RI PT IO N BS C SU THE LEADING INDEPENDENT DAILY IN THE ARABIAN GULF
40 PAGES
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2010
First Iranian woman skier ready for Canada slopes
Drama in Dubai as Jimenez wins Desert Classic
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conspiracy theories
Fake it By Badr ya Dar wish
O
nly two or three days ago we celebrated the privileges that had been granted to people with disabilities. The whole of Kuwait celebrated - even people who never bothered. My mobile was overloaded with texts about MPs, ministers and businessmen congratulating the government on this big achievement. A big festival took place at Al-Julaia resort that belongs to the disabled community. Many MPs, ministers, etc were shown with their pictures in the newspapers doing the original Arab dance called al-arda (a bedouin dance that is performed on special occasions). All this for passing a law which people with disabilities deserved and which should have been passed long ago. Now that the law has passed, everybody is taking the credit for themselves for this accomplishment. Especially MPs. We know why MPs are doing this. They are already campaigning for the next elections on account of the disabled people. I forgive them. Let them campaign the way they like. The shocking news I read yesterday is that some 60 percent of the people registered as disabled are feigning their condition. This report came from an official Suad Al-Mutairi, the former assistant director of the Supreme Council for the Disabled. Suad is claiming that many people who are registered as disabled are faking their disability, taking advantage of the facilities granted by the state to the people, such as money, social assistance, parking tickets and many others. And with the new law, there will be more facilities provided. You can imagine that with the poor situation previously - 60 percent were faking their disability to take benefits - what will happen now with the new law which grants more benefits and facilities and money to the disabled? I leave it to you, guys. For God’s sake, how could someone fake a disability? I am sure many people who are sick in the world pray to God that they want nothing else in the world but their health. And some who are able to pay millions are ready to give away their wealth to enjoy good health. On the other hand, in a rich country like Kuwait, people fake their disability. This is beyond my tolerance. Seriously speaking, the government should set up a committee and sort out who is disabled and who isn’t and screen all the cases. In all honesty, those who faked disability should be punished. Or the minimum punishment should be to expose them to the public. Shame on you, fakers!
NEW YORK: “Caveman” Vlad Averbukh, 29, a follower of “The Paleo Diet”, eats raw meat along the Hudson River Feb 04, 2010. — AFP
SAFAR 24, 1431 AH
Amla boosts South Africa with double century
NO: 14634
Drogba’s double sinks Arsenal, puts Chelsea top
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Time for action on five-year plan: PM Execution of plan to be govt’s ‘measure of success’
KUWAIT: HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah (centre) presides over a meeting of the Higher Council for Planning and Development yesterday at Seif Palace. Also seen are (from left) Finance Minister Mustafa Al-Shamali, Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Sabah, Deputy PM for Economic Affairs Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahd AlSabah and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Roudhan Al-Roudhan. — KUNA
Defiant Ahmadinejad orders higher uranium enrichment TEHRAN: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad yesterday ordered Iran’s atomic chief to begin higher uranium enrichment, raising the stakes in a dispute with the West days after seeming to accept a UNdrafted nuclear deal. Ahmadinejad’s declaration drew immediate fire from Britain, which said it was “clearly a matter of serious concern,” while US Defence Secretary Robert Gates called for mounting “international pressure” on the Islamic republic. In a speech at an exhibition on laser technology broadcast live on state television, Ahmadinejad blamed world powers for the stalemate over the nuclear fuel deal, but left the door open for possible negotiation over the proposal. “I had said let us give them (world powers) two to three months and if they don’t agree, we would start ourselves,” he said. “Now Dr (Ali Akbar) Salehi, start to make the 20 percent with the centrifuges,” the hardliner told Iran’s atomic chief, who was in the audience, referring to high-enriched uranium required as fuel to power a Tehran reactor. Britain said that if Iran ploughed ahead with higher uranium enrichment, it would be in breach of five United Nations Security Council resolutions. “Reports that Iran is planning to enrich some of their fuel to 20 percent level of enrichment are clearly a matter of serious concern,” a spokeswoman for the foreign ministry said in a statement issued in London. Gates, meanwhile, called on the international community to stand united against Iran. “The interna-
TEHRAN: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad tours an exhibition on laser technology yesterday. — AFP tional community has offered the Iranian government multiple opportunities to provide reassurance of its intentions. The results have been very disappointing,” Gates said after meeting his Italian counterpart Ignazio La Russa in Rome. “If the international community will stand together and bring pressure on the Iranian government, I believe there is still time for sanctions and pressure to work. But we must all work together.” Analysts called Ahmadinejad’s comments an attempt to pressure Washington and drive a wedge between the six world powers, some of whom are still hesitant to back fresh sanctions against Tehran. “Ahmadinejad wants to put pres-
sure on the West, especially the US. He was responding to those in the West who do not want Iran to strike a deal,” Iranian analyst Mohammad Saleh Sadeghian told AFP. “I think that Iran prefers a swap deal over the option of producing the fuel” of 20 percent enriched uranium itself, he added. A Western analyst who asked not to be named said Iranian declarations such as Ahmadinejad’s yesterday were attempts to “delay potential sanctions by dividing the six world powers without backing down on the nuclear program.” World powers fear that Tehran wants to enrich uranium to very high levels for use in an atomic Continued on Page 14
KUWAIT: HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser AlMohammad Al-Sabah headed a meeting of the Higher Council for Planning and Development yesterday at Seif Palace. Sheikh Nasser underscored the importance of following up the implementation of the 2010-2011 development plan, part of the state’s five-year development plan. This follow-up by the council, he said, would “emphasize the links between development plans and connect development plans with the government’s action agenda.” He explained that this would in turn allow for achieving economic goals paced on a specific timeline, thus reflecting the government’s “seriousness” in implementing its agenda and the five-year plan approved by the National Assembly last week. The premier noted that the council played an important role in implementing the state’s fiveyear development plan and its strategic goals aimed at developing the country in general, and singling out the megaprojects needed, as well as mapping out policies to make these projects a reality. These projects, Sheikh Nasser said, would bring development and advancement to Kuwait’s economic and social sectors. He added that the “planning period is over and the time now is for execution”, adding that the council’s follow-up of the 2010-2011 plan would be the “measure of success” of the government in its strive towards creating a “qualitative leap” in governmental activities that would push the country along the track of development and advancement. He added that referring the issue of stateless persons illegally residing in Kuwait (bedoons) to the council for review was a reaffirmation by the government of the important role that this council plays and the confidence it had in its experienced members and in their ability to find a “conclusive” solution to this matter. Sheikh Nasser also thanked the council members for agreeing to share with him the burden of “serious national work during this critical stage” involving the march towards prosperity and advancement. Speaking to KUNA following the meeting, the council’s Secretary General Dr Adel AlWaqian said that the council members discussed measures Continued on Page 14
US ‘cavemen’ Pakistani eunuchs seek raw truth seek greater rights NEW YORK: Vlad Averbukh says he’ll need a napkin at lunch. “It could be bloody.” What he doesn’t require is a fork. A follower of America’s “paleo diet”, or simply “the caveman lifestyle”, New Yorker Averbukh does things the old-fashioned way. “A lot of folks might find this unpalatable. But to me it tastes good,” he says, lifting an uncooked cut of beef the size of a book. Chomping on the raw meat in a small park by the Hudson River, Averbukh, a 29-year-old website manager, explains how paleo dieters are trying to turn mankind’s clock back to the Paleolithic Era. “The theory is that you only eat what our ancestors ate 10,000 years ago. It’s what you could get with a stick in the forest,” Averbukh says. Continued on Page 14
RAWALPINDI: Taunted at home, Sanhya ran away at age 12, searching for acceptance as she sees herself - neither male nor female, but a member of a third gender. Pakistan’s transgender community has long lived on society’s margins, harassed by police, ridiculed as freaks, pitied as the outcast people of Allah and often rejected by their own families. Now the Supreme Court is giving them hope through a petition for their rights to be respected.
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“People are recognizing that we are also human beings,” said Almas Bobby, who acts as head of the community and fights for equal rights. A series of hearings by the court over the past 11 months could be the first steps toward bringing them into the mainstream. The court has already suggested authorities consider adding a third gender to state-issued identity cards - a bold proposal in Pakistan’s RAWALPINDI: In this Jan 7, 2010 photo, Pakistani transvestite conservative society. Continued on Pags 14 Sanyha sits at her home. — AP
Central Bank cuts rate to 2.5 percent $24bn surplus seen: NBK KUWAIT: The Central Bank yesterday cut its benchmark discount rate by 50 basis points to 2.5 percent, its first reduction in nine months, the official KUNA news agency reported. Central Bank Governor Sheikh Salem Abdulaziz AlSabah said the reduction the sixth since Oct 2008 following the global financial crisis - was made to make borrowing cheaper. He said the cut came to “provide the necessary environment conducive to boosting growth in non-oil sectors of national economy
by reducing the cost of lending after indications that inflationary pressures have declined”. Sheikh Salem said that latest available data shows that inflation in April dropped for the seventh straight month to 5.2 percent after registering a record average of 10.6 percent in 2008. He also said the dinar continued to be attractive and competitive, making it “a local savings pot” and that dinar deposits in local banks created a suitable climate for reducing the discount rate. Continued on Page 14
MIDDLETOWN, Connecticut: The Kleen Energy plant is seen in this aerial photo after an explosion yesterday. — AP
Huge blast hits US power plant ‘Mass casualties’ feared NEW YORK: A huge explosion ripped through a US power plant yesterday being built in Connecticut amid reports up to 50 people may have died, emergency officials said, as a rescue operation swung into place. The blast at the gas-fired plant in Middletown, home to 40,000 people on the Connecticut River, sent flames and black smoke bil-
lowing into the sky and shook houses several kilometers away, witnesses said. As helicopters, ambulances and fire trucks rushed to the scene and a massive search and rescue operation was launched, officials were reluctant to say how many might have died, but a large number of fatalities was feared. Continued on Page 14
Iraqi MPs discuss issues at Assembly By B Izzak KUWAIT: An Iraqi parliamentary delegation visiting the country discussed a host of issues at the National Assembly yesterday, especially Kuwaiti investments in Iraq and resolving outstanding border issues. The delegation, comprising the head of the financial committee in the Iraqi parliament MP Alaa Al-Saadoun and MP Amal Al-Qadhi, met National Assembly Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi and plans to
meet the financial and economic affairs committee tomorrow. MP Maasouma Al-Mubarak, a member of the foreign relations committee, said the two lawmakers expressed hope for improving bilateral ties in various fields, particularly on the economic front and the implementation of the international resolutions regarding the common borders. Saadoun said that she discussed a number of important issues concerning the two countries, particularly Continued on Page 14
Britain to tighten student visa rules LONDON: Britain is to tighten the rules on immigrants entering Britain on a student visa, the government said yesterday in a clampdown on a system which some security experts say has been exploited by Islamist militants. Home Secretary (interior minister) Alan Johnson said the crackdown was part of a wider campaign against immigrants who apply for student visas even though they intend to work. The tighter controls could also help to tackle security concerns over militants who enter Britain ostensibly to study. Analysts have
warned for years of a threat from Islamist militants based at British universities, including foreigners on student visas. A senior Pakistani official in London accused the British government last year of failing to cooperate with the security screening of Pakistani nationals trying to study in Britain. The issue climbed back up the political agenda last month when it emerged that the Nigerian man accused of plotting to blow up a passenger plane over Detroit tried to reenter Britain last April to Continued on Page 14
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NATIONAL
Monday, February 8, 2010
Attempt to take advantage of new law
60% of Kuwait’s ‘disabled’ used forged documents KUWAIT: The benefits given to disabled people as a result of the recently passed disability legislation could lead to more people feigning disability in an attempt to take advantage of the law, according to a senior official. Suad Al-Mutairi, the former Assistant Director of the Supreme Council for the Disabled, further alleged that unofficial reports indicate that 60 percent of those currently registered as disabled have used
KUWAIT: At Seif Palace yesterday, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad Al-Sabah received the envoy of the Saudi monarch, State Minister and Member of the Cabinet Dr. Musaed Bin Mohammad Al-Aiban. The envoy handed HH the Amir a letter from Saudi’s King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud dealing with the distinguished brotherly relations between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia and means to boost cooperation in all areas in their mutual interest, as well as regional and international developments.
