not just the navy, and this week’s attacks on the navy could mean they were widening their targets, with more dangerous devises. “It’s not the navy that is being targeted, it is the armed forces,” said former interior minister and retired army general Moinuddin Haider. “And the most dangerous thing is that IEDs (improvised explosive devices) and remote bombs are now being used. This is a new thing which here first started in Iraq and has caused a lot of damage in Afghanistan,” said Haider. —Reuters

WASHINGTON: A US plan to pull General David Petraeus from Afghanistan threatens to derail US efforts to build strong ties with Islamabad and Kabul and help Americans win the decade-old war against the Taleban. While President Barack Obama’s decision to move Petraeus to the CIA will give him a strong voice on security issues, it opens him to criticism that he, like George W Bush before him, is not giving the war the attention it needs for success. “We’re just starting to see some momentum, some shifts, and now we’re swapping out the Afghanistan commander,” said Rick “Ozzie” Nelson, an Afghanistan veteran and a fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The shake-up in Kabul-Obama will also send veteran diplomat Ryan Crocker to replace Karl Eikenberry as US ambassadorcomes as the United States struggles to show it can decisively weaken the Taleban almost 10 years after the Sept 11 attacks that triggered the war. The Obama administration will name Lieutenant General John Allen, who commanded troops in Iraq and is now deputy commander of US Central Command, to take over in September. Despite areas of improved security in southern Afghanistan, violence shows few signs of receding and foreign troops are bracing for a bloody spring fighting season only two months before Obama starts withdrawing US soldiers.

In that context the decision to remove Petraeus, who has sought to apply his counterinsurgency success in Iraq to Afghanistan-is a gamble for the US president, under pressure at home to end a long war and mindful of advice from military leaders who say the Afghan fight is far from won. It was only 10 months ago when Obama, the war critic who struggled at first to find his footing with the US military leadership, suddenly asked Petraeus to effectively take a demotion and become Afghanistan commander when his predecessor, General Stanley McChrystal, resigned in a media scandal.

Since then Petraeus has embodied US

hopes the long-neglected Afghan campaign could be salvaged by putting more boots on the ground and winning over war-weary Afghans. Petraeus has worked to improve ties with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, strained at times due to accidental civilian deaths, and to convince Pakistani leaders like army chief General Ashfaq Kayani to crack down on militants launching attacks on US troops in Afghanistan.

His departure may make it even harder to reassure Kabul and Islamabad, where some leaders have staked their futures on

US strategy on Afghanistan in 2009, can afford to bring home starting in July. “We won’t know if (Petraeus’) surge strategy will work until the end of 2011, which is long after he’s left,” said Joshua Foust, a fellow at the American Security Project.

Obama will announce a major security shake-up today, nominating CIA director Leon Panetta to replace Robert Gates as defense secretary and putting Petraeus forward to lead the US spy agency. In Afghanistan analysts expect continuity in NATO’s strategy and operations as commanders seek to expand “bubbles” of

KABUL: An Afghan man runs past a building destroyed during the civil war in 1992 when Afghanistan was ruled by the Afghan Mujahideen (holy warriors). Today marks the 19th anniversary of the Afghan Mujahideen victory over the former Soviet Union invasion in Afghanistan and a nationwide celebration which was planned to mark the anniversary was canceled. — AP close ties with Washington, the United States is not quickly bolting for the exit as public support for the war drops. “It’s hard to get a focused campaign and develop those relationships” when top brass don’t stick around, Nelson said. The departure of the US military’s brightest star may also fuel doubts about how many troops Obama, who sent an additional 30,000 US soldiers to Afghanistan after overhauling

improving security, which they hope will allow Afghans to resume commerce and improve governance, and as they conduct a air strikes aimed at mid- and senior-level Taleban leaders.

Likewise, the US military’s deep command structure could minimize the impact of Petraeus’ departure, which although expected at some point comes at a delicate juncture. —Reuters

Business FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

US retail space yet to fill Business picking up, but commercial real estate not faring good

R

etail sales picked up in 2010, but that isn’t showing up in demand for retail space in 2011, according to research firms tracking the market.

Commercial real estate across the board isn’t faring much better despite improvements in tourism and gaming and a drop in the jobless rate.

volatile for the next year and rents are likely to continue to decline.

The average rent requested in the first quarter was $1.53 per square foot per month, down from $1.72 a year ago, Applied Analysis reported. Prices are down 31 percent since early 2008, it said.

North Las Vegas had the highest

ahead when banks release more of their distressed properties on the market. That should bump up the vacancy rate even more.

“However, it’s likely that this latest increase to vacancy will only be temporary,” said Grubb & Ellis Research Manager Dave Dworkin. Those newly

Commercial real estate in the US across the board isn’t faring much better despite improvements in tourism and gaming and a drop in the jobless rate.

The retail vacancy rate stood at 10.4 percent at the end of March, up from 10.2 percent at the end of December but down from 10.7 percent in the first quarter of 2010, according to Applied Analysis.

George Merrill shops at an Office Depot store in Delray Beach, Florida. Increased retail sales in 2011 could signal a new season for the economy. — MCT The retail vacancy rate stood at 10.4 percent at the end of March, up from 10.2 percent at the end of December but down from 10.7 percent in the first quarter of 2010, according to Applied Analysis. That’s the first quarterly increase after three consecutive quarters of decline, the firm said.

John Restrepo, principal of Restrepo Consulting, pegged the vacancy rate at 12.3 percent, saying more than 5.4 million of 43.9 million square feet of inventory is available.

“Last quarter the anchored retail market hit a floor, but it now appears that there was a trap door,” Restrepo said. The lack of job creation combined with high consumer debt levels, rising gasoline and food prices and the move to Internet shopping have hurt the retail market, Restrepo said.

Applied Analysis attributed the increased vacancy in part to store closings for Ultimate Electronics, which recently filed for bankruptcy protection.

Applied Analysis Principal Brian Gordon said the retail market will be

vacancy rate at 11.8 percent, followed by 11.1 percent in Las Vegas, 10.6 percent in Henderson and 9.3 percent in unincorporated Clark County.

Office market Only Applied Analysis reported an improvement in the vacancy rate in the first quarter, while Grubb & Ellis, CB Richard Ellis, Restrepo Consulting and Colliers reported slight increases.

Applied Analysis said the vacancy rate fell from 24.2 percent at the end of December to 24 percent at the end of March. CB Richard Ellis reported a 24.3 percent vacancy rate, Grubb & Ellis 23.5 percent and Restrepo Consulting 23.3 percent. Earlier this month, Colliers reported a 24.8 percent vacancy rate.

CB Richard Ellis said the office market is improving since it has gone three consecutive quarters where more space has been occupied than vacated. “We interpret that as a positive indicator that the worst of the down cycle is behind us,” the report released by research director Sara Dinwoodie said.

But Grubb & Ellis said it sees trouble

marketed properties will introduce a lower bottom line for sales prices and lease rates that will become the focus of competition throughout the year, Dworkin said.

Las Vegas isn’t attracting out-of-state companies to fill the office space, Dworkin said. Most of the transactions are locally owned businesses relocating to other parts of town or renewing their leases. Three-year to six-year leases have been common as landlords accept longterm leases with low rates to keep occupancy up, he said.

Restrepo said the office market appears to him as the one sector that should continue to worsen because of an oversupply and lack of job creation.

Applied Analysis said the rents requested declined 5 percent between the first quarter of 2010 and first quarter of 2011. In that same period, the firm said the vacancy rate rose from 26.5 percent to 27.2 percent in unincorporated Clark County and from 24.5 percent to 24.9 percent in Henderson. In North Las Vegas, the vacancy rate rose from 18.2

percent to 21.2 percent and in Las Vegas it rose from 18.9 percent to 19.8 percent, according to Applied Analysis.

Industrial market Several firms said the vacancy rate continues to increase, with Applied Analysis reporting it at 17.9 percent, up from 16.9 percent at the end of December. The industrial market has had increasing vacancy for 18 consecutive quarters, Applied Analysis reported, and lease rates are likely to continue to decline. Rents have fallen more than 8 percent over the past year and are down 33 percent from the peak in mid-2007, the firm said.

The vacancy rate rose from 14.9 percent a year ago in North Las Vegas to 18.5 percent in the first quarter of 2011.

Unincorporated Clark County saw its vacancy rate jump from 15.7 percent to 18.3 percent. Henderson’s vacancy rate went from 11.5 percent to 16.4 percent and Las Vegas saw an increase from 14.7 percent to 15.2 percent.

Like the office market, Dworkin said he expects distressed properties to hit the market during the first half of the year, which should temporarily increase the vacancy rate.

Overall, however, he said lease rates and the vacancy rate should remain flat for the year. Renewals are more likely than companies relocating to other space, he said. — MCT

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FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

How to reinvent Japan Inc Disasters challenge plans as leaders pledge determination TOKYO: Before disaster struck, Japan’s leaders were vowing to counter the prospect of long-term economic decline with a new spirit of engagement with the rest of the world. Freer trade and deeper economic ties could help re-energize an economy stifled by deflation and eclipsed in size by rising rival China and in vision by smaller, more dynamic countries such as neighboring South Korea.

Now, as Japan deals with the aftermath of triple calamities — earthquake, tsunami and nuclear reactor leaks — the considerable challenges of remaking the world’s third-largest economy have become even bigger and may take a backseat to reconstruction.

“Those who want to return to a more Keynesian, pump-priming and heavy government control of the economy will argue that this is the time to rebuild Japan and to use the government’s leadership,” said Michael Green, an analyst and Japan expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. “The other side of the debate will say no, now is the time to build more market fundamentals and really put some dynamism and growth” into the economy.

Japan faces a massive recovery bill, already estimated as high as 25 trillion yen ($305 billion), equivalent to the size of Greece’s entire economy and that may get bigger. The tab could strain already overloaded government finances against the backdrop of one of the world’s most rapidly aging societies.

Things weren’t looking bright for

A Japanese flag with a ‘cheer up’ message tied on a crossover bridge flaps in the wind at an intersection in a tsunami-devastated area of Kesennuma port in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan. Now, as Japan deals with the aftermath of triple calamities — earthquake, tsunami and nuclear reactor leaks — the considerable challenges of remaking the world’s third-largest economy have become even bigger and may take a backseat to reconstruction. —AP Japan even before March 11, the day its northeast coast was struck by a magnitude-9.0 earthquake and devastating tsunami, which crippled a nuclear power plant and led to the world’s worst nuclear crisis in 25 years.

Faced with a bleak future marked by slow decline as national wealth faded away with a shrinking population, the country was widely described as having fallen into a psychological funk.

China, where economic growth rates

Germany’s jobless rate drops to 7.3% BERLIN: Germany’s unemployment rate dropped to 7.3 percent in April as the enduring strength of Europe’s biggest economy combined with a seasonal upturn to bolster the labor market, official data showed yesterday. The unadjusted jobless rate declined from 7.6 percent in March, with 3.078 million people registered as unemployed — 132,000 fewer than the previous month, the Federal Labor Agency said.

Some 321,000 fewer people were out of work than in April 2010. While jobless figures typically improve as winter ends, Germany’s powerful economic recovery is powering the decline.

Adjusting for seasonal variations, the unemployment rate was steady in April at 7.1 percent, but the number of jobless was down 37,000 compared with March — just a little less than in the previous two months.

Economists expect the job picture will continue to brighten this year after strong exports helped propel Germany to a spectacular economic comeback in 2010, with output growing by 3.6 percent.

“Overall, labor market conditions will continue to improve markedly in the months ahead,” IHS Global Insight economist Timo Klein said. “Recent output and leading indicator data have shown that domestic demand in particular is demonstrating new-

found strength.” Klein said that temporary employment is “significantly exceeding” its levels from before the economic crisis _ a flexibility that has enabled firms in Germany to respond to improving global demand more swiftly than in other countries.

Debt problems elsewhere in the 17nation euro-zone, related worries about the banking system, and the consequences of political upheaval in the Arab world and Japan’s earthquake pose risks to the growth and job outlook, Klein said.

However, “the economic recovery does have sufficient inherent momentum to lead to continually declining unemployment during 2011-12,” he added, forecasting full-year economic growth this year of 3 percent.

Official economic growth data for the first quarter are due on May 13 and are expected to show that the year got off to a strong start.

The DIW economic think tank said on Wednesday that it expects first-quarter growth of 0.9 percent, followed by stillhealthy quarter-on-quarter growth of 0.6 percent in the April-June period.

Those figures compare with less robust 0.4 percent growth in last year’s fourth quarter, when business in construction and elsewhere was hurt by an early spell of harsh winter weather. — AP

sometimes exceed 10 percent a year, overtook Japan last year as the world’s No 2 economy, a position held for decades behind close ally, the US. Beijing also appeared to be flexing its growing economic muscle at Tokyo’s expense. A tense encounter near disputed islands last year ended with Japan seen as giving in to Chinese threats and punitive action, such as halting exports of rare earth metals needed to make high-tech products.

Japan is also facing the demographic challenge of a fast aging society, with 40 percent of citizens expected to be 65 or over by 2050. The country’s population fell by a record amount last year and declined for the fourth straight year.

Adding to the overall pessimism has been a public debt of more than twice its gross domestic product. Prime Minister Naoto Kan, whose political stature was wobbly even before the disasters, has been a vocal advocate of his country looking outward for opportunity and revitalization. His government has called for slashing trade barriers, cutting red tape and encouraging investment.

Japan is studying participation in the US-backed Trans-Pacific Partnership, a proposed free trade zone that would link several economies lining the Pacific Rim, but which is opposed by Japanese farmers. It has also been studying a possible three-way free trade deal with China and South Korea. Tokyo has looked on anxiously in recent years as dynamic smaller neighbor South Korea has carried out a national strategy of forging free trade agreements with the United States, European Union and other economies including India. Talk of the need for Japan to further open its economy has been a call heard for decades without much progress. “Japan has been and is in many respects a fortress,” said JeanPierre Lehmann, professor of international political economy at the IMD business school in Lausanne, Switzerland, citing low levels of imports, inward investment and foreign workers. —AP

NYSE Euronext renews calls to support Deutsche bid LONDON: NYSE Euronext, the transatlantic exchange operator, stepped up calls for investors to back an offer worth about $10 billion from Deutsche Boerse as it unveiled robust first-quarter results.

The US-listed exchange, which is battling an aggressive counterbid, yesterday narrowly missed average profit expectations but topped a mean revenue forecast, driven by derivatives trading, a clutch of new market listings and technology services.

But with some investors calling on NYSE to at least talk to cross-town archrival Nasdaq OMX, which is leading a counterbid for NYSE worth around $1.0 billion more, all eyes are on a New York shareholder meeting at 1200 GMT. US-listed NYSE, which has repeatedly rejected Nasdaq and IntercontinentalExchange’s advances, insisted again it was confident growth prospects would be “enhanced and accelerated” by the proposed Deutsche Boerse merger.

“I look forward to articulating the power of the proposed combination at our annual stockholder meeting later today in New York,” said Chief Executive

Duncan Niederauer. Analysts welcomed the results, which saw net profit jump 19 percent on 5 percent higher revenues, and one market expert said the numbers underlined the strength of the NYSE management.

“These are solid results which will encourage shareholders that the NYSE management, and their plan to join with Deutsche Boerse, are credible,” said Herbie Skeete, managing director at exchange consultants Mondo Visione.

Market experts say NYSE still has a battle to convince investors to back a lower bid with its German merger partner and analysts have speculated that Deutsche Boerse may have to make some gesture ahead of a crucial NYSE shareholder vote on July 7. The two New York-based exchanges have been locked in an escalating war of words since Nasdaq OMX teamed up with Atlanta-based ICE to launch their higher bid on April 1, a move to derail NYSE’s February agreement with Deutsche Boerse. NYSE’s board took just ten days to snub Nasdaq earlier this month, dismissing its bid as “strategically unattractive” and warning of heavy US job losses from such a deal. — Reuters

Business FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

Sony faces global legal action over data theft Stock falls 5%, biggest drop since mid-March

SEOUL: A South Korean security official sits inside the headquarters of Hynix Semiconductor Inc in Seoul yesterday.—AP

Hynix Semiconductor Q1 profit falls 66% SEOUL: Hynix Semiconductor’s quarterly profit fell 66 percent as sales declined and memory chip prices remained weak, though the company said business conditions should improve in the second quarter. Hynix, the world’s second-largest manufacturer of computer memory chips, earned 273.5 billion won ($254.9 million) in the three months ended March 31, it said in a regulatory filing yesterday. It had net profit of 808.1 billion won a year earlier.

Sales in the first quarter fell 1.1 percent from a year earlier to 2.79 trillion won. “The business environment was very challenging,” Hynix’s chief financial officer Kim Min-chul told an earnings conference call. Prices for dynamic random access memory or DRAM chips, used mostly in personal computers, remained weak and uncertainties about global economic growth persisted, he said.

Hynix’s share price rose 1.3 percent to close at 34,350 won, paring earlier gains of as much as 3.4 percent. The company announced earnings shortly before the stock market opened.

Hynix Semiconductor Inc. ranks No. 2 globally in DRAM chips behind South Korean rival Samsung Electronics Co. It also ranks No. 4 in NAND flash memory chips used in products such as digital cameras, music players and smartphones.

Hynix said its average selling price for DRAM chips fell 13 percent in the first quarter from the final three months of last year.

Shipments, however, increased 15 percent. The company said its average selling price for NAND flash memory chips, meanwhile, was flat, while shipments also increased 15 percent. Kim Ji-bum, Hynix’s chief marketing officer, said that demand for chips used in PCs was weaker than expected during the first quarter as manufacturers reduced inventories amid slower-than-expected demand for personal computers from consumers. —AP

Shell Q1 profits rise to $8.78bn LONDON: Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell turned in a 60-percent net profit leap for the first quarter yesterday, benefiting from resurgent oil prices and the sale of non-core assets.

Earnings after tax rallied to $8.78 billion (six billion euros) in the three months to March, up from $5.48 billion a year earlier, the company said in a results statement. Sales rose 28 percent to almost $110 billion. “Our first quarter 2011 earnings have risen from year-ago levels, driven by higher industry margins and our own operating performance,” chief executive Peter Voser said in the earnings release.

“We continue to make good progress in implementing our strategy; improving near-term performance, delivering a new wave of production growth, and maturing the next generation of growth options for shareholders.” Adjusted net profits, stripping out movements in the value of inventories and other non-operating items, jumped to $6.29 billion, compared with $4.82 billion last time around.

Market expectations had been for a figure of about $6.11 billion, according to analysts polled by Dow Jones Newswires. “We have announced new asset sales and cost savings programs, as part of Shell’s focus on continuous improvement, to enhance our profitability and performance,” added Voser.

Shell sold $3.2 billion of non-core positions, including tight gas assets in South Texas, in the quarter.

Total oil and gas production, meanwhile, declined by 2.5 percent to 3.504 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in the reporting period. —AFP

TOKYO/WILMINGTON: Sony Corp could face legal action across the globe after it delayed disclosing a security breach of its popular PlayStation Network, infuriating gamers and sending the firm’s shares down nearly 5 percent in Tokyo yesterday.

Sony shut down the network on April 19 after discovering the breach, one of the biggest online data infiltrations ever. But it was not until Tuesday that the company said the system had been hacked and that users’ data could have been stolen. In the United States, several members of Congress seized on the breach, in which hackers stole names, addresses and possibly credit card details from 77 million users. One U.S. law firm filed a lawsuit in California on behalf of consumers.

“Gamers are angry that Sony’s CEO hasn’t come out to explain the situation and investors are disappointed over the company’s corporate governance,” said Michael Wang, manager of overseas funds at Prudential Financials in Taipei, which owns shares in Sony.

Sony’s PlayStation Network, a service that produces an estimated $500 million in annual revenues, provides access to online games, movies and TV shows. Nine out of 10 of PlayStation’s users are based in the United States or Europe.

Gamers could ditch Sony and analysts said people looking to buy a video game console could steer toward Microsoft Corp’s Xbox, which has its own popular online network.

“I am outraged that my personal information may have been accessed by hackers,” said Rich Chiang, a PlayStation and Xbox user in Shanghai. Security experts said Sony would need to account for the loss of business-as well as damage to its brand-when it tallies up the cost. Other costs include notifying customers of the attack and bringing in experts to cleanse its network.

Larry Ponemon, chairman and founder of the Ponemon Institute, said the theft could cost Sony more than $1.5 billion, or an average of $20 for each of the 77 million customers whose data was potentially compromised. Poneman’s firm specializes in securing information on computer networks.

Sony said the delay in notifying the

company’s No. 2 position last month after building up Sony’s networked services, have commented publicly.

Sony shares closed down 4.5 percent after falling more than 5 percent at one stage, while the broad market rose 1.6 percent. The stock has now lost more than 8 percent this week.

Some fund managers said the impact

TOKYO: Sony Computer Entertainment President and CEO Kazuo Hirai speaks how to use its new PlayStation Portable “NGP” at PlayStation Meeting 2011 in Tokyo. — AP public was needed to conduct a forensic investigation but it is fast becoming a public relations nightmare akin to Toyota Motor’s bungled response to a giant vehicle recall last year, fuelling criticism of corporate Japan’s standards of disclosure.

Neither Sony CEO Howard Stringer nor Kazuo Hirai, who was appointed to the

might be contained. “Shares of Sony have already reached the low since the earthquake so I think further downside is limited. Investors who buy Sony are buying on its growth in PlayStation. Gamers usually will not stop playing just because a single incident,” said Prudential Financial’s Wang. — Reuters

Panasonic to axe thousands of jobs

OSAKA: Panasonic Corp President Fumio Ohtsubo attends a press conference at the Japan’s biggest home appliance maker’s headquarters in Osaka, western Japan, yesterday.—AP

TOKYO: Japanese consumer electronics giant Panasonic Corp said it would cut another 17,000 jobs and close up to 70 factories around the world over the next two years in a bid to pare costs and keep up with Asian rivals.

The maker of Viera TVs and Lumix cameras said it was aiming to trim its workforce of 367,000 at the end of last month to 350,000 by March 2013. The cull comes on top of nearly 18,000 job cuts made in the past business year, for a total of around 35,000 over three years.

“The figure is huge, but so is the company, and for an old-fashioned one like Panasonic, this is a big move,” said Toru Hashizume, chief investment officer at Stats Investment Management in Tokyo.

Panasonic set aside 110 billion yen ($1.3 billion) in restructuring expenses for the current financial year. Company President Fumio Ohtsubo said Panasonic had about 350 manufacturing bases

around the world and would look to merge operations where it could.

“I can’t say for sure, but I think it’s possible we will cut the number of manufacturing bases by 10 or 20 percent,” he said, declining to comment on which countries might see job cuts. A Panasonic spokesman said the company did not even have a figure for the number of countries they operate in since recently taking over some other companies.

Once unrivalled, Japan’s consumer electronics firms are facing increasing competition from cheaper Korean and Chinese producers in particular.

Panasonic is seeking to shift its focus to environmental and energy-related businesses such as rechargeable batteries in order to duck competition from Samsung Electronics , LG Electronics and others in consumer technology. — Reuters

Business FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

China, Malaysia ink pacts, plan more investments Beijing to raise economic clout in S Asia PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and its top trading partner China signed with Australia and South Korea.

The deals signed in Malaysia included a contract between eight agreements yesterday to deepen trade and investment ties China Huadian Engineering Co and Malaysia’s Janakuasa to build as Beijing seeks to raise its economic clout in Southeast Asia.

The deals are part of a series of agreements while Premier Wen a coal-fired plant and a pact between DiGi and China’s ZTE Corp Jiabao visits Malaysia and Indonesia. Government and company to supply telecommunications network infrastructure.

Aluminium Corporation officials from China and of China also agreed to Malaysia signed the agreework with Smelter Asia Sdn ments involving education, Bhd to construct a smelter banking, power and conin Malaysia, building on an struction after Wen met earlier deal for a $1 billion Malaysian Prime Minister aluminium smelter in eastNajib Razak in the adminisern Sarawak state on trative capital.

Borneo island which has yet Malaysian officials gave to get off the ground. no value for the deals.

“China appreciates Analysts said the investMalaysia’s role in enhancing ment pacts signalled the ties of China with other China’s move to boost ties ASEAN countries,” Wen told with Southeast Asian reporters. economies it relies on for Malaysia’s central bank its supply of commodities was also given approval to such as natural gas and set up a representative crude palm oil. office in Beijing.

“From a political point In 2009, China signed of view, I think China does currency swaps with favor Malaysia in trade relaMalaysia and Indonesia in a tions largely to Malaysia’s bid to give the yuan a bignatural resources,” said Ooi ger international role. China Kee Beng, a senior fellow at the Institute of Southeast KUALA LUMPUR: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (left) waves is also a big buyer of palm oil Asian Studies in Singapore. after giving his speech as Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Malaysian although its imports of the “Indonesia has more to offer than Malaysia but is Razak (right) stands beside him during the Malaysia- vegetable oil last year fell generally harder to deal China Economic, Trade and Investment Cooperation 12.5 percent to 3.4 million tons. with because of its weaker Forum in Kuala Lumpur.—AP “We also touched on state capacity.”

China has been wooing Southeast Asian economies and a ways to increase investment and identified certain important China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement came into effect in January infrastructure projects that Chinese investors can get into,” Najib said. Malaysia has been China’s largest trading partner among last year, forming an economic bloc of 1.9 billion people.

China has also signed free trade agreements with New ASEAN countries for three straight years, and China has been Zealand, Pakistan, and Singapore while negotiations are ongoing Malaysia’s top trading partner globally for two years. — Reuters

Lockheed Martin, Boeing out of India defense deal NEW DELHI: Two American fighter aircraft makers are out of the running for a multibillion-dollar contract for the Indian air force, the US ambassador said yesterday. Boeing Co and Lockheed Martin were both bidding for a slice of the $11 billion Indian deal for 126 fighter jets. “The US Embassy in New Delhi was informed yesterday that two aircraft offered by the US government through the Foreign Military Sales process were not selected for procurement by the Indian Ministry of Defense,” Ambassador Timothy J Roemer said in a statement.

It added that the US was deeply disappointed but respected the procurement process.

Indian news reports say two of six contenders are still being considered: German consortium Eurofighter Typhoon and the French company Dassault Aviation. Russian MikoyanGurevich and SAAB of Sweden also are out of the running.

Indian officials were not immediately available for comment. “I am extremely confident that the Boeing F/A 18IN and Lockheed-Martin F-16IN would provide the Indian air force an unbeatable platform with proven technologies at a competitive price,” Roemer said.

India is expected to spend $80 billion over the next decade to upgrade its military. Over the last few years, India has become the world’s top arms and defense equipment buyer amid its rising concerns about China’s regional power and a traditional rivalry with neighboring Pakistan. India is expected to sign the aircraft deal within a year’s time, said Rahul Bedi, a New Delhi-based analyst for the independent Jane’s Information Group. —AP

SEOUL: A Hyundai Motor Co.’s vehicle Veloster is displayed at the South Korean top car maker’s showroom in Seoul, South Korea, yesterday.—AP

Hyundai quarterly profit rises 46% SEOUL: Hyundai Motor’s first-quarter profit rose 46 percent as gains in overseas vehicle sales countered a sluggish domestic market.

Investors cheered the news, sending the company’s share price up more than 7 percent.

Hyundai Motor Co, South Korea’s largest automaker and a major force in the global industry, earned 1.88 trillion won ($1.75 billion) in the three months ended March 31, it announced Yesterday. That compared with net profit of 1.28 trillion won a year earlier. First-quarter revenue increased 21 percent to 18.2 trillion won, and overall vehicle sales rose 9.2 percent to 919,130. Shares in Hyundai Motor surged 7.3 percent yesterday to close at 250,500 won. The company’s stock price has jumped 44 percent so far this year.

The company recorded strong profits last year due to strength in its overseas factories and sales operations. Hyundai has pursued an aggressive overseas expansion and now has factories in China, India, the United States, the Czech Republic, Turkey and Russia and is building one in Brazil.

Sales in South Korea fell 0.8 percent to 166,664 vehicles in the first quarter. The company attributed the decline to what described as “exceptionally high” results during the same period last year.

Overseas, however, sales rose 11.6 percent to 752,466 vehicles, Hyundai said. The gain was mostly driven by the company’s revamped Elantra sedan, it said. The company has set a global sales target of 3.9 million vehicles for this year.

Hyundai said that its results from the first quarter were now based on international financial reporting standards, or IFRS. — AP

Honda quarterly profit drops 38% TOKYO: Honda Motor Co said yesterday its quarterly profit dropped 38 percent due to a slump in car production following last month’s earthquake and withheld earnings projections amid a chronic shortage of auto parts. The company said it would let go all 600 contract workers at one of its two auto factories in Japan. Honda has been struggling to maintain limited vehicle manufacturing because of parts shortages following the March 11 quake and tsunami.

Honda’s net profit for the January-March quarter shrank to 44.5 billion yen ($545 million). Revenue fell 2.9 percent to 2.21

SAYAMA: Workers give the final checkup on the cars of Honda Accord Tourer at Honda Motor Co’s Saitama Factory in Sayama, north of Tokyo.—AP

trillion yen. “The March quake was the biggest reason for declining profit. We simply could not produce cars due to parts shortages after the quake,” said Honda spokesman Tomohiro Okada.

The magnitutue-9.0 earthquake and tsunami destroyed many factories in northeastern Japan, causing severe auto parts shortages for Honda and other automakers. The twin disasters forced Honda to shut down its entire production in Japan from March 14 to April 10, resulting in a production loss of 58,500 cars. Faced with a parts supply crunch, Honda’s auto plants in Japan will operate at half capacity until the end of June. Honda said it doesn’t expect to return to full production in Japan until the end of the year. Apart from production losses, Honda’s sales in Japan took a beating during the JanuaryMarch quarter. Honda sold 142,000 cars in Japan during the quarter, down 21 percent from the same period a year earlier.

But the company’s auto sales abroad rose 3.8 percent to 718,000 cars thanks to brisk demand in North America and China. Honda did not provide earnings projections for the current fiscal year to March 2012 due to uncertainty over parts supplies.

Honda said it would cut all 600 contract workers at its plant in Saitama, north of Tokyo, by not renewing their three-month contracts. The workers will lose their jobs by the end of September.

Meanwhile, Mazda Motor Corp reported yesterday a net loss of 62.8 billion yen in the January-March quarter, reversing from a net profit of 9.9 billion yen a year earlier. Mazda blamed the March disasters for the quarterly loss. Shares in Honda rose 2.9 percent to close at 3,190 yen on the Tokyo Stock Exchange yesterday. Mazda’s stock price slipped 0.5 percent to 185 yen. - AP

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US economic growth slows, inflation rises Weak consumer, govt spending restrain growth

Kodak products are displayed in a store in Brunswick, Maine. Eastman Kodak said yesterday it lost $246 million in the first quarter — its third quarterly loss in the last year — on weaker camera and film sales. —AP

Kodak posts Q1 loss on weaker sales ROCHESTER, New York: Eastman Kodak Co said yesterday it lost $246 million in the first quarter — its third quarterly loss in the last year — on weaker digital camera and film sales.

The results missed Wall Street expectations, and its shares fell 20 cents, or 6.3 percent, to $2.97 in pre-market trading.

Vigorous sales of inkjet printers, however, offered glimmers of hope that the picture-taking pioneer remains on course to recast itself into a profitable player in digital photography and printing.

