27 May

The Gulf between us

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Unrest chills investment in Syria

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Mavericks Stroll into NBA finals

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NO: 15101- Friday, May 27, 2011

Mladic finally shackled ( See Page 13)

BELGRADE: A boy walks past graffiti of war crimes fugitive Bosnian Serb army commander Ratko Mladic in Belgrade, Serbia yesterday. Serbia’s President Boris Tadic confirms war crimes fugitive Ratko Mladic has been arrested. — AP

Local FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

Local Spotlight

Conspiracy Theories

Camel, donkey, mule or Mercedes?

A ‘day of rage?’

By Muna Al-Fuzai

muna@kuwaittimes.net

By Badrya Darwish

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badrya_d@kuwaittimes.net

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omen driving in Saudi Arabia again has made the headlines. Just open Twitter or Facebook and you will get my idea.

Everybody is sympathizing with Manal Sharif, the young 32-year-old Saudi woman who took the wheel last week in Khobar region. She didn’t know what was waiting for her after she parked the car or maybe she knew but she wanted to challenge fate. Manal ended up in jail for her bold female race.

There is a controversy about Saudi Arabia and women drivers. When you ask some people, they say that there is no specific law that stops women from driving. On the other hand, the issuing of driving licenses to women is banned. So, what do you call this? The conclusion is that no female - local or expat - can drive in Saudi Arabia. Every now and then, and every 10 years, there is a courageous woman who breaks the norms and takes the wheel and zooms in the city and she eventually ends up where dear Manal is now.

I found it ridiculous that women in Saudi Arabia are not allowed to drive and I have written about this many times. The country that builds so many institutes and invests in women prevents women from driving. Only last year Saudi Arabia inaugurated one of the best co-ed universities in the world - King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.

Also last week, they inaugurated the world’s largest women-only university - Princess Noura bint Abdulrahman University for Girls - which I think looks like a magic city. It is so beautiful that even my brother who lives abroad called me to tell me to watch and check it out. He said, “When I saw the surroundings and the facilities I wanted to go back to

school and study in such a university.” The price tag of the university is something like $5 billion.

Imagine this is the same country that bans women from the most essential mundane things today - like shopping, dropping and picking up your kids from school. And by the way we are not talking about a country like Afghanistan. We are talking about Saudi Arabia which invests billions to educate women.

Such a country should not allow a bunch of people with extreme views to set the rules.

I know the argument of the extreme religious groups that Saudi Arabia is a vast country and some areas are isolated and can be unsafe for women. But my counter-argument here is that they can drive at least in the same city they live in. For women, driving is more practical.

They help their families, they don’t rely on foreign drivers to take them everywhere and they feel they are not less than other women around the world.

Why give them this inferiority complex? Saudi women are educated and they work in some of the most sophisticated jobs. They are doctors, teachers, engineers, nurses, businesswomen, artists, poets, actresses etc.

Actually, extremists, you are not helping Saudi Arabia because you have been attacked from every corner by Human Rights Watchdog and other human rights organizations that Saudi Arabia is a backward country. In fact, Saudi Arabia is not a backward country at all. It is not religious at all. In the past when transportation was done on horses and donkeys, women used the same. So what is the big idea of a woman driving a car nowadays? Be it donkey, mule, camel or a car? It is a transportation facility.

riday is revered by Muslims as an auspicious day. It is the day of rest that may be lazily spent in bed or when someone decides to have a brush with the law.

It is not the right day to call for people’s death even if some political groups are hell bent on instigating it!

Friday is a religious day when Muslims assert their true faith by praying at mosques, read the Holy Quran and perform charitable deeds. So, at the end this day, it is important because of the religious value attached to the day.

These days, this holy day is now misused, with provocative sermons held to stir people’s emotions, desperation and sentiments. They incite rebellion, strikes, protests and anarchy. Friday has come to be associated with anger, with many labels being attached to it; ‘day of rage’ being one. It was first associated with the mass protests held in Egypt, and spread quickly to many countries, including Kuwait.

Who has decided that this Friday, we should be venting out anger? For what reason? Why not Saturday, Monday or any other time of the week? Such mass movements are acceptable in countries that are geographically vast where the people can only congregate during Friday prayers.

Kuwait is a small country. Rumors spread here easily, especially if propagated by well-known MPs or political groups!

What messages do political groups want to give? Is it something that we have never heard about? No, it is the same refrain made against the government and the prime minister that we have learned by heart. Now, the public is fed up of all the screaming, shouting and fighting. Many of us are wondering why should we, citizens, get pushed into a war that does not benefit us in any way? Kuwait is really frustrated, listening to the same old MPs who make anti-government statements. They insult a government that provides for our every need. If there is something wrong about its work, then I do not want to spend the day in the streets screaming!

If we really believe in democracy, then our MPs should stay in the National Assembly and put forward demands by resorting to proper channels. They should not ask the public to assemble in the streets like school children.

Satire Wire

By Sawsan Kazak

Please don’t go Oprah sawsank@kuwaittimes.net

T

his week Oprah Winfrey taped and aired her final shows for the Oprah Winfrey talk show that was based in Chicago and broadcast to 150 countries around the world. This year marked the 25th year this daytime show was on the air; this means Oprah was on for almost my whole life.

From as early as I can remember, Oprah’s voice has been in my life and her wisdom in my daily consciousness.

Oprah taught us to live fuller lives, believe that anything can happen and has shown us true altruism. She taught us about the evil ego and the peace of mind you get when you let go of it. She taught us about health and fitness and about yo-yo diets as well as sharing her struggle with weight through the years. Women around the world learnt how to choose the right bra shape for them, the right shade of lip-

stick and how to walk in ten inch heels.

The Oprah Winfrey show was a daily classroom of life (for me anyway). It was a place I could find out about the latest in Hollywood, the world of literature, politics and social issues from around the world and so much more. Now that it is gone, what am I supposed to do? Am I expected to read and pick my own book, research my own movies and read up on my own social issues? That just seems too hard. Oprah, please don’t go. I took you for granted and expected you to always be there. I hoped that you would change your mind and decide to stay on for an extra year or five; just think about how much better ‘30 years on the air’ sounds like.

Worst of all, who am I going to quote now that you are gone? I have started many a sentence with “Oprah says that;”

it gave credibility to the next words that were to come out of my mouth. People listen more attentively when they know Oprah said it first because it is a reliable source. Also, your show has been a great conversation and debate starter. ‘Did you see what Oprah did today?’ It is a great way to get a mindful conversation going. I know I depended on you a lot, but you were dependable and that’s what I loved about the show; it was a constant in my life.

But now that you’re gone, I see a future of bad diets, bad books and bad conversations. My afternoons will be filled with mindless television and probably a lot of emotional eating that you are not there to diagnose. I will take what you have taught us and try to apply it in my life but it will be hard without you.

Local FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

From the editor’s desk

Emerging from the kitchen

By Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan Editor-in-Chief

myopinion@kuwaittimes.net

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he political drama in Kuwait continues and the planned demonstration today is just another episode of this ongoing saga. Now I am sure I have mentioned this before but I still believe that taking matters to the street is just undermining the political process of Kuwait’s democratic parliamentary system. I know that stating one’s political opinion is part of anyone’s political right but all I see at the moment is a prime minister who has survived a few votes of no-confidence in parliament in a fair and democratic manner. It seems like those opposing Sheikh Nasser AlMohammed Al-Sabah are not accepting the results of that process and no longer care about the opinion of the majority who have put their vote of confidence in this prime minister.

The question that always baffles me is how some people can trust politicians that try to undermine the National Assembly when they fail to pass their agenda against the prime minister in a democratic vote and how democratic does that make them?

One of those MPs calls himself the voice of the nation. How is he voicing the voice of the nation if he is not accepting the majority votes of confidence from the people elected members of our National Assembly? To me it sounds like a hypocritical statement.

As a neutral person, I would understand the point of such demonstrations if the PM fails to gain support in a parliamentary vote of no-confidence.

At this moment, it just looks like some MPs are hoping that there will be heavy policing and that things might get out of hand between protesters and the police. Why? Because the goal here is to try and get as much media coverage as possible and what better than clashes with the police to try and swing the pendulum in their direction - if not locally, at least internationally.

Now I may not agree with these demonstrations as I see the problems they may cause as unnecessary. However, I never understand why the government doesn’t just allow it with pre-organized policing and barriers that allows those who want their right to demonstrate without causing problems to daily commuters on the roads of Kuwait. That also avoids unnecessary clashes or heated face-offs between demonstrators and the police in a way that makes Kuwait proud of its democratic status in the region. That would also ruin the plans of those who were hiding in the kitchen and are now trying to look like heroes.

KUWAIT: Safat Square in downtown Kuwait City is cordoned off on the eve of a ‘Day of Rage’ rally to be held today.

— Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Local FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

The business ‘During one of my job interviews, the boss told me outright that the main reason I’m a good candidate for the job is because I’m American. The role included a lot of selling, and convincing the prospective buyers to increase their orders’

of culture

By Lisa Conrad

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he experience of working in the Middle East differs greatly, and usually depends on your company (multinational or local), your boss (Kuwaiti or expat) and more importantly, indicators of your ‘status’ within work. Such indicators can include: nationality, education, family reputation (if Arab), previous experience and who your connections are. The most obvious elements that one would expect to be prioritized are education and experience, but this is not always the case.

Who you know, where you’re from and your reputation are all key in a Middle Eastern working environment. Utilizing these factors can reap success, 23year-old American expatriate Sophie commented: “During

one of my job interviews, the boss told me outright that the main reason I’m a good candidate for the job is because I’m American. The role included a lot of selling, convincing the prospective buyers to increase their orders and so on. He has around six years of experience in the field, and I would have needed training in it.

However he insisted that based on the fact that I’m American, people would trust me more, believe that the products were better when described by me, and probably increase their orders.”

Fitting the model Convenient for some and career-paralyzing for others, the business culture in Kuwait is not simplistic whatsoever. When you’re considered to fit the model of an ideal candidate, life can be considerably easier, even if there was little effort on your part to impress, for example in the case of

nationality preferences.

However, if you’re on the other side of the spectrum, limitations can arise.

Thirty-year-old Palestinian manager Mohammad said: “When I began interviewing in Kuwait, I would make sure to speak in a Lebanese accent.

They’re respected for being business savvy, so by using their accent I utilized

that assumption. When I gave my papers and documents for the positions, there would be a sense of disappointment or shock sometimes that I wasn’t really Lebanese.”

Nationality borders After the nationality boundary/pass, cultural aspects permeate office environments and office politics considerably.

Hierarchies are often tall in the Middle East, and respect for seniority reflects social norms found in most Middle Eastern countries, where such behavior is often expected. Breaking these norms can reap negative consequences, especially if they are interpreted to be especially insulting.

Reaching beyond your place within a hierarchy can be interpreted as a sign of enthusiasm or innovation, but is more likely to be interpreted as trying to supersede your immediate senior. Mohammad recalled: “I had an idea once for an advertising campaign. I wasn’t working in that department, but I thought I’d send across the idea to the marketing manager for him to take a look. I was a junior at the time, and it didn’t even occur to me that my manager would be annoyed about it since it was a totally different department. By the end of the day I was called into his office and asked why I “stepped-over” him.”

The reputation you build at work is imperative for promotion, but so is your reputation outside of work. Public image counts for a lot, especially for Arabs.

Mohammad comments: “I block all my work colleagues from the majority of my Facebook page. The less they know about my personal life, the better.” For Westerners there is considerably less pressure, Sophie explains: “Because I’m American, I’m not judged if I break certain social norms. I wouldn’t advertise them to my boss but I know that the expectations are different. It’s tolerated.” She adds, however, that “Breaking the laws is a totally different issue. I wouldn’t dream of it. I know that some people have not faced terrible consequences, but if there was any kind of drama associated with it, I think it would have negative consequences on my image at work. When it comes to those issues I think they can tarnish your image, whether you’re Western or Arab. The career prospects here are too good to miss out on just because you can’t adhere to certain restrictions.”

To succeed professionally anywhere, understanding your context and environment is always valuable and failing to do so, at least minimally, can reap negative consequences. It is relatively simple. Look at the family culture in the Middle East: collectivism, respect for authority, reverence for seniors and regard to reputation are all central. Keep this in mind at work and you’ll see that these elements can actually allow you to advance your career by leaps and bounds.

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Abeer Al-AbdulJalil

AbdulAziz BinHouHou

By Elizabeth Pickworth

in the USA in 2006 which reaches all corners of the globe to keep you connected 24/7.

Its mission is to ‘promote media literacy, promote standard technologies, encourage ethical behavior and share best practices. “We bring together journalists, publishers, communications professionals, artists, amateur media creators, citizen journalists, teachers, students, tool makers, and other interested collaborators,” the organization says of its mission on its website.

The club invites industry leaders and professionals to get together to share ideas, expertise and mentor through various entrepreneurial programs. They seek to foster innovation by information and build positive relationships with organizations online, whether it be a marketing firm, cafe, newspaper, events groups or a local charity.

“The name of the game is to be connected, and stay connected,” according to Kuwait branch founder and board member AbdulAziz BinHouHou. “How often do you hear about people who have no idea with what is going on in their city, their country or even around the world? With the Social Media Network it’s about keeping in touch - globally.”

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ast week, a woman was arrested in Saudi Arabia for posting photos of herself online, driving her car on the Facebook page, ‘Teach me how to drive so I can protect myself.’ A conservative regime that does not issue driving licenses to women, this page was made to promote opportunity and equal rights for women in a male-dominated world. What followed was an international uproar on Facebook, Twitter, various blogs by individuals and human rights groups.

Club invites industry leaders and professionals to get together to share ideas, expertise and mentor through various entrepreneurial programs Breaking down conventional stereotypes and longstanding traditions in the Gulf and Middle East, the role of women using Internet-based technology is growing at an exceptionally fast pace. The Facebook revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia saw women at the forefront of protests and leading groups online, streaming videos on Youtube and providing to the minute updates on Twitter.

According to Najah Karam, a journalist and board member of the Kuwait Social Network, “Women are finding their role online as leaders and freedom fighters, now women don’t have to hide behind false identities online - they can be themselves and be appreciated for that providing they have the right amount of security.”

The power of online networking Online networking is a powerful tool to communicate, tell stories, exchange ideas and stay in touch with what is happening with people, places and events in the world around you. In Kuwait, a network has been born to do just that, stay connected no matter where you are. The Social Media Club of Kuwait is an extension of the not for profit, Social Media Club established

Challenges Looking beyond the typical meet and greet corporate events and informal coffee shop catch ups, the internet can be a deal breaker when it comes to strategic partnerships, according to BinHouHou. “It’s easy to form personal and business relationships on the street but what about the online community - they are essentially your biggest audience,” he added.

In an age where anything is accessible online, the average user needs to be savvy with how they share information about themselves, how they access information and how they network.

Statistics show that more than 60 percent of Kuwait’s population are under 50 and this represents the majority who use the Internet for social networking and keeping up to date with news and current affairs online. So what does this mean for the youth of Kuwait, security for your child or teenager and how do you make sure they aren’t accessing or posting inappropriate content online?

Board member of the Kuwait Social Media Network, Sulaiman Al-Refai’s and his company, Romoz Productions are running a workshop called ‘Talent Revolution’ for youths aged between 12 and 17, to show them how to use the internet safely and make the most of their online experience. The course focuses on the role of social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Bebo and also how to create professional videos and short films for YouTube and online blogs.

Najah Karam

Sulaiman Al-Refai

“The aim is to get young people to use social networking in a positive way and give them the skills necessary to make professional quality videos to upload and share. We want to steer them away from the amateurish made-at-home video, to a clean, modern piece they would be proud of,” Al-Refai said.

If you want to stay ahead of the game in Kuwait, network with people inside and out of your industry, stay up to date with events, share expertise, then join the Social Media Club of Kuwait and check out their Facebook page to be in the know. Every month an event is organized where members can meet in a relaxed setting to exchange ideas, share expertise and stay connected in Kuwait.

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Does distance make the

heart grow fonder - or wander?

The

Gulf

n e e betw us

By Priyanka Saligram

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abeena, 34, has everything she ever wanted: A well-paid job with a local bank, a swanky car, a close-knit gang of friends and independence. She loves what she does and it is clear that her career loves her in return, with a promotion a little around the corner. While she appears absolutely content and portrays the ‘Lifecan’t-get-any-better’ picture, her heart is not here. It’s in Dubai. Because that is where Ahmed, her husband, works and lives.

Long-distance marriages are a gamble; you never know which way it will swing till it gets ugly

When Ahmed, an engineer with a leading company was offered a job in Dubai in 2009, he opted for it because it meant relocation and a chance to explore new opportunities. Sabeena was not keen on the idea of quitting her job here and moving with him, “I have worked my a** off to reach where I have, why would I want to throw it all away and start again? If your job is important to you, my job is important to me,” she told her husband before they decided to work in different countries.

While they spend time chatting with each other on BBM (BlackBerry Messenger), check out each other’s status updates and pictures on Facebook and have Skype dates at night to catch up on the happen-

ings of the day, she admits that it has not been easy. “I guess the distance gets to us when we have a fight because both of us are very impatient, though we’re still working on that aspect,” she says. Sabeena flies to Dubai once in two months and they have mutually agreed to not go for “too long without seeing each other,” even though Ahmed doesn’t come to Kuwait too often. She doesn’t know for how long they will opt for this kind of a set-up but asks an important question: “Tell me one relationship that doesn’t call for some kind of compromise.”

for a bit and says that he’s coping with it better, and is more mature and balanced.

“Earlier he used to complain that I wasn’t making time to speak to him but now I feel that when I want to talk about something on my mind, I just can’t, thanks to my line of work and the time difference,” Anna says. She does confess that at one point she was thinking of her biological clock, considering age and other factors, but then she just stopped stressing about it and feels much better, “When geography (distance) shrinks, the chemistry returns, and there will be kids.”

Take the case of Anna M, a European expat in her 30s who works in the advertising sector in Kuwait. After an intense online courtship between Europe and North America, she married her beau and after three years of blissful matrimony, they opted to chase their careers: He headed to a neighboring GCC country and she chose to stay back here. Though there is time difference and distance, she optimistically states the advantage as she sees it.

“On a selfish level, I enjoy it especially after I’ve had a long day of work and return home, knowing that I don’t have to listen to him go on about his long day at work!”

On a different note, Anna says that no matter how hard you try to wheedle out the pros of such a marital arrangement, there are more visible cons and it has been a life-changing experience, “I’m more aware of my priorities, other people’s feelings, and whatever I used to take for granted earlier, I don’t anymore. And how does her husband deal with this? She ponders

Vivek R, a 54-year-old Indian expat doesn’t worry about kids - for the simple reason that he doesn’t have a biological clock to think about - and because he already has two sons, one living with him in Kuwait and one working in the US. Vivek has been a resident of Kuwait for more than 15 years now, though his spouse stays in India. She travels once in six months and then heads back since they have a house to manage back there. “The only thing I really, really miss is the fresh food, but my wife doesn’t need to know that, wait, maybe she already knows,” he sheepishly admits. His biggest qualm is coming home to frozen food which needs to be heated in the microwave oven for lunch and dinner every day. Apparently when his better half comes to Kuwait, she cooks and stuffs the refrigerator with enough food to last four to six months, which he thaws every day to fix himself a meal. He thinks he’s going to miss her more this summer. Power of love?

It’s power for sure: electricity. “During sum-

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FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

mer, there are bound to be power cuts in Kuwait which is a nightmare come true. All the food gets spoilt and I have to either cook or hire a cook,” he explains.

These two women and the hungry gentleman are just the tip of the long-distance marriage iceberg in Kuwait. Many expatriate couples opt for one owing to financial constraints or for the sake of children’s academics. Dr Shifa, a psychologist calls longdistance marriages a ‘gamble’: you never know which way it will swing till it gets ugly. “And more often than not, it does get ugly and if anyone says otherwise, then they are just lying,” she states as a matter of fact. There is no substitute for living together to understand each other and grow in the relationship, but for a marriage spanning airports to work, the most crucial thing that a couple needs is communication. “In fact, this is one time when trust becomes more important than love,” she says after counseling many people, mostly women.

Technology plays a vital role in helping such couples stay constantly in touch with

This is one time when trust becomes more important than love each other. Facebook allows them to post pictures of their lives, BlackBerry Messenger keeps the commentary flowing and Skype lets each other know who has piled on a few extra pounds or has got a new hairdo.

But when there is a spat, all these aides lose their meaning, “Hugging your partner and saying sorry is what cements the relationship and when cracks aren’t addressed, they cause resentment to build,” opines Dr Shifa.

While issues of commitment and infidelity do arise, she says that even though longdistance marriages do not openly promote cheating, it does make one’s thoughts wander. While she quickly adds “Of course, it’s not a generalization and differs from person to person,” she admits that she has come across cases of men who tend to feel the distance more and long for emotional affection from female colleagues or acquaintances, while it’s not something she has observed much in women. “Ladies with children tend to make the kids their main priority. They feel the need to be the mom

and dad at the same time and this leaves little time or interest to reach elsewhere for attention.”

Ultimately, opting for a long- distance marriage is not healthy in the long run no matter what kind of love and understanding partners share. A high-flying career and a healthy bank balance is undoubtedly on top of everyone’s priority checklist. It is important to slow down for a second and realize that there is something that money can’t buy. Maybe that’s why they say: Relationships are priceless.

rent. d thoughts transpa d keep actions an an ely et pl m co r avoiding most of 1. Trust each othe mmunicate, communicate. n THE solution to te of t os co m , is te er ica ht 2. Commun or intact. Laug and sense of hum icts to a minimal 3. Keep your wit hard to keep confl try or ict nfl s. co lem lve life’s prob ther. atment: Reso other the silent tre en for months toge your 4. No giving each -face problem-solving cannot happ a message here and there to show to st eJu fac le. ib ce level sin much as poss through the day as . days and courier 5. Stay in touch em th of ing ersaries and birth ink niv th e an e u’r lik yo s at te th da spouse r important . effort to remembe ter what tra special for them on the other person’s ear no mat 6. Make an extra ex y da e th e ak m up to rs ng we ha r flo gifts or other to neve oles between each amount of compr 7. Make simple ru kes place. making the same is n rso ta pe te r ba he de ot heated ber that the o aside and remem ing to make the marriage work. ep the romance 8. Keep your eg ak m e u’r b-cam dates to ke yo we at e th ak e m or d m an t er no if off mises logy has to ed use of what techno ity and get involv 9. Make the best club or a commun al loc . a ve in Jo ali ic e. ag on and m get a new rt an old hobby or es, the reason 10. Get a life! Resta spiritual activities. e going gets at tim th h ug to or w l, ho cia r so te in civic, es that no mat member at all tim tter word: Love.

11. Ultimately, re t is a simple, four-le ou it e av br to g llin wi e u’r that yo

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Q8Traffic

Accurate reports at your fingertips

Washful thinking: Tweet me this, tweet me that

Can

cars be cleaned without water?

By Ben Garcia

N

A screen caption of reports and links from users on Q8Traffic

By Hussain Al-Qatari

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pdating friends about the latest happenings in your life is only one of the many purposes you can use Twitter for. With Q8Traffic, users are now able to check traffic across Kuwait and contribute with their own traffic reports with pictures and videos.

To send a traffic report, users have to include the hashtag #Q8Traffic in the status update. Hashtags function as keywords which mark a specific topic or subject. They are usually one word preceded by the # symbol. When a tweet (or update) is categorized as a Q8Traffic update, it is immediately retweeted (or re-published) by the Q8Traffic main account to all the users who are subscribed to these updates.

They can also include pictures or videos by adding a link to them. Most Twitter clients make uploading pictures and videos an easy task as they provide built-in uploading services.

The man behind Q8Traffic The Friday Times had a chat with Nasser Al-Hilal, an IT instructor who is behind Q8Traffic. His motivation for creating this Twitter for more than just status updates. “It was a very spontaneous project and was launched very quickly without very much planning or discussion,” he said. To date, there are more than 7,500 users and contributors to Q8Traffic. Al-Hilal says that the number of followers continues to increase.

“There are many users who engage with the service on a daily basis by sending short reports and updates. The service, in the end, is community-driven. With the strength of the community and the participation, the Q8Traffic service will grow stronger and flourish more,” he says.

Setting up the service and launching it was not difficult at all, says Al-Hilal thanks to the simple platform Twitter provides. Maintaining it can be a challenge at times, since it is a communitydriven service. The simple method for using the service made it very accessible to users. “Building the service on Twitter, an already existing and wellestablished platform gave the project a huge boost and allowed people to interact and be part of the community from Day 1,” he explained.

He explained that Twitter works as a perfect platform for the service. “The limited characters of status updates and the intuitive platform, as well as the fact that the Kuwaiti community is also very active on Twitter, has helped the project a great deal,” said Al-Hilal.

Time to expand Currently, he is working on upgrading the service to include a bigger audience. “It is still built on Twitter, but I hope to enhance the service and adapt it to a website and hopefully get that integrated as well. There are a lot of ideas that I plan to implement to get this project up and running. My goal is to make this service useful to the fullest to those with and without Twitter accounts,” he said.

Al-Hilal worked on numerous projects related to IT throughout his work, but sadly none of them are available to the public. “Most of the work I do is related to the companies which I have worked for. Q8Traffic is currently my own project, and I plan to make it grow and flourish. There are other ideas I plan to initiate once I get Q8Traffic to a stable stage. I’m very excited about this opportunity and seeing the community really gives a person confidence to build further” he concluded.

ew research reveals that Kuwait has the highest rate of water consumption on a global scale - news that rang alarm bells for those spending summer in Kuwait. Approximately 500 liters of water are consumed per capita, the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) has found. Water is wasted in numerous forms - for brushing teeth, cooking, bathing, laundry to house and car washing. Imagine the waste. Now with summer around the corner, water consumption is set to increase to astronomical levels.

In fact, just by cleaning your average household sedan, you are already measured to have consumed up to 500 liters of water our most vital natural resource.

However, washing your car, nowadays, has eco-friendly and watersaving alternatives. Could waterless car wash products be the solution if not the answer to lowering water consumption in Kuwait?

In February this year, Waless Car Detailing and Protection Estate launched its eco-friendly car wash services in Al-Rai. The Waless, short for waterless car wash service, was introduced in Kuwait to help Kuwait become self- sufficient and environmentfriendly. Seeing how much water is wasted in such a simple every day task, Ahmed Mansour, the owner of Waless, Kuwait said that the best thing he could do to help the country was to introduce a car wash that uses minimal amounts of water, “I found this eco-friendly solution and perhaps it’s the best contribution I could ever be proud of for my country. I imported the ‘Freedom Waterless Car Wash’ products from the US after months of research and trials

before bringing them to Kuwait,” Mansour said.

In his words, it is about time we made an effort to help the world conserve this valuable resource water. He said, “If we don’t do anything and leave this issue to the next generation we are in danger; we have to be proactive. Many organizations and concerned individuals have issued warnings about the escalating problem. So we have to act now.”

Waless mission is to protect the environment and help the government preserve water resources. “I have seen every morning how much water is wasted just to wash a car. You see it mostly in highdensity urban areas and in the suburbs. These people waste water without a care.”

In comparison, Mansour claimed, “If a sedan consumes approximately 500 liters of water per car wash, with Waless ‘freedom products,’ only one liter of the product can clean up to ten sedan cars. Imagine the water we could conserve by using these products.” The product was launched under Waless Detailing and Protection Estate in February 2011. Freedom products are liquid based from distilled water, 99 percent biodegradable, entirely chemical-free and promise to wash and shine each vehicle to its maximum potential. In addition to the liquid products, freedom International have also made a microfiber chamois (cloth) to polish and clean the surface of each vehicle to achieve the best results.

The microfibers absorb all dust and dirt from the surface as they contain natural super polymers and waxes that leave a natural repellent for your car. It is guaranteed to last three days, “We guarantee a mirror like finish after undergoing a water-less car wash,” Mansour said.

Drive Now. Talk Later.

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in new era of biz relations

KUWAIT: An aerial view of Kuwait is pictured. Kuwait and Iraq appear to be laying the foundations of re-kindling economic relations, with business people and political leaders from both countries recently meeting to discuss opportunities for bilateral trade and investment. —Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

‘Real resource for development lies in industries, not oil alone’ KUWAIT: Kuwait and Iraq appear to be laying the foundations of rekindling economic relations, with business people and political leaders from both countries recently meeting to discuss opportunities for bilateral trade and investment.

On April 27, a seminar was held in Kuwait City to discuss strengthening commercial ties between the two nations. The event, organized by the Gulf Studies Centre of the American University of Kuwait, was entitled ‘Kuwait and Iraq Together Towards a Bright Future.’ Attendees included business leaders, academics and public officials from both countries.

The seminar focused on the role of the private sector in enhancing Kuwaiti-Iraqi economic cooperation. According to Mansour Aboukhamseen, Chairman and Managing Director of Kuwait Energy Company, the participants “shared views on how Kuwaiti and Iraqi companies can work together on building

Iraq, especially in the areas of project finance, technical expertise, logistical support, tourism and social ties.”

The energy sector may well be an area in which Kuwait could offer financial and technical support to Iraq. As Paul Landers, the Group Chief Executive of AGG International, an oilfield services company, told OBG, “Iraq is pivotal for the future of exploration and production of oil and gas. It has immense reserves comparable to those in Saudi Arabia, but they are underdeveloped. Kuwait has the potential to be the entrance point for this development.”

A recent visit to Kuwait by an Iraqi trade delegation underscored the importance of the country as a possible source of investment capital. On April 13, the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) hosted a group from Iraq that included the governor of Basra, the head of Basra Investment Commission (BIC) and the Iraqi ambassador to Kuwait. A number of Kuwaiti busi-

nesspeople also attended the meeting.

Haidar Fadhel, the head of BIC, spoke during the event, highlighting some of the ways in which Iraq’s legal framework provides economic incentives for foreign investment. According to Iraq’s National Investment Law, foreign investors who apply for and receive an investment license from either the national or a regional investment commission are eligible for benefits. Incentives include an exemption from certain taxes, as well as the right to import equipment and machinery for a period of three years without paying duty.

Kuwaiti businessman Jawak Bukhamseen, who attended the KCCI meeting, told Kuwait Times that Iraq is a good destination for investment because it allows 100 percent foreign ownership, unlike Egypt, Syria and Lebanon.

Another participant, Mazin Abdulzahra, Acting Head of Basra Chamber of Commerce, pointed out that investment was possible

in sectors other than hydrocarbons. “The real resource for development lies in industries, not oil alone,” he said, noting that there is “a good opportunity to establish new factories in Iraq.”

Strengthening economic ties is not necessarily limited to direct foreign investment - it could very well also involve boosting bilateral trade. Kuwait currently imports liquefied natural gas (LNG) during the summer months to generate electricity during this period of peak demand. In January, Abdullatif Al-Houti, Managing Director of International Marketing for the state-run Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), announced that the Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) had asked KPC to begin LNG imports in mid-March and continue them up to mid-November, an extension over last year’s period of April to October.

Iraq could, at least in theory, sell natural gas to Kuwait. Iraq currently flares much of the gas produced at its oilfields, but in April

2011 Shell, Mitsubishi and South Gas Company of Iraq announced that they had received approval to establish a joint venture to capture the natural gas that would otherwise have been burned off.

Revenues generated by the deal could also help Iraq upgrade its infrastructure for the processing and distribution of natural gas.

According to market research firm Datamonitor Group, Iraq has proven gas reserves of 3.15trn cu meters. Although some Kuwaiti businesspeople may be sanguine about investment opportunities in Iraq, barriers to revitalizing economic relations remain, including long-term disputes over reparation payments and territorial borders. However, with significant upside potential, both countries may be able to put aside their differences. As Mohammad Akbar, Director of the Gulf Studies Centre of the American University of Kuwait said, “Kuwait and Iraq have started a new chapter in political and economic relations.”

—Oxford Business Group

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Iraq opposes Mubarak port construction KUWAIT: Heads of various fire departments from many governorates met at Al-Shohada Fire Station yesterday to discuss strategies and preparations for the summer. —Photo by Hanan Al-Saadoun

KFSD summer preparations in progress

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: Heads of various fire departments from many governorates met at Al-Shohada Fire Station yesterday to discuss strategies and preparations for the summer. It was presided over by Brigadier Yousif Al-Ansari, Kuwait Fire Services Directorate (KFSD)’s Deputy Director for Firefighting and Human Resources Affairs. The latest firefighting techniques as well as the importance of conducting training to cope with the latest developments were also discussed.

Discuss Iranian threats in NA: Hayef

By A Saleh KUWAIT: As part of follow up measures taken to emphasize on Iraq’s objections to Kuwait constructing the proposed Mubarak Al-Kabeer port, Iraqi MPs urged the Iraqi ruling party to shut the Safwan land border exit between Kuwait and Iraq. This move will be in protest against building the Kuwaiti port as it allegedly affects the building of Iraq’s Fao Great port. The Iraqi lawmakers stressed that move would be taken in response to ‘Kuwaiti abuse’ and attempt to ‘strangle Iraq’s economy,’ as they put it.

Former Iraqi transport minister, Amer Abdul Jabbar urged the Iraqi government to close the border exit to block Kuwaiti goods and passengers to Iraq from passing. He also urged the Iraqi Parliament to take an immediate decision so that Iraq could use the border closure to prevent building the port that ‘would kill all Iraqi ports.’ Abdul Jabbar also reminded that Kuwait’s trade with Iraq was responsible for reviving a great portion of Kuwait’s economy.

Ahmed Al-Sulaitti, Basra Governorate Deputy Council Chairman, accused the Iraqi central

government of failing to hold an urgent meeting to solve the Mubarak Al-Kabeer port problem while Kuwait carried on with the construction process.

Meanwhile, MP Mohammed Hayef urged the parliamentary foreign affairs committee to include ‘Iranian threats’ on Tuesday’s meeting agenda. He also urged his colleague to not let the threat go unaccounted for, even if the government does so. He added that the Iranian foreign minister has always been speaking about the ‘Persian Gulf,’ questioning the integrity of Kuwait’s judiciary and mocking Gulf countries.

MoI issues reshuffle KUWAIT: Deputy PM and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Homoud AlSabah has issued a ministerial decree ordering the reshuffle of assistant undersecretaries. Major General, Mahmoud Al-Doussary is the new Assistant Undersecretary for General Security, Major General Khalil AlShemali has been appointed Assistant Major General Undersecretary for Correctional Mahmoud Facilities. Major General Mustafa AlZaabi is the Assistant Undersecretary Al-Doussary for Traffic Affairs. Major General Anwar Al-Yaseen is the Assistant Undersecretary for Border Security and Major General Abdulallah has been appointed Assistant Undersecretary for Operation Affairs.

KUWAIT: Arab Gulf University recently hosted a ceremony in appreciation of Kuwait’s role in supporting Bahrain. —KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation pose for a picture with their Saudi Arabia counterparts after signing an MoU for air transport services. —KUNA

Kuwait inks air transport MoU with Saudi Arabia KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation said yesterday that it signed an agreement and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saudi Arabia in the domain of air transport services as a culmination of the bilateral talks between the two sides on May 23 and 24. The directorate said in a statement today that these talks led to signing by initials a bilateral agreement between the two countries in the field of air transport services as well as a MoU that included all the points that have been thrashed out,

and were agreed upon.

It added that the most salient points upon which the two sides agreed are increasing the number of passenger weekly flights as well as those of cargo, allowing national carriers of both countries to launch flights to the Saudi city of Al-Madinah, and the trade cooperation among concerned airlines in both countries in order to facilitate the passengers traffic, and boost the bilateral trade exchange. “This agreement comes within the policy applied by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in

order to strengthen the bilateral air ties with other countries,” the statement quoted Nabil Al-Zamel, head of the Kuwaiti delegation, and Deputy Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

Finally, it said that the agreement also aims to facilitate the flights of commercial aviation of both countries in what boosts the bilateral air transport, and in response to the demands made by the Kuwaiti national carriers on increasing flights to the Saudi airports.

Citizens arrested for assaulting official KUWAIT: Four citizens were arrested and referred to Jleeb police station in connection with assaulting a policeman on duty at Kuwait International Airport (KIA). Officials explained that after being frisked at a lounge counter, one of the four citizens left the area for some reason and

refused to be re-searched, which aroused police officers’ suspicion.

Sheep stolen Following last week’s sheep auction where up to KD13,000 was offered for a rare species of ‘stallion’ sheep, a citizen filed a

complaint with police stating that four very valuable species of sheep were stolen from his ranch in Kabd. Case papers indicate that the caretaker informed the owner that a burglar broke into the ranch and stole sheep valued at KD5,600. Further investigations are in progress.

Cleaning worker arrested An Asian cleaning worker employed at the Kuwait Central Prison was recently arrested in connection with possession of a mobile phone, a pre-paid card and a mobile phone battery he tried to smuggle in. Officials noted that the man admitted to committing the crime. A case was filed.