Urging a reshuffle of the officials responsible for dealing with disabilityrelated issues, Al-Mutairi alleged that most of those working in disability care offices have unlawfully registered themselves as disabled in order to benefit from the attendant allowances, including social support, disability grants, reduced working hours and improved housing loans. Al-Mutairi proposed that both Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti disabled residents should be eligible to benefit from
the new legislation, reported Al-Watan. He also condemned the new law’s lack of care for those with psychological disabilities, who require special care. Meanwhile, since the start of the school year, the Ministry of Education has provided kindergarten and elementary schools with all required medical equipment. They have worked in cooperation with the Ministry of Health in order to prepare them for many health challenges, especially the swine flu threat, reported Al-Qabas.
forged documents to obtain their certification. Al-Mutairi warned that this percentage was likely to increase following the introduction of the new legislation. Such certification can be easily forged, he stated, calling for the creation of a committee to study applications by those wishing to register themselves as disabled and to carry out investigations to determine applicants’ eligibility. So far, the ministry has been successful in preventing the virus from spreading in schools. They have taken precautionary measures to equip kindergartens and elementary schools with clinics and additional nursing staff. They have also deployed similar methods in intermediate and secondary stage schools. Ministry Undersecretary, Tamadher Al-Sadairawi, asserted that clinics are fully prepared as are all kindergarten and elementary schools. Deputy
Assistant for Public Education, Muna Al-Lughani, said that cooperation and proper coordination enabled them to successfully prevent the spread of the disease in schools. Ministry Deputy Assistant for Qualitative Education, Mohammad AlKandari, noted that there will be no further delay for schools with special needs. He stated that all of the schools are fully equipped with the necessary medical preparations to enable them to start of the school year.
kuwait digest
Big ‘no’ to war!
‘T
KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Seif Palace yesterday the National Assembly Speaker Jassem AlKhorafi.— Photos by KUNA
Crown Prince praised for his leadership qualities KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah holds the characteristics of a successful leader, said KUNA Chairman and Director General Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij Al-Ibrahim Al-Sabah yesterday. Sheikh Mubarak’s statement came on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the issuance of an Amiri order appointing Sheikh Nawaf as Crown Prince. Sheikh Mubarak praised the role of His Highness the crown prince in serving Kuwait. The appointment of Sheikh Nawaf reflects the wisdom of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and his keenness to stress stability and pillars of development in the country, Sheikh Mubarak emphasized. After his appointment as governor of Hawalli in 1962,
Sheikh Nawaf was able to turn the small city to one of the largest governorates that was special in the fields of trade, tourism and investment, he said. When he became interior minister in 1978, he stressed security bases and developed the security body, Sheikh Mubarak pointed out. “HH the Crown Prince succeeded in dealing with terrorist groups that threatened the security of the state,” Sheikh Mubarak noted, adding that HH the Crown Prince was also keen on human development. “He gave the youths opportunities and benefited from their abilities,” Sheikh Mubarak said. Sheikh Nawaf loves Kuwait and will remain a symbol for giving and action, he highlighted.— KUNA
he United States of A m e r i c a recently threatened to use force against Iran should it fail to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’ wrote Jaber Al-Hajri in AlQabas. Washington has announced its intention to install a ‘patriot’ defense system on its military bases located across a number of Gulf countries to counter potential Iranian rocket strikes that will be fired in retaliation to an American attack, the writer feels. The start of a new war in the region certainly does not benefit any country in the region, especially since it has already suffered a spate of wars and conflicts during the past three decades. Therefore, Gulf countries should reject calls for waging a war against Iran, due to the serious repercussions that it could have on all countries in the region. If the United States of America desires to enforce a new strategy in the region, it should be one that is based on more wars. Furthermore,
Donation for cancer treatment By Nisreen Zahreddine KUWAIT: Cancer is no longer a non-curable fatal disease and the cash-strapped who need to undergo treatment will now have freedom from worry. As part of the efforts made to help cancer patients, the Ali Abdul Wahab Company has signed a contract with the Hayat Committee for Cancer Patients Care that represents the Swiss pharmaceutical company ‘Roche.’ The agreement was signed for an amount of KD 60,6915, which will be used to cover the prices of medicines needed to help lymphatic, lung, and breast cancer patients receive proper treatment. Faisal Al-Mutawah, Executive Manager of Ali Abdul Wahab Company signed a contract with Sheikha Awrad AlJaber Al-Sabah, President of Hayat Committee and Dr. Hussein Al-Moqadem that represents ‘Roche.’ Dr. Labeeba Tameem and Vice President of Hayat Committee Leila AlGhanem were also present at the ceremony. This step comes as an act of charity from Ali Abdul Wahab and Roche to treat patients with a donation amount of KD 235,595. Al-Mutawah thanked
KUWAIT: Leila Al Ghanem (left) Sheikha Al Sabah, Faisal Al Mutawah, Dr Labeeba Tameem, Monalla Ghanem, Dr Hussein Al Moqadem. the Hayat committee and revealed the company’s obligation to support such social initiatives. He added that at least 12 million cases of cancer are diagnosed in the world every year, and 7.6 million succumb to this disease annually. Sheikha Awrad Al-Sabah explained about Ruqaya AlQatami Charity Foundation and Cancer Patients Helping Fund which helps all non-Kuwaiti residents diagnosed with cancer being treated at Makki Jumaa
Hospital. She added that there are currently 130 patients from 19 nationalities who receive financial aid that covers treatment fees. Dr. Labeeba Tameem explained that patients were being accepted upon recommendations made by the doctor. Al-Mutawah awarded mementos to Sheikha Awrad Al-Sabah, Leila Al-Ghanem, and Dr. Labeeba Tameem in recognition of their contributions. Also, Sheikha Awrad awarded Al-
Mutawah for his support and charitable act. Donations are accepted through the following account numbers: Commercial Bank of Kuwait: 0010641991100414010, Kuwait International Bank: 011010131648, BKME bank: 11581862, ABK bank: 0603741999001, Burgan Bank: 2060373483, Kuwait Finance House: 011010607529, Gulf Bank: 05074772, NBK: 0800491250101, Website: www.hayat4cancer.com
Electrical fire hazards warning KUWAIT: A senior fire department official on Saturday urged the public to be vigilant, warning that overloading power points and using low quality electrical extension cords increases the risks of fire. Khalil Al-Amir the director
of the Kuwait Fire Services Department’s (KFSD) Public Relations department, urged householders to fit smoke alarms and keep fire extinguishers in their homes, describing smoke alarms as “night watchmen.” Smoke alarms help to
alert householders to any fire, even a small one, helping to prevent any blaze from getting out of hand, Al-Amir explained. The senior KFSD official also warned householders to be alert to other potential fire hazards, saying that children play-
ing with flammable materials is another cause of domestic fires. Al-Amir also proposed that householders and workplace staff should be trained in fire safety regulations and in providing first aid in case of emergencies. — KUNA
Washington can still use diplomatic measures as an alternative to military intervention. He goes on to write that using the military option against Iran will be nothing short of a destructive adventure, especially since Iran is more powerful than Iraq. “We should consider the aftermath of the Israeli war on Hezbollah in 2006. We have an idea about what a war against Iran could be like. It not only would have a lasting, catastrophic effect on Arab countries, but also on Israel that has gone too far with arrogance, to the point that it demanded that Washington bomb Iran’s nuclear reactors. This is without mentioning the fact that it has issued recent threats to wage a ‘full-scale’ war against Syria. ‘The Israeli conceit is fueled by the silence and disintegration of the Arab scene. The message should be clear- reject a war against Iran. The aftermath of such a war will be on par with mass destruction,’ he concluded.
Preparations ongoing for jewelry exhibition KUWAIT: The Kuwait International Fair Co (KIFCO) is currently preparing to launch its 8th Kuwait International Gold and Jewelry Exhibition, said KIFCO’s Exhibitions manager, Ali Al-Shatti. He pointed out that a total number of 85 local and international companies will be participating this year. Al-Shatti added that the exhibition will be held between February 15 to 21 at the Mishref International Fair Grounds. He added that the opening ceremony will be held under the patronage of the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Ahmed Rashid Al-Haroun. Moreover, Al-Shatti highlighted that KIFCO’S hall number 8 had turned into a busy workshop where technicians have been working around the clock to prepare the venue to match with the needs of participants and visitors. Furthermore, Al-Shatti highlighted that this year’s exhibition had attracted top notch local companies specialized in gold, jewelry and precious stones, in addition international ones from Italy, Singapore, UAE, India, Thailand, KSA, Lebanon and Egypt. “The number of participating companies is increasing on yearly basis, which indicates growing trust in the role of Kuwait’s fair as one of the most significant ones regionally and globally,” he added. He pointed out that the Ministry of Commerce had been the most cooperative to ensure the exhibition’s success.
KUWAIT: Building waste in a residential area before being removed.
KUWAIT: The yard after being cleaned of the waste and debris.
‘Penalize people who dump rubbish in residential areas’ By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: A senior official has called for those illegally discarding rubbish in residential areas to be penalized, saying that such waste is not only unattractive but could cause serious environmental and health problems. Many areas in Kuwait suffer from such casual dumping, whether of building site waste materials or household rubbish, said Brigadier General Souad Al-Khatrash, the general coordinator of the committee for removing illegal structures from state properties. Despite the hard work of municipal council workers and control team members, the Municipal Council’s inspection team is still no closer to discovering who is behind the dumping of the large quantities of waste, he added. During their work, the municipal clearance workers have noticed a great deal of building site debris and other waste dumped in gardens, yards and even on roads in residential areas, Brigadier Al-Khatrash explained. Those illegally dumping it had failed to consider the health and environment of local residents or even the general view of the area, he said. “We regret seeing such views in residential areas. Unfortunately some of the residents have turned these areas into places full of waste and rubbish. In some corners, you can see mountains of building debris, cement, aluminum, wood and scrap metal. In others, we can see piles of
uprooted plants, bushes and twigs cut from gardens and left there in the hope that some government body will remove it, although this is the responsibility of the individuals themselves.” The government must deal severely with such violations, he insisted. “The government has the right to use the sanctions listed in the law against those who discard such waste,” he asserted. “Dumping such waste can cause serious environmental and health problems, as well as making the area look bad generally. Also in many cases, the waste is left next to sewage pipes, electricity lines or land telephone lines, which could cause obstacles to the regular maintenance work performed by public utility firms, which as a result cause losses to the individual himself.” He warned that the waste can also cause serious health problems due to the pollution that it causes, not to mention to the rats that it attracts. “Also, these places may be used as play areas for kids, who can come into contact with dangerous chemical materials lying about,” he pointed out. “Furthermore, the waste occupies large areas of the yards, roads and streets, which looks really bad.” Al-Khatrash urged all residents of local neighborhoods to keep their gardens and yards tidy in order to improve the appearance of the areas, as well as for the sake of public health and welfare, by clearing away rubbish and doing so regularly before it can accumulate.