Kodak said its loss in the January-to-March quarter amounted to 91 cents a share. That compares with net income of $119 million, or 40 cents per share, a year earlier when results were swelled by $550 million in one-time revenue from a digital-imaging patent-litigation triumph.

Excluding items, Kodak said it lost $1.13 per share in the latest quarter. Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected a loss of 48 cents a share.

Revenue dropped 31 percent to $1.32 billion from $1.9 billion a year ago. Analysts expected revenue of $1.41 billion.

Revenue from the company’s digital business plunged 36 percent to $955 million. But excluding the year-ago licensing payment from South Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co., Kodak said digital revenue rose 2 percent and overall sales fell by just 3 percent. —AP

WASHINGTON: US economic growth braked sharply in the first quarter as higher food and gasoline prices dampened consumer spending, and sent a broad measure of inflation rising at its fastest pace in 2-1/2 years.

Another report yesterday showed a surprise rise in the number of Americans claiming unemployment benefits last week, which could cast a shadow on expectations for a significant pick-up in output in the second quarter.

Growth in gross domestic product-a measure of all goods and services produced within US borders-slowed to a 1.8 percent annual rate after a 3.1 percent fourth-quarter pace, the Commerce Department said. Economists had expected a 2 percent growth pace.

Output was also restrained by harsh winter weather, rising imports as well as

the weakest government spending in more than 27 years.

“The biggest factor was weather. It hurt consumption and construction.

Energy also hurt consumption as well.

Higher gasoline prices took a bigger bite out of people’s budget,” said Stephen Stanley, chief economist at Pierpont Securities in Stamford, Connecticut.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits jumped 25,000 to a seasonally adjusted 429,000, the Labor Department said. Economists had expected claims to slip to 392,000.

US government debt prices rose after the data, while stock index futures added to losses. The dollar extended losses against the yen and the euro. The Federal Reserve on Wednesday acknowledged the slowdown in firstquarter growth, describing the recovery

as proceeding at a “moderate pace”-a slight step back from a statement in March when it said the economy was on a “firmer footing.”

It trimmed its growth estimate for 2011 to between 3.1 and 3.3 percent from a 3.4 to 3.9 percent January projection. The US central bank signaled it was in no rush to start withdrawing the massive monetary stimulus it has lent the economy. It confirmed plans to complete its $600 billion bond buying program in June. “Coming in at 1.8, to get to where Fed’s forecast is, you’re going to need some robust growth,” said Bob Andres, chief investment strategist and economist at Merion Wealth Partners in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. “In my mind, the Fed’s forecast and the Street’s forecast are more than likely a little too optimistic.” — Reuters

UAE Upper Zakum oil output may drop 40% SINGAPORE/DUBAI: Output of Upper Zakum crude from the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) in the United Arab Emirates will fall in late April and May by as much as 40 percent because of a partial field outage, traders said yesterday.

Abu Dhabi’s Zakum Development Company (ZADCO), operator of the field on behalf of ADNOC, confirmed the outage, but said it was for normal maintenance and would not affect monthly average production. Two traders said production during the outage would fall to between 300,000 and 320,0000 bpd, while three other traders said state-owned ADNOC planned to resume full production of about 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) by June. “I don’t know if it was planned or not, but it surprised people,” a trader said, adding that was reflected by Dubai spreads, or the premium of prompt supplies over later-dated cargoes. The premium of May Dubai crude swaps over June increased by 4 cents over the past two days to 47 cents a barrel, Reuters data shows. Upper Zakum crude can be delivered instead of Dubai for pricing purposes according to the methodology of pricing agency Platts. Some traders said the outage could raise demand for spot Middle East crude loading in May. ADNOC holds a 60 percent stake in Upper Zakum.

Other shareholders include ExxonMobil and Japan Oil Development Company Limited, according to Exxon’s website. ExxonMobil declined to comment.

Crude oil from the Upper Zakum, Umm Al Dalkh and Satah fields is pumped via main oil lines to Zirku Island for further processing, storage and export. — Reuters

ALLAHABAD: Indian farmers sort tomatoes after harvest on the outskirts of Allahabad yesterday.—AP

ICICI Bank’s profit up 44% on loan growth MUMBAI: Quarterly profit at India’s ICICI Bank surged 44 percent as strong loan growth and higher fee and interest income made up for losses on treasury trading and higher employee costs.

Profit for the January to March quarter was 14.5 billion rupees ($326 million), while total revenue rose 14 percent from last year, to 88.0 billion rupees ($2.0 billion). “We said two years ago that we would focus the financial year 2010 on consolidation and by the year 2011 we would resume growth,” said chief executive Chanda Kochhar. “This is clearly what we have done.”

Asset quality at India’s largest private bank continued to improve, with the net non-performing asset ratio falling to 0.94 percent as of March 31, from 1.87 percent a year earlier. The bank also put aside less money to cover bad loans,

with a 61 percent drop in provisioning, to 3.8 billion rupees ($86 million).

Kochhar forecast loan growth of at least 20 percent this fiscal year, despite rising interest rates in Asia’s third largest economy, which tend to sap demand for credit. She said the bank began to increase retail loans slightly during the quarter, after trimming retail credit for two years.

Volatile trading of government securities resulted in an unanticipated 2.0 billion rupee ($44 million) loss during the quarter. Kochhar said expenses would continue to rise as the bank resumes its growth trajectory, but will not result in deterioration of cost to asset or cost to income ratios. Staff costs accounted for much of the rise in expenses. After several years of slashing costs, the bank gave employees an 8

percent average salary hike in the year ended March and plans to raise wages 12 percent, on average, this fiscal year.

Kochhar said the decision was taken “in view of the performance of the bank, the growth prospects and the inflation in the country.” Angel Broking analyst Vaibhav Agrawal said that aside from the unanticipated treasury loss, which pushed profit below expectations, the bank’s performance was strong. “If you look at the core operating performance it was quite strong,” he said. “They are continuing with their well-charted strategy and it’s giving good results.” India’s central bank is widely expected to further hike rates when it meets next week as policymakers scramble to contain higherthan-expected inflation. Agrawal said rising rates have so far had little impact on credit demand in India. — AP

Business FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

Egypt court cases to weigh, UAE banks in focus after Q1 MIDEAST WEEK AHEAD DUBAI: Middle East markets will grapple with divergent catalysts next week, from positive bank results in the UAE to court cases that are causing jitters in Egypt. The earnings news in the United Arab Emirates-led by a trio of major banks-is expected to drive markets higher after a recent consolidation period. “We have seen some pretty good figures ... the macro economic factors in terms of increased liquidity and lower borrowing rates are giving positive signs to the market,” said Samer Al-Jaouni, general manager at Middle East Financial Brokerage. Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank’s first quarter profit more than doubled while Emirates NBD saw a 27 percent jump in quarterly profit. Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank’s profit rose 3 percent.

Earnings from the property sector, one of the UAE’s biggest sectors, could put a damper on gains. Traders are adopting a cautious stance on the sector.

Emaar Properties, the UAE’s largest developer by market value, posted a 42 percent drop in net profit last Sunday, missing forecasts.

But its operational profit was strong, signalling recovery in the market, according to traders.

“There is still a clear gap between demand and supply in the property sector but whenever bank lending returns, people will invest in the market,” Jaouni said.

Other property firms, unlike Emaar which also relies on revenues from its hospitality and retail operations, will provide a better gauge of the sector’s recovery, traders said.

In Saudi Arabia, the Arab world’s largest bourse, petrochemicals are expected to drive the index in the wake of strong earnings and high commodity prices. “What we saw in the first-quarter justifies the Saudi market recovering the full gap when they had fallen during the political unrest,” said a Riyadh-based trader. “Overall the higher energy prices contributed very positively to results and set into the market immediately. That has set the tone.”

The banking sector will also be in focus as the impact of the Saudi king’s $93 billion in social handouts begins to be felt. “Banks should take the lead soon-government funds should start to feed into the bottom line,” the trader said. “We’re seeing a lot of switching already.”

Real estate cases troubling Egypt’s market will keep investors cautious and on the sidelines as the new government attempts to stamp out corruption that thrived under the administration of ousted President Hosni Mubarak.

Egyptian real estate stocks have tumbled this year amid turmoil and investigations of state land sales that took place on the watch of the autocratic Mubarak. The country’s second-biggest listed developer Palm Hills Development Co appears to be under pressure after an Egyptian court ruled on Tuesday that a sale of state land to the developer was illegal and scrapped it.

The court will also hear a similar case against Talaat Moustafa Group for a $3 billion government project that may be scrapped. The firm had signed a new contract last November with the cabinet in an attempt to end a legal row which has rumbled since June and unnerved investors in Egypt’s property sector.

“People are worried about these rulings coming out, about the way decisions are being made. It’s not creating a positive attitude towards investing,” said Hashem Ghoneim, vice president at Pyramids Capital.“Sentiment is also damaged because of the way decisions are being made-they are very quick and very harsh. It’s happening in the real estate sector but people might be worried that it might spill into other sectors.”—Reuters

Global scraps its capital hike plan KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Global Investment House got shareholder approval to scrap its capital hike plan, saying regional conditions were not ripe to proceed.

Global’s shareholders had approved a 76 percent capital hike worth 100 million dinars last May but the plan was not enacted. Under Kuwaiti law, that approval was slated to expire a year after it was granted on May 5.

The increase would have raised Global’s capital to 231.24 million dinars through issuing shares at a nominal value of 100 fils per share. There are 1,000 fils to the dinar.

Shareholders also voted to give the company a greenlight to write off 171.3 million dinars ($624.3 million) in losses.

Earlier this week, Global won a Dubai court ruling to get back $250 million from Abu Dhabi-listed National Bank of Umm Al Qaiwain in addition to $54.6 million in interest. Maha alGhunaim, Global’s managing director, said the interest will be added to the firm’s revenues while the $250 million will be used to strengthen Global’s financial position. —Reuters

Egyptian traders follow the market activity at the Cairo stockexchange in the Egyptian capital on April 28, 2011.

Banking sector helps KSE rally, index rises GLOBAL DAILY MARKET REPORT KUWAIT: Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) ended the weekend session registering gains in major indicators with strong support from the banking sector. National Bank of Kuwait NBK) led the rally ending the day up 1.61 percent and closed at KD1.260 its highest level since March 06,2011. On a weekly basis, Global General Index (GGI) ended on a positive note with a gain of 1.44 percent.

Global General Index (GGI), market weighted, ended the day up by 0.87 percent, at 207.18 point, its highest level since March 14, 2011. Market capitalization was up for the day at KD33.97bn. On the other hand, KSE Price Index closed at 6,521.7 point, adding 32.90 points (0.51 percent) to its previous close.

Market breadth During the session, 119 companies were traded. Market breadth was skewed towards advancers as 54 equities advanced versus 30 that retreated.

Yesterday’s performance was accompanied by diminishing trading activity with most of the trades conducted in the Investment and Services sectors. Total volume traded was down by 31.45 percent with 191.95mn shares changing hands at a total value of KD30.26mn (44.64 percent lower compared to the day before). The Investment Sector was the volume leader yesterday, accounting for 27.84 percent of total shares. The Banking sector was the value leader, with 32.41 percent of total traded value. Kuwait Finance House (KFH) was the most active in terms of values of shares traded during Thursday session, with 2.2mn shares exchanged at an aggregate value of KD2.3mn.

Sector-wise Regarding Global’s sectoral indices, five out the eight ended on a positive note. Among the gainers, Non-Kuwaiti

Index took the lead posted a 1.90 percent gain, backed by heavyweight Ahli United Bank ending in the green. The scrip ended the day up 1.87 percent and closed at KD0.218. Global Banking Index followed with a 1.46 percent gain backed by five out the nine banks in the sector ending in the green. The four remaining banks were unchanged. Ahli United Bank was the biggest gainer in the sector, followed by Kuwait Finance House (KFH) which ended the day up 1.89 percent and closed at KD1.080. Kuwait Finance House in Turkey (KFH-Turkey) announced that the launching of a new innovative investment product that allows its clients to withdraw gold coins from ATM machines directly according to certain regulations, in addition to regular cash withdrawal.

Global Real Estate Index was the only decliner during the session, down 0.17 percent. Kuwait Business Town Real Estate and Al-Dar National Real Estate, ended

the day down 6.58 percent and 5.41 percent, respectively. Global’s special indices also ended on a positive note today except for Global High Yield Index being the only decliner. The index ended the day down 0.20 percent backed by Agility Public Warehousing Company ending the day down 1.16 percent.

Corporate News Shares of National Industries Company will be traded ex-dividends as of Sunday May 01, 2011. The company will distribute a 8 percent cash dividend. Shares of Hayat Communications Company will be traded ex-dividends as of Sunday May 01, 2011.

The company will distribute a 10 percent cash dividend.

The price of OPEC basket of twelve crudes stood at $119.34 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $118.96 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

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Militancy in Yemen The United States has a Yemen problem that it cannot avoid, but it also has very few tools with which to manage or solve it

By Reva Bhalla

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early three months have passed since the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, first saw mass demonstrations against Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, but an exit from the current stalemate is still nowhere in sight. Saleh retains enough support to continue dictating the terms of his eventual political departure to an emboldened yet frustrated opposition. At the same time, the writ of his authority beyond the capital is dwindling, which is increasing the level of chaos and allowing various rebel groups to collect arms, recruit fighters and operate under dangerously few constraints.

The prospect of Saleh’s political struggle providing a boon to Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is understandably producing anxiety in Washington, where US officials have spent the past few months trying to envision what a post-Saleh Yemen would mean for US counterterrorism efforts in the Arabian Peninsula.

While fending off opponents at home, Saleh and his followers have been relying on the “me or chaos” tactic abroad to hang onto power. Loyalists argue that the dismantling of the Saleh regime would fundamentally derail years of US investment designed to elicit meaningful Yemeni cooperation against AQAP or, worse, result in a civil war that will provide AQAP with freedom to hone its skills.

Emboldened by the recent unrest, a jihadist group called the Abyan-Aden Islamic Army launched a major raid on a weapons depot in Jaar in late March, leading a number of media outlets to speculate that the toppling of the Saleh regime would play directly into the hands of Yemen’s jihadists.

Meanwhile, the opposition has countered that the Yemeni jihadist threat is a perception engineered by Saleh to convince the West of the dangers of abandoning support for his regime.

Opposition figures argue that Saleh’s policies are what led to the rise of AQAP in the first place and that the fall of his regime would provide the United States with a clean slate to address its counterterrorism concerns with new, non-Saleh-affiliated political allies. The reality is likely somewhere in between.

The Birth of Yemen’s Modern Jihadist Movement The pervasiveness of radical Islamists in Yemen’s military and security apparatus is no secret, and it contributes to the staying power of AlQaeda and its offspring in the Arabian Peninsula.

The root of the issue dates back to the SovietAfghan war, when Osama bin Laden, whose family hails from the Hadramawt region of the eastern Yemeni hinterland, commanded a small group of Arab volunteers under the leadership of Abdullah Azzam in the Islamist insurgency against the Soviets through the 1980s. Yemenis formed one of the largest contingents within bin Laden’s Arab volunteer force in Afghanistan, which meant that by 1989, a sizable number of battle-hardened Yemenis returned home looking for a new purpose.

They did not have to wait long. Leading the jihadist pack returning from Afghanistan was Tariq Al-Fadhli of the once-powerful Al-Fadhli tribe based in the southern Yemeni province of Abyan. Joining Al-Fadhli was Sheikh Abdul Majid Al-Zindani, the spiritual father of Yemen’s Salafi movement and one of the leaders of the conservative Islah party (now leading the political opposition against

Saleh). The Al-Fadhli tribe had lost its lands to the Marxists of the Yemeni Socialist Party (YSP), which had ruled South Yemen with Soviet backing throughout the 1980s while North Yemen was ruled with Saudi backing.

Al-Fadhli, an opportunist who tends to downplay his previous interactions with bin Laden, returned to his homeland in 1989 (supposedly with funding from bin Laden) with a mission backed by North Yemen and Saudi Arabia to rid the south of Marxists. He and his group set up camp in the mountains of Saada province on the Saudi border and also established a training facility in Abyan province in South Yemen. Joining Al-Fadhli’s group were a few thousand Arabs from Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan who had fought in Afghanistan and faced arrest or worse if they tried to return home.

tory possible enjoyed the spoils of war.

Al-Fadhli, in particular, ended up becoming a member of Saleh’s political inner circle. In tribal custom, he also had his sister marry Brig Gen Ali Mohsen Al-Ahmar, a member of the president’s Sanhan tribe in the influential Hashid confederation and now commander of Yemen’s northwestern military division and 1st Armored Brigade.

(Mohsen, known for his heavily Islamist leanings, has been leading the political standoff against Saleh ever since his high-profile defection from the regime March 24.)

The Old Guard Rises and Falls Saleh’s co-opting of Yemen’s Islamist militants had profound implications for the country’s terrorism profile. Islamists of varying ideological intensities were rewarded with positions throughout the

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh kisses a girl during a rally in his support in Sanaa April 22, 2011. — AP When North and South Yemen unified in 1990 following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Yemen’s tribal Salafists, still trying to find their footing, were largely pushed aside as the southern Marxists became part of the new Republic of Yemen, albeit as subjugated partners to the north. Many within the Islamist militant movement shifted their focus to foreign targets - with an eye on the United States - and rapidly made their mark in Dec 1992, when two hotels were bombed in the southern city of Aden, where US soldiers taking part in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia were lodged (though no Americans were killed in the attack). A rocket attack against the US Embassy in Jan 1993 was also attempted and failed. Though he denied involvement in the hotel attacks, Al-Fadhli and many of his jihadist compatriots were thrown in jail on charges of orchestrating the hotel bombings as well as the assassination of one of the YSP’s political leaders.

But as tensions intensified between the north and the south in the early 1990s, so did the utility of Yemen’s Islamist militants. Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh brokered a deal in 1993 with AlFadhli in which the militant leader was released from jail and freed of all charges in exchange for his assistance in defeating the southern socialists, who were now waging a civil war against the north.

Saleh’s plan worked. The southern socialists were defeated and stripped of much of their land and fortunes, while the jihadists who made Saleh’s vic-

Yemeni security and intelligence apparatus, with a heavy concentration in the Political Security Organization (PSO), a state security and intelligence agency. The PSO exists separately from the Ministry of Interior and is supposed to answer directly to the president, but it has long operated autonomously and is believed to have been behind a number of large-scale jailbreaks, political assassinations and militant operations in the country. While the leadership of the PSO under Ghaleb Al-Ghamesh has maintained its loyalty to Saleh, the loyalty of the organization as a whole to the president is highly questionable.

Many within the military-intelligence-security apparatus who fought in the 1994 civil war to defeat South Yemen and formed a base of support around Saleh’s presidency made up what is now considered the “old guard” in Yemen. Interspersed within the old guard were the mujahideen fighters returning from Afghanistan. Leading the old guard within the military has been none other than Mohsen, who, after years of standing by Saleh’s side, has emerged in the past month as the president’s most formidable challenger.

Mohsen, whose uncle was married to Saleh’s mother in her second marriage, was a stalwart ally of Saleh throughout the 1990s. He played an instrumental role in protecting Saleh from coup attempts early on in his political reign and led the North Yemen army to victory against the south in the

1994 civil war. Mohsen was duly rewarded with ample military funding and control over Saada, AlHudaydah, Hajja, Amran and Mahwit, surpassing the influence of the governors in these provinces.

While the 1990s were the golden years for Mohsen, the 21st century brought with it an array of challenges for the Islamist sympathizers in the old guard. Following the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole, Saleh came under enormous pressure from the United States to crack down on Al-Qaeda operatives and their protectors in Yemen, both within and beyond the bounds of the state. Fearful of the political backlash that would result from US unilateral military action in Yemen and tempted by large amounts of counterterrorism aid being channeled from Washington, Saleh began devising a strategy to gradually marginalize the increasingly problematic old guard.

These were not the only factors driving Saleh’s decision, however. Saleh knew he had to prepare a succession plan, and he preferred to see the next generation of Saleh men at the helm. Anticipating the challenge he would face from powerful figures like Mohsen and his allies, Saleh shrewdly created new and distinct security agencies for selected family members to run under the tutelage of the United States with the those agencies run by formidable members of the old guard. Thus the “new guard” was born.

The Rise of Saleh’s Second-Generation New Guard Over the course of the past decade, Saleh has made a series of appointments to mark the ascendancy of the new guard. Most important, his son and preferred successor, Ahmed Ali Saleh, became head of the elite Republican Guard (roughly 30,000plus men) and Special Operations Forces. Ahmad replaced Saleh’s half-brother, Ali Saleh Al-Ahmar, as chief of the Republican Guard, but Saleh made sure to appease Ali by making him Yemen’s defense attache in Washington, followed by appointing him to the highly influential post of chief of staff of the supreme commander of the Armed Forces and supervisor to the Republican Guard.

The president also appointed his nephews - the sons of his brother Muhammad Abdullah Saleh (now deceased) - to key positions. Yahya became chief of staff of the Central Security Forces and Counter-Terrorism Unit (roughly 50,000 plus); Tariq was made commander of the Special Guard, which effectively falls under the authority of Ahmed’s Republican Guard; and Ammar became principal duty director of the National Security Bureau (NSB).

Moreover, nearly all of Saleh’s sons, cousins and nephews are evenly distributed throughout the Republican Guard.

Each of these agencies received a substantial amount of money as US financial aid to Yemen increased from $5 million in 2006 to $155 million in 2010. This was expected to rise to $1 billion or more over the next several years, but Washington froze the first installment in February when the protests broke out. Ahmed’s Republican Guard and Special Operations Forces worked closely with US military trainers in trying to develop an elite fighting force along the lines of Jordan’s US-trained Fursan AlHaq (Knights of Justice). The creation of the mostly US-financed NSB in 2002 to collect domestic intelligence was also part of a broader attempt by Saleh to reform all security agencies to counter the heavy jihadist penetration of the PSO.

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Meanwhile, Mohsen watched nervously as his power base flattened under the weight of the second-generation Saleh men. One by one, Mohsen’s close old-guard allies were replaced: In 2007, Saleh sacked Gen Al-Thaneen, commander of the Republican Guard in Taiz. In 2008, Brig Gen Mujahid Gushaim replaced Ali Sayani, the head of military intelligence (Ali Sayani’s brother, Abdulmalik, Yemen’s former defense minister, was one of the first generals to declare support for the revolt against Saleh). The same year, Gen Al-Thahiri AlShadadi was replaced by Brig Gen Mohammed AlMagdashi as commander of the Central Division; Saleh then appointed his personal bodyguard, Brig Gen Aziz Mulfi, as chief of staff of the 27th mechanized brigade in Hadramawt.

Finally, in early 2011, Saleh sacked Brig Gen Abdullah Al-Gadhi, commander of Al-Anad Base that lies on the axis of Aden in the south and commander of the 201st mechanized brigade. As commander of the northwestern division, Mohsen had been kept busy by an Al-Houthi rebellion that ignited in 2004, and he became a convenient scapegoat for Saleh when the Al-Houthis rose up again in 2009 and began seizing territory, leading to a rare Saudi military intervention in Yemen’s northern Saada province. Using the distraction and intensity of the Al-Houthi rebellion to weaken Mohsen and his forces, Saleh attempted to move the headquarters of Mohsen’s 1st Armored Brigade from Sanaa to Amran just north of the capital and ordered the transfer of heavy equipment from Mohsen’s forces to the Republican Guard. While Saleh’s son and nephews were on the receiving end of millions of dollars of US financial aid to fight AQAP, Mohsen and his allies were left on the sidelines as the oldguard institutions were branded as untrustworthy and thus unworthy of US financing.

Mohsen also claims Saleh tried to have him killed at least six times. One such episode, revealed in a WikiLeaks cable dated Feb 2010, describes how the Saleh government allegedly provided Saudi military commanders with the coordinates of Mohsen’s headquarters when Saudi forces were launching airstrikes on the Al-Houthis. The Saudis aborted the strike when they sensed something was wrong with the information they were receiving from the Yemeni government.

Toward the end of 2010, with the old guard sufficiently weakened, Saleh was feeling relatively confident that he would be able to see through his plans to abolish presidential term limits and pave the way for his son to take power. What Saleh didn’t anticipate was the viral effect of the North African uprisings and the opportunity they would present to Mohsen and his allies to take revenge and, more important, make a comeback.

An Old Guard Revival?

Mohsen, 66 years old, is a patient and calculating man. When thousands of Yemenis took to the streets of Sanaa in late March to protest against the regime, his 1st Armored Brigade, based just a short distance from the University of Sanaa entrance where the protesters were concentrated, deliberately stood back while the CSF and Republican Guard took the heat for increasingly violent crackdowns. In many ways, Mohsen attempted to emulate Egyptian Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi in having his forces stand between the CSF and the protesters, acting as a protector of the prodemocracy demonstrators in hopes of making his way to the presidential palace with the people’s backing. Mohsen continues to carry a high level of respect among the Islamist-leaning old guard and, just as critically, maintains a strong relationship with the Saudi royals.

Following his March 24 defection, a number of high-profile military, political and tribal defections followed. Standing in league with Mohsen is the politically ambitious Sheikh Hamid Al-Ahmar, one of the 10 sons of the late Abdullah bin Hussein AlAhmar, who ruled the Hashid confederation as the most powerful tribal chieftain in the country and was also a prominent leader of the Islah political party. (Saleh’s Sanhaan tribe is part of the Hashid confederation as well.) Hamid is a wealthy businessman and vocal leader of the Islah party, which

An elderly anti-government protestor reacts during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Sanaa April 24, 2011. — AP

dominates the Joint Meeting Parties (JMP), an opposition coalition.

The sheikh who, like Mohsen, has a close relationship with the Saudi royals, has ambitions to replace Saleh and has been responsible for a wave of defections from within the ruling General People’s Congress, nearly all of which can be traced back to his family tree. In an illustration of Hamid’s strategic alliance with Mohsen, Hamid holds the position of lieutenant colonel in the 1st Armored Brigade. This is a purely honorary position but provides Hamid with a military permit to expand his contingent of body guards, the numbers of which of recently swelled to at least 100.

Together, Mohsen and Sheikh Hamid have a great deal of influence in Yemen to challenge Saleh, but still not enough to drive him out of office by force. Mohsen’s forces have been gradually trying to encroach on Sanaa from their base in the northern outskirts of the capital, but forces loyal to Saleh in Sanaa continue to outman and outgun the rebel forces.

Hence the current stalemate. Yemen does not have the luxury of a clean, geographic split between pro-regime and anti-regime forces, as is the case in Libya. In its infinite complexity, the country is divided along tribal, family, military and business lines, so its political future is difficult to chart. A single family, army unit, village or tribe will have members pledging loyalty to either Saleh or the revolution, providing the president with just enough staying power to deflect opposition demands and drag out the political crisis.

Washington’s Yemen Problem The question of whether Saleh stays or goes is not the main topic of current debate. Nearly every party to the conflict, including the various opposition groups, Saudi Arabia, the United States and even Saleh himself, understand that the Yemeni president’s 33-year political reign will end soon. The real sticking point has to do with those family members surrounding Saleh and whether they, too, will be brought down with the president in a true regime change.

This is where the United States finds itself in a particularly uncomfortable spot. Yemen’s opposition, a hodgepodge movement including everything from northern Islamists to southern socialists, are mostly only united by a collective aim to dismantle the Saleh regime, including the secondgeneration Saleh new guard that has come to dominate the country’s security-militaryintelligence apparatus with heavy US-backing.

The system is far from perfect, and counterterrorism efforts in Yemen continue to frustrate US authorities. However, Saleh’s security reforms over

the past several years and the tutelage the US military has been able to provide to these select agencies have been viewed as a significant sign of progress by the United States, and that progress could now be coming under threat.

Mohsen and his allies are looking to reclaim their lost influence and absorb the new-guard entities in an entirely new security set-up. For example, the opposition is demanding that the Republican Guard and Special Forces be absorbed into the army, which would operate under a general loyal to Mohsen (Mohsen himself claims he would step down as part of a deal in which Saleh also resigns, but he would be expected to assume a kingmaker status), that the CSF and CTU paramilitary agencies be stripped of their autonomy and operationally come under the Ministry of Interior and that the newly created NSB come under the PSO. Such changes would be tantamount to unraveling the past decade of US counterterrorism investment in Yemen that was designed explicitly to raise a new generation of security officials who could hold their own against the Islamist-leaning old guard. This is not to say that Mohsen and his allies would completely obstruct US counterterrorism efforts. Many within the old guard, eager for US financial aid and opposed to US unilateral military action in Yemen, are likely to veer toward pragmatism in dealing with Washington. That said, Mohsen’s reputation for protecting jihadists operating in Yemen and his poor standing with Washington would add much distrust to an already complicated US-Yemeni relationship.

Given its counterterrorism concerns and the large amount of US financial aid flowing into Yemen in recent years, Washington undoubtedly has a stake in Yemen’s political transition, but it is unclear how much influence it will be able to exert in trying to shape a post-Saleh government. The United States lacks the tribal relationships, historical presence and trust to deal effectively with a resurgent old guard seeking vengeance amid growing chaos.

The real heavyweight in Yemen is Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi royals have long viewed their southern neighbor as a constant source of instability in the kingdom. Whether the threat to the monarchy emanating from Yemen drew its roots from Nasserism, Marxism or radical Islamism, Riyadh deliberated worked to keep the Yemeni state weak while buying loyalties across the Yemeni tribal landscape. Saudi Arabia shares the US concern over Yemeni instability providing a boon to AQAP. The Saudi royals, who are reviled by a large segment of Saudi-born jihadists in AQAP operating from Yemen, are a logical target for AQAP attacks that carry sufficient strategic weight to shake the oil

markets and the royal regime, especially given the current climate of unrest in the region. Moreover, Saudi Arabia does not want to deal with a dramatic increase in the already regular spillover of refugees, smugglers and illegal workers from Yemen should civil war ensue.

At the same time, Saudi Arabia and the United States may not entirely see eye to eye in how to manage the jihadist threat in Yemen. The Saudis have maintained close linkages with a number of influential Islamist members within the old guard, including Mohsen and jihadists like Al-Fadhli, who broke off his alliance with Saleh in 2009 to lead the Southern Movement against the regime. The Saudis are also more prone to rely on their jihadist allies from time to time in trying to snuff out more immediate threats to Saudi interests.

For example, Saudi Arabia’s current concern regarding Yemen centers not on the future of Yemen’s counterterrorism capabilities but on the Al-Houthi rebels in the north, who have wasted little time in exploiting Sanaa’s distractions to expand their territorial claims in Saada province. The AlHouthis belong to the Zaydi sect, considered an offshoot of Shiism and heretical by Wahhabi standards. Riyadh fears Houthi unrest in Yemen’s north could stir unrest in Saudi Arabia’s southern provinces of Najran and Jizan, which are home to the Ismailis, also an offshoot of Shiism.

Ismaili unrest in the south could then embolden Shiites in Saudi Arabia’s oil-rich Eastern Province, who have already been engaged in demonstrations, albeit small ones, against the Saudi monarchy with heavy Iranian encouragement. Deputy AQAP leader Saad Ali Al-Shihri’s declaration of war against the Al-Houthi rebels on Jan 28 may have surprised many, but it also seemed to play to the Saudi agenda in channeling jihadist efforts toward the AlHouthi threat. The United States has a Yemen problem that it cannot avoid, but it also has very few tools with which to manage or solve it. For now, the stalemate provides Washington with the time to sort out alternatives to the second-generation Saleh relatives, but that time also comes at a cost.