Cash stolen An Arab expatriate lodged a complaint stating that his roommate stole KD6,500 from his bank account. Case papers indicate that the man’s ATM card was stolen but was later returned after all his savings were withdrawn.

The roommate was arrested and confessed to stealing the money.

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Premier meets GCC media officials KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah received Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) media undersecretaries, in the presence of Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and Acting Foreign Minister Ali Fahad Al-Rashed. The officials are in the state to take part in celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the foundation of Radio Kuwait. The meeting was held in the presence of Undersecretary Sheikh Fahad Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

No link between Salehi visit, release of terrorist KUWAIT: The Undersecretary of the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry Khalid Al-Jarallah denied Wednesday any link between the recent visit to Kuwait by Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi and the release of the mastermind behind bombing attacks made against several cafes, American and French embassies and Kuwait airport tower. “The amnesty decision comes in harmony with rules and regulations applied and was taken before Salehi’s visit to Kuwait,” Al-Jarallah said in a statement.

The senior official also stressed that this issue was not raised during Salehi talks here.

Army chief discusses cooperation KUWAIT: Chief of the General Staff of Kuwaiti Army Lieutenant General Ahmad Al-Khaled Al-Sabah discussed yesterday with the Commander of the US Third Army Lt Gen William G Webster Jr issues of common concern. The two sides discussed military issues and means of expanding cooperation between the two friendly countries. The meeting was attended by members of the Defense Council.

Youth activists to hold rally at Safat Square Signature campaign to keep reporters in ground floor

By B Izaak KUWAIT: Youth activists planning a ‘Day of Rage’ today have decided to stage the demonstration at Safat Square in the heart of Kuwait City, defying strict orders by the interior minister and setting the stage for possible police intervention.

The decision was taken following an emergency meeting for the political and youth groups planning the protest yesterday who held a poll in which a majority of participants backed the Safat Square choice against holding the event in a square opposite the National Assembly.

Interior Minister Sheikh Ahmad AlHumoud Al-Sabah on Wednesday warned that the security forces will not allow the protest to be held at Safat Square and called on activists to hold it opposite the National Assembly.

Several MPs and political activists have also urged the youth activists to stage the rally in the ‘Square of Will’ opposite the National Assembly in order

to avert any possible confrontation with the security forces and to win public opinion.

But it appears that the activists are adamant regarding holding the protest at Safat Square like the previous Friday mainly because of the historical significance of the square and also because it was the interior ministry that had closed the ‘Square of Will’ several months ago.

The activists are launching a campaign to press for the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad AlAhmad Al-Sabah who is accused by the activists of breaching the country’s 1962 constitution.

The decision to launch the campaign was made after pro-government MPs and Cabinet ministers voted on May 17 to refer a grilling for HH Prime Minister to the constitutional court on the grounds that he is suspected of breaching the constitution. The assembly also delayed the debate of the grilling for one year in an unprecedented move throughout 49 years of parliamentary democracy in Kuwait.

Several opposition MPs have already said they will attend the protest to press for the resignation of the Prime Minister who has been in power for just five years and formed seven Cabinets since then, an indication of growing opposition to him. MP Maasouma Al-Mubarak, who opposed the idea of the rally warned that those who decide to stage the rally at Safat Square will be held responsible for the consequences of this decision.

MP Adnan Al-Mutawa, a supporter of HH Prime Minister, warned that he learned that there will be infiltrators among the protesters to who will try to incite trouble and cautioned participants. In another development, opposition MP Mussallam Al-Barrak strongly criticized a decision by the assembly bureau to force assembly reporters to sit on the first floor and not on the ground floor in the assembly chamber. Barrak said he will start to collect signatures of MPs on Sunday with the aim of rejecting the decision and allowing reporters better access.

Kuwaiti MPs meet Dutch counterparts THE HAGUE: The Dutch-Kuwaiti Parliamentary Friendship Group began its luncheon meeting yesterday with the aim of cementing bilateral relations. The Dutch side is led by the head of the friendship group Alexander Pechtold and the Kuwaiti side by MP Saleh Ahmad Ashoor. A five-member delegation from Kuwait’s National Assembly arrived here Wednesday afternoon to hold discussions with the Dutch parliamentarians and other Dutch officials aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.

Kuwaiti envoy meets Indian Minister NEW DELHI: Kuwaiti Ambassador to India Sami Mohammad Al-Sulaiman met the host country’s Minister of Overseas and Civil Aviation Vayalar Ravi, in New Delhi, late on Wednesday. The two sides discussed several issues linked to bilateral relations, and manpower and employment development, said an official statement issued by the embassy. Ravi appreciated the treatment being meted out to the Indian community in Kuwait. The Indians are playing a positive role in Kuwaiti’s development, and their standard of living is much higher than the average, he added in the statement. On the occasion, the Minister delved into the possibility of furthering cooperation between Kuwait and India in the Civil Aviation sector by increasing the number of flights between the two countries. The Indian Minister also expressed satisfaction over the outstanding work that the Indo-Kuwait Joint Working Group (JWG) has been performing with regard to the labor, employment and manpower development. The JWG is regularly meeting to alleviate obstacles being faced by the Indian workers in Kuwait. The last meeting of the JWG was held in October 2010. During the talks, the Kuwaiti envoy highlighted the excellent relations that both the countries continue to enjoy. — KUNA

KUWAIT: The National Guard honors officers who graduated the infantry training course yesterday. — KUNA

National Guard holds graduation ceremony KUWAIT: The National Guard held a ceremony to mark the graduation of officers taking part in an infantry training course yesterday. The ceremony was held under the auspices of National Guard Deputy Undersecretary Brigadier General Zayid Abdullah Nasser. The graduates included officers from Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan. Addressing the graduates, Head of Military Education Brigadier General Hashim Abderrazzaq Al-Rifaei said that a lot of effort has gone into training the new generation of officers. The ultimate aim is to also include higher ranking officers in re-orientation and training to guarantee readiness to combat and efficiency. — KUNA

FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

Clashes rock Sanaa as Saleh orders arrests

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Arab Spring, nuclear chills vex G8 chiefs

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Three blasts hit govt buildings in east China

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SARAJEVO: A picture taken on April 22, 1996 shows a boy playing on a tank in the Sarajevo neighbourhood of Grbavica. Serbia announced the arrest of former Bosnian Serb military chief Ratko Mladic (inset) yesterday, ending a 16-year manhunt for the general accused of masterminding Europe’s worst massacre since World War II. —AFP/AP

War criminal Mladic arrested Serbia trumpets capture of Srebrenica mastermind BELGRADE: Serbia yesterday arrested Europe’s most wanted man, former Bosnian Serb military chief Ratko Mladic, ending a 16-year manhunt for the general accused of masterminding the 1995 Srebrenica massacre. President Boris Tadic said the 69-year-old had been detained by Serbian security forces, predicted that the capture would foster reconciliation within the Balkans. Mladic had two pistols when he was arrested but offered no resistance, and he appeared shrunken, bald and pale, Serbian officials and media said. “Today, early in the morning, we arrested Ratko Mladic,” Tadic told reporters. “The extradition process is underway,” he added, referring to the process to transfer Mladic to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), a UN tribunal based in The Hague.

According to Serbia’s deputy war crimes prosecutor Bruno Vekaric, it could take up to seven days before Mladic is handed over to The

Hague after he is first brought before a court in Serbia and receives a medical checkup. Mladic, the ICTY’s most wanted fugitive, faces charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes for his role in the Srebrenica massacre and the bloody siege of Sarajevo during the 1992-95 conflict.

Tadic would not say how and where Mladic was arrested other than the confirm he was captured on Serbian soil. But Serbian security sources told AFP that three special units swooped on a house in Lazarevo around 80 km southwest of Belgrade and close to the Romanian border early yesterday. The house was owned by a relative of Mladic and had been under surveillance for the past two weeks, one of the sources added.

Rasim Ljajic, a government minister in charge of cooperation with the UN tribunal, said “Mladic looked like an old man” when he was arrested. “One could pass by him without recog-

nizing him,” Ljajic said. “He was pale, which could mean he rarely ventured out of the house - a probable reason why he went unnoticed,” he said. Ljajic said said Mladic had two handguns in his possession, but did not resist the arrest and “was cooperative”. “He spoke normally to the members of the security services,” Ljajic said.

Belgrade B-92 radio said one of Mladic’s arms was paralyzed - probably the result of a stroke.

Serbian state TV said Mladic was bald and appeared “worn out”.

His arrest follows heavy pressure from the European Union which has made clear that Serbia’s failure to capture Mladic was a major obstacle to its hopes of joining the 27-nation bloc. In his press conference, Tadic stressed the arrest had come about as “a result of the full cooperation with the Hague war-time tribunal”.

“I am convinced that this way we have opened the door to candidacy status and negotiations and finally to EU membership,” he said.

In Brussels, officials reacted with delight but stressed they wanted to see Mladic in The Hague as soon as possible. “Justice has been served and a great obstacle on the Serbian road to the European Union has been removed,” Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele said.

French President Nicolas Sarzoky, hosting a G8 summit in Normandy, said it was “another step towards Serbia joining (the EU) one day soon”.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon also hailed “an historic day for international justice.” Earlier in the day, it had emerged that the special prosecutor for the ICTY had again accused Belgrade in a new report of not doing enough to capture Mladic and the former Croatian Serb leader Goran Hadzic. The report by the prosecutor, Serge Brammertz, was seen as crucial to Serbia’s hopes of being made an official EU candidate nation by the end of this year. After the arrest, Brammertz told AFP that it meant Serbia had “fulfilled one of its international obligations”. —Agencies

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Syria uses pro-regime gunmen to crush protests BEIRUT: The Syrian regime is unleashing shadowy, mafia-style gunmen to carry out some of the most brutal attacks on dissent as the country’s 10-week uprising threatens President Bashar Assad’s onceunshakable grip on power. The gunmen belong to a pro-Assad militia called “shabiha,” which runs protection rackets, smuggling rings and other criminal enterprises while providing muscle for the regime.

Recruited from the ranks of Assad’s Alawite religious community, the militiamen enable the government to distance itself from direct responsibility for the drive-by shootings, bloody executions and waves of intimidation and robbery that have made Syria’s revolt one of the deadliest of the Arab Spring.

More than 1,000 people have been killed in the crackdown in Syria, many of them at the hands of the shabiha, human rights activists say. As the uprising has gained momentum in recent weeks, the gunmen appear to have taken on a more central role. Syrians who have encountered the shabiha say they flaunt weapons, clutch rolls of cash and

whiz through checkpoints with guns sticking out of their car windows. “They always, always get what they want,” a 38-year-old Syrian man told AP in an interview after he fled the besieged town of Banias and crossed into Lebanon.

“If they like your car, it’s theirs. If they want your apartment, it’s theirs. It’s shameful to say it, but if they like a girl, she is also theirs,” he said. He, like all witnesses, spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals against relatives still inside Syria.

In many ways, witnesses say, the shabiha are more terrifying than the army and security forces, whose tactics include shelling residential neighborhoods and firing on protesters. The swaggering gunmen, they say, are deployed specifically to brutalize and intimidate Assad’s opponents. The origin of the word shabiha is murky, although some have speculated it comes from “shabah”, the Arabic word for ghost. But Tony Badran, a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington, said it signifies someone with a “long reach” - or, someone who can “pillage with

impunity”. Syria is not the first country to use gunmen to carry out its dirty work. During Egypt’s revolution, pro-regime gangs enjoyed at least tacit approval from the state, or elements of it, disbanding as quickly as they formed. But shabiha fighters have a tighter link to the Syrian regime than patriotism or protecting the privileges they enjoy under Assad’s rule. Most shabiha fighters belong to the minority Alawite sect, to which the Assad family and the ruling elite belong. This ensures the gunmen’s loyalty to the regime, built on fears they will be persecuted if the Sunni majority gains the upper hand.

An offshoot of Shiism, the Alawite sect represents about 11 percent of the population in Syria.

The sect’s longtime dominance has bred seething resentments, which Assad has worked to tamp down by pushing a strictly secular identity in Syria.

But now, Assad is relying heavily on his Alawite power base to crush the uprising, particularly amid rumors that Sunni army conscripts have been refusing to fire on civilians.—AP

South Sudan vows ‘no return to war’ Kiir insists Abyei conflict won’t derail independence JUBA, Sudan: South Sudan President Salva Kiir ruled out yesterday a return to war with the north over Abyei even as campaigners released pictures which they say show northern troops helping to loot the contested district after they seized it last week.

“We will not go back to war, it will not happen,” said Kiir, in his first public statement since the fighting began last week. “We are committed to peace.” Abyei’s capture in the run-up to international recognition of southern independence in July has been condemned by the world powers as a threat to peace between north and south. Analysts have feared the conflict could tip the two sides back to civil war, which ended in 2005 after more than two decades of bloodshed.

“We fought enough. We made peace,” the southern leader said. Kiir, who is also first vice president of all Sudan, called directly on President

Omar Al-Bashir to withdraw his troops.

“I am calling upon my president to pull out his forces from Abyei,” Kiir said, saying that the conflict sparked by a shooting incident last Thursday was “an overreaction from my brother in the north.”

Abyei, a fertile border district claimed by both north and south, was due to vote on its future in January alongside a referendum on independence for the south, which delivered a landslide for secession. But Abyei’s plebiscite did not happen amid arguments as to who was eligible to vote.

Last Saturday northern troops and tanks overran the contested area. But Kiir reassured the people of Abyei who the south believe should be part of their nation-to-be - that northern soldiers would leave. “The people now occupying it (Abyei) are invaders and they will go out,” he said.

He also warned Khartoum against any further violence. “If President

JUBA: President Salva Kiir of South Sudan addresses the media at the Presidential Guest House yesterday. — AP

Bashir and his army want to continue invading parts of south Sudan, they will have to do it while the world will see them.” Kiir said that the recent fighting would not stop the south being recognised as an independent state in July. “The south will become independent on July 9, whether the north recognises the south or not,” he said. The US-based Enough Project released fresh photographs yesterday that it said showed that northern troops helped in the “organised looting” of Abyei town after they captured it last week.

The group said the pictures “appear to show northern soldiers standing by as militia members load trucks full of looted food and other goods”. The images, which were taken on Monday, two days after northern troops and tanks overran the district, “provide evidence of organised ransacking and razing in Sudan’s Abyei town,” the group said. Other photographs show thatch huts on fire, and gunmen in civilian clothes roaming the town, alongside what appear to be armed police officers.

Another shows a gunman smiling and giving a thumbs-up to the camera, from a camouflaged pickup truck loaded with goods. “The Sudan government army provides protection for militias that are looting and burning Abyei,” said Enough Project cofounder John Prendergast. “The ultimate strategy is to ethnically cleanse Abyei, similar to what the regime has done in parts of Darfur.” More than 10,000 of Abyei’s residents - mainly southern supporting Dinka Ngok people - have fled the fighting across the border into the south, according to the UN. Up to 30,000 more have fled southern border areas.—AFP

MISRATA, Libya: Rebel fighters cross the frontline between Libyan rebel forces and Muammar Gaddafi’s forces yesterday. — AP

2 years needed for Libya vote: Rebels BENGHAZI: The deputy leader of Libya’s rebel administration said it could take up to two years to organize elections, backtracking on promises of a six-month transition to democracy and adding to internal dissent already brewing within the movement seeking to topple Muammar Gaddafi. Criticism of the rebel leadership’s National Transitional Council has been growing in its stronghold city of Benghazi, in the mostly rebel-held east of Libya. Deeper splits within the rebel movement could further hamper its faltering drive to remove Gaddafi, who has been in power for more than 40 years and is continuing to hold on despite NATO airstrikes in support of his opponents. The announcement on Wednesday of a longer transition period has raised suspicions that some council members are intent on prolonging their power.

The council’s vice chairman, AbdelHafidh Ghoga, said a news conference that a one- to two-year transition period would be needed after the hopedfor ouster of Gaddafi. In that time, he said, the opposition would form a tran-

sitional legislative body tasked with writing a constitution, hold a referendum on the charter, form political parties and then hold elections. A day earlier, the top US diplomat for the Middle East, Jeffrey Feltman, reminded the council that its “job is to go out of business as soon as possible”. Other members of the council agreed and one said Ghoga’s announcement took him by surprise.

Ghoga “is mistaken” about a new timetable unless “this decision was made at some secret meeting,” said Yousif Sherif, the council member in charge of town councils and culture. It is “engraved in stone,” he said, that “the elections should not take more than six months” to organize. Sherif told AP that under another safeguard to ensure a democratic transition, no council member would be allowed to stand for election. Ghoga could not immediately be reached to explain how the change had come about. Daily council meetings are held behind closed doors and no record is published. —AP

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Clashes rock Sanaa as Saleh orders arrests Yemen capital gripped with fear

BAGHDAD: Members of the Sadr Movement’s Mahdi Army march on top of painted US, Israeli and British flags and holding a placard saying “No to Israel” in Sadr City yesterday. — AFP

Sadr followers rally against US staying BAGHDAD: Anti-US Iraqi cleric Moqtada Al-Sadr brought thousands of Shiite supporters onto Baghdad streets yesterday in a show of force against any extension of the US military presence in Iraq past a yearend deadline. Sadr’s threats to revive his Shiite militia and protests by his Sadrist bloc are testing Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki’s fragile coalition government over the divisive issue of whether American troops should remain on Iraqi soil. The remaining 47,000 US troops are due to leave Iraq at the end of the year. But Maliki has called on the country’s political leaders to discuss whether a contingent should stay on to support and train local armed forces.

In Sadr’s impoverished Sadr City stronghold, his supporters - wearing uniforms in the red, white and black of Iraq’s flag - marched in orderly blocks down a main street, stamping over US, British and Israeli flags painted on the tarmac.

Some waved banners proclaiming “No to the Occupation” while others, including young children, performed acrobatic martial arts kicks to break polystyrene panels, some painted with American flags, others with the words “Corruption” and “Terror”.

“I came here on the orders of Moqtada Al-Sadr to help kick out the occupiers from our country,” said Alaa Hussein, 21, a student taking part. “If the government keeps American troops here we will consider them an illegitimate government.” Sadr, whose Medhi Army militia once fought US troops in the years following the 2003 invasion, is a powerful member of Maliki’s coalition and controls 39 seats in the 325member parliament made up of Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish blocs.

The cleric has held rallies several times since April when he threatened to “unfreeze” his militia. A split by Sadr would severely weaken Maliki, but most other blocs appear closer to accepting that some continued US military presence is needed. US officials say Washington would consider extending its military presence in the OPEC nation - Iraqi air and naval forces are still weak and the White House is keen to reassure allies in the region at a time of instability in the Gulf.

Sadr told BBC Arabic television service that some parts of the Medhi Army were still actively targeting US bases and vehicles and dismissed as a pretext any claims that American troops needed to stay to train and back Iraqi forces. “As long as they stay in Iraq, we will resist them,” the cleric said without giving further details. More than eight years after the invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, violence has fallen sharply, but bombings, attacks and killings happen daily from a lingering Islamist Sunni insurgency and Shi’ite militias.

Baghdad’s Green Zone, a high security area that is home to the US embassy and a symbol for some Iraqis of a foreign occupation, is still the target of occasional rocket attacks. Two US soldiers were killed this week in central Iraq, though it was not clear who was responsible. Washington says Iraq must decide within weeks whether it wants US troops to stay on, to give the military time to prepare for withdrawal. US and Iraqi officials have not said how many US troops might stay. US forces have helped reduce tension between majority Arabs and minority Kurds in the oil-producing northern Kurdish enclave, and are advising Iraqi forces protecting strategic sites, such as the southern oil port of Basra. — Reuters

SANAA: Security forces in the Yemeni capital battled heavily armed supporters of the country’s most powerful tribal leader yesterday as President Ali Abdullah Saleh ordered the tribesman’s arrest. The leader, Sheikh Sadiq Al-Ahmar, in turn accused Saleh of dragging Yemen into civil war, speaking after hours of clashes late on Wednesday and overnight in which at least 24 people were killed. Meanwhile a website linked to the defence ministry said 28 more people died when an explosion ripped through an ammunition store belonging to the Al-Ahmar tribal opposition. But a dissident military official whose troops are stationed in the area denied the existence of an ammunition store in that district.

Amid the escalating bloodshed, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged all sides in Yemen “immediately to cease the violence”. “We are very troubled by the ongoing clashes,” she said in Paris. “We call on all sides immediately to cease the violence.” Washington, which has urged Saleh to quit, ordered what it termed “non-emergency” embassy staff to leave Yemen “while commercial transportation is available”. France added its voice to the condemnation of the violence and Saleh’s refusal to agree to a handover of power.

“We call on the authorities and the other sides in the conflict in the capital to make the fighting cease and protect the population in areas affected by the armed clashes,” foreign ministry spokesman Romain Nadal said.

Saleh has ordered the arrest of the powerful dissident Sheikh Sadiq and his nine brothers, the defence ministry in Sanaa said. “The president has ordered the arrest of the sons of Ahmar to bring them to justice for armed rebellion,” the ministry’s 26sep.net news website said. The state news agency Saba said that in Wednesday clashes in Sanaa six civilians including a woman were killed. Tribal sources said that 12 soldiers from the elite Republican Guard and six civilians and tribesmen were killed in other clashes.

Speaking to AP over the phone from his compound, Ahmar urged neighboring Gulf countries and other nations to boost pressure on Saleh to leave power. He also offered a ceasefire if Saleh takes the first steps to halt the attacks. In total, Ahmar and his allies have tribal links to more than half the military and security forces. They would face a difficult test if tribal leaders invoked the traditional code of “nakf”, or “the call” in local dialect, which means to set aside other allegiances and follow the tribe’s decisions.

“He is the one who started this war.

They attacked us on our houses. We didn’t start it,” said Ahmar. “This man doesn’t want anything good for Yemen.” Ahmar also claimed Saleh intentionally triggered the current bloodshed in an attempt to portray his regime as the only option to avoid chaos. “He wants to explode the situation,” Ahmar said. “He is sending a message to the world: ‘Look, if I leave this is the kind of war that will take place’.”

The latest fighting brought to at least 68 the number killed since Monday, according to an AFP tally based on reports from medics, the government and tribal sources.

Scores were also wounded. The clashes have pitted loyalist security forces against

SANAA: The head of the powerful Hashid tribe, Sheikh Sadiq Al-Ahmar (center), walks with his bodyguards near his house yesterday. — AFP clansmen from several tribes fighting in support of Sheikh Sadiq who rallied to the opposition in March. The fighting that spread to the Arhab district north of the airport late on Wednesday prompted its closure, with flights diverted to the southern city of Aden, aviation and tribal sources said. Airport director Naji Al-Marqab insisted it was functioning normally yesterday, Saba reported.

Blasts echoed through Sanaa in what residents described as the fiercest clashes since Monday. The clashes were centred on Al-Hasaba district, where Sheikh Sadiq lives.

“I couldn’t sleep until 5:00 am from the sound of shelling,” one resident there told AFP. Meanwhile, more protesters abandoned University Square, which has been the epicentre of anti-regime protests for months in Sanaa, amid the escalating violence. “If things remain this way, the youth revolt will not succeed and we will leave the square,” one protester told AFP. But organisers of the protests have called for demonstrations today, calling it

“The Friday Peaceful Revolt”. Saleh loyalists, meanwhile, called for a counter-protest under the banner “The Friday of Law and Order”. Saleh and his opponents have for months rallied their supporters in rival demonstrations every Friday. The president, in power since 1978, has resisted strong diplomatic pressure to sign up to proposals

by Yemen’s wealthy Gulf neighbours that would see him leave office in return for a promise of immunity from prosecution.

Sheikh Sadiq’s tribesmen have been fighting security forces since Saleh again rejected the Gulf plan at the weekend.

Tribal loyalties run deep in Yemen, the Arab world’s poorest country, which has an estimated 60 million firearms in private hands roughly three for every citizen. Yemen has been seen as a key partner in the US “war on terror,” but in recent days Washington has stepped up its pressure for Saleh to sign up to the Gulf plan for his departure.

On Wednesday, US President Barack Obama repeated his call for Saleh to step aside. —Agencies

Egypt ex-minister jailed for 5 years CAIRO: A Cairo criminal court yesterday sentenced Egypt’s former housing minister Ahmed al-Maghrabi to five years in prison on corruption charges, a judicial source told AFP. Judge Assem Abdul Hamid Nasr found Maghrabi guilty of the illegal acquisition of public property and wasting public funds worth 73 million Egyptian pounds (around $12 million), the source said. Prominent businessman Munir Ghabbour was also found guilty in the same case and sentenced to one year in prison. Maghrabi is said to have approved Ghabbour’s illegal acquisition of around 18 acres of public land for well below the market price.

Maghrabi is the third senior minister from the regime of ousted president Hosni Mubarak to be sentenced, in a sweeping probe against corruption that has particularly hit the lucrative tourism

and construction industries. Earlier this month, former tourism minister Zuheir Garranah was also jailed for five years for wasting public funds worth $51 million, after authorising the sale of state-owned land for below the market price.

Once feared Egyptian interior minister Habib Al-Adly was also jailed for 12 years for corruption. Adly, who ran Mubarak’s security services for more than a decade before the strongman’s February overthrow in the face of 18 days of mass protests, was convicted of money-laundering and illicitly enriching himself while in office. He faces a second trial on charges of ordering police to shoot protesters, and a third alongside the former premier and finance minister over a deal with a German firm to supply Egypt with licence plates at allegedly inflated prices.—AFP

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France, Russia agree unprecedented warship deal DEAUVILLE, France: France finalised an unprecedented deal yesterday to sell four powerful modern warships to Russia, in a move that will worry some East European and post-Soviet nations. Meeting at the windswept French seaside resort of Deauville ahead of the G8 summit, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev said the protracted contract negotiations were all but over. “All talks have been completed. The contract will be signed shortly,” a visibly pleased Medvedev told reporters after bilateral talks with his host. “The elements of the signing have been

resolved. The signature will take place within a fortnight,” Sarkozy confirmed.

Under the plan, two Mistralclass ships - helicopter carriers designed to act as command vessels - will be built in France and two in Russia to the French design, the two leaders said without giving further details.

Mistral-class vessels are 30,000tonne amphibious assault ships capable of carrying up to 16 helicopters, four landing craft, up to 59 armoured vehicles and a unit of 450 marine commandos. Negotiations over the purchase began in 2009 but repeatedly stalled over price and technology transfer amid concerns among France’s

NATO allies about arming Russia with modern Western weaponry.

The former Soviet nation of Georgia, which fought a brief but bloody war with Russia in 2008, has expressed fears that Russia could use the powerful ships against it, saying the sale would send the wrong signal.

The deal is also likely to come under scrutiny from the United States, as naval ships built in France and other NATO states often contain potentially sensitive US-designed technology.

Earlier this year, the two sides were reportedly unable to agree on the contract price, as Russia insisted on paying no more than $980 million while

France insisted on a contract of at least $1.15 billion.

In the Tsarist and Soviet eras prior to World War II, and notably during Stalin’s modernisation drive in the 1930s, Russia routinely made substantial weapons purchases from suppliers in the West. But the Mistral purchase from France is unprecedented both in terms of scale and in breaching the block imposed by post-war Russia’s insistence on producing all military hardware for its own use and export. The deal will also be seen as a major coup for both leaders and will likely boost their standings as political negotiators as Russia and France head into presi-

dential elections next year.

Brushing off any possible concerns from his NATO allies, Sarkozy reiterated that Russia was a trusted partner and the Cold War epoch was over.

Medvedev for his part said the two countries enjoyed “superb ties”. “This is an unprecedented deal for the navy,” said Konstantin Makiyenko, deputy head of an independent defence think-tank, the Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies. “This is also a sign that Russia is no longer alone in terms of defence strategy-that a NATO member country no longer perceives it as an adversary but looks at it as a partner,” he told AFP. —AFP

Arab Spring, nuclear chills vex G8 chiefs Powers urge Yemen leader to go DEAUVILLE, France: G8 chiefs met to call for an end to the violent repression of revolts in Syria and Libya yesterday and expressed confidence that partner Japan will recover fully from nuclear disaster.

According to a draft version of their planned declaration, the leaders of the world’s richest nations were also to urge immediate Israel-Palestinian peace talks, and backed a government role in policing the Internet. A massive security operation involving 12,500 police and gendarmes, backed by boats and spotter helicopters, blanketed the chic resort of Deauville on the northern French coast as the leaders arrived at the seafront venue.

France said Yemen’s President Ali er and then consistently reneged on those and fundamental reforms in response to the legitimate expression of the demands of the Abdullah Saleh must end his 33-year rule: agreements.”

The final wording of the declaration was Syrian people,” the draft, obtained by AFP, “We deplore the fighting that occurred overnight which was a direct result of the being discussed at a working lunch hosted said.

G8 member Russia had previously spocurrent political impasse, for which President by President Nicolas Sarkozy for his fellow Saleh has direct responsibility due to his leaders of Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy, ken out firmly against foreign intervention in refusal to sign the GCC transition agree- Japan, Russia and the United States. its traditional Middle East ally, and earlier this month rejected calls for a special UN Security Council meeting on the country. At what will effectively be a 24-hour meeting, G8 chiefs were to express solidarity with Japan following the March 11 disasters ahead of a lively debate on ways of improving global nuclear safety after the Fukushima accident. Nuclear safety is high on the agenda following the earthquake in Japan, which triggered a tsunami killed 25,000 people and flooded the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

“In the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on March 11, we expressed heartfelt sympathy for the victims and solidarity with the people and government of Japan,” said the proposed communique. “We are fully confident in the ability of the Japanese authorities to respond to the challenge and build a speedy and lasting recovery, and we stand ready to assist as needed,” it said. The draft document also DEAUVILLE, France: (From left) Jose Manuel Barroso, head of the urges Israel and the Palestinians to grab the European Commission, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, US opportunity provided by the Arab uprisings to begin substantive peace talks “without President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan walk delay”. France hosted a so-called “e-G8” on from the Villa Le Cercle to the International Centre during the G8 sumTuesday and Wednesday in Paris, a gathermit yesterday. —AFP ing of the biggest names in the online ment,” a foreign ministry spokesman said, Addressing Bashar Al-Assad’s regime, the industry to discuss ways of regulating the referring to the Gulf Cooperation Council. leaders urged Damascus to end violent Internet without killing its economic potenFor the United States, to whom Saleh was repression and carry out reform, as they tial. And the proposed final statement for long an ally in its conflict with Al-Qaeda, sought ways to encourage democracy in the two-day meeting says the private sector Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in Paris: their first meeting since the “Arab Spring” must remain the driving force behind the “We continue to support the departure of uprisings. “We call on the Syrian leadership online economy and emphasises the need President Saleh who has consistently agreed to stop using force and intimidation against for openness, transparency and free expresthat he would be stepping down from pow- the Syrian people and to engage in dialogue sion. —Agencies

TBILISI: Georgian riot police watch as arrested opposition activists lay on the ground at an anti-presidential rally in front of the parliament building early yesterday. Two people were killed and dozens injured when police used tear gas and rubber bullets to break up a five-day rally against President Mikheil Saakashvili’s pro-Western government. Georgia marked Independence Day yesterday. —AP

Mumbai plotter set sights on Denmark CHICAGO: The Pakistani-American who plotted the 2008 Mumbai attacks scoped out the city of Copenhagen and a Danish newspaper office for a planned strike which was later aborted, a court heard Wednesday. David Coleman Headley told a federal court in Chicago that since 2009 he had carried out detailed video surveillance of the Danish newspaper Jyllen Posten, which had published controversial cartoons of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Five video clips played by the prosecution showed general shots of King’s Square in the heart of the Danish capital, as well as the glass frontage of the newspaper’s offices and a back alley.

Headley also shot images of a parade of Danish soldiers dressed in ceremonial gear and carrying weapons. He said he later went to the soldiers’ barracks and spoke to a captain about whether the weapons were loaded. When the captain said “yes,” Headley asked, “Why? There does not (seem to) be a threat around here.” The captain replied, “You never know,” Headley said in court. The videos were shown to the jury as evidence in the trial of Chicago businessman and CanadianPakistani national, Tahawwur Hussain Rana.

Rana is accused of providing Headley with a cover and acting as a messenger in the Mumbai attacks in late 2008 in which 166 people were killed. He is considered to have played a behind-the-scenes logistical role in both the Mumbai attacks and the abortive plan to strike Copenhagen. Rana has denied all charges, and his defense argues that he was duped by his friend, whom he had met in military school. —AFP

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Kim tells China he wants stability, talks BEIJING: North Korea needs a stable region to develop and wants to return to nuclear disarmament talks, the country’s leader, Kim Jong-il, said during his latest secretive trip to China, which prodded its poor neighbour to open up. This week’s trip was Kim’s third to Asia’s biggest economy in just over a year, and it featured stops that may offer lessons for his own tattered and top-down controlled economy, battered by wide-ranging UN sanctions.

Kim’s summit with President Hu Jintao brought no breakthrough on stalled sixparty nuclear disarmament talks, but Kim indicated he was not spoiling for fresh fights, after a year when South Korea blamed the North for sinking a navy ship and shelling an island, sparking confrontation. “North Korea is now focusing its energies on economic development, and really needs a stable environment around it,” Kim told Chinese President Hu Jintao, according to China’s official Xinhua news agency.

“We hope there will be an easing on the Korean peninsula, are adhering to the goal of denuclearisation of the Korean peninsu-

BEIJING: In this photo taken Wednesday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il (left) meets Chinese President Hu Jintao. — AP la, and advocate restarting the six-party to return to negotiations aimed at ending talks. We have always maintained sincerity his nuclear weapons program. North Korea about improving relations between north alarmed the region with atomic test blasts and south.” in 2006 and 2009 that drew UN sanctions China has used Kim’s visits to urge him backed by China. The North, which techni-

cally remains at war with the South because the 1950-53 Korean war ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty, is blamed for two deadly attacks on the South last year.

Those attacks - the March 2010 sinking of the corvette Cheonan and the shelling of the Yeonpyeong island in November have made it difficult for talks to resume, though there are hints that a fresh effort may be in the offing. Hu told Kim that all sides should “remain calm and restrained, show flexibility, remove obstacles, improve relations and make positive efforts to ultimately accomplish peace, stability and development on the peninsula,” according to Xinhua.

“China positively evaluates the active efforts that North Korea has made in easing the situation on the Korean peninsula and in improving its external environment,” Hu said. He said all sides needed to “show flexibility and eradicate obstructions to improve mutual relations” on the divided and often volatile Korean peninsula. —Reuters

3 blasts near China govt buildings kill 2 ‘Wronged’ man sets off explosions

NAMIE, Japan: Residents pray in front of a makeshift incense stand in northeastern Japan yesterday. — AP

Japanese from nuke town make brief visit home TAMURA, Japan: Donning white protective suits, neighbors of Japan’s radiation-leaking nuclear plant returned home Thursday for the first time since March when the crisis began. But they barely had time to fill garbage bags with belongings and pray at a makeshift shrine before they had to leave. Some residents lit incense in Namie, one of the deserted, evacuated towns frozen in time since March 11. Debris is still piled several stories high there, with a ship resting precariously atop one heap.

Tens of thousands of people were evacuated from towns near the plant soon after Japan’s massive March 11 earthquake and tsunami flooded the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear complex, which then began spewing radiation. Local officials and nuclear experts escorted several dozen of them back for a two-hour visit yesterday. “It was just like it was when the quake hit,” said Anna Takano, a 17-year-old high school student from Futaba, home to the plant. “It felt very strange.” Takano said she packed up as much clothing from her home as she could and then made a 10-minute visit to her family grave site.

For most, it was the first time they had been able to check on homes and possessions. Similar visits began earlier for towns farther away from the plant, but yesterday’s excursion went deeper into the 20-km no-go zone around the plant than any before it.

Many evacuees from the nuclear zone did not realize how long the crisis would drag on and left with only the clothes they were wearing and their purses or wallets. Due to radiation concerns, officials allowed only two people per household to return and let them stay at their homes only for two hours. —AP

BEIJING: Coordinated explosions at three sites near government buildings in eastern China killed two people yesterday and were set off by a man apparently angry about the illegal demolition of his home, state media reported. The near-simultaneous explosions several minutes’ drive apart in Fuzhou city, Jiangxi province, also injured 10 people, the official Xinhua news agency said.

One of those killed was the person suspected of setting off the blasts, identified by Xinhua as Qian Mingqi, a 52-yearold unemployed resident of Fuzhou’s Linchuan district.

The news agency, citing a source with the Linchuan district government, said Qian was involved in a house demolition dispute, “triggering suspicions that he might’ve set off the explosions as a form of revenge against the local government”. The blasts shook the prosecutor’s office, a district-level government office and the district food and drug administration, and damaged at least 10 vehicles, Xinhua said. Most of the windows in the eight-storey prosecutor’s office were shattered after the explosion less than 100 m away, it added.