New security scanners KUWAIT: Kuwait International Airport (KIA) and other land and sea entry points into the country are set to install six new ‘CTX’ hi-tech x-ray scanning devices, which can detect suspicious objects hidden in passengers’ luggage. The devices, worth a total of KD 12 million, will help to protect the country from attempts to
smuggle contraband, as well as from any potential terrorist plots, reported Al-Watan. It is understood that the airport and other entry points will begin using the new scanners after other equipment necessary for their operation, valued at a further KD 1 million, has been installed.
Monday, February 8, 2010
NATIONAL
3
Slow, gradual process expected
Expat staff in ministries not worried about Kuwaitization By Ben Garcia KUWAIT: Subash, an Indian expatriate typesetter at the Ministries Complex in Kuwait City was never worried that he might be replaced by a Kuwaiti. He argues that his job, with one of the busiest ministries in Kuwait City, is not as attractive or as well-paid as other positions. It
KUWAIT: The National Guards Military Corps Commander, Brigadier Zayed Abdullah Nasser yesterday inspected a demonstration of the new machinery ( Shtire B.L.S.) used in evacuation and rescue operations. —Photos by KUNA
According to the National Assembly’s Research and Information Department there are around 60,000 expatriate workers in the ministries today whose jobs could be performed by Kuwaiti citizens. “For me, I am not afraid; my position will not be filled by Kuwaitis anyway. They don’t like this job that is why they hired me to work here,” said Subash. He argued, “They have money, they have something to start business so why would they work as a typist? They will go into business instead to earn more. So again, I am not worried about Kuwaitization.” Unemployment among Kuwaitis is currently estimated to stand at six percent of the workforce or around 20,000 people. The number is relatively large and likely to increase, with 27,000 new jobseekers being registered each year.
One expatriate editor at the Ministry of Information said that such reports have been circulating for years, but nothing has happened so far. “I’ve seen the same people for the past ten years,” he told the Kuwait Times. “There are some expatriates who have gone back for good to their country but they weren’t even terminated because of Kuwaitization. I think the reason is that [Kuwaitis] really need expat workers to do the job for them.” The Egyptian editor has been at the Ministry for many years. “The problem with Kuwaitis is that they need job, but if they find one, they don’t want to work. If they are hired, they’ll work for two or three days, then they’ll do what they want. So how can you finish the job? You need an expat,” he emphasized.
seems, however, that even Subash may be in danger of losing his job if Kuwait strictly and properly implements the Kuwaitization law. The country’s Audit Bureau is reported to be seriously studying the possibility of replacing expatriate workers in ministries and other government departments with Kuwaitis in order to cut the increase in financial benefits for expatriate public sector workers.
Another Indian ministry worker said that if any drastic moves are to take place, he’s ready for them. “If they decide to replace us with Kuwaitis, we cannot say no. We’ll follow and leave the job immediately. I am ready for that,” he said. A Filipino marketing worker at a ministry complex said “I think they’ll replace some people, but it will be slowly and gradually. It’s not easy to replace working people. In our case at the Ministry of Information, [expatriate] numbers here are quite huge, so if they replace us here abruptly, the ministry will be in trouble,” he reiterated. Another expat working at a different ministry said that he is skeptical about the rumors of Kuwaitization. “Just almost a year ago, they created an IT department here
and they filled the position with all Indians except the top level management,” he told the Kuwait Times. “I think they are not ready yet, not this early.” On the subject of the Ministry of Finance’s recent announcement that the total in 2009 end-of-service payments for non-Kuwaitis had reached KD 13 million, he was sympathetic to the Kuwaitis. “Oh yes, I think it’s about time,” he asserted. “There are lots of qualified Kuwaitis nowadays and they are ready to conquer their own world; they have all the rights to claim a job in the ministry after all - job here should be first given to Kuwaitis.” Expatriates account for nearly 95 percent of Kuwait’s private sector workforce, totaling more than 2.4 million compared with 1 million citizens. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor in
early 2009 issued a new Kuwaitization law introducing new mandatory ratios for Kuwaiti employees in the private sector. The new law means that no less than 65 percent of insurance company staff must be Kuwaiti citizens, with this decreasing slightly to 60 percent of bank employees. Meanwhile, 56 percent of Kuwaiti telecommunications firm workers must be citizens, falling to 40 percent of marketing and investment companies’ staff, 30 percent of both educational and petrochemical/oil refinery workers, 15 percent of real estate firms’ personnel, 13 percent of credit companies’ staff and five percent of English language school employees, with agricultural firms and manufacturing industries needing only to have a minimum of two percent each of Kuwaiti staff.
in the news ENT clinic closed
kuwait digest
The citizenship issue T
he cabinet should not be influenced by pressure from MPs or human rights organizations, in the decision-making process on matters of national sovereignty, writes Ali Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in Al-Watan. The number of calls to grant citizenship to illegal residents has been increasing from by MPs and newspaper columnists who claim to want to save them from the injustice they claim they have experienced. This issue has acquired political dimensions not only on the local scene, but also internationally, through being accorded a ‘humanitarian’ quality, but it is in reality being used for other reasons. Kuwaiti people are well-known for their disproportionately large role in helping others in need all over the world. However, what MPs who call for the naturalization of thousands of people for tribal and electoral reasons forget is that doing so would have serious repercussions which will only be felt by the Kuwaiti people. It’s illogical to accept this form of chaotic naturalization when it can be clearly seen that it conflicts with the country’s interest. What supports this view is the fact that thousands of cases were detected of applicants for citizenship who had submitted their names illegally through forgery or bribery after intentionally concealing their original documents. Given that fact, how can MPs address this problem which they have blown out of proportion in the first place? Would they, for example, accept strangers entering their homes and demanding to share their rights with them? Furthermore, it’s important to note that some of those seeking citizenship have worked hard to mislead the public by concealing facts, which has resulted in Kuwait being classified by international human rights organizations as a leading country in violating the
rights of those living on its soil. These accusations are totally false, given the fact that the cabinet has always given them good care despite knowing their true backgrounds and the places they originally came from before coming to Kuwait. The inhuman situation that Kuwait is accused of creating in regards to the illegal residents’ situations, was originally created by these residents themselves when they concealed their original documents that prove their real nationalities and the countries they came from. Most of them came to Kuwait from several Arab countries and claimed to be Kuwaiti Bedouins, making use of the many conflicts and wars that the region has gone through throughout history to allow them to gain access to and illegal residence in the country. Kuwait is a country of institutions, a constitution and order. And this issue is currently in the hands of decision makers who are aware of the mean by which the illegal residents accessed the country and where they came from. Therefore, the cabinet should emerge from its silence, and expose the facts discovered by the committees that were assigned to investigate this matter, while allowing for citizenship to be awarded only to rightful applicants who have been waiting for it for ages. Moreover, many Arab residents in Kuwait would accept renouncing their current nationality if they were offered Kuwaiti citizenship instead. Therefore, how can this action be considered unacceptable, while granting citizenships to those who already discarded their original identities and backgrounds is not considered the same? Whoever has no loyalty to their nation of origin will have no loyalty to any other country.
MoH proposes KD 4m in bonuses KUWAIT: A senior Ministry of Health (MoH) finance department official has submitted an application for KD 4 million to be allocated in performance-related bonuses for the best-performing MoH staff. Abdulfattah Al-Asmawi, the MoH Assistant Undersecretary for Financial Affairs, submitted the bonuses payment schedule to Undersecretary Dr. Ibrahim Al-Abdulhadi, reported Awan. The senior finance depart-
ment official also called for all ministry sector heads to prepare lists of those meriting the bonus payments for submission to senior officials responsible for deciding on the final recipients. Al-Asmawi said that the performance-related bonuses would be paid as soon as the lists were approved, without the need for each department to wait for the others to have completed their lists beforehand.
Kuwaiti students participate in Egypt workshops, activities CAIRO: The Egyptian Ministry of International Cooperation held a celebration yesterday for the participants in the “Be Among the Distinguished” program for outstanding Kuwaiti students. The event, held on the seventh day of the Kuwaiti delegates’ visit, was organized by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED). Speaking on the sidelines of the ceremony held to honor the outstanding Kuwaiti students, ministry representative Eng. Mohammad Hammam said that the Kuwaiti students visiting Egypt had participated in different workshops and activities which would no doubt have a positive impact on their future studies. Hammam added that this experience would influence the students’ choices in the future, adding that this was an opportunity to promote the different cultural aspects, and would encourage them to continue to strive for excellence. He said that the KFAED’s program was an outstanding initiative on its part, noting the enthusi-
asm and interaction between members of the delegation throughout the program’s activities. Hammam praised the role played by Kuwait in supporting neighboring countries through the KFAED’s projects, which had been launched in 104 Arab and other countries. The projects funded by the KFAED in Egypt had caused a remarkable shift in many areas, he said, particularly those projects previously implemented or currently underway in the field of electricity. Hammam predicted that the KFAED would continue to spread its activities further thanks to its current policy, adding that this would enhance the reputation of Kuwait in international forums. He also underscored the strength of KuwaitiEgyptian relations, saying that these are constantly growing, in light of the brotherly ties that bind the two countries. Hammam also expressed hope that future activities of this nature would be of benefit to both nations. — KUNA
KUWAIT: The temporary closing of the ear, nose and throat clinic at Al-Adan hospital for maintenance solicited anger from many patients unable to find a doctor to give them proper treatment, reported AlAnba. Department head, Dr Hussain Jassem AlShimmary, explained that there are two doctors on duty 24 hours a day for emergency cases in the trauma center located at the hospital’s emergency room. He added that the two doctors on duty are specialists in the field and not just general practitioners. He said that the center under maintenance is more than 30 years old and needs to be updated.
Postal services KUWAIT: A team of experts from the International Postal Association (IPA) will visit the country in the near future. They will check the efficacy of the new electronic system that was introduced to take follow up action on the computerized postal services system. The Association will provide all its members with necessary facilities to take follow-up action. The team will be supporting the Kuwaiti team as it is a member of the Association, reported Al-Qabas. Furthermore, the Ministry of Communication (MoC) said that a tender will be placed to carry out the project. It is expected to eliminate all the problems plaguing current postal services department within three months.
KUWAIT: National Assembly Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi received yesterday Head of the Finance Committee at the Iraqi House of Representatives Alaa Al-Saadoun and Chairman of the Integrity Committee Amal Al-Qadhi. The meeting, attended by Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly MP Abdullah Al-Roumi, MP Massouma Al-Mubarak and MP Khalid Al-Sultan, saw the discussion of means to develop bilateral relations. —KUNA
Imams responsible for Asians’ lessons KUWAIT: The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs informed local Imams and ‘muezzins’ to more closely supervise lessons being carried out by Asians at mosques in the country. Announced by the Undersecretary, Dr Adel Al-Falah, he added that those who found uncommitted to their duties in that regard will be held accountable. The Ministry indicated that they will not allow
mosques to be used chaotically by anyone, reported Al-Qabas. Al-Falah indicated that they have put certain steps in place by which expatriates can give religious lessons if they are pre approved by the ministry. Al-Falah also announced that the Ministry has informed all its departments to reinforce the values included in the speech of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-
Sabah during their Friday prayer speeches. Al-Falah indicated that the ministry is planning to reappoint several heads of departments in March in an attempt to allow new officials to prove their capabilities. On a separate note, the ministry is planning to provide the Cabinet with a set of projects that include reinforcing institutional performance and developing human resources.