The longer this political crisis drags on, the more Saleh will narrow his focus to holding onto Sanaa, while leaving the rest of the country for the alHouthis, the southern socialists and the jihadists to fight over. The United States can take some comfort in the fact that AQAP’s poor track record of innovative yet failed attacks has kept the group in the terrorist minor leagues. With enough time, resources and sympathizers in the government and security apparatus, however, AQAP could find itself in a more comfortable spot in a post-Saleh scenario, likely to the detriment of US counterterrorism efforts in the Arabian Peninsula. — Stratfor

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011 www.kuwaittimes.net

French actress Sophie Marceau attends a promotional event of the French brand " Chaumet " in Hong Kong, China, yesterday. — AP

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The best

cloud-based apps

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ost people are worried about storing their files online. After all, how do you get to them when you don’t have an internet connection? If you haven’t tried cloudbased applications in a while - or you’ve never tried them - you’re in for a treat. The best cloud-based apps are almost as powerful as their desktop equivalents, and they cover the range of tech tasks that most people need to perform on a daily basis.

Office apps Google Docs (http://docs.google.com) and Microsoft’s Office Web Apps (http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/webapps) are the two front-runners in the cloud-based office suite arena, and both offer a strong set of tools for creating everything that most people need, including word processing files, spreadsheets, and presentations.

The Office web apps have an inherent advantage if you’re already using Office 2007 or 2010 because the interface is familiar. And, of course, file formats are easily interchangeable. Google Docs, though, offers the quicker, more streamlined document creation experience. Google’s apps themselves seem a bit more responsive, and unlike Office Web Apps, you don’t have to name a file before you start working on one.

Neither of the cloud-based office suites have the robust set of features of desktop programs. Tracking changes or creating macros is not available in either, for example. But for the types of tasks that most people need to perform, the cloud office apps have all you’ll likely need.

PDF creation Being able to create documents in Adobe’s read-only PDF format is almost a requirement today, and the leading office apps do not yet allow you to perform a “save as” to create PDF files. But other free cloud-based apps can help.

7-PDF (http://www.7-pdf.de), for instance, will let you upload any document and convert it for you instantly. PDF Escape (http://www.pdfescape.com) boasts the ability not only to convert your documents to PDF format but also to provide PDF editing, form filling, and designing solutions as well.

ILovePDF (http://www.ilovepdf.com) lets you perform some advanced functions with PDF files, including merging PDFs and splitting an existing PDF into multiple files.

Scheduling and calendars Google’s cloud-based Calendar (www.google.com/calendar) may be one of the handiest cloud apps going, primarily

because of how useful it can be in helping both individuals and groups stay organized. The interface is as you’d expect: a calendar that can be shown in day, week, or month, four-day, or agenda mode. To schedule an event, meeting, or reminder, just click a cell, provide a title, and optionally add details.

The power of Calendar comes into full view, though, when you start exploring the options in the Settings link. For instance, you can share your calendar with others - and you can add others’ calendars to your view - to start synchronizing your schedule with friends or colleagues anywhere in the world. Just as nifty, you can set up Google Calendar to deliver smartphone notifications of important events. The Labs tab within the Settings page reveals yet more goodies, including the ability to add a world clock to your calendar and upload attachments to events, either from your computer or from Google Docs.

Image editing Image editing in the cloud seems counterintuitive. After all, image editors require some serious horsepower on the desktop, and internet connections would seem to limit the responsiveness. But Picnik (http://www.picnik.com) proves that cloud-based image editing can be fast, fun, and reasonably powerful.

A tabbed-based interface makes it easy to load, edit, and save photographs. Rotating images, cropping, and resizing are all simple to perform. Even sharpening and red-eye removal are possible. Perhaps best of all, you don’t have to upload your photos from a local computer. You can import them from other online services, including Facebook and Picasa.

Adobe’s Photoshop Express (http://www.photoshop.com/tools) is another capable cloudbased image editor. It offers some advanced tools - such as white balance adjustments, soft focus, and tinting controls that Picnic does not, and its interface will be familiar to users of Adobe’s image browsing applications such as Lightroom.

And with the companion Photoshop Express Organizer

(http://www.photoshop.com/tools/organizer), you can easily import images from Facebook, Flickr, and Picasa as well.

Offline access Most people are worried about storing their files online.

After all, how do you get to them when you don’t have an internet connection? Most cloud apps have that concerned covered. Some offer an offline mode that lets you work on your files regardless of whether you’re connected to the net, and all of them save files in formats that are easily editable with offline programs. The process is pretty seamless, and the payoff - not having to worry about backing up or synchronizing your data - may just make you a cloud convert in no time. — dpa

puting?

ud com What is clo

ne tions onli g applica e files that in n n ru ng th fers to ften, stori puting re rather loud com eb browser and, o n a remote server g is w o n s ti a n u h o p g ti throu ud com applica ith those dheld device. Clo because of the w te a re c han you pular our PC or ve and po s. Also, in a cloudthan on y creasingly attracti e ic v e d d in installing cte becoming of internet-conne ve to worry about u regun a y o h ti if r them o prolifera el, you no longe hronising disadvantage of c n d o sy m r o d s, file base The required, ns, storing omputer. applicatio n more than one c rnet connection is want to o u te larly work uting is that an in nload files that yo p ow cloud com to remember to d ve so you ha ine. — dpa ffl o n work o

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FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

Reclaiming life after it’s over ‘When you wake up and your thought is, “Let’s just get through today,” you don’t even realize you’ve quit caring for yourself’

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arole Brody smiled when she saw the police lights flashing in her rear view. She knew it was just Mike. Mike Fleet, an all-star Santa Ana, California, cop, responsible for seizing more than $50 million in drug money and 20,000 kilos of cocaine.

Uncle Mike to Carole’s young daughter, Kendall, and one of Carole’s best friends. A few weeks earlier, Mike asked Carole why they weren’t a couple.

“Need a list?” she asked him. “City girl, cowboy. Democrat, Republican.”

Besides, she said, they were too close as friends; it’d never work. He courted her anyway. He’d sneak into her office and leave flowers, and visit her at lunch. He’d park along her route to work. When she drove by, he’d pull up behind her and turn on the flashing lights.

When she spotted him, she pulled over and smiled as he handed her a muffin and juice. They were married in 1995. It shook her out of a rut, personal and professional. She was coming off a divorce. Her job as a paralegal wasn’t as fulfilling as she’d hoped - not as much writing, and not as much difference-making, as she’d hoped. Being married to Mike made life exciting again - “as idyllic as marriage can be,” she says now.

She learned to ride horses for him.

Nothing had changed from their years as friends. She called him Fleet as she always had, and he still teased her.

They hosted huge holiday parties, and danced together at the Crazy Horse “May it rest in peace,” she says of the shuttered Santa Ana steakhouse. He was riding one day when a stray dog spooked his horse, Star. A tree branch knocked him unconscious. It didn’t seem serious, but a week later his arm started twitching. Then the other arm.

“We can’t say with absolute certainty that that accident caused something, but I can tell you this: I had a completely healthy husband the day before the accident. And after that accident, nothing was ever the same again,” Carole says. Mike’s body deteriorated from Amyotrophic lateral scle-

Carole Brody Fleet poses for portrait at her Lake Forest, California home.

Fleet lost her husband to Lou Gehrig’s disease when she was forty. — MCT rosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. In 2000, while 10-year-old Kendall held him, Mike Fleet died in his living room. It was one of the biggest police funerals Santa Ana had seen.

Nearly 1,000 people from law enforcement agencies came from all over the state. They had to turn people away, Carole says.

Bagpipes played “Amazing Grace.”

Canine unit officers gave the dogs a simultaneous command to bark.

Carole watched the flag being folded, and realized the police chief was going to present it to her, the widow. The widow. It sounded so wrong. I’m not a widow, she thought. Widows wear sensible shoes. I wear low-rise pants and miniskirts. I listen to heavy metal and drink. Widows have got to be married for 60 years. I’m not a widow!

She looked for support groups, but the widows she met didn’t seem much like her. They were older, sharing pictures of grandkids. She felt like she was dealing with something different. She still had to earn an income. She had to figure out when it was OK to start dating again, to be physical with another man. There was no group for her. So she shut down. She was eating dreadfully, exercising never. For the first time in her adult life, she quit wearing makeup. “Why bother? There’s no one around to care.” “When you wake up and your thought is, ‘Let’s just get through today,’ you don’t even realize you’ve quit caring for yourself,” she says.

And Mike’s illness had made her mad. Slowly, things got better. She asked her priest “Why me” and got a surprising response. “Why not you?” he told her. “If not you, then who?” “That’s when I began to think, bad things really do happen to good people, and it’s horrendous. But my mission became, how am I going to make good come out of this? I can’t go into the fetal position.” Then it was her daughter’s turn to jolt her. Kendall convinced her one night to go watch a movie, a Susan Sarandon comedy about a middle-aged woman picking up rich men.

Carole came downstairs in faded leggings and an oversized sweatshirt.

“You’re not going out like that,” Kendall told her. She went back upstairs to change and put on makeup. “I looked at myself for the first time in 2 years,” she says. One night she was watching a TV show about servicemen killed in Iraq - and their young widows.

“I’d been there, and I’d grown, and I’d sufficiently recovered. And I thought, you know, there’s a book here,” she says. She grabbed a legal pad and jotted ideas. A chapter on the insensitive things people say. (“It was his time.”

“You’ll get over it when you find a new man.”)

A chapter on being a single mother.

On dating. On finance. On beauty advice. And a title: “Widows Wear Stilettos.” She went downstairs at 3 am.

Kendall was watching MTV. “Don’t laugh at me,” Carole told her, “but I think I’m going to write a book.”

“Widows Wear Stilettos” will be published in August. It’s touching and funny, a blend of memoir and advice that includes a recipe for Mike’s green bean casserole, a workout music mix and fashion advice: Wear a mini skirt or a low-cut top, she writes, but never at the same time.

After years of wishing she could be a full-time writer, Carole Brody Fleet finally is. “That’s the only thing I can think of her doing for the rest of her life,” says Kendall, now 18. She launched widowswearstilettos., and she says she now gets more than 800 e-mails a week from widows. Some are as young as 17; some are in their 80s.

She counsels young widows on the phone. After some horrendous attempts at romance - one guy proposed to her on the first date - she’s in love again, with a businessman she’s been dating since September.

She’s still heartbroken to have lost Mike, but she’s past the period of mourning, when she’d hidden her sexiness in the closet. “As far as being the hurt woman, I don’t see myself that way. I see myself as having taken tragedy and turned it into triumph.

I’m trying to take as many people with me as I possibly can on that journey.” — MCT

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EVERY DAY COOKING

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

By Sawsan Kazak

Y

ou know you are an important food when people use you to describe a color. Salmon, the fish and the color, are absolutely scrumptious. Beyond being high in omegas and all, Salmon has a velvety flesh with delicious taste that shines in a multitude of dishes. Thick and dense, this fatty fish is easy to cook and very forgiving. Due to its strong flavors, a small slice goes a long way.

Try the following recipes to get that salmon fix. sawsank@kuwaittimes.net

Salmon Nutrition

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almon is a highly nutritious food. Of course, it is high in protein, and the “good fats.” But did you know that a 4 oz serving of wild salmon provides a full day’s requirement of vitamin D? It is one of the few foods that can make that claim.

That same piece of fish contains over half of the necessary B12, niacin, and selenium, and is an excellent source of B6 and magnesium. Canned salmon also contains large amounts of calcium (due to the bones of the fish).

Health Benefits of Salmon People who eat fish seem to be protected from a host of conditions. Some of this is probably due to the omega-3 fats, but there may be other benefits apart from this. The science isn’t clear yet as to all the reasons why eating fish (particularly fatty fish such as salmon) seems to be so darned good for us.

Omega-3 fats seem to primarily work through reducing inflammation in our bodies. Inflammation is turning out to be at the base of many health problems,

including heart disease, diabetes, some types of cancers and arthritis. Omega-3’s also help prevent the blood clots which cause many strokes.

An exciting, fairly recent development is the realization that omega-3 fats have

potential to help slow cognitive problems such as Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive decline. Also, people who have sufficient levels of omega-3’s (especially as compared to omega-6 fats) seem to have less depression and suicide risk, as

well as less aggression — in one study, giving prison inmates this type of fat (plus vitamins) reduced aggressive behavior by a third in a mere two weeks.

Omega-3’s: Farmed fish is fattier — much as farm animals are “fattened up,” the same is true of salmon. This means that there are higher levels of omega-3 fats. But there are caveats regarding this: 1.Because of the contaminants, it is often recommended that farmed salmon be cooked in ways that reduce the fat content.

2.New feeds are being developed with less fish meal in them and more plant foods. In general, the more plant-based ingredients, the lower the level of omega3 fats in the salmon. (Note that in the ocean, salmon are carnivores: they eat no plants at all.)

3.Even today, the percentage of omega-3 fats is lower in farmed salmon, apparently because of the soybean, wheat, etc., in the meal fed to them.

—About

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EVERY DAY COOKING

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

Simply grilled salmon 1 1/2 pounds salmon fillets lemon pepper to taste garlic powder to taste salt to taste 1/3 cup soy sauce 1/3 cup brown sugar 1/3 cup water 1/4 cup vegetable oil

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eason salmon fillets with lemon pepper, garlic powder, and salt. In a small bowl, stir together soy sauce, brown sugar, water, and vegetable oil until sugar is dissolved. Place fish in a large resealable plastic bag with the soy sauce mixture, seal, and turn to coat. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Preheat grill for medium heat. Lightly oil grill grate. Place salmon on the preheated grill, and discard marinade. Cook salmon for 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

Poached Salmon

1 to 1 1/2 pounds salmon fillets 1/2 cup fish stock 1/2 cup water A few thin slices of yellow onion and/or 1 shallot, peeled and sliced thin Several sprigs of fresh dill or sprinkle of dried dill A sprig of fresh parsley Freshly ground black pepper

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ut stock, water, dill, parsley and onions in a saute pan, and bring to a simmer on medium heat. Place salmon fillets, skin-side down on the pan. Cover. Cook 5 minutes or to desired done-ness. Do not overcook. Serve sprinkled with freshly ground black pepper.

Honey-Glazed Salmon 2 tablespoons minced shallots 1 tablespoon chopped fresh or 1 teaspoon dried thyme 3 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets (about 1 inch thick) Cooking spray

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ombine first 6 ingredients in a small bowl. Brush honey mixture over skinless side of fish. Place fish on a grill rack or broiler pan coated with cooking spray, and cook 6 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Garnish with thyme sprigs, if desired.

Salmon Sashimi with Ginger Sesame Soy Sauce

Fresh Salmon (cut into bite sizes) 1/4 cup Soy sauce Hot sesame oil 1 tsp Ginger, minced 1 tsp lemon Mix the sauce and pour over the sashimi. Serve cool

THEY ARE THE 99!

99 Mystical Noor Stones carry all that is left of the wisdom and knowledge of the lost civilization of Baghdad. But the Noor Stones lie scattered across the globe - now little more than a legend. One man has made it his life’s mission to seek out what was lost. His name is Dr. Ramzi Razem and he has searched fruitlessly for the Noor Stones all his life. Now, his luck is about to change - the first of the stones have been rediscovered and with them a special type of human who can unlock the gem’s mystical power. Ramzi brings these gem - bearers together to form a new force for good in the world. A force known as ... the 99!

THE STORY SO FAR : Jabbar, Samda, and Mukit take a vacation to the Red Sea. On a scuba diving trip, they see a giant octopus -- and then a small boat capsizes, falling right past them! They rush to rescue the passengers…

The 99 ® and all related characters ® and © 2011, Teshkeel Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

www.the99.org

Tr a v e l FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

Keep it simple, Umbria, Italy Summer holidays: 10 of the best trips for couples

You may only have eyes for each other, but stupendous views and fantastic food and wine will only make things better.

Here are our experts’ tips for romantic breaks a deux.

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uscany and Umbria have a reputation for being stuffed to the salami-hung rafters with braying, posh types in raspberry chinos, but it’s easy to steer clear of the Chianti-quaffing crowds. The solarpowered Locanda della Quercia Calante on the Umbria/Tuscany border is a peaceful, eco-friendly agriturismo. The emphasis is on the simple things in life: good food (home cooked and mainly organic); wellbeing (Iyengar yoga in the onsite studio), and chilling. Even the wine is biodynamic, which must be good for you, surely? Owner Fausto makes much of the fact that the property is built on leylines and the rooms are free of magnetic fields, which he claims makes for a better night’s rest. We were sceptical until my insomniac partner slept longer and deeper than he had in years. By day you can mooch around nearby towns historic Orvieto is 18km away - and spookily quiet medieval villages. Evenings are for wining and dining in the cosy restaurant.

We made the mistake on the first day of accepting second helpings of the fantastic meat-free lasagne, only to realise it was just a starter. Perhaps it’s not the leylines that ensure a good night’s kip.

Very fine dining, Copenhagen, Denmark Unless you’re the kind of person who precision-plans their leisure time, you probably won’t book a holiday in Copenhagen sufficiently far in advance to get a table at Noma, named Best Restaurant in the World for the second year running. But at Relae

(restaurant-relae.dk), former Noma head chef Christian Puglisi cooks in a way that’s just as surprising and inventive, and a good deal cheaper. And Geranium (geranium.dk; this year singled out by Michelin as a rising star) is equally brilliant, in more of a polished, big-night-out way. Aamaan’s Etablissement (aamanns.dk) was our favourite lunch spot, mainly for its steak tartare and citrus-and-spice marinated salmon. And for mornings after, the great coffee and the brunch menu (plus the cosy sheepskin-covered chairs) at cafe/deli Gourmandiet (gourmandiet.dk) made our hangovers almost pleasurable.

Romantic retreat, Carswell Farm, Devon Arrive in daylight and wear sensible shoes, the instructions from Carswell Farm advised. We pulled up after midnight after the long drive to south Devon. The directions from the farmhouse to the impossibly secluded Beach Hut were clear, but scrambling across cliff tops with bags and very unsensible footwear, we had only an inadequate torch and the alarming sound of crashing waves to make sure our romantic holiday didn’t start with the wrong sort of splash. Once there we just climbed the little ladder to our bed in the eaves, so the next morning, we were unprepared for the picture-book adorableness of our surroundings. The Beach Hut is fairly basic, but no less lovely for that: there’s no electricity, but a woodburner and gas hob - and a

wood-burning hot tub outside (everything is eco, including the loo)! And then there’s the view - this beach hut gives new meaning to the idea of a private beach. Nestled in a cove, unreachable except by that rocky footpath, this is as hidden-away a hideaway as you could dream of. It isn’t cheap, but you could travel the world and not find such a romantic retreat. If the sun shines it is bliss, and if it rains it is bliss too.

Life after children, Sicily “Why’ve we stopped?” whined our eldest, then 14. “There’s nothing here!” “Here” was a quaint Italian riverside village with a bar with Prosecco on tap, but this was when we realised we’d have to put more effort into holidays with teens. So for a few years it was activities (rafting, canyoning) and cities (they loved Amsterdam). But teenagers grow up, go to university, and suddenly mooching around Europe is possible again. And cheap. Term time in Sicily and not only were hotel rooms almost half the summer price, half-board was sometimes thrown in. We stayed at friendly Pensione Tranchina in Scopello, an hour from Palermo, and ticked off all the things our offspring would have moaned about.

No pool, tiny rocky beach, no shops, nothing to do after dinner except sit chatting with the owner over a digestivo. Worst of all, the rugged Zingaro natural park stretches for 7km up the coast, with footpaths for long bracing walks. There were even - horror! - wild flowers. Some things the young-

sters would have liked: the fantastic food, and especially our cute black hired Fiat Cinquecento. But that’s the sort of iconic vehicle only the child-free can bomb around Italy in. No room in the back for long teenage legs. Shucks, kids.

Canaries in style, Lanzarote Forget the sun, sand and sex-on-thebeach stereotype; there’s another side to Lanzarote. Away from the big resorts, the easternmost of the Canaries is a heady mix of wild volcanic landscapes, surfer-friendly beaches, theatrical modernist architecture and vineyards made up of volcanic stone circles that could have been designed by Andy Goldsworthy. You can reach them all easily enough from the coastal resorts with a hire car, but a much better idea is to base yourself at Caserio de Mozaga, an 18th-century country house in the centre of the island that’s been turned into a very stylish boutique B&B with restaurant. Or you could book into a luxury yurt and cosy up under canvas at Finca de Arrieta on the north-east coast.

Grecian splendour, Kefalonia Along a rambling road near Fiscardo in the north of Kefalonia lay our cottage, Villa Trizoni. It had all the ingredients for a romantic break - the bare minimum, but done in style. We had three gorgeous bedrooms at our disposal, an airy open plan living space of white sofas, and an infinity pool surrounded by funky day beds. There

Tr a v e l FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

was almost nothing to do, but that was fine by us - all we wanted was to loll around in the sunshine and spend time together.

Then it poured with rain all week.

Instead of languorous afternoons in the pool our memories are of drinking Mythos beer behind a rain-splashed plastic awning, paddling in the drizzle at beautiful Daf Noudi beach, and getting caught in a dramatic storm while half-way across to the neighbouring island of Ithaca in our rented motorboat. There, we were revived at the magical Polyphemus restaurant by an inebriated communist chef who fed us Che Guevara rum and sun-dried octopus for hours, then insisted he drive us back to the harbour. We even made up a silly song about Polyphemus which make us feel like teenagers recalling their first kiss when we sing it now.

Mountain highs, Slovenia We’d seen photos of the Soca Valley, and read reviews about the chic mountain retreat called Nebesa. But nothing prepared us for the staggering Alpine beauty of the region - flower-filled meadows, crystal-clear rivers and lakes - nor the views from Nebesa’s chalets; snow-capped mountains to the east, endless valleys to the west, trailing down to the Adriatic.

Four glass-fronted chalets are the base from which to soak up these views. From our terrace, we watched a storm come in, then get chased away by glorious sunshine. We hiked up the mountain one day and white-water rafted down the turquoise Soca the next. In the evening we took at taxi to Hisa Franko, Slovenia’s answer to The Fat Duck, for a sublime gourmet feast. The X factor at Nebesa isn’t the luxuriousness of the hotel - it’s actually fairly simple. What makes it so special is the setting and the isolation: it’s a perfect place to hole up with a partner.

Surf and city, Biarritz, France I thought a trip to Biarritz would be

ironically glam: pink cocktails and discotheques, that kind of thing. But at some point since the 1980s, it had morphed into a quietly hip surfing mecca.

My then-boyfriend suddenly looked interested. We camped under the pines in the main surfie site at Anglet and walked down to the beach every morning. Compensating for the lack of kitsch, the boyfriend even serenaded me with Elvis Presley on the sand. Surf by day,

cosmopolitan comforts by night: we ate outside at pretty old clifftop restaurants, drank wine from Gerard Depardieu’s nearby vineyards, and wandered along the pier that juts from the spectacular coastline out through the breakers. A little black dress and a surfboard are all you need in this town where la bonne vie meets.

San Sebastian, Spain We took the Eurostar to Paris and the

sleeper train to Hendaye. When we woke, it was a short hop over the border to San Sebastian - or Donostia, as it is known by its Basque inhabitants. We chose from one of scores of affordable pensions in the beguiling parte vieja (old town). We spent lazy days on the city’s beautiful beaches, and late nights bar-hopping.

The city specialises in pintxos, simple Basque tapas: we wandered from tavern to tavern, greedily sampling as many as we could. For a once-in-lifetime meal, try to get a table at legendary restaurant Arzak (arzak.info), ranked eighth in the world. We relaxed at La Perla (la-perla.net), a beachside spa; visited Eduardo Chillida’s wave-lashed sculptures in La Concha Bay; and climbed Mount Urgull for the castle, enormous Jesus Christ statue and panoramic views. We bought a couple of beers just as the basic hilltop bar was closing and sat alone by the fig trees, watching the sun set over the bay.

I left my heart in San Francisco I’d been obsessed by San Francisco since reading Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City series - the rolling hills, the smell of marijuana, the glamorous casualties of a life lived as though every day was 1969 but it wasn’t until my 27th birthday that I finally visited, a surprise present from my boyfriend, who’d been choking on the secret for months.

It was San Francisco I’d had in mind when I chose to move to Brighton for university, where the lovely gayness and scattered vintage shops charmed me, briefly. But it took a week in a budget downtown hotel - queuing for breakfasts at Dottie’s True Blue cafe, taking shy photos outside the house Maupin was inspired by - an afternoon in Alcatraz, and various second-hand clothing purchases along Haight Street, for me to convince my boyfriend that this, one day, should be our home. — Guardian

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Books

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

8 fantastic memoirs The Long Goodbye

By Meghan O’Rourke

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rom one of America’s foremost young literary voices, a transcendent portrait of the unbearable anguish of grief and the enduring power of familial love.

What does it mean to mourn today, in a culture that has largely set aside rituals that acknowledge grief? After her mother died of cancer at the age of fifty-five, Meghan O’Rourke found that nothing had prepared her for the intensity of her sorrow. In the first anguished days, she began to create a record of her interior life as a mourner, trying to capture the paradox of grief-its monumental agony and microscopic intimacies-an endeavor that ultimately bloomed into a profound look at how caring for her mother during her illness changed and strengthened their bond.

O’Rourke’s story is one of a life gone off the rails, of how

watching her mother’s illness-and separating from her husband-left her fundamentally altered. But it is also one of resilience, as she observes her family persevere even in the face of immeasurable loss.

With lyricism and unswerving candor, The Long Goodbye conveys the fleeting moments of joy that make up a life, and the way memory can lead us out of the jagged darkness of loss. Effortlessly blending research and reflection, the personal and the universal, it is not only an exceptional memoir, but a necessary one.

Ask Me Why I Hurt

Blood, Bones and Butter

By Gabrielle Hamilton

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By Randy Christensen

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he unforgettable inspiring memoir of one extraordinary doctor who is saving lives in a most unconventional way Ask Me Why I Hurt is the touching and revealing first-person account of the remarkable work of Dr. Randy Christensen. Trained as a pediatrician, he works not in a typical hospital setting but, rather, in a 38-foot Winnebago that has been refitted as a doctor’s office on wheels. His patients are the city’s homeless adolescents and children.

In the shadow of one affluent American city, Dr. Christensen has dedicated his life to caring for society’s throwaway kids-the often-abused, unloved children who live on the streets without access to proper health care, all the while fending off constant threats from thugs, gangs, pimps, and other predators. With the Winnebago as his moveable medical center, Christensen and his team travel around the outskirts of Phoenix, attending to the children and teens who need him most.

With tenderness and humor, Dr. Christensen chronicles everything from the struggles of the van’s early beginnings, to the support system it became for the kids, and the ultimate recognition it has achieved over the years.

Along with his immense professional challenges, he also describes the trials and joys he faces while raising a growing family with his wife Amy. By turns poignant, heartbreaking, and charming, Dr. Christensen’s story is a gripping and rich memoir of his work and family, one of those rare books that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

Eating

By Jason Epstein

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ason Epstein, legendary publisher of Norman Mailer and Vladimir Nabokov, editor of such great chefs and bakers as Alice Waters and Wolfgang Puck, takes us on a culinary tour through his eventful life.

From the great restaurants of postwar Paris to the narrow streets of New York’s Chinatown today; from a New Year’s dinner aboard the old Ile de France with Buster Keaton to an evening at New York’s glamorous “21” restaurant with the dreaded Roy Cohn; from Chinese omelettes with the great Jane Jacobs at the edge of the Arctic Ocean to a lobster dinner with the Mailers on Cape Cod, this delicious book celebrates a lifetime of pleasure in cooking and eating well.

efore Gabrielle Hamilton opened her acclaimed New York restaurant Prune, she spent twenty fierce, hardliving years trying to find purpose and meaning in her life. Above all she sought family, particularly the thrill and the magnificence of the one from her childhood that, in her adult years, eluded her. Hamilton’s ease and comfort in a kitchen were instilled in her at an early age when her parents hosted grand parties, often for more than one hundred friends and neighbors. The smells of spit-roasted lamb, apple wood smoke, and rosemary garlic marinade became as necessary to her as her own skin.

Blood, Bones & Butter follows an unconventional journey through the many kitchens Hamilton has inhabited through the years: the rural kitchen of her childhood, where her adored mother stood over the six-burner with an oily wooden spoon in hand; the kitchens of France, Greece, and Turkey, where she was often fed by complete strangers and learned the essence of hospitality; the soulless catering factories that helped pay the rent; Hamilton’s own kitchen at Prune, with its many unexpected challenges; and the kitchen of her Italian mother-in-law, who serves as the link between Hamilton’s idyllic past and her own future family-the result of a difficult and prickly marriage that nonetheless yields rich and lasting dividends.

Blood, Bones & Butter is an unflinching and lyrical work.

Gabrielle Hamilton’s story is told with uncommon honesty, grit, humor, and passion. By turns epic and intimate, it marks the debut of a tremendous literary talent.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

One Hundred Names for Love

Black Milk: On Writing, Motherhood, and the Harem Within

By Diane Ackerman

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By Elif Shafak

veryone who cherishes the gift of language will cherish Diane Ackerman’s narrative masterpiece, an exquisitely written love story and medical miracle story, one that combines science, inspiration, wisdom, and heart.

One day Ackerman’s husband, Paul West, an exceptionally gifted wordsmith and intellectual, suffered a terrible stroke.

When he regained awareness he was afflicted with aphasia-loss of language-and could utter only a single syllable: “mem.” The standard therapies yielded little result but frustration. Diane soon found, however, that by harnessing their deep knowledge of each other and her scientific understanding of language and the brain she could guide Paul back to the world of words. This triumphant book is both a humane and revealing addition to the medical literature on stroke and aphasia and an exquisitely written love story: a magnificent addition to literature, period.

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n acclaimed Turkish novelist’s personal account of balancing a writer’s life with a mother’s life.

After the birth of her first child in 2006, Turkish writer Elif Shafek suffered from postpartum depression that triggered a profound personal crisis. Infused with guilt, anxiety, and bewilderment about whether she could ever be a good mother, Shafak stopped writing and lost her faith in words altogether. In this elegantly written memoir, she retraces her journey from free-spirited, nomadic artist to dedicated by emotionally wrought mother. Identifying a constantly bickering harem of women who live inside of her, each with her own characteristics-the cynical intellectual, the goal-oriented go-getter, the practical-rational, the spiritual, the maternal, and the lustful-she craves harmony, or at least a unifying identity. As she intersperses her own experience with the lives of prominent authors such as Sylvia Plath, Virginia Woolf, Alice Walker, Ayn Rand, and Zelda Fitzgerald, Shafak looks for a solution to the inherent conflict between artistic creation and

responsible parenting.

With searing emotional honesty and an incisive examination of cultural mores within patriarchal societies, Shafak has rendered an important work about literature, motherhood, and spiritual well-being.

A Homemade Life

By Molly Wizenberg

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hen Molly Wizenberg’s father died of cancer, everyone told her to go easy on herself, to hold off on making any major decisions for a while.

But when she tried going back to her apartment in Seattle and returning to graduate school, she knew it wasn’t possible to resume life as though nothing had happened. So she went to Paris, a city that held vivid memories of a childhood trip with her father, of early morning walks on the cobbled streets of the Latin Quarter and the taste of her first pain au chocolat.