“The illegal demolition of my legally, newly built home has caused me huge losses, and 10 years of failed appeals have forced me to take this path,” Qian said on his microblog, according to Caijing magazine’s website. “Going to heaven, I would have to take a few enemies with me,” Qian wrote in his microblog, on which he said he had been petitioning authorities on the illegal demolition since 2002.

Property disputes in a country where the government legally owns all land

FUZHOU, China: A damaged vehicle sits at the site of an explosion near the Linchuan district government building in east China’s Jiangxi Province yesterday. — AP

have led to unruly protests, fights with police, imprisonment and even suicide, and created a major headache for the stability-obsessed ruling Communist Party. “There are plenty of people complaining about the government,” Fuzhou resident Zhang Weizhang told Reuters by telephone. “They ignore complaints.

They’ve ignored mine,” added Zhang, who said he was in a dispute over forestry rights in Fuzhou’s Linchuan district. “But nobody ordinary would do something like this. This isn’t normal for here.” The Fuzhou government did not answer calls seeking comment.

Fuzhou’s Communist Party boss, Gan Liangmiao, told officials in October that they must “firmly establish the idea that stability comes before all else and stability comes higher than anything else”,

the Fuzhou Daily said at the time. This Fuzhou is not the same city as the provincial capital of the neighbouring province of Fujian, which is spelled the same in English but written with different Chinese characters.

Jiangxi province is home to many mines, which use explosives, and firework manufacturers. Such “sudden incidents”, as China refers to them, underscore broader government worries about stability in the world’s secondlargest economy, with a widening gap between rich and poor and growing anger at corruption and environmental issues. Last year, three people set themselves on fire in a Jiangxi county not far from Fuzhou to try to stop officials forcing them out of their homes to make way for a bus station. — Reuters

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As world hesitates, China stands firm on dissent BEIJING: The international community’s mixed response to China’s crackdown on dissent - ranging from public criticism to total silence - has handed Beijing leeway to maintain its hard line, experts say.

Since Chinese authorities, apparently spooked by the pro-democracy uprisings sweeping the Middle East, began detaining lawyers, artists and other activists in February, a parade of Western leaders have met with Beijing’s top brass.

Some have slammed China over the clampdown US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton this month called it a “fool’s errand”. Others such as Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, who visited Beijing last month, have avoided making criticism in public. Jean-Philippe Beja, a China expert based in France, said Beijing has appeared inflexible “because Western countries have not really exerted any significant pressure”. “Among the few dissidents who have been freed, their releases have only been secured after public pressure,” Beja told AFP. Human Rights Watch Asia researcher Nicholas Bequelin agreed, suggesting that the West was in part compromised by its commercial relations with the world’s second-largest economy. “Many Western countries scuppered international principles by treating China differently” from other hardline governments due to their “economic interests”, but also to a “lack of realism” about China’s political system, Bequelin said.

The veteran Hong Kong-based HRW researcher said the detention last month of avant-garde artist Ai Weiwei - a government critic well known in the West who could face tax evasion charges - symbolised the failure of foreign governments to exert pressure on Beijing.

Bequelin said Ai’s detention was made possible because there were “very few international reactions” calling Beijing to account from the start of the crackdown, the worst seen in China since the postTiananmen era. The United States has been the most strident in its condemnation. President Barack Obama pressed Beijing on rights issues during high-level talks in Washington this month, while Clinton called China’s record “deplorable”.

In late April, US Assistant Secretary of State Michael Posner accused China of “serious backsliding” on human rights following talks in Beijing and indicated that Chinese leaders had rebuffed appeals to soften the crackdown. Also last month, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said she had raised a range of human rights “concerns” in talks in Beijing with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, who told her China had not taken a “backward step”. But others have been more muted in their criticism. Just last week, European Union President Herman van Rompuy said the “underlying fundamentals of rule of law, social justice, and human rights” are key to sustainable economic and social development. Spanish

Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero Rodriguez took an even less robust stance, voicing support for “freedom and fundamental rights”... across Asia. The public silence of Brazil’s Rousseff was apparently matched by that of French parliamentary leader Bernard Accoyer, who met Chinese President Hu Jintao in late April.

One Western diplomat based in Beijing admitted EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton had “not exactly been reactive on these issues”, adding: “One gets the impression that she’s dragging her feet”. And former French prime minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, who travels several times a year to China, told AFP “the rules of diplomacy generally rule out public challenges.”

Raffarin said that each time he comes to China, he “directly” raises human rights issues, and added that French President Nicolas Sarkozy had debated the topic with Hu in late March. In the face of public and private official pressure, China - concerned above all with maintaining social stability - has remained firm. State Councilor Dai Bingguo, one of the two officials who led the Sino-US talks in Washington, spoke of the “enormous progress” China has made on several fronts including human rights. Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying meanwhile accused Europe of a “condescending” attitude towards Beijing at talks in Hungary this month, and a foreign ministry spokeswoman said other countries should stop commenting on Ai’s case. —AFP

Pakistan trims US military mission Bomber kills 24 ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government has told the United States to halve the number of military trainers it has stationed in the country, the latest sign of spiralling distrust between the two allies since the killing of Osama bin Laden. The killing of bin Laden by US special forces in a Pakistani town on May 2 has sparked a wave of militant attacks and 24 people were killed in the latest suspected suicide bombing in a northwestern town yesterday, police said.

Pakistan informed the United States in the last week or two that it would not need some US special forces trainers advising the Pakistani military, the Pentagon said. Pakistani security officials said the decision came three days after the Al-Qaeda leader’s death. “We don’t need unnecessary people here. They cause problems for us instead of being helpful,” said a Pakistani security official who declined to be identified. He said the withdrawal might start by early June.

Another Pakistani security official said the decision was made because of concerns over the Americans’ security and because “resentment all around was very high”.

Pentagon spokesman Colonel Dave Lapan said there had been “no real change” to the small US military training mission in Pakistan, where a team of US Navy SEALs launched the top-secret raid that killed the AlQaeda leader. The number of trainers in Pakistan was not disclosed but Lapan said the entire military mission has ranged between 200 and 300 people. Other Pakistani and US military sources in Pakistan have said the special forces training component formerly numbered about 120 and would be drawn down to less than 50.

Other US troops are involved in helicopter maintenance, liaising with the Pakistani military and aid efforts. It is unclear if they will also be withdrawn.

“Essential people are being asked to stay,” the second security official said.

MANSEHRA, Pakistan: Pakistani villagers carry a dead body of Wednesday’s suicide bombing victim for burial yesterday. — AP

“This includes SSG (special forces) and technical assistance.”

The raid that killed bin Laden at his compound in Abbottabad, 50 km northwest of Islamabad, intensified US questions about Pakistan’s possible role in sheltering militants, straining an already fragile relationship. Many Pakistanis see the raid as a violation of its sovereignty and some members of parliament have asked for a review of ties with Washington, which gives Pakistan billions of dollars in aid to help in the war against Islamist militants. While hinting that Pakistan could do more in its counter-terrorism efforts, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also praised its strategic ally as a “good partner”.

“We do have a set of expectations that we are looking for the Pakistani government to meet, but I want to underscore in conclusion it is not as though they have been on the sidelines,” Clinton told a news conference in Paris. She gave no details. “They have been actively engaged in their own bitter fight ... and we are going to look to put our partnership on as strong a foundation going forward as possible,” she said.

As the United States starts to withdraw troops from Afghanistan this year and some US lawmakers are urging the Obama administration to reconsider assistance to Pakistan in the wake of the bin Laden raid. US aid has also led to quarrels between Pakistan’s civilian government and its armed forces over how US military funds were spent, according to Wikileaks, highlighting the turf battles and lack of transparency over billions of dollars. —Reuters

FARIDABAD, India: A police officer stands near the remnants of a small plane that crashed near New Delhi yesterday. The chartered plane being used as an air ambulance to ferry a patient to a New Delhi hospital crashed Wednesday into a residential neighborhood on the outskirts of the Indian capital, killing 10 people, government officials said. — AP

India, US vow to boost intel cooperation NEW DELHI: US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano met with top Indian officials on Thursday as part of a security dialogue to increase cooperation in counterterrorism, intelligence sharing and cybersecurity between the two countries.

Napolitano, who is currently on a four-day visit to India, has described India as a steadfast partner and said both countries should work together to strengthen their law enforcement and counterterrorism efforts. During the Cold War, India and the Soviet Union shared close ties, while the US tilted toward India’s rival, Pakistan.

But in recent years, New Delhi and Washington have drawn closer, finding common ground in their concern over global terrorism, commitment to democracy and booming trade.

Napolitano’s visit comes as a businessman stands trial in Chicago in connection with the 2008 attacks in Mumbai that killed at least 166 peo-

ple. India has blamed Pakistan-based insurgent groups for the killings.

Yesterday, Napolitano met with India’s Defense Minister A K Antony and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao - the ministry’s top bureaucrat - in the Indian capital, according to the US Embassy. Napolitano is scheduled to meet with India’s Home Minister P Chidambaram tomorrow to jointly launch the US-India Homeland Security dialogue - a critical new component of their ties that would increase communication and information-sharing between the two countries on issues that affect security, said a US government statement on Wednesday.

Napolitano began her visit this week by paying tribute to victims of the Mumbai attacks. She laid a wreath and observed a brief silence at a memorial to 16 policemen who were killed during the three-day siege of India’s financial capital. — AP

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Ferrari launched in India, Eyeing growing super-rich

UAE to fix food prices as global commodities rise

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DAMASCUS: Syrian citizens walk in old Damascus, an area which is usually teeming with visiting foreign tourist at this time of the year. The uprising against Syrian President Bashar Assad is eviscerating the country’s economy. — AP

Unrest chills investment in Syria Revolt batters Syria’s already-struggling economy AMMAN: Political unrest has stymied three major Gulf investment projects in Syria and harmed efforts to attract capital needed to boost the economy after decades of Soviet-style controls, business figures say. Two months of street protests against the autocratic rule of President Bashar Al-Assad have hit many parts of the country, enduring despite a bloody military crackdown that human rights groups say has killed around 1,000 civilians.

“Syria looked like it was a stable country and like it was beginning to try and modernize,” said Theodore Roosevelt IV, managing director of investment banking at Barclay’s capital. But the grassroots upheaval suggests “the optimism that some people had about Syria seems to have been misplaced,” he told Reuters on the sidelines of a business conference in Amman.

“What is happening in Syria now is disturbing for investors. You see a government repressing its own people.” Roosevelt added that investors could look again if Syria emerged from the crisis with “strong civic institutions and a rule of law”.

The state-owned Qatar Diar real estate company has halted a central Damascus project with a planned built-up area of 2.5 million square meters. A smaller project that the company had started on the Mediterranean seafront near the city of Latakia, one of the protest hotspots, is

now also at a standstill. Fahed Darwish, head of Syria’s Free Zones Investment Committee, told the Al-Watan newspaper this week that the Diar project was “history ... Qatari Diar has left”.

Qatar, a US ally, has been one of the few large investors in Syria in sectors other than oil, along with the United Arab Emirates. Foreign companies, such as Total, still operate in Syria’s small oil sector.

Drake and Scull, an international engineering firm based in the United Arab Emirates, said on Thursday it was halting work on a $28 million subcontract in Syria’s central city of Homs, where tanks and troops were deployed to stamp out protests. “We hope that the political situation will become better,” a company official said.

Another Qatari firm, Qatar Electricity & Water Co has shelved plans to build two power plants in Syria. Syria’s central bank was forced to raise interest rates on bank deposits three weeks ago to support the Syrian pound. Syria has seen steady growth over the last five years, partly as a result of Assad’s gradual lifting of state economic controls. But unemployment has remained high and agriculture has suffered from drought and poor management of water resources.

The International Institute of Finance has estimated that Syria’s economy will shrink by 3 percent this year, a steep fall from 4 percent

growth in 2010, in the wake of the unrest. Syria’s economy has undergone gradual liberalization while capital controls state involvement in various business remained. US sanctions, first imposed on Syria in 2004 for its support of militant groups, helped deter Western investors and have stayed in place despite a short-lived thaw in relations, before the clampdown on popular unrest. The sanctions targeted the state-owned Commercial Bank of Syria, the country’s largest, and restricted the sale of US technology to Syria.

Washington has described the crackdown on protesters as barbaric and expanded sanctions imposed on top Syrian officials to include Assad himself. The European Union followed suit.

A businessman in Damascus said the new sanctions had no direct impact on economic activity but they would make investors reluctant to go into further partnerships with members of Assad’s inner circle, especially his cousin Rami Makhlouf, who has been subject of specific sanctions for public corruption.

Makhlouf, who has been denounced by demonstrators as a symbol of Assad family corruption, maintains that he is a legitimate businessman. The tycoon controls several businesses, including Syria’s largest mobile phone operator, duty free shops, an oil concession, airline company and hotel and construction

concerns, and shares in at least one bank.

Bankers said they have detected a flight of capital in the last two months. Syrian depositors have been wary of placing large sums in the nascent banking system, preferring to put their money in established, and much larger, banking hubs in neighboring Lebanon and elsewhere.

Depositors have withdrawn the equivalent of at least $680 million from privately owned banks, the equivalent of seven percent of deposits held there, since the pro-democracy demonstrations erupted, according Abdel Qader Dweik, head of Qatar International Islamic Bank’s subsidiary in Syria. Gulf investors control at least two other banks in Syria out of the 14 in private hands.

They announced three large real estate projects in the country in the last six years, after a relaxation of laws restricting private investment, but they have struggled to clear bureaucratic hurdles.

“Most of the projects that have taken off the ground are continuing, but the ones that were planned have been effectively scrapped,” a business sources in Damascus said. The three biggest were Diar’s development, a $500 million project by Emaar Properties in Yafour district outside Damascus, and a $1 billion project next door by Majid Al-Futtaim Group that had been delayed before the unrest. — Reuters

Business FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

Eyeing growing super-rich NEW DELHI: Ferrari launched its first dealership in India yesterday, seven years after it entered China but with the same aim of satisfying demand for flashy cars from the growing class of Asia’s super-rich. The full range of sports cars from the Italian manufacturer will be on sale, with the cheapest model, the California, priced at 22 million rupees ($485,000) after punitive import tariffs of more than 100 percent are applied. “We decided that after 2010 India was ready for Ferrari,” group chief executive Amedeo Felisa told reporters at the launch of the dealership in central New

Ferrari launched in India Delhi. “New models are coming this year on the market, so why not use this moment to enter a new market?” he said. “India is the 58th country where Ferrari is present in the world.”

There are already about 50 privately imported Ferraris on India’s potholed and congested roads, including one belonging to Indian cricket superstar Sachin Tendulkar who reportedly drives at night to avoid the traffic. Ferrari said it sold about 300 cars from 12 dealerships

in China in 2010, about five percent of the total 6,500 cars produced annually by the Maranello-based group. The number of Indians who have financial assets of over $1 million, excluding main residences, now stands at 127,000, the 2010 World Wealth Report by Merrill Lynch Capgemini says.

According to a recent survey of 160 financial advisors by the private banking arm of Citibank, Indians are also the most likely members of the global

super-rich to spend on private jets and yachts over the next few years. In April, Aston Martin joined the list of luxury marques driving into India, where Ferrari’s long-time Italian rival Lamborghini already has a dealership.

The country is also home to the world’s biggest number of poor people. Some 42 percent of Indians, or 455 million people, live on less than $1.25 a day, according to the World Bank.

India’s statistics on health, infant mortality and malnutrition are worse than those for some countries in subSaharan Africa.—AFP

Tata reports booming profit MUMBAI: India’s top vehicle maker Tata Motors yesterday reported a nearly fourfold increase in annual profit, boosted by booming sales and strong demand for British brands Jaguar and Land Rover. Net profit was 92.7 billion rupees ($2.04 billion) for the year to the end of March 2011, up from 25.7 billion rupees in the previous year, the company said in a statement to the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Overall sales were up 24.2 percent at nearly 1.1 million units, while consolidated revenue jumped from 925.19 billion rupees in 2009-10 to 1.26 trillion rupees in the last financial year. Sales of Jaguar Land Rover models increased from 193,982 to 243,621 in the same period, with the company reporting strong growth in China. Net revenue for the brands was 9.91 billion pounds ($16 billion) and net profit 1.04 billion pounds. Tata Motors, part of the tea-tosteel Tata Group conglomerate, is due to inaugurate its first assembly plant in India for Jaguar Land Rover cars today.—AFP

Oil slips on economy worry LONDON: Oil retreated yesterday, as investors focused on disappointing economic data, but dollar weakness and renewed violence in Yemen helped limit losses. Crude oil had gained sharply on Wednesday as traders initially focused on an unexpected drop in US distillate stocks. However the figures from the Energy Information Administration showed domestic crude stocks rising, countering expectations of a fall, which underlined the gloomy outlook for demand. “The net result was that there was a build in inventories, so I think the move was a bit overdone yesterday,” Simon Wardell, oil analyst at Global Insight said. By 1148 GMT Brent crude futures for July were down 55 cents to $114.37 per barrel. US crude dropped 59 cents at $100.72. Both benchmarks rose around 2 percent on Wednesday to close at their highest since May 10.

Wardell noted that US crude had been trading in a fairly tight range around $100 per barrel for around three weeks. “We’re poised, balancing between risks about what will happen to the global economy on the demand side and risks to supply from events in the Middle East.” Investors looking for more evidence on whether the global economic recovery is on track, and how this could affect demand for commodities like oil, will watch US GDP data at 1230 GMT. The US government is expected to report that the economy grew at a 2.1 percent annual rate in the first quarter, according to a Reuters survey, rather than the 1.8 percent pace it estimated last month.

Employment data will also be eyed. Fears of spreading turmoil in the Middle East were rekindled by a brewing civil war in Yemen as dozens were killed in overnight gun battles. Analysts said the tensions in the region have added a $10-$20 security premium to oil prices, as investors focus on risks to supply. The dollar retreated against the euro and slipped against a basket of currencies, making commodities priced in the greenback more attractive to consumers using other currencies. — Reuters

BAGHDAD: An Iraqi man fixes classical radios and tape players in Baghdad in spite of the invasion of modern devices like MP3 players and CDs. — AFP

Iraq, S Korea firm ink $7.25 bn housing deal BAGHDAD: Iraq signed a $7.25 billion deal with a South Korean firm to build a completely new neighborhood east of Baghdad, officials said yesterday, in a bid to alleviate a worsening housing shortage. Construction company Hanwha Engineering and Construction will build 100,000 new homes plus accompanying infrastructure for Besmaya, an arid area 25 kilometers from the capital, according to the Iraqi government and the South Korean company.

The project, which will kick off “immediately”, will provide housing for 600,000 Iraqis, according to a statement from Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki’s office late on Wednesday. A preliminary contract was signed by Sami al-Araji, the chairman of Iraq’s National Investment Commission, and a Hanwha representative. Araji was not immediately available to com-

ment when contacted by AFP. “This is the largest single deal a South Korean construction firm has ever clinched overseas,” a spokesman for Hanwha said.

The firm said a final contract could be signed before December. Hanwha will be in charge of engineering, procurement and construction for the town, to occupy a 1,830-hectare site.

Construction will take seven years, said the firm, an unlisted unit of the Hanwha Group. Last month, Hanwha Engineering won a $1.2 billion deal to build a power station and desalination plant in western Saudi Arabia. In 2009, the builder secured a $750 million order from Saudi Arabia to build a power plant.

After decades of war, sanctions and under-investment, Iraq is experiencing a major housing shortfall, and the difficulty in finding a home was one of

the reasons protesters took to the streets in rallies nationwide earlier this year. The announcement of the contract comes with just two weeks to go before a 100-day deadline issued by Maliki to his cabinet expires, with the premier having called on ministers to make improvements or face the sack.

Around 57 percent of Iraq’s urban population lives in “slum-like conditions”, according to a report published this year by the United Nations. The report noted that 13 percent of houses in urban areas have more than 10 people living in them, with 37 percent holding three or more people per room. “Overcrowding will only increase as the population continues to expand due to high fertility rates and a growing youth population,” the report said. “A range of housing solutions will need to be provided at different price levels.”— AFP

Business FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

UAE to fix food prices as global commodities rise 70 UAE retailers to fix prices DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates plans to combat rising global commodity prices by fixing the cost of about 400 foodstuffs and household products at 70 outlets in the Gulf Arab state, an economy ministry official said yesterday. This is the latest of several moves by the UAE, which has so far avoided the unrest that is spreading across the region, to cut prices and subsidize basic items. Rising food prices have become hugely sensitive around the world, helping fuel protests that toppled the rulers of Tunisia and Egypt earlier this year, with unrest spreading across North Africa and the Middle East.

The measure, starting on June 1 and so far set until the end of the year, is expected to help retailers including France’s Carrefour and be easily absorbed by the oil-rich country that imports most of its

food and already subsidises other consumer goods. “These outlets include Carrefour, cooperative societies, Lulu Hypermarket and Spinneys which form 75 percent of the market share of retail outlets in the UAE,” Mohammed Al-Shihhi, undersecretary at the economy ministry, told a conference. “We have received indications from different organizations that there will be price increases in most commodities in 2011 up to 2015,” he said. The ministry did not provide details on the amount that will be allocated for the subsidy or if it will be financed separately by each of the emirates. Shihhi however said the initiative was not be related to the unrest that has threatened to topple the leader of nearby Yemen and caused worries in neighbor Saudi Arabia. Saudi King Abdullah unveiled $93 billion in social handouts in March, on

top of another $37 billion announced less than a month earlier.

Concerned about regional unrest, the UAE has said it will spend $1.6 billion to improve infrastructure in less developed northern emirates. It has raised military pensions by 70 percent and introduced bread and rice subsidies. Annual inflation in the UAE, the world’s third largest oil exporter, edged down slightly to 1.1 percent in April after a 1.2 percent increase in the previous month. Food costs, which account for 14 percent of the UAE consumer basket, rose by 1.3 percent month-onmonth in April after a 0.4 percent drop in March. In March, the UAE said it hooked up with the Union Cooperative Society supermarket chain to cut prices on two varieties of rice and Arabic bread. The products would be sold at 2004 prices.— Reuters

BEIJING: A Chinese man carries a watermelon as he takes part in a contest for the biggest and sweetest watermelon, in Beijing. A recent bizarre wave of exploding watermelons — possibly due to farmers’ abuse of a growth-boosting chemical - has once again spotlighted safety fears plaguing China’s poorly regulated food sector.— AFP

Moody’s downgrades Bahrain credit rating DUBAI: Moody’s Investors Service downgraded Bahrain’s government bond ratings by one notch to Baa1 from A3 yesterday and assigned a negative outlook on concerns over the fallout from the crushing of Shiite-led protests earlier this year. “The main driver underlying Moody’s decision to downgrade is the significant deterioration in Bahrain’s political environment since February,” the ratings agency said.

“The government of Bahrain has forcibly suppressed an uprising by the Shiite-led opposition with the backing of an intervention of armed forces from other member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), most importantly from its neighbor Saudi Arabia.

“Political tensions in the country remain high and there seems little prospect of the underlying causes of the unrest being peaceably resolved, at least over the short term.

The political outlook is therefore highly uncertain,” it added.

“Moody’s believes that these events are likely to have damaged economic growth significantly, especially in services sectors such as tourism, trade and financial services.”

The ratings agency said the Sunni ruling family’s efforts to appease public anger among the kingdom’s Shiite majority by boosting spending had also affected public finances. “In February, the government announced cash trans-

fers to families, and in May the parliament approved an expansionary budget for 2011-12. The resulting rise in current expenditure is reducing fiscal flexibility.”

Moody’s also expressed concern about a weakening of the fundamental strength of Bahrain’s large banking sector. It said that the one mitigating factor was the likelihood of continued strong political and financial support for Bahrain from Saudi Arabia and other GCC neighbors. “These countries have continued to provide strong political backing for the Bahraini government and have announced a $10 billion aid package for Bahrain, although the terms and disbursement profile of this aid are not yet clear,” Moody’s said.—AFP

HONG KONG: Lenovo’s LePad tablets are displayed during a press conference to announce the company’s fiscal profit, in Hong Kong yesterday. — AP

Lenovo’s profit doubles BEIJING: Lenovo Group, the fourth-largest personal computer maker, said yesterday its fiscal 2010 profit more than doubled as global demand rebounded.

Profit rose to $273 million, or $2.73 per share, for the year ending March 31, from $129.4 million in 2010, the company announced. Global sales rose 30 percent to $21.6 billion. Growth was driven by strong demand in China and other emerging markets and a revival in purchases by corporate customers that put off buying new computer equipment following the 2008 global crisis, the company said.

“With the global market environment showing signs of continued growth in areas where Lenovo is well positioned, management is confident that the Group will consistently deliver solid performance,” said chairman Liu Chuanzhi in a statement.

Lenovo has expanded aggressively outside China since it became a global brand by acquiring IBM Corp.’s PC unit in 2005. Lenovo got into mobile Internet last year with the launch of a smart phone and two Web-linked portable computers.

In January, Lenovo and Japan’s NEC Corp agreed to combine their PC businesses in Japan in a move that gave the Chinese partner wider access to the Japanese market, where it had only a 5 percent share. China accounted for 46.4 percent of sales in 2010 or $10 billion, while other emerging markets were 17.9 percent of the total or $3.9 billion, said Lenovo, which has headquarters in Beijing and in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

The United States, Europe and other mature markets were 35.7 percent of sales or $7.7 billion. Lenovo relied more heavily on the higher-margin corporate market than its main rivals and was hit hard when companies slashed spending following the global crisis. It trails Hewlett Packard Co., Dell Inc. and Taiwan’s Acer Corp. in sales but its tie-up with NEC might push the Chinese competitor back into third place once global 2010 results are tallied. Lenovo says its global market share has risen steadily and reached 10.2 percent in 2010, up 1.7 percentage points from a year earlier.

The company said sales growth moderated toward the end of the year as China and other emerging economies tightened financial controls to cool inflation. It said PC sales would face challenges amid an uncertain outlook for the global recovery, Europe’s debt crisis and further tightening of economic controls

by China. It also warned of the threat from the growing popularity of tablet computers.

“The corporate refreshment cycle will continue to help sustain growth in commercial PC demand, while consumer PC demand likely will face continued ‘head winds’ amidst a weakening macroeconomic environment and cannibalization by tablet products,” said Liu’s statement.—AP

Business FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

Germany backs ECB hard line on Greece FRANKFURT: German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble edged yesterday towards the European Central Bank’s hard line against a restructuring of Greek debt, but said new ideas were needed to help Greece grow out of its crisis. The aftershocks of what financial markets would consider a Greek default “would be far too severe at this point,” Schaeuble told German business daily Handelsblatt in an interview, echoing the point of view held by ECB directors.

Schaeuble had suggested previously that a so-called “soft” restructuring of Greece’s 340 billion euros ($480 billion) in debt might be possible once Greek authorities had shown they were getting to grips with the problem. “Soft” restructuring, sometimes repackaged as “reprofiling,” is a notion that might involve an extension of the debt reimbursement period or a lowering of interest rates applied to it. Markets are convinced that would eventually lead to a “hard” restructuring, under which a substantial part of the money Greece has borrowed would not be paid back. ECB directors, including chief economist Juergen Stark and new Bundesbank chief Jens Wiedmann staunchly oppose restructuring because it could demolish investor confidence in Greece and other eurozone countries such as Ireland and Portugal.

The ECB holds around 45 billion euros’ worth of Greek bonds and would be hit hard by any “hard” restructuring, but bank officials also say it would be wrong to signal it would assume problems caused by poor national economic policies. Wiedmann said yesterday in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper that “as a matter of principle the consequences of finance policy mistakes must not be passed on to central banks. Political leaders, such as Schaeuble and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, have argued meanwhile that restructuring would force private investors like banks to share any losses on Greek debt with taxpayers.

Stark and others, like Moody’s Investors Services, warn that investors would be alarmed by Greek losses and pull out of the country, provoking a collapse of the banking sector and government that could spread to other countries. Schaeuble echoed yesterday a prior warning by Stark that Greek bankruptcies could have “more dramatic consequences than the collapse of Lehman Brothers,” the US investment bank that went under in September 2008. That triggered a sharp worsening of the global financial crisis because interbank lending markets quickly froze up.

The ECB economist and Wiedmann have raised the stakes by declaring that a Greek debt restructuring would lead to Greek bonds being rejected as collateral for central bank loans, which would cut off essential funding for Greek banks. With the ECB and Berlin seemingly on a collision course, Schaeuble’s remarks to Handelsblatt, which stressed support for the central bank’s independence, could help ease widely-noted tension. “Germany is defusing the conflict with the European Central Bank,” Berenberg Bank chief economist Holger Schmieding commented.

Barclays Capital economist Frank Engels added that “the German government would not want to risk an open conflict with the ECB,” the most stable body keeping Greece’s debt woes from erupting into an existential eurozone crisis. Meanwhile, Schaeuble offered some ideas on ways of encouraging the economic growth Greece needs to become solvent again.

“Budget discipline measures by themselves cannot resolve the problems” faced by Athens, the German finance minister said. “There must be medium and long-term growth prospects,” such as foreign investments in solar energy and electric power networks, he added.—AFP

Lagarde on IMF charm trip to China, Brazil Emerging economic powers unhappy PARIS: French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde is on a charm offensive to win over emerging economic powers unhappy that another European should head the IMF, planning visits to China and Brazil, sources said yesterday. “She could go in the coming days to China and Brazil,” said one source in Lagarde’s entourage, adding that details had yet to be agreed.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meanwhile said yesterday that Washington had not yet made its choice for the IMF post, although “unofficially” she would welcome a woman in the job, in an apparent reference to Lagarde. The top IMF job is vacant because last week the head of the organization, Frenchman Dominique Strauss-Kahn resigned to fight sexual assault charges which he denies. The imminent visits by Lagarde, likely to include others in the BRICS group comprised of Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa, will allow her “to make herself better known, to explain her candidacy and lobby,” the source added.

She may have a lot of work to do, having run quickly into strong resistance in the major developing countries who think it is time they got a say at the top of one of the global economy’s most important institutions.

China said yesterday that the choice of a new IMF chief should be based on “openness, transparency and merit, and better represent emerging markets and better reflect changes in the world economic structure.” China’s foreign ministry said it had “noted” the nomination of candidates for the post of IMF managing director. But a statement did not directly address Lagarde’s candidacy-even though a French government spokesman had said on Tuesday that Beijing would back her.

Lagarde told the Wall Street Journal in an interview yesterday that she was prepared to visit China, as early as Sunday, to drum up support for her bid. “China, Brazil and India are an absolute necessity,” Lagarde said. If the developing countries oppose

PARIS: French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde (left) speaks with Budget Minister Francois Baroin (right) during the session of questions to the government at the French National Assembly in Paris. — AFP

another European as head of the IMF, they have up to now failed to agree a candidate of their own, with some critics seeing their opposition as just sour grapes. Yesterday, however, Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said he was coordinating with other emerging countries to back a common candidate. “I am in touch with some of the finance ministers of developing countries and emerging economies ... We are trying to consolidate our position,” he said in a PTI news agency report.

On Wednesday, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called on developing countries to help reform the IMF while on Tuesday, the BRICS IMF directors said Europe’s grip on the top post “undermines the legitimacy of the Fund.” South Africa insisted yesterday that the next IMF chief should come from the developing world but added that it had not discussed potential candidates, with consultations underway with its partners. The head of South Africa’s national planning commission Trevor Manuel has

been floated as a candidate along with Mexican central banker Agustin Carstens. Germany, France, Britain and Italy have all backed Lagarde but the United States, a key player and where she is generally respected, appears reticent.

US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner on Wednesday called Lagarde and Mexico’s Carstens “very credible” candidates, without endorsing either, adding that “there may be others to join them.” By a convention dating back to its 1945 founding, the IMF has a European head while an American takes the top job at its sister body, the World Bank. Currently, European nations hold close to a third of the voting power at the International Monetary Fund while the United States has nearly 17 percent. Asian nations hold around 20 percent, with the rest held by other countries. The IMF has said it would like to make a choice by the end of June, based on consensus among the 24 executive board directors, or possibly by a vote. — AFP

US sanctions to ‘hurt US businesses most’ CARACAS: US sanctions against Venezuela’s state oil company will primarily affect American businesses, the country’s foreign minister said yesterday. The US State Department has targeted Petroleos de Venezuela SA, or PDVSA, for doing business with Iran, saying it delivered at least two cargoes of refined petroleum products worth about $50 million to the Middle Eastern nation. “These illegal, abusive measures taken by this weak government of the United States, they most affect businesspeople of the United States, not us,” Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro said in an interview on state television.

The Venezuelan oil company will be barred from any US government contracts, US import-export financing and export licenses for sensitive technology. But it won’t be prevented from selling crude to the United States or through its US subsidiary Citgo.

Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez has said that shipments of heavy crude to PDVSA’s US-based subsidiaries will continue, but the company cannot guarantee shipments to nonaffiliated private oil companies. It was unclear which companies might be affected, and to what extent.

“Our industry has the capability to face

and overcome this attempt at sanctions,” Maduro said. “What they’re trying to do with the sanctions is hit us from an economic point of view.” Asked whether Venezuela might consider suspending oil shipments to the United States, Maduro said such actions could only be considered in “extreme moments,” though he didn’t give details. Venezuela sells more than half of its oil exports to the United States, an amount that has varied recently between 900,000 and 1.2 barrels a day. PDVSA employees and supporters of President Hugo Chavez held rallies to denounce the US measures.—AP

Business FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

CBI survey underlines tough situation for UK consumers Consumer services firms expect business decline LONDON: Companies in Britain’s consumer service sector expect levels of business and profitability to fall more sharply in the next three months, a survey showed yesterday, reinforcing the bleak outlook for household spending.

The Confederation of British Industry’s quarterly survey showed the balance of firms in the consumer sector taking on new staff fell in the last three months to its lowest since the poll began in 1998. The index measuring their employment outlook slipped to its lowest since February 2010.

Britain’s services sector, which accounts for two-thirds of GDP, is

under pressure from a squeeze on household incomes caused by high inflation, tax rises and low wage growth. Profitability for consumer services firms, which include hotels, bars and restaurants, recorded its sharpest fall since 2009 and the outlook for the next quarter has worsened. The survey gave a more upbeat report for business and professional companies, such as law firms and accountants. They expect the value and volume of their business to grow over the next three months, along with hiring and capital spending. The index measuring their optimism over the business situation rose to +23

from +10 in February.

“These are all sure-fire signs that business spending is picking up, which will help drive the recovery,” said Ian McCafferty, CBI chief economic adviser.

“There is a stark contrast with the performance of consumer services firms. “When times are tough, consumers cut back their discretionary spending on holidays, leisure pursuits and meals out, and we are seeing that rising prices and squeezed incomes are holding back household spending.” The CBI said 175 companies took part in the survey between April 27 and May 18.—Reuters

High energy takes a bite out of economic growth WASHINGTON: The economy hit a soft patch in the first three months of this year, caused by a big jump in oil prices, and the impact of those higher prices are likely to weigh on growth for the rest of the year. After growing at an annual rate of 3.1 percent in the final three months of last year, the economy slowed to just 1.8 percent growth in the January-March period.

The Commerce Department is scheduled to revise that figure yesterday.

Analysts surveyed by FactSet are looking for an upward revision to around 2.2 percent growth, still a lackluster pace.

Going forward, many analysts believe the economy will perform only slightly better in the current April-June quarter and in the second half of this year. They see overall growth, as measured by the gross domestic product, bumping along at an annual rate just below 3 percent. “The rest of this year is not going to be a barn burner,” said Sung Won Sohn, an economics professor at the Martin Smith School of Business at California State University.

“The higher energy prices are going to continue to cascade throughout the economy.” And in addition to higher energy prices, there are also concerns that the European debt crisis could once again threaten to derail the US economy, just as it did in the spring of 2010. Analysts are also concerned about how much of an impact the supply disruptions stemming from the March earthquake and tsunami in Japan will have on US manufacturing, especially factories making cars and electronic products that depend on component parts from Japan.

Some analysts think that Japan’s supply chain problems could shave as much as one-half percentage point from growth in the April-June period.

David Wyss, chief economist at

OECD warns UK on pace of spending cuts LONDON: The British government’s drastic program of spending cuts to slash a record deficit may have to be slowed, the OECD think-tank has warned, after earlier strongly backing the plans. Pier Carlo Padoan, chief economist of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, told The Times newspaper there was “scope for slowing the pace”. The OECD cut its growth forecast for Britain on Wednesday for the second time this year and said in its semi-annual report that the government’s fiscal consolidation “strikes the right balance and should continue”.