Kuwaiti-Egyptian sports festival launched KUWAIT: Head of the Technical Committee of the Second Egyptian-Kuwaiti Festival for Talented Athletes, Mahmoud Abul, said yesterday that the festival was currently being held here was considered distinguished due to the inclusion of four games. In a press release, Abul said that the event brought together 150 Kuwaiti players of football, volleyball, table tennis and judo, adding that such events were useful because they helped players develop their skills, especially as they were young and had a promising future. This festival, which kicked off Saturday evening and will last for a week, comes in implementation of the protocol signed between Kuwait and Egypt on the development of sports relationship, Abul said. “Holding a second festival, after the first was hosted by Egypt, is an indication of the success of the event,” Abul said, while expressing gratitude to the local Kazma, AlNasr, Kuwait and Yarmouk sports clubs for welcoming the festival and holding the games
KUWAIT: Officials and participants of the Second Egyptian-Kuwaiti Festival for Talented Athletes. at their grounds. On his part, the general coordinator of the volleyball events Malek Al-Moaili said that the event was great for training both Egyptians and Kuwaiti players who wanted to participate in continental and
regional competitions to come. Al-Moaili said after the start of competition between Egypt and Kuwait in the game of volleyball, that these games would be an opportunity to display different talents of players through close contact,
adding that the games include under 12 and under 14 teams. Egyptian volleyball coach Nuhad Shehata praised the event, which he said would strengthen the relationship between athletes in the two countries and hone their skills.
The players from both sides put on a good performance on Saturday, Shehata said, who observed an improvement in their performance compared to the first festival, thus proving the success of the idea. —KUNA
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600,000 domestic helpers in Kuwait KUWAIT: The Director of the Immigration Directorate, Brigadier Kamel Al-Awadhi announced that there are too many domestic helpers in the country. The estimated number, about 600,000 is too large and needs to be reduced in order to maintain a balanced population formula, he added. Al-Awadhi said that the number needs to be reduced in order to refute accusations of human trafficking and establish a national shareholding company for labor-
ers to work in Kuwait. “We have to take these accusations seriously in order to protect and defend Kuwait’s reputation,” he said. He responded to questions regarding the need for expatriates to provide certificates of clear criminal records before working in Kuwait. He said that this measure would be mandatory for those coming to live and get a residency visa in Kuwait but not necessary for those just visiting. He also noted that permission to stay
out of Kuwait for more than six months without cancelling residency visas is usually given to students who study abroad, holders of Egyptian travel documents with article 22 visas, sick people and the domestic helpers of diplomats. He said that expats need a minimum salary of KD 250 in order to earn a residency visa. Women who are expats are not allowed to sponsor their husbands but can sponsor their children if they are divorced or widowed, he added.
Burglars net KD 8,000 in break-in KUWAIT: Burglars broke into a home in Andalus, stealing KD 8,000 in cash, as well as the homeowner’s children’s passports and ID cards. The householder discovered the theft on returning home from a family day out, finding that the burglars had ransacked the downstairs area before finding the items which they stole in the upstairs bedrooms. He immediately called police, with detectives quickly arriving at the scene, accompanied by crime scene officers, who took fingerprints and other evidence, reported Al-Watan. An investigation is underway.
KUWAIT: A Jordanian woman pictured after her arrest. — Photo by Hanan Al-Saadoun
Woman bootlegger busted By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: A Jordanian woman whose husband was previously deported over a liquor-related case has been arrested and imprisoned for manufacturing and selling the aniseed-based liquor ‘Arak.’ An investigation was launched into the woman’s activities after General Department for Drugs Control (GDDC) officers received a tip off that she had taken over from her husband’s illicit
business after his departure. An undercover GDDC officer succeeded in convincing her to sell him 12 bottles of the potent spirit for KD 350. On arriving at the prearranged delivery point, the woman was arrested, with officers finding materials used for distilling the liquor in her car. A subsequent search of her home in Salmiya uncovered three barrels of the spirit ready for bottling. On being questioned, the woman told detectives that she had learnt how to distill the liquor from her husband.
One killed in crash A Kuwaiti man died in a three-car pile-up on King Fahad Road yesterday morning. Others injured in the crash were taken to hospital, while the dead man’s body was removed for autopsy. Building site fall An Egyptian construction worker was rushed to hospital after sustaining a broken spine and serious head injuries in a fall from a building he was working on yesterday. Infiltrator caught An Iraqi man who entered the country illegally was caught by security officers patrolling the border area. He was immediately referred to the relevant authorities.
Monday, February 8, 2010
No verification yet
Blogosphere views mixed on govt bonus, bedoons By Hussain Al-Qatari KUWAIT: The online Kuwaiti community expressed their dissatisfaction toward unverified reports concerning a potential salary bonus for Kuwaiti nationals and some expats working in the public sector. The news, reported Internet discussion groups and blogs on Kuwait National Network forums criticized the news, and demanded that the government concern itself with more development programs. One participant said that the government should not spend money to “sedate the demands of citizens.” “Instead of giving citizens money, why not work on actually advancing the status quo?” wondered another participant. “What is the use of money if we have poor health care, a bad education system, shabby government buildings and really low quality services?” Government officials have not yet verified the news. While it is speculated to be just a rumor, many citizens noted that prices
three days ago by a local Arabic newspaper, alleged that the government is considering putting this idea into action and will soon announce a decision on the matter. The newspaper also reported that, if approved, the government may take action as soon as the beginning of the new monetary year.
are rising gradually. A blogger wrote in a recent post “if you see the soaring prices at co-ops you’ll certainly question whether something is going on or not. “I don’t know if we, the citizens, should be happy for us or for the merchants who will definitely benefit from this bonus. If it is true, then we do have a problem.” The bedoon issue has been hotly debated for the past few days on Kuwait’s virtual reality. His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Sabah has referred the issue to the Higher Council for Planning and Development to find a final and effective solution to the bedoon dilemma. “I hope that this will be the end of the
dilemma,” wrote one participant in an online discussion. It has taken the reputation of our country down the drain. The international community looks down on our country and the government must put an end to this dilemma.” Another participant criticized the way many politicians claim to embrace the cause but never take action to solve the problem. During the election season, or whenever a politician strives for fame, they immediately tackle the issue of bedoons, said the post. “Not only with pro-bedoon comments, but also with talk against the bedoon. They also gain popularity by slandering them. It works both ways. It is about time that we find an end to this dilemma,” wrote one blogger.
kuwait digest
Is wasta necessary for treatment abroad?
I
n his column with Al-Anba yesterday, Ahmad Al-Shohouni wrote that many of the cases he receives are rejected by the Ministry of Health Committee for treatment abroad even though there is no treatment for those cases locally. As an example he pointed out that hospitals in Kuwait have no neurosurgeons for babies and treatment abroad for their condition is
rejected because medicine is available locally. “I don’t understand how medicine can be available while the doctors who give the treatment are not,” he wrote. “How can a doctor decide the future of a baby and reject his treatment abroad if he knows that the case has no chance in Kuwait? Is it assumed that every citizen
knows an MP to advocate for him? Should every citizen get acquainted with one sheikh or minister in order to get treatment abroad? Have our resources dried out to the extent that we are unable to help the needy? We help those who pretend to be sick to go abroad for tourism, is it logical to leave our patients under the mercy of political deals?” he concluded.
Jordanian dies in accident KUWAIT: A 38-year-old Jordanian man died following a collision at the road junction between Khaldiya and Khaifan located under the Third Ring Road bridge, with the 24-yearold Kuwaiti driver of the other vehicle suffering a broken ankle in the accident. The two vehicles collided when the younger driver crossed the red light, leading to the Jordanian man’s car overturning, trapping him inside the vehicle with serious injuries, reported Al-Watan. Although emergency personnel rushed to the scene, they discovered that the Jordanian man had suffered a heart attack, with attempts to revive him in the ambulance en route to Amiri Hospital failing. He was pronounced dead on arrival, with his body being removed for autopsy. The other driver was taken to the same hospital in another ambulance. Traffic patrol officers worked to direct traffic at the accident scene until the two vehicles were removed and a police investigation has been launched into the fatal crash.
CSC to extend bedoons’ contracts at MoE KUWAIT: The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has approved an application by Ministry of Education (MoE) Undersecretary Tamadher AlSdairawi to renew the contracts of seven bedoon (stateless) teachers with the ministry for a further year. The CSC approved the extension of the teachers’ contracts after confirming that they met a number of essential criteria, with all being the children of bedoon servicemen or of Kuwaiti mothers whose bedoon fathers were registered on the 1965 census. They also meet the other criteria of being born in Kuwait, studying at local schools and having no criminal record, reported Al-Qabas. The teachers, who include one maths teacher for a special needs school and others who teach subjects including the English language and Science, are not among those included on a list of nonKuwaiti educational staff recently submitted to the MoE’s administrative department.
KUWAIT: Minister of the Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Nasser Sabah AlAhmad Al-Sabah received at Seif Palace yesterday the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Kuwait Abdu Rafeeq Khashimov. —KUNA
Ahmadi residents still concerned over possibility of new gas leak KUWAIT: Residents of Ahmadi have continued to express concern over the possibility of further explosions due to gas leaks following a recent blast at a home there in which a young girl sustained burns and other injuries. It has also been revealed that two similar incidents took place previously, but were hushed up due to fears of public panic if they became known. The Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), which owns the houses in the area and leases them to employees, has sent letters to all local residents assuring them that it is taking action to repair the gas leak that caused the most recent acci-
dent. The gas supply has been disconnected from a few homes in the area after residents complained of a strong smell of gas, with those tenants being supplied with cylinders of gas for cooking while the repair work is ongoing. Teams of maintenance workers are continuing to search for the leak behind the explosion in the area’s 100-year-old pipeline network, reported Al-Qabas. There are further reports that the leak has also adversely affected local drinking water supplies, with residents being urged to be cautious about using the water until the leak has been successfully located and repaired.
in the news Gruesome search at rubbish tip KUWAIT: A team of specialists yesterday began a search of the rubbish tip around the Sabhan municipal incinerator for the remains of a murder victim whose body was stuffed into a garbage dumpster by her killer. The team, consisting of crime scene investigators and detectives, along with experts from the Ministries of Interior and Public Works, and municipal council staff, is using earthmoving equipment to shift the tons of rubbish dumped at the site, with sniffer dogs being brought in to help locate the body. The area has been divided into four sectors, with the team members performing a thorough search of each before moving onto the next in their gruesome search, reported Al-Watan. The team is expected to face numerous difficulties in its operation, with one problem being the noxious vapors from the methane-filled garbage bags. The killer, who has already pled guilty to raping and murdering his Pakistani expatriate victim, is currently undergoing further questioning. More desalinated water KUWAIT: The amount of desalinated water produced at Kuwait’s desalination facilities is expected to rise from 432 million gallons last year to 609 million gallons by 2012 and 711 million gallons by the following year following the completion of the first two phases of the Sabbiya desalination plant. The plant currently processes 50 million gallons of water per day and is expected to process a further 50 million gallons once the third phase is completed. The increase will be further augment-
ed by the Shuhaiba plant, which is expected to go into service within the next few months. The Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) announced the new statistics in a report released yesterday, reported Al-Watan. The ministry also indicated that the Shuwaikh desalination plant will be providing an additional 30 million gallons of water per day, while the facility in northern Zour should go into service between 2012 and 2013. At present, an estimated 360 million gallons of desalinated water is used every day in Kuwait, with the number of consumers reaching 1.5 million in 2008, the ministry revealed. Call for appointing ex-pensioners KUWAIT: The Secretary of the National Assembly MP Dulaihi Al-Hajri recently urged for employing Kuwaiti ex-pensioners at co-op societies and public shareholding firms. He asserted the importance of utilizing their expertise, “especially since many have been sent into retirement while still remaining productive employees.” AlHajri said that such a step will help the pensioners overcome financial troubles “in order to keep up with increasing life costs, especially since a lot of families already suffer from debts, loans and other financial woes.” He further indicated that retirees could be used to fill in positions that are not of appeal to younger Kuwaitis. They added that the Cabinet should give this issue an opportunity “to give this class of Kuwaiti society a chance to give back to their country.” He noted that their expertise could be helpful if utilized in shareholding companies.