She was supposed to be doing research for her dissertation, but more often, she found herself peering through the windows of chocolate shops, trekking across town to try a new p‚tisserie, or tasting cheeses at outdoor markets, until one evening when she sat in the Luxembourg Gardens reading cookbooks until it was too dark to see, she realized that her heart was not in her studies but in the kitchen.

At first, it wasn’t clear where this epiphany might lead. Like her long letters home describing the details of every meal and market, Molly’s blog Orangette started out merely as a pleasant pastime. But it wasn’t long before her writing and recipes developed an international following.

Every week, devoted readers logged on to find out what Molly was cooking, eating, reading, and thinking, and it seemed she had finally found her passion. But the story wasn’t over: one reader in particular, a curly-haired, food-loving composer from New York, found himself enchanted by the redhead in Seattle, and their email correspondence blossomed into a long-distance romance.

In A Homemade Life: Stories and

Recipes from My Kitchen Table, Molly Wizenberg recounts a life with the kitchen at its center. From her mother’s pound cake, a staple of summer picnics during her childhood in Oklahoma, to the eggs she cooked for her father during the weeks before his death, food and memories are intimately entwined. You won’t be able to decide whether to curl up and sink into the story or to head straight to the market to fill your basket with ingredients for CiderGlazed Salmon and Pistachio Cake with Honeyed Apricots.

History of a Suicide: My Sister’s Unfinished Life

By Jill Bialosky

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n the night of April 15, 1990, Jill Bialosky’s twenty-one-year-old sister Kim came home from a bar in downtown Cleveland. She argued with her boyfriend on the phone. Then she took her mother’s car keys, went into the garage, closed the garage door. She climbed into the car, turned on the ignition, and fell asleep. Her body was found the next morning by the neighborhood boy her mother hired to cut the grass.

Those are the simple facts, but the act of suicide is anything but simple. For twenty years, Bialosky has lived with the grief, guilt, questions, and confusion unleashed by Kim’s suicide. Now, in a remarkable work of literary nonfiction, she re-creates with unsparing honesty her sister’s inner life, the events and emotions that led her to take her life on this particular night. In doing so, she opens a window on the nature of suicide itself, our own reactions and responses to itóespecially the impact a suicide has on those who remain behind.

Combining Kim’s diaries with family history and memoir, drawing on the works of doctors and psychologists as well as writers from Melville and Dickinson to Sylvia Plath and Wallace Stevens, Bialosky gives us a stunning exploration of human fragility and strength. She juxtaposes the story of Kim’s death with the challenges of becoming a mother and her own exuberant experience of raising a son. This is a book that explores all aspects of our familial relationships —

between mothers and sons, fathers and daughters — but particularly the tender and enduring bonds between sisters.

History of a Suicide†brings a crucial and all too rarely discussed subject out of the shadows, and in doing so gives readers the courage to face their own losses, no matter what those may be. This searing and compassionate work reminds us of the preciousness of life and of the ways in which those we love are inextricably bound to us.

Beauty FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

How to get smokey eyes Smokey eyes have been a big style for quite awhile and there’s no sign this particular trend is dying. Here we show you step-by-step instructions on how to get the perfect smokey eye.

What You Need: • Eye primer • 2 Shadows: One light, one darker • Eyeliner • Mascara The key to the perfect smokey eye is proper blending. You want to make sure colors are blended together flawlessly.

Also, it’s important to pair light base colors with rich dark colors. Nice mixes include: Soft gold base with deep purple on top, champagne base with bright blue and peach base with green hue.

Difficulty: Average Time Required: 10 minutes Here’s How: 1.Prep the lid.

The key to keeping eyeshadow from melting into your eyelid crease as the day goes on is to kept eyelids oil-free. To do

this start with an eyeshadow base (also called “primer”). Simply swipe the primer across the eye and let it dry before you continue to the next step.

2.Apply eyeliner.

If you’re going for a typical black, brown or gray smokey eye, apply liner in one of those colors above the upper lash line, drawing line thicker in the middle of eye. If you’re opting for a jewel-toned eye (violet makes a gorgeous smokey eye), line eyes with a purple, blue or deep green liner.

For more intricate directions on lining for a smokey eye see How to apply eyeliner. Also see my list of the best eyeliners. I include several that work great for the smokey eye.

3.Blend in color on bottom lashes For color on the bottom (a key smokey eye look) you’ll want to use a eyeliner pencil because they’re easiest to smudge.

Once the line is drawn, run your finger over it to smudge the line. You can also apply a bit of shadow to get full smudge effect.

4.Apply light base color Again, the key to a smokey eye is pairing a lighter base with the darker hue. I prefer a nice cream shade for my base.

Sweep a light, shimmery shadow over the lids to your browbone. I love Stila’s whipped eye shadows. The moist “mousse” consistency seems to stay on forever. My favorite colors are taupe and pearl.

5.Blend in darker color, but keep dark color below the crease.

Now that you have the base and eyeliner on, it’s time to get the smokey effect.

You need a darker eyeshadow shade.

Using an eyeshadow brush blend in color starting at your lash line, blending up.

Make sure to blend color into the lash line so the eye liner disappears. Stop deep color at crease. The key here is to blend, blend, blend.

6.Doublecheck your work Make sure eyes match and blend color with a Q-tip if need be.

7.Finish with several coats of mascara.

You’ll want to apply a few coats of mascara so lashes are thick and dark. If you don’t have naturally long, curled lashes, curl them with a lash curler first.

Tips: 1.Remember to keep lips nude. When applying strong makeup (like smokey eyes or red lips) put the focus on either eyes or lips, never both. (Think Angelina Jolie: She either plays up her huge eyes or her huge lips, never both. If she did, she’d look like a clown).

2.For a bit of fun, try a blue or purple mascara. It will make blue eyes “pop.”

3.Liner doesn’t have to come in pencil

form. Makeup experts know eyeshadows make some of the best eyeliners. To do this take an eyeliner brush (available at Sephora, MAC or any dept store), wet it, then dab wet brush into the dark shadow.

This allows for a deep, precise line. You can also use the dark shadows without wetting brush first. Either way, eyeliner is necessary for smokey eye.

4.This season go jewel-toned (blue is great for you blue-eyed girls) and keep your eyes smokey but stay away from dark browns and black. Instead, go for a deep purple, a gold-brown or any of the many vibrant colors in this year. —About

Beauty FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

How to make your hair grow faster and longer naturally in 10 ways Healthy hair will grow faster than unhealthy, damaged hair and by following these 10 steps you can make your hair grow faster

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our hair is like a plant, it’s a living and breathing part of your body. Therefore, the more that you care for your hair and feed it with vitamins, the better the chance that your hair will grow faster and longer and even in time more-healthier.

Healthy hair will grow faster than unhealthy, damaged hair and by following these 10 steps you can make your hair grow faster. But keep in mind, that there is a certain maximum hair growth per year in the human body that even by using the best of treatments will not make a difference. An average person’s hair grows an average of 1/2 inch a month. Follow these steps to make your hair grow faster and longer • Avoid using extremely hot water, hair dryer and/or hair styler: Heat can damage your hair whether its hot water or hot air or its extremely hot/cold air, water and weather conditions, can damage your hair. Wash your hair with warm water instead of extremely hot water.

• Overall health, life style and eating habits play a major role in having healthy hair: Your overall health and life style will affect your hair growth rate and health of your hair.

You need to get enough sleep every day. The amount of sleep depends on the person.

There is not any specific amount of hours of sleep required for one person in general. The amount can vary depending on age, body type as well as other factors. Eat healthy, cut

back fast food, fried food, packaged food and increase the amount of vitamins, fruits and vegetables. Exercise more, any cardio exercise will increase the blood flow in your body which will help your scalp to get more oxygen and help your hair grow faster.

• Trim and cut hair regularly: Getting a trim will help to remove split, thin, and dry ends. Again, since your hair is like a plant you need keep the hair folical healthy so that it’s not working overtime.

Since the hair grows from the scalp where your hair folical is located, by trimming the dead ends off of your hair your hair folical is working less to repair split, dead ends.

Therefore, it will help to make your hair grow faster,longer and healthier. Due to the fact that your hair is not working overtime to repair dead split ends.

• Take a daily vitamin: Biotin would be an ingredient that you need to add to your list when you buy vitamin for hair growth. Biotin helps cell growth therefore, will help your hair grow faster and healthier. Also protein will help your hair grow fast too, this can be taken naturally from eggs, milk, meat etc.

• Reduce the number of coloring sessions: Hair coloring can also damage your hair.

Stay away from cheap, unknown products.

Prefer new generation color dyes with moisturizing protection. Coloring your hair too often can damage and prevent your hair from growing faster.

• Keep your hair clean: Oily scalp can stop your hair from growing faster you need to find the happy medium between keeping your hair clean but not over-washing. Over-washing your hair and damaging the oil balance can be harmful as much as dirty hair.

• Do not wear pony tail too often: Using rubber bands and pulling your hair tight can damage your hair and stop your hair from growing fast and healthy.

• Stop smoking and reduce or quit caffeine: Well these are not only good for your hair, also will help you to be healthier.

• Do not over brush your hair and NEVER use a bristled brush, as this will tear and damage your hair.

• Be patient.

Take care of your hair, health and before you know it, you’ll have long gorgeous locks! (www.10wayshowto.com)

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FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

New clues on brain’s ability to learn T Study suggests gray matter in the brain may grow more quickly than thought

he adult brain may never be too old to learn new tricks.

A new study shows as little as two hours of “child-like” learning may be enough to stimulate growth of gray matter in the brains of mature adults.

Researchers say the findings suggest that the adult brain’s ability to change-or “plasticity” as it’s known in medical termsoccurs much faster than previously thought.

Prior studies have shown increases in gray matter in adults after weeks or months of training, but in this study researchers induced changes in less than two hours of training in which adults learned new, nonsensical names for colors.

“This pattern of findings demonstrates that the anatomical structure of the adult human brain can change very quickly, specifically during the acquisition of new, named categories,” write researcher Veronica Kwok of the University of Hong Kong and colleagues in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

In the study, researchers used whole-brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to examine gray matter changes in the brains of 19 adults after using a training method used to stimulate rapid word learning, similar to flash cards.

Over the course of five sessions, totaling one hour and 48 minutes over three days, the participants used listening, naming, and matching tasks to learn artificial names for two shades of the color green and two shades of the color blue.

Brain scans taken before and after the training sessions showed the participants’ gray matter increased in areas of the brain associated with color vision and perception.

Researchers say the results not only show that adult brain plasticity is greater than previously thought, but color perception and processing may have unique effects on learning and language. —(www.webmd.com)

Do you have pinkeye ?

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inkeye (also called conjunctivitis) is redness and swelling of the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane that lines the eyelid and eye surface. The lining of the eye is usually clear. If irritation or infection occurs, the lining becomes red and swollen. See pictures of a normal eye and an eye with conjunctivitis .

Traditionally, at-home remedies have been sufficient for soothing conjunctivitis associated with uncomplicated colds, minor infections, or allergies. Treatment

Common symptoms of pinkeye are: ● Eye redness (hyperemia). ● Swollen, red eyelids. ● More tearing than usual. ● Feeling as if something is in the eye ● An itching or burning feeling. ● Mild sensitivity to light (photophobia). ● Drainage from the eye.

caused by viruses for which there is usually no medical treatment, preventing its spread is important. Poor hand-washing is the main cause of the spread of pinkeye. Sharing an object, such as a washcloth or towel, with a person who has pinkeye can spread the infection.

For tips on how to prevent the spread of pinkeye, see the Prevention section of this topic.

People with infectious pinkeye should not go to school or day care, or go to work until symp-

Most cases of pinkeye are caused by: ● Infections caused by viruses or bacteria. ● Dry eyes from lack of tears or exposure to wind and sun. ● Chemicals, fumes, or smoke (chemical conjunctivitis). ● Allergies. ● Viral and bacterial pinkeye are contagious and spread very easily. Since most pinkeye is

toms improve.

If the pinkeye is caused by a virus, the person can usually return to day care, school, or work when symptoms begin to improve, typically in 3 to 5 days. Medicines are not usually used to treat viral pinkeye, so it is important to prevent the spread of the infection. Pinkeye caused by a herpes virus, which is rare, can be treated with an antiviral medicine. Home treatment of viral pink-

Traditionally, at-home remedies have been sufficient for soothing conjunctivitis associated with uncomplicated colds, minor infections, or allergies. Treatment consists primarily of cleansing the eyes and preventing the condition from spreading. consists primarily of cleansing the eyes and preventing the condition from spreading.

Viral conjunctivitis usually runs its course in one to two weeks. Because it is not caused by bacteria, viral conjunctivitis does not respond to antibiotics. Artificial tears will also help relieve symptoms.

For bacterial conjunctivitis, the treatment will probably call for antibiotic eye drops or ointment. This generally clears the symptoms within a few days.

eye symptoms can help you feel more comfortable while the infection goes away.

If the pinkeye is caused by bacteria, the person can usually return to day care, school, or work 24 hours after an antibiotic has been started if symptoms have improved. Prescription antibiotic treatment usually kills the bacteria that cause pinkeye.

Pinkeye may be more serious if you: ● Have a condition that decreases your body’s ability to fight infection (impaired immune system). ● Have vision in only one eye. ● Wear contact lenses. ● Red eye ● Red eye is a more general term that includes not only pinkeye but also many other problems that cause redness on or around the eye, not just the lining. Pinkeye is the main cause of red eye. ● Red eye has other causes, including: ● Foreign bodies, such as metal or insects.

For more information, go to the topic Objects in the Eye. ● Scrapes, sores, or injury to or infection of deeper parts of the eye (for example, uveitis, iritis, or keratitis). For more information, go to the topic Eye Injuries. ● Glaucoma. For more information, go to the topics Eye Problems, Noninjury or Glaucoma. ● Infection of the eye socket and areas around the eye. For more information, go to the topic Eye Problems, Noninjury. ● Swollen, red eyelids may also be caused by styes, a lump called a chalazion, inflammation of the eyelid (blepharitis), or lack of tears (dry eyes).

For more information, go to the topics Styes and Chalazia or Eyelid Problems (Blepharitis).

—(www.webmd.com)

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FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

‘Superfoods’ Everyone Needs “T

he effect that diet can have on how you feel today and in the future is astounding,” says nutritionist Elizabeth Somer, author of Nutritionfor aHealthy Pregnancy, Food & Mood, and The Essential Guide to Vitamins and Minerals.

“Even people who are healthy can make a few tweaks and the impact will be amazing,” Somer says. “I’d say that 50% to 70% of suffering could be eliminated by what people eat and how they move: heart disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension can all be impacted.”

You don’t need specific foods for specific ailments. A healthy diet incorporating a variety of the following superfoods will help you maintain your weight, fight disease, and live longer. One thing they all have in common: “Every superfood is going to be a ‘real’ (unprocessed) food,” Somer points out. “You don’t find fortified potato chips in the superfood category.”

Top Superfoods Offering Super Health Protection ● Beans ● Blueberries ● Broccoli ● Oats ● Oranges ● Pumpkin ● Salmon ● Soy ● Spinach ● Tea (green or black) ● Tomatoes ● Turkey ● Walnuts ● Yogurt ● Blueberries-Antioxidant Superfood Packed with antioxidants and phytoflavinoids, these berries are also high in potassium and vitamin C, making them the top choice of doctors and nutritionists. Not only can they lower your risk of heart disease and cancer, they are also anti-inflammatory.

“Inflammation is a key driver of all chronic diseases, so blueberries have a host of benefits,” says Ann Kulze, MD, of Charleston, SC, author of Dr. Ann’s 10-Step Diet, A Simple Plan for Permanent Weight Loss & Lifelong Vitality. When selecting berries, note that the darker they are, the more anti-oxidants they have. “I tell everyone to have a serving (about 1/2 cup) every day,” Dr. Kulze says. “Frozen are just as good as fresh.” Be sure to include lots of other fruits and vegeta-

bles in your diet as well. Remember too that, in general, the more color they have, the more antioxidants.

Omega 3-Rich Fish-Superfoods for the Heart, Joints, and Memory “We know that the omega 3s you get in fish lower heart disease risk, help arthritis, and may possibly help with memory loss and Alzheimer’s,” Somer says. “There is some evidence to show that it reduces depression as well.”

Omega-3s are most prevalent in fatty, coldwater fish: Look for wild (not farmed) salmon,

American Medical Association (2003) showed that a diet of soy fiber, protein from oats and barley, almonds, and margarine from plant sterols lowered cholesterol as much as statins, the most widely prescribed cholesterol medicine. “Look for tofu, soy milk, or edamame-not soy powder,” says Somer. In other words, soy sauce won’t do the trick. One caveat: If you have a family history of breast cancer it is not recommended that you eat extra soy.

Fiber-Superfood Aids Weight Loss and Checks Cholesterol A diet high in fiber will help you main-

Experts say dozens of easy-to-find ‘superfoods’ can help ward off heart disease, cancer, cholesterol, and more. herring, sardines, and mackerel. Aim for twoto-three servings a week. Other forms of omega 3s are available in fortified eggs, flax seed, and walnuts. These superfoods have the added benefit of being high in monounsaturated fats, which can lower cholesterol.

Soy-Superfood to Lower Cholesterol A study reported in The Journal of the

tain healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels. As a bonus, because fiber helps you feel full longer, it’s a great tool in weight management. Whole grains, beans, fruit, and vegetables are all good sources. Try throwing some beans in your salad, recommends Kulze. “Fresh, frozen, or dried are the best. You can use canned, but they tend to be higher in sodium,” Kulze warns.

Tea-Superfood for Lowering Cholesterol and Inhibiting Cancer “The overall antioxidant power of black tea is the same as green tea,” says Kulze, “but green tea does have ECGC, a powerful antioxidant that we really do think is quite special.”

A recent Japanese study on green tea found that men who drank green tea regularly had lower cholesterol than those who didn’t.

Researchers in Spain and the United Kingdom have also shown that ECGC can inhibit the growth of cancer cells. For a double health whammy, replace sugary sodas with tea.

Calcium OK, OK, you know the drill: Calcium helps build strong bones and prevents osteoporosis. Look for it in dairy products or supplements. Added bonus: Some studies show that calcium helps with weight loss. Here are the calcium levels recommended for adults by the USDA: Age 9 to 18 — 1,300 mg Age 19 to 50 — 1,000 mg Age 51 and over — 1,200 mg And Finally, the Yummiest Superfood Yet ... Dark Chocolate New research has shown that dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants and can lower blood pressure. Kulze recommends that you look for chocolate with 60% or higher cocoa content; the darker, the better. In addition, the darker it is, the lower the fat and sugar content. Now that’s our kind of health food! —(www.webmd.com)

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Arts

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

Isa Leshko’s Elderly Animals:

There’s life

in the old dog yet A

ge discrimination in the media doesn’t stop with humans. Our collective obsession with youth extends to the animal world. Considering how much of the internet is given over to the extreme cuteness of kittens, how often do you click on images of elderly cats or glaucomic dogs at the tail end of their lives? How many ad campaigns show us horses past their prime or birds in their twilight years?

Not often, and probably none.

Isa Leshko has set out to document old age in the animal kingdom with a series of beautiful photographs entitled Elderly Animals.

Some of the subjects wear their age lightly. A 28-year-old Embden goose regards the camera with indifference and buries its beak in a stately

expanse of feathers. Others seem more time-worn. With dimmed eyes and splayed legs, a 19-year-old Australian kelpie looks as weak and helpless as a newborn pup, while a wrinkled bronze turkey called Marino might have seen 100 years, not merely five.

Leshko, who lives in Houston, Texas, started the series after a year spent caring for her mother, an Alzheimer’s sufferer, in New Jersey. It offered her an oblique way of dealing with her grief, but the project also allowed the photographer to “challenge commonly held assumptions about... animals in their later years” and “raise questions about what it means to be elderly”.

Most of Leshko’s subjects are farm animals and pets that have

ended up in animal sanctuaries around America. It is commonly assumed that animals bred in captivity, excepting those reared for slaughter, live longer than their counterparts in the wild. We do our best to shield them from predators, injury and disease, and the amount lavished on veterinary care in the

Old timer: Moonie, a 32-year-old American quarter horse by Isa Leshko.

—Guardian

A series of studies of elderly animals by the American photographer Isa Leshko calls into question our attitudes to ageing

west - $43bn in America in 2009 has undoubtedly added years to the lifespan of the creatures that keep us company. The oldest canine on record, an Australian cattle dog called Bluey, lived to 29, while horses have reached the half-century mark.

Determining the age of animals in the wild is much more difficult, but biologists have developed techniques to generate rough estimates.

Growth rings in the scales, fin spines and vertebrae of fish, and on the shells of turtles, indicate how many winters they’ve swum through, and similar information can be gauged from the wax-like plug in the external ear of a whale. Other mammals can be aged by studying their teeth, and tagging is the surest way of keeping track of wild birds. The average lifespan of an Amazon parrot (80 years) is four times greater than that of a bottlenose dolphin.

It’s not strictly true that all living things grow old and die. The jellyfish Turritopsis nutricula returns to sexual immaturity after reproducing and is believed to be biologically immortal.

The rest of us, however, succumb to our age with weary inevitability.

It’s good to have work such as Leshko’s to remind us that - be we horse, hound or human - there’s more to life than youth.—Guardian

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ARTS

The Playground by LS Lowry (1945)

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

Reclaiming LS Lowry A

lthough LS Lowry is one of the most popular British painters, his idiosyncratic outlook has never fitted into the mainstream story of modern art. Reproductions of his work abound. But he is far less easy to encounter in galleries - apart, of course, from the Lowry centre at Salford Quays. Hence the resentment voiced in ITV1’s provocative Easter Day programme.

Narrated by Sir Ian McKellen, it rightly dismisses the accusation that Lowry was nothing more than an ignorant, unskilled amateur.

The truth is that Lowry did train in Manchester and Salford colleges during the early 20th century. He may have cultivated a “primitive” style, but it was a sophisticated decision made by an artist who could easily have adopted a more conventional manner. The “matchstick men” in many of Lowry’s canvases convey the vision of a defiant and stubborn loner, who avoided contact with the art world and worked in a nine-to-five office job for nearly half a century.

Most of his pictures were painted at night, illuminated solely by an electric light bulb. The artist had no interest in pursuing a more photo-realist path. The isolation which haunts the people in his work reflects Lowry’s own sense of being an outsider.

McKellen becomes openly angry in the documentary when he focuses on the Tate, claiming that “it is a shame verging on the iniquitous that foreign visitors to London shouldn’t have access to the painter English people like more than most others”.

He even suggests that the Tate should sell its collection of 23 Lowrys - a bizarre proposal, which might well mean that the collection ends up in some wealthy collector’s mansion, invisible to

anyone except his dinner guests, family and staff.

Selling off the nation’s assets is a foolish idea, and it must never be implemented.

At the moment, Tate Britain does undoubtedly suffer from an acute space shortage. Too much of its outstandingly rich collection of 20th-century art is unable to find permanent display space, and this problem will only be alleviated when its galleries are extended two years from now. But in the meantime, Tate Britain’s curators are eminently capable of mounting a thematic display devoted to Lowry’s work. It would be fascinating to compare his images with paintings, photographs and even films of northern scenes by other artists from that period.

At one point in the programme, Noel Gallagher of Oasis voices his Mancunian suspicion that the 23 Lowrys are invisible because “they’re not considered Tateworthy. Or is it just because he is a northerner?” People who live outside London often feel uneasy about the overwhelming power of metropolitan culture in this country.

So the Tate has much to gain from countering this sense of discomfort, and attending more closely to the life flourishing in places far removed from our capital city.

Not that Lowry’s paintings present a vision which tallies with our experience of northern life today. Born in 1887, he concentrated on the urban scene familiar to him during his childhood and adolescence. In Lowry’s work, many of the buildings - both industrial and domestic - have long since disappeared. But their replacement does not invalidate his art. On the contrary: we can now see Lowry even more clearly, as a lifelong obsessive who committed himself to interpreting an almost vanished world. —Guardian

Comic

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FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

Word Sleuth Solution

Yesterday’s Solution

ACROSS 1. A rotating disk shaped to convert circular into linear motion.

4. A historical region in central and northern Yugoslavia.

10. Someone who engages in arbitrage (who purchases securities in one market for immediate resale in another in the hope of profiting from the price differential).

13. The capital and largest city of Japan.

14. Someone who snores while sleeping.

15. Primitive predaceous North American fish covered with hard scales and having long jaws with needle-like teeth.

16. A hidden storage space (for money or provisions or weapons).

18. Informal terms for money.

19. A type of submachine gun that is designed and manufactured in Israel.

20. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey).

22. Relating to the Lamaze method of childbirth.

24. An accidental hole that allows something (fluid or light etc.) to enter or escape.

25. An esoteric or occult matter that is traditionally secret.

27. One of the common people.

28. A short labored intake of breath with the mouth open.

32. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables.

35. Minute freshwater crustacean having a round body enclosed in a transparent shell.

36. A period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event.

38. Tag the base runner to get him out.

39. (Greek mythology) One of the three Graces.

42. A woody climbing usually tropical plant.

44. Distinctive and stylish elegance.

45. A soft silvery metallic element of the alkali earth group.

47. The blood group whose red cells carry both the A and B antigens.

49. A unit of absorbed ionizing radiation equal to 100 ergs per gram of irradiated material.

50. A badly assembled collection of parts hastily assembled to serve some particular purpose (often used to refer to computing systems or software that has been badly put together).

55. A populous province in northeastern China.

59. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine.

60. A sweetened beverage of diluted fruit juice.

61. Naked freshwater or marine or parasitic protozoa that form temporary pseudopods for feeding and locomotion.

63. Japanese ornamental tree with fragrant white or pink blossoms and small yellow fruits.

64. Having undesirable or negative qualities.

65. Of or relating to or characteristic of Hades or Tartarus.

66. Fermented alcoholic beverage similar to but heavier than beer.

DOWN 1. Of or like a cecum.

2. A condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people.

3. Soft suede glove leather from goatskin.

4. The compass point midway between south and southeast.

5. A radioactive gaseous element formed by the disintegration of radium.

6. One of two official languages of Norway.

7. A self-funded retirement plan that allows you to contribute a limited yearly sum toward your retirement.

8. A loose cloak with a hood.

9. Of or relating to or involving an area.

10. Largest known toad species.

11. Harass with persistent criticism or carping.

12. Soft creamy white cheese.

17. Australian shrubs and small trees with evergreen usually spiny leaves and dense clusters of showy flowers.

21. A protocol developed for the internet to get data from one network device to another.

23. The eleventh month of the Hindu calendar.

26. Spread or daub over.

29. A former copper coin of Pakistan.

30. A city of central China.

31. A metabolic acid found in yeast and liver cells.

33. A cgs unit of work or energy.

34. With no effort to conceal.

37. King of Saudi Arabia since 1982 (born in 1922).

40. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine.

41. (Old Testament) The first of the major Hebrew prophets (8th century BC).

43. A hospital unit staffed and equipped to provide intensive care.

46. Jordan's port.

48. English monk and scholar (672-735).

49. (astronomy) The angular distance of a celestial point measured westward along the celestial equator from the zenith crossing.

51. Lacking excess flesh.

52. Fallow deer.

53. A Gaelic-speaking Celt in Ireland or Scotland or the Isle of Man. 54. A member of an Iroquoian people formerly living on the south shore of Lake Erie in northern Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania and western New York.

56. A piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep.

57. Alternative names for the body of a human being.

58. Towards the side away from the wind.

59. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth.

62. Informal terms for a mother.

Yesterday’s Solution

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Lifestyle

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

Royal wedding rehearsals, music, and thanks A spectator dressed as a policeman laughs outside Westminster Abbey

P

ractice makes perfect: Kate Middleton and her bridesmaids, together with best man Prince Harry, rehearsed one more time at Westminster Abbey yesterday, the eve of the most anticipated royal wedding in decades.

The rehearsal came as Middleton and Prince William released their wedding program, which says they have been deeply touched by an outpouring of affection toward them.

“We are both so delighted that you are able to join us in celebrating what we hope will be one of the happiest days of our lives,” they wrote. “The affection shown to us by so many people during our engagement has been incredibly moving, and has touched us both deeply.”

They also released a new photograph by celebrity photographer Mario Testino - a warm black-and-white image.

Much is at stake for the royal family, who hope the match bolsters the Windsor dynasty and smooths over memories of the damaging, embarrassing divorce of William’s parents, Princess Diana and Prince Charles. William has often referred to his late mother with great affection, and gave Kate his mother’s engagement ring - ensuring she isn’t forgotten during the sacred occasion. The ceremony will offer pomp

A policeman directs pedestrians near Westminster Abbey in London, yesterday. Royal enthusiasts are camping out on the pavement to reserve a spot to watch Prince William and Kate Middleton as they arrive to marry in Westminster Abbey today.— AP

and circumstance on a scale to rival Charles and Diana’s fairy-tale wedding in 1981, with 1,900 invited guests and royal carriages drawn by mounted troops of the Household Calvary. Rows of bold red, white and blue Union Jacks have been unfurled in the streets and cleaners have scrubbed the parade route. Tens of thousands of people are expected to line the twisting path from

A royal supporter relaxes on the pavement near Westminster Abbey in London, yesterday. Royal enthusiasts are camping out on the pavement to reserve a spot to watch Prince William and Kate Middleton as they arrive to marry in Westminster Abbey today. — AP

Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace, where the new royal couple will appear on the balcony for a kiss watched by millions around the world.

Dozens of die-hard fans were already camped out in tents and sleeping bags yesterday near the iconic landmark. Among them was India Marlow-Prince, a 17-yearold from London who was picnicking with friends. The trio painted their faces with the Union Jack and wore tiaras and matching hot pink T-shirts with the homemade slogan “Will and Kate forever.”

“She is the Diana of our generation. And Wills is a babe,” Marlow-Prince said. “We are a little annoyed at her for taking him, but there’s always Harry.”

Royal families from Bahrain, Bhutan, Brunei, Kuwait, Lesotho, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Swaziland have been invited to the wedding, prompting the anti-monarchy Republic group to call the guest list “a Who’s Who of tyrants and their cronies.”

The wedding will bring “happiness and joy and light relief after some difficult times,” Cameron told Katie Couric on CBS. “British people ... feel very deeply about the monarchy and the institution, so it’s that mixture of the good-looking prince and the beautiful princess, but it’s so much more than that,” Cameron said. “It’s this institution that’s helped bind the country

together. And it’s got this amazing history that goes way, way back.”

Middleton will not promise to “obey” her new husband in her vows but instead to “love, comfort, honor and keep” him.

She will walk up the aisle to the sounds of “I was glad,” the anthem setting of Psalm 122 composed by Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry for the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902. The anthem was also sung at the 1981 wedding of William’s parents. The newlyweds will leave to the march “Crown Imperial” by William Walton, which also figured in Charles and Diana’s wedding.

A spokesman at St. James’ Palace said Middleton was familiar with classical music but had “a lot of input” from Prince Charles.

“They spent a lot of time listening to the music together on iPods,” said the royal functionary, speaking on condition of anonymity.

But as wedding excitement heated up, the weather in London started cooling down. Royal wedding fans may want to pack extra umbrellas. The Meteorological Office says the day will start off gray and dry with low clouds across London. Some sunny spells may break through but the chance of showers will rise to 30 percent around noon, the time when William and Kate will emerge from the Abbey a newly married couple. —AP

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FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

makes room for a new passion

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mmylou Harris is looking out the window of her writing sanctuary, a small room in the upstairs of her house. Two friends are walking in the backyard.