The International Monetary Fund and the OECD have been among the strongest supporters of the program of deep public spending cuts introduced by Prime Minister David Cameron’s coalition government since it came to power a year ago. Padoan however expressed some concern at the speed of the cuts in light of the new growth forecasts. “We see merit in slowing the pace of fiscal consolidation if there is not so good news on the growth front,” he said.

“We have seen that (growth numbers) are a bit weaker than expected. Should that continue to be the case, there is scope for slowing the pace.” The OECD now predicts GDP will grow at 1.4 percent in 2011, downgraded from the 1.5 percent it forecast in March and the 1.7 percent it had estimated previously. It also said that the British economy will grow by 1.8 percent next year, instead of 2.0 percent. In March, British finance minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, cited the OECD’s support for the government’s tough measures which it said were “unavoidable in the short term” to put Britain on the route to a strong recovery.

The main opposition Labor Party has argued the cuts are taking place too quickly. Labor’s finance spokesman Ed Balls said Padoan’s warning was “a very significant intervention”. “Even the OECD, which has traditionally supported government economic policy and George Osborne’s deficit reduction plan, is now saying the Chancellor should consider changing course,” he said. A spokesman for the finance ministry said: “The Chancellor has been clear that the recovery is likely to be choppy given the scale of the imbalances and depth of the recession.”—AFP

Japan, EU take step on road to giant deal

ATHENS: Protesters scuffle with riot police at the entrance of the Health Ministry in Athens yesterday. Police used pepper spray to disperse protesting doctors and state hospital staff, in the latest protest against public spending cuts. — AP

Standard & Poor’s in New York, said he believed economic growth in the current quarter will come in at an annual rate of 2.5 percent, little changed from the first quarter. He said he looked for growth in the second half of the year to strengthen slightly to around 3 percent as the manufacturing supply disruptions ease and auto plants and other factories get back to full production.

Wyss said he saw growth for the whole year at around 2.7 percent, slightly below last year’s 2.9 percent growth. “There are just too many headwinds for the economy to fight

against at the moment,” Wyss said.

Some economists are more optimistic that the economy will be able to shake off all its problems and grow at a faster rate in the second half of the year. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, is forecasting growth will average close to 4 percent from July through December. “For this year, the first quarter will be the low point but the final quarter will be the high point, providing good momentum going into 2012,” Zandi said. “I am looking for 2012 to be a good year.”— AP

BRUSSELS: The European Union and Japan look set to agree on the principle of negotiating a free trade deal linking the world’s third economy and the leading global market at a summit tomorrow, diplomats say. After months of tough talks heightened by a history of trade friction, an accord between the two economic giants to move ahead would be significant even if falling short of hopes in Tokyo to wrest a formal launch at the weekend meeting.

“This summit cannot launch negotiations, but it can send a strong political message that we’re seeking to launch negotiations,” said an EU diplomat who requested anonymity. EU officials say further work is needed to explore trade stickingpoints and line up a to-do list of problems to overcome before the EU’s 27 member states approve the official launch of negotiations to ink a free trade agreement (FTA). Prompted by Britain, EU leaders in March called for FTA negotiations to aid recovery in disaster-struck Japan-but on the proviso that Tokyo move to lift restrictions to trade.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said earlier this month that the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers could deliver over 40 billion euros ($60 billion) of additional European exports to Japan, and more than 50 billion euros of additional exports from Japan to the EU. Trade ties between the two have consistently shown a strong surplus in favor of Japan-the EU currently being Japan’s third largest trade partner while Japan is Europe’s sixth. Tokyo’s better record “is partly a reflection of continuing market access problems for foreign firms in Japan,” a European Commission report said this year. —AFP

Business FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

Stocks up: Euro firmer LONDON: World stocks rose from a two-month low yesterday while the euro hit a one-week peak versus the dollar, helped by a report on China’s possible interest in “bailout” bonds for Portugal. Asian stocks rose 1.7 percent and Wall Street was set for a firmer open after ending a three-day losing streak on Wednesday. This encouraged investors to buy the euro and risky assets, although uncertainty over whether Greece would need to restructure its debt capped gains. “(The China story) fitted into better risk sentiment at that moment,” said Niels Christensen, currency strategist at Nordea in Copenhagen.

“This euro rally is very fragile and the euro is vulnerable to what is going on in the euro zone.” The Financial Times quoted the head of the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) as saying China and other Asian investors were expected to buy a “strong proportion” of Portuguese bailout bonds when the euro zone’s rescue fund starts auctioning them next month. However, investors remain concerned about the possibility of Greek debt restructuring, uncertainty over whether Greece will agree new austerity measures and the potential for contagion into the likes of Spain and Italy.

“There are ongoing concerns about euro zone peripheral debt. We’re not out of the woods by any stretch of the imagination,” said Jeremy BatstoneCarr, strategist at Charles Stanley. MSCI world equity index rose 0.5 percent, bringing its gains this year to three percent. The FTSEurofirst 300 index added 0.5 percent, led by banks and mining shares. US stock futures were up around 0.2 percent. Emerging stocks gained 1.2 percent. The dollar fell half a percent against a basket of major currencies. The euro rose 0.7 percent to $1.4181. US crude oil fell 0.3 percent to $101.01 a barrel, erasing earlier gains. But losses were limited on strong underlying demand for commodities. Reflecting that, the Baltic Dry Index, which tracks rates to ship dry commodities, rose to its highest level in seven weeks on Wednesday.

The Greek government is scrambling to resolve a stand-off with its opposition over austerity measures and Greece’s EU commissioner warned on Wednesday that its euro membership was at risk if it failed to agree to sacrifices. Greek two-year yields rose 43 basis points to 26.9 percent but the premium investors demand to hold Spanish and Italian government bonds rather than benchmark German Bunds fell after the FT report on China. The EFSF will hold its first auction to raise funds for the recentlyapproved 78 billion euro Portuguese bailout in midJune. “We know central banks are buying a lot of this kind of paper, it’s just a bit of positive news amongst all the noise on Greece,” said a trader. “But there seems to be growing political dissent on further bailouts so it’s really down to Greece to get their house in order.”— Reuters

US corporate profits drop Q1 GDP unrevised at up 1.8% WASHINGTON: Corporate profits in the US unexpectedly contracted in the first quarter to record their first decline in more than two years and the economy grew at the same pedestrian pace as previously estimated, a government report showed yesterday. After-tax corporate profits fell at a rate of 0.9 percent, the Commerce Department said, after rising at a 3.3 percent rate in the fourth quarter. The drop in profits, the first since the fourth quarter of 2008, likely reflected a slowdown in productivity growth as businesses stepped up hiring. Economists had expected corporate profits to grow at a 2.3 percent pace.

Gross domestic product growth was unrevised at annual rate of 1.8 percent, the department said in its second estimate, below economists’ expectations for a 2.1 percent pace.

Indications are that the sluggish growth tone persisted early in the second quarter, with retail sales lackluster and supply chain disruptions from the earthquake in Japan depressing motor vehicle production. The economy expanded at a 3.1 percent rate in the fourth quarter.

Though overall GDP was unrevised, the report showed a bigger increase in restocking by businesses and slightly higher capital outlays, which helped to offset downward revisions to consumer spending.

Business inventories increased $52.2 billion, well above the initially reported $43.8 billion rise.

The change in inventories added 1.19 percentage points to GDP growth. But a decline in vehicle production so far in this quarter because of shortages of parts from Japan could cause a drawdown in inventories and weigh on growth in the April-June period. Motor vehicle output added 1.28 percentage points to first-quarter GDP. Business investment rose at a 3.4 percent rate instead of 1.8 percent as the drop in spending on non-residential structures was not as steep as previously estimated. Business spending grew at a 7.7 percent pace in the fourth quarter. Consumer spending-which accounts for more than two-thirds of US economic activity-expanded at a much slower

OHIO: People fill out job applications at the Jobapalooza job fair at Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio. More people applied for unemployment benefits last week, the first increase in three weeks and evidence that the job market is still sluggish.— AP

2.2 percent rate in the first three months of this year instead of 2.7 percent. After rising at a 4 percent clip in the fourth quarter, spending was dampened by high food and gasoline prices, which sent inflation rising at its fastest pace in 2-1/2 years.

The personal consumption expenditures index rose at an unrevised 3.8 percent rate in the first quarter. That compared to the fourth quarter’s 1.7

percent increase. The core PCE index closely watched by the Fed advanced at a 1.4 percent rate rather than 1.5 percent. 12. While exports were much stronger than previously estimated, imports also accelerated, resulting in trade having a muted impact on growth. Government spending contracted at a 5.1 percent rate rather than 5.2, with defense outlays dropping at an unrevised 11.7 percent rate.—Reuters

Tiffany 1Q earnings rise 25 percent YORK: In another sign that the luxury sector remains strong, Tiffany & Co said yesterday its first-quarter profit rose 25 percent on higher revenue across all regions worldwide. The results handily beat expectations and the jewelry maker also raised its forecast for the year above current Wall Street estimates. Shares rose $2.46, or 3.5 percent, to $72.50 in premarket trading.

The New York company, known for its

iconic turquoise box, said net income rose to $81.1 million, or 63 cents per share, for the three months ended April 30, up from $64.4 million, or 50 cents per share, a year earlier. Net income includes 4 cents per share of expenses related to Tiffany relocating its headquarters in New York. Analysts expected 57 cents per share, according to FactSet. Revenue jumped 20 percent to $761 million from $633.6 million last year, sharply higher

than analyst predictions of $702.6 million.

Notably, sales in Japan recovered quickly following the devastating earthquake and tsunami. About a quarter of Tiffany’s stores are in Japan. Sales in Japan rose 7 percent to $123.4 million.

Revenue in stores open at least one year, a key industry metric, fell 3 percent. Tiffany said all stores closed due to the earthquake have reopened.

Revenue in the Americas, Tiffany’s largest region, rose 19 percent to $374.7 million. The region includes the US, Canada and Latin America. Revenue from stores open at least one year rose 17 percent, including a 23 percent jump at Tiffany’s flagship store in New York, a Makkah for tourists. Revenue in AsiaPacific rose 37 percent to $167.2 million.

In Europe, revenue rose by a quarter to $85.6 million. — AP

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Business FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

Gas prices push US consumers to the edge T

Pain at the pump becoming a chronic condition

he meteoric rise in gasoline prices may have peaked, at least for now. But many shell-shocked US consumers expect the pain at the pump to be a chronic condition.

A new USA Today/Gallup Poll finds that 54 percent of Americans believe high gas prices are here to stay. “It’s like this is the new normal,” says Demon Nelson of Southfield, Michigan, after paying $4.15 a gallon to fill up his Chevrolet Impala.

Nationally, regular gasoline averages $3.91 a gallon, 7 cents less than last week’s 2011 high of $3.98. But the drop is of little solace to frustrated consumers. Fewer than one in 10 Americans believes that prices have peaked for the year. And more than 25 percent say they are bracing for prices to jump 75 cents or more, easily eclipsing the $4.11 record of July 2008.

With prices up $1.06 a gallon from yearago levels, consumers already are making substantive lifestyle changes. More than 50 percent say they’ve altered daily habits to compensate. Almost 20 percent plan to make changes if prices remain high. Nearly 30 percent say they’re driving less and consolidating trips. An additional 11 percent say they will do so if prices don’t drop.

Of those who have made major changes already, 15 percent have switched to morefuel-efficient cars.

Nelson, 34, is contemplating a swap to a fuel-efficient Ford Fusion. After what he paid to fill up the Impala, “I really want one,” he says. When it cost $170 a week to fill up the family’s Honda Pilot, Suzanne Grosso of Lloyd Harbor, N.Y., says she switched to a hybrid Toyota Prius. “It was ridiculous filling (the SUV) up twice a week,” she says.

Prices on food, clothing and everything from coffee to airfares have also been rising. But the in-your-face price of gas up 37 percent from May 2010 and boldly on display at thousands of gas stations and convenience stores can be particularly daunting to consumers and businesses, says Max Rudolph, an Omaha actuary and principal at Rudolph Financial Consulting.

“You may not notice when the price of eggs is up. But when you’re driving and you keep seeing gas prices go up, it’s sticker shock,” Rudolph says. “If prices were stable, it would be much easier for people to plan around. But the uncertainty creates an inherent fear among consumers and businesses that prices are going to continue to go up.”

While nearly seven in 10 Americans say the high cost of fuel is causing financial hardship, for 21 percent, the effect is so dramatic they say their standard of living is jeopardized. It’s particularly severe for those who can least afford it.

Aja Turner, 27, an unemployed mother of three from Greenville, SC, says high fuel costs are forcing her to move in with family in Virginia. “It makes it hard to pay your bills because you end up having to spend your bill money in order to get gas,” she says.

Young and old, angst-ridden consumers tell USA Today that they’re feeling the effects. Some, such as Ottilie Nott, are simply resigned.

The Walled Lake, Mich., resident drives mostly for shopping errands and doctors’ visits. But at 93, Nott isn’t contemplating a

more-fuel-efficient ride. “This is my last car,” says Nott, who recently paid $4.09 a gallon to fill the tank of her Mercury Marquis.

Burlington, Vt, high school senior Artiqua DuBois says she and her friends are cutting back on driving and are sharing rides more often when they socialize after school and on weekends. “You have to cut back on the nickels and dimes,” DuBois says.

Lisa Zahn’s family began penny-pinching during the big runup in gas prices in 2008.

Instead of long drives to Minnesota’s Twin

“I plan my trips. I keep a list of things I need and try to do them all in one trip.”

Fort Collins, Colombia, resident Katie Theisen has traded her Land Rover for husband Jeff’s Audi sedan so that she uses less gas as she schleps her kids to their various activities.

“Switching to a sedan is a bit of a squeeze with three kids. I can no longer carpool if I have all three of mine with me,” says Theisen, 31. “I went from having a seven-passenger vehicle down to a five-pas-

Prices on food, clothing and everything from coffee to airfares have also been rising. But the in-your-face price of gas up 37 percent from May 2010 and boldly on display at thousands of gas stations and convenience stores can be particularly daunting to consumers and businesses.

Salesperson Scott Bahr places a sold sign on a Chevrolet Cruz Eco a customer will pick up later at Andrew Chevrolet in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Eco sales have been brisk with gas prices rising. The Eco gets 28 mpg in the city, and from 42 to 50 mpg on the highway. —MCT Cities for weekend entertainment, the homemaker and her school teacher husband, George, began spending more time closer to their home in St Cloud.

“We tried to get more invested in our home and in the neighborhood,” she says.

“We realized there’s plenty to do right around here.”

The latest spike in gas prices, along with higher health insurance and grocery bills, are forcing the family to readjust spending again. “For us, it kind of changed things for the better to learn to be content at home,” she says.

Janette Abejean, who recently paid $4.09 a gallon near Detroit, consolidates trips and cuts costs elsewhere. “I’ve switched my dry cleaner to a cheaper one,” says Abejean, 62.

senger, and I often find myself offering to drive and then having to rethink and rearrange.”

Companies wrestling with higher transportation and shipping costs are also looking for lower-cost solutions. Phoenix-based 3 Busy Dogs, which manufacturers Bowser Beer, a non-alcoholic, protein- and vitamininfused brew for pooches, says shipping costs to some retailers and consumers have jumped nearly 100 percent.

“It’s painful. It just erodes my profits, and I’m concerned about the potential for growth,” says Jenny Brown, whose family launched the firm in 2007. The company survived the lingering impact of the recession into mid-2010, only to see shipping costs take a bite of profits. “This is just one

more nail being pounded into us,” she says.

With a six-pack of Bowser weighing about 6 pounds, Brown hopes to reduce costs with a lighter-weight, dehydrated brew, now in prototype tests. “If I can ship the same product, reduce shipping costs and the carbon footprint thing by not using so much fuel, that could be huge,” she says.

Those who count on their vehicles for their livelihood are even more hardpressed. Taxicab driver Duncan MacLeod of Palm Springs, Calif., is spending about $300 a week on fill-ups. Gas prices in the state average $4.17, the highest in the continental US. “An LA round trip used to cost me about $34. Now it costs $65,” says MacLeod, 68.

“You can’t make that up. We can’t raise our fares any more. It impacts you. When I’m not in my cab, I’m not driving.”

Colorado computer repairman Jon Fye, whose monthly gas bill on his Isuzu pickup has jumped 60 percent to $400 a month, is looking for a job that doesn’t require as much driving to clients’ offices and homes.

Fye, 31, has leaned on his church and a food bank in Fort Collins to help bridge the gap between his paychecks and expenses.

“With the increased price of fuel, there have been days where I had to decide between eating and putting fuel in my tank to work the next day,” he says. “No fuel equals no work equals no money.”

Ed Canada, unemployed for nine months last year, jumped at a consulting job, despite the 100-mile commute to Frankfort, Ky., from his Louisville home. His fuel costs are up about 25 percent since he started in January. “It wasn’t my favorite choice, but it was better than not working,” says Canada, 57. If prices resume their climb, he’ll consider adjusting his budget and driving habits. “It may come down to the carpool,” he says.

Just 8 percent of those who’ve made changes to offset gas prices say they carpool.

Only 4 percent use public transportation.

Many don’t have a choice. “Public transportation is not an option, nor is carpooling, so I feel trapped in this situation,” says David Graham, who drives almost 90 miles round trip each day from Fort Collins to Cheyenne, Wyo., where he works as a construction inspector. Graham, whose gas bill has jumped $125 a month, is thinking about changing jobs.

Veteran Wall Street energy trader Dan Dicker says gas prices could drift down to about $3.50 a gallon by October. But the long-term trend, driven by both sophisticated traders and demand, is higher prices.

“Ultimately, it’s going higher,” says Dicker, author of the recently released book Oil’s Endless Bid: Taming the Unreliable Price of Oil to Secure the Economy. “Over the course of the next four years, we could see $185-to$200-a-barrel oil, which translates to a gallon price of $6.” Benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude settled at $98.44 a barrel Thursday on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Some motorists see a silver lining.

Douglas Vorolieff, 48, of Morristown, NJ, has opted for the bus, train and even biked some of the 14 miles to his office in Montville, where he works as a senior teacher naturalist at the Morris County Park Commission: “I’m saving fuel and getting exercise. I’m enjoying it.” — MCT

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FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

Syria adopts two-faced strategy with social media T

Instead of blocking the Internet, Damascus fights cold war-style battles with activists

he Syrian government is fighting a cold war with social media. Rather than shutting down the Internet and mobile-telephone networks, officials are skirmishing with opposition activists.

Syria blocks service in some areas while allowing it elsewhere. It hacks opposition websites and monitors their activity. In some cases, it’s resorting to preInternet tactics, arresting and torturing protestors to force them to divulge their passwords.

Facebook. Only days earlier, he had declared his country immune from the unrest roiling Egypt and other neighbors because of his strong anti-Israel stance and his acknowledged role as a bulwark against Islamic fundamentalism.

That was then. In mid-March, protests erupted in the southern city of Daraa and spread to other cities.

Eight weeks, 900 lives and 10,000 arrests later, AlAssad has yet to succeed in containing the unrest, but

bystanders at demonstrations and those who are actively involved.

Al-Abdeh told of a friend whose anti-regime activities were exposed when he was arrested. “They forced him to give them his Facebook password. They went in. He thought he had deleted anything incriminating but, lo and behold, there was one private message he forgot to erase from a well-known Syrian opposition activist,” Al-Abdeh recalls. His friend was detained for a month.

Damascus’ cyber-cold war has even come to Facebook the company. After administrators took down a page belonging to the Syrian army and then a second one put up to replace it, the government’s AlThawra newspaper quoted unnamed pro-government activists vowing revenge. It decried the unwillingness of the Palo Alto, California, company to ban its arch-nemesis, the Syrian Revolution 2011 page.

“The conspiracy of Facebook management, together with the so-called revolution in Syria, has exposed its double-standards, whereby there are some pages you can’t close and other that are closed without warning,” Al-Thawra. “Every time they close a page we will open dozens. If they want to get rid of us they might as well close all of Facebook because there is no other way to stop us.”

In fact, a Facebook page called the Syrian Electronic Army, together with its webpage, is widely believed by Internet experts and activists to be the public face of the regime’s cold warfare. Indeed, the webpage openly advertises that its backers are hacking opposition websites and staging denial of service attacks on perceived anti-Syrian sites. The OpenNet Initiative, a US organization that monitors Internet filtering and surveillance practices, found that the Syrian Electronic Army was supplying members with the software to stage attacks in addition to identifying targets and advising when to launch raids.

Another tactic has been to intercept users’ communications with Facebook in what is popularly known as a man-in-the-middle attack, according to another Internet advocacy group, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). Users’ browsers display a warning on Facebook that it isn’t safe to log in.

Clicking on the warning, which many users do withAn image grab taken on May 23 from a video posted on YouTube on May 20, 2011 shows a Syrian man carrying a wound- out thinking, allows the attacker access to and control ed boy, who later died of his injuries, during an anti-regime protest in the central city of Homs. — AFP of the Facebook account. The attack is not extremely sophisticated,” EFF said in a May 5 posting.

The opposition is engaged in a similar kind of low- neither has he ordered a complete shutdown of the Nevertheless, it warned, “If you are in Syria and your intensity warfare. When the Internet is blocked, mes- country’s communications even as embarrassing browser shows you this certificate warning on sages are sent by satellite phones smuggle into the videos and other information leak out documenting Facebook, it is not safe to login to Facebook.” country or carried by hand on mobile hard drives. killings and other abuses.

While Facebook and other social media have made Anti-government hackers infiltrate and damage offiIn fact, activists said, rescinding the ban of their biggest splash by bringing news of Syria to the cial websites. If cameras are confiscated or too dan- Facebook wasn’t a sign of tolerance or confidence, outside world, Al-Abdeh said it was used locally gerous to carry, activists use camera pens. If rather a more efficient means of ferreting out anti- although he disparages reports that the number of Facebook is too unreliable, they turn to Skype for regime people. “Facebook has been somewhat useful Facebook users has skyrocketed since the ban was secure and anonymous communications. for the security forces and intelligence services to lifted. He said a lot of those users are probably decoys Syria may typify the Repression 2.0 policies as gov- know who is an activists and who was contacting set up by the government and its supporters. The ernments try to keep communications networks open who,” Malik Al-Abdeh, editor-in-chief of the London- Syrian army page in its second incarnation suspiciousto allow their economies and governments to func- based Barada satellite television channel, told The ly had 18,000 likes within a few hours. tion smoothly while taking pinpoint measures against Media Line.

Inside Syria, almost no one uses Facebook to send dissidents. Early in the Arab Spring, Egypt and Tunisia, Syrians could access social media like Facebook, messages. Many Syrians are convinced that Skype, tried to shut down the Internet entirely, but govern- Youtube and Twitter by using proxy servers, which the global Internet telephone network, offers the ments in Iran and China have developed sophisticat- enabled them to enter the websites through a kind of safest channel for communication. But Facebook ed methods of filters and mobilize armies of hackers secret backdoor beyond the ability of domestic intelli- does serve as a bulletin board for local activists to to disrupt the opposition. gence services to find. But with the ban on Facebook share news with the neighborhood or village. In one Hostile to old and new media alike, Syrian lifted, many Syrian naively logged in directly. Social Damascus suburb, for instance, opposition leaders President Bashar Al-Assad effectively started the media exposes networks of friends and associates, posted the names of government informers in the guerilla warfare last February when he lifted a ban on distinguishing between people who might be area. — Media Line

FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011 www.kuwaittimes.net

Actress Crystal Reed arrives at the MTV series premiere of "Teen Wolf" in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 25, 2011. The series, a take on the feature film of the same title, debuts on MTV on June 5th after the MTV Movie Awards. — AP

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Te c h n o l o g y

FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

Sell like a pro on eBay L

ike to live clutter-free? Want to turn the books, DVDs, and electronics that you no longer use into cash? If so, you need to get smart about eBay, the world’s largest marketplace for individuals who want to buy and sell from one another. To get the most out of the items you offer for sale on eBay, you need to strategize a bit about how to make your items stand out among the sea of offerings that potential buyers see. Read on for some tips.

Make yourself human, and you’ll inspire confidence - and generate sales

Cultivate a reputation The biggest fear of buyers on eBay is that they’ll be ripped off by an unscrupulous seller who either misrepresents the condition of an item or fails to deliver at all. There are a number of ways to lessen those fears, and you should adopt as many as you can.

First, be meticulous and completely honest when describing the condition of an item. It’s better to err on the side of overstating flaws than to hide the condition of something. Let pictures tell the story, too. Take sharp, clear photos of your goods, and post them at sizes that are easy for buyers to see.

Spend time, too, cultivating a persona of honesty. eBay has made that easier of late by allowing sellers to complete an online profile, complete with photograph and a personal statement. Make yourself human, and you’ll inspire confidence - and generate sales. Finally, go out of your way to make those who do buy from you happy. You can do that by communicating at every stage. Send your buyer a congratulatory note when an auction concludes, reminding him or her to pay. Once payment is received, send another note acknowledging as much and explaining when the item has been shipped. Once you have shipped the item, tell the buyer, and provide any package tracking information as well.

Know how much to charge Before you list an item for sale, click eBay’s Advanced link, to the right of the normal search button, and then click the “completed listings” check box in order to search for concluded auctions for items identical to yours. That way, you’ll know how much to expect to receive once your item has sold. With this information, you can get a better idea of what price to start the bidding at and whether it’s even worth your time to list the item. If others have been unable to sell the same thing you want to sell, you may instead just want to concentrate on selling something else.

Schedule your listings The time of day that you post your auction is important, for it determines when the auction will conclude. Set up your auctions so that they end at a time of day when your target audience is most likely to be online. Many veteran eBay sellers

start their auctions so that they end on Sunday evening, while others swear by Monday evening endings.

Download eBay’s free TurboLister program (http://pages.ebay.com/turbo_lister), which gives you the ability both to queue up auctions so that you can start them at a specific times with the click of a mouse and offers an optional scheduling feature, which allows you to schedule an auction to begin when you’re away.

Offer free shipping Bidders are wary of paying too much for shipping, as they know that some people try to pad the price that auction winners pay by charging excessive fees for shipping and handling. Remove that worry entirely by offering free shipping, and you’re likely to be rewarded by a higher sales price that will more than cover what you would have made by charging a higher shipping fee than normal.

Know when to use “buy it now” When you’re creating a listing in eBay, you’ll have the option to offer your potential customers a “buy it now” button, along with an associated price. There’s a fee for using the “buy it now” option, so you’ll want to choose it wisely. For popular, coveted items in which there’s likely to be a lot of bidding, you could offer a “buy it now” option for the bidder who is willing to pay more in order to quash

the competition. You might also use “buy it now” when you’d like the opportunity to sell something quickly.

However, for that, a better option may be an auction of a shorter duration, such as five days. For sellers on eBay, a little know-how can mean the difference between no sale and a price that will make you smile.

Implement these strategies, and you’ll have a shot at being successful where others are not. —dpa

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C a re e r s

FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

What is

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career planning?

areer planning is a lifelong process, which includes choosing an occupation, getting a job, growing in our job, possibly changing careers, and eventually retiring. The Career Planning Site offers coverage of all these areas.

This article will focus on career choice and the process one goes through in selecting an occu-

pation. This may happen once in our lifetimes, but it is more likely to happen several times as we first define and then redefine ourselves and our goals. The career planning process is comprised of four steps. One might seek the services of a career development professional to help facilitate his or her journey through this process.

Whether or not you choose to work with a professional, or work through the process on your own is less important than the amount of thought and energy you put into choosing a career.

Do you need professional

T

hroughout our careers, we encounter many situations when we could benefit from unbiased advice. We may be in the process of choosing a career, deciding whether or not we should change careers or jobs, re-entering the workforce, job hunting, or recovering from a job loss. We come to the realization that this is an overwhelming process and we want and need some help.

A time of crisis is not the best time to seek professional help, according to an article on Pioneer Press.

Columnist Amy Lindgren states that “many career problems are preventable with regular attention to the career path.” According to Lindgren, visits with a career professional should take place on a regular basis.

Career counselor, career development facilitator, career coach, job coach, and vocational counselor are just a few of the names you might come across as you look for someone to help you with your career. It can get very confusing if you aren’t an informed consumer.

Let’s begin by saying there are some unscrupulous individuals out there who are misrepresenting themselves. You may see advertisements from those who guarantee you a higher paying job, a more fulfilling career, and ultimately a better life. In reality, no one can guarantee you any of those things. A good career development professional can help you explore career

Ten myths about choosing a W

hile salary is important, it isn’t the only factor you should look at when choosing a career

tend to become very skilled in their hobbies, even though most of the skill is gained informally.

2. A career counselor can tell me what occupation to pick A career counselor, or any other career development professional, can’t tell you what career is best for you. He or she can provide you with guidance in choosing a career and can help facilitate your decision.

4. I should choose a career from a ‘Best Careers’ list Every year, especially during milestone years, i.e. the beginning of a new decade, there are numerous articles and books that list what “the experts” predict will be “hot jobs.” It can’t hurt to look at those lists to see if any of the careers on it appeal to you, but you shouldn’t use the list to dictate your choice. While the predictions are often based on valid data, sometimes things change. Way too often what is hot this year won’t be hot a few years from now. In addition, you need to take into account your interests, values, and skills when choosing a career. Just because the outlook for an occupation is good, it doesn’t mean that occupation is right for you.

3. I can’t make a living from my hobby Says who? When choosing a career, it makes perfect sense to choose one that is related to what you enjoy doing in your spare time, if you so desire. In addition people

5. Making a lot of money will make me happy While salary is important, it isn’t the only factor you should look at when choosing a career. Countless surveys have shown that

1. Choosing a career is simple Actually, choosing a career is an involved process and you should give it the time it deserves. Career planning is a multi-step process that involves learning enough about yourself and the occupations which you are considering in order to make an informed decision.

help?

options, can inform you of labor market trends, and can assess your skills, interests, and work related values. A career development professional can help you sharpen your job search skills, and can help you learn how to move up the corporate ladder.

While credentials are not the only thing you should look at, they are a good starting point when you are choosing someone to advise you about your career.

Just as you would never consider seeing a doctor who does not have a medical degree, you should never pay someone for career advice unless they have professional credentials.

Once you have determined that the person from whom you are seeking advice has the proper credentials, you must then find out if he or she is “right” for you. Is this individual knowledgeable about your particular field, and do you feel comfortable talking to him or her? A brief interview with the career development professional is well worth your time, and should be worth theirs.

career

money doesn’t necessarily lead to job satisfaction. For many people enjoying what they do at work is much more important.

However, you should consider earnings, among other things, when evaluating an occupation.

6. Once I choose a career I’ll be stuck in it forever Not true. If you are unsatisfied in your career for any reason, you can always change it.

You’ll be in good company. Many people change careers several times over the course of their lifetimes.

7. If I change careers my skills will go to waste Your skills are yours to keep. You can take them from one job to another. You may not use them in the exact same way, but they won’t go to waste.

8. If my best friend (or sister, uncle, or neighbor) is happy in a particular field, I will be too Everyone is different and what works for one person won’t necessarily work for another, even if that other person is someone

with whom you have a lot in common. If someone you know has a career that interests you, look into it, but be aware of the fact that it may not necessarily be a good fit for you.

9. All I have to do is pick an occupation...

Things will fall into place after that Choosing an career is a great start, but there’s a lot more to do after that. A Career Action Plan is a road map that takes you from choosing a career to becoming employed in that occupation to reaching your long-term career goals.

10. There’s very little I can do to learn about an occupation without actually working in it While firsthand experience is great, there are other ways to explore an occupation. You can read about it either in print resources or online. You can also interview those working in that field. www.careerplanning.about.com

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Fo o d FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

Everyday cooking

By Sawsan Kazak

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here’s something about barbequing that signifies the official beginning of summer. The smell of the coals, those delicious grill marks and cooking alfresco are only experienced during the BBQ season. Barbeques are a great way to have a fun and healthy meal within minutes. The following recipes give your barbequing season a good start. Happy grilling!

Send suggestions to: sawsank@kuwaittimes.net

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1 cup ketchup 1/2 cup water 1/4 cup finely chopped onion 2 tablespoons minced garlic 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons molasses 2 tablespoons prepared mustard 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon paprika 1 tablespoon mild chili powder 2 teaspoons dried oregano 2 teaspoons dried thyme 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon cayenne (optional)

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elt butter in a saucepan over a medium heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until lightly browned. Add remaining ingredients (vinegar last), reduce heat and simmer over low for 20 minutes. Allow to cool. Optionally you can puree this sauce to make a smoother barbecue sauce.

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2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon apple vinegar 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon spicy mustard 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 medium unpeeled apples, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 3 cups coarsely shredded red cabbage 2 cups coarsely shredded green cabbage 3/4 cup dried cranberries 3/4 cup pecan halves salt and pepper, to taste

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hisk both vinegars and mustard in small bowl.

Gradually whisk in the honey and olive oil. Toss apples with lemon juice, shredded cabbage, and dried cranberries. Add dressing and toss. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in pecans, if using. Refrigerate the salad and toss again before serving.

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1/2 cup red vinegar 2 hearts of romaine, rinsed and patted dry 1 tablespoon olive oil Freshly ground black pepper 1 cup finely grated Parmesan Vegetable spray, for pan

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lace vinegar in shallow pan and place in the freezer. Allow the vinegar to freeze, approximately 2 hours. Once frozen, scrape with a fork to create a shaved ice texture. Return the vinegar to the freezer until ready to use. Cut each heart of romaine in half lengthwise so that the root keeps each piece together. Lightly brush the cut side of the romaine pieces with olive oil. Season with the pepper.

Place the cheese in a shallow pan large enough to lay the romaine in and press the cheese firmly onto the cut side of the romaine until it adheres. Spray a nonstick griddle or saute pan with vegetable spray and preheat over medium-high heat. Place the romaine in the pan and cook until the cheese turns golden, approximately 1 to 2 minutes Place the romaine, cheese side up onto plates and sprinkle with the vinegar ice. Serve immediately.

5 pounds chicken wings, tips removed 1 cup hot sauce 1/2 cup honey 1/4 cup butter, melted 1/4 cup lime juice 2 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon salt

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ill a large pot with water, add 2 tablespoons of salt and bring to a boil. Add chicken wings and cook in a low boil for 15 minutes. Meanwhile preheat grill to a medium high heat and combine hot sauce, honey, butter and 1 teaspoon of salt in a bowl.

With the chicken wings boiled (but not necessarily cooked through, divide sauce in half and place chicken wings in half of the sauce. Place wings on hot grill and cook until done, about 10 minutes. When done remove wings from grill and dip in remaining sauce.

Serve hot.

1 large ripe pineapple 3 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon freshly-squeezed lemon juice or lime juice 1/2 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper

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rim, core, and peel pineapple. Cut into quarters from top to bottom. Slice out the core from each quarter. Cut each quarter slice into four pieces (two pieces lengthwise and two crosswise). You should now have 12 wedges of pineapple (about 3-inch by 1-inch each). In a small bowl, combine honey, lemon or lime juice, and black pepper. Brush the glaze onto each slice of pineapple, coating completely. Preheat barbecue grill. Either oil or spray the grill rack with non-stick cooking spray. Place pineapple wedges on the grill and cook approximately 4 minutes on each side (turning so that grill marks are on all sides) until the pineapple becomes fragrant and starts to dry out on the surface. NOTE: Don’t overcook, or they’ll turn mushy.

Remove from the grill and brush with any additional glaze one more time.

3 cloves garlic, minced 1/3 cup olive oil 1/4 cup tomato sauce 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 pounds fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined skewers

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n a large bowl, stir together the garlic, olive oil, tomato sauce, and red wine vinegar.

Season with basil, salt, and cayenne pepper. Add shrimp to the bowl, and stir until evenly coated. Cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour, stirring once or twice.

Preheat grill for medium heat. Thread shrimp onto skewers, piercing once near the tail and once near the head. Discard marinade. Lightly oil grill grate. Cook shrimp on preheated grill for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until opaque.

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, Noora, and Bari, while on a rescue mission to Mexico, find themselves dropped at the wrong Aztec pyramid. Now they must make their way more than a hundred kilometers to the right place…

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

www.the99.org

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FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

in Southeast Asia

Bali, Indonesia

Koh Phangan, Thailand This island in the Southern Gulf of Thailand was once known primarily as King Chulalongkorn’s favorite vacation getaway. In the past 20 years, the place has developed rather rapidly from “backpacker’s best kept secret” to “tourist hot spot”. The tiny island has plenty to offer: pristine beaches made for swimming and snorkeling; accommodations to suit any budget; fun outdoor activities for adults and kids alike; and, for partygoers, Haad Rin’s notorious Full Moon Parties.