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Monday, February 8, 2010
Kuwait jurist calls for amendments
US, Canadian delegations inspect Kuwaiti hospitals
Media code of ethics needed
KUWAIT: A number of Canadian and US medical teams are currently inspecting several general and specialized hospitals to evaluate the status quo and propose concepts for upgrading technical and administrative work, said the Ministry of Health yesterday. A medical team from the American Jones Hopkins University visited the Amiri Hospital, and its tour will cover Farwaniya, Addan and Jahra hospitals, said ministry’s public relations director Faisal Al-Dosari in a press statement. Al-Dosari also said that the Canadian team visited Hussein Makki Jomaa Medical Center, Badriya Al-Ahmad Physiotherapy Center and Faisal Radiology Medical Center in order to devise a blueprint on upgrading the services of cancer treatment in the fields of tumors, radiology and soothing therapy. He also mentioned that these medical teams held a meeting with the Minister of Health Dr. Hilal Al-Sayer, pointing out that this visit came at the invitation of the ministry following memorandums of understanding (MoUs) recently signed by AlSayer with the University Health Network Hospitals in the Canadian city of Toronto, besides a coordinating act with Jones Hopkins University. —KUNA
KUWAIT: Kuwait’s on-table press and publication, and audio-visual laws need to be revised in a bid to protect the society and individuals from prospective excesses, and even to safeguard the freedom of expression, a jurist opined here yesterday. Speaking on the bills in question, Nahes Al-Enezi, a renowned lawyer and legal advisor, said he had already compiled a legal study on fresh amendments to the press and publication, and audio-visual bills. Such changes are mainly intended to head off looming serious violations against individuals, to protect the country’s superior interests and to safeguard national unity and individual rights, he said.
MP lashes out at insolvency fund proposition KUWAIT: MP Dr Daifullah Buramya recently lashed out at the Cabinet for its refusal to accept citizens’ loan write-off bill. He described it as “lacking in political morality, and having disappointed the public by conceding to banks’ demands.” He spoke about the “claims of protecting national funds,” which the Cabinet cited as reason enough to reject the proposal. The MP criticized them for
choosing these funds over volunteers who helped build homes and hospitals in Iraq. He continued to criticize the insolvency fund, describing it as “a failure, and as still born.” The Minister of Finance, Mustafa Al-Shamali, expressed his willingness to discuss the possibility of lowering the minimum eligibility requirement in order to benefit from the fund. The current minimum rate of eligibility stands at 50 percent of
a debtor’s monthly salary. Meanwhile, the two bills to organize an apex committee for the judiciary will be reviewed by the Parliament in its upcoming session, announced Head of the Legislative Committee at the National Assembly, MP Husain Al-Huraiti. He indicated, at the same time, that the joint committee formed by the NA’s Financial and Legislative Committees had failed to come up with a report on the bills.
Kuwait keen on keeping in line with labor enactments KUWAIT: The agreements signed by Kuwait are binding, and the State is committed to respecting basic labor rights and is keen on keeping in line with labor legislations, said Social Affairs and Labor Undersecretary Mohammad Al-Kandari yesterday. Speaking at the opening of a workshop on how to respond to international reports on agreements and recommendations regarding Kuwait’s accession to the International Labor Organization (ILO), AlKandari said his country’s
membership in the ILO came before its membership in the UN, as it ratified a total of 19 agreements. He also pointed out that Kuwait absorbed more than two million incoming expatriate labor workers, adding that it was namely a market that attracting labor thanks to the stability of labor market, the soaring wages compared with some other countries, the tax-exempted wages and the stringent measures applied against the employers who violated work regulations.
He expressed confidence in the ILO’s ability to cope with future challenges and its continuing success in devising, upgrading and developing the international labor criteria. Meanwhile, Director of the International Labor Section at the Geneva-based ILO, Cleopatra D. Henry, told KUNA that she would take advantage of this event to meet officials and organization and labor union delegates in Kuwait to find out their stances on issues they encountered. —KUNA
KUWAIT: Health Minister Dr Hilal Al-Sayer with members of a visiting American medical delegation yesterday.
Kuwaitization of juridical system ‘not an easy task’ KUWAIT: The process of “Kuwaitizing” the local juridical system is not an easy task, according to a senior court official, who revealed that only 30 of the 500 citizens who apply for judges’ posts annually are selected. After being chosen, they then have to successfully complete a twoyear training period before assuming the positions. The ratio of Kuwaiti citizens among the country’s judges has now reached 60 percent, compared to only 30 percent in 2000, accord-
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ing to the official, who said that an applicant must fulfill certain criteria in order to be considered for such a position. This includes holding a Bachelor’s degree from a reputable university’s Faculty of Law or of Islamic Sharia from a reputable university and being aged over 26, in addition to being able to pass certain training courses. Applicants for such posts are also questioned closely about their academic performance and any business
activities they have been involved in, reported AlQabas. They must also undergo psychological testing to assess their mental soundness and are, of course, expected to have no criminal record. All these criteria, along with a number of others, were introduced in order to ensure that all judges are fully qualified and capable of fulfilling the requirements of their posts, before being entrusted with such important duties, the official explained.
Al-Huraiti further noted that the Cabinet had presented a report on the expected financial cost at the experts’ administration bill. He further urged the Cabinet to reconsider the proposed amendments to these draft laws and reach a consensus on the issue so that they are enforced as soon as possible. The Cabinet was scheduled to discuss the proposed amendments on the audio-visual law in Parliament.
Some TV shows, unfortunately, promote misconceptions and erroneous information, breach moral values and fan out corrupt thoughts that disgracefully run counter to morality, he regretted. However, the jurist emphasized that the said bills should not involve stiff penalties, and that a media code of ethics and a supreme press and media council should be created instead. The council, if put in effect, would surely lead to boosting public awareness, to adopting relevant regulations and bylaws and to formulating a media code of ethics, he believed. He listed media commitments as transparency, respect of multiplicity, right of response and high-quality programs, which, once ensured, would hedge against potential chaos. Dismissing harsh penalties against media figures, AlEnezi said the new trend in criminal policy is to stem the tide of incrimination, not only in the mass media field but in other domains as well.
Penalties should remain within reasonable limits, he said, stressing that judiciary would act as an effective guard to maintain balance between the requirements of public order, and religious and moral values. The protection of freedom is the effective guarantee to avert mass media being used as a means to undermine public order or to blaspheme or mock religion, he argued. Legal provisions that may impede the press and media march in a society that has already shaped its characteristics and is resolved to take the democratic approach ought to be scrapped, the legal advisor urged. The fresh changes in the press and publication, and audio-visual laws target tough penalties, invent fresh images of crimes and impose unreasonably exaggerated fines, he regretted. Therefore, they need to be carefully reconsidered as they, if put in place, would egregiously put the press and media freedom in jeopardy, Al-Enezi remarked.
The existing media laws can play the aspired role only should they be strictly applied to everybody with no exceptions, he said, deeming this as the sole way to preserve national gains without having to muzzle media freedom. The principle of incrimination and punishment in the press area is a key and highly elevated constitutional principle that can protect individuals from control and tyranny, he said. The freedom of opinion and expression is a pivotal pillar in all human rights enshrined in international conventions and charters, and, thence, gaining access to, and sharing, information is a human right and even a touchstone for other rights, he noted. The question of abidance by public principles of human rights in the media freedom field raises three issues; restrictions and exceptions, legal performance criteria and balance between the freedom of opinion and expression and other freedoms and rights, the jurist concluded. —KUNA
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NATIONAL
Monday, February 8, 2010
Julaiah desert camp busted
Five citizens in police net for ‘sex, liquor party’ KUWAIT: Ahmadi police arrested five citizens on charges of drinking alcohol and hiring prostitutes at a camp site in Julaiah. Police made the arrests after responding to complaints by nearby campers. Police interrupted the party and confiscated a large amount of alcohol. The organizers of the party were then taken to the public prosecutor. Drug abuse Mubarak Al-Kabeer police arrested a Kuwaiti man for driving under the influence of drugs and being in possession of an envelope containing heroin. The arrest occurred when the man was pulled over on Sabah Al-Salem street for driving abnormally. He was arrested after his intoxication was discovered. He was taken to the proper authorities. Drug dealers General Department for Drug Control officials arrested two GCC nationals in possession of 25,000 illegal drug pills and an unlicensed weapon. The police made the arrest following a tip they received from Saudi authorities regarding the criminal’s drug trafficking activity. Police set up a trap in Abdaly where one of the dealers unknowingly led authorities to his house in Jahra where the drugs were being kept. They confessed to bringing it from outside of the country.
KUWAIT: Ustad Ishtiaq Bashir singing the songs (top) and a partial view of the audience (above).
Pakistani ghazal singer Ustad Ishtiaq Bashir in Kuwait KUWAIT: Classical music is a special treat to an audience that appreciates it. In the subcontinent, a few families are deeply associated with this art and the ‘Delhi lineage’ is one of them. Ustad Bashir Ahmad Khan, an influential classical singer who belonged to this lineage, passed away in 1997. His son Ustad Ishtiaq Bashir now popularizes this art all over the world. In recognition of his singing abilities, he was awarded the national award by ex-Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. He has also hosted many programs on Pakistani television namely Rung tarrang, Jawan rung, Ahang, Des Des ki Kahani.
He has performed at venues in Hong Kong, Singapore, Bahrain, Muscat, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Bangladesh and many other countries. Currently paying a visit to Kuwait, he showcased a performance at the residence of the Charge d’Affaires of Pakistan Embassy, Sajjad Ahmad Sahar. Prominent families and members of the community were invited to attend the function. The audience thoroughly enjoyed his classical renditions. He mostly specializes in the ghazals of Ahmad Fraz, his favorite poet. Music lovers are eagerly waiting for Ustad Ishtiaq Bashir’s public performance.
Juvenile attacked A juvenile was admitted to Farwaniya Hospital’s intensive care unit with serious stab wounds and several other injuries. The young man sustained his wounds after being attacked by five people with knives as soon as he left his home in Ardiya. He was taken to the hospital by passersby and he told officials he was able to recognize one of his attackers as a person with whom he had a previous dispute. A case was opened and police are in pursuit of the suspect
Fake theft complaint An Asian woman was placed under arrest after investigations revealed that a theft she reported was fake. The woman first went to a Jahra police station where she informed officials that her jewelry was stolen by two of her friends. After being questioned, the two friends denied being responsible for the missing jewelry. Further investigation revealed that the woman trusted another friend of hers, an Asian man, with the jewelry she accused her friends of stealing. When confronted with the new details the woman confessed to fabricating the case and was put under arrest for further investigations. and his accomplices.
at the scene.