One is her longtime friend Kate Derr.

The other is a black and white hound dog named Scooter. “I think he’s just sort of been a professional stray all his life,” she says of Scooter. “He’s a beautiful dog. Very handsome.”

Scooter is more than just a visitor: He lives with Harris, albeit in another house at the edge of her property. His accommodations are part of Bonaparte’s Retreat, Harris’ at-risk dog rescue that she started in 2004. “There are five dogs in the bunkhouse area. One dog is going to live permanently in the office,” she says. “He has some fear issues with people he does-

n’t know. But once he gets to know you, he’s just a big, loveable dog.”

The Country Music Hall of Famer calls her rescue work her second career: “The animal piece, there’s a little more urgency to it. I feel like I’m - well I am - dealing with life and death, so I suppose it’s a different kind of passion.” But she hasn’t given up her day job. She’s got a new album, “Hard Bargain,” out this week. And in some ways her two passions are symbiotic. One of the 11 new songs she penned for the album is called “Big Black Dog.” The song’s about Bella, a dog with “a little too much gray around the muzzle” that she adopted.

Harris penned the tune, and the other songs on her album, in her writing room in her home in Nashville. Bob Dylan is in the disc player and pictures from various periods in her life and career are on the wall.

Harris’ collaborators often come away mesmerized after working with her, and Jay Joyce definitely experienced the magic she’s spun over her 40-year career.

“For some reason I felt very comfortable in here, like a little nest or something up in the trees, you know?” she said. “I just said, ‘Well, I need to try to write,’ so I just literally locked myself away like the character in ‘Rumpelstiltskin:’ ‘Don’t come out of there till you spin all that straw into gold!’ So I got a big bunch of straw.”

Harris emerged from the room having taken something of an emotional journey.

She visits two of her greatest influences, Gram Parsons and Kate McGarrigle, ponders difficult questions like stolen youth, death, the quick passage of time, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, and does it in a subtle, stripped down way that’s simple yet still powerful. The 64year-old played the songs for sometimecollaborator Jay Joyce and asked him to produce the album. He brought in Giles Reaves and the three joined an engineer and Joyce’s sweater-chomping dog Clarence in Joyce’s studio to lay down simple versions of the songs. “Emmy would play guitar and sing and we would, depending on the song, choose an instrument that was working, and we’d just kind of jam around and get the live piece done, then put some colors on top of that,” Joyce said. “There were no session players coming and going. It was just a hang.”

Harris’ collaborators often come away mesmerized after working with her, and Joyce definitely experienced the magic she’s spun over her 40-year career. “She’s just got a real wisdom about her,” Joyce said. “You just kind of forget you’re making a record, you know. You’re just having fun playing music. I think that’s why she’s still a

force because she’s always just been kind of about the music. She’s kind of like one of the people in the band. She comes from that sort of place.”

She got that from her time with Parsons, a deep influence whom she worked with for a short time before his death in 1973. It was Parsons who showed her - and many rock ‘n’ roll friends - the beauty of traditional country music. She opens the album with “The Road,” a nostalgic remembrance of Parsons. It is an expansive look at their relationship, one that sent Harris on the way to iconic status.

She sings: “You put me on that path/How could I refuse?/And I’ve spent my whole life out here working on the blues.”

“It was like my ears opened up for the first time and I heard the connection between my ear and my heart,” Harris said.

“I crossed a line. It changed the way I heard music. It doesn’t mean country music is the only music, but it became my home base.

It became my point of departure, where I could gather in all these other things. But it was like ground zero for me.” She recently added an electric guitar player to her touring band and said she was beginning to feel excited about sharing the songs with her fans on the road. That means she’ll have to leave her rescue mission to her trusted friends for a while. But she was feeling that old passion for music again, and was ready to chase it for a while. “And I’ve also started to think about bringing in old material that I haven’t done for a while,” Harris said. “It keeps everything fresh and new.” —AP

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FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

Ben Stiller performs his theater debut again Stiller says that though he’s now a star, he still identifies with his character’s longing for fame and recognition.

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hen most successful actors thank their moms for helping their careers, few are as literal as Ben Stiller. Back as a 20-year-old wannabe actor just starting out in New York in the mid-1980s, Stiller was auditioning with various degrees of failure when he heard about a new production of the play “The House of Blue Leaves.” Try as he might, Stiller couldn’t arrange an audition. “The casting director had seen me in something and didn’t think I was right,” he recalls. “So I asked my mom - the only time I asked my mom to help me.”

Stiller’s mother, Ann Meara, was the right person to call. She had been in the first ever production of “The House of Blue Leaves” off-Broadway in 1971.

She knew the playwright, John Guare, and called him up. “That’s the last thing you want to do in the world as an actor. You know the deck is stacked against you and that it’s a favor,” Stiller says. “But I really, really wanted the opportunity on it.”

The phone call worked: Stiller auditioned for the first time while the other actors were in final callbacks and yet managed to win the small but rich part of Ronnie Shaughnessy, a troubled young man to say the least. He stayed with the show when it made the jump to Broadway and used it as a launching pad for a career in film and TV that has veered from the adult “Greenberg” to the kiddie “Night at the Museum.”

How grateful is he to his mom?

“I owe my parents everything,” Stiller says, smiling.

Flash-forward a quarter century: Stiller is back on Broadway in the very same play. This time, he’s playing the father of his old character, alongside Jennifer Jason Leigh and Edie Falco.

And he didn’t need his mother’s help this time. “I feel very lucky to have had this play in my life,” he says at a bar near Times Square. “How often do you

have something like that? It’s such a rare thing to have a touchstone like that.”

Stiller, whose father is the actor Jerry Stiller, had no intention of ever revisiting “The House of Blue Leaves,” a black comedy about a group of desperate strivers in Queens enthralled by the idea of being famous. “It was something I had never thought about,” he says. “It was such a great experience the first time around on a lot of different levels - it was my first job, it was great cast, a great production, and it was very successful and ran a long time.”

But he had been toying with the idea of another play since he appeared opposite Amanda Peet and Jeffrey Wright in 2005’s “This Is How It Goes” at the Public Theater. This winter, getting back on stage became even more likely when he moved his family to New York after 20 years in Los Angeles.

Producer Scott Rudin approached the actor with the possibility of remounting Guare’s play. It had a nice ring to it: Besides his family’s history with the piece, Stiller was, at 45, the perfect age to tackle Artie Shaughnessy, a zookeeper who has dreams of becoming a Hollywood songwriter. “I had never looked at the play from Artie’s point of view. All of a sudden, Artie starts to make a lot more sense at 45,” says Stiller, laughing. “It really was about having to wipe the slate clean and go, ‘OK, this is going to be different.’”

The role puts Stiller in a love-triangle of sorts, torn between staying with his mentally ill wife, played by Falco, or fleeing to Los Angeles with his mistress, played by Leigh. The role also required Stiller to learn to play piano and sing. Director David Cromer has been deeply impressed by Stiller’s attitude. “He’s just a workhorse,” says Cromer. “When we were on a break, he

was playing the piano. When I came in the room in the morning, he was sitting with the script. When I left at night, he was running lines with somebody.”

Stiller acknowledges that he was intimidated at first to tackle the part, having fond memories of John Mahoney playing the part opposite Swoosie Kurtz and Stockard Channing.

But he thinks he and Falco and Leigh have created a new legacy. “Now that we’re at this place, it’s become its own thing. Whatever it is, I know that it’s ours,” he says. “It’s different and it’s what it is and it makes sense to me and that’s all I really need to know.”

Stiller says that though he’s now a star, he still identifies with his character’s longing for fame and recognition.

On three different occasions, Artie Shaughnessy cries out that he’s “too old to be a young talent.”

“As an actor, I can relate to all of it. I think any actor can, no matter what level of success you have. It’s show business, you know? There’s always been a premium on youth in show business going way back,” he says.

“There are so many themes in the play that are so relevant now - even probably more relevant now than they were 25 years ago or even 39 years ago when my mom did the play.”

Being on stage again, however, is still a nervy proposition. Stiller, who was never a standup comedian, has done a few things live, but says getting up in front of people still takes getting used to. “It’s always different. You have that one shot where you want to get it right. But the reality is you never get it quite right,” he says. “And that’s actually the great thing about doing a play - you’re always finding different ways.” —AP

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FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

Jessie J thinks some celebs are cowards

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he ‘Price Tag’ hitmaker thinks other stars are envious of her for being brave enough to say whatever she wants, and she believes other singers are so worried about appearing to be “perfect” they won’t do anything outrageous in case it harms their careers.

She said: “I say it how it is and I don’t really think before I talk. I sometimes think that’s what everyone else in the industry wishes they could do, but they started out being so perfect that any time they do anything out of the ordinary, people pick up on it. “I decided that if I just started out being me, no one can ever say I’ve changed.” Despite her burgeoning success on both sides of the Atlantic, Jessie admits she still has days where she wants to “scream and throw something at the wall”, but puts it down to just being a typical female. She added to Top of the Pops magazine: “I don’t ever want to feel guilty about having a bad day. I have to go with my emotions. Sometimes you’re overtired and your mascara doesn’t go on right and you don’t know what to wear and you rip your favorite trousers, and you want to scream and throw something at the wall. “It’s not that you’re not appreciating your life, it’s just about being a girl.”

is writing his new album while on tour

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he teen singing sensation - who is currently on his ‘My World Tour’ - has revealed, despite having to travel the globe, he has still found the time to lay down tracks for his next record and is “excited” about giving fans the opportunity to hear his new music this summer.

Writing on his twitter page, he said: “been writing alot of songs on the road. excited to just get this music out later this year and record this summer.” As well as writing new songs, the 17-year-old ‘Baby’ hitmaker - who had a guest role on crime

show ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ earlier this year - admitted he has caught the acting bug and “definitely” wants another role in front of the camera. He recently explained: “I definitely want to do more acting, and further my career in that area, that’s something I would love to do.”

However, although he wants to branch out in his career, Justin is still concentrating on his music and hopes to secure some new collaborations in the future. He said: “I would love to perform with Stevie Wonder or Beyonce Knowles.”

Kelly Brook knew her boyfriend was the one

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he model-and-actress is five months pregnant with her first child with her lover, former rugby player Thom Evans, and she claims she knew within days of meeting him he was her ‘Mr. Right’. The 31-year-old star said: “I immediately felt he was ‘The One’ and I have never felt that before. That has something to do with my age. I don’t want to waste my time with someone I wasn’t sure about ... it was Thom. I had been single for a long time - for six months - but I wasn’t thinking about meeting anyone or settling down.

Actually, I was thinking I’d be single for a while

longer, which was fine by me, because until then I’d always been in a relationship.” Kelly who was previously in a relationship with rugby player Danny Cipriani and dated actors Jason Statham and Billy Zane - discovered she was pregnant just weeks after she started romancing Thom, but she insists everything just felt right and the pair can’t wait to become parents. Kelly added to Britain’s HELLO! magazine: “This is what happens when you’re in love.

You surrender to whatever is to be. It wasn’t a plan, but if it happened, it happened. We were boyfriend and girlfriend.”

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FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

ac k e d t t a o h c y s p A ie n d r f y o b ’s n o Hil t

Pa r i s

Johnny Depp left £700 in tips at a pub

T Elton John hasn’t spoken to his mother in three years

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heila Farebrother explained her 64-year-old son has cut her out of his life “completely” after what was believed to be a disagreement with his partner David Furnish, with whom Elton fathers four-month-old baby Zachary. She explained: “He has cut me off completely. It happened three years ago this June. He has had nothing to do with me since then. I don’t want to go into what caused it. It is a painful subject. My son cut me out of his life for good.” The 86-year-old widower - who is still financially supported by the singer - also claimed she has “no particular interest” in meeting her new grandson, who was brought into the world via a surrogate mother on Christmas Day. Speaking to The Sun newspaper, she added: “I have no particular interest really. You will have to ask them about that.” Despite Sheila having sold a treasure trove of Elton memorabilia for £28,820 when she recently moved house, she also insisted it had “nothing to do” with the rift between her and her son. She said: “That has nothing to do with it. I moved into a smaller place and had nowhere to keep all that stuff.”

aathan Parad ify against N erty wielding st te to ay w p was on her d to break into her pro punched at he socialite Cy, trie e at av h ed p to m ju ed tiwho is alleg ust 2010 - when a man k. The man - later iden r g ec u fo n A is in ed h a knife n arrest to grab d and tried parately, bee restled to the ea h se , is h so f o al k as the bac was w , who h es Rainford erty in October 2010 - courthouse in Van fied as Jam p e ro th p ’ e is id ar ts on P am ou t, writing: trespassing ’s security te er shock at the inciden I’m very le p u co e th uder. ground by ia. Paris, 30, tweeted h ainst the intr g rn to testify ag e later tweeted: “Om se u o Nuys, Califo h rt u co Sh k e “ ac :( th b n e to ai th “On my way e him face to face ag er just punched Cy in A :(“ d y! se u ar tr to sc in s o u So psych nervo ouse. the court h n! That other ey real@KathyHilto we were walking into s: “After the attack, th as ew bicycle N a d n E! ea o h ld e of the her hom is later to ar to P p ty r u fo ed ve se w ti l o ankfu curi representa same intruder that sh en up but th later claimed ak sh e it th b a is e th h ized are bo dy, and s ago. They police custo aris and to ask her a few month James was taken into P m o fr h p ra rrently y.” an autog et g acted quickl . James is cu rainto g im n h yi ry tr ar n m ee b to re ly er is also a st to ask h he had on lt and there least 200 yards permission u r sa fo as k, r ic o R n , at father demea g that he stay er her ation for mis still on prob ce against him requirin n d e h o te l h e ir e ss . A ft out la ab lo p b d in e te er th ee rd m tw ing o later aw ay fr o at guy rance, Paris court appea ng: “So creepy seeing th n m y ti sh iv e rs d o w ake Nathan, wri m d ay , it se n t in co u rt to n my way to @URM to o w o ” N s. d e. ki in e sp cards with th Mother’s Day

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he actor is shooting his new film ‘Dark Shadows’ at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, which is just outside London, and although he staying at a £1,000-anight, five star hotel in Ascot, Johnny has preferred to spend his evenings in local pub the Thatched Tavern. A source told the Daily Star newspaper: “Johnny is staying at the five star country manor house estate in Coworth Park in Ascot. Instead of choosing from the four hotel restaurants, including one which is Michelin-starred, he decided to hang out at a nearby pub with locals.

Johnny chose to have dinner and drinks in the Thatched Tavern pub a mile-and-ahalf up the road from his hotel. On the first night he left a £300 tip for pub staff, followed by £400 the night after.” Along with splashing his cash, Johnny - who is staying in the English countryside with his partner Vanessa Paradis and their two children Lily Rose, 12, and Jack, nine - has delighted staff with his down to earth attitude. A source added: “Obviously everyone was really excited to hear Johnny Depp was in the village. But he kept himself to himself in the pub. He wasn’t attracting any attention or trying to get noticed. He seemed really nice and said he loves the English countryside. The girls in the pub said he was nothing but charming.” This is not the first time generous Johnny has handed out a huge tip, the 47-year-old actor previously delighted staff at a Chicago eatery when he left a whopping $4,000 gratuity.

Ellie Goulding will perform

at the royal wedding reception today

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he royal couple will tie the knot at Westminster Abbey in London followed by a meal hosted by Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace and the ‘Starry Eyed’ singer has been invited to provide the after-dinner entertainment at an intimate gathering for 300 people hosted by William’s father Prince Charles.

William and Kate reportedly chose the pop star because they believe her music will appeal to guests of all ages. A source said: “William and Kate are huge fans of Ellie and were keen to sign her up. Her music goes down well with the young ones, plus a few of the older guests will be nodding their heads along. They really wanted a top British talent and the couple are delighted

Ellie agreed to perform. She can’t wait, although she’s a tad nervous.” William, 28 and Kate, 29, hope Ellie will serenade them with her cover of ‘Your Song’ by Sir Elton John - who will attend the nuptials with his partner David Furnish - and the excited singer is said to be “honored” with the invitation. An insider told the Daily Mail newspaper: “Ellie was knocked off her feet when she received the invitation to perform for Prince William and Kate - and was so hugely honored when they said they were both big fans of her music. She still can’t quite believe that she will perform for the royal newlyweds, all the young royal guests and their friends, it hasn’t sunk in yet.” Ellie, 24, will be accompanied by her boyfriend, DJ Greg James.

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Rajinikanth to film new blockbuster

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honored in Hollywood

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od Stewart would rather play with his toy trains than write a hit song, but his domestic distractions did not prevent him from getting a top songwriters’ award in Hollywood on Wednesday.

The 66-year-old rocker received the Founders Award for lifetime achievement at an annual dinner organized by ASCAP, a firm that collects royalties for songwriters whenever their compositions are played in public.

Stewart attended the event, towered over by his wife, Penny Lancaster, and accompanied by five of his eight children.

He has not written a hit song since “Forever Young” in 1988, and the seven albums he has released since 2001 have been covers of other peoples’ songs. He is perhaps better known as an interpreter of material written by renowned musicians such as Tim Hardin (“Reason to Believe”), Cat Stevens (“The First Cut is the Deepest”), Tom Waits (“Downtown Train”) and Van Morrison (“Have I Told You Lately”).

“I never saw myself as songwriter,” Stewart confessed in an interview with Reuters. “Then I look back on the catalog and there’s been some big songs. It was always a struggle for me, writing songs, almost like being at school.” After his turn in the late 1960s with the Jeff Beck Group, which established him as one of England’s premier R&B singers, Stewart enjoyed solo success with such songs as “Maggie May” and “You Wear It Well” (both written with Martin Quittenton) and “Every Picture Tells a Story” (written with Faces bandmate and

future Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood).

During the awards ceremony, Stewart recalled that his first songwriting attempt with Wood was a dismal failure, with Wood’s mother noticing their blank writing pads and remarking, “I don’t think the Beatles have got anything to worry about.”

Stewart went on to write or co-write such big ‘70s hits as “Tonight’s the Night,” “You’re in My Heart,” “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy” and “Young Turks.” He said he was proudest of his gay rights-themed ballad “The Killing of Georgie,” a bold declaration in 1976. But his albums during the 1980s and 1990s were largely desultory affairs, and he spent less time writing his own songs even while remaining a popular touring act.

Stewart enjoyed a career renaissance in the new century with his “Songbook” series of albums paying homage to such

songwriters as Irving Berlin and George and Ira Gershwin. Stewart is currently working on a blues album with Jeff Beck, covering such tunes as Muddy Waters’ “Rollin’ and Tumblin’” as well as a few curveballs. He said the ASCAP honor will “maybe give me a push up the bum to start writing again.”

On the other hand, it’s not easy being a songwriter when he is savoring his gilded family life in Beverly Hills. His top priority when he awakened earlier in the day? “I couldn’t wait to get up and work on my model railway,” he said with a boisterous laugh. — Reuters

outh Indian film megastar Rajinikanth is to begin work on a new film, his studio said yesterday, hoping to replicate the success of last year’s record-breaking “Endhiran” (Robot). Eros International said shooting for “Rana” (Monarch) would get under way on Friday in the southern city of Chennai, once the cast and crew had conducted a ritual “puja” or prayer ceremony.

As well as the evergreen former Chennai bus conductor-turned-actor, the film will feature leading actress Deepika Padukone and music by the Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman, the studio said in a statement.

The award-winning creative director Charles Darby, who worked on Hollywood blockbusters including “Titanic”, the Harry Potter series and “Minority Report”, will oversee special effects, it added. “Rana will be a live action magnum opus with Rajinikanth playing a triple role,” the studio said.—AFP

Jackson’s mom hoping bouquets send message of love

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atherine Jackson isn’t looking forward to the upcoming trial of the doctor charged in connection with her son’s death. She says the pain of his loss nearly two years ago remains and the potential punishment for the physician doesn’t seem like it’s nearly enough.

The matriarch of one of music’s most famous families isn’t planning any special preparations for the daily trek to a downtown Los Angeles courtroom where the trial begins May 9, but she says she’ll rely on her faith to carry her through. “I have mixed emotions,” she told The Associated Press in an interview this week. “Sometimes I think why have a trial if ... the maximum sentence is only four years.” She has not spoken to Dr. Conrad Murray, who has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter, although she has seen him often from her seat at pretrial hearings in the case. “I’ll be there, but it just hurts me because my son is gone and for forever and this man is trying to get away and get off,” she said. “He needs to be punished.”

Katherine Jackson spoke at her new hilltop house in Calabasas, a community 10 miles west of the Jackson’s longtime San Fernando Valley home, which is being renovated. White roses have been planted to be seen when looking out the back windows into the valley below, and flower beds line the walkways and the outside of the house - one of the requests Jackson said she made for the property when she arrived.

Flowers have always been a source of joy for the soft-spoken woman in her 80s, prompting smiles and excited descriptions of her favorite plants and blooms.

She recently extended her floral passion beyond her own garden, consulting on and endorsing a line of floral arrangements being sold online. Jackson said she hopes the venture

will help others show their love for one another. “I think flowers speak a thousand words,” she said with a smile.

The retailer, sendherflowers.com, is hoping the $49-and-up arrangements with names such as “Precious,” “Field of Love” and “Dynasty” will be a hit for Mother’s Day. And Jackson hopes people will use them for any occasion, with plans to change the arrangements through the seasons. As a devout Jehovah’s Witness, Katherine Jackson does not celebrate Mother’s Day or many of the holidays that prompt people to buy flowers. But her famous children still send Mom bouquets with some of her favorite blooms, including tulips and azaleas.

“They know I don’t celebrate all the holidays, but they send them anyway,” she said. Her son Michael would send her flowers at least once a month, she said, including a large arrangement after his acquittal on child molestation charges in 2005.

In the days after his death, flowers poured into the family’s home and Katherine Jackson says they carried with them a message she immediately understood and appreciated - she was not alone. “They felt my pain,” she said of the outpouring from fans and supporters. “It meant a lot to me. And at that time, I needed all of that to know the world was with me, the world felt my pain.”

Her son’s death at age 50 has thrust Katherine Jackson back into the role of mother. She is the guardian and caretaker of the singer’s three children, who range in ages from 9 to 14. Raising children in the Internet age poses a whole new set of challenges, she said, but her strategy hasn’t changed. She said she still believes you have to show children respect, keep promises, and give them spiritual grounding. “Raise them with a conscience,” she said.

Discipline is key, but she adheres to a simple philosophy “Discipline with love.” It was a lesson she said her son Michael apparently heeded. After the singer’s death, Katherine Jackson went to his home to clean up. There, she found several reminders he had scribbled to himself. “He had notes around,” she recalled. “‘Discipline with love.’” — AP

Stars

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

Aries (March 21-April 19)

To convey my vision of how best to proceed in the coming week, I'll offer the following metaphorical scenario: Imagine that you are not a professional chef, but you do have a modicum of cooking skills. Your task is to create a hearty, tasty soup from scratch without the benefit of a recipe.

You will need a variety of ingredients, but on the other hand you don't want to just throw in a welter of mismatched ingredients without regard for how they will all work together. To some degree you will have to use a trial-and-error approach, sampling the concoction as it brews. You will also want to keep an open mind about the possibility of adding new ingredients in the latter stages of the process.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Many artists want "to aim for the biggest, most obvious target, and hit it smack in the bull's eye," says Brian Eno, a Taurus genius renowned for his innovative music. He prefers a different approach. He'd rather "shoot his arrow" wherever his creative spirit feels called to shoot it, then paint the target around the place where it lands. That's why his compositions don't resemble anyone else's or fit into any traditional genre -it's Brian Eno-like music. Can I talk you into trying a similar strategy in the coming weeks and months, Taurus? I'd love to see you create a niche for yourself that's tailored to your specific talents and needs.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

When World War I ended in 1918, the victorious nations demanded crushing financial reparations from the loser, Germany. It took 92 years, but the remaining $94 million of the debt was finally paid last October. I hope this story serves as an inspiration to you, Gemini. If entities as notoriously inflexible as governments can resolve their moldering karma, so can you.

In the next few weeks, I'd love to see you finally clean up any messes left over from your old personal conflicts.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

I know how secretive you Cancerians can be because I'm one of your tribe. Sometimes the secrecy is a bit neurotic, but more often it serves the purpose of sheltering your vulnerable areas. I'm also aware of how important it is for you to be self-protective. No one is better than you at guarding your goodies, ensuring your safety, and taking care of your wellbeing. I would never shame you for expressing these talents and I would never ask you to downplay them. Having said that, though, I want to make sure that in the coming weeks they don't interfere with you getting the blessings you deserve. It's crucial that you allow yourself to be loved to the hilt. You simply must let people in far enough so they can do that.

Leo (July 23-August 22)

With a fortune of $27 billion, business tycoon Larry Ellison is the sixth richest person in the world. His monumental sense of self-importance is legendary.

One of his colleagues says, "The difference between God and Larry is that God does not believe he is Larry." Ellison seems to be what astrologers call an unevolved Leo -- an immature soul whose ego is a greedy, monstrous thing.

Evolved Leos, on the other hand, are very different. Are you one? If so, you do a lot of hard work on your ego. You make sure that in addition to it being strong, it's beautiful and elegant. It's not just forceful; it's warm and generous. It gets things done, but in ways that bless those who come in contact with it.

Virgo (August 23-September 22)

You've arrived at a phase in your cycle when you'll have the opportunity to scope out new competitors, inspirational rivals, and allies who challenge you to grow. Choose wisely! Keep in mind that you will be giving them a lot of power to shape you; they will be conditioning your thoughts about yourself and about the goals you regard as worthy of your passions. If you pick people of low character or weak values, they'll bring you down. If you opt for hard workers with high ideals, they'll raise you up.

COUNTRY CODES Libra (September 23-October 22) It's time for the Big Squeeze. All the contradictions in your life are coming up for review. You will be asked to deal more forthrightly with enigmas you've been avoiding, and you will be invited to try, try again to unravel riddles you've been unable to solve. Does all that sound a bit daunting? It could be. But the end result should be evocative, highly educational, and maybe even exhilarating. The scintillating play of opposites may caress you with such intensity that you'll experience what we could refer to as a metaphysical orgasm.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21)

In the coming weeks, I would love to see you get excited about many different people, places, animals, and experiences. And I hope you will shower them with your smartest, most interesting blessings. Do you think you can handle that big an outpouring of well-crafted passion?

Are you up for the possibility that you might blow your cover, lose your dignity, and show how much you care? In my opinion, the answer is yes. You are definitely ready to go further than ever before in plumbing the depths of your adoration for the privilege of being alive.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

Here's poet James Schuyler: "It's time again. Tear up the violets and plant something more difficult to grow." In my opinion, that's almost the right advice for you these days. I'd prefer it if you didn't actually rip out the violets to make room for the harder-to-grow blooms. Would it be possible to find a new planting area that will allow you to keep what you already have in the original planting area? One way or another, I think you really should give yourself a challenging new assignment.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

"Dear Dr. Brezsny: For five years my wife and I have been married but still have made no children. We have consulted uncountable physicians with no satisfying result. Please predict a happy outcome for our troubles. When will the stars align with her womb and my manhood? She: born December 31, 1983 in Chakdaha, India. Me: born January 7, 1984 in Mathabhanga, India. - Desperate for Babies." Dear Desperate: I'm happy to report that you Capricorns have entered a highly fertile period. It's already going strong, and will culminate between May 16 to May 23. I suggest you jump on this sexy opportunity. You couldn't ask for a better time to germinate, burgeon, and multiply.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18)

"Welcome home, beautiful!" I hope you hear those words or at least experience those feelings very soon. In my astrological opinion, you need to intensify your sense of belonging to a special place or community. You've got to grow deeper roots or build a stronger foundation or surround yourself with more nurturing -- or all of the above. And that's not all. As you bask and thrive in your enhanced support system, you also deserve to feel better appreciated for the wonderful qualities you're working so hard to develop in yourself. Ask and you shall receive.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Whatever you have been trying to say, it's time to say it stronger and clearer. You can no longer afford to hope people will read your mind or guess what you mean. Your communications must be impeccable and irresistible. A similar principle holds true for the connections and alliances you've been working to ripen. It's time to raise your intensity level -- to do everything you can to activate their full potentials. Starting today, you'd be crazy to tolerate shaky commitments, either from yourself or others.

Be sharp and focused and unswerving, Pisces -- keen and candid and to the point.

Afghanistan 0093 Albania 00355 Algeria 00213 Andorra 00376 Angola 00244 Anguilla 001264 Antiga 001268 Argentina 0054 Armenia 00374 Australia 0061 Austria 0043 Bahamas 001242 Bahrain 00973 Bangladesh 00880 Barbados 001246 Belarus 00375 Belgium 0032 Belize 00501 Benin 00229 Bermuda 001441 Bhutan 00975 Bolivia 00591 Bosnia 00387 Botswana 00267 Brazil 0055 Brunei 00673 Bulgaria 00359 Burkina 00226 Burundi 00257 Cambodia 00855 Cameroon 00237 Canada 001 Cape Verde 00238 Cayman Islands 001345 Central African Republic 00236 Chad 00235 Chile 0056 China 0086 Colombia 0057 Comoros 00269 Congo 00242 Cook Islands 00682 Costa Rica 00506 Croatia 00385 Cuba 0053 Cyprus 00357 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Czech Republic 00420 Denmark 0045 Diego Garcia 00246 Djibouti 00253 Dominica 001767 Dominican Republic 001809 Ecuador 00593 Egypt 0020 El Salvador 00503 England (UK) 0044 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Eritrea 00291 Estonia 00372 Ethiopia 00251 Falkland Islands 00500 Faroe Islands 00298 Fiji 00679 Finland 00358 France 0033 French Guiana 00594 French Polynesia 00689 Gabon 00241 Gambia 00220 Georgia 00995 Germany 0049 Ghana 00233 Gibraltar 00350 Greece 0030 Greenland 00299 Grenada 001473 Guadeloupe 00590 Guam 001671 Guatemala 00502 Guinea 00224 Guyana 00592 Haiti 00509 Holland (Netherlands)0031 Honduras 00504 Hong Kong 00852 Hungary 0036 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Iceland 00354 India 0091 Indian Ocean 00873 Indonesia 0062 Iran 0098 Iraq 00964 Ireland 00353 Italy 0039 Ivory Coast 00225 Jamaica 001876 Japan 0081 Jordan 00962 Kazakhstan 007 Kenya 00254 Kiribati 00686

Kuwait 00965 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Laos 00856 Latvia 00371 Lebanon 00961 Liberia 00231 Libya 00218 Lithuania 00370 Luxembourg 00352 Macau 00853 Macedonia 00389 Madagascar 00261 Majorca 0034 Malawi 00265 Malaysia 0060 Maldives 00960 Mali 00223 Malta 00356 Marshall Islands 00692 Martinique 00596 Mauritania 00222 Mauritius 00230 Mayotte 00269 Mexico 0052 Micronesia 00691 Moldova 00373 Monaco 00377 Mongolia 00976 Montserrat 001664 Morocco 00212 Mozambique 00258 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Namibia 00264 Nepal 00977 Netherlands (Holland)0031 Netherlands Antilles 00599 New Caledonia 00687 New Zealand 0064 Nicaragua 00505 Nigar 00227 Nigeria 00234 Niue 00683 Norfolk Island 00672 Northern Ireland (UK)0044 North Korea 00850 Norway 0047 Oman 00968 Pakistan 0092 Palau 00680 Panama 00507 Papua New Guinea 00675 Paraguay 00595 Peru 0051 Philippines 0063 Poland 0048 Portugal 00351 Puerto Rico 001787 Qatar 00974 Romania 0040 Russian Federation 007 Rwanda 00250 Saint Helena 00290 Saint Kitts 001869 Saint Lucia 001758 Saint Pierre 00508 Saint Vincent 001784 Samoa US 00684 Samoa West 00685 San Marino 00378 Sao Tone 00239 Saudi Arabia 00966 Scotland (UK) 0044 Senegal 00221 Seychelles 00284 Sierra Leone 00232 Singapore 0065 Slovakia 00421 Slovenia 00386 Solomon Islands 00677 Somalia 00252 South Africa 0027 South Korea 0082 Spain 0034 Sri Lanka 0094 Sudan 00249 Suriname 00597 Swaziland 00268 Sweden 0046 Switzerland 0041 Syria 00963 Taiwan 00886 Tanzania 00255 Thailand 0066 Toga 00228 Tonga 00676 Tokelau 00690 Trinidad 001868 Tunisia 00216 Turkey 0090 Tuvalu 00688 Uganda 00256 Ukraine 00380 United Arab Emirates00976

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Shaastrotsav - Festival of Science

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haastrotsav - Festival of Science will be held on Friday, May 6, 2011 in the campus of Gulf University for Science & Technology (GUST) Mishref, near Kuwait International Fair Grounds.