Mui Ne, Vietnam

Sun, sand and tan: the perfect beach experience

Bali, Indonesia In the 15th century, blue-blooded refugees from the besieged Majapahit Empire took refuge in Bali, bringing with them the court’s artists, priests, musicians, and intellectuals. This exodus, the last gasp of a dying monarchy, left an indelible mark on Bali’s character. Recent events notwithstanding, Bali is still a prime destination for tourists seeking cheap prices, a rich local culture, beautiful beaches (the surfing in Bali is world-class), raucous nightlife, delicious food, and free-flowing Bintang Beer - all ingredients for a fun, fun time. The Bali away from the beach is interesting, too: visit the Monkey Forest in Ubud or Taman Burung Bali Bird Park to see what we mean. You can’t help but be affected by the island’s culture - from the intricate kecak and fire dance in Pura Luhur Uluwatu to the profusion of picturesque temples, Bali’s traditions befit its status as the last remnant of an ancient Hindu empire. The paradox of Bali - its oneness with nature and its traditions, plus its energetic tourist scene - makes the island one of Asia’s most interesting places to visit. Bali is serviced by Denpasar’s Ngurah Rai airport, which can be reached from major Indonesian cities, as well as major transport hubs in Asia and Australia.

Tioman Island, Malaysia What it lacks in size, Tioman Island makes up for in beauty: lush jungles, crystal-clear streams, and dazzling white-sand beaches teeming with marine life.

You may already have seen Tioman Island without even knowing it - the place

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stood in for Bali Hai in the movie South Pacific. The profusion of white coral reefs around the island makes Tioman a scuba diver’s dream: clear waters to depths of a hundred feet provide an unobstructed view of multi-hued coral and tropical fish. Tioman is not as developed as Bali or Phuket - good news for the backpacker looking for something off the beaten track. Juara Bay is as isolated as you can get: a quiet beach on the east coast, braced by three rivers leading to waterfalls in the jungle. Accommodations range from Spartan to comfortable - you can rent a hut on the beach for about US$7 a night, or you could spend a bit more for an air-conditioned chalet. Any accommodation may be hard to find during peak season, so it’s prudent to reserve in advance.

Mui Ne, Vietnam A few hours from Ho Chi Minh City, Mui Ne is quickly gaining a name for itself as Southeast Asia’s next big beach destination, a reputation being underscored by the growing number of boutique resorts and facilities in the vicinity. Development only came to the area in the 90s, but Mui Ne is catching up fast. Sports enthusiasts can test their kite surfing and windsurfing skills along the beach - if green is more your color, you can tee off at the Ocean Dunes Golf Club on a Nick Faldo-designed course. Alternatively, you can rent a jeep and explore Lotus Lake nearby and the fascinating Mui Ne sand dunes surrounding it. (Don’t leave until you’ve tried dune-sledding down the sandy slopes.) The weather is perfect for beachlovers, as Mui Ne enjoys the lowest annual rainfall in Vietnam. While you won’t be able to grab a latte at a Starbucks in these parts, you can visit the Mui Ne Village Markets for cheap clothing, or venture into Phan Thiet City itself to indulge your craving for traditional Vietnamese crafts.

Boracay, Philippines The laid-back atmosphere of Boracay Island, Philippines can be quite a change for beachcombers used to Bali’s frenetic pace,

but it still draws the crowds nonetheless.

Located in Aklan province 200 miles south of Manila, Boracay’s beach scene is dominated by the two-mile stretch of sparkling sand that makes up White Beach, claimed by some to rival the beaches of the Caribbean. The water is shallow, the sand is powder-fine, and the facilities adjoining the beach cater to every

can look for adventure further inland, like horseback riding from the island’s Horse Riding Stables, or meeting fruit bats face to face at the Bat Cave on the western end of the island. Hotels and resorts in Boracay come in all sizes and rates, from budget and midrange accommodations for regular folk to luxury hotels & resorts for the well-heeled.

haunt, owing to its easily-accessible beachfront, raucous nightlife, and cheap shopping. (Patong is also the first stop for tourists seeking, er, earthier pleasures: Bangla Road in particular is known for its go-go bars.) The influx of tourists has meant greater development for the island, and more activities as well: you can play golf at the island’s world-class golfing facilities, watch a muay thai (kickboxing) match; ride elephants; or enjoy a fine meal at one of the island’s many restaurants.

While progress seems to be a fact of life for Phuket’s immediate future, some corners of the island are still blissfully underdeveloped; if you want to see less people and less development, head on down to quieter beaches like Laem Ka or Naithon.

Phuket is best visited from November to February - the weather cooperates to give you stunning blue skies and clear waters.

From May to October, the monsoon season means daily rain and dangerously strong currents. The island is accessible through its own airport, the second-largest hub in Thailand. —About

Tioman Island, Malaysia

need and budget.On the other side of the island, Bulabog Beach caters to watersports enthusiasts - windsurfers and kiteboarders take advantage of the beach’s relatively calm waters and more laid-back environment. Both beaches are quite close to each other, as the island is only 1km wide at its waist. Beach activities in Boracay and nightlife aside, you

Phuket, Thailand Perhaps the region’s most popular beach destination, this island - the largest in Thailand - offers plenty of fun within its varied terrain. Its watersports activities are top-notch, befitting an island with some of the world’s finest beaches. Patong Beach is perhaps the island’s most popular tourist

Koh Phangan, Thailand

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Books

FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

sizzling mystries for the hot summer Sixkill

The Lock Artist

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By Robert B. Parker

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By Steve Hamilton

n location in Boston, bad-boy actor Jumbo Nelson is accused of the rape and murder of a young woman. From the start the case seems fishy, so the Boston PD calls on Spenser to investigate. Things don’t look so good for Jumbo, whose appetites for food, booze, and sex are as outsized as his name. He was the studio’s biggest star, but he’s become its biggest liability.

In the course of the investigation, Spenser encounters Jumbo’s bodyguard: a young former football-playing Native American named Zebulon Sixkill. He acts tough, but Spenser sees something more within the young man. Despite the odd circumstances, the two forge an unlikely alliance, with Spenser serving as mentor. As the case grows darker and secrets about both Jumbo and the dead woman come to light, it’s Spenser-with Sixkill at his side-who must put things right.

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ichael is no ordinary young man. Mute since a childhood tragedy, at age eighteen he discovers that he possesses a skill he would never have expected. Whether it’s a locked door without a key, a padlock with no combination, or even an eighthundred pound safe...he can open them all.

It’s a talent that will make Michael a hot commodity with the wrong people, and whether he likes it or not, push him closer to a life of crime. Until one day, when he finally sees his chance to escape, and decides to risk everything to return home to the only person he ever loved, and to unlock the secret that has kept him silent for so long.

Buried Prey

Live Wire

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By Harlan Coben

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By John Sandford

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house demolition provides an unpleasant surprise for Minneapolis-the bodies of two girls, wrapped in plastic.

It looks like they’ve been there a long time. Lucas Davenport knows exactly how long.

In 1985, Davenport was a young cop with a reputation for recklessness, and the girls’ disappearance was a big deal.

His bosses ultimately declared the case closed, but he never agreed with that.

Now that he has a chance to investigate it all over again, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: It wasn’t just the bodies that were buried. It was the truth.

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arlan Coben has risen to the top of bestseller lists worldwide, attracting voracious audiences for his peerless novels of domestic suspense as well as those featuring his fan-favorite sports agent, Myron Bolitar. Now in Live Wire, he offers a knock-your-socksoff novel that will electrify all his fans: Myron’s family takes center stage.

Myron Bolitar has always dreamed about the voluptuous femme fatale walking into his office and asking for help. The woman standing in his doorway has killer curves all right: She’s eight months pregnant, which kind of ruins the fantasy. Former tennis star Suzze T and her rock star husband, Lex, are both clients, and over the years Myron has negotiated his share of contracts for the power pair. But now Lex has disappeared and a very pregnant Suzze is in tears, fearing the online rumors questioning the baby’s paternity have driven away

the man she swears is the child’s father.

For Myron, questions of fatherhood couldn’t hit closer to home, as his dad, Al, clings to life; the brother who abandoned them all years ago is in trouble; and Myron’s teenage nephew needs an authority figure.

Myron is soon forced to confront deep secrets in Suzze’s past; his family’s mortality - and before Live Wire is over, his own.

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Books

FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

6

The Wedding Shawl

Ghouls, Ghouls, Ghouls

By Sally Goldenbaum

By Victoria Laurie

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zzy Chambers is about to get married, but much remains to be done. Then the wedding plans get complicated when the wedding party’s hair stylist begins missing appointments. When she’s found dead, things really begin to unravel. Rumors circulate about the stylist’s past and her connection to an unsolved murder years ago.

All the Seaside Knitters really know is they must rally to find some answers, so Izzy can don the wedding shawl they’re surprising her withand replace the whispers about town with wedding bells.

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n Laurie’s frantically fun, if at times cartoonish, fifth Ghost Hunter mystery (after March 2010’s Ghouls Gone Wild), M.J. Holliday and the Ghoul Getters cable TV show crew face some anxious moments at Dunlow, a haunted Irish castle, especially after their producer, Peter “Gopher” Gophner, goes missing. Treacherous tides can make it tricky to reach Dunlow, which is located on an island. Another challenge is the powerful castle phantom guarding the hidden treasure of Lord Ranald Dunnyvale, who ransomed some survivors of the Spanish Armada back in the 16th century for a hefty sum. Reminiscent of Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s bunch, Laurie’s enthusiastic, punchy ghost busters make this paranormal series one teens can also enjoy.

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The Snowman

Cold Wind

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By Jo Nesbo

By C. J. Box

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hen Earl Alden is found dead, dangling from a wind turbine, it’s his wife, Missy, who is arrested.

Unfortunately for Joe Pickett, Missy is his mother-in- law, a woman he dislikes heartily, and now he doesn’t know what to do-especially when the early signs point to her being guilty as sin.

But then things happen to make Joe wonder: Is Earl’s death what it appears to be?

Is Missy being set up? He has the county DA and sheriff on one side, his wife on the other, his estranged friend Nate on a lethal mission of his own, and some powerful interests breathing down his neck.

Whichever way this goes . . . it’s not going to be good.

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nternationally acclaimed crime writer Jo Nesbo’s antihero police investigator, Harry Hole, is back: in a bone-chilling thriller that will take Hole to the brink of insanity.

Oslo in November. The first snow of the season has fallen. A boy named Jonas wakes in the night to find his mother gone. Out his window, in the cold moonlight, he sees the snowman that inexplicably appeared in the yard earlier in the day. Around its neck is his mother’s pink scarf.

Hole suspects a link between a menacing letter he’s received and the disappearance of Jonas’s mother-and of perhaps a dozen other women, all of whom went missing on the day of a first snowfall. As his investigation deepens, something else emerges: he is becoming a pawn in an increasingly terrifying game whose rules are devised-and constantly revised-by the killer.

Fiercely suspenseful, its characters brilliantly realized, its atmosphere permeated with evil, The Snowman is the electrifying work of one of the best crime writers of our time. —bn.com

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Beauty

FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

How to make a

tan last longer

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ost natural tans that are acquired by exposure to sun, last for long. Generally, people desire to make a tan last longer regardless of it being a natural or artificial tan. Artificial tanning formulas give a longer lasting tan when applied evenly. The application is uneven and tends to wear off quickly in case the skin is not smooth. For this reason, users are advised to exfoliate their skin prior to application. This ensures smooth skin and provides an even base for application of tan lotion.

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hether you have paid for a professional spray tan or have purchased your own to do at home, there are measures you can take to increase the life of a spray tan. The best way to make a spray tan last is to take the time to prepare your skin for a spray tan.

You will need to shower prior to a spray tan and exfoliate your skin as best you can.

Use an exfoliating bath sponge which you can purchase at Bed, Bath and Beyond, Bath and Body Works, The Body Shop, or any other store that carries bath products.

Exfoliating sponges will be most effective if used with an exfoliating soap.

Choose one the is exfoliating but not moisturizing. Bath and Body Works, The Body Shop, Target, and many other stores

People need to apply sunless tanning solutions that are well matched to their particular skin type.

Studies suggest that sprays, lotions and gels work well on oily skin, whereas heavy lotions and creams suit dry skin. It is important to leave the tanner on for specified time periods. When applying, it is advisable to start with a limited area. This way, users can tell if a certain area feels too dry and ensures even application. A number of tanning parlors guarantee professional application that can last for an estimated time period.

carry exfoliating soaps. Exfoliate your body, paying close attention to your knees and elbows. You want to remove as much dead skin as possible.

After you have your spray tan you will need to moisturize as much as possible to make it last longer. Moisturize at least twice per day.

Don’t use an exfoliating soap or sponge after spray tanning. Use soap that is gentle and non-abrasive. Harsh soaps will remove a spray tan faster. Don’t swim in a chlorinated pool until you are ready for your spray tan to be removed. Excessive sweating may cause a spray tan to run and absorb into clothing. Following all of there tips will help a spray tan stay in place longer. — (www.ehow.com)

In the case of a natural tan, it is equally important to exfoliate the skin. Using wet morning sand can do this, as it is a natural exfoliating agent. Once a tan is acquired, it is important to apply moisturizer. This keeps the skin soft and supple, reflects a healthy tan, along with increasing longevity of a tan. Another effective method of making a tan last longer is to keep away from long hot baths and saunas. Reducing excess sweating through strenuous physical activities can also make a tan last longer. — (www.ezinearticles.com)

spray

How to make

tan last longer

The best way to make a spray tan last is to take the time to prepare your skin for a spray tan.

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Beauty

FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

Swimsuit

for a short torso?

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ou need to emphasize your legs. Try a suit that is cut high on the thigh. This will make your leg look much longer. Even if you have bigger hips this cut will accentuate your smaller waist. Try wearing a solid bottom bikini with a printed top. This will keep the focus upward and give you a longer lean look If your body is too short in proportion to your legs, you will want a swimsuit that gives the impression of litheness. Try a bikini with a halter-top to emphasize the bust and shoulders. Pair this top with bikini bottoms that sit low on the hips. Don’t be afraid of a low cut suit. If you wear a one-piece try a solid color with a lower neckline which will create longer leaner appearance. Don’t wear bikini shorts or any kind of a skirted bikinis as they draw the focus downward and can make you look shorter.

a tie-front. These features will add shape and the appearance of size to your small bust. Try swimsuit tops with a touch of padding, or an under wire. Look for a top with adjustable straps at shoulders and around back so that you can tighten and adjust things, to help fill out the suit. You own the ruffled top market.

Ruffle tops are so much fun!

Avoid tops with too much fabric or have a poor fit. Opt for separates, where you can choose your top and bottom separately.

Swimsuit for women with a long torso?

Try a one-piece swimsuit or bikini with highcut legs to give the impression of long legs. Highcut legs shorten the torso and lengthen the legs.

You might try a one-piece swimsuit with a cutout which will break up your long torso, just like a bikini does Bikini shorts are ok for you because your length usually minimizes the hips but avoid darker colors and vertical strips as they tend to elongate a person’s figure. Ruffles and fringe are your friends because you tend to have narrow hips which gives you the ability to accentuate your body shape.

Swimsuit for plus-size women Look for swimsuits in darker colors in a plus size, as these colors will have an overall minimizing effect.

Some deep reds and blues will have the same effect as black and are a bit more appropriate for summer fun. To accentuate curves, look for a fitted swimsuit with a defined waist and a high percentage of Lycra/spandex. A high-cut leg will also slim your legs and hips.

Don’t be afraid to show some skin.

Look for one-piece swimsuits with lace or mesh inserts. A strategically placed cut-out, or a deep V neckline, can really change your visual image. Try swirling patterns or V patterns. Try a swimsuit with dark, solid panels down each side of the torso and a floral printed middle. Don’t cover -up. Avoid too much fabric. Modesty is certainly OK, but too much coverage is not necessarily a better option. Also, stay away from white, as well as bright, neon fabrics and those nappy textiles.

Swimsuit for a pear shape Try pairing an eye-catching bikini or tankini top with subdued bottoms in a dark color. This type of swimsuit will draw attention toward your more appealing characteristics. You can go for a pick a smooth, skimming skirt that is short and sweet, but covers what it needs to. Choose a suit that draws attention to your top half, ruffles, beads and bright prints on top are ok. Strong horizontal necklines are encouraged. Avoid boy shorts, too skimpy bottoms, or lots of ruffles and details at the hips. Think dark colors and simple.

Swimsuit for a large bust Try a suit with a straight across cut at the top of your swimsuit with wide set straps to minimize your bust. You can also go for a bikini top with a hidden underwire for extra support. Halter-top bikinis can be a good choice by offering support, while providing some sexy cleavage too. Look for styles that are banded around the midriff and can be tied in back and around the neck. This style will give you some lift and will allow you to make adjustments for a personal fit. If you want a one piece go with something with some structure in the bust, such as soft foam cups or at least, a shelf bra. Straight cut bust styles such as a classic tank can look clean and sporty. Avoid Spagetti straps and strapless bandeau tops. Look for a suit where you can order the top and bottom sizes separately.

Suit for a small bust line Try a bikini top with triangle-shaped cups and

Swimsuit for those with no waist Create some curves by wearing one-piece suit with a high-on-the-thigh cut. A belted waistline on a one-piece suit will give the appearance of a whittled middle. So will a draped, surplice detail that pinches in at the waist, or a curvy seam line that runs down each side of the torso. Bikinis are good for you. Add some illusion at the hips with rings, ruffles and bows. If you’re small on top, go for a strapless bandeau. Go for a dark, solid bottom and a wildly printed or embellished top.

Avoid solid-colored or horizontal striped onepieces.

Suit for wide shoulders Try to balance your look out. Play up the bottom of your torso and minimize the top. Try wearing bikini bottoms that have lots of color and print and also sport accents at the hips such as ties, belts and sashes. Wide shoulder straps and square necklines can make you look fabulous Avoid a plunging neck lines or tiny bikini bottoms.

— (www.beautyandfashionadvice.com)

Health FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

Best fat burning foods Certain foods can help you in your battle against fat

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almon is probably one of the best meats for you overall and it tastes awesome too. Salmon is loaded with protein and Omega-3 Amino fatty acids boosting your metabolism and burning more fat. These fatty acids also have a very positive effect on your cardiovascular health, protecting you against heart disease.

Turkey is another great meat for burning fat. Turkey is packed with protein for higher caloric burn and is also naturally lower in fat compared to chicken. Just make sure you buy turkey in its most natural form (many typical thanksgiving turkeys are injected with butter or other fatty substances).

Beef is a very popular meat around the world due to its taste and wide availability.

Lean beef especially is a great fat burning food as it’s loaded with protein and also contains iron which is vital for the creation of hemoglobin in your red blood cells.

Green tea has been enjoyed by the Japanese for centuries and has been spreading in popularity the past several years. Green tea is a great fat burning beverage due mainly to the EGCG contained within it which stimulates your brain and nervous system resulting in higher caloric

burn. Green tea also has powerful antioxidants and studies have shown it to even reduce the risk of some cancers.

Furthermore, it has also been known to help lower overall cholesterol levels and improve the ratio of good cholesterol (HDL) to bad cholesterol (LDL).

Skim Milk contains large amounts of calcium, helping to increase your metabolism and burn calories. There have been many studies which show that those who drink moderate amounts of milk or low-fat dairy products daily, have less body fat ratios than those who don’t. Skim milk is best but if you find it too watery, 1% milk is a good alternative.

Edamame are one of my all time favorite fat burning snack foods. They are essentially soy beans which have been lightly boiled and salted. Originally from Japan, edamame are an excellent source of protein, Vitamin C, iron, and calcium! They also contain 0g of saturated fats so eat them guilt free.

Broccoli is one of those super foods that you can never really eat enough of. It is literally packed with nutrients including calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, folic acid, and fiber. The calcium, vitamin C and fiber all contribute to burning fat and increasing your metabolism. On top of that, broccoli is full of antioxidants that provide a multitude of health benefits including decreasing the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.

Oats are a great way to fill you up as they’re loaded with fiber. They’re also a very good source of selenium which boosts your energy and immune system by producing antibodies.

Follow a fat burning food plan that works Incorporating these fat burning foods into your regular diet can definitely help stimulate fat loss but if you are really serious about losing fat permanently it is absolutely vital you follow a comprehensive fat burning diet plan that’s proven to work for the long term. The best program I’ve found so far is called The Diet Solution Program. The Diet Solution Program is run

by Isabel De Los Rios, a certified nutritionist and fitness trainer and the main reason I

like her program is not only because it works so well but because it focuses on burning fat 100% naturally, which in my mind is by far the best way to do it.

But let me be clear, if you’re expecting to lose fat rapidly without any effort or you’re not willing to change the way you eat, then please don’t bother with this program as you’d only be wasting your time and money. If however you aren’t afraid of making a change for the better and willing to commit to following this program, you will likely be shocked by the results you can achieve. (www.naturalfatburningfoods.com)

Health FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

Exercise at your Desk W

Sitting up straight, try to touch your shoulder blades together. Hold, and then relax.

You get to put your feet up for this one! To ease the hamstrings and lower back, push your chair away from your desk and put your right heel up on the desk. Sit up straight, and bend forward just until you feel a gentle stretch in the back of your leg. Flex your foot for a few seconds, and then point it. Bend forward a little farther, flex your foot again, and hold for 10 seconds. Repeat on the other side.

hile you won’t get to the Olympics this way, you can do stretching, muscle-strengthening, and even short stints of aerobic exercises right at your desk (or maybe in a vacant conference room or stairwell). After all, doctors say any amount of exercise helps — the benefits are cumulative.

60-Second Aerobics Calabrese says that improving your heart rate variability — your heart’s ability to jump from resting to “pumped” — has been shown to increase longevity and decrease heart disease risk.

While you shouldn’t give up on your home or gym exercise routine, you can certainly supplement it with exercises done at your desk (and, on those extra-long workdays, it’s much better than doing nothing.) Here are a few aerobic tricks to try during your next break between tasks: Glance at the wall clock and rip off a minute’s worth of jumping jacks. If you’re a beginner, try the low-impact version (raise your right arm and tap your left toe to the side while keeping your right foot on the floor; alternate sides) Do a football-like drill of running in place for 60 seconds. Get those knees up!

(Beginners, march in place.)

Simulate jumping rope for a minute: Hop on alternate feet, or on both feet at once. An easier version is to simulate the arm motion of turning a rope, while alternately tapping the toes of each leg in front.

While seated, pump both arms over your head for 30 seconds, then rapidly tap your feet on the floor, football-drill style, for 30 seconds. Repeat 3-5 times.

If you can step into a vacant office or conference room, shadow box for a minute or two. Or just walk around the room as fast as you can.

Or do walk-lunges in your office or a vacant room. (You could also amuse your coworkers by doing these in the hall; remember Monty Python’s “Ministry of Silly Walks” comedy routine?). Set your PDA to beep you into action.

No conference room? Take to the stairs — two at a time if you need a harder workout!

Do this 5-7 times a day.

Want Something Less Breathless?

Afraid the phone will ring and you’ll sound like a lion is chasing you? Price’s book has more than 300 less dramatic — but equally beneficial — exercises. “I call these fitness minutes,” she says.

Some strength-building suggestions: Do one-legged squats (hold onto a wall or table for support) while waiting for a web page to load, the copier to spit our your reports, or faxes to slither out.

Stand with one leg straight and try to kick your buttocks with the other.

Sitting in your chair, lift one leg off the seat, extend it out straight, hold for 2 seconds; then lower your foot (stop short of the floor) and hold for several seconds. Switch; do each leg 15 times.

To work your chest and shoulders, place both hands on your chair arms and slowly lift your bottom off the chair. Lower yourself back down but stop short of the seat, hold for a few seconds. Do 15 times.

To stretch your back and strengthen your biceps, place your hands on the desk and

Unobtrusive but effective If the boss wonders why your feet are on the desk, what about some invisible exercises?

Butt clenches are also helpful in today’s booty-conscious society. Tighten your buttocks, hold, hold, hold, and then relax. Repeat 15 times. The same goes for ab squeezes — just tighten your tummy muscles instead.

Use every minute actively Whenever possible, “stand rather than sit,” Price says. “Walk rather than stand.”

Walk during your lunch break. If you find that boring, buy a camera and walk around taking pictures. Some experts say it’s ideal to walk 10,000 steps a day — this can be five miles, depending on the length of your stride.

“Buy a pedometer, wear it five days, and divide by five,” Price suggests. “If you’re nowhere near 10,000 — and this takes some doing — set a reasonable goal. If you clocked 2,000 steps, go for 2,500.”

Join a gym near your office and go during your lunch hour. If your employer provides a gym, that’s even better.

Forget emailing the guy three cubes over — walk.

Remember, walks to the vending machine don’t count!

Calabrese often calls her fitness-coaching clients or emails them to remind them they had planned to work out or walk at lunch. You can do the same — put a reminder on your desk calendar, a sticky note on your computer, or send yourself an e-mail reminder.

One last thing: Don’t let fear of embarrassment keep you from exercising at work.

Chances are, your co-workers will admire your efforts rather than be amused. You might even get them to join you on a lunchtime walk or to help you lobby for lunch-hour yoga classes at your workplace. (www.webmd.com) hang on. Slowly push your chair back until your head is between your arms and you’re looking at the floor. Then slowly pull yourself back in. Again, 15 of these.

Desk pushups can be a good strengthener.

(First, make sure your desk is solid enough to support your weight.) Standing, put your hands on the desk. Walk backward, then do push-ups against the desk. Repeat 15 times.

Reach for the Sky Stretching exercises are a natural for the desk-bound, to ease stress and keep your muscles from clenching up. Here are a few suggestions: Sitting tall in your chair, stretch both arms over your head and reach for the sky. After 10 seconds, extend the right hand higher, then the left.

Let your head loll over so that your right

ear nearly touches your right shoulder. Using your hand, press your head a little lower (gently, now). Hold for 10 seconds. Relax, and then repeat on the other side.

Try this yoga posture to relieve tension: Sit facing forward, then turn your head to the left and your torso to the right, and hold a few seconds. Repeat 15 times, alternating sides.

These days, it seems like everyone is working more hours and using the old “no-time-to-exercise” excuse more than ever. But what if you could actually work out at work?

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Taryn Simon: The woman in the picture

Taryn Simon Nuclear Waste Encapsulation and Storage Facility.

I

n person, Taryn Simon seems like an unlikely contender for the title of most important photographer of her generation. Dressed in brown woolly tights and a matching check dress that looks thrift shop but is probably designer-Amish, she appears to have stepped out of a Sofia Coppola adaptation of an Edith Wharton novel.

She is charming and personable but becomes palpably nervous when talking about her work, which is characterised by its complexity and ambition.

“I do seem to try to make things harder and harder for myself,” she says, laughing. “In some perverse way, obstacles interest me and I’m drawn to projects that end up being incredibly laborious.”

This week, an exhibition of new work entitled A Living Man Declared Dead and Other Chapters opens at Tate Modern, a rare accolade for a photographer who is just 36 years old. It is an investigation into the nature of genealogy and its consequences and is her most complex, ambitious and laborious project yet. It comprises a series of 18 family bloodlines, each with a strange or arresting individual story at its heart: an Iraqi man who was apparently employed as Saddam Hussein’s son’s body double; a member of the Druze

religious sect in Lebanon who believes in reincarnation and re-enacts remembered scenes from previous lives; a living Indian man who gives the project its title, having been declared dead in official records.

“It is a complex and multilayered exhibition, but also direct and engaging,” says Simon Baker, Tate Modern’s curator of photography. “There are a small number of photographers who combine the visual and the textual so powerfully, and whose work is sophisticated in terms of contemporary art practice but also hard-wired to the real world. Taryn is certainly one of them. In one way, walking into the exhibition is like entering an incredible book.”

Simon is currently one of the hottest properties on the international art photography market. Her prints fetch stellar prices at auction and have been acquired by leading institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney in New York, the Getty Museum in Los Angeles and the Pompidou Centre in Paris, as well as the Victoria and Albert Museum and Tate Modern in London. She is represented

by Larry Gagosian, the gallery owner and art dealer who also represents Damien Hirst in New York and oversees

the estate of Andy Warhol. A Living Man Declared Dead is on loan to Tate Modern from Jane and Michael Wilson, a couple who are perhaps the most important collectors of photography in Britain. (Michael Wilson, who made his fortune co-producing James Bond films with his sister, Barbara Broccoli, was recently described in the FT as “a oneman Photography Council”.)

Socially, too, Simon is well connected. She lives in downtown Manhattan with her husband, Jake Paltrow, a filmmaker who recently directed his older sister, Gwyneth, in his debut feature, The Good Night. In an article about their purchase of a $2m apartment in the Village, the New York Observer dubbed them “a dandy 30-ish power couple”. When I mentioned her to a New York-based photographer last week, he said, with a perhaps understandable mixture of bemusement and envy, “How many photographers have Steven Spielberg come to an opening?”

For all that, Simon is undoubtedly a serious and committed artist whose work is unapologetically cerebral. She is meticulous, perhaps even obsessive, in her preparation and research. A Living Man Declared Dead took four years to come to fruition, but only

about two months of that time was spent photographing the subjects.

“The majority of my work is about preparation,” she says during a break from overseeing the installation of her show at Tate Modern. “The act of taking photographs is actually a very small part of the process. I work with a small team, just my sister (Shannon Simon) and one assistant (Douglas Emery). We deal with translators, fixers, fact checkers and the logistics of setting up shoots in places where people do not have the internet or access to telephones. Then there was the actual bloodlines which had to be constructed and verified.” She sighs and shakes her head. “It is easily the most difficult and demanding project I have done thus far.”

She made her name with An American Index of the Hidden and Unfamiliar, published in 2007, a book that delves deep into a secret America in images that are often both detached and ominous: a nuclear waste storage facility in Washington State; a cryopreservation unit where bodies are frozen just after death; a bio-containment laboratory where deadly animal diseases are studied; a death row outdoor recreational cage; a cave where a

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sleeping black bear and its cubs are monitored by biologists studying hibernation.

Like an Annie Leibovitz of the conceptual world, Simon seems to possess considerable clout when it comes to both access and control. Her mixture of tenacity and charm seems to have worked wonders on organisations not known for their openness: the Church of Scientology, the Ku Klux Klan and the Prisoner of War Interrogation Resistance Programme run by Team Delta, a private body run by former US military personnel. (Ironically, one of the few organisations that denied her access was Disney, whose spokesperson sent her a fax that read: “Especially during these violent times, I personally believe that the magical spell cast on guests that visit our theme parks is particularly important to protect, and helps to provide them with an important fantasy they can escape to.” It was, she told Interview Magazine, “better that any photograph I could have ever produced”.)

An American Index of the Hidden and Unfamiliar is one of those rare photography books that struck a chord with both photography buffs and the wider public. In his introduction, Salman Rushdie pinpointed why: “In a historical period in which many people are making such great efforts to conceal the truth from the mass of the people, an artist like Taryn Simon is an invaluable counter-force. Democracy needs visibility, accountability, light...

Somehow, Simon has persuaded a good few denizens of hidden worlds not to scurry for shelter when the light is switched on, as cockroaches and vampires do, but to pose proudly for her invading lens...”

Simon grew up in New York and started taking pictures as a child. “Both my father and grandfather were avid photographers. I was introduced to the larger world and photographic production through their slideshows. I would often go on little expeditions with them, taking photographs in a very loose form.”

Her father worked for the government, often travelling “to dangerous and distant places and returning with an enormous number of photographs”.

Her grandfather lived in Connecticut, where he ground glass for telescopes and, as she put it, “was more interested in the macro - stars, insects, and plant and animal life”. He also built telescopes, which may help explain the scientific undertow in her current work: the interest in genetic mapping and patterning, the portraits that are presented in systematic grids, complete with footnotes and ancillary information.

Photography, then, is in her blood, though she studied environmental science at college, obtaining a BA at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. “I just kept on taking photographs throughout my time there, and afterwards I worked as an assistant for photographers involved in various approaches - anything from a journalist to a toy catalogue photographer.

Anything, really, just to learn about lighting and composition and the whole technical side of photography.”

After starting out on her own, she did some editorial work for the New York Times magazine before successfully applying for a Guggenheim grant for a tentative work-in-progress that eventually became her first book, The Innocents. Published to considerable acclaim in 2003, it set the tone in both its scope and ambition for much of what was to follow. In large format portraits and extended texts, The Innocents documents American victims

ing due to unpredictable forces like the global economy, environmental changes and asymmetrical warfare”.

For all that, though, she rejects the label “political artist” and its connotations.

“The work eludes that kind of categorisation intentionally, though, of course, it may activate something political in the viewer or resonate with them in a political way. But I don’t have an agenda. I guess a lot of what I do is

Taryn Simon is the hottest property in art photography, with her work sought after by major museums worldwide. On the eve of her latest show, at London’s Tate Modern, she talks about her images and the painstaking creative processes involved of miscarriages of justice, various men and just one woman - who have served time for violent crimes they did not commit.

Its subtext is photography’s role, even complicity, in the wrongful convictions, most of which were often obtained through the police’s use of photographs, Polaroids and mugshots of the accused in witness corroboration. “The Innocents is very much about the use and misuse of photography, “

underpinned by anxiety. But I am also anxious about photography and its role. I try to keep a clear distance from the subject. I never want to say that I understand or somehow know the subject. In fact, it’s more that I don’t know.”

Last year, Simon published Contraband, a book of relatively humble ambition, for which she spent four days without sleep at the US Customs and Border Protection site and the US Postal Service international mail facility

Taryn Simon photographed at Tate Modern. —Guardian says Simon. “I would often take the subjects back to the scene of the crime, a scene that they had never before been to, but were forever linked to. The place that had changed their lives forever. Like some of the chapters in A Living Man Declared Dead, The Innocents is about people suddenly caught up in a narrative that is not their own.”

Until she undertook A Living Man Declared Dead, Simon’s work was, as she puts it, “about issues of power, mainly American power, at a historical moment when governance and power structures are destabilising and chang-

at JFK airport in New York. The book is another visual inventory, this time of 1,075 seized items, some bizarre (deer penis, cow dung toothpaste, a dead bird), some mundane (sausages, spices, pumpkins).

“People imagine customs officers seizing familiar threats - drugs or weapons - but most of the seized items were, of themselves, incredibly mundane. I was fascinated by the idea that a banal thing like a banana or an apple could suddenly assume a threatening identity because it is in the contraband room.” In both her creative ambition and conceptual reach, Simon is at the

vanguard of a relatively new kind of photography that evades easy categorisation and often blurs the boundaries between reportage, conceptualism and portraiture. Alongside the likes of Jim Goldberg, winner of this year’s Deutsche Borse prize, and Paul Graham, whose work is currently on show at the Whitechapel Gallery, she makes work that straddles the worlds of documentary photography and fine art.

“A Living Man Declared Dead is a really important work because it draws on various often exclusive traditions,” says Simon Baker. “It has the tenacity we associate with photojournalism and the practices and presentation of art photography. In a way, it’s bringing the real world - politics in the broadest sense - into galleries and museums.

That is not an easy thing to do, but photography can do it very well and this particular show is an amazing example of a complex and ambitious project that contains within its presentation all the things you need to understand about it.”

That may well be so, but I also suspect that, for the casual or curious viewer, it may prove a demanding, even frustrating, experience, not least because the ambition and complexity of the idea almost overwhelms the actual work on the walls - a dilemma that is at the heart of much high-end conceptual art. In one way, too, Simon’s work also refutes the long held notion that a great photograph should speak for itself, much of its impact resting on the interrelation of image and text, the latter giving the former much of its power and resonance.

With A Living Man Declared Dead, she has arrived at a place where, visually, all extraneous style and embellishment, even context, has been discarded. The portraits that make up each individual bloodline are arranged in grids and are unadorned and undramatic. They have a certain cumulative power but certainly do not possess the intrigue or the mystery of the images in An American Index of the Hidden and Unfamiliar. This, it turns out, is intentional.

“I think I’ve just gotten tired of photography in a way,” she says, revealingly, at one point, “and am trying to use it as a simple recorder allowing the construction of collections and associations that disturb the value of the single image and underscore issues of translation. Certainly the progression of my work has very much been a shedding of style and embellishment. The neutral background of the non-place behind many of my subjects corresponds to this erasure.”

The neutral portraits of individual bloodlines, arranged in scientific grids against white backgrounds, and hung in a huge gallery space where, at Simon’s insistence, the walls are ultrawhite and the lighting ultra-bright, are punctuated by blank spaces that represent the missing, the dead or those who refused to have their photograph taken. This is a project, then, as these absences attest, about the limits of photography - a strange place for a young photographer to end up. It will be interesting to see where she goes next. —Guardian

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Word Sleuth Solution

Yesterday’s Solution

ACROSS 1. Counting the number of white and red blood cells and the number of platelets in 1 cubic millimeter of blood.

4. Rapid and indistinct speech.

10. A rapid bustling commotion.

13. The syllable naming the sixth (submediant) note of a major or minor scale in solmization.

14. A river that rises in northern Colombia and flows generally eastward to the Orinoco in central Venezuela.

15. A conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures.

16. (Old Testament) The second patriarch.