Animal attacks janitor After being taken to Farwaniya Hospital from Kabad by a passerby to be treated for several wounds, a Bangladeshi man told officials that he was attacked by a wolf at an animal farm. The man explained that he is a janitor at the farm and that the animal attacked three sheep before attacking him. Special teams were sent to the scene to handle the situation.
Fugitive arrested A fugitive was arrested at the Nuwaiseeb Port while on his way out of the country for being wanted in regards to a previous drug abuse case. He was taken to the nearest police station and referred to the General Department for Drug Control.
Fatal accidents A citizen was killed after suffering injuries, including a skull fracture, when his vehicle overturned on Abdaly road. Paramedics responded to the emergency but were too late to save the man’s life. A case was opened to look into the accident further. Meanwhile, another citizen died in an accident on King Fahad Road when he lost control of his vehicle and flipped over. Criminal investigators took his body to the coroner for an autopsy after paramedics pronounced him dead
Bootlegger held Local police arrested an Asian man found in possession of 43 liquor bottles and 26 bags of homemade alcohol while driving in Farwaniya. He confessed to be on his way to sell the drinks in Jeleeb AlShuyoukh. He was taken to the proper authorities. Unlicensed weapons A citizen was arrested when two unlicensed weapons were found in his possession on Al-Wafra road. Police pulled the man over after becoming suspicious of the way he was driving and spotted a
shotgun in the back seat of his vehicle. A further search of his vehicle revealed an unlicensed pistol in his car as well. He was taken to the General Department for Criminal Investigations. Illegal calls Farwaniya police arrested 10 Asians for operating illegal international phone call centers inside of licensed internet cafés. The tools they used for the operations were found hidden inside the ceiling decorations of these shops. They were referred to the proper authorities. Airport radio hacked Investigations are ongoing in the case of a hijacked radio frequency at the Kuwait International Airport. The individual hacked into the frequency, ‘AIRPORT 1,’ insulted security officials and played music before disconnecting. Authorities were unable to identify the individual before he could disconnect. Criminals arrested In a recent campaign carried out by Farwaniya police, officials busted a brothel run by an Egyptian man in Jeleeb AlShuyoukh. He was arrested along with 10 Asian prostitutes and four Asian men found in the brothel. Authorities also found a place used to make homemade alcohol and arrested three Asians running these operations. During the campaign police arrested six Asians making illegal international calls. The arrested were taken to the proper authorities.
European team to perform operations in Kuwait KUWAIT: A European medical team visiting Kuwait will participate with Kuwaiti doctors in performing 10 complex ear operations in Farwaniya Hospital, said a Health Ministry official yesterday. Head of Farwaniya Hospital’s Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Department, Dr. Mohammad Al-Essa, said that these were the first authorized complex sur-
geries to be performed since the inauguration of the department last year. Al-Essa added that Kuwait was unique in the Gulf region, as it selected doctors with ENT expertise and international knowledge that would help expand health services. The aim of hosting the European team here is to reduce material costs that come with sending Kuwaiti
citizens abroad for treatment, he explained, noting that such surgeries abroad cost thousands of dinars. He also noted that such visiting teams helped teach Kuwaiti doctors how to enhance their methods of treatment. Foreign visits promote healthy relations with global health centers and facilitate the exchange of experiences, he
said. He added that his department performed 315 surgeries since it opened, as well as some 9,000 medical outpatient consultations day and night. Farwaniya Hospital seeks to make available an operating room for ENT surgeries every day, thus increasing capacity for such operations three-fold. — KUNA
Activist against extension for bedoon servicemen KUWAIT: Political activist Sheikha Al-Ghanem warned against extending rights to bedoon servicemen working at the Ministries of Defense or the Interior. She criticized the action and said that “Kuwaitis are more entitled to protect
their country, its safety and stability,” reported Al-Qabas. Al-Ghanem further said that “the army of bedoons” threatens Kuwait’s stability and the security of its people. She claimed that they “lack true loyalty to the country” and that
training bedoon servicemen in the use of advanced defense techniques further increases the threat to the country’s people. “Keeping them in these positions is like planting time bombs that can be triggered at anytime,” she concluded.
Wataniya offers affordable e-mail service for business customers Following WPro products’ successful launch
KUWAIT: Jordanian singer Diana Karazone pictured during her visit to the X-Cite Electronics Avenues showroom over the weekend.
X-Cite Electronics welcomes Diana Karazone KUWAIT: In celebration of Alghanim Industry’s Open Day, X-Cite Electronics invited famous Jordanian singer Diana Karazone to visit the X-Cite Electronics Avenues showroom on Feb 4. Karazone toured the showroom and indulged in the ever-exciting X-Cite shopping experience, expressing her delight at the opportunity to visit and explore X-Cite’s world of electronics. Diana Karazone’s visit is the latest in a series of events held by X-Cite Electronics targeted solely at bringing excitement and unprecedented shopping events to Kuwait. Much like Karazone’s exhilarating experience in the X-Cite showroom, customers have consistently expressed their delight at the range of products and services made available by the electronics superstore. “We were thrilled to welcome Karazone to the X-Cite Avenue’s showroom, as we are all fans of her work,” stated XCite Marketing Manager Hilal Farhat. “We wish to thank Karazone for her visit, and sincerely wish her luck and continued success in the future.”
After launching products under the Wpro umbrella to their business customers, Wataniya Telecom currently taking the lead in introducing further innovative products to enhance their communication; the Nokia Mail for Exchange 1GB data bundle. Wataniya and Nokia announced yesterday a joint deal for business customers which will permit seamless access to their email accounts using Microsoft Exchange Server with Mail for Exchange corporate mobile email application, at a flat data rate. Corporate customers can benefit from a monthly mobile internet subscription from Wataniya at 11 KD per month for unlimited email and Internet access with a fair cap of 1GB; followed by a “pay-as-you-go” regular scheme. Wataniya will also offer Nokia E72, Nokia E75, Nokia N97, and Nokia 6760 together with data package and technical support to enable business customers to have ultimate mobile email and internet experience. Moreover, Wataniya will offer up to 3 months free of data. “Businesses today are looking for an affordable alternative to mobilize their emails. Most busi-
Scott Gegenheimer nesses however are not looking to purchase additional servers, middleware or licenses. With this competitive solution that we are offering, along with the Nokia’s easy email set-up, Wataniya is extending the convenience and productivity benefits of mobile email to an even wider audience,” said Scott Gegenheimer GM & CEO at Wataniya. Corporate customers whose companies are using Microsoft Exchange Server (Outlook email) can set up Nokia Mail for Exchange for free on the Nokia devices without paying for additional integration fees, using the email set-up plug-in on the mobile home screen. Once the application is set up, users get real-time access to their office email, calendar, contacts, tasks and
company directory over a secure connection. “Nokia Mail for Exchange is built on push technology, which ensures that emails are pushed directly to the mobile phone when they arrive at the email server. For many corporations, the costs of mobility are contained as companies are able to utilize their existing Microsoft Exchange infrastructure. By connecting to the Microsoft Exchange Server, the set-up process is drastically simplified by requiring the email account holder to only enter their email address, password, domain and username,” said Iyad Issa, General Manager of Nokia Lower Gulf. Microsoft Exchange Server is the industry’s leading server for e-mail, calendaring and unified messaging. It allows features such as ‘Out of Office’ messaging; synchronization when roaming, and also Flag status for follow-ups. Setting email priorities, alerts for meeting request conflicts, a standalone global address list application to search for a colleague’s contact details quickly, downloading and editing all types of attachments, not just image files, are musthave factors that users will expect from their Nokia mobile email application.
INTERNATIONAL
Monday, February 8, 2010
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Rights group faults Israel’s Gaza war crimes probe Palestinian security forces arrest six al-Qaeda militants RAMALLAH: Israel has failed to show it will conduct an impartial investigation of allegations that it committed war crimes during its Gaza offensive last year, an international human rights group said yesterday. UN investigators
JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, third from left, arrives at the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, yesterday. Netanyahu says his country is open to peace talks with Syria, attempting to soothe a recent war of words between the two old enemies. —AP
Netanyahu: Israel open to peace talks with Syria JERUSALEM: Israel’s prime minister attempted to end a war of words with Syria yesterday, saying his country is open to peace talks with its longtime enemy. Israeli and Syrian officials have traded threats over the past week, raising concerns of an escalation between two countries that have officially been at war for more than 60 years. Israel desires peace agreements with “all of its neighbors,” Netanyahu told his weekly Cabinet meeting. “We did it with Egypt and Jordan, and we want to achieve similar agreements with the Palestinians and the Syrians,” he said. “I hope that we are on the brink of renewing negotiations with the Palestinians, and we are open to renewing the process with the Syrians as well.” Netanyahu’s comments came after an ominous exchange between officials in the two countries. Syrian President Bashar Assad accused Israel of avoiding peace and his foreign minister threatened that Israeli cities would come under attack in a future
war. Israel’s foreign minister responded that Syria would be defeated and Assad and his family would lose power in any future conflict. It has been a quarter-century since Israel and Syria fought directly, but Syria backs anti-Israel forces like the Lebanese guerrilla group Hezbollah and the Palestinian Islamic organization Hamas. Israel’s sworn enemy Iran backs Hamas and Hezbollah. The central point of disagreement between Israel and Syria is the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau that Israel captured in 1967 and later annexed. Syria has demanded a full withdrawal from the Golan as a condition for peace. Netanyahu said Israel would not accept preconditions to negotiations, indicating he would not agree ahead of time to a Golan withdrawal. He also said any agreement would have to guarantee Israel’s security. Indirect talks between Syria and Israel’s previous government ended unsuccessfully in late 2008. —AP
Lebanon recovers crashed Ethiopian jet’s black box BEIRUT: Search teams have retrieved a flight recorder belonging to an Ethiopian Airlines plane that crashed off the coast of Lebanon last month killing all 90 people aboard. Lebanese Transport Minister Ghazi Aridi said yesterday the teams also located the fuselage of the plane, where most of the bodies of the victims are believed trapped. Two bodies were recovered. A security official earlier told Reuters that Lebanese navy commandos had recovered the black boxes which were transported to Beirut’s naval base and handed to the investigating team. Aridi later said the search teams found only one data recorder and they were looking for the second-the voice recorder. “The priority now is searching for the rest of the bodies of victims,” Aridi told Reuters. The Boeing 737-800 plane, carrying mostly Lebanese and Ethiopian passengers, crashed minutes after taking off from Beirut in stormy weather, plunging in a ball of fire into the sea. It was bound for the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. The flight recorders should provide a clearer picture on why the pilot failed to respond to the control tower’s request to change direction even though he acknowledged their commands. The plane had apparently made a sharp turn before disappearing off the radar. Lebanese officials have said it was too early to draw any conclusion of pilot error. Lebanese and international teams, including a US navy ves-
NAAMEH: The black box of the Ethiopian Airlines jet that crashed off the Lebanese coast on Jan. 25, is seen placed in a sea water container shortly after it was pulled out by Lebanese marine commandos, in Naameh, Lebanon, yesterday. — AP sel, have been searching the Mediterranean along the southern Beirut coast for bodies and wreckage. They have managed to retrieve the plane’s rear wings and the cockpit in the last 24 hours. Aridi said the fuselage of the plane was also located. A security source said sever-
al bodies had been located and two recovered, bringing to 17 the number of victims found since the crash. Stormy weather has hampered their search several times in the last two weeks. The eight-year-old plane last had a maintenance check on Dec. 25 and no technical problems were found. — Reuters
Israel army arrests two foreign activists in WB JERUSALEM: Israel’s military arrested two foreign activists in a pre-dawn raid in the occupied West Bank yesterday that a pro-Palestinian group said was aimed at intimidating protesters. The arrests follow a similar raid last month in which a Czech activist was detained and deported, and come amid heightened efforts to curtail Palestinian protests in the West Bank that are supported by foreigners and Israelis. The Israeli military said the two were arrested for “staying in Israel illegally” and transferred to the custody of the interior ministry. “One of them was holding fake documents and the other’s visa had expired,” a military spokesman said, without providing further details. “Both of them were known to be involved in illegal violence,” he added, referring to their participation in West Bank demonstrations.