Shaastrotsav, which is a highly popular science and technology event in Kuwait, is organized by Kuwait chapter of NSS College of Engineering Palakkad Alumni, in association with Gulf University for Science & Technology (GUST).

15 schools and many technical and professional organizations including Indian doctor’s forum, The institution of engineers (India), Kuwait Engineers Forum & American Society of Safety Engineers will be participating in the day long events of Shaastrotsav. There will be science and technology exhibition, computer animation contest, multimedia shows, film shows on science & technology and medical & technical seminars. Kuwait Oil Company will be participating in the exhibition displaying various modern equipments including Rollover Simulator, Seatbelt Convincer etc. which are highly useful and informative for people from all walks of life.

Shaastrotsav is designed to promote, encourage, showcase and reward the achievements of students in various fields of science and mathematics. As a part of this commitment Shaastrotsav will be presenting two child prodigies who will demonstrate their amazing skills in mathematics and chemistry in front of audience.

A panel of 4 doctors from Indian Doctors Forum will be conducting a seminar on ‘Cancer - Everything You Want to Know’.

ICAI celebrates 5th anniversary The Kuwait Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is celebrating its 5th anniversary at 7pm tomorrow 30th April, at the Hotel Holiday Inn Downtown. The 5th anniversary celebrations will be felicitated by Ajai Malhotra, Ambassador of India and inaugurated by G. Ramaswamy, President of the Institute, in the presence of J.N. Shah, Vice-President of ICAI and other distinguished guests. Marking the occasion, the Chapter will be honoring members who have completed 25 years in the profession.

These specialists will interact and answer all questions related to cancer.

American Society of Safety Engineers will make a presentation on Occupational Health, Safety and Environment. HSE specialist will be available to answer questions on the topic.

Technophilia - Robotic specialists from India, who are well known in the field of modern Robotics will conduct a robotic demonstration during the evening function of Shaastrotsav. Technophilia is well known to robotic enthusiasts and they conduct robotic workshops in IITs, NITs and other famous engineering institutes.

Technophilia will be demonstrating various robots, Haptic Robotic Arm, I-Touch Arm and many more interesting robotic technologies.

The famous movie ‘First Orbit’ which was released worldwide on 12th April 2011 to commemorate 50th anniversary of

Greetings Happy Christening to our daughter Shiana Aliya Z. De Leon Welcome to Christian World! We love you.

From : daddy & mommy, ate CIA, lola & lolo, ina & tatay, ninangs & ninongs, family and friends!!

Exclusive talk for teenage girls

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Announcement

ES Ladies Wing Kuwait is organizing a ‘Free’ Talk for Teenage Girls on ‘Life Skills and Personal Safety for Adolescents’ at Private Educational Center Salmiya today 29, April 2011 from 5pm until 8pm. The program is designed exclusively for all girls falling in the age group of 12 to 19 years. Mothers of the teenage girls are also welcome to attend this program. Muna Al-Fuzai (a well-known columnist of Kuwait Times newspaper) will be inaugurating the program with a key note address.

Dr Susan Kuruvila (Leading Gynecologist at Farwaniya Hospital, Kuwait) and Simi Rajesh (renowned Counselor at Jabriya Indian School, Kuwait) shall be the program leaders of the event. Interested participants may register at email: mesladiesq8@gmail.com

Yuri Gagarin’s first space mission will be shown on big screen for the first time in Kuwait. The film was watched by 2.3 million people worldwide within 48 hours of its release. Watching First Orbit in big screen will be a treat and rare opportunity offered by Shaastrotsav.

Science enthusiasts in Kuwait consider Shaastrotsav - Festival of Science as a premier science event for students, teachers and general public. Entry to Shaastrotsav, which will start at 10:30 AM on 6th May 2011, is free to all.

Visit www.Shaastrotsav.org or www.facebook.com/shaastrotsav or call 66699504 / 99379966 / 99377238 / 99778352 to know more about this science & technology extravaganza.

Aware diwaniya presentation

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he AWARE Center cordially invites you to its diwaniya presentation entitled, “Distinctions between culture and religion,” by Iman Martin on Tuesday May 3rd, 2011. Scenario: You have just arrived at the Kuwait Int’l Airport and notice the wide array of costumes all around. A local gentleman wearing his traditional long white thobe and red and white checkered headgear and a group of women wearing the traditional long, black abaya, hijab and some with niqab or face veils. If one were to ask the man why he chose to dress as he did, he’d likely respond “It is my culture and traditional dress that dictates my clothing choice”. Yet, if the same question were addressed to the women, they might respond, “It is our religion which dictates the way we dress.” To better understand local practices of both culture and religion, please join us at AWARE. We welcome your questions on the topic on May 3rd, 2011 at 7 pm. For more information, call 25335260/80 or log onto: www.aware.com.kw or e-mail: Htaware.hassan@gmail.com Guided tour WARE Center announces Guided Tour & afternoon tea & sunset photo opportunity on the Balcony of the Dickson House, Friday, May 6, 4:30pm-6:30pm. The Dickson House Cultural Center, as it is now known, once served as the official residence for a series of British Political Agents to Kuwait, with the most famous, Colonel Harold Dickson, who came to Kuwait in 1929 with his wife, Violet and two young children. The house was the scene of momentous occasions in Kuwait’s history and provided accommodation to a multitude of fascinating characters including royalty, statesmen, writers, oil prospectors, rebel leaders and explorers. Reservations required. Contact us on Tel: 2-5335280 - Fax : 2-5335230 E-mail: info@aware.com.kw Working Hours: Sunday to Thursday 9am - 1 pm and 5 pm - 9 pm

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Thanima to present legend play Thanima (The Human and Nostalgic Interaction of Malayalees Abroad) is presenting of yet another unique cultural event to the Kuwait cultural spectrum by enacting ballads of the epic Vadakkan Pattukal (Ballads of North Malabar) of medieval Kerala on stage.

‘Oru Vadakkan Veerakatha’, drama scope mega budget full length visual entertainer becomes a reality in the collective effort of Malayalee expatriate community in Kuwait spearheaded by Thanima. The play will be staged at 4.30 pm and 8.30 pm on 20 May at Al-Jeel Al-Jadeed School Auditorium at Hawally. The drama combines both the legendary spirit of Vadakkan Pattu and the bravery of Kalaripayattu (martial art form of Kerala) and harmonizes with the technical excellence of silver screen. In 18 sets it will be on stage designed by acclaimed Artist Sujathan. Entry will be restricted through passes.

Al Taalib Scholarship 2011 Al Taalib Scholarship is a financial aid scheme for the under privileged school students in Kuwait, sponsored by the Ministry of Awqaf in association with Islam Presentation Committee (IPC), Friday Forum and Pakistan Kuwait Welfare Association. These scholarships were given to the needy students irrespective of their religion or nationality. The process of Al Taalib Scholarship for the current academic year, 2011-12, has begun for all Indian and Pakistani Schools in Kuwait. In order to avail this scholarship, applicants are requested to collect the Application Form from Al Taalib Office located in CAMS, Ahmed Al Jaber Street, Darwaza, Near Warba Insurance Co., Int’l Islamic Charity Organization Building, 2nd Floor, Al Sharq. The duly filled application form shall be submitted to Al Taalib office on or before 10th May 2011 along with all supporting documents specified in the Application Form.

ABCK golf tournament The American Business Council of Kuwait is hosting its 10th annual Golf Tournament at the Sahara Golf Club on Friday, May 13th, 2011. It will be a Texas 4-man scramble and your participation is encouraged.

Registration begins at 7.00am and shotgun at 8.00am.

Event includes breakfast, lunch and raffle prizes. For details contact americanbusinesscouncil@gmail.com before May 10th.

NAFO to present Soorya’s ‘Sangamam’ National Forum Kuwait (NAFO Kuwait) is all set to bringing a spectacular, well conceptualized, a jewel in crown super cultural show ‘Sangamam’ for the art lovers of Kuwait, according to a press release. Indian Ambassador Ajai Malhotra will inaugurate the first of its kind super show, scheduled for the evening of Friday, May 13, 2011 (6.00 PM) at the American International School Auditorium, Maidan-Hawalli.

Voice Kuwait 6th Anniversary Voice Kuwait is celebrating its 6th anniversary “VISWAKALA 2011” on May 20th Friday from 4 pm to 9 pm at Carmel School Khaitan. Voice Kuwait is giving award to its member’s children who got highest mark in last S.S.L.C. either from Kuwait or from Kerala. The students who are eligible should give attested copy of their mark list to Area conveners or sent copy to voicekuwait2004@gmail.com

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FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

Embassy Information EMBASSY OF ARGENTINA In order to inform that 23rd of October 2011, will be Argentine national election where all Argentinean citizen residents permanently in Kuwait can vote only if they are registered at the Electoral Register of the Argentine Embassy. The procedure of inscription is for free and will be end on 25 of April 2011. To register it is necessary that Argentinean citizens should come personally at the Argentinean Embassy (Block 6, street 42, villa 57, Mishref) and present the DNI and four personal photos (size 4x4, face should be front on white background). For further information, contact us on 25379211. nnnnnnn

Kathakali performers from India Kalamandalam Sreekantan Nair, Kalamandalam Sreekumar and Sasikala S Vellodi pose with Kalamandalam E Vasudevan and Arpan office-bearers on their arrival at the Kuwait International Airport yesterday. The artistes are here to present Arpan’s ‘Kathakali 2011’ at the Indian Community School (Senior Girls) auditorium, Salmiya tomorrow (April 30, 2011) evening.

Stage set for ‘Kathakali 2011’

T

he stage is set for the spectacular ‘Kathakali 2011,’ a unique cultural show to be presented by Arpan Kuwait tomorrow, April 30 at 6.00 pm at the Indian Community School (Senior Girls), Salmiya. All the performers of the show ‘Kalyanasougandhikam’, have arrived in Kuwait and the organizers are engaged in last-minute preparations to make the show a memorable one.

Arpan will honor Indian Ambassador Ajai Malhotra on the occasion who will be chief guest of the event.

‘Kalyanasougandhikam’, an exotic dance drama, will be presented by renowned Kathakali performers from India Kalamandalam E Vasudevan Nair, Kalamandalam Sreekantan, Kalamandalam Sreekumar and Sasikala S Vellodi. A 30minute demo will also be held by the performers prior to the show for the guests who are not familiar with the art form Kathakali.

Arpan is presenting Kathakali, Kerala’s classical theatre, as part of its cross-cultural initiative before an august gathering comprising diplomats, Kuwaiti guests, dancers and theatre lovers. For details, contact: 99716105, 97277151, 66872372 or 94063428.

Balakalamela on MAY 13

T

he yearly event “Balakalamela” conducted by Kerala Art Lovers Association (Kala-Kuwait) for the students of all Indian Schools in Kuwait for attaining the Benji Benson EverRolling Trophy has been scheduled for May13th, Friday at Carmel School, Khaithan as informed by the Central Committee of Kala. The items that are included for the competition are Bharthnatyam, Mohiniyattam, Oppana, MargamKali, Folk Dance, Group Dance, Fancy Dress, Mappilapaattu, Monoact, Light Music (Malayalam, Hindi), Group Song (Malayalam, Hindi), Classical Song, Poetry Recitation (English, Hindi, Malayalam), Elocution (Malayalam, English), Essay Writing (English, Malayalam), Story Writing (English, Malayalam), Poetry Writing (English, Malayalam) and Drawing.

Participants are categorized as shown below: L.K.G & U.K.G( Kindergarten) Standard1 - Standard 4 (Sub Juniors) Standard 5 - Standard 8 (Juniors) Standard 9 - Standard 12 (Seniors) Registrations can be done via the respective schools or through Kala Centre. Registration forms can also be downloaded from the official website of Kala, www.kalaonweb.com and the filled forms should be mailed to the email address kalabalakalamela@gmail.com. For the success of the program a reception committee was formed in which K.vinod was selected as General Convenor . Members who are in charge of various Sub Committees are as follows:- Sunil (Program), Bineesh.K.Babu (Registration), Binu Rani Albert(Reception), Sunny Saijesh (Stage), C.Krishnan (Food), Skaria John (Volunteer), K.Chandran (Publicity and Souvenir) and R.Ramesh (Finance) . For more details regarding the program contact 24317875 (Kala Centre), 66180229, 97817100 or 66656642

ICAI KUWAIT CHAPTER 5th Anniversary of the Kuwait Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India will be celebrated tomorrow, 30th April 2011 at 7:00 pm at the Holiday Inn Downtown. The president and vice-president of the Institute and the Ambassador of India will attend. All members and their spouses are invited.

EMBASSY OF AUSTRALIA The Embassy encourages all Australians to register their presence in Kuwait through Smartraveller Online (see link below).

Australians who are registered are asked to update their details. The information provided will assist us in contacting you in an emergency. www.smartraveller.gov.au Kuwait citizens can apply for and receive visit visas to Australia online at www.immi.gov.au. This usually takes two working days. All others visa applications are handled by the Australian Visa Application Centre Tel. 22971110.

Witnessing and certifying documents are by appointment only, please contact the Embassy on 2232 2422.

The Australian Embassy is open from 8.00am to 4.00pm, Sunday to Thursday. nnnnnnn EMBASSY OF BRITAIN The British Embassy will be closed on Monday, 2 May 2011 for training. The Embassy will reopen on Tuesday, 3 May 2011.

Visa and Consular Services The Visa application Centre will open on the date above. Application forms remain available online from the Visa Application Centre’s website: www.vfs-ukkw.com. And also, from the UK Visa Application Centre located at: 4B, First Floor, Al Banwan Building Burgan Bank Branch Office Building Al Qibla area, opposite Central Bank of Kuwait, Kuwait City For further inquiries, please contact the Visa Application Centre: Website: www.vfs-uk-kw.com E-mail: info@vfs-uk-kw.com Telephone: 22971170 The Consular Section of the British Embassy will be closed on that date.

The Consular Section working hours are: 0830 1030 Sunday - Thursday.

For information on the British Embassy services, visit the British Embassy website: www.ukinkuwait.fco.gov.uk nnnnnnn EMBASSY OF INDIA SOUTH AFRICA On the occasion of the Workers’ Day, the South African Embassy will be closed on Sunday, 1 May 2011. The embassy will resume its normal working hours on Monday, 2 May 2011, from Sunday to Thursday. Please note that the working hours will be from 8h00 to 16h00 & the Consular Section operation hours will from 8h30 to 12h30. nnnnnnn EMBASSY OF SLOVAK REPUBLIC The Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Kuwait would like to inform the public that on the occasion of the International Workers’ Day and Liberation Day of the Slovak Republic, the Embassy of the Slovak Republic will be closed on May 01 and May 08, 2011 respectively.

TV Listings FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

00:45 Untamed And Uncut 01:40 Dogs 101 02:35 Venom Hunter With Donald Schultz 03:30 Pit Bulls And Parolees 04:25 Crime Scene Wild 05:20 The Most Extreme 06:10 Extraordinary Dogs 06:35 Cats Of Claw Hill 07:00 Meerkat Manor 07:25 The Really Wild Show 07:50 Panda Adventures With Nigel Marven 08:40 Breed All About It 09:10 Dogs 101 10:05 Michaela’s Animal Road Trip 11:00 Animal Precinct 11:55 Wildlife SOS 12:20 Wildlife SOS 12:50 Animal Cops Houston 13:45 RSPCA: Have You Got What It Takes?

14:10 E-Vets: The Interns 14:40 The Most Extreme 15:30 Animal Battlegrounds 16:00 The Really Wild Show 16:30 Growing Up...: Polar Bear Orphan 18:20 Venom Hunter With Donald Schultz 19:15 Michaela’s Animal Road Trip 20:10 Dogs 101 21:05 Austin Stevens Adventures 22:00 Sharkman 22:55 Seven Deadly Strikes 23:50 The Most Extreme

00:25 01:10 02:00 02:45 03:00 03:30 04:00 04:30 04:50 05:10 05:35 05:45 06:05 06:25 06:50 07:05 07:25 07:45 08:10 08:20 08:40 09:00 09:25

00:15 Kendra 00:40 Fashion Police 01:05 Extreme Close-Up 01:30 25 Celebrity Near Death Experiences 03:15 25 Most Stylish 04:10 Sexiest 05:05 Extreme Hollywood 06:00 THS 07:45 Behind the Scenes 08:10 Behind the Scenes 08:35 E! News 09:25 Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane 10:15 THS 12:00 E! News 12:50 Giuliana & Bill 13:15 Fashion Police 13:40 Keeping Up with the Kardashians 14:30 THS 15:25 THS 16:15 Behind the Scenes 16:40 Behind the Scenes 17:10 Kourtney and Kim Take New York 17:35 Kourtney and Kim Take New York 18:00 E! News 18:50 Married To Rock 19:15 Married To Rock 19:40 THS 20:30 The Soup 20:55 Chelsea Lately 21:20 Kendra 21:45 Kendra 22:10 E! News 23:00 Chelsea Lately 23:25 Fashion Police 23:50 Kourtney and Kim Take New York

The Weakest Link Casualty Doctor Who Doctor Who Confidential Eastenders Doctors My Family Me Too Tweenies Teletubbies Charlie And Lola Me Too Tweenies Teletubbies Charlie And Lola Me Too Tweenies Teletubbies Charlie And Lola Me Too Tweenies Teletubbies Charlie And Lola

00:15 01:10 02:45 03:30 04:00 04:25 05:10 05:40 06:30 07:15 07:50 08:20 08:50 09:15 10:05 10:50 11:40 12:35 13:20 14:05 14:50 15:55 16:40 17:10 17:35 18:20 19:10 19:40 20:05 20:55 23:00

Great British Menu Antiques Roadshow Eating With The Enemy Cooked Chuck’s Day Off How Not To Decorate Daily Cooks Challenge Antiques Roadshow Fantasy Homes By The Sea What Not To Wear Daily Cooks Challenge Daily Cooks Challenge Glamour Puds What Not To Wear Fantasy Homes By The Sea What Not To Wear Antiques Roadshow Fantasy Homes By The Sea Holmes On Homes Holmes On Homes Cash In The Attic USA Eating With The Enemy Cooked Chuck’s Day Off How Not To Decorate Eating With The Enemy Cooked Chuck’s Day Off How Not To Decorate Great British Menu Holmes On Homes

00:40 01:35 02:30 03:25 04:20

Dirty Jobs Destroyed In Seconds Ultimate Survival Man Made Marvels China Mythbusters

AN EDUCATION ON OSN CINEMA 05:15 05:40 06:05 07:00 07:50 08:45 09:10 09:40 10:55 11:25 12:20 13:15 14:10 15:05 16:00 16:55 17:50 18:45 19:10 19:40 20:05 20:35 21:00 21:55 Junior 22:50 23:45

How It’s Made How Stuff’s Made Dirty Jobs Man Made Marvels China American Chopper How Stuff’s Made How It’s Made Mythbusters Border Security Street Customs 2008 Ultimate Survival Mythbusters La Ink Dirty Jobs Street Customs 2008 Mythbusters Extreme Fishing Cake Boss Border Security Industrial Junkie How Stuff’s Made How It’s Made Weaponizers American Chopper: Senior vs

00:30 00:55 01:45 02:35 03:25 03:50 Ships) 04:45 05:40 06:10 07:00 07:55

The Gadget Show Under New York The Future Of...

Human Body: Ultimate Machine How Stuff’s Made Ldrs (Large Dangerous Rocket

Powering The Future Black Gold

Brainiac One Step Beyond Eco-Tech Catch It Keep It Head Rush

07:58 08:25 08:55 09:45 10:10 10:35 11:25 11:50 12:40 13:05 13:55 14:45 15:35 16:00 16:03 16:30 17:00 17:50 18:40 19:30 20:20 20:45 21:10 21:35 22:00 22:50 23:40

Sci-Fi Science Weird Connections Sci-Fi Saved My Life The Gadget Show The Gadget Show Human Body: Ultimate Machine Mean Green Machines Catch It Keep It One Step Beyond Weird Or What?

Science Of The Movies Under New York The Gadget Show Head Rush Sci-Fi Science Weird Connections Brainiac Cosmic Collisions Ultimate Power Builders Bad Universe Sci-Fi Science How Does That Work?

The Gadget Show The Gadget Show Ultimate Power Builders Bad Universe Colony

00:00 00:25 00:50 01:15 01:35 02:00 02:25 02:50 03:15 03:35 04:00 04:25

Kim Possible Fairly Odd Parents Fairly Odd Parents Stitch Stitch Replacements Replacements Fairly Odd Parents Fairly Odd Parents Stitch Stitch Replacements

04:50 05:15 06:00 06:20 06:45 07:05 07:30 07:55 08:20 08:35 09:00 09:25 09:50 10:10 10:35 10:50 11:15 11:35 12:00 12:25 12:45 13:10 13:30 13:55 14:45 14:55 15:20 15:40 16:25 16:45 17:10 17:35 18:00 18:25 18:45 20:25 20:50 21:15 21:35 22:00 22:25 22:50 23:15 23:35

Replacements Emperors New School Phineas And Ferb Phineas And Ferb Kim Possible Sonny With A Chance Jonas La Wizards Of Waverly Place Fairly Odd Parents Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Handy Manny Special Agent Oso Jungle Junction Imagination Movers Phineas And Ferb Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Good Luck Charlie Shake It Up Fairly Odd Parents Phineas And Ferb Hannah Montana Sonny With A Chance Wizards Of Waverly Place Have A Laugh Good Luck Charlie Good Luck Charlie Hannah Montana Forever Shake It Up Fish Hooks Sonny With A Chance Sonny With A Chance Good Luck Charlie Wizards Of Waverly Place The Princess Diaries Shake It Up Fish Hooks Phineas And Ferb Fairly Odd Parents Replacements Hannah Montana Sonny With A Chance Wizards Of Waverly Place Jonas

00:30 01:20 02:10 03:00 03:50 04:45 05:15 06:10 07:00 07:50 08:40 09:30 09:55 10:20 11:10 12:00 12:50 13:40 14:30 14:55 15:20 16:10 17:00 17:50 18:40 19:30 19:55 20:20 21:10 22:00 22:50 23:40

Ghost Lab A Haunting On The Case With Paula Zahn True Crime Scene Dr G: Medical Examiner Crime Scene Psychics Ghost Lab Life Or Death: Medical Mysteries Forensic Detectives Hot Art Life Or Death: Medical Mysteries Real Emergency Calls Real Emergency Calls On The Case With Paula Zahn FBI Files Murder Shift The Prosecutors Life Or Death: Medical Mysteries Real Emergency Calls Real Emergency Calls On The Case With Paula Zahn Forensic Detectives Hot Art FBI Files Life Or Death: Medical Mysteries Real Emergency Calls Real Emergency Calls Murder Shift The Prosecutors FBI Case Files Undercover Dr G: Medical Examiner

00:00 Business Edition With Tanya Beckett 00:30 Business Edition With Tanya Beckett 00:45 Sport Today 01:00 BBC World News 01:30 Asia Business Report 01:45 Asia Today 02:00 BBC World News America 03:00 BBC World News 03:30 Asia Business Report 03:45 Asia Today 04:00 BBC World News 04:30 Asia Business Report 04:45 Asia Today 05:00 BBC World News 05:30 Asia Business Report 05:45 Asia Today 06:00 BBC World News 06:30 Peschardt’s Business People 07:00 BBC World News 07:30 World Business Report 07:45 BBC World News 08:00 BBC World News 08:30 World Business Report 08:45 BBC World News 09:00 BBC World News 09:30 World Business Report 09:45 Sport Today 10:00 BBC World News

10:30 World Business Report 10:45 Sport Today 11:00 BBC World News 11:30 Peschardt’s Business People 12:00 BBC World News 12:30 World Business Report 12:45 Sport Today 13:00 BBC World News 13:30 World Business Report 13:45 Sport Today 14:00 GMT With George Alagiah 14:30 GMT With George Alagiah 15:00 BBC World News 15:30 World Business Report 15:45 Sport Today 16:00 Impact 16:30 Our World 17:00 Impact 17:30 World Business Report 17:45 Sport Today 18:00 World Have Your Say 18:30 World Have Your Say 19:00 The Hub With Nik Gowing 19:30 BBC World News 19:40 Weekend World 20:00 The Hub With Nik Gowing 20:30 World Business Report 20:45 Sport Today 21:00 World News Today With Zeinab Badawi 21:30 BBC World News 21:40 Weekend World 22:00 BBC World News 22:30 Middle East Business Report 23:00 BBC World News 23:30 Peschardt’s Business People

00:05 Cow And Chicken 00:30 Cramp Twins 00:55 George Of The Jungle 01:20 Adrenalini Brothers 01:45 Eliot Kid 02:10 Ed, Edd N Eddy 02:35 Ben 10: Alien Force 03:00 The Powerpuff Girls 03:15 Chowder 03:40 The Secret Saturdays 04:05 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 04:30 Ben 10: Alien Force 04:55 Best Ed 05:20 Skunk Fu! 05:45 Cramp Twins 06:10 Eliot Kid 06:35 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 07:00 Codename: Kids Next Door 07:25 Cow And Chicken 07:50 Best Ed 08:15 Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends 08:40 Ben 10: Alien Force 09:05 The Secret Saturdays 09:30 Batman: The Brave And The Bold 09:55 The Powerpuff Girls 10:20 Robotboy 10:30 Hero 108 10:55 Ben 10 11:20 Chowder 11:45 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 12:10 Camp Lazlo 12:35 George Of The Jungle 13:00 Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends 13:25 Codename: Kids Next Door 13:50 Ben 10 14:15 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 14:40 Squirrel Boy 15:05 Cartoon Network Dance Club 15:15 Eliot Kid 15:35 Ed, Edd N Eddy 16:00 Cow And Chicken 16:25 Chop Socky Chooks 16:50 Skunk Fu! 17:15 Chowder 17:40 Best Ed 18:05 Hero 108 18:30 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 18:55 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 19:20 Adventure Time 19:45 Cow And Chicken 20:10 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 20:35 Courage The Cowardly Dog 21:00 The Powerpuff Girls 21:25 Ed, Edd N Eddy 21:50 Robotboy 22:00 Camp Lazlo 22:25 Hero 108 22:50 Ben 10 23:15 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 23:40 Chowder

TV Listings FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

00:15 02:00 04:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 PG15 14:00 16:00 18:00 PG15 20:00 22:00

Echelon Conspiracy-PG15 Blue Crush-PG15 Saw VI-R S.W.A.T.-PG15 Con Air-PG15 The Order-PG15 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon-

01:00 03:00 05:00 07:00 09:00 FAM 11:00 13:00 15:00 17:00 19:00 21:00 23:00

Surfer Dude-PG15 An Education-PG15 Old Dogs-PG Rugrats Go Wild-FAM Ice Age 3: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs-

Con Air-PG15 The Fan-PG15 Crouching Tiger, Hidden DragonDeath Warrant-PG15 Lake Placid 3-PG15

Old Dogs-PG Phoebe In Wonderland-PG Whip It-PG15 The Informant!-PG15 The Sorcerer’s Apprentice-PG15 Crazy Heart-PG15 Ninja Assassin-18

00:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 01:00 The Colbert Report 01:30 Family Guy 02:00 The Ricky Gervais Show 02:30 Entourage 03:00 Just Shoot Me 03:30 30 Rock 04:00 Family Guy 04:30 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 05:30 How I Met Your Mother 06:00 Yes Dear 06:30 The Drew Carey Show 07:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 08:00 Tyler Perry’s House Of Payne 08:30 Dharma And Greg 09:00 Just Shoot Me 09:30 How I Met Your Mother 10:00 Yes Dear 10:30 The New Adventures Of Old Christine 11:00 The Drew Carey Show 11:30 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 12:30 Dharma And Greg 13:00 Tyler Perry’s House Of Payne 13:30 How I Met Your Mother 14:00 Yes Dear 14:30 Community 15:00 The New Adventures Of Old Christine 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 16:00 The Colbert Report 16:30 The Drew Carey Show 17:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 18:00 Friends 18:30 8 Simple Rules ...

19:00 Outsourced 19:30 Parks And Recreation 20:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 21:30 The Colbert Report 22:00 Funny Or Die Presents 22:30 Bored To Death 23:00 Family Guy 23:30 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

00:00 01:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 07:00 08:00 08:30 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

The Ellen Degeneres Show American Idol The Cape The Gates Good Morning America Commander In Chief Emmerdale Look-A-Like The Martha Stewart Show The View The Gates American Idol Live Good Morning America Commander In Chief The Ellen Degeneres Show Downsize Me No Ordinary Family American Idol Survivor: Redemption Island Lie To Me Commander In Chief

00:00 01:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00

Parenthood American Idol The Gates The Cape Parenthood The Ellen Degeneres Show

07:00 07:30 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 11:30 12:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00

8 Simple Rules ...

My Boys Smallville Parenthood The Ellen Degeneres Show 8 Simple Rules ...

My Boys American Idol Smallville Parenthood 8 Simple Rules ...