18. A doctor's degree in optometry.

19. The deep vascular inner layer of the skin.

21. United States astronomer (1835-1909).

23. Any of numerous local fertility and nature deities worshipped by ancient Semitic peoples.

24. A ductile silvery-white ductile ferromagnetic trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group.

25. A hemoprotein composed of globin and heme that gives red blood cells their characteristic color.

26. Sour or bitter in taste.

30. A small cake leavened with yeast.

34. The cry made by sheep.

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

40. A genus of tropical American plants have sword-shaped leaves and a fleshy compound fruits composed of the fruits of several flowers (such as pineapples).

42. English writer (born in Scotland) of children's stories (1859-1932).

44. Speak in a nasal voice.

45. A small Asian country high in the Himalayas between India and Tibet.

46. Small European freshwater fish with a slender bluish-green body.

48. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad.

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

59. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth.

60. Psychoactive substance present in marijuana.

61. Of or relating to a clone.

62. An ancient Hebrew unit of capacity equal to 10 baths or 10 ephahs.

63. Take in solid food.

64. West Indian tree having racemes of fragrant white flowers and yielding a durable timber and resinous juice.

65. Used of a single unit or thing.

DOWN 1. Fruit (especially peach) whose flesh adheres strongly to the pit.

2. Being derived from.

3. A wad of something chewable as tobacco.

4. French biochemist who (with Jacques Monod) studied regulatory processes in cells (born in 1920).

5. A colorless and odorless inert gas.

6. African tree having an exceedingly thick trunk and fruit that resembles a gourd and has an edible pulp called monkey bread.

7. A partially opened flower.

8. An international organization of European countries formed after World War II to reduce trade barriers and increase cooperation among its members.

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

10. A city in northern India.

11. Fallow deer.

12. A translucent mineral consisting of hydrated silica of variable color.

17. A dull persistent (usually moderately intense) pain.

20. A gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number).

22. Bar temporarily.

27. Open-heart surgery in which the rib cage is opened and a section of a blood vessel is grafted from the aorta to the coronary artery to bypass the blocked section of the coronary artery and improve the blood supply to the heart.

28. An intensely radioactive metallic element that occurs in minute amounts in uranium ores.

29. South African term for `boss'.

31. Cloak that is folded or wrapped around a person.

32. Area around the altar of a church for the clergy and choir.

33. French physicist noted for research on magnetism (born in 1904).

35. (Irish) Mother of the ancient Irish gods.

36. Offering fun and gaiety.

37. One thousandth of a second.

39. 100 thebe equal 1 pula.

41. A quantity of no importance.

43. Genus of beetles whose grubs feed mainly on roots of plants.

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

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

50. Consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offence.

51. (Irish) Mother of the Tuatha De Danann.

52. The basic unit of money in Bangladesh.

53. Very dark black.

54. Not widely known.

56. Being one hundred more than two hundred.

57. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism.

58. A colloid that has a continuous liquid phase in which a solid is suspended in a liquid.

Yesterday’s Solution

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The Sydney Customs House building is transformed with a 3D digital projection by Australian company ‘The Electric Canvas’ as part of a media preview on the eve of Vivid Sydney yesterday. Now in its third year, Vivid Sydney will run from May 27 to June 13 and is reportedly the largest light and music festival in the Southern Hemisphere. —AFP

Call me Goodluck

Nigerian names

and the stories they tell

S

o what do you get in Nigeria when you take Sunday, God’s Gift, Whoknows, Noisy Place and, of course, Goodluck? Could be a family gathering. This Sunday’s inauguration of President Goodluck Jonathan will do more than officially bring an end to a landmark election period in Nigeria. It will also highlight what is perhaps a little known feature of the country’s culture: names with a story behind them.

Whether in local dialect or in English, many Nigerian names hold meaning as subtle as a whack on the head. Children in many parts of Nigeria are given names at elaborately arranged ceremonies, replete with food, drink and celebration.

They range from the religious-Godswill, Godspower or God’s Gift-to the downright curious, such as Brown Question.

“People don’t just give names-names tell a lot,” said Austin Nwagbara, a lecturer at the University of Lagos. He points out that many African cultures believe that “your name follows you, like Goodluck.” Easy to dismiss such nonsense, right? Well, not so fast. Consider the president, whose name many say has matched the trajectory of his life. “I called him Goodluck because although

life was hard for me when he was born, I had this feeling that this boy would bring me good luck,” his late father Lawrence Jonathan was quoted as saying in a recent biography of the president.

His mother Eunice said although she had a history of lengthy labor in childbirth stretching for several days, Goodluck was born in record time-the very day she went into labor. But the plot thickens. Some argue that Jonathan, a zoologist from a family of canoe makers, owes his entire political leader to ... yep, you got it. The 53-year-old leader has benefited from a series of events that have advanced his career by default. He became governor of his native Bayelsa state in 2005. He had been deputy governor and took over the office after his predecessor was impeached on money laundering charges. A couple years later, he was selected to run as vice president under Umaru Yar’Adua, a northerner who needed to balance his ticket.

Jonathan himself, in one of the US diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks, purportedly acknowledged he was not the most experienced candidate for the vice presidential job and was selected to

represent the oil-producing Niger Delta.

Flash forward to 2010. Yar’Adua dies in office after months of illness, and Jonathan is sworn in to replace him. And then April 2011: The power of incumbency behind him, Jonathan easily wins the presidential election. One of his friends, Amalate Johnny Turner, told AFP that Jonathan “never dreamt becoming what he is today.” But enough about Goodluck and his fortune. The phenomenon goes far beyond the president in Africa’s most populous nation.

A child’s name can be influenced by circumstances of birth, cultural or religious beliefs, expectations and philosophy. Some of the other interesting birth certificates include native names that translate roughly to phrases like “noisy place” for a child born in a noisy environment and “along the road” if a baby comes out before the mother makes it to a hospital. A child born of parents embroiled in a feud with another family, can go by a name meaning “cannot buy your family’s love”. English versions of names with a story are also abundant.

One government worker answers to the name Brown Question. His grandfather, then a traditional adjudicator set-

tling land disputes, named his son Question simply because his work involved asking lots of them. Believe it or not, he says he was made fun of because of it once or twice growing up. Naming a child is an elaborate, ritualistic affair in Nigeria. On a recent working day, guests filed into a white marquee pitched in the middle of a street in Lagos’ ghetto of Mushin for a child-naming party. Smoke wafted from a cooking fire where food for the guests was being prepared.

According to the tradition of Yorubas, the ethnic group dominant in Nigeria’s southwest, naming rights have to be conducted exactly eight days after birth.

In the mainly Muslim north of Nigeria, most names are culled from the Koran, but some carry surnames denoting their home towns, such as ex-president Shehu Shagari, from the town of Shagari. Some names among the Igbo ethnic group, predominate in the southeast, indicate days of the week a child was born. The same is sometimes true for Yorubas. So you could find yourself on a Saturday night hanging out with Sunday and Monday, planning to visit Mr. Gusau from Gusau and hoping to find Goodluck and Godswill. —AFP

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Finalists Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina are seen onstage before host Ryan Seacrest announced the winner at the “American Idol”. —AP photos

Scotty McCreery reacts after winning at the “American Idol” finale.

‘American Idol’ to crown

winner in country contest

T

he “American Idol” contest between teenage country crooners Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery drew a record 122 million-plus votes, host Ryan Seacrest said during Wednesday’s finale.

The Fox TV show itself attracted highwattage stars including Beyonce, Jack Black, Tom Jones and Tony Bennett, who performed at the Nokia Theatre with the top-finishing “Idol” contestants. Judge Jennifer Lopez even got into the act.

Draped in a scanty outfit and shaking her famous booty, she took the stage to dance while husband Marc Anthony sang, briefly turning the night into a salsa-flavored family affair.

Alaina, 16, and McCreery, 17, represent the first all-country finale and the youngest duo ever to compete on “Idol.” Last year,

Fans cheer American Idol Season 10 contestant Scotty McCreery during a viewing party held at the RBC Center in Raleigh, NC.

Scotty McCreery reacts after winning at the “American Idol”.

by contrast, Fox didn’t announce the total in the much lower-key contest between winner Lee DeWyze and runner-up Crystal Bowersox. When winner Kris Allen and Adam Lambert duked it out in 2009, more than 100 million votes were cast. The season’s vote total was more than three-quarters-of-a-billion, Seacrest announced as the show got under way. For Fox, it’s affirmation there’s still life in the series that’s had a long ratings reign as No 1.

There was drama during Tuesday’s performance show when Alaina required medical treatment for a vocal cord injury suffered during rehearsals for Tuesday’s performance show. She soldiered on with three tunes, drawing high praise from the Fox TV show’s judges. “This is a very tight race tonight, but Lauren, with that song,

Carrie Underwood and Lauren Alaina perform.

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Bono and The Edge of the band U2 perform with Reeve Carney.

you may have just won,” Lopez said after Alaina sang an emotional “Like My Mother Does,” the last of her trio of tunes.

But it was up to viewers to choose between Alaina and McCreery, an equally fresh-faced performer but one with a strikingly mature voice. Randy Jackson said backstage Tuesday he thought Alaina’s performance, not her vocal problem and a possible sympathy reaction, would count in the voting.

“I think she sang brilliantly tonight,” said Jackson, who thought she outsang McCreery on two songs. But the judge stopped short of predicting her victory. “Going into tonight, Scotty definitely had an edge and he may still have a slight edge,” Jackson said. But Alaina “was the best tonight.” Both are impressive singers for the show’s “first-ever, all-country final,” he said.

“These kids are so young ... I just go, ‘Wow.’ They embody what this whole show is about.” Alaina’s other tunes were Carrie Underwood’s “Flat on the Floor” and Pam

Rob Halford of the band Judas Priest, and James Durbin perform.

Finalists Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery are seen at the American Idol finale.

Tillis’ “Maybe It was Memphis,” which was selected by former “Idol” winner Underwood.

McCreery sang his own possible future single, “I Love You This Big,” Montgomery Gentry’s “Gone” and George Strait’s “Check Yes or No,” Strait’s pick for the teenager.

After the show, Alaina gave reporters the silent treatment to protect her voice, with McCreery offering his services as spokesman while she scribbled answers on a memo pad or whispered to him. When Alaina was asked if her finale performance had been at risk, he replied, “She says, ‘Yes.”‘ Judge Steven Tyler said it’s not unusual for steroids to be used for a vocal cord injury.

“You pay for it dearly the next day,” he said, adding that Alaina shouldn’t be affected because she was on stage briefly Tuesday.

The show started with host Ryan Seacrest bringing Dr. Shawn Nasseri on stage to explain that Alaina blew out one of her vocal cords but had been given “a lot of medicine” to be able to sing during the finale. —AP

Jennifer Lopez

Lady Gaga Jack Black and Casey Abrams

From left, Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, and Steven Tyler are seen at the American Idol finale.

Steven Tyler performs.

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Sean Combs to receive ASCAP Founders Award in June

S

ean “Diddy” Combs will receive ASCAP’s Founders Award during the performing rights organization’s 24th annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards. The invitation-only ceremony will take place June 24 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. The songwriters and publishers of the most-performed ASCAP songs on the 2010 R&B/hip-hop, rap and gospel charts will also be honored.

Combs joins such previous Founders Award recipients as Dr Dre, Stevie Wonder, Garth Brooks and Paul McCartney. “To be recognized for my contributions to music by ASCAP is a true honor,” said Combs in a statement. “All I wanted to do was make people dance and hopefully inspire others to never settle for anything but their best.”

Over the course of his career, Combs has worn many hats.

A former A&R executive at Uptown Records who worked with Heavy D and Mary J Blige, he established Bad Boy Entertainment after leaving Uptown in 1993. Garnering early success with artists Craig Mack and Notorious B.I.G., Bad Boy later boasted such acts as Faith Evans and 112. As a solo artist, Combs has recorded a string of hits-”I’ll Be Missing You,” “I Need a Girl” and “Coming Home”-and released six studio albums. His most recent is the Diddy-Dirty Money album “Last Train to Paris.”

In addition to being a producer (Mariah Carey, TLC, Boyz II Men), Combs is a fashion designer, businessman and actor.

“His success,” noted ASCAP president/chairman Paul Williams in a statement, “is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit, hard work and ingenious ability to add his personal touch to contemporary culture.”—Reuters

Bond is back in new book by thriller writer Deaver

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he new James Bond novel was launched in London on Wednesday with a fast car, a leather-clad Bond girl and royal marines descending from the roof on wires. “Carte Blanche”, by American thriller writer Jeffery Deaver, was unveiled at St Pancras International station, the departure point for cross-Channel rail services. Deaver pulled up at the station’s champagne bar in a red Bentley Continental GT sports car, flanked by a Bond girl in black leathers.

The book, however, was delivered from the air by members of the Royal Marines Display Team who dropped from the station’s roof onto the concourse below. The plot of the novel was to remain a secret until midnight (2300 GMT), but it has been revealed that Deaver’s 007 served in the Royal Navy Reserve, including a tour of service in Afghanistan, before joining the secret service. Deaver said it was an easy decision for him to write Bond’s latest adventures because he had been a big fan of the late Ian Fleming, the creator of the world’s best-known spy.

“About 18 months ago the Ian Fleming estate asked me if I would be interested in writing the next continuation novel, and I debated for all of seven seconds and said ‘yes, I would love to do that.’ “Ian Fleming was a big influence on me, I read my first James Bond novel when I was about eight years old,” Deaver said.

Fleming’s niece, Lucy Fleming, who was at the launch, said: “If he had been here today, he would have loved the occasion.” She said the new book “has got one of the nastiest villains I’ve ever read”. The first “new” Bond novel, “Devil May Care”, was penned by British writer Sebastian Faulks and released in 2008.—AFP

(From left) Lucas Till, Rose Byrne, Zoe Kravitz, Kevin Bacon, January Jones, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender attend the premiere of ‘X-Men: First Class’ at The Ziegfeld Theater on Wednesday in New York. —AP

Grammy

Group continues to protest

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coalition of musicians is demanding the Recording Academy restore more than 30 categories cut from the Grammy Awards, alleging the reductions unfairly target ethnic music and were done without the input of its thousands of members A protest was planned Thursday in Beverly Hills, California, at an academy board meeting. It is part of a campaign by those upset by last month’s decision to reduce the Grammy fields, which this year totaled 109, to 78. Grammy President and CEO Neil Portnow said changes would be in effect for the 2012 Grammys. He urged dissenters to work with the academy, which would examine the effect of the changes for the 2013 awards.

But protesters hope the process could be reversed in time for next year’s Grammy ceremony if at least one

category changes

board member asks the academy to reconsider. “Hopefully during that time, someone will rise and be brave enough and do this,” Bobby Sanabria, a four-time Grammy nominee in the Latin jazz category and a leader of the movement against the changes, said in an interview Wednesday.

“He’s being arrogant in saying that it’s written in stone when we have a chance to get these categories reinstated,” said Sanabria of Portnow. He has called for the resignation of Portnow and the board of trustees.

The Academy announced the changes April 6; the move came after a more than yearlong examination of the awards structure, the first in the Grammys’ 50-plus year history. Portnow said at the time that the changes would make the Grammys more competitive, and the awards more coveted. But the move upset many Academy members, who were taken off guard by the announcement.

Paul Simon wrote a letter to Portnow asking him to reconsider, writing, in part: “I believe the Grammys have done a disservice to many talented musicians by combining previously distinct and separate types of music into a catch-all of blurry larger categories. ... They deserve the separate Grammy acknowledgements that they’ve been afforded until this change eliminated them.”

Sanabria, who is working with musicians including Eddie Palmieri and Arturo O’Farrill, said ethnic music was unfairly targeted, and called it a “subtle form

of racism.” “The effect will be that the music will be very, very homogenous, it’s already starting to sound like that already,” he said. “Society as we know it now is very multicultural and very diverse, and the Grammys always reflected that.” Portnow, in an interview this week, said he understands the frustration of those affected.

However, he denied many of Sanabria’s contentions, including the idea that non-mainstream categories bore the brunt of the reductions. “In this year’s awards, in the 53rd (annual ceremony), there were 34 mainstream categories. Next year, with the changed revision, there will be 20 mainstream categories. That’s a significant reduction in mainstream areas. In non-mainstream categories ... there were 71. In the upcoming 54th awards, there will be 54,” he said, saying that percentage-wise, mainstream categories were more effected.

“Not only non-mainstream categories were affected here,” he said. “The facts here don’t play that out.” Portnow also took issue with Sanabria’s assertion that the changes were conducted arbitrarily and in secret, saying the changes were implemented by representatives of the members.

“This is a committee that is made up of members of the academy who include musicians and producers, engineers and experts in the various fields,” he said.

“There was well over a year and a half discussion within that group, in that committee. —AP

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Lifestyle

FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

Lady Gaga tapes an episode of ‘106 and Park’ at BET Studios in New York, Monday.—AP

Amazon offers Lady Gaga album again for 99 cents

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mazon is giving Lady Gaga fans another crack at her new album for 99 cents after suffering server meltdown the first time. The Seattle, Washington-based online retail giant said “Burn This Way” will be available through Amazon.com for the heavily discounted price yesterday only.

Amazon offered Lady Gaga’s new album for 99 cents on Monday but heavy demand overloaded its servers. “We’re doing it again, and this time we’re ready,” Amazon’s director of music, Craig Pape, said in a press release.

“Clearly customers are really excited for Lady Gaga’s new album-we saw extraordinary

response to Monday’s promotion-far above what we expected- she definitely melted some servers,” Pope said.

Amazon is also offering purchasers of the album 20 gigabytes of free storage on its Cloud Drive service. Making Lady Gaga’s latest album available at less than a tenth of its price

at Apple’s iTunes is intended to harden Cloud Drive’s position ahead of the expected debut of a similar Web-hosted music service by Apple. Amazon launched Cloud Drive in March. It allows users to store music on the company’s computers and then listen to it on various Internet-linked devices. —AFP

Tang’s role in Chinese propaganda film in doubt

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Chinese actress Tang Wei adjusts her hair upon her arrival for a press preview of ‘Late Autumn’ in Seoul, South Korea. —AP

ust, Caution” star Tang Wei’s role in a Chinese propaganda blockbuster as the first love of Communist China’s founding father, Mao Zedong, has reportedly been dropped, raising the prospect that the actress is still suffering backlash after playing a traitor in the 2007 World War II-era spy thriller. While “Lust, Caution” gave Tang international exposure, her role as a student activist who warns a Japan-allied Chinese intelligence official about an assassination attempt allegedly offended Chinese film officials worried about lingering anger over Japanese wartime atrocities.

The film’s director, Ang Lee, who won an Oscar for the gay romance “Brokeback Mountain,” was asked to edit dialogue so as to make the warning from Tang’s character less explicit. And Tang herself was reportedly blacklisted, not releasing another movie until last year’s Hong Kong-set romantic comedy “Crossing Hennessy.” In September, Tang’s casting as Mao’s girlfriend was announced, signaling her rehabilitation in China. She joined a star-studded cast in “Jian Dang Wei Ye,” scheduled for release on June 15 to mark the 90th anniversary of the ruling Chinese Communist Party. The Chinese title translates

roughly as “The Great Achievement of Founding the Party.” The official English title is “Beginning of the Great Revival.” But as the release date nears, reports have surfaced that Tang was left out of the final cut.

Gao Jun, deputy general manager of Chinese theater operator New Film Association, told The Associated Press in a phone interview yesterday that Tang’s role was cut because historians questioned the factual accuracy of her character. He cited “industry insiders,” but declined to identify them. Gao, however, said the decision had nothing to do with her “Lust, Caution” role.

“It’s not a problem with the actress,” he said. A news report posted on the official website for “Jian Dang Wei Ye” yesterday said Tang was no longer listed in the credits printed in the film’s latest publicity materialsalthough a production photo of Tang’s character was still posted on the site. Production notes recently sent to the AP by the movie’s Hong Kong publicists also left out Tang from a list of actors that includes Hong Kong veterans Chow Yun-fat, Andy Lau and director John Woo. Mao is played by Chinese actor Liu Ye, best known to Western audiences for his roles in the Zhang Yimou imperial drama “Curse of the Golden Flower” and the drama

“Dark Matter,” which costarred Meryl Streep.

Jiang Defu, the spokesman for governmentowned studio China Film Group, declined to comment, asking a reporter to watch the movie when it is released.

Tang’s Hong Kong management company didn’t immediately return a call from the AP on yesterday. Tang has another scheduled Chinese release this year. The Peter Chan martial arts picture “Dragon,” which co-stars Donnie Yen and Takeshi Kaneshiro, is scheduled to hit Chinese theaters Aug. 3.

In addition to the release of “Jian Dang Wei Ye,” news reports said earlier this month that media regulators have ordered broadcasters to show “outstanding” TV series in synch with party themes as part of the propaganda buildup before the July 1 anniversary of the party’s founding. China Film Group also released another star-studded propaganda film, “The Founding of a Republic,” in 2009 to mark the 60th anniversary of Communist rule in China. While propaganda films were once considered boring and outdated fare, especially by youngsters, China Film Group has been able to reinvigorate the genre by injecting star power, and in the process lending credibility to its version of history. —AP

Lifestyle FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

Sotheby’s employees hang Maqbool Fida Husain’s painting ‘The Sixth Seal’ estimated at 400,000-500,000 pounds (650,000-815,000 US dollars) at Sotheby’s auction rooms in London, yesterday. The painting will be auctioned in the South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art Sale on May 31. — AP

Booked early, then airfare fell NASA satellite helps find 17 Egypt pyramids

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This NASA satellite image obtained on May 25, 2011 courtesy of the University of Alabama shows an infra-red image (center) of a pattern of streets and houses in the buried ancient city of Tanis, Egypt. —AFP

rchaeologists have uncovered as many as 17 buried pyramids in Egypt with the help of NASA satellite imagery, according to a documentary to be aired by the BBC on Monday. Led by US researcher Sarah Parcak at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the team has already confirmed two of the suspected pyramids through excavation work. The BBC, which funded the research, released the findings this week ahead of a broadcast describing the technique and what was uncovered.

“I couldn’t believe we could locate so many sites all over Egypt,” Parcak was quoted as telling the BBC. “To excavate a pyramid is the dream of every archaeologist.”

The team also found more than 1,000 tombs and 3,000 ancient settlements, according to the report. Infrared images, which were taken by satellites orbiting 700 kilometers (435 miles) above the Earth, revealed the belowground structures. The satellites used powerful cameras that can “pinpoint objects less than one meter (three feet) in diameter on the Earth’s surface,” the report said.

The technology was helped by the density of houses and other buildings, made of mud brick so that they showed up somewhat clearly against the looser soil cover. The documentary, “Egypt’s Lost Cities,” airs Monday on BBC One and will also be shown on the Discovery channel in the United States.—AFP

A refund?

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ou booked your travel early, only to see the airfare drop. You have company. The threat of fare increases combined with pent-up demand drove more travelers to book months ahead, according to industry experts. Advanced bookings were higher in the first three months of the year than they have been in more than two decades, says aviation consultant Robert Herbst.

The value of advanced tickets sold at Delta in the first quarter, for example, jumped 37 percent to $4.54 billion.

But while ticket prices on average are higher than a year ago, some select mid-year fares have dropped from where they were back in March, particularly on those routes with the most competition or fewest bookings. Before kicking yourself, you should find out if you can recoup the difference.

(Warning: In some cases, you’ll still end up kicking yourself. Because you can’t kick the airline.)

Here’s a rundown of refund policies from most of the major airlines: • Most treat the adjustment to the fare like a change to a reservation and charge a fee. Travelers must factor in that fee when weighing whether to fight for their money back.

• Only three airlines offer refunds on any price drop-Southwest, Alaska and JetBlue.

• AirTran and Virgin America have $75 change fees, so the price drop must be more than that to warrant a refund. At Hawaiian Airlines, the threshold is $100.

• Unfortunately, refunds on the most traveled airlines are more difficult. United, Continental, Delta, US Airways and American all hit you with a $150 change fee-meaning the fare difference would have to be higher than that to make it worthwhile.

(OK, now start kicking.)

The likelihood of a swing that big at the height of the summer travel season is pretty slim. Overall, summer fares are expected to be up by about 15 percent compared with last year, according to Bing Travel, as the airlines try to make up for rising fuel costs. Still, many travelers can benefit from prices

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going down. Some of the most dramatic examples: Say you booked a flight from Phoenix to Philadelphia leaving on Saturday, July 16, and returning the following Friday on US Airways. A coach class ticket cost $675 in early spring.

If you booked Wednesday, it cost $497. For the same travel dates, a trip from Denver to Las Vegas on Southwest Airlines was recently as high as $269.

On Wednesday, the price was $165. Not many travelers, however, bother to check if the fare has dropped after they buy their ticket. A site called Yapta.com allows fliers to register their flight information and receive alerts when fares fall after they book.

If you think you’re eligible for a refund, bear in mind that your airline won’t give you money back for a ticket purchased on Expedia, Orbitz or other outside travel sites. Those sites have their own price match guarantees, but they’re harder to snag.

You need to find a better price online within 24 hours of booking to get money back from Expedia.

And another traveler would have to book the same flight for a lower price on Orbitz in order for you to get a check in the mail. That applies any time before your flight takes off. Also, on most airlines your refund comes as a voucher good for future travel instead of cash. Most vouchers expire within a year.

And you won’t even get that if you try to change your itinerary. No changes to destination or airports are allowed.

Of course, you can avoid all this if you land a good fare in the first place. That may be easier said than done, but there are some methods to ensure you don’t “buy high” next time you fly: Signing up for alerts from sites like Travelzoo and Airfarewatchdog.com will let you see sales and promotions that aren’t otherwise advertised.

Kayak.com offers a fare-tracking system that allows potential fliers to monitor the best time to buy.

Another method? An application called “Invisible Hand” will scan other websites while you’re booking and let you know if it finds a better deal-and where to find it. —AP

Stars FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

Aries (March 21-April 19) Needing to feel secure in your business is very important to you at this time. There is nothing better than to know you are useful and needed in the profession that you have chosen. If you have been looking for that special job, today just might be your lucky day. Your energy is expressive and dramatic at times, with a sense of awareness and pride and ownership. Being in the spotlight is common for you—you would be wise to take a humble attitude and see where your talents can best help others. There is always a sense of confidence from which your strong expressive ideas originate.

You can feel free to exert your big-hearted side this evening as you will find many opportunities to be around animals, children and friends.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

You could spend a great deal of time helping others this Thursday. While it is good to help others, if you let this get out of hand you could feel used—having little time left for your own progress. You will be in a position to communicate to your co-workers and people apart from work today. You will prosper by pursuing your ideals and most deep-seated dreams of how life could be. Don?t be afraid to project yourself and make your dreams real. Ideas of group participation could further your career. You excel at professions that allow you to be in contact with many different people and to travel to new and exciting locations. Your sensitivity may be increased, making you vulnerable to delusions. The romantic dreamer is in full blossom.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

Avoid the tendency to be fooled by others as you may sometimes find yourself ignoring what is underneath a conversation. Use your intuition today—it may lead to new insights. This may not be the best time to make important decisions that affect your living situation or life circumstances. Others may challenge your authority or the direction you are taking. Just watch and learn for now. You may find that someone close to you understands and is supportive of your eccentricities. There is an instinctive urge to get serious about taking care of you—at many levels. You want to feel good about yourself—diet, exercise and work somehow mean more now. Deep within you is everything that is perfect, ready to radiate into the world.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

Correct choices and what seems to be the best path for you may be at odds with your sense of values. You may not appreciate the easy way or a clear-cut option—you may choose instead a more difficult path. Your thirst for experience and growth always keeps you on the move. These could be the areas in which you struggle now. You adjust and change your ideals often and struggle not to become carried away with each new vision. The world of your imagination is the perfect place for a major focus of change. A book could be in the forecast. You will have support from those around you. This evening is the perfect time for a leisurely meal with your loved one. Perhaps a card game or word game would be what you enjoy.

Leo (July 23-August 22)

You set the example for others in a time when some co-workers might become bored. You are at your best today and can assuage any futile activity. Events seem to line up in your favor to help push you over the top to new heights. Be aware that supervisors usually know most everything that happens under their care. A promotion or recognition for past accomplishments could be near. You could find that you are appreciated or valued for your input and your ability to act and get things done.

Projects at work and at home will come into fruition soon. At home, you may find yourself just as tired as if this had been an extremely busy day at work. Exercise is your best option to a transition from work to home—bicycling, bowling or running is a good choice.

Virgo (August 23-September 22)

You will find yourself ready and interested in the work today. Professional decisions are straightforward and easy to make. You make your way though ideas, concepts and your ability to communicate and express them to others. Friends, group projects and community concerns could play a key role that could change your career direction. Good will and humanitarian efforts can change your work and life path. This is a time of good fortune when things open up in a very natural way for you. Situations are almost magical—it is easy to see which path is the one to take. Taking chances can bring big rewards. This afternoon you relax with friends or loved ones. You are unusually affectionate this evening and will likely have the affections reciprocated.

Libra (September 23-October 22) Work moves along in a smooth manner this Thursday and you have a talent for finding and working through problems. You may feel more at ease this month and find it easy to balance finances, emotions and responsibilities. There are fewer demands just now so you may have to watch out for the tendency to be a bit lazy. Be aware that you can use your free time to your benefit. Wiggle your toes in a pond or creek. Learn a new skill or hobby—catch up on being organized. You are a good cook and may enjoy growing your own herbs this summer. The healing properties in just the good smells from the herbs and the cooking will give you many days of enjoyment this summer. Working with nature will give you a unique satisfaction as well.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21)

Every time you get an inferior feeling about yourself cancel it out with positive thoughts. Your self-esteem is only as high as what you think about yourself. You find yourself talkative and quick-witted today. If you are in sales, you could set records today! Ideas are clear and easy to understand. This could be a good time for thinking over your own affairs. An older person or someone in authority may give you new information this afternoon. Be grateful for this input—it will make a big difference in your earning power. You draw emotional sustenance and a sense of security from ideals, friends and social involvement now. Take some time to see the world through a child?s eyes this evening. Read to a child or create a poem to enjoy.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) This is a vital day. There are lots of energy and lots of action surrounding your activities. You may feel focused and even a bit radiant. You could find yourself in great demand and really communicate—making yourself understood. A good conversation with those you love is possible. You will find your best opportunity for success comes from practicing your writing, speech and intellectual skills. Surround yourself with positive, upbeat people that will encourage you and not solicit your sympathetic emotions during this time. Use your powers of self-expression wisely and creatively.

Teaching a young person to respect the responsibilities that come with money may be difficult. You can teach others how to budget their money.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

You may feel blocked or frustrated emotionally by someone or by your own life situation in general. Take it easy this morning—by the afternoon you will recover those frustrations and gain insight into your emotions. Communicating is at a high this afternoon. Your timing should be perfect and those around you should find you most spontaneous. You have needs and you sense the needs of others: fitting the two together makes it work. Do not force your ideas or feelings today—be patient. You may find it very easy to overdo or work at cross-purposes to yourself. This can result in a frustrating and stressful day. There is a sense of testing the limits. If you do not know where your money goes, you could suffer a great deal with financial matters.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Work, achievement and ambition mean a lot to you. This is a perfect time to be assertive and to move forward in your career decisions. You have a lot of enthusiasm to gain those wonderful successful results. It should be easy to channel your energy.

You will find the path is open and clear. This is a time when you can expect some sort of extra support from those around you. You may feel that you are in harmony with others and that you will have the help you need to complete some project or to understand some difficulty. You may find yourself being put to good use by your friends this afternoon and it could be that circumstances force you to reorganize some of your own plans. A little romance this evening is the perfect ending to a very busy day.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Although routine matters at work go well today, this may not the best time for career or vocational decisions that would cause a big change in your life. You may be moved to appreciate and discover the beauty in your life. At the same time, merchandise and good buys may be very inviting. Be careful that you do not overspend or indulge too much just now. You could have trouble holding onto money at this time. This could include a bad investment, unpaid debts, a loan or giving to too many charities. You are wise to be cautious during this time and discriminate between those who truly need help financially and those engaged in rip-offs. This is, however, a great time for a social get-together with friends or family near or in your own home.

COUNTRY CODES 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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W h a t ’s O n FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

Announcements Prayer meeting Prayer and healing meeting Pastor Dave Hess will be held in Mahboula on 27 May between 4 pm and 7 pm.

Limited free transportation available.

For details contact Anil 99656778, Max 97428039 or Yesu 99863584.

‘Mahakte Lamhe’ Indian Cultural Society (ICS) presents “Mahakte Lamhe” with Udit Narayan with Deepa Narayan. Another attraction of the evening will be reality shows fame Neha Chouhan & Nayan Rathod on 10th June 2011 Friday at Auditorium Kamil Al Rays, American International School, near Police Station Maidan Hawally Kuwait at 7.30 pm sharp. The Chief Guest for the event will be Vidhu P Nair Charge d” Affaires Embassy of India, Kuwait and the guest of honor will be prominent personalities from Kuwait. For details contact: 97690035, 66568147, 94450833, 97270386, 97286577, 67030839, and 99757214 Email ics.kuwait@gmail.com BAIA presents the delightful new children’s musical BUZZ the STORY of GLORY BEE! From the pens of Dream Dealer Duo Harriet Petherick Bushman and Marita Phillips and the A TEAM , the Creative Team of The Lion King comes BUZZ! The Story of Glory Bee. Glory (Isabella Wellinkar) is a newbee who doesn’t want to be just a Gatherer Bee and has adventures involving Humungus the Beekeeper (played by Augustin ‘Mufasa’ Tchantcho) and the villainous Hornet (Aidan Scott). Performed by the wonderful talent of the Kool Kidz Children’s Theatre BUZZ runs from 26 to 28 May at the Shakespeare Theatre, The British School of Kuwait. Box office open now. Mobile number 60052087 and box office@baia.com.kw or visit our office Salwa 1 Street 1 villa 32. Full details of all events and courses are available on www.baia.com.kw BAIA Summer Camp now open for registrations 2011 ON STAGE summer camp from 19 June to 06 July. Last year High School Musical, this year Camp Rock, Tangled,

Cars...many more! From Page to Stage in just 3 weeks, through costume design, technicals, acting, singing, dance, music, make-up, film and lighting. Create a fabulous performance ON STAGE. Discounts available if registered before 01 June.

Call 60052087 or mail administrator@baia.com.kw. Full details of all events and courses are available on www.baia.com.kw Ahmadi Music Group The Ahmadi Music Group, directed by Richard Bushman, is delighted to announce the forthcoming production of The Desert Song by Siegmund Romberg and Oscar Hammerstein. Fully-staged, with costumes, dancing, professional soloists, a cast of around fifty people and a full symphony orchestra, this will be a wonderful opportunity to experience an evening of musical theatre in the stunning new Performing Arts Centre at The English School Salmiya. Tuesday 31 May, Preview Performance for students.

Wednesday 1 June, Black-tie Gala Opening Performance followed by Buffet Supper. Thursday 2 June, Performance.

Friday 3 June, Performance. All performances start at 7pm at The English School, Salmiya. Emailing invitations@ahmadimusicgroup.com AWARE Arabic course The AWARE management is glad to inform you that Summer 2 Arabic language courses will begin on June 12 until July 21, 2011. AWARE Arabic language courses are designed with the expat in mind. The environment is relaxed & courses are designed for those wanting to learn Arabic for travel, cultural understanding, and conducting business or simply to become more involved in the community. We cater to teachers, travelers and those working in the private business sector.

AWARE Arabic courses highlights: Introductory to Level 4 Arabic language basics; Ccmbine language learning with cultural insights; taught in multi-nationality group settings ; and provides opportunities to interact with Western expatriates and native Kuwaitis/Arabs. For more information and/or registration, call 25335260/80 ext 105 or 0 or log onto: www.aware.com.kw

Write to us Send to What’s On

Rev. Fr. C, Kurian, the newly elected president, Kuwait Episcopal Churches Fellowship.

YMCA Kuwait office bearers

upcoming events, birthdays or celebrations by email: local@kuwaittimes.net Fax: 24835619 / 20

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MCA Kuwait elected the office-bearers for the year 2011-2012 during the Board Meeting at Salmiya. YMCA is a worldwide youth Association that work for the welfare of all humans. The YMCA Kuwait unit was inaugurated on 24 April 2010.

Office bearers elected for the year: President - Babu Johnson, General Secretary - Parimanam Manoj, Treasurer Ajosh Mathew, Vice President - Mathew Eapen, Joint Secretary - Jacob George, Auditors - M. C. Mathew Tharakan & Mathew P. Thomas.