Neta Golan, an Israeli co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), admitted the two had overstayed their tourist visas but insisted their arrest was aimed at curbing protests against Israeli policies. “They are being targeted because they are activists, but because they haven’t broken any law the excuse for getting rid of them is that they have overstayed their visas,” Golan told AFP. The raid took place in the so-called Area A, a part of the West Bank under the complete control of the Western-backed Palestinian Authority but where Israel reserves the right to operate for security reasons. Soldiers raided the apartment in the town of Ramallah at around 3:00 am (0100 GMT) and arrested the two activists, Ariadna Jove Marti of Spain and Bridgette Chappell of Australia, according to the ISM. — AFP
However, the New Yorkbased Human Rights Watch rejected that argument, saying internal inquiries by Israel’s military have largely focused on possible wrongdoing by individual soldiers without looking into high-level decisions that led to large numbers of civilian casualties, such as artillery fire into populated areas. Israeli investigators missed an important piece of evidence in one of the most contested incidents of the war, in which Gaza’s only flour mill was severely damaged by Israeli fire, said Human Rights Watch, which discussed the ongoing investigations with Israeli military lawyers last week. “Israel claims it is conducting credible and impartial investigations, but it has so far failed to make that case,” said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director for Human Rights Watch. “An independent investigation is crucial to understand why so many civilians died and to bring justice for the victims of unlawful attacks.” Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor dismissed the group’s findings, saying that the military is investigating “in full transparency everything that needs to be investigated.” Israeli human rights groups have also called for an independent probe. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has so far given no indication that he plans to authorize such an investigation. A team of UN investigators, headed by veteran war crimes prosecutor Richard Goldstone, said last year that it found evidence that both sides violated the laws of war. The team said Israel used disproportionate force and deliberately targeted civilians, while Hamas indiscriminately fired rockets at Israeli civilians. Both sides have denied the accusations. Israel launched the threeweek campaign after Gaza militants barraged southern Israel with thousands of rockets since 2002. About 1,400 Gazans, among them hundreds of civilians, were killed in the fighting, along with 13 Israelis. Yesterday, Gaza militants fired a rocket that landed in an open field near the Israeli border town of Sderot, causing no damage or injuries, the military said. Last November, the UN General Assembly ordered Israel and Hamas to launch credible investigations or face possible Security Council action. Israel and Hamas submitted reports about their efforts last week, but UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he could not determine whether the investigations were credible. It’s unclear what the UN’s next move will be. Human Rights Watch said it was still reviewing the Hamas response, but rejected the militant group’s assertion that it didn’t intend to harm Israeli civilians. Hamas fired hundreds of rockets toward Israeli towns and cities during the fighting, killing three Israeli civilians. Israel has said it has conducted more than 140 inquiries connected to the war, including 36 criminal investigations. One resulted in a conviction, a relatively minor case of a soldier stealing a credit card and charging $400 on it. Twenty-nine cases remain open, the military has said. Two high-ranking officers were reprimanded for approving the firing of artillery shells toward a UN compound. The Goldstone report alleged that Israel bombed Gaza’s only flour mill from the air as part of a deliberate attempt to damage the civilian infrastructure in Gaza. Israel said the mill was struck inadvertently by a tank shell during fighting with Hamas militants. Human Rights Watch said UN mine defusing experts visited the mill two days after the strike and found the front half of a 500pound (220-kilogram) aircraft bomb on the upper floor. Human Rights Watch also released a video, taken by the mill’s owner, and said it appears to show the remains of an aerial bomb. Also yesterday, Palestinian security officials in the West Bank said they arrested six alleged Islamic militants inspired by al-Qaeda and who hoped to carry out an attack and win acceptance from the terror network. The suspects stored weapons and assembled homemade explosives, but had not yet selected a target, a senior investigator said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the case. The official said the six are current or former students at the American University in the West Bank town of Jenin, and had no direct ties to al-Qaeda.—AP
leveled the war crimes allegations against Israel in an official report submitted last year. In its response last week, the Jewish state told the UN its current system of internal military probes with legal oversight is sufficient.
BAGHDAD: Iraqi lawmaker Safiya Al-Suhail speaks to the press following an Iraqi Parliament session, in Baghdad, yesterday. Hundreds of protesters denounced Iraqis still loyal to Saddam Hussein’s Baath Party on Sunday as tensions soared over the decision to blacklist suspected Baathists from next month’s election. — AP
Protests in Iraq ahead of parliament session BAGHDAD: Hundreds of protesters gathered yesterday in Baghdad and the southern city of Basra to denounce Iraqis still loyal to Saddam Hussein’s Baath Party. The protests come amid soaring tensions over hundreds of candidates who have been banned from running in March 7 parliamentary elections because of their suspected ties to Saddam’s regime. Protesters carried signs that said, “No, No to Baath Party!” and “The return of the Baath Party (is) a return to mass graves.” Shiite officials, including Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and his political allies, are trying to purge all high-level posts of Iraqis with ties to Saddam’s Baath party, which was outlawed in Iraq in 2003. Parliament was scheduled to hold an emergency meeting on the ban later yester-
day. The ban is widely seen as targeting Sunnis, even though Shiites also are on the blacklist. Some Sunni leaders have threatened to boycott the election if the purge stands. That, in turn, risks throwing the election into chaos and would raise questions about its credibility. Meanwhile, a woman planning to stand in Iraq’s March 7 general election was gunned down yesterday in the restive northern city of Mosul, police said, just days before campaigning is officially due to start. Suha Abdul Jarallah, a candidate on the list of pro-Western former prime minister Iyad Allawi, was shot dead as she left a house in the Ras al-Jadda neighbourhood in central Mosul, 350 kilometres (218 miles) north of Baghdad.
“She was getting out of a relatives’ home when she was shot dead by an unidentified gunman who then fled in a car carrying two other men,” the officer said. It was not immediately clear if the killing was politically motivated. Campaigning for the delayed election, the second parliamentary vote since the USled ouster of dictator Saddam Hussein, is set to begin on February 12. The past week has been dominated by a row over a judicial panel’s decision to allow around 500 candidates accused of having links to Saddam’s outlawed Baath party to stand after all, having previously been banned from the ballot. Iraqi MPs plan to meet today to debate the matter after Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, who branded the ruling “illegal,” recalled parliament.—Agencies
INTERNATIONAL
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Monday, February 8, 2010
Kidnappers free Red Cross worker held in Darfur KHARTOUM: French Red Cross worker Laurent Maurice arrived in Khartoum hours after being freed following 89 days in captivity, first in Chad and then in Sudan’s volatile Darfur region. A smiling Maurice, wearing sandals and sporting a thick black beard, underwent medical tests at the AlAmal Al-Watani military hospital after being flown into the capital. “Having spent three months in captivity, I now feel the need for freedom, and to see my friends, my family and my colleagues,” the 37-yearold agronomist told AFP. He stressed he was not beaten or threatened by his kidnappers-a shadowy group calling itself the Falcons
for the Liberation of Africa. Maurice had been seized by armed men on November 9, 2009 in eastern Chad, where he was assessing the harvest, just 10 kilometres (six miles) from the Sudanese border. The group then took him to Darfur, the scene since 2003 of a brutal war and wave of kidnappings of foreigners in the past year. “I was alone during the day and at night they had me come to the campfire to eat. We were always outside in the middle of the bush,” said Maurice. He said it was quickly clear to him that his the kidnappers didn’t intend to harm him and that the worst were the psychological aspects of being a hostage, made more difficult by his
kidnappers not speaking French. In order the pass the time Maurice said he played cards and thought of family and friends. “I thought about being freed and what would happen afterwards, hope springs eternal as they say,” he said. On Saturday his kidnappers said they freed Maurice because of France’s “positive role” in repairing ties between Chad and Sudan. “We have indeed released Laurent Maurice. We did not act for money but because we wanted France to change its policies in the region,” Abu Mohammed al-Rizeigi, spokesman for the group, told AFP by telephone. “We appreciate the positive role that France has played in the latest
negotiations between Chad and Sudan,” Rizeigi said. Sudan and Chad, which have traded accusations of supporting rebel groups in each other’s countries, are in the process of setting up a joint peace force along their border. The International Committee of the Red Cross announced earlier in the day that the Frenchman had been released and that no ransom was paid. Maurice “regained his freedom today... after 89 days in captivity, he is tired but appears to be in good health,” the ICRC said, adding fellow staff member Gauthier Lefevre, kidnapped in Darfur, was still being held. “ICRC policy is to never pay a ransom,” a spokesman said.