My Boys The Ellen Degeneres Show Friday Night Lights No Ordinary Family American Idol Survivor: Redemption Island Royal Pains

01:15 The Taking Of Pelham One Two Three (1974)-PG15 03:00 The Damned United-PG15 05:00 Mrs Brown-PG15 07:00 Bran Nue Dae-PG15 09:00 Cutting Edge 3-PG15 11:00 Ponyo On The Cliff By The SeaFAM 13:00 Michael Jackson’s This Is It-PG 15:00 Cutting Edge: Fire And Ice-PG 16:30 The Express-PG 19:00 Chocolat-PG15 21:00 Titanic-PG15

01:15 03:15 05:00 06:30 09:00 11:00 13:00 15:00 17:00 19:00 21:00 23:00

The Tripper-18 Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans-18 Outpost-18 Armageddon-PG15 The Marine 2-PG15 Collateral-18 Beyond A Reasonable Doubt-PG15 The Marine 2-PG15 Predator-PG15 Predator 2-18 The Cottage-18 Lake Placid 3-PG15

00:00 02:00 04:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 PG15 20:00 22:00

Mr. Magoo-PG Ira And Abby-PG15 Maneater: Part I-PG15 Maneater: Part II-PG15 Blank Check-FAM Legally Blondes-PG The Tale Of Despereaux-PG Evolution-PG15 Mr. Magoo-PG Everybody Wants To Be ItalianSay It Isn’t So-18 Observe And Report-18

01:00 03:30 05:15 07:00 09:00 10:45 12:15 15:00 17:00 18:45 21:00 23:00

Finding Forrester-PG 17 Again-PG15 The Wedding Singer-PG15 Swing Vote-PG15 The Princess And The Frog-FAM Shorts-PG Avatar-PG Head Of State-PG15 The Princess And The Frog-FAM You Don’t Know Jack-PG15 Tooth Fairy-PG My Best Friend’s Girl-18

00:00 The Archies In Jugman-PG15 02:00 The Adventures Of Rocky And Bullwinkle-FAM 04:00 Inspector Gadget’s Last Case: Claw’s...-FAM 06:00 Fantasia-FAM 08:15 Pinocchio-FAM 10:00 Dennis The Menace: Cruise Control-FAM 12:00 The Adventures Of Rocky And Bullwinkle-FAM 14:00 Fantasia-FAM 16:15 Pinocchio-FAM 18:00 Gold Diggers: The Secret Of Bear Mountain-PG15

20:00 Scooby-Doo And The Reluctant Werewolf-FAM 22:00 Casper Haunted Christmas-FAM

00:00 The Dry Land-PG15 02:00 One Hot Summer-PG15 04:00 Che Part Two: Guerilla-PG15 06:15 The Building-PG15 08:00 Dean Spanley-PG 10:00 Max And Co.-PG 11:30 The Blind Side-PG15 14:00 Valentine’s Day-PG15 16:00 Dean Spanley-PG 18:00 Alvin And The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel-FAM 20:00 Tooth Fairy-PG 22:00 New York I Love You-18

01:00 01:30 02:30 06:00 07:00 10:00 10:30 12:30 13:00 14:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 21:30 22:00

Total Rugby Golfing World PGA European Tour Trans World Sport Live AFL Premiership Total Rugby Live Super 15 ICC Cricket World Trans World Sport AFL Premiership ICC Cricket World Live The All Sport Show Premier League Darts Futbol Mundial Live Super League

01:00 03:00 07:00 08:00 11:00 11:30 13:30 14:00

RFL Championship Premier League Darts Golfing World Live PGA European Tour NRL Full Time Live NRL Premiership Total Rugby Super 15

PREDATOR ON OSN ACTION

16:00 16:30 20:30 21:00

Futbol Mundial Live Snooker World Championship ICC Cricket World Live Snooker World Championship

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 08:30 09:30 10:30 11:30 12:30 14:30 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 19:45 21:45

WWE NXT UFC The Ultimate Fighter UFC 129 Countdown WWE NXT V8 Supercars Championship V8 Supercars Championship UFC The Ultimate Fighter WWE NXT Full Throttle V8 Supercars Championship V8 Supercars Championship WWE NXT UAE National Race Day Series Live NRL Premiership Full Throttle WWE NXT V8 Supercars Championship UFC 129 Countdown UFC The Ultimate Fighter WWE NXT WWE SmackDown Live European Challenge Cup

00:15 00:40 01:05 01:30 01:55 02:20 02:45 03:00 03:25 03:50 04:10 04:35 05:00 05:35 06:00 06:25 07:00 07:25 07:50 08:15 08:40 09:05 09:30 09:55 10:20 10:45 11:10 11:35 12:00 12:20 12:50 13:15 13:40 14:05 14:30 14:55 15:20 15:45 16:10 16:35 17:00 17:25 17:50 18:15 18:40 19:00 19:25 20:00 20:30 20:55 21:20 21:45 22:10 22:35 23:00 23:25 23:50

A Pup Named Scooby-Doo The Perils Of Penelope Pitstop Pink Panther And Pals The Garfield Show Tom And Jerry King Arthur’s Disasters Popeye Classics The Scooby Doo Show Tom And Jerry Kids Looney Tunes The Flintstones Dastardly And Muttley Hong Kong Phooey Droopy: Master Detective A Pup Named Scooby-Doo Tom And Jerry Kids Looney Tunes The Flintstones Duck Dodgers Scooby Doo Where Are You! The Addams Family Pink Panther And Pals The Garfield Show Tom And Jerry Dastardly And Muttley The Scooby Doo Show Wacky Races The Jetsons Popeye Classics Looney Tunes Top Cat Droopy: Master Detective Hong Kong Phooey Scooby-Doo And Scrappy-Doo King Arthur’s Disasters Tom And Jerry Dastardly And Muttley The Perils Of Penelope Pitstop Scooby Doo Where Are You! Pink Panther And Pals Duck Dodgers Popeye Scooby-Doo And Scrappy-Doo Looney Tunes Pink Panther And Pals The Garfield Show The Addams Family Johnny Bravo The Scooby Doo Show Tom And Jerry Wacky Races Dastardly And Muttley The Scooby Doo Show Top Cat Popeye The Jetsons Duck Dodgers

00:00 00:30 01:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 06:30 07:00 07:30 08:00 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:45 12:00 13:00

Backstory World Sport World Report World Business Today Piers Morgan Tonight Anderson Cooper 360 World Sport Edit Room World Report Backstory World Report World Sport The Best Of Backstory World Business Today CNN Marketplace Middle East World One World Sport

13:30 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:45 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:45 22:00 23:00

The Best Of Backstory Piers Morgan Tonight News Stream World Business Today International Desk The Brief World Sport World Report CNN Marketplace Middle East International Desk Talk Asia Quest Means Business CNN Marketplace Africa Piers Morgan Tonight Connect The World

00:30 Life After People 01:20 UFO Files 02:10 Man Moment Machine 03:00 Ax Men 03:55 Tunnellers 04:50 Pawn Stars 05:40 Ancient Discoveries 06:30 Life After People 07:20 UFO Files 08:10 Man Moment Machine 09:00 Ax Men 09:55 Tunnellers 10:50 Pawn Stars 11:40 Ancient Discoveries 12:30 Life After People 13:20 UFO Files 14:10 Man Moment Machine 15:00 Ax Men 15:55 Tunnellers 16:50 Pawn Stars 17:40 Ancient Discoveries 18:30 Life After People 19:20 UFO Files 20:10 Man Moment Machine 21:00 The Universe 21:55 Beyond The Moon: Failure Not An Option 23:40 Ship Ablaze: The General Slocum Disaster

00:00 Jerseylicious 01:00 Fashion Avenue 01:30 Fashion Avenue 01:55 Big Boutique 02:25 How Do I Look?

03:20 Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?

04:15 Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?

05:10 Homes With Style 05:35 Area 06:05 Clean House 07:00 Big Boutique 07:30 Big Boutique 08:00 Homes With Style 08:30 Homes With Style 09:00 Fashion Avenue 09:25 Fashion Avenue 09:55 How Do I Look?

10:50 Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?

11:50 Clean House: Search For The Messiest...

12:50 Clean House 13:45 Clean House Comes Clean 14:15 Mel B: It’s A Scary World 14:45 Jerseylicious 15:40 Ruby 16:35 Giuliana And Bill 17:00 Giuliana And Bill 17:30 Top 10 17:55 Top 10 18:25 Glamour’s 20 Wedding Do’s And Don’ts 19:25 Big Boutique 19:50 Fashion Avenue 20:20 Clean House Comes Clean 20:45 Clean House Comes Clean 21:15 Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?

22:10 Bridalplasty 23:05 How Do I Look?

01:20 02:55 04:25 06:30 08:05 09:55 11:30 13:25 15:05 16:40 18:35 20:15 22:00 23:30

The Ambulance Foxy Brown Eureka Dead On Sight Dominick And Eugene-PG The Blue Lightning-PG Comes A Horseman-PG White Lightning-PG Chance Of A Lifetime-PG Invasion Of The Body Snatchers Across 110th Street-PG Garbo Talks-PG Save Me One Special Victory-PG

Flight Schedule FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION In case you are not travelling, your proper cancellation of bookings will help other passengers to use seats Airlines KAC JZR THY TAR ETH UAE DHX ETD FDB GFA QTR JZR JZR JZR BAW KAC KAC KAC KAC FDB KAC KAC KAC KAC UAE QTR ABY IRA ETD GFA MEA JZR JZR IYE MSR RBG KAC KAC MSR UAL RJA FDB OMA KAC KAC KAC JZR QTR JZR MLR ETD UAE GFA SVA JZR ABY ALK JZR KAC

Flt 544 267 772 327 620 85 370 305 67 211 138 503 223 555 157 416 206 302 332 53 678 352 284 362 855 132 125 619 301 213 404 165 121 825 623 3553 618 672 610 982 640 57 645 546 552 788 257 134 201 403 303 857 215 510 239 127 227 177 166

Arrival Flights on Friday 29/4/2011 Route CAIRO BEIRUT ISTANBUL TUNIS / DUBAI ADDIS ABABA DUBAI BAHRAIN ABU DHABI DUBAI BAHRAIN DOHA LUXOR ALEPPO ALEXANDRIA LONDON JAKARTA / KUALA LUMPUR ISTANBUL MUMBAI TRIVANDRUM DUBAI MUSCAT / DUBAI COCHIN DHAKA COLOMBO DUBAI DOHA SHARJAH LAR ABU DHABI BAHRAIN BEIRUT DUBAI BAHRAIN SANAA SOHAG ALEXANDRIA / SOHAG DOHA DUBAI CAIRO WASHINGTON DC DULLES AMMAN DUBAI MUSCAT ALEXANDRIA DAMASCUS JEDDAH BEIRUT DOHA DAMASCUS COLOMBO / DUBAI ABU DHABI DUBAI BAHRAIN RIYADH AMMAN SHARJAH COLOMBO / DUBAI DUBAI PARIS / ROME

Time 0:30 0:35 1:15 1:30 1:45 2:25 2:55 2:55 3:10 3:15 3:20 5:15 5:20 6:10 6:30 6:35 7:15 7:50 7:55 7:55 8:00 8:05 8:10 8:20 8:25 9:00 9:10 9:20 9:30 9:35 10:55 11:10 11:15 12:05 12:10 12:55 12:55 13:15 13:20 13:30 13:35 13:50 14:00 14:30 14:35 15:00 15:10 15:15 15:45 16:40 16:50 16:55 17:15 17:20 17:35 17:40 18:00 18:00 18:40

KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC AIC JAI KAC JZR FDB OMA VOS MEA KAC SVA KAC DHX GFA FCX QTR UAL UAE JZR JZR MSR DLH SAI KLM JZR

502 542 102 674 774 975 572 562 787 61 647 81 402 786 506 744 372 217 304 136 981 859 135 185 612 636 441 447 481

BEIRUT CAIRO NEW YORK / LONDON DUBAI RIYADH CHENNAI / GOA MUMBAI AMMAN RIYADH DUBAI MUSCAT BAGHDAD BEIRUT JEDDAH JEDDAH DAMMAM / BAHRAIN BAHRAIN BAHRAIN RIYADH DOHA BAHRAIN DUBAI BAHRAIN DUBAI CAIRO FRANKFURT LAHORE / KARACHI AMSTERDAM / BAHRAIN SABIHA

18:45 18:50 19:25 19:25 19:25 19:30 19:35 19:50 20:00 20:00 20:10 20:15 20:15 20:20 20:35 20:55 21:00 21:25 21:30 21:35 22:00 22:00 22:10 22:35 22:50 23:00 23:05 23:35 23:50

Airlines AXB DLH BBC AIC PIA THY TAR ETH UAE FDB DHX ETD QTR JZR GFA KAC VOS JZR BAW FDB KAC KAC KAC JZR KAC KAC UAE ABY

Flt 390 637 44 982 206 773 327 620 854 68 371 306 139 164 212 545 94 120 156 54 177 671 551 256 787 617 856 126

Departure Flights on Friday 29/4/2011 Route MANGALORE / KOZHIKODE FRANKFURT DHAKA AHMEDABAD / CHENNAI LAHORE ISTANBUL TUNIS BAHRAIN / ADDIS ABABA DUBAI DUBAI BAHRAIN ABU DHABI DOHA DUBAI BAHRAIN ALEXANDRIA DUBAI / KANDAHAR BAHRAIN LONDON DUBAI FRANKFURT / GENEVA DUBAI DAMASCUS BEIRUT JEDDAH DOHA DUBAI SHARJAH

Time 0:25 0:40 1:00 1:05 1:10 2:15 2:20 2:30 3:45 3:50 3:55 4:05 5:00 6:55 7:10 7:40 8:00 8:20 8:25 8:40 8:55 9:00 9:10 9:10 9:25 9:35 9:40 9:50

QTR KAC ETD GFA IRA JZR MEA KAC JZR KAC KAC IYE MSR RBG JZR MSR RJA FDB UAL KAC OMA KAC KAC JZR KAC QTR KAC JZR ETD MLR UAE GFA ABY JZR SVA JZR ALK KAC KAC JAI FDB JZR KAC KAC OMA MEA SVA DHX GFA KAC QTR KAC KAC FCX JZR JZR UAE UAL KAC MSR SAI

133 117 302 214 618 200 405 541 238 103 501 825 624 3554 176 611 641 58 982 561 646 785 673 480 773 135 743 786 304 404 858 216 128 184 511 134 228 283 361 571 62 528 343 351 648 403 507 373 218 381 137 301 205 102 502 554 860 981 411 613 442

DOHA NEW YORK ABU DHABI BAHRAIN LAR DAMASCUS BEIRUT CAIRO AMMAN LONDON BEIRUT DOHA / SANAA SOHAG ALEXANDRIA DUBAI CAIRO AMMAN DUBAI BAHRAIN AMMAN MUSCAT JEDDAH DUBAI SABIHA RIYADH DOHA DAMMAM / BAHRAIN RIYADH ABU DHABI DUBAI / COLOMBO DUBAI BAHRAIN SHARJAH DUBAI RIYADH BAHRAIN DUBAI / COLOMBO DHAKA COLOMBO MUMBAI DUBAI ASSIUT CHENNAI COCHIN MUSCAT BEIRUT JEDDAH BAHRAIN BAHRAIN DELHI DOHA MUMBAI ISLAMABAD DUBAI LUXOR ALEXANDRIA DUBAI WASHINGTON DC DULLES BANGKOK / MANILA CAIRO LAHORE

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

10:00 10:00 10:15 10:20 10:20 10:20 11:55 12:00 12:10 12:30 13:00 13:05 13:10 13:35 13:40 14:20 14:30 14:35 14:45 14:45 15:00 15:05 15:10 16:00 16:05 16:15 16:25 16:35 17:35 17:40 18:05 18:15 18:20 18:25 18:35 19:10 19:10 20:00 20:20 20:35 20:40 20:50 21:00 21:05 21:10 21:15 21:55 22:00 22:30 22:30 22:35 22:45 22:55 23:00 23:05 23:10 23:10 23:40 23:40 23:50 23:59

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

ACCOMMODATION A Hindu bachelor wants one bachelor/couple to share a complete 2 bedroom furnished flat near Holy sweet, Abbassiya, minimum rent KD 100. Tel: 66913938. (C 3302) 29-4-2011 Sharing accommodation available with Indian decent bachelor single bedroom flat. 1+1 basic, very good location in Salmiya, Amman street, Indian Community school-3, adjacent building.

Contact: 99813483. (C 3299) Sharing accommodation in Salmiya C-A/C flat, 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, for family or bachelor with Indian couple. Contact: 99467432. (C 3300) 28-4-2011 Sharing accommodation available in Abbassiya for a Keralite family from May 1st 2011. Contact: 66325825.

(C 3292) Sharing accommodation available from 1st May 2011 in Abbassiya near Neethi store building, looking only for couples or bachelor, staff nurse, teachers, double room flat furnished bedroom.

Contact: 66944127. (C 3291) 25-4-2011

FOR SALE 2005 model Mitsubishi Nativa white color, running 96,000 km excellent condition, CD, remote, alloy wheel, single owner, accident free new 4 tires, price KD 2400.

Contact: 60797291. (C 3303) 29-4-2011 Toyota Corolla, model 2009, color sky blue, good condition. Tel: 60951195.

(C 3298) 28-4-2011 Toyota Corolla white color, 2008 model, excellent condition, very low mileage, well maintained wanted price KD 3050. Contact: 60099305. (C 3293) 26-4-2011

holder of Indian Passport F9269433 issued in Kuwait wish to change my name to Mario Agnelo De Souza.

(C 3301) 28-4-2011

SITUATION VACANT Indian male B.Com, 25 years Gulf experience (Kuwait & UAE) in management, procurement, sales, seeks senior position, experience in oil field materials, hard wares, power and hand tools, timber, steel, building materials etc. Contact: 66889375.

(C 3302) 28-4-2011 Housemaid urgently needed. Please call 65881297, 66088398.

27-4-2011

CHANGE OF NAME I, Shaik Younus, S/o Shaik Ahmed, resident of H.No. 171-34/2, Darga Barhanashah, Santoshna-gar, Hyderabad, holder of Indian Passport No. E-6703568 issued Hyderabad, A.P., intending to change my name as Shaik Younus instead of my old name Mohammed Younus.

(C 3300) I, Mario Angelo De Souza,

MISCELLANEOUS Required 2003 - 2004 model Honda Accord, full option or regular, 4 cylinder, in excellent condition.

Tel: 60005317, 99976051.

29-4-2011

SITUATION WANTED MATRIMONIAL Tamil CSI Nadar parents invite marriage proposals for daughter (27 years, 162cm, working in MOH Kuwait), well settled in Kuwait, preferably from same caste.

Contact: veneetha2008@gmail / nesamvinitha@yahoo.com 28-4-2011

Indian male MBA (finance), B.Com experience - 1-2 years seeking job, finance / accounting.

Contact: 55210681/ 99581696. Email: harryhlf@gmail.com (C 3287) 21-4-2011 Sri Lankan lady looking for part time job, any English house. Contact: 55680045.

(C 3278) 20-4-2011

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FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

Indians notch ninth straight home win CLEVELAND: Orlando Cabrera’s three-run double in the first inning set the Cleveland Indians on their way to a ninth successive home win, beating the slumping Kansas City Royals 7-2 in the American League on Wednesday.

Cabrera hit a bases-loaded double off Jeff Francis (0-3) as the Indians jumped to a 5-0 lead. That was all the support Cleveland starter Josh Tomlin (4-0) would need in sending Kansas City to its fifth straight loss.

Tomlin gave up two solo homers in the second, but blanked Kansas City over the next four innings. He has gone at least five innings in each of his first 17 appearances in the majors — a club record.

Athletics 2, Angels 1 In Anaheim, Cliff Pennington opened the 10th inning with a triple off a fielder’s glove to lift Oakland over Los Angeles. Former Angels closer Brian Fuentes returned in Oakland colors and inadvertently helped his old team by giving up the tying run in the bottom of the ninth. But the A’s recovered in the 10th, when the switch-hitting Pennington sliced a pitch from Jordan Walden (0-1) toward left-center. Vernon Wells tried a sliding catch but the ball went off his glove as he nearly collided with the center fielder.

After an intentional walk with one out, Conor Jackson delivered the run with a groundout, hitting a high chopper to shortstop.

Rangers 7, Blue Jays 6 In Arlington, Texas, Mitch Moreland led off the seventh inning with a tiebreaking home run and Texas hung on to edge Toronto.

Moreland sent a pitch from Octavio Dotel (1-1) over the center-field fence for his third homer of the season.

Michael Young and Mike Napoli earlier had two-run doubles in Texas’ six-run third. Rangers rookie Cody Eppley (1-0) allowed one hit in two innings for his first major league win.

Yankees 3, White Sox 1 In New York, Bartolo Colon looked like the ace of old, shutting down Chicago over eight crisp innings to steer New York to victory.

Colon (2-1) outpitched Mark Buehrle to give him two wins in two starts this season — his first in the majors since 2009. The husky right-hander, who won the 2005 AL Cy Young Award for the Angels, signed a minor league deal in February but had a good spring training and was lifted to the majors as a reliever. He has become a savior for a New York rotation missing the injured Phil Hughes.

Robinson Cano hit an early three-run homer for the Yankees.

Mariners 10, Tigers 1 In Detroit, Erik Bedard pitched seven impressive innings for his first win since June 2009, helping Seattle crunch Detroit.

Bedard (1-4), who missed last season following shoulder surgery, allowed just one run and issued no walks.

Justin Smoak hit a three-run homer and drove in a careerhigh five runs for the Mariners. He has homered in consecutive games after missing a week following the death of his father. The Mariners broke it open with six runs in the ninth. Detroit starter Justin Verlander (2-3) allowed four runs in six innings, walking three.

Rays 8, Twins 2 In Minneapolis, Ben Zobrist tripled and drove in three runs as Tampa Bay overcame snowy conditions to beat Minnesota. The cold weather didn’t bother the boys from the Sunshine State, who moved over .500 for the first time this season. Wade Davis (3-2) allowed two runs and had five strikeouts in 6 2-3 innings for the Rays.

Orioles 5, Red Sox 4 In Baltimore, Derrick Lee had three hits and scored the tiebreaking run to help Baltimore edge Boston. After blowing a 4-0 lead in the top of the eighth, Baltimore regained the lead in the bottom half against Daniel Bard (0-3). Nick Markakis singled and took second on a single

by Lee. Both moved up on a passed ball before Markakis was thrown out.

Vladimir Guerrero then bounced an RBI single up the middle to bring in Lee from third base. Koji Uehara (1-0) got the victory and Kevin Gregg worked a perfect ninth for his fourth save. — AP

HOUSTON: St. Louis Cardinals’ Nick Punto (left) gets a face full of dirt while sliding safely across home plate as Houston Astros catcher JR Towles makes the catch in the seventh inning. — AP

Braves blank Padres SAN DIEGO: Chipper Jones hit a two-run triple and finished with three RBIs as the Atlanta Braves beat San Diego Padres 7-0 Wednesday, leaving Padres ace Mat Latos winless since September.

Jones moved out of a tie with Mickey Mantle and into sole possession of second place among switch-hitters with 1,512 RBIs. Hall of Famer Eddie Murray tops the list at 1,917.

Braves starter Tommy Hanson (3-3) struck out 10 and walked only one in seven innings and combined with two relievers on a four-hitter. The Padres were shut out for the major league-leading seventh time in 25 games, and for the third time on a sevengame homestand. San Diego scored only 10 runs in the seven games.

Phillies 8, D’backs 4 At Phoenix, Jimmy Rollins homered and had three RBIs, and Cole Hamels pitched seven solid innings to help Philadelphia avoid a three-game sweep to Arizona.

Shane Victorino and Ryan Howard each homered, Placido Polanco had four of Philadelphia’s 12 hits and scored three runs, and Ben Francisco had a two-run double.

That was more than enough for Hamels (3-1) in his fourth straight solid start. The left-hander allowed three runs on four hits in seven innings.

Chris Young hit a pair of homers to drive in three runs for Arizona, a two-run shot in the sixth inning off Hamels and a solo home run off Antonio Bastardo in the eighth that cut Philadelphia’s lead to 7-4.

Pirates 2, Giants 0 At Pittsburgh, James McDonald pitched six sharp innings for his first victory of the season to lead Pittsburgh. McDonald (1-2) allowed four hits and four walks while striking out three, and Chris Snyder and Jose Tabata each singled in a run for the Pirates.

Mike Crotta, Joe Beimel, Chris Resop and Joel Hanrahan completed the five-hitter.

Hanrahan recorded his seventh save in seven opportunities, getting Miguel Tejada to ground into a game-ending double play with runners on first and second.

Cody Ross had two hits for the Giants, who lost for the fifth time in six games to fall below .500 at 11-12.

Mets 6, Nationals 3 At Washington, Daniel Murphy delivered a game-leveling, pinch-hit homer in the eighth inning right after Jose Reyes was ruled out at third base on a disputed call,

then added a two-run double in the ninth to help New York win its sixth straight.

In a seesaw game delayed 45 minutes at the start by rain, the Mets led 1-0, trailed 2-1, tied it at 2 in the eighth, fell behind 3-2 later that inning, then produced a four-run rally in the ninth.

That allowed Pedro Beato (1-0) to record his first major league win despite giving up fellow rookie Wilson Ramos’ sac fly in the eighth that momentarily put Washington ahead by a run.

The Mets loaded the bases with none out in the ninth. Hu Chin-lung followed with a sacrifice fly and Josh Thole added an RBI groundout before Murphy’s double.

Cardinals 6, Astros 5 At Houston, Kyle Lohse pitched another gem, and Matt Holliday and Tyler Greene both homered as St. Louis held off a late rally by Houston.

Lohse (4-1) allowed four hits and pitched seven scoreless innings. Holliday had three hits and his solo shot to the Crawford Boxes in left field put St. Louis up 1-0 in the fourth inning. Greene hit his first home run of the

season with his one-out shot to left field that made it 2-0 in the fifth. The Astros scored three runs in the eighth inning before cutting the lead to 6-5 after Jason Bourgeois tripled in a run with one out in the ninth and scored on sac fly by Michael Bourn.

Angel Sanchez doubled when Lance Berkman couldn’t get to his fly ball to right field, but Eduardo Sanchez struck out Hunter Pence to end the game and get his first save.

Dodgers 5, Marlins 4 At Miami, Andre Ethier extended his hitting streak to 24 games in the fourth inning, then homered in the 10th to help Los Angeles salvage the finale of the threegame series against Florida.

Ethier led off the 10th and homered on a 1-1 pitch from Brian Sanches (3-1), ending the right-hander’s streak of 13 2-3 scoreless innings to start the season. Sanches, the Marlins’ eighth pitcher, had allowed only one hit previously this year. Ethier’s single in the fourth extended his major league record for the longest April hitting streak. His batting average rose to .380. —AP

MLB results/standings Major League Baseball results and standings on Wednesday.

LA Dodgers 5, Florida 4 (10 innings); Cincinnati 7, Milwaukee 6 (10 innings); Atlanta 7, San Diego 0; Philadelphia 8, Arizona 4; Oakland 2, LA Angels 1 (10 Innings); Baltimore 5, Boston 4; NY Yankees 3, Chicago White Sox 1; Cleveland 7, Kansas City 2; Seattle 10, Detroit 1; NY Mets 6, Washington 3; Pittsburgh 2, San Francisco 0; St. Louis 6, Houston 5; Texas 7, Toronto 6; Tampa Bay 8, Minnesota 2.

American League Eastern Division W L PCT NY Yankees 13 8 .619 Tampa Bay 12 11 .522 Toronto 11 13 .458 Baltimore 10 12 .455 Boston 10 13 .435 Central Division Cleveland 15 8 .652 Kansas City 12 12 .500 Detroit 12 12 .500 Minnesota 9 13 .409 Chicago WSox 10 15 .400 Western Division Texas 15 9 .625 LA Angels 14 11 .560 Oakland 12 13 .480 Seattle 10 15 .400

GB 2 3.5 3.5 4 3.5 3.5 5.5 6 1.5 3.5 5.5

National League Eastern Division Philadelphia 16 8 .667 Florida 15 8 .652 Atlanta 13 13 .500 NY Mets 11 13 .458 Washington 10 13 .435 Central Division St. Louis 13 11 .542 Cincinnati 13 12 .520 Milwaukee 12 12 .500 Pittsburgh 11 13 .458 Chicago Cubs 10 13 .435 Houston 9 15 .375 Western Division Colorado 16 7 .696 LA Dodgers 13 13 .500 San Francisco 11 12 .478 Arizona 10 13 .435 San Diego 9 16 .360

.5 4 5 5.5 .5 1 2 2.5 4 4.5 5 6 8

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FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

Gibson breaks record as youngest cricketer DURHAM: Barney Gibson skipped science and religion classes this week to concentrate on history — making his own as the youngest first-class cricketer in England.

Aged 15 years and 27 days, the wicketkeeper broke a 144-year record after being given permission to take time off from school. He started Yorkshire’s three-day county championship match against Durham University on Wednesday.

Gibson surpassed the record set by Charles Young in 1867, when Hampshire selected him at 15 years and 131 days old, according to ESPN CricInfo’s statistics database. “It feels excellent to have gone into the history books,” Gibson said. “I was astonished when I heard I was playing for the first team and I just thought, ‘Right it’s time to step up to the mark.”‘ “On a normal Wednesday (at school) I would have had science three times, maths and RE (religious education) so it was not a bad day to miss. The school set me work to do while I am here so I will have to get cracking on some business studies tonight.”

Gibson’s first major impact on his debut came in the 10th over, when he took a diving catch off Oliver HannonDalby. “For the first couple of overs I felt a bit shaky, but then I just tried to be myself and do what I normally do — just stand there and catch it,” Gibson said.

He claimed a second catch off the spin of David Wainwright after spending 81.2 overs in the field. “We like to give our young players a chance, but they have to be good enough and Barney’s proved he’s good enough at this moment in time,” Yorkshire’s director of cricket, Martyn Moxon, said. “His first catch today was outstanding and would have been a good catch for a keeper of any age.

“He’ll not have kept to that kind of pace very much, but he’s not fazed by the occasion or the publicity he’s now getting. For someone so young he’s very levelheaded.” —AP

BOSTON: Bruins center Chris Kelly (23) and Montreal Canadiens left wing Travis Moen (32) battle for the puck during the third period of Game 7 in a first-round NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoff series. —AP

Bruins edge Canadiens in OT BOSTON: Nathan Horton scored 5:43 into overtime to give the Boston Bruins a 4-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday in Game 7 of their first-round playoff series.

The Bruins will play the Philadelphia Flyers in the Eastern Conference semifinals for the second consecutive year.

Tim Thomas stopped 34 shots for the Bruins, who recovered after losing the first two games of the series at home.

Boston had never won a playoff series after trailing 0-2 in 26 tries.

Carey Price stopped 30 shots for Montreal, which erased deficits of 2-0 and 3-2 in Game 7. It was Boston’s third overtime win in the series, including Game 5 on Saturday night when Horton scored 9:03 into the second extra period. Johnny

Boychuk and Mark Recchi scored in the first 5:33 of Game 7 to give the Bruins a 20 lead. But Yannick Weber made it a onegoal game with a power-play goal in the first. Tomas Plekanec tied it in the second with an unassisted, short-handed goal.

After Chris Kelly scored with just under 10 minutes left to give Boston a 3-2 lead, P.K. Subban tied it in the final two minutes _ again on the power play.

Lightning 1, Penguins 0 At Pittsburgh, Dwayne Roloson made 36 saves for his second NHL playoff shutout and Sean Bergenheim scored the lone goal as Tampa Bay completed a big series comeback and eliminated Pittsburgh in Game 7. Roloson became the second goalie to go 6-0 in elimination games. He allowed only four goals in win-

ning the final three games as Tampa Bay erased a 3-1 series deficit. The fifth-seeded Lightning will face the top-seeded Washington Capitals in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Penguins lost their second consecutive Game 7 and fell to 2-6 in such deciding games at home. Bergenheim’s goal 5:41 into the second period was his third in the final four games of the series.

Tampa Bay hadn’t advanced in the playoffs since winning the Stanley Cup in 2004.

The Lightning are 3-0 in Game 7s.