‘The World of Advertising’

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he Communication and Media program at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) presents ‘The World of Advertising’ - an event that showcases the final project of students of communication at AUK. In a press statement, Dr Mohammed Akbar, Assistant Professor of Communications and Media at AUK, stated that the event will include a review of student’s practical projects during the current semester. The objective is to assess and identify essential properties and characteristics, value, strengths and weaknesses.

Dr Akbar added that the diversity of

video commercial presentations by students will enhance the importance of the role played by the media in expressing cultures, civilizations and nations in consolidating social values and national identities.

These projects expose students to the labor market and demonstrate excellence in curriculum where theoretical studies are incorporated into practical applications.

Admission is open to the public and the event will be in English. The date is on Monday, May 30, 2011 and the time is from 10 am - 3 pm at Multipurpose room, The American University of Kuwait, Salmiya.

Greetings Happy 14th wedding anniversary to Baby Joseph and Mini Baby. May life continue to give you the most cherished memories.

Greetings from a well wisher.

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Ahmadi Marthoma Youth silver jubilee anniversary hmadi Marthoma Youth will celebrate its silver jubilee anniversary celebrations today, 6pm, at Fintas Ci-operative auditorium. The event will be inaugurated by Dr Joseph Mar Thoma Metroplitan. Idea Star singer fame Roshan will lead the orchestra.

Youth India award function today

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outh India honors Benyamin for his novel ‘AaduJeevitham’ which has won several awards that include the Kerala Sahitya Academy Award. The novel portrays the pains of expatriate life. The honoring event will be held along with the cultural evening scheduled for today, 27 May and will be held in Pravasi Auditorium Abbasiya. The First Youth India Award for Literature will be presented to Benyamin at the event. A discussion will be held on the novel. Renowned personalities in Kuwait will attend the event. Call 67714948 for more info.

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W h a t ’s O n FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

Embassy Information EMBASSY OF ARGENTINA The Embassy of the Argentine would like to invite Argentinean citizens in Kuwait, on 27 of May to celebrate at the Argentine Embassy located in (Mishref - Block 6 Street 42 - Villa 57. Tel 25379211).

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Carmel School celebrates Principal’s Day

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.

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EMBASSY OF BRITAIN The British Embassy will be closed on Sunday 29 May 2011 for a public holiday.

The Embassy will re-open on Monday 30 May 2011.

The Visa Application Centre will be closed on the same dates above. The opening hours of the Visa Application Centre are 0930 - 1630. Application forms remain available online form the Visa Application Centre’s website: www.vfs-ukkw.com For more information on the British Embassy services, visit the British Embassy website: www.ukinkuwait.fco.gov.uk ■■■■■■■

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he students and teachers of Carmel School celebrated their Principal’s Day on the 19th May 2011 through three heartwarming assemblies (primary, middle, secondary). Fitting to her warm, loving, caring, motherly personality- the theme “The Garden of my Heart” was portrayed

through a garden in bloom with a rainbow of hope. The students presented a festal song that revolved around “Unconditional Love” and floral gifts to display their affection. The middle school put up a skit on “Happiness” wherein the princess realizes that true happiness lies in sacrifice and service.

Sister Maria Lytta ,our principal was touched by the efforts and love that went into the programs and expressed her heartfelt gratitude. The entire school as one Carmel family prayed that she may weather every storm and that God may graciously tend to her every need.

EMBASSY OF CANADA The Embassy of Canada is located at Villa 24, Al-Mutawakel St., Block 4 in Da’aiyah. Please visit our website at www.Kuwait.gc.ca.

Canada offers a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that Consular Officials can contact and assist Canadians in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform Canadians of a family emergency at home.

The Embassy of Canada encourages all Canadian Citizens to register online through the Government of Canada Travel Website at www.voyage.gc.ca. The Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi provides visa and immigration services to residents of Kuwait.

Individuals who are interested in visiting, working or immigrating to Canada are invited to visit the website of the Canadian Embassy to the UAE at www.UAE.gc.ca.

Effective January 15, 2011, the only Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) application form that will be accepted by CIC is the Application for Temporary Resident Visa Made Outside of Canada [IMM 5257] form.

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EMBASSY OF USA The Embassy of the United States of America will be closed on Sunday, May 29, 2011 in observance of Memorial Day. The American Embassy will reopen for normal business on Monday, May 30, 2011. Regular working hours are 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Sunday to Thursday. The Embassyís telephone number is 2259-1001 and the fax number is 2538-0282.

TV Listings FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

00:45 Untamed And Uncut 01:40 Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 02:35 Cheetah Kingdom 03:30 Max’s Big Tracks 04:25 Shark Bait Beach 05:20 Animal Cops South Africa 06:10 Extraordinary Dogs 06:35 Project Puppy 07:00 Meerkat Manor 07:25 The Really Wild Show 07:50 Crocodile Hunter 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 12:50 Animal Cops South Africa 13:45 SSPCA: On The Wildside 14:10 Vet On The Loose 14:40 Running With Wolves 15:30 Animal Battlegrounds 16:00 The Really Wild Show 16:30 Growing Up...

17:25 Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 18:20 Cheetah Kingdom 19:15 Michaela’s Animal Road Trip 20:10 Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 21:05 Karina: Wild On Safari 22:00 Big Five Challenge 22:55 Natural World 23:50 South Georgia: Life Under The Furious 50

00:00 00:30 01:15 02:00 02:45 03:00 03:30 04:00 04:35 04:55 05:15 05:40 05:55 06:15 06:35 07:00 07:20 07:40 08:05 08:20 08:40 09:00 09:25 09:40 10:40 11:25 12:20 12:50 13:20 14:10 15:40 16:35 17:20 17:50 18:20 19:10 20:00 20:45 21:15 22:05 22:55 23:30

Last Of The Summer Wine The Weakest Link Casualty Doctor Who Doctor Who Confidential Eastenders Doctors Last Of The Summer Wine Me Too Tweenies Teletubbies Bobinogs Me Too Tweenies Teletubbies Me Too Tweenies Teletubbies Bobinogs Me Too Tweenies Teletubbies Bobinogs Last Of The Summer Wine The Weakest Link Ray Mears’ Northern Wilderness Doctors Eastenders Casualty Last Of The Summer Wine Ray Mears’ Northern Wilderness The Weakest Link Doctors Eastenders Casualty Ray Mears’ Northern Wilderness The Weakest Link Doctors The Planets Jekyll Supernova Taking The Flak

00:15 01:05 01:55 02:45 04:55 05:45 07:10 08:50 09:20 10:10 12:20 12:45 13:35 14:20 15:05 15:55 18:05 18:30 19:00 19:50 20:35 21:20 22:10 23:00 23:45

Great British Menu Come Dine With Me The Home Show Great British Menu The Hairy Bikers’ Cookbook Daily Cooks Challenge Great British Menu The Hairy Bikers’ Cookbook Antiques Roadshow Great British Menu The Hairy Bikers’ Cookbook Antiques Roadshow Cash In The Attic Bargain Hunt Come Dine With Me Great British Menu The Hairy Bikers’ Cookbook The Hairy Bikers’ Cookbook Antiques Roadshow Cash In The Attic Bargain Hunt Come Dine With Me The Home Show Masterchef: The Professionals Masterchef: The Professionals

00:25 00:55 01:25 03:15 04:10 05:05 06:00 07:50 08:20 09:15 10:15 12:05 13:05 14:05 14:35 15:30 16:25 16:55 17:55 18:55 19:55 20:55 21:25 22:25 23:25 23:55

LET ME IN ON OSN ACTION HD

00:40 01:35 02:30 03:25 04:20 05:15 05:40 06:05 07:00 07:50 08:45 09:10 09:40 10:30 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 22:50 23:45

00:30 00:55 01:45 02:35 03:25

Dirty Jobs Worst-Case Scenario Ultimate Survival Mega Builders Mythbusters How Do They Do It? How Stuff’s Made Dirty Jobs Mega Builders American Chopper How Stuff’s Made How Do They Do It? Mythbusters Cake Boss Border Security Motor City Motors Ultimate Survival Mythbusters LA Ink Dirty Jobs Motor City Motors Mythbusters River Monsters Cake Boss Border Security I Could Do That How Stuff’s Made How Do They Do It? Extreme Engineering 7 Huge Moves Mighty Ships River Monsters

The Gadget Show Kings Of Construction Bang Goes The Theory The Future Of...

How Does That Work?

03:50 04:45 05:40 06:10 07:00 07:55 07:58 08:25 08:55 09:45 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 22:00 22:50 23:40

00:00 00:25 01:15 02:00 02:50 03:35 04:25 05:15 06:00

Thunder Races What’s That About?

One Step Beyond Ecopolis Scrapheap Challenge Head Rush Sci-Fi Science Weird Connections The World’s Strangest UFO Stories The Gadget Show Bang Goes The Theory Savage Planet Scrapheap Challenge One Step Beyond Weird Or What?

Powering The Future Kings Of Construction The Gadget Show Head Rush Sci-Fi Science Weird Connections Brainiac Bad Universe How The Universe Works The Gadget Show Weird Connections How Stuff’s Made The Gadget Show How The Universe Works The Gadget Show Colony

Kim Possible Fairly Odd Parents Stitch Replacements Emperors New School Stitch Replacements Fairly Odd Parents Emperors New School

06:20 07:05 07:25 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 14:20 14:40 14:47 14:55 15:20 15:40 16:00 16:20 16:25 17:35 18:00 18:45 19:30 20:15 20:25 20:50 21:12 21:15 21:35 22:00 22:25 22:50 23:15 23:35

Phineas And Ferb Suite Life On Deck Cars Toons Fish Hooks Good Luck Charlie 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 Suite Life On Deck Cars Toons Have A Laugh Good Luck Charlie Phineas And Ferb Wizards Of Waverly Place Hannah Montana Cars Toons Suite Life On Deck Sonny With A Chance Fish Hooks Luck Of The Irish Cars Toons Fish Hooks Shake It Up Good Luck Charlie Have A Laugh Phineas And Ferb Fairly Odd Parents Replacements Hannah Montana Sonny With A Chance Wizards Of Waverly Place Jonas

Kendra Extreme Close-Up Cheating Death 25 Most Stylish Sexiest Extreme Hollywood THS Behind The Scenes E! News Kimora: Life In The Fab Lane 40 Smokin’ On Set Hookups E! News Giuliana And Bill Keeping Up With The Kardashians E!es E!es Behind The Scenes Kourtney And Kim Take New York E! News Kendra THS Chelsea Lately Holly’s World E! News Chelsea Lately Kourtney And Khloe Take Miami

00:00 BBC World News 00:30 World Business Report 00:45 Sport Today 01:00 BBC World News America 01:30 Asia Business Report 01:45 Asia Today 02:00 BBC World News 02:30 Asia Business Report 02:45 Asia Today 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 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 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 World Have Your Say Extra 21:40 Weekend World 22:00 BBC World News 22:30 Middle East Business Report 23:00 BBC World News America 23:30 Peschardt’s People

00:05 00:30 00:55 01:20 01:45 02:10

Cow And Chicken Cramp Twins George Of The Jungle Adrenalini Brothers Eliot Kid 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 Angelo Rules 08:05 Cartoon Network Dance Club 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 15:20 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

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

The Haunted A Haunting On The Case With Paula Zahn True Crime Scene Dr G: Medical Examiner Ghosthunters The Haunted Mystery Diagnosis Forensic Detectives Undercover Mystery Diagnosis Real Emergency Calls Real Emergency Calls On The Case With Paula Zahn FBI Files On The Case With Paula Zahn The Prosecutors Mystery Diagnosis Real Emergency Calls Real Emergency Calls On The Case With Paula Zahn Forensic Detectives Undercover FBI Files Mystery Diagnosis Real Emergency Calls Real Emergency Calls On The Case With Paula Zahn The Prosecutors Murder Shift Undercover Dr G: Medical Examiner

00:00 00:30 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 04:30 05:00 05:30 06:00 06:30 07:00

Market Values Market Values Departures Don’t Tell My Mother Long Way Down Pressure Cook David Rocco’s Dolce Vita Food Lovers Guide To The Planet Exploring The Vine Market Values Market Values Departures

TV Listings FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

08:00 09:00 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 17:30 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 22:30 23:00 23:30

Don’t Tell My Mother Long Way Down Pressure Cook David Rocco’s Dolce Vita Food Lovers Guide To The Planet Exploring The Vine Market Values Departures Don’t Tell My Mother

By Any Means Pressure Cook David Rocco’s Dolce Vita Food Lovers Guide To The Planet Exploring The Vine Market Values Departures Don’t Tell My Mother

By Any Means Pressure Cook David Rocco’s Dolce Vita Food Lovers Guide To The Planet Exploring The Vine

00:00 02:00 04:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 PG15 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00

28 Days Later-18 The Gene Generation-18 Blood: The Last Vampire-18 Arlington Road-18 Inkheart-PG Crouching Tiger, Hidden DragonTimeline-PG15 Inkheart-PG Shinjuku Incident-PG15 Timeline-PG15 Smokin’ Aces 2: Assassin’s Ball-18 Let Me In-R

01:00 Fireflies In The Garden-PG15 03:00 Me And Orson Welles-PG 05:00 The Dust Factory-PG15 07:00 Moon-PG15 09:00 When In Rome-PG15 11:00 Delgo-FAM 13:00 The Prince And Me 3: A Royal Honeymoon-PG15 15:00 Green Lantern: First Flight-PG 17:00 Furry Vengeance-PG15 19:00 Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant-PG15 21:00 Inglourious Basterds-18 23:30 The Uninvited-18

00:30 01:00 01:30 02:00 02:30 03:00 03:30 04:00 04:30 05:30 06:00 06:30 07:00 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 21:00 21:30 22:00 22:30 23:00 23:30

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart The Colbert Report South Park The Ricky Gervais Show Weeds Just Shoot Me Community South Park The Tonight Show With Jay Leno Will And Grace Yes Dear The Drew Carey Show Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Tyler Perry’s House Of Payne Dharma And Greg Just Shoot Me Will And Grace Yes Dear Melissa And Joey The Drew Carey Show The Tonight Show With Jay Leno Dharma And Greg Tyler Perry’s House Of Payne Will And Grace Yes Dear Community Melissa And Joey The Daily Show With Jon Stewart The Colbert Report The Drew Carey Show Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Friends 8 Simple Rules ...

Outsourced Modern Family The Tonight Show With Jay Leno The Daily Show With Jon Stewart The Colbert Report Funny Or Die Presents Bored To Death South Park 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

Bones American Idol The Gates Bones Good Morning America C.S.I. New York Emmerdale Look-A-Like The Gates The Martha Stewart Show The View

12:00 14:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

American Idol Live Good Morning America The Bachelor The Ellen DeGeneres Show One Tree Hill No Ordinary Family Off The Map Survivor: Redemption Island Lie To Me The Bachelor

00:00 Cold Case 01:00 American Idol 03:00 Bones 04:00 The Gates 05:00 The Philanthropist 06:00 Cold Case 07:00 The New Adventures Of Christine 07:30 The New Adventures Of Christine 08:00 Huge 09:00 The Philanthropist 10:00 American Idol 12:00 The New Adventures Of Christine 12:30 The New Adventures Of Christine 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 14:00 Huge 15:00 Cold Case 16:00 The New Adventures Of Christine 16:30 The New Adventures Of Christine 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 18:00 The Unit 19:00 No Ordinary Family 20:00 Off The Map 21:00 Survivor: Redemption Island 22:00 Royal Pains 23:00 The Philanthropist

01:00 03:00 05:00 07:00

Friday The 13th-18 Blood And Bone-18 Casualties Of War-18 Ghost Town (TV Movie)-18

09:00 Changing Lanes-PG15 11:00 Gone In Sixty Seconds-PG15 13:00 The Snow Walker-PG15 15:00 Changing Lanes-PG15 17:00 Darkness Falls-PG15 18:45 Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels-18 20:45 Pride And Glory-18 23:00 Grudge 3-18

Old Old

00:00 Suburban Girl-PG15 02:00 The Invention Of Lying-PG15 04:00 Monsters vs. Aliens-PG 06:00 Bitter Suite-PG15 08:00 Exterminators-PG15 10:00 Aliens In The Attic-FAM 12:00 Night At The Museum: Battle Of The Smithsonian-PG15 14:00 Mean Girls-PG15 16:00 Suburban Girl-PG15 18:00 He’s Just Not That Into You-PG15 20:30 The Slammin’ Salmon-PG15 22:30 Separation City-18

Old Old

Old Old

01:00 03:00 05:00 07:00 09:00 11:15 13:15 15:00 17:00 19:00 21:00 23:00

Midnight Cowboy-18 Husbands And Wives-18 Cairo Time-PG15 Crimes Of The Past-PG15 Finding Forrester-PG Julie And Julia-PG15 A Far Off Place-PG15 April Showers-PG15 Michael Jackson’s This Is It-PG Mary Reilly-PG15 The Damned United-PG15 Vicky Cristina Barcelona-PG15

01:00 03:30 05:00 07:00 09:00

Vanilla Sky-18 Enid-PG15 Saved!-PG15 Everybody’s Fine-PG15 Coraline-PG

11:00 13:00 15:00 17:00 19:00 21:00 23:00

Mr. Deeds-PG Catch That Kid-PG15 The Proposal-PG15 Coraline-PG The Slammin’ Salmon-PG15 You Again-PG15 The Dry Land-18

02:00 Inspector Gadget’s Last Case: Claw’s...-FAM 03:45 Christopher Columbus-PG 06:00 Cars-PG 08:00 Beauty And The Beast: Belle’s Magical World-FAM 10:00 The Jungle Book IV: Hate And LoveFAM 12:00 Inspector Gadget’s Biggest Caper Ever-FAM 13:45 Up-FAM 16:00 Beauty And The Beast: Belle’s Magical World-FAM 18:00 Catch That Kid-PG15 20:00 The Nutty Professor-FAM 22:00 The Jungle Book IV: Hate And LoveFAM 23:45 Up-FAM

00:00 02:00 PG15 04:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00

American Son-PG15 Hey Hey Its Esther BlueburgerThe Box-PG15 Coco Before Chanel-PG15 Mee Shee-PG Alice In Wonderland-PG The Box-PG15 Freestyle-PG15 Mee Shee-PG Alice In Wonderland-PG You Again-PG15 Public Enemies-18

01:30 Premier League Darts 05:00 RFL Championship 07:00 AFL Highlights

FURRY VENGEANCE ON OSN CINEMA

08:00 10:00 10:30 12:30 13:00 20:00 20:30 21:30

State Of Origin Total Rugby Live Super 15 ICC Cricket World Live Test Cricket ICC Cricket World Trans World Sport Live Super League

02:30 04:30 05:30 06:30 07:00 08:00 11:30 12:00 14:00 16:00 20:00 22:30

RFL Championship Weber Cup Bowling Trans World Sport Total Rugby Golfing World Senior PGA Championship NRL Full Time Live NRL Premiership Super 15 Live European PGA Tour AFL Premiership NRL Premiership

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 08:30 10:30 13:45 16:00 17:00 18:00

UFC The Ultimate Fighter UFC Unleashed UFC 130 Countdown WWE NXT Intercontinental Le Mans Cup UFC The Ultimate Fighter UFC 130 Countdown WWE NXT Full Throttle V8 Supercars Championship Live Aussie Rules Live NRL Premiership WWE NXT UFC The Ultimate Fighter UFC 130 Countdown

00:30 01:20 02:10 03:00 03:55 04:50 05:40 06:30 07:20 08:10 09:00 09:55 10:50 11:40 12:30 13:20 14:10 15:00 15:55 16:50 17:40 18:30 19:20 20:10 21:00 21:55 23:40 Wall

Investigating History The Crusades Mysteryquest Ax Men 3 Tunnellers Secret Superpowered Aircraft Battle Stations Investigating History The Crusades Mysteryquest Ax Men 3 Tunnellers Secret Superpowered Aircraft Battle Stations Investigating History The Crusades Mysteryquest Ax Men 3 Tunnellers Secret Superpowered Aircraft Battle Stations Investigating History The Crusades Mysteryquest The Universe Deadly Dust Storm Declassified: Rise And Fall Of The

00:15 00:17 01:00 01:50 02:00 02:45 03:15 03:17 07:15 07:17 09:15 09:17 13:15 13:17 15:15 15:17 16:00 16:45 17:15 17:17 18:00 18:45 19:00 20:00 20:30 22:15 22:17 23:00 23:40

Top Mobile Playlist Hit Us Playlist Urban Hit Playlist Top Fashion Playlist Top Gossip Playlist Top Money Playlist Top Gossip Playlist Monthly Top Playlist Africa 10 Playlist Top Sexy Playlist Urban Hit Playlist Trace Video Mix New Playlist Top Mobile Playlist Club 10 Playlist

00:20 01:55 03:50 05:25

The Outrage-FAM Zabriskie Point-FAM Demon Seed-FAM Royal Wedding-FAM

07:00 08:30 10:20 12:25 14:30 FAM 16:35 FAM 17:05 19:15 22:00 23:45

Boys’ Town-FAM Young Bess-FAM The Yearling-FAM The Champ-FAM The World Of The Brothers GrimmTCM Presents Under The InfluenceThe Hill-FAM Grand Prix-FAM No Small Affair-FAM Pat Garrett And Billy The Kid-FAM

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 17:30 Top 10 17:55 Top 10 18:25 Giuliana And Bill 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 Clean House

00:00 Julian and Camilla’s World Odyssey 01:00 Nomad’s Land 02:00 World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides 03:00 Glutton For Punishment 03:30 Angry Planet 04:00 Globe Trekker 05:00 Julian and Camilla’s World Odyssey 06:00 World Class 06:30 Travel Today 07:00 Globe Trekker 08:00 Inside Luxury Travel-Varun Sharma 09:00 World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides 10:00 Four Men and a Lady 10:30 Travel Today 11:00 Working Holiday 12:00 Globe Trekker 13:00 Distant Shores 13:30 The Thirsty Traveler 14:00 World Class 14:30 First Class Cornwall 15:30 Cruise Today 16:00 Globe Trekker 17:00 Riding Eastern Europe 17:30 Four Men and a Lady 18:00 Essential 18:30 Sophie Grigson In The Home Counties 19:00 Globe Trekker 20:00 Globe Trekker 21:00 Great Scenic Railways-US & Canada 21:30 Distant Shores 22:00 Globe Trekker 23:00 Globe Trekker

01:00 02:35 04:15 05:55 07:55 09:40 11:25 13:00 14:25 15:50 17:15 18:45 20:25 21:45 22:00

The Boost Watch It Dead Of Winter Rush The Organization Stella Cornbread, Earl And Me The Medgar Evers Story Road Rage Johnny Be Good Crime And Punishment (1998) Conan The Destroyer A.K.A. Cassius Clay Big Screen 2 Sheba, Baby

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Classifieds FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

ACCOMMODATION

Fully furnished sharing accommodation with separate bathroom available for bachelor in Sara Complex, Salmiya. Please call after 4 pm. Contact: 25613581/ 99553240.

(C 3384) Sharing accommodation available in Salmiya near Apollo Clinic for decent

family or working lady.

Contact: 99094516.

(C 3387) 27-5-2011 Fully furnished sharing accommodation with separate bathroom available for bachelor in Sara Complex, Salmiya. Please call after 4 pm. Contact: 25613581/ 99553240. (C 3384) Sharing accommodation

available in Salmiya near Apollo Clinic for decent family or working lady.

Contact: 99094516.

(C 3387) 26-5-2011

in Khaitan (opp. Jamaya behind petrol pump) with a Mangalorean R.C bachelor. Rent KD 25. Call: 66036893.

(C 3380)

A c c o m m o d a t i o n available for family or working ladies in Abbassiya.

Contact: 97193304. (C 3378)

Sharing accommodation available in Abbasiya (double bedroom, double bathroom) with Indian family, family or working ladies preferred. Contact: 99509436. (C 3383) 25-5-2011

Sharing accommodation available in a studio flat

Family on vacation, flat available for 2 months in Abbassiya (June - July), Keralites family only.

Contact: 97121669. (C 3373) To-let, one semi furnished spacious room with attached mini room consisting of toilet, for decent couple or executive bachelors in a flat in Bneid Al-Ghar. Please call:

60046720 for detail and viewing. (C 3375) 24-5-2011 Sharing accommodation single room available in Salmiya near American University, opposite Salmiya Palace Hotel.

Sharing with Indian family, couples only required.

Contact: 99111612/ 25755636. (C 3371) 23-5-2011

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION In case you are not travelling, your proper cancellation of bookings will help other passengers to use seats Airlines RJA KAC JZR THY 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 BBC KAC JZR QTR JZR JZR MLR ETD UAE GFA SVA JZR ABY JZR ALK

Flt 642 544 267 772 620 853 370 305 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 43 788 257 134 201 535 403 303 857 215 510 239 127 213 227

Arrival Flights on Friday 27/5/2011 Route AMMAN CAIRO BEIRUT ISTANBUL ADDIS ABABA DUBAI BAHRAIN ABU DHABI DUBAI BAHRAIN DOHA LUXOR ALEPPO ALEXANDRIA LONDON JAKARTA / KUALA LUMPUR ISLAMABAD 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 DHAKA JEDDAH BEIRUT DOHA DAMASCUS CAIRO COLOMBO / DUBAI ABU DHABI DUBAI BAHRAIN RIYADH AMMAN SHARJAH DEIREZZOR COLOMBO / DUBAI

Time 0:05 0:30 0:35 1:15 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 14:40 14:50 15:10 15:15 15:45 15:50 16:40 16:50 16:55 17:15 17:20 17:35 17:40 17:50 18:00

JZR KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC AIC JAI KAC JZR FDB OMA VOS MEA KAC SVA DHX KAC GFA FCX QTR UAL UAE JZR JZR MSR DLH SAI JZR KLM JZR

177 166 542 774 674 102 575 572 562 787 61 647 81 402 786 506 372 744 217 304 136 981 859 135 185 612 636 441 539 447 481

Airlines AXB DLH AIC PIA THY ETH UAE FDB DHX ETD QTR JZR RJA GFA KAC VOS JZR BAW FDB JZR KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC JZR KAC UAE ABY

Flt 390 637 982 206 773 620 854 68 371 306 139 164 643 212 545 94 120 156 54 534 787 177 671 117 551 256 617 856 126

DUBAI PARIS / ROME CAIRO RIYADH DUBAI NEW YORK / LONDON CHENNAI / GOA MUMBAI AMMAN RIYADH DUBAI MUSCAT BAGHDAD BEIRUT JEDDAH JEDDAH BAHRAIN DAMMAM BAHRAIN RIYADH DOHA BAHRAIN DUBAI BAHRAIN DUBAI CAIRO FRANKFURT LAHORE / KARACHI CAIRO AMSTERDAM / BAHRAIN SABIHA Departure Flights on Friday 27/5/2011 Route KOZHIKODE FRANKFURT AHMEDABAD / CHENNAI LAHORE ISTANBUL BAHRAIN / ADDIS ABABA DUBAI DUBAI BAHRAIN ABU DHABI DOHA DUBAI AMMAN BAHRAIN ALEXANDRIA DUBAI / KANDAHAR BAHRAIN LONDON DUBAI CAIRO JEDDAH FRANKFURT / GENEVA DUBAI NEW YORK DAMASCUS BEIRUT DOHA DUBAI SHARJAH

18:00 18:40 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 21:00 21:00 21:25 21:30 21:35 22:00 22:00 22:10 22:35 22:50 23:00 23:05 23:30 23:35 23:50 Time 0:25 0:40 1:05 1:10 2:15 2:30 3:45 3:50 3:55 4:05 5:00 6:55 7:00 7:10 7:40 8:00 8:20 8:25 8:40 8:50 8:55 8:55 9:00 9:05 9:10 9:10 9:35 9:40 9:50

QTR ETD GFA IRA JZR MEA KAC JZR JZR KAC IYE MSR RBG JZR MSR RJA FDB UAL KAC OMA KAC KAC BBC JZR KAC QTR KAC JZR JZR ETD MLR UAE GFA ABY JZR SVA ALK JZR KAC KAC JAI FDB JZR KAC KAC OMA MEA SVA DHX GFA KAC QTR KAC KAC FCX JZR JZR UAE UAL KAC MSR SAI

133 302 214 618 200 405 541 212 238 103 825 624 3554 176 611 641 58 982 561 646 785 673 44 480 773 135 743 786 538 304 404 858 216 128 184 511 228 134 283 361 571 62 528 343 351 648 403 507 373 218 381 137 301 205 102 502 554 860 981 411 613 442

DOHA ABU DHABI BAHRAIN LAR DAMASCUS BEIRUT CAIRO DEIREZZOR AMMAN LONDON DOHA / SANAA SOHAG ALEXANDRIA DUBAI CAIRO AMMAN DUBAI BAHRAIN AMMAN MUSCAT JEDDAH DUBAI DHAKA SABIHA RIYADH DOHA DAMMAM RIYADH CAIRO ABU DHABI DUBAI / COLOMBO DUBAI BAHRAIN SHARJAH DUBAI RIYADH DUBAI / COLOMBO BAHRAIN 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 10:15 10:20 10:20 10:20 11:55 12:00 12:05 12:10 12:30 13:05 13:10 13:35 13:40 14:20 14:30 14:35 14:45 14:45 15:00 15:05 15:10 15:55 16:00 16:05 16:15 16:25 16:35 16:40 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

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FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

FOR SALE Suzuki Grand Vitara 2004 model, Red Color, Single user, 2 door, very good condition.

Contact: 66619705.

(C 3381) 25-5-2011 2003 Toyota Rav4, full options - 4 doors, automatic transmission, excellent shape, price KD 2450. Tel: 99419677. (C 3368) 23-5-2011 Engineer leaving Kuwait selling all household appliances and furniture very cheap.

Contact: 66271658/ 97686139/ 24728413.

(C 3367) 22-5-2011 SITUATION VACANT Need driver for house.

Contact: 97600588. Fax: 25755751.

(C 3388) Need driver for house.

Contact: 97600588. Fax: 25755751. (C 3388) 26-5-2011 A Kuwaiti family is seeking to recruit a cook adequate with the Kuwaiti cuisine. Tel: 22633624/5, 97803627.

(C 3367) Urgently required maid (Pilipino, Sri Lankan, Indian)

for an Indian family in Farwaniya (part time or full time). Call 97220933.

(C 3377) 24-5-2011 Urgently wanted housemaid full time/ part time for Indian family in Shaab.

Contact: 94064839.

(C 3372) 23-5-2011 MATRIMONIAL Marriage proposals are invited for a Jacobite Christian girl (Engineer, 26 yrs, 150cm, fair, B/B in Kwt) employed in MNC in Kuwait, from parents of professionally qualified boys (Jacobite, Orthodox or Marthoma) employed in India or abroad (preferably in Middle East). Kindly respond with details to mprop9@gmail.com (C 3382) Proposals invited for Marthoma boy, 35 yrs, ht 167cm, wt 80, hotel management, settled in Thiruvanandapuram, working in Kuwait MOH Chef (private firm), family status, seeking alliance from girls working in Kuwait or abroad. Please E m a i l : alexandarjon@yahoo.com (C 3385) 27-5-2011 Marriage proposals are invited for a Jacobite Christian girl (Engineer, 26 yrs, 150cm, fair, B/B in Kwt) employed in MNC in Kuwait, from parents of professionally qualified boys

(Jacobite, Orthodox or Marthoma) employed in India or abroad (preferably in Middle East). Kindly respond with details to mprop9@gamil.com

my name MOHAMED.

to

MUTHU (C 3386) 27-5-2011

CHANGE OF NAME CHANGE OF NAME I Muthukumar, holder of Indian Passport No. F1371132 here by change

I Muthukumar, holder of Indian Passport No. F1371132 here by change my name to MUTHU MOHAMED. (C 3386) 26-5-2011

SITUATION WANTED 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 3374) 24-5-2011

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Sports

FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

Phillies roll over Reds PHILADELPHIA: Infielder Wilson Valdez became the winning pitcher early yesterday when the Philadelphia Phillies needed 19 innings to outlast the Cincinnati Reds 5-4.

A dwindling crowd at Citizens Bank Park saw Raul Ibanez hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to decide the longest major league game of the season. It ended at 1:19 a.m. after 6 hours, 11 minutes.

The teams were set to play again yesterday at 1:05 p.m. Valdez threw a hitless 19th inning in his first professional pitching appearance to become the first position player to become a winning pitcher since Colorado catcher Brent Mayne on Aug. 22, 2000, STATS LLC said.

Valdez threw one pitch to the backstop and hit Scott Rolen. But the Phillies’ newest right-hander then retired Jay Bruce on a fly ball and got down Reds reliever Carlos Fisher (0-1) on a popup.

Fisher finally wore down when Jimmy Rollins singled to open the 19th, Domonic Brown walked and Placido Polanco sacrificed.

Thousands of fans derisively chanted “Fisher!

Fisher!” before he intentionally walked Ryan Howard to load the bases. Ibanez hit a fly to deep center to win it.

Bruce homered in the 10th for the Reds, then Howard went deep and tied it in the bottom half. They ended up playing the longest game in the eight-season history of the ballpark.

Marlins 7, Giants 6 At San Francisco, Scott Cousins scored the winning run in a hard collision with catcher Buster Posey at home in the 12th inning as Florida beat San Francisco after blowing a four-run lead in the ninth.

Emilio Bonifacio hit a short fly ball to right-center off Guillermo Mota (2-1) for the second out. Cousins tagged from third base, beating the throw from Nate Schierholtz and lowering his shoulder to slam into Posey for a clean — albeit cringing — hit. Posey lay dazed, writhing in pain and curling up in a ball for several minutes.

He was helped off the field by two team trainers holding his left leg and looking stunned.

Brewers 6, Nationals 4 At Milwaukee, Zack Greinke hit a home run to put Milwaukee ahead and struck out

Astros 2, Dodgers 1 At Houston, J.R. Towles broke out of an 0-for32 slump with three hits, including an RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning that gave Houston a win over Los Angeles. Brett Wallace doubled off Matt Guerrier (2-3) and after Bill Hall flied out for the second out, Towles lined a drive

a strong outing from rookie Mike Minor in a spot start for Tim Hudson.

Steve Pearce homered for the first time in 20 months and went 3 for 5 with two RBIs for Pittsburgh, which has lost three straight. Craig Kimbrel retired the Pirates in order in the 11th for his 14th save.

D’backs 2, Rockies 1 At Denver, Ian Kennedy tossed eight crisp innings and center fielder Chris Young robbed Ty Wigginton of a tying homer as Arizona beat Colorado.

Young drove in the go-ahead run with a bloop single in the sixth, then made his key grab in the eighth. The Diamondbacks have won eight of their last nine to move over .500 for just the second time this season. Kennedy (6-1) allowed seven hits. The lone run he surrendered came on Todd Helton’s sacrifice fly in the fourth.

J.J. Putz pitched a flawless ninth for his 14th save in 14 chances.

SAN DIEGO: Padres’ Jason Bartlett slides through the tag of St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina to score in the eighth inning of the Padres’ 3-1 victory in a baseball game. —AP 10 batters over seven innings in a win over Washington.

Prince Fielder drove in four runs for the Brewers, who are the hottest team in baseball over the last two weeks with 13 wins in 16 games.

Michael Morse hit his third homer in three days for the Nationals, who limped home on a season-worst five-game skid as part of an ugly 1-7 road trip.

Greinke (3-1) struck out at least one batter each inning. Greinke swung at the first pitch he saw from Jason Marquis (5-2) in the fifth, hitting a towering fly ball down the left-field line to give Milwaukee a 4-3 lead.

into center field, scoring Wallace. Mark Melancon (4-1) pitched a perfect ninth, striking out two.

Braves 4, Pirates 2 At Pittsburgh, Brooks Conrad hit a pinch-hit, two-run homer in the 11th inning as Atlanta topped Pittsburgh. With pinch-runner Wilkin Ramirez on first and one out, Conrad hit a 1-2 pitch from Jeff Karstens (3-3) into a sliver of seats in right-center for his first home run of the season and fifth career pinch-hit homer.

Eric Hinske hit a solo homer and Jordan Schafer and Alex Gonzalez each had two hits for the Braves, who have won three of four and got

Mets 7, Cubs 4 At Chicago, Dillon Gee recovered from a poor start to throw six solid innings as New York beat wild reliever Justin Berg and Chicago in a rain-shortened game. The game was called with two outs in the top of the seventh inning after a 41-minute delay. Berg threw 12 pitches — all balls — while walking three batters.

Carlos Beltran doubled, tripled, scored twice and drove in two more for the Mets. Beltran and Murphy hit two-run doubles in the big second off Casey Coleman (2-4) and Berg.

Padres 3, Cardinals 1 At San Diego, Chase Headley doubled home the go-ahead run in the eighth inning to lead Mat Latos and San Diego over St. Louis.