Sudan’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Abdel Baqi Gilani echoed these remarks and told AFP: “No ransom was paid. Sudan, however, gave logistic help by providing vehicles and fuel during the mediation.” The ICRC declined to give details about Maurice’s release in order not to jeopardise negotiations for the release of Lefevre, who was kidnapped in October in West Darfur. France welcomed the release with President Nicolas Sarkozy calling for the quick release of all other French aid workers still being held in Africaremarks echoed by his Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner. “Targeting non-governmental organisations and their staff-to whom
I pay tribute-is unacceptable,” Kouchner added in a statement. The Falcons group has also claimed the kidnapping of two other French aid workers, who Rizeigi said are “still with us.” The ICRC said it “remains very concerned about Mr Lefevre and continues to press for his unconditional release.” Jordi Raich, the head of the ICRC’s delegation in Sudan, did not say under what circumstances Maurice had been freed. “The ICRC is relieved that Laurent is now free, and happy that he will soon be back with his family and friends,” he said. “We would like to express our
profound gratitude to all those who helped us in one way or another during his captivity.” The abductions had led to the suspension of some aid work in remote rural areas of eastern Chad and west Sudan, he added. A total of four French aid workers, including the two ICRC staff, have been abducted since October in a string of attacks in an area straddling eastern Chad, Sudan’s Darfur and the Central African Republic. The pattern of incidents, along with carjackings and other security problems blamed on a mix of banditry and political demands, has alarmed the international aid community in the region. —AFP
Faith of some Orange voters hasn’t been shaken
Ukrainians face choice between East and West KIEV: Ukrainians were making the difficult choice yesterday between two presidential candidates deeply divided over the former Soviet republic’s fiveyear drive to build a Western-style society. Many expected a close and disputed vote that could spawn street protests and a court battle. Prime Minister
Yulia Tymoshenko, who became an international figure during the 2004 proWestern Orange Revolution, would almost certainly continue her country’s faltering efforts to join Europe. She also wants to help shape a Ukrainian national identity independent of Russian history, language and culture. Some pro-Western Ukrainians fear opposition leader Viktor Yanukovych could bring a retreat from Western democratic reforms, and the muzzling of media and opposition parties. The candidates are most divided over domestic policy. Yanukovych and Tymoshenko are both likely to restore closer economic and security ties with Moscow, which is trying to revive its influence among former Soviet client states. The candidates have traded charges of vote manipulation. Both vowed to rally thousands of supporters after the vote if they suspect their opponent of trying to steal the victory. Both are also expected to file court challenges if they lose the official count. Opinion polls have been banned in the run-up to the vote but analysts predicted a tight race. If the protests are prolonged or violent, the unrest could further aggravate Ukraine’s political and economic troubles. The former Soviet republic has suffered from years of a deeply divided and paralyzed government, and is reeling under the blows of one of the world’s worst economic crises. As the vote progressed Sunday, the candidates traded sensational and sometimes dubiDNIPROPETROVSK: Ukrainian women leave the booths at a polling station during presidential election in ous charges of intimidation and Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, yesterday. Ukrainians voted yesterday in a runoff election between two bitterly fraud. Tymoshenko’s campaign opposed presidential candidates, a vote that some observers predict could be settled in the courts. —AP manager charged her rival’s supporters with killing a member of her staff in the early hours of election day, but police and an independent election monitoring group said the man died of heart ROME: US Defense reporters in Turkey that UN sanctions to be slapped puted nuclear program since failure. Secretary Robert Gates said Iran’s nuclear ambitions on Iran over its disputed it can be used to make The faith of some Orange votyesterday it was time for the were extremely dangerous nuclear program. But with nuclear weapons. Iran mainers hasn’t been shaken, despite international community to and threaten all of Europe. Russia, and especially China, tains its program is for years of wrangling by Orange rally together to put signifi- “If the international commu- skeptical of any new UN peaceful purposes. Iran and leaders that helped derail cant pressure on Iran to nity will stand together and penalties, they have to tread the West have been dispromised reforms. abandon its nuclear program bring pressure to bear on the carefully to maintain unity on cussing a UN plan under “I am voting against the which Iran would export its government, I how to deal with Tehran. and expressed optimism that, Iranian return of our Soviet past,” 40In a move likely to deepen low-enriched uranium for given time, tougher sanc- believe there is still time for year-old businessman Vladimir sanctions and (diplomatic) skepticism in the West, enrichment abroad. tions would work. Khivrenko said at a polling staSpeaking to a reporter on Sitting next to Italian pressure to work,” he told Iran’s president Mahmoud tion near the Maidan, the central yesterday the sidelines of a conference Defense Minister Ignazio La the Italian and US press fol- Ahmadinejad square in Kiev where vast Russa, Gates made his sec- lowing his meeting with La ordered his country’s atomic of the world’s top defense crowds rallied for weeks in late agency to begin producing officials in Munich, German ond public rebuff in as many Russa. 2004. “Tymoshenko has Defense Minister Karl“But we must all work higher enriched uranium. days to the Tehran governpromised us a new path to The production of Theodor zu Guttenberg The ment’s assertion that its together,” he said. Europe, and I believe her,” he nuclear program was intend- United States and its enriched uranium is the expressed the frustration of said. ed for peaceful purposes. A Western allies have been international community’s dealing with Ahmadinejad But Yanukovych’s loyalists day earlier, Gates had told pushing for a fourth round of main concern over Iran’s dis- and the government of Iran. are not impressed with the “Today’s statement Orange movement’s tenure. shows that farce is being “I want stability and order,” played out just like we have said 60-year old retiree Tatyana seen in the past, that the outVolodaschuk. “Yanukovych stretched hand of the interoffers us the guarantee of a nornational community has not mal life.” Many independent votonly not been taken but ers say they are weary of five pushed back,” Guttenberg years of tumultuous rule by the said. Gates said that “no one blond-braided politician and her has tried more sincerely” to Orange ally, President Viktor reach out to the Iranian govYuschenko, and by the unfulfilled ernment than President promises of the peaceful street Barack Obama and that the protests of 2004. international community has If Yanukovych wins, it will be given Tehran “multiple an impressive reversal of foropportunities” to assure the tune. His Kremlin-backed elecWest that its intentions were tion as president five years ago peaceful. triggered the mass Orange Gates was reluctant to demonstrations, and his win was discuss what specific sancthrown out on grounds of mastions he thinks might be sive election fraud. Yanukovych most effective, other than to polled 10 percentage points say they should be focused ahead of Tymoshenko in on the regime in Tehran and January’s first round of the curnot target the local popularent elections. Tymoshenko cast tion. her ballot Sunday in the industriHe also declined to critial center of Dnipropetrovsk in cize Russia and China for eastern Ukraine. “I voted for a their reluctance on sancnew Ukraine — a beautiful and tions. European Ukraine — and for “Rather than single any ROME: Italian Defence Minister Ignazio La Russa (R) and US Secretary of country out, I’ll just say that people to live happily. I will serve Defense Robert Gates (C), flanked by a guard of honour, attend a ceremony at the I think all of us could do Ukraine with all my heart,” she Unknown Soldier’s monument at Piazza Venezia in central Rome yesterday. more” to pressure Iran, said, standing next to her husband. —AP Gates said. —AP Robert Gates is on a working visit to Italy. —AFP
Gates says it’s not too late for Iran sanctions
JOHANNESBURG: Traders display tee-shirts wearing portraits of Nelson Mandela in a shopping mall on February 5, 2010 in Johannesburg. South Africa will mark on February 11, 2010 the 20th anniversary of Mandela’s release from jail, where he spent 27 yeras under white-minority apartheid rule. —AFP
Incumbent governor declared winner in flawed Nigeria poll AWKA: The incumbent governor of Nigeria’s southeastern Anambra state was yesterday declared the winner of an election which voters and candidates said had been marred by widespread irregularities. The polls on Saturday in one of Nigeria’s most politically turbulent states are the first in a cycle of state and federal votes culminating in presidential elections due in April 2011. Diplomats and investors hope Africa’s most populous nation can avoid a repeat of the chaos seen during the 2007 elections which brought President Umaru Yar’Adua to power, polls marred by widespread ballot-stuffing and voter intimidation. But the signs from Anambra were not promising. Voters complained their names were not on electoral rolls, while the main candidates-including even the winner- complained of irregularities. “Peter Obi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), having satisfied all requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner,” chief electoral officer Josiah Uwazuronye announced at the INEC electoral commission headquarters in the state capital Awka. Obi won 97,843 votes, beating ex-state governor Chris Ngige of the opposition Action Congress party with 60,240 votes. Former central bank governor Chukwuma Soludo of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) took 59,355 votes while ex-state governor Andy Uba of the Labour party polled 26,106 votes. But voter turnout was extremely low, according to INEC figures. Just 301,232 of 1.84 million registered voters took part, a figure partly explained by so many names being missed off the electoral register. Even Obi initially refused to vote, saying his own relatives were missing from the electoral list and that similar problems were being encountered across the state, but he later returned to the polling station to take part. Checkpoints jointly manned by police and sol-
ANAMBRA: The incumbent governorelect of Anambra State Peter Obi speaks on the result of gobernatorial election held in the state yesterday. —AFP diers were withdrawn from the streets on Sunday and the state capital Awka and commercial hub Onitsha were calm, with many people in church, apparently relieved that there had been no unrest. “It is to the great credit of the people here that the election was run peacefully yesterday. However, our visits to polling stations at a number of locations suggest that there were irregularities,” British Deputy High Commissioner Richard Powell told Reuters. “At some stations there was late arrival of materials, some of the (electoral) registers appeared to be incomplete. I would say a lot of work would need to be done if next year’s election were to run smoothly and I hope that the Nigerian authorities would address this as a matter of urgency,” he said. —Reuters
NATO chief seeks broader ties with China, India, Russia MUNICH: The head of NATO said yesterday its troubles in Afghanistan showed it was vital to boost ties with nations like China, India and Pakistan and transform the alliance into a global security hub. Drawing from flaws exposed in Afghanistan, where NATO is struggling to hold off a Taliban and Al-Qaeda insurgency, Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the military alliance should become a forum for consultation on major hot spots. “This is a key lesson we are learning in Afghanistan today ... we need an entirely new compact between all the actors on the security stage,” he said at a major security conference in Munich, southern Germany. “India has a stake in Afghan stability. China too. And both could help further develop and rebuild Afghanistan. The same goes for Russia. Basically, Russia shares our security concerns,” he said. NATO and its partners have more than 110,000 troops in Afghanistan, but they have been
unable to put down the insurgency more than eight years after a US-led coalition ousted the Taliban from power. Under a recent switch of strategy, almost 40,000 extra troops are streaming into the conflicttorn country, aiming to protect civilians and win their support, rather than hunt down fighters, many re-supplied from Pakistan. Following last month’s conference in London, the strategy also involves a “surge” of civilian experts, backed by redoubled efforts from major donors, financial institutions and bodies like the United Nations and European Union. “We cannot meet today’s security requirements effectively without engaging much more actively and systematically with other important players on the international scene,” Rasmussen said. “The alliance should become the hub of a network of security partnerships and a centre for consultation on international security issues-even issues on which the
alliance might never take action,” he went on. “What would be the harm if countries such as China, India, Pakistan and others were to develop closer ties with NATO? I think, in fact, there would only be a benefit, in terms of trust, confidence and cooperation.” Rasmussen underlined that he did not seek to replace the work of the United Nations, and his stance was backed by German Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg. “We don’t want to enter into any competition with the United Nations,” the minister said. “We don’t want to turn NATO into a global security agency.” The alliance’s top military officer, US Admiral James Stavridis added: “NATO is not a global actor, but an actor in a global world. There’s a huge difference.” Rasmussen said he envisaged a forum in which NATO and its partners world-wide could air views and concerns, and exchange best practice. —AFP
INTERNATIONAL
Moday, February 8, 2010
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Landrieu beat out 10 other candidates in the quest to replace Nagin
New Orleans elects first white mayor in 32 years NEW ORLEANS: New Orleans elected its first white mayor in 32 years Saturday, ushering in hopes of a new era in a city still trying to rebuild five years after Hurricane Katrina. Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu was elected to replace outgoing Mayor Ray Nagin, an African-American who led
WASHINGTON: People walk on K Street’s side road after a snowstorm yesterday in Washington, DC. The DC area has begun to clean up after its second major winter storm of the season, which left over 24 inches of snow in some areas. —AFP
Mid-Atlantic plows but digs out of epic blizzard WASHINGTON: The flakes had stopped falling, but residents of the US capital and nearby states were faced yesterday with the prospect of digging out of more than two feet (60 centimeters) of snow in some areas. Roads reopened but officials continued to warn residents that highways could be icy and treacherous. Hundreds of thousands of people from Pennsylvania to New Jersey to Virginia were without power, left in the cold and possibly without a way to watch the Super Bowl. Philadelphia, the sixth-largest US city, was virtually shut down with a record of nearly 28.5 inches (72 centimeters). The heavy, wet snow snapped tree limbs onto power lines and several roofs collapsed under the weight. Still, most tried to make the best of the situation. “I think it’s fun,” said 10-year-old Jayla Burgess in Arlington, Virginia. “The best part is throwing snowballs at my Dad.” She wasn’t the only one hurling the white stuff. Hundreds crowded Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C., for a snowball fight organized online. Skiers lapped the Reflecting Pool along the National Mall and others used the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for a slope. Washington took on a surreal, almost magical feel even though it was one of the worst blizzards in the city’s history. Almost 18 inches (46 centimeters), the fourth-highest storm total for the city, was recorded at Reagan National Airport, which is still closed. At nearby Dulles International Airport, the record was shattered with 32 inches (81 centimeters). Flights have resumed at Dulles, but operations at the airport were severely limited. “Right now it’s like the Epcot Center version of Washington,” said Mary Lord, 56, a D.C. resident for