Despite a 36-23 edge in shots, the Sidney Crosby-less Penguins lost three consecutive games for the first time since Dec. 27, 2009-Jan. 3, 2010 — a span of 141 games. — AP

Slovakia hosts battle for world crown BRATISLAVA: The world’s top 16 ice hockey national squads clash at the annual world championships starting today in Slovakia, with Russia seeking revenge for the defeat in the final by the Czech Republic last year.

The Slovak capital Bratislava, which previously hosted the world championships in 1959 and 1992, will stage the world hockey extravaganza for the first time since Czechoslovakia split into two independent states.

Reigning world championships Czech Republic come into the event aiming to confirm their status and win their second consecutive world title for the first time since 2000.

Meanwhile a set of challengers are

determined to throw down the gauntlet and provide the champions with tough opposition in the struggle for the world crown.

Last year’s runners-up Russia, bronze medalists Sweden and traditional powerhouses Canada, who failed to win medals last year, and Finland, who clinched their only world title in 1995, are also ready to fight for the title.

The hosts Slovakia, who also won the world championship only once in 2002 in Gothenburg, Sweden, are also dreaming about a repetition of their best ever performance at their home ice.

Few of the European ice hockey giants have announced their final line-

ups, as they are still able to boost their squads with players from sides eliminated in the first round of the NHL’s Stanley Cup. Some big stars of ice hockey will be absent from the world championships due to their NHL commitments but top names could still perform for their countries if their clubs are knocked out.

The world’s top 16 teams will start their quest for the title in four preliminary round groups. Russia, who are dreaming of reclaiming the glory that accompanied almost every display by the all-powerful Red Machine before the fall of the Soviet Union, top Group A, which is based in Bratislava.

They are up against the hosts

Slovakia, last year’s semi-finalists Germany and just-promoted Slovenia.

Vancouver Olympic champions Canada head Group B, which is based in Kosice, metropolis of Eastern Slovakia, the second largest city after the capital, Bratislava.

They will play against Switzerland, Belarus and France. Sweden, who won their last title in 2006, will fight it out with the 2010 Olympics’ runners-up the United States, Norway and Austria, promoted to the top division last year, for the top place in Group C, also in Kosice.

Reigning champions Czech Republic face Finland in Group D, which is also set to play in Bratislava, alongside Latvia and Denmark. —AFP

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FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

No royal wedding break for snooker, cricket LONDON: While sports icons David Beckham and Ian Thorpe join the celebrities and dignitaries inside Westminster Abbey for Friday’s royal wedding, cricketers and snooker players will be trying to ignore the hoopla and carry on with their jobs as usual.

Just when Kate Middleton arrives at the abbey at 11 a.m. for her marriage to Prince William, the first ball will be bowled — weather permitting — in the third day of the county cricket match between Middlesex and Surrey at Lord’s, a short underground ride away in northwest London.

By that time, play will have been under way for an hour in the televised second session of the first semifinal of snooker’s world championship, featuring Judd Trump of England and Ding Junhui of China, in the northern English city of Sheffield.

The British government is predicting a global television audience of 2 billion for the royal wedding but Trump, snooker’s new sensation, won’t be tuning in. “It’s not too much of a disappointment to miss it,” he said.

Friday is a national holiday for the wedding, but cricket and snooker have refused to change their schedules for the occasion.

“It was never a consideration to cancel the fixture,” Middlesex spokesman Steven Fletcher told The Associated Press. “It was more a case of embracing the royal wedding than anything else. We are actually hoping for a bumper crowd.” To satisfy royal enthusiasts, Middlesex will show the wedding on giant screens around the ground as part of the club’s Royal Wedding Street Party celebrations — allowing spectators to watch Kate and William exchange vows while hearing the thwack of cricket bats echo around one of Britain’s most famous sporting venues.

The popularity of snooker has slightly dipped in recent years in

Cancer battle fires up Blues for Otago clash WELLINGTON: The Auckland Blues are steeled to produce a huge performance in their crunch Super 15 game against the Otago Highlanders this weekend, motivated by news long-serving lock Kurtis Haiu has cancer.

Blues coach Pat Lam described the shock news as “an emotional time for the team,” and captain Keven Mealamu said they would be “playing our hearts out” for the veteran of 53 Super rugby appearances.

The Blues’ clash with the Highlanders in New Zealand is one of two crucial local derbies this weekend along with the Western Stormers’ battle with the Coastal Sharks for supremacy in the South African conference.

Top Australian side Queensland Reds, coleaders of the Super 15 with the Blues on 39 points and two points clear of the Stormers in third place, have a less demanding challenge against the Wellington Hurricanes.

But with a five-point spread between first and sixth overall, the Blues and Stormers will be scrapping for wins to maintain their positions in the top three.

The Highlanders and Sharks-fifth and sixth overall-need wins to keep their distance from the NSW Waratahs, who are only six points from a play-off position.

The Blues head south today to Carisbrook stadium or the “House of Pain”, home to the Highlanders who have proved to be the surprise package of the championship this year.

Both sides have won seven of nine games but a draw for the Blues and a lack of bonus points for the Highlanders see them separated on the ladder by the Canterbury Crusaders.

Mealamu said the Blues have no shortage of motivation after the news about Haiu, who revealed early this week he had been diagnosed with a tumour in one of his ribs.

“It’s tough because I don’t know if we’ll get to see him again this year or if we’ll get to see him in any team again,” Mealamu said.—AFP

Britain but the highly anticipated semifinal between Trump and Ding, two of the sport’s rising stars, has captured the imagination of fans and provides armchair viewers with a dilemma.

The BBC will provide live coverage of the wedding on its primary channel, BBC1, while the snooker will be shown live on BBC2 — and on Eurosport.

“It will be interesting to see what the viewing figures are like,” World Snooker spokesman Ivan Hirschowitz said. “We’re fairly confident we’ll keep our viewers.” Ding is one of the biggest sporting names in China, behind NBA star Yao Ming and hurdler Liu Xiang.

Ding’s match against Trump will be aired on the state television sports channel in China, where the royal wedding is not a major event for average Chinese. The union of Kate and William, who is the president of England’s Football Association and a patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, will have a sporting flavor of its own. They have invited a smattering of high-profile names from the world of sport for their big day.

Beckham became close to William last year when the pair worked together during England’s failed bid to host the 2018 World Cup. The former England captain is taking a short break from the Los Angeles Galaxy to attend the wedding, but will fly back to the United States on Saturday morning in time to play for the Major League Soccer club.

Another member of the football fraternity invited to the wedding is Trevor Brooking, the ex-England and West Ham midfielder who is currently an FA director. From rugby, England center Mike Tindall, who is due to marry Zara Phillips — Queen Elizabeth II’s eldest granddaughter — on July 30, will attend along with Wales flanker Martyn Williams and England’s 2003 World Cup-winning

coach Clive Woodward.

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw rejected an invite due to his club duties with the Crusaders and Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll also chose to turn down an opportunity to attend, ensuring he won’t miss a training session with Leinster ahead of Saturday’s European Cup match against French giant Toulouse.

“As big an honor as it was to be invited, I can’t ask for team runs to be at 6:30 in the evening so I can go to the wedding,” O’Driscoll told British newspaper The Guardian. “It’s going to be an incredible thing, with 2 billion watching, but I’ll be at home preparing for Toulouse.”

Jockey Sam Waley-Cohen, who rode Long Run to success in both the King George VI Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup this year, will be present. After all, it was at a party hosted by WaleyCohen at his family home in 2007 that William and Kate rekindled their romance after they had split for a short while.

Horse racing will be in full action Friday afternoon, hours after the ceremony. Four of the five meet — Doncaster, Fontwell, Bangor-on-Dee and Leicester — have their race days dedicated to the royal wedding. A horse called Royal Wedding, currently an 8-1 shot with some bookmakers, is scheduled to run in the 5:30 p.m. race at Fontwell. With royal wedding fever big in Australia, Thorpe — one of the country’s biggest sports stars — made the exclusive guest list.

The multiple Olympic swimming gold medalist met William for the first time last year, according to Australian media. The prince has since supported Thorpe’s charitable organization — the Fountain for Youth — which focuses on improving health and education for children. — AP

Heat take 4-1 series victory over Sixers MIAMI: The Miami Heat got a significant return on its massive preseason investment in star players, beating the Philadelphia 76ers 97-91 on Wednesday to take their NBA Eastern Conference playoff series 4-1.

Dwyane Wade scored 26 points and Chris Bosh added 22 points and 11 rebounds as Miami advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals and a meeting with Boston, starting in Miami on Sunday.

Mario Chalmers scored 20 points and LeBron James finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for the Heat, who recorded their first playoff series win since the 2006 NBA finals, indicating the pricey addition of Bosh and James this season was paying off.

Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand each scored 22 points for Philadelphia, which got 13 points from Thaddeus Young, 12 from Jodie Meeks and 10 from Jrue Holiday. The Heat saw a double-digit lead cut to one in the final minute but Joel Anthony sank two free throws with 16.8 seconds left to clinch the game.

OKLAHOMA: Denver Nuggets center Nene (center) of Brazil, falls between Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (top) and guard James Harden after blocking a shot by Harden in the second quarter of Game 5 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series. — AP

Thunder 100, Nuggets 97 In Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant matched his best playoff performance with 41 points, including the final nine for Oklahoma City, and the Thunder beat Denver to close out the first-round series in five games.

The Thunder, who overcame a nine-point deficit over the final 4 minutes, won their first playoff series since they were in Seattle in 2005.

Durant put the Thunder ahead to stay with two free throws with 46 sec-

onds left. Serge Ibaka then swatted away Nene’s dunk attempt to preserve the hosts’ lead. Durant added a 19-foot jumper to put the Thunder up 100-97 with 12 seconds left.

He then blocked J.R. Smith’s shot at the tie from the left wing, and Arron Afflalo missed one last attempt at a tying 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Afflalo, who missed the first two games of the series with a hamstring strain, led Denver with 15 points and Kenyon Martin added 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Spurs 110, Grizzlies 103 In San Antonio, the hosts only just staved off elimination, beating Memphis in overtime to cut the series deficit to 3-2.

Gary Neal caught an inbounds pass with 1.7 seconds left and forced overtime with a 3-point heave as time expired. Neal’s 3-pointer was the second of two remarkable San Antonio baskets in the final 2.2 seconds of regulation.

Manu Ginobili, who scored 33 points, hit the other with a long corner jumper while falling out of bounds. The basket was originally counted as a 3 that would have tied the score, but the officials went to video review and ruled Ginobili’s toe was on the line. Zach Randolph led Memphis with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Tony Parker of the Spurs scored six of his 24 points in overtime.

The eighth-seeded Grizzlies will host the top-seeded Spurs on Friday with a chance to take a shock series victory. — AP

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FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

Chan soars to gold at worlds MOSCOW: Patrick Chan won his first world title in record-setting fashion. The Canadian set world records for the free skate and total points yesterday, a day after setting a new mark in the short program.

His total score of 280.98 points smashed the previous record of 264.41, set in 2008 by last year’s world champion Daisuke Takahashi of Japan. “I hoped I could get 300,” Chan joked.

“Maybe next time.”

Japanese national champion Takahiko Kozuka won the silver medal. Russia’s Artur Gachinski took bronze in his first appearance at the world championships. Chan was the heavy favorite after a commanding victory at the Grand Prix final, and his two days of elegance and athleticism made for a dramatic opening to a world championships that many had worried wouldn’t even happen.

The event was supposed to take place in Tokyo in March, but was hastily moved to Moscow in the wake of Japan’s catastrophic earthquake and tsunami and the ensuing nuclear crisis.

Chan’s free skate wasn’t the spot-on marvel of his short program. He stepped out on a triple axel and had to fight to hold onto the landing of his opening quad, forcing him to tack the second jump of his planned combination, a triple toe loop, onto his next quad.

Next being the key word — he was the only skater to even try two quads. But he refused to play it safe despite having a formidable lead of almost 12 points after the short program. “I didn’t change my program, which is very important to me,” said Chan, the silver

MOSCOW: Canada’s Patrick Chan (center), Japan’s Takahito Kozuka (left) and Russia’s Artur Gachinski hold the flags of their countries after winning the men’s event of the ISU World Figure Skating Championships. — AFP

medalist at the previous two world championships.

“I did have some doubts in my mind if I should, but I said ‘No, no, no,’ because I’ve been training this program all season long since nationals. I’m very proud of myself to be able to do two quads in the opening of the program.”

Aside from his impressive technique of clean landings and tight spins, Chan’s artistry was notable.

Skating to “Phantasia” by Andrew Lloyd Weber, his dignified moves matched the music’s expressiveness without crossing into melodrama.

Chan scored 187.96 for the free

skate to top the previous mark of 175.84, also set by Takahashi in 2008. Kozuka, who won the qualifying round Monday, went for more intensity in his program to a Lizst piano concerto.

He exceeded Chan by more than two points on technical elements, which included a solid opening quad and a triple-doubledouble cascade. But he was more than nine points behind on program components, the so-called artistic elements in the program.

“Looking back on the whole of my season, thinking about all the training I have accumulated I told myself that I did quite a lot,”

Kozuka said. “So, I went there and put all my experience to it and the result came.” Gachinski’s medal thrilled the Russian fans — and gives the country a boost as it prepares for the Sochi Olympics in 2014.

Russia failed to win a single figure skating gold at last year’s Vancouver Olympics, and this was the first world medal by a Russian man since Evgeni Plushenko won the last of his three world titles in 2004. Gachinski’s rapid steps and vogue-like arm movements to the dissonance and clashing rhythms of Shostakovch’s “The Bolt” were reminiscent of Plushenko _ who

was watching in the stands.

“I’m happy with my presentation today,” said Gachinski, who is just 17 and was the bronze medalist at junior worlds a year ago. “I completed the quad and both triple axels, though like yesterday I had a slip on a toe loop. I think it’s because I’ve been practicing the toe quad and it’s difficult to reduce it.”

Takahashi, trying to become the first man since Stephane Lambiel in 2006 to defend his title, finished fifth after a problem with his skate blade. He was forced to bail out of his first jump just seconds into his program, and seek an emergency repair.

The competition continues Thursday with the pairs free program, where defending champions Pang Qing and Tong Jian of China carry the lead after the short program. Current world silver medalists Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany were in second and Russia’s Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov, in their first season of skating together, held third place.

Friday includes the first day of the women’s competition, where Japan’s Mao Asada, the defending champion, and Miki Ando face Olympic champion Kim Yu-na of South Korea in her return to competition.

Asada, though capable of doing two triple axels in her free program, said Thursday that’s not in the cards for this championships.

“I will be doing one triple axel for the short program as well as one for the free program,” Asada said. “Because that’s what I’ve been practicing and training for.

I’ll keep that.”—AP

Cunego wins Tour de Romandie stage ROMONT: Former Tour of Italy champion Damiano Cunego got back to winning ways with victory in the 171.8 km second stage of the Tour de Romandie yesterday.

Cunego led Australia’s 2006 race winner Cadel Evans of BMC by two seconds in a sprint finish, followed by Alexandre Vinokourov of Kazakhstan, after a series of breakways split the pack and left yellow jersey Pavel Brutt trailing.

While the Russian Team Katusha rider kept his overall lead, Cunego cut it by two-thirds to about 40 seconds after his Lampre team-mates helped reel in a succession of breakways including a final bid by Briton David Millar. “This win was also built by my team mates,” Cunego, who rides for Lampre, said. “It wasn’t easy because it was a very hilly race with lots of attacks from far out

which we always managed to close down, especially in the final 11 kilometres. And then there was this hotly contested final sprint,” he added.

The race came alive in the final 50 kilometre circuit with an ill-fated attempt by German hope Tony Martin and Poland’s Sylvester Szmyd, who nonetheless built up a lead of more than a minute and half during their escapade.

They were eventually reeled in by Lampre and Vinokourov’s Astana team, who then had to stifle a rapid series of lone attempts, bringing Cunego, the Kazakh and Evans to the front while Brutt spearheaded a distant second group. Today’s 165.7 km fourth stage will be largely flat but marked by a category one climb into the Jura hills before the stage finish in Neuchatel. — AFP

ROMONT: Italy’s Damiano Cunego (center) celebrates his victory ahead of Australia’s Cadel Evans (far right) during the second stage of the UCI World Tour six-day stage Tour de Romandie cycling race. — AFP

Sports FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

The Real question: Why is Mourinho a bad loser?

LONDON: Fulham’s Mousa Dembele (left) fights for the ball with Bolton Wanders’ Zat Knight during their English Premier League soccer match. —AP

Dempsey brace helps lift Fulham to safety Fulham 3

Bolton 0 LONDON: Fulham look assured of keeping their Premier League status next season after a resounding 3-0 win over Bolton at Craven Cottage on Wednesday.

American international Clint Dempsey scored either side of half time with Brede Hangeland adding a third to earn Fulham a crucial victory which pushed them up five places to ninth, eight points above the relegation zone.

Fulham named an unchanged side to the one that shared the points with Wolves, while the visitors welcomed back Tamir Cohen, who scored the winner in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Arsenal, for Daniel Sturridge, out with an ankle injury.

Dempsey tested Bolton ‘keeper Jussi Jasskelainen in the opening minutes with a low effort, and then watched when Eidur Gudjohnsen fluffed his decent centre into the box by spooning it over the bar. On the quarter of an hour mark Dempsey put the Cottagers in front. Bolton failed to clear a corner, with the striker thumping the ball high into Jasskelainen’s net from 12 metres out in am acrobatic strike that Fulham fans will claim should be one of the con-

tenders for goal of the season.

Just before the half hour Jaaskelainen prevented Bolton slipping further behind when pulling off a decent save to deny Moussa Dembele’s low shot from the edge of the box.

The Bolton stopper then did well to deflect a dangerous Gudjohnsen chip.

After a first half dominated by the hosts it was more of the same after the break, with Dempsey doubling up in the 49th minute.

The in-form American ensured a precious three points for Mark Hughes’ side when scoring from six metres out, seconds after Dembele had hit the bar with a long range shot. Hangeland completed a perfect night when heading home Danny Murphy’s —AFP

Preview

Dortmund can seal Bundesliga title FRANKFURT: When Borussia Dortmund last won the Bundesliga title in 2002, it went into the final three games of the season trailing Bayer Leverkusen by five points. Now, the roles are reversed. It is Dortmund that holds a five-point lead over Leverkusen and a feeling that it might be losing some momentum.

Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller says the players are not worried even though the team has earned only eight points from the last six games and is coming off a loss at then last-place Borussia Moenchengladbach.

“I don’t see much of a problem. We have two home games and a difficult one away. We should win at home against Nuremberg and Frankfurt and that’s it,” Weidenfeller said. Just to make

sure his players realize that nothing has been won yet, coach Juergen Klopp showed them a video of a cyclist raising his arms in celebration, only to fall on his nose before the finish line.

“I find it good that he prepares us for all possibilities but we all know what’s at stake,” said Weidenfeller, a 30-year-old veteran on the Bundesliga’s youngest team. “We should concentrate on our strengths. We are an extraordinary team, with an extraordinary season behind us and we want to have extraordinary end to it.” Dortmund plays Nuremberg on Saturday, then visits Werder Bremen and hosts Eintracht Frankfurt on the final day of the season.

Leverkusen has a tough match at Cologne, which is fighting against relegation after losing three straight games.

If Leverkusen loses and Dortmund wins, Dortmund will have its seventh championship. Although it has lost some pace, Dortmund doesn’t look likely to lose the title like Leverkusen in 2002. “We haven’t converted enough chances that’s our problem. We create enough chances to last us two games but we just haven’t scored enough. We need some luck and more confidence in finishing,” Weidenfeller said. “Even in the games we’ve lost we played well and showed our quality.” Weidenfeller has conceded only 19 goals in 31 games and has a chance to break Oliver Kahn’s record of 21 from 2008. Nuremberg still has a chance of clinching a place in the Europa League and won’t be traveling to Dortmund just to congratulate Klopp and his players on the title. —AP

PARIS: Sounding like a stuck record by a lovesick crooner, but repellently sour not sweet, Jose Mourinho wailed why, oh, why? In the warped view of Real Madrid’s coach, the dice are stacked in Barcelona’s favor. “They have got great power.

The rest of us have no chance,” he said.

And some of Europe’s most respected referees — Mourinho rattled off the names of several of them — are seemingly part of some kind of pro-Barca plot. Well, Jose, here’s the real question: Why are you such a bad loser?

There is simply no excuse for it, and UEFA should now make it painfully clear that his hinted-at conspiracy theories, his mutterings of “scandalous goings-on” and suggestion that the European football governing body is cuddly with Madrid’s historic rival are unacceptable.

“To win this way must leave a bad taste,” the self-decreed “Special One” said acidly of Barcelona’s deserved 2-0 Champions League semifinal victory on Wednesday, showing that he’s not so special, after all. Or, to be more precise, not a good sport. Shame, really, because Mourinho is a fine football coach, with a record of trophies and victories that speaks eloquently of his talents for organizing and motivating players, no matter their nationality or the culture he’s operating in. In crafting winning teams in four countries — Portugal, England, Italy and Spain — the multilingual Portuguese has proven himself to be the ultimate European. He seems a nice enough guy, too, who will always have friends in the press box by providing an endless diet of controversy and flashes of charm and wit. Mourinho, anti-football? Rubbish.

There’s no such thing. Winning is all that counts.

As Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger can attest, hoping to out-play or out-pass this Barcelona side is suicide, since the blue and reds so rarely share the ball. Out-foxing them is a more viable option. And Mourinho is as foxy as they come. He need not apologize, especially after the 5-0 Catalan slap in the face that Madrid got last November, for deciding that the only way to beat the Barcelona machine is to break it. Be brutish and defensive, stop them from playing. And Mourinho’s scheme looked like it might work before midfielder Pepe’s second-half red card opened gaps that Barcelona swarmed into. One of the true things Mourinho said in his sour-grapes post-match press conference was that Barcelona “will kill us again” if Madrid plays an open game in the semifinal second leg at the Mourinho Camp Nou next Tuesday.

Of course, the millions of viewers worldwide were, undoubtedly naively, hoping that this series of four “clasico” encounters in 18 days would prove as classic as the name suggests. But they don’t pay Mourinho’s handsome wage. It’s entirely immaterial to him or his players if they win ugly, so long as they win. Rightly so.

Before he lost his grip on the trophy and dropped it under a bus, Madrid defender Sergio Ramos certainly was nothing but delighted to have won the Copa del Rey on April 20, with Barcelona prevented from scoring thanks in no small measure to Mourinho’s bruising tactics. Nor did we hear Inter Milan players protest vociferously about Mourinho’s supposed negativity when he led them to the European title last year. Instead, Inter defender Marco Materazzi rewarded Mourinho with a tearful hug. Take it from Rio Ferdinand, who, of course, wasn’t on the Santiago Bernabeu pitch Wednesday night but was, of course, watching, because he’ll likely be facing Barcelona next in the Champions League May 28 Wembley final.

“If u seriously would be happy to finish your career with no medals but ya team played good football u are MAD!!” the Manchester United defender tweeted. “Great passing teams who win nothing are not remembered.”

But as smart and as pragmatic as Mourinho is, none of those coaching notes that he scribbles during matches could come up with a foolproof plan to thwart Lionel Messi. The utter cheek of his second goal — ghosting past five Madrid players as if they weren’t there and placing a perfect shot as his feet slid from under him — made Barcelona the worthy winner. One cannot plan for such unpredictable genius. In asking over and over “why” Barcelona appeared unbeatable, Mourinho should have acknowledged that Messi was the honest answer on this night — not the referee, UEFA or anyone else. Again, great coach, but Mourinho would be more of a truly special one if he was a better sport, too.—AP

Sports FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

Marseille’s hopes in its own hands PARIS: Marseille coach Didier Deschamps is relieved his team will determine its own destiny after having overtaken Lille at the top of the French league. Defending champion Marseille moved into first place on Wednesday after a 4-2 home win against Nice, profiting from Lille’s unexpected slump that has seen its title rival pick up just two points from three matches.

“We have six matches left. I would rather be ahead than chasing,” Marseille coach Didier Deschamps said. “We no longer have to rush around and hope that others drop points.” Marseille hosts struggling Auxerre at home on Sunday and Lille is at home to last-place ArlesAvignon tomorrow.

Marseille remains on course for a another double, having successfully defended its League Cup title last weekend. The recent surge in form, coupled with Lille’s dip, means Deschamps can further cement his place in Marseille folklore. He was the captain when Marseille won the Champions League in 1993 —

the only French club ever to do so — and coached the club to success in his first season when he took over from Eric Gerets two years ago.

Fans chanted Deschamps’ name at the end of Wednesday’s match at Stade Velodrome, but the former France midfielder gave only a small wave in response. He has not forgotten how the supporters chanted for his predecessor’s return in the final match before the winter break, when Marseille was in fifth place and trailed Lille by six points. “I prefer to hear that than the ‘Gerets, Gerets’ chants on December 23rd,” Deschamps said. Deschamps has managed to eke out results when his team has not played well and key players have not performed. He also made the bold decision to leave Argentine playmaker Lucho Gonzalez on the bench against Nice.

While Gonzalez’s erratic form has finally forced Deschamps to drop the player he credited with inspiring last season’s title run, the coach has invested his trust in Ghana winger Andre Ayew with

spectacular results. The 21-year-old Ayew has hit winning goals away to Toulouse and Nancy, scored in a crucial home win against bitter rival Paris SaintGermain and grabbed his first career hat trick in Wednesday’s win against Nice.

Ayew’s performances this season have drawn high praise, with Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson saying he was immensely impressed with the player’s performance against his team in the Champions League in February.

Deschamps totally overlooked Ayew last season, sending him out on loan to the second division.

Only after talks during the offseason with Ayew’s father, the former African Player of the Year Abedi Pele, did Deschamps bring him back. “I wasn’t here to experience the title last year,” said Ayew, who has scored nine league goals so far. “I want to be a champion with the club that made me.” With Lille out of sorts, third-place Lyon could now emerge as Marseille’s toughest challenger. Claude Puel’s Lyon team is five points behind Marseille after beating

Montpellier 3-2 on Wednesday, thanks to a last-minute goal from Yoann Gourcuff.

Gourcuff, once tipped as the natural successor to Zinedine Zidane when he broke into the France team three years ago, has been so poor recently that Puel finally dropped him.

Gourcuff responded by coming off the bench to slam home the winner against Montpellier, a goal Lyon fans will hope finally spark a return to the form he showed when leading Bordeaux to the title three seasons ago.

“It was touching to see all the players rushing over to me after I had scored,” Gourcuff said. “Obviously (I was) a bit disappointed (to be dropped) but Lyon has a lot of quality players.” Lyon plays at Toulouse on Sunday, but could be without captain Jeremy Toulalan. He hurt his knee against Montpellier.

In tomorrow’s other matches, it is: Lens vs. Lorient; Rennes vs. Bordeaux; Sochaux vs. Nancy, and PSG vs.

Valenciennes. Also Sunday, it is: Montpellier vs. Brest; Nice vs. Caen, and Saint-Etienne vs. Monaco.—AP

Preview

Real look to league to ease European woes

BRAZIL: Mexico’s Americaís Andres Olivera (left) fights for the ball with Brazilís Santosí Arouca during a Copa Libertadores soccer match. —AP

Santos, Cruzeiro win BUENOS AIRES: Brazilian clubs Santos and Cruzeiro each claimed victories Wednesday in the first-leg of the Copa Libertadores round of 16. Santos defeated Mexico’s America 1-0 and Cruzeiro won 2-1 against Once Caldas of Colombia.

In two other matches on Wednesday, Mexico’s Jaguares drew 1-1 with Junior of Colombia and Argentina’s Estudiantes played out a scoreless draw against Cerro Porteno of Paraguay.

The second leg matches are next week, which will narrow the field to eight teams. Pablo Ganso scored the winner for Santos in the 38th minute. Jose Ortigoza and Wallyson scored the two goals Cruzeiro needed.

Jackson Martinez of Colombia scored in 57th minute to rally Jaguares to the draw, while Luis Paez gave Junior the lead in the 7th minute after a key pass from Jhon Viafara.

In Tuesday matches, Velez Sarsfield defeated Ecuador’s Liga de Quito 3-0 and Universidad Catolica of Chile beat Brazil’s Gremio 2-1.

In the final two matches of the round yesterday, Fluminense of Brazil was due to face Libertad of Paraguay and Penarol of Uruguay is up against defending champion Internacional of Brazil.—AP

MADRID: Real Madrid must quickly forget its Champions League setback if it wants to keep pressure on Barcelona as the Spanish leader homes in on a third straight league title as both clubs come up against teams battling to avoid the drop.

Barcelona took a big step toward reaching the Champions League final in an ill-tempered 2-0 semifinal firstleg win at Madrid on Wednesday.

Madrid trails Barcelona by eight points with five matches to play starting Saturday against Zaragoza, which is battling to avoid relegation.

Madrid shouldn’t have problems with Zaragoza although morale may be low as the club has little hope of reaching its first European final since 2002. Although the league is still in sight, Madrid knows the possibility is slim with a Copa del Rey triumph over Barcelona shaping up to be the only silverware of coach Jose Morinho’s first season in charge.

Mourinho is likely to rest most of his regulars again and rely on his “Bteam” of Kaka, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain after it easily routed third-place Valencia 6-3 last Saturday.

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi looks to follow up his brace against Real by adding to his league-leading tally of 31 goals and season tally of 52 when Barcelona plays at Real Sociedad.

The Argentina forward again showed his class with a sublime individual effort as he dashed through Madrid’s half and around three defenders before slotting past goalkeeper Iker Casillas for his 179th club goal to move into third all-time at Barcelona.

“It’s not the first time he’s done this, it’s worth noting how lucky we are to have him,” Barcelona coach Pep

MADRID: Real Madrid’s coach Jose Mourinho from Portugal (left) reacts as his players run during a training session. —AP Guardiola said. “He’s only 23 and he’s now the third leading scorer at the club, with its long, long history. That says it all. It’s incredible. That’s what is beautiful about our game and our football.” Messi did not train with the team on Thursday after appearing to emerge from Wednesday’s victory with a leg injury.

Defender Carles Puyol played a 90 minutes for the first time since January, with Barcelona’s defense without Eric Abidal, Adriano and Maxwell, who may return from a groin injury. But Guardiola may have to field several youth team players since midfielder Andres Iniesta may also be saved for Tuesday’s return leg against Madrid.

Sociedad has seen its impressive first half of the season marred by a second-half slide to sit only three points above Osasuna, which is in the last rel-

egation spot ahead of its game against Valencia on Sunday. Last-place Almeria could be the first team relegated if it loses to Sevilla on Sunday, depending on other results.

Almeria has lost five straight to trail Zaragoza by 11 points and comes up against a Sevilla team looking to secure its place in next season’s Europa League. Sixth-place Sevilla is tied with Atletico Madrid on points, with both trailing Athletic Bilbao by two points. Bilbao can complicate Espanyol’s hopes of finishing in the European places when the pair meet on Monday night. Atletico travels to Deportivo La Coruna, which is just three points above the relegation spots. In Sunday’s other 34th-round games, it’s: Levante vs. Sporting Gijon; Malaga vs. Hercules; Racing Santander vs. Mallorca; and Villarreal vs. Getafe. —AP

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No royal wedding break for snooker, cricketPage 60 www.kuwaittimes.net

Chan soars to gold at worlds Page61

MOSCOW: China’s Qing Pang and Jian Tong perform during the pairs short program event of the ISU World Figure Skating Championshi ps. —AFP