The Cardinals had won four in a row. San Diego, which has the NL’s worst home record at 8-20, scored more than two runs for the first time in nine games. Latos (2-6) pitched eight strong innings, allowing one run and six hits while striking out seven. Heath Bell pitched a perfect ninth for his 10th save in 11 chances. —AP

Rangers hang on to beat White Sox ARLINGTON: CJ Wilson pitched into the seventh inning, Ian Kinsler’s RBI single produced the deciding run as the Texas Rangers hung on to beat the Chicago White Sox 2-1 on Wednesday.

Wilson (5-3) gave up one run and five hits in 6 1-3 innings to help the Rangers win for the third time in four games.

The left-hander struck out five.

Neftali Feliz issued consecutive oneout walks in the ninth, but got AJ Pierzynski to fly out with runners on first and third for his 10th save in 12 chances as Texas took the deciding game of the three-game series. Gavin Floyd (5-4) allowed two runs and three hits with five strikeouts and one walk in seven-plus innings and 110 pitches.

non-save situation, the 1,000th game he’s played for the Yankees. The 11time All-Star closer became the first player in major league history to reach the plateau for one team and the 15th to make it overall.

Freddy Garcia (3-4) avoided his third straight loss, allowing eight hits but limiting the damage to three runs over 6 1-3 innings. Once a power pitcher, New York’s veteran right-hander relied on guile to keep the Blue Jays off balance most of the sunsplashed afternoon.

Jones homered in the second inning and Teixeira in the third off JoJo Reyes (0-4), who matched a major league record by making his 28th consecutive start without a win.

Yankees 7, Blue Jays 3 At New York, Andruw Jones hit a pair of two-run homers, Mark Teixeira also hit a two-run shot and Mariano Rivera made a milestone appearance in New York’s victory over Toronto.

Rivera pitched the ninth inning in a

Mariners 3, Twins 0 At Minneapolis, Erik Bedard threw six shutout innings and Franklin Gutierrez hit his first home run of the season, sending Seattle past Minnesota.

David Pauley tossed two scoreless

innings in relief, Brandon League pitched a perfect ninth for his 12th save in 15 attempts and the Twins managed only seven singles on their way to their fifth shutout this season. They have the worst record in the majors at 16-32 and the fewest runs with 164.

Bedard (3-4) had a lot to do with that, stretching his scoreless innings streak to 14. After missing last year with a bad shoulder, the Canadian left-hander has bounced back in a big way on his $1 million, one-year contract. He allowed six hits and one walk while striking out four. Brian Duensing (2-5) struck out five and walked two. He has not won since April 23.

Red Sox 14, Indians 2 At Cleveland, Jon Lester coasted to his AL-leading seventh win and Boston bludgeoned Cleveland’s Mitch Talbot for seven runs in the first inning on their way to a win that was the Indians’ most lopsided loss this season. Dustin Pedroia hit a two-run homer in Boston’s eruption in the first off Talbot (1-1), who

was making his first start since April 11.

Carl Crawford went 4-for-4 with a homer and two doubles, Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit a three-run homer and David Ortiz added an estimated 431-foot solo shot that looked even farther as the Red Sox won the series finale and took two of three from baseball’s top team. Lester (7-1) allowed three hits in six shutout innings and won his seventh straight decision.

Orioles 9, Royals 2 At Baltimore, Adam Jones had two hits and two RBIs in an eight-run fourth inning as Baltimore beat Kansas City for its fourth straight victory.

Baltimore sent 13 batters to the plate in the fourth against Luke Hochevar (3-5), who yielded six hits, walked three and threw a wild pitch.

It was the Orioles’ biggest inning since an eight-run sixth against Washington on June 26, 2009. Jones hit a game-ending home run Tuesday night. Jake Arrieta (6-2) allowed two

runs and five hits in six innings, striking out seven and walking three.

Melky Cabrera homered for the Royals. Kansas City has lost four in a row and nine of 11 and is 5-13 on the road, the worst record in the majors.

Angels 4, Athletics 1 At Anaheim, California, Torii Hunter and Alberto Callaspo hit back-to-back home runs and Ervin Santana allowed one run in six solid innings as Los Angeles beat Oakland for its fourth victory in six games.

Reggie Willits had a run-scoring double for his first hit of the season, and Peter Bourjos added an RBI single.

Los Angeles has won two of three in the four-game series with its upstate AL West rivals. Santana (3-4) yielded six hits and two walks in his second straight victory after winning just once in his first nine starts. Jordan Walden pitched the ninth for his 10th save in 13 chances. Hunter and Callaspo connected in the fifth inning against Trevor Cahill (6-2). —AP

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FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

Mavericks in NBA finals DALLAS: Dirk Nowitzki scored a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:14 left and Shawn Marion followed with a three-point play as the Dallas Mavericks booked a spot in the NBA finals with a 100-96 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.

The pivotal plays keyed yet another fourth-quarter comeback, this one helping the Mavericks close out the Western Conference finals in five games. After clawing back from 15 points down with 5:04 left in Game 4, the Mavericks were down by six with 4:37 left in this one when they rallied again, outscoring the Thunder 14-4 the rest of the way.

Dallas has never won a championship, and neither has any of its players. Nowitzki and Jason Terry were part of the only Mavericks team to make the finals, in 2006.

They were up 2-0 and leading late in Game 3, but lost the series to the Miami Heat in six games.

Dallas could get another chance to play the Heat. LeBron James and Miami lead the Chicago Bulls 3-1 in the Eastern Conference finals. If the Heat win Thursday, the finals will begin Tuesday in Miami. If the Bulls win Thursday, the finals will begin next Thursday in the East winner’s city.

“All I can tell everybody is, we ain’t done yet,” Mavs owner Mark Cuban said during the on-court trophy presentation ceremony. Seconds later, fans began chanting,

“Beat the Heat,” drowning out coach Rick Carlisle’s on-court interview.

Nowitzki and Marion each scored 26 points, and were at their best in the fourth quarter. Nowitzki scored nine in the final period, and Marion had 15. JJ Barea added 14, Terry scored 12 and Jason Kidd had 10 assists and seven rebounds in a victory that set off the biggest on-court celebration in franchise history.

The only other time the Mavs made the finals, they won in Phoenix. This time, the home folks got to enjoy it, including franchise founder Don Carter, who traded his signature white cowboy hat — the one that used to be featured in the team’s logo — for a black hat that read “The Finals 2011” with a Mavs logo and the championship trophy. Fans roared again when the overhead video board showed Nowitzki wearing the hat.

Russell Westbrook scored 31 points and seemed to be on a mission to force the series back to Oklahoma City. But he had two crucial turnovers during the furious finish. Kevin Durant and James Harden finished with 23 points apiece for the Thunder, who bowed out with only their second three-game losing streak of the season.

Considering their youth and the experience gained in this series, Oklahoma City can expect to close in on many more titles. But that was little consolation Wednesday. —AP

DALLAS: Mavericks point guard Jose Juan Barea (11) of Puerto Rico drives against Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Eric Maynor (6) during the first half of Game 5 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals. —AP

LA reaches deal in principle with Brown LOS ANGELES: The Los Angeles Lakers reached a deal in principle with former Cleveland coach Mike Brown on Wednesday to succeed Phil Jackson, according to a person with knowledge of the discussions.

Brown will get a four-year deal worth roughly $18 million, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday on condition of anonymity because the Lakers hadn’t yet formally hired Brown. The Lakers released a statement late Wednesday confirming the club hopes to make Brown the 22nd coach in franchise history.

“We’ve met with Mike and are very impressed with him,” said the statement issued by the Lakers’ public relations department. “In addition, we have an outline for an agreement in place and hope to sign a contract within the next few days.”

With a strong interview last weekend, Brown jumped to the front of the line of candidates for the daunting challenge of succeeding the 11-time NBA champion Jackson with one of the NBA’s iconic franchises. The Lakers’ 16 NBA titles trail only the Boston Celtics’ 17 in league history.

Rather than promoting one of Jackson’s assistant coaches, the Lakers are changing course after an

abrupt end to their two-year title reign and the long-anticipated departure of Jackson, the coach with the most championship rings in NBA history. After nearly quitting last summer, Jackson retired earlier this month after the Dallas Mavericks swept the defending two-time champion Lakers out of the second round of the playoffs.

Although Kobe Bryant endorsed Jackson assistant Brian Shaw for the vacancy, Jim Buss _ the Lakers’ executive vice president of player personnel and the son of owner Jerry Buss _ became intrigued by Brown after Saturday’s interview.

A respected young tactician with a strong coaching pedigree, Brown also has ample experience with big games and big stars, even if he couldn’t guide LeBron James to a title.

“I think it’s great,” James said in Miami, where he’s preparing for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals. ESPN, which employed Brown as an analyst this season, first reported Brown had been hired.

The 41-year-old Brown led the Cavaliers to the 2007 NBA finals and went 272-138 in five years with Cleveland, becoming the most successful coach in franchise history

while compiling the league’s best regular-season record in each of his last two seasons.

But the 2009 NBA coach of the year was fired last spring following the Cavs’ dissension-filled exit from the second round of the postseason, and James left for Miami a few weeks later.

Although James was critical of Brown’s strategies during their final playoff run together, the two-time NBA MVP strongly endorsed his former coach Wednesday. “Mike Brown is a great coach,” James said.

“He brought us success that we hadn’t had before in that city, and it started with his defensive concepts.

He brought in a defensive mindset that we didn’t have. Fifty-plus wins, he was coach of the year, he got us to the (NBA) finals, won us the Eastern Conference finals ... because of him and his coaching staff. I respect him. He definitely helped me become who I am today.”

Brown’s background in defense apparently intrigues the Lakers, whose last two title runs were built on sturdy defense led by Bryant and 7-foot shot-blocker Andrew Bynum, a favorite of Jim Buss.

Brown is a former assistant to San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich and

Dallas coach Rick Carlisle, who employed Brown as his defensive coordinator in Indiana when Lakers forward Ron Artest was named the NBA’s top defensive player in 2004.

Bryant and his teammates apparently weren’t consulted during the coaching search, and Bryant declined to comment on Brown’s hiring Wednesday when reached by the Los Angeles Times. Bryant publicly supported Shaw, his former Lakers teammate, but the twotime NBA finals MVP also said the Lakers should find a coach who believes in hard-nosed defense.

“I don’t believe in building a championship team on offense,” Bryant said two weeks ago after his exit interview with Lakers brass. “It has to be built on defense and rebounding, period.” Brown’s reputation as an offensive coach was savaged during his time with the Cavaliers, who often appeared to be running a 1-on-5 scheme for James.

Bryant, who will turn 33 before next season, has similar ball-dominating tendencies — but he also has more talent around him than James ever had in Cleveland, from 7-foot All-Star forward Pau Gasol to a bench led by Sixth Man of the Year Lamar Odom.

During an interview with Sirius XM Radio on Tuesday, Jerry Buss said the Lakers “won’t continue exclusively with the triangle” offense championed by Jackson.

The Lakers also showed interest in veteran coach Rick Adelman, who left the Houston Rockets last month, and Mike Dunleavy, the former Lakers and Clippers coach.

Shaw was the favorite candidate among the current Lakers, with Derek Fisher and Bynum joining Bryant in throwing their support behind him.

But the Buss family has a history of idiosyncratic coaching hires, often from outside the organization.

When Jackson left the Lakers for a year in 2004, they replaced him with former Houston coach Rudy Tomjanovich, who resigned midway through his only season because of health issues.

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak has said the club is likely to return with largely the same veteran core that won the past two NBA titles before falling short this season. Los Angeles already has more than $85 million in salary committed to eight players for next season, likely meaning the Lakers will have the NBA’s largest payroll again next season. —AP

Sports FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

Queensland, Canterbury in crucial Super 15 clash WELLINGTON: The Canterbury Crusaders will look to newly re-signed Richie McCaw and Dan Carter to lead them against the first-place Queensland Reds on Sunday in a match that may be a preview of this season’s Super 15 rugby final.

All Blacks captain McCaw joined flyhalf Carter this week in re-signing for four years with the Canterbury and New Zealand Rugby Unions, lifting any uncertainty about the futures of two of the Crusaders’ key players.

Canterbury coach Todd Blackadder has called on the New Zealand union to act with similar haste to secure the future of All Blacks inside center Sonny Bill Williams, who will play against the Reds on Sunday three days before entering the ring for his fourth professional boxing bout.

Blackadder says league convert Williams is as important to the All Blacks and Crusaders as McCaw and Carter and should be offered similar incentive to remain in New Zealand. McCaw and Carter’s four-year deals include provisions to take breaks from rugby, or play overseas on shortterm contracts.

Blackadder said Williams should be offered a similar deal which would allow him to remain with the All Blacks and Crusaders while pursuing his boxing interest. “I think he’s just as important (as McCaw and Carter) to be honest,” Blackadder said. “He’s just been inspirational.” Queensland coach Ewen McKenzie agrees, saying a key part of the Reds’ preparation for Sunday’s match has focused on the threat posed by Williams.

“I am not surprised (by Williams’ success in rugby),” McKenzie said. “He is an excellent athlete, got good skills.

They have adapted their game around it and profited from that.” McKenzie said while Williams’ offloads were a dangerous attacking weapon, they carried a level of risk Queensland hoped to exploit. Williams has offloaded around 43 times this season but often loses the ball in tackles while trying to pass.

“He’s got a good offloading game but those offloads don’t always come off,” McKenzie said. “There is a bunch of turnovers that come with it. Go through the stats. Some games he was effective and others he wasn’t.” McKenzie said Canterbury posed a broader theat as Queensland tries to post its 12th straight home win. “We will be coming up with a strategy that is right for us, not spending all our time on one player,” he said. “There are All Blacks everywhere.”

The Queensland-Canterbury match is the most significant in the 15th round, carrying more influence on potential playoff combinations than any other. The Reds are atop the table after 15 rounds, the Crusaders in fourth place but only six points behind.

On current form, the two teams appear the best in the competition and increasingly seem on course to meet in the final on July 9.

While the Auckland Blues head the New Zealand conference, two points ahead of the Crusaders, they have lost over the last two weeks to the Reds and Stormers. The Cape Town-based Stormers looked impressive in beating the Blues in Auckland last week but had to come from 19-3 down to do so. The Blues’ defense — the most impressive feature of their game this season — has begun to unravel in recent weeks.

In other 15th-round matches that bear on the playoffs, the third-place Stormers will play the ACT Brumbies in Canberra, the fifth-place Waratahs l meet the seventh-place Sharks at Durban, the sixth-place Otago Highlanders will play the last-place Lions at Dunedin and the eighth-place Bulls take on the Cheetahs in Pretoria. Eight teams will compete for six playoffs spots over the last four weeks of the season.

Waratahs coach Chris Hickey believes his team can finish in fourth place if it can win demanding matches in South Africa over the next two weeks against the Sharks and Bulls.

Both South African teams are immediate playoff rivals.

“If we can pick up both those games I think even a fourth place is not out of the question,” Hickey said. The Sharks were challenging the Stormers for top spot in the South African conference until last week’s loss to the Bulls, which left them five points behind the conference leaders.

The Highlanders will play their second-to-last match at Dunedin’s Carisbrook stadium when they host the Lions.

Next week’s match against the Western Force will be the last Super 15 match played at the stadium before the Highlanders move to Dunedin’s new World Cup venue.—AP

Donald shoots 64, takes early lead at Wentworth WENTWORTH: Luke Donald started his bid to become the No. 1 player in the world in style Thursday, overcoming wet and windy conditions to shoot a 7-under 64 and open up a two-stroke clubhouse lead in the first round of the BMW PGA Championship.

Donald made a run of five birdies in seven holes from No. 4 onward, then made three more which were offset by a single bogey to equal his lowest score on the European Tour, and at its leading event.

The Englishman needs to outperform Lee Westwood to take the No. 1 ranking for the first time. He has already missed out on two opportunities this season, losing to Brandt Snedeker in a playoff at The Heritage in April and going down to Ian Poulter in the final of the World Match Play event in Spain last weekend. “It’s probably the best round I’ve played in a long time,” Donald said.

“Given the swirling wind and some rain, to control the ball as well as I did is very satisfying. I am seeing the shots very well and they are coming off nicely. It’s a good feeling.”

Donald has made eight straight top-10 finishes but he has only won one stroke-play tournament in the past five years, although he did win the Accenture Match Play event in

WENTWORTH: Britain’s Luke Donald in action during the first round of the the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club. —AP

Arizona in February.

“Top 10s are nice but winning is what’s important,” Donald said.

Westwood shot a 72 among the early finishers on the West Course at Wentworth. Martin Kaymer, who also has a chance to become No. 1, will tee off in the afternoon in the same group as Masters champion Charl Schwartzel.

The 18-year-old Matteo Manassero

of Italy shot a 66 to sit second after birdies on two of the last three holes.

Colin Montgomerie, the champion in 1998, ‘99 and 2000 who is now ranked No. 462, found some of his old form by holing birdies at three of the first four holes to reach the turn in 30.

But five bogeys on the back nine ruined his brilliant start, and he finished with a 69 for a share of fifth place.—AP

Player charged over rugby league betting scandal SYDNEY: Former Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs forward Ryan Tandy has been charged over his involvement in a National Rugby League betting scandal. Police yesterday laid a charge of attempting to dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception against Tandy at a Sydney court.

Tandy was alleged to have placed bets on the first point-scoring option in an NRL game between the Bulldogs and North Queensland Cowboys on Aug. 24 last year, while knowing the outcome had been predetermined.

Player manager Sam Ayoub, 49, and former player John Elias, 48, were previously charged with the same offense.

Tandy, 29, already faces four charges of providing false or misleading evidence to the New South Wales Crime Commission. In March, he pleaded not guilty to those charges.

He could face up to five years in jail if found guilty of providing false evidence to a law enforcement agency during the course of an investigation. Tandy was penalized two minutes into the match at Townsville, Queensland, for impeding Cowboys playmaker Grant Rovelli in front of the posts, after the Bulldogs forward had fumbled the ball and given away possession.

The Cowboys were awarded a

Ryan Tandy is seen in this file photo.

penalty but took a tap kick instead of kicking for goal and scored a try.

According to a police statement of facts tendered in court late yesterday, Tandy is alleged to have attempted to manipulate the first scoring points of the match to dishonestly obtain a “financial advan-

tage for Sam Ayoub, John Elias and others, to wit, $113,245 from Tabcorp.”

Tandy did not appear in court on Thursday. Ayoub has pleaded not guilty. Elias’ case on Thursday was put over to July 7, and Tandy is due to reappear in court on July 19.—AP

Sports FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

Capecchi wins 18th stage of Giro ITALY: Eros Capecchi of Italy won a three-way sprint to the line to take the 18th stage of the Giro d’Italia yesterday, while Alberto Contador finished safely in the main pack to protect his overall lead.

Capecchi won the 151-kilometer (93-mile) stage that began in Morbegno in 3 hours, 20 minutes, 38 seconds after he attacked off the final bend to race across the line in first place and win his first ever grand tour stage. Long time leader Marco Pinotti was second and Kevin Seeldrayers third in the same time.

“I had to cycle faster than I have so far in the Giro,” Pinotti said. “I knew I had to be brave and back myself because no one else was taking the initiative.”

Contador finished in 41st place among the following pack, 6:04 behind Capecchi. The Spaniard leads the overall standings with a time of 71 hours, 45 minutes, 9 seconds, and maintained his advantage of 4:58 over second-place Michele Scarponi.

“It was a good day and the team did well,” Contador said. “We controlled our racing and didn’t let the breakaway group get too far ahead.” The final trio emerged from a larger break on the ascent of the Passo di Ganda, whose summit was about 30 kilometers from the finish in San Pellegrino Terme.

The trio took turns to test each other over the final 3K, with Pinotto doing the majority of the work. But he was unable to open up a big enough lead in the final sections, and Capecchi waited patiently for his chance to attack. Riders return to the mountains on Friday with a 209-kilometer (129-mile) stage from Bergamo to Macugnaga that features two major climbs. The 21stage Giro finishes in Milan on May 29. —AP

TAMPA: Martin St. Louis No. 26 of the Tampa Bay Lightning scores a second period goal past Andrew Ference No. 21 and Mark Recchi No.28 of the Boston Bruins in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Bruins. —AFP

Lightning force Game 7 TAMPA: Martin St. Louis and Teddy Purcell each scored twice as the Tampa Bay Lightning stayed alive in the Eastern Conference finals with a 5-4 win over the Boston Bruins in Game 6 on Wednesday.

Game 7 is tonight in Boston. The Bruins are seeking their first trip to the Stanley Cup finals in 21 years, and the Lightning will try to clinch their first appearance on hockey’s biggest stage since they won their only NHL championship in 2004. The Western Conference champion Vancouver Canucks await the winner in the finals.

St. Louis also assisted on a thirdperiod goal that put the Lightning up 4-2. His second goal — and NHLleading 10th of the playoffs — restored Tampa Bay’s two-goal lead after Boston pulled within 4-3 on one of two goals David Krejci scored to keep the Bruins within striking distance in the closing minutes.

Tampa goalie Dwayne Roloson, who didn’t play in Game 5 after being pulled from two of the previous three games because of ineffectiveness, also gave up a pair of firstperiod goals and finished with 16 saves. Boston’s Tim Thomas gave up

another early goal, then struggled after Krejci and Milan Lucic scored to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead through one period. The Lightning took control when St. Louis, Purcell and Steven Stamkos scored power-play goals within a 12-minute span of the second and third periods.

Boston coach Claude Julien said his team would need to play its best game of the series to clinch it, and the Bruins certainly had to have some doubt about how the night might go when Vincent Lecavalier won a faceoff in the right circle and Purcell scored on Tampa Bay’s opening shot.—AP

CAS postpones appeals hearing in Contador case

ITALY: Italy’s Eros Capecchi celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the 18th stage of the Giro d’Italia. —AP

LAUSANNE: The Court of Arbitration for Sport postponed its hearing in Alberto Contador’s doping case yesterday, meaning the Spanish cyclist could compete in the Tour de France before the court issues a ruling.

The CAS postponed the June 6-8 hearing, and the case could drag on beyond the start of this year’s Tour.

CAS said it agreed to put off the hearing to give “all parties concerned reasonable time to prepare for such hearing and to guarantee the participation in person of witnesses and experts.” CAS said new hearing dates will be set as soon as possible. “We are not ready yet with replacement

dates,” the court said in a statement.

CAS did not specify who sought the postponement. The court is scheduled to hear appeals filed by the International Cycling Union and World Anti-Doping Agency. They are challenging the Spanish cycling federation’s decision to clear the threetime Tour de France champion after he blamed his positive test for clenbuterol at last year’s race on eating contaminated beef.

CAS had previously said it aimed to issue a verdict by the end of June, which would allow Contador to defend his Tour title if exonerated.

The Tour runs from July 2-24. If CAS

rules against Contador, he faces a ban of up to two years. He would be stripped of his third Tour victory and lose all results and prize money earned since February, when the UCI lifted his provisional suspension.

Contador can compete until the verdict. He’s currently the overall leader at the Giro d’Italia.

“All I’m thinking about right now is winning the (leader’s) pink jersey,” Contador said Thursday after the 18th stage of the Giro. “I’m not thinking of anything else. I think we will have a strong team (for the Tour) that will be capable of doing great things.” —AP

Sports FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

Clijsters crashes out

PARIS: Belgium’s Kim Clijsters returns the ball to The Netherlands’ Arantxa Rus during their second round match of the French Open tennis tournament, at the Roland Garros stadium. —AP

Sharapova survives French Open scare PARIS: After wasting two match points in the second set and feeling her confidence fading, Kim Clijsters let the match slip away yesterday at the French Open. The two-time French Open runner-up, seeded second at this year’s tournament, lost to the 114th-ranked Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands 3-6, 7-5, 6-1.

“I started doubting a little bit,” said Clijsters, who was playing only her second match since a right ankle injury knocked her out of action.

“When you start doubting yourself on any surface, but for me definitely on clay, it’s the wrong attitude to have.”

Maria Sharapova also struggled, but the seventh-seeded Russian won 11 straight games after trailing 4-1 in the second set and beat 17year-old Caroline Garcia of France 3-6, 6-4, 6-0.

No. 6 Li Na of China and No. 9 Petra Kvitova also advanced, as did Australian Open runner-up Andy Murray, two-time French Open finalist Robin Soderling and No. 10 Mardy Fish of the United States on the men’s side. Also Thursday, five-time champion Rafael Nadal is scheduled to be back on court — two days after being stretched to five sets for the first time in his French Open career.

Clijsters, who had won her last 15 Grand Slam matches after taking the titles at last year’s US Open and this year’s Australian Open, failed to convert either match point in the second set.

Playing with her right ankle taped, the Belgian made 65 unforced errors in the match and lost 11 of the final 12 games. Rus finished with only 22 unforced errors and had only eight winners in the entire match. “My ankle feels fine, so that has absolutely nothing to do with it,” Clijsters said.

“If I felt like I wasn’t ready as much as I would have liked to be, I wouldn’t have come here. If I wasn’t feeling like I was able to play tough matches, then I wouldn’t have made that decision to come here.”

Clijsters had her first chance to close out the match against the Dutchwoman when leading 5-2 in the second set, but Rus saved the match point and held to make it 5-3 before breaking Clijsters to get back on serve. “When I was 5-2 down in the second set, I was thinking, ‘Just go for it and play more aggressive,”‘ Rus said.

“And, yeah, that really helped.

“At 6-5 I had a really good serve game, and then I won the set. Then I was thinking, ‘Yeah, I

can win this match.”‘ Clijsters then had another match point in the 10th game, but Rus saved it again and eventually pushed the score to 5-5.

With the momentum shifting, Clijsters double-faulted for the seventh time _ one of her 28 unforced errors in the set _ to allow Rus to break and serve out the second set. “She obviously started building up more confidence, started playing a lot better and was really kind of putting me on my back foot all the time. I couldn’t really play my aggressive tennis anymore in that third set,” Clijsters said.

Clijsters injured her right ankle while dancing at her cousin’s wedding in April, sidelining her until the French Open. She last played at Roland Garros in 2006, when she reached the semifinals.

The last time Clijsters was eliminated this early at a major tournament was when she lost in the second round at Wimbledon in 2002.

But since returning to the tour in 2009 following the birth of her daughter, Clijsters has won three of her four Grand Slam titles.

Rus, the 2008 Australian Open junior champion, reached the third round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time. A few hours later

on the same center court, Sharapova was at first outplayed by Garcia, a French wild card who was the youngest player remaining in the women’s draw.

“She played unbelievable in the first set and a half,” Sharapova said. “There wasn’t much I could do.” But despite the strong wind on Court Philippe Chatrier, Sharapova was able to get her game under control and take charge.

“The conditions were tough and she was playing well and I had to do something different,” Sharapova said. “Yeah, I turned it around.”

Garcia was playing in only her second Grand Slam tournament, and second tour-level tournament overall. She reached the second round at the Australian Open in January where she lost to Ayumi Morita, and then reached the semifinals of the girls’ tournament. She already has at least one fan.

“Girl sharapova is playing is going to be No.1 in world one day caroline garcia, what a player u heard it here 1st,” Murray tweeted after he beat Simone Bolelli of Italy 7-6 (3), 6-4, 7-5.

Li beat Silvia Soler-Espinosa of Spain 6-4, 7-5, and Kvitova defeated two-time Grand Slam semifinalist Zheng Jie of China 6-4, 6-1. —AP

Is gluten-free diet the way to go?

P A R I S : Novak Djokovic says his unbeaten run is down to his special, gluten-free diet and now Sabine Lisicki hopes she too will benefit in the long run after discovering she is allergic to wheat products.

German Lisicki was on the verge of upsetting third seed Vera Zvonareva in the second round of the French Open on Wednesday but, with the finishing line in sight, she crumbled on court and had to be carried off on a stretcher sobbing.

Yesterday, the 21-year-old explained why her health had suddenly deteriorated. “I am sad that my body let me down. Doctors recently discovered that I am intolerant to gluten-meaning I can’t eat e.g. pasta, one of my biggest energy sources,” Lisicki, who was seen munching on a couple of bananas on Wednesday, said on her website (www.sabinelisicki.com).

“My body needs to adjust to the big change and needs some time. It

is good that we found out and it will only make life better in the long run.”

Pasta and bread were once staple food items for top athletes as they were the most important sources of energy. Not any more.

Serbian Djokovic, who is on a 39match winning streak in 2011, changed his diet nine months ago after his nutritionist carried out tests and established he was allergic to gluten. Like Djokovic, Lisicki’s body

cannot cope with many carbohydrate products and she will need to find substitute food items so that she can find the energy to last the distance in three-set matches.

The new diet has definitely paid off for Djokovic. “I have lost some weight but it’s only helped me because my movement is much sharper now and I feel great physically,” Djokovic, who has beaten Rafa Nadal in four finals this year, said recently. —Reuters

Sports FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

FIFA investigating Kuwait, Jordan friendly in UAE DUBAI: FIFA has broken up a scheme to rig a football game in the United Arab Emirates which it believes is part of a wider match-fixing scandal that stretches from Finland to the Far East.

Tipped off on alleged plans to manipulate a March 26 friendly between Jordan and Kuwait, FIFA sent investigators to the stadium in Sharjah, the emirate just north of Dubai. FIFA says the game bore all the hallmarks of suspicious matches in Turkey and elsewhere — local referees were replaced by foreigners and the match ended in a 11 draw with both goals coming from penalties.

According to FIFA’s early warning system of betting monitoring, online gambling sites were abuzz with action from the match. That prompted FIFA investigators to reveal their presence to organizers at halftime, shortcircuiting the match-fixing scheme.

“There were the same indicators that show a consistent methodology of arranging and conducting the match,” Chris Eaton, FIFA’s head of security, told The Associated Press. “There were no media agreements, no streaming of the match, no spectators and mostly cash transactions. The referees came at the last minute.”

The UAE investigation comes as FIFA struggles to contain several corruption scandals that are threatening to undermine the integrity of the sport and has until now been the focus of a heated election campaign between FIFA President Sepp Blatter and challenger Mohamed bin Hammam of Qatar.

On Wednesday, FIFA said it was investigating bin Hammam for alleged bribery in his election campaign.

FIFA is also investigating claims of corruption related to the 2018 and 2022 World Cups bids, as well as alleged match fixing in various parts of the world.

In Finland, 12 players have been accused of involvement in match-fixing in the domestic league. Police said the match-fixing was connected to Wilson Raj Perumal, a Singaporean man being held in jail and suspected of bribing players between 2008 and this year.

Singapore has emerged in recent months as a common link in match-fixing scandals, including international friendlies set up purely for betting scams.

In one highly publicized case, a Feb. 9 tournament played in Antalya, Turkey — involving Latvia, Bolivia, Bulgaria and Estonia — resulted in all seven goals in two games coming from penalty kicks. FIFA has charged six match officials from Hungary and Bosnia in that investigation. The March match in Sharjah was part of a tournament that also included Iraq and North Korea.

Representatives of a local UAE company, Perfect Line, met up in Egypt with officials from a Singapore-based company Exclusive to set up the tournament.

Mohammed Hozain, a Perfect Line official who is based in Kuwait, said he met the Exclusive official during a visit to the Egyptian football federation. He said the company abruptly canceled the contract about 45 days before the tournament and even before any teams had been chosen to take part.

Hozain said he then went to the Kuwait federation to revive the tournament, adding that his company was only responsible for logistics and not involved in choosing the teams or the referees. That was the task of the Kuwaitis, he said.

No one from the Kuwait federation could be reached for comment. Football officials from Iraq said they saw nothing untoward but the Jordanians said they had questions once they arrived for their match.

“We talked to the UAE federation about taking the referees from UAE,” said Osama Talal, the national team manager. “Suddenly we see some referees from Africa standing next to the UAE referees. I told the company we prefer to give a chance for UAE referees because we know them. The company told us they brought referees from very far away and they are now in the stadium so they will take the match so we said ‘OK.’ The match went normally.” The UAE federation, which initially turned down the request from Perfect Line to hold the tournament but reconsidered when pressed by the Kuwait federation, said it has since been interviewed by FIFA about the match. —AFP

Frog juice powers Park’s bid for European glory LONDON: Park Ji-Sung has revealed that frog juice is the bizarre secret behind the lung-bursting energy that makes the South Korean a key part of Manchester United’s bid to beat Barcelona in the Champions League final tomorrow.

Park’s high-octane style will be an essential ingredient in Sir Alex Ferguson’s recipe for success against the Spanish champions at Wembley, but it is a much more unlikely concoction that laid the foundations for the midfielder’s rise to prominence.

After showing promise as a schoolboy footballer, Park’s progress was in danger of stalling because he lacked the physique required to cope with the demands on a top player’s body.

In a bid to fast-track Park’s growth, his father would make the long journey from their home in Suwon to Goheung county, where he would visit frog farms to gather the ingredients for an unusual protein drink.

Once back home, the frog’s juice would be boiled up before Park gamely swallowed it down. Park admits the juice tasted disgusting but the skinny teenager was happy to try anything to aid his dream of becoming a footballer.

“My father went to catch wild frogs. I was skinny and weak and my father heard their juice would give me size and strength,” Park said.

“It tasted very, very bad but I had to drink it because I wanted to be a footballer and everyone said I needed to be bigger and stronger.

“They said it was good for my health to become stronger and I ate anything that would improve my health.” Now well established as a significant figure in Ferguson’s squad, Park no longer has any need for frog juice.

His astonishing work-rate, an astute tactical brain and under-rated ability on the ball have combined to make him an unsung hero with the Premier League champions.

The 30-year-old has played a major role in United reaching a third Champions League final in four years

Manchester United’s Park Ji-Sung

and this time he is hoping for a happy ending.

Park was left out of the squad for the 2008 victory over Chelsea in Moscow a decision Ferguson admitted “almost broke my heart”. And although he was selected the following year in Rome when United lost 20 to Barcelona, an under-whelming display left Park with a few regrets.

“Missing out on one final and losing another makes me more eager to play and win this game,” he said. “If I play and we win the game it will be fantastic for me. It is my dream but I have to play 100 percent for my dreams to come true.”

Facing Barcelona again offers Park and his team-mates a chance for redemption after the defeat in Rome, but Pep Guardiola’s team have been in such good form this season that many pundits expect another Catalan triumph this weekend.

Park is well aware Lionel Messi and company will be formidable opponents again, but he is confident United can find a way to upset the odds. “Obviously Barcelona are one of the best clubs in the world so if we

beat them we will create the perfect final - for me as well,” he said.

“It is a great game against one of the best teams in the world. They have changed a couple of players from 2009 but their style has not changed.

“We have changed as well. I don’t know what way we will play but we have to show a difference from 2009.” If United are to win a fourth European Cup, Ferguson must find a way to disrupt Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta and much rests on Park’s ability to harry them out of their rhythm.

“I don’t know which role I will have in the final but I have to do it 100 percent and play only for winning the game,” he said.

“We have to keep an eye on Messi in the game. Some players have said to me that I can stop him - that sounds great but one man can’t stop him, we have to play as a team.

Everyone will give 100 percent to stop him. “If we play as a team like we showed against Chelsea or in other big games we can match up against them.” — AFP

Bosnia adopts new statute to end FIFA ban SARAJEVO: The Bosnian football federation (NSBIH) yesterday adopted a new statute, a move expected to end FIFA and UEFA’s suspension of the country from international competition.

“The federation’s general assembly unanimously, with 55 votes, backed the new statute,” Dino Begic, a member of a normalisation committee, set up by FIFA and tasked with running Bosnia football, said after the vote.

The six-men normalisation committee’s main task was to convince local football officials, notably Serb, to back the new statute. World governing body FIFA and European counterparts UEFA suspended Bosnia-Hercegovina from international and European football on April 1 after NSBIH failed to adopt the statute that would lead to a single-member presidency rather than the ethnic-based tripartite presidency-consisting of a Croat, a Muslim and a Serb member.

At the time Serb and several Croat delegates opposed

changes to the statute. “I hope that FIFA and UEFA will lift the suspension as soon as possible, by May 31 at the latest, to enable the national squad to play against Romania on June 3, in Euro-2012 qualifier,” NSBIH secretary general Jasmin Bakovic told AFP on the eve of the vote.

After the Romania match, Bosnia’s next game for the 2012 European Championships to be held in Poland and Ukraine, is against Albania on June 7. Bosnia are playing in Group D and currently hold fourth position with five points less than leading France.

Since the 1992-1995 war, Bosnia consists of two entitiesthe Muslim-Croat Federation and the Serbs’ Republika Srpska.

Apart from the joint football federation, founded in 2002, each semi-autonomous half also has a federation of its own.

The NSBIH general assembly has 60 delegates, 20 from each of Bosnia’s three ethnic communities-Croat, Muslim and Serb. A total of 55 took part in Thursday’s vote. — AFP

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PARIS: Maria Sharapova of Russia returns against Caroline Garcia of France in the second round of the French Open tennis tournament. —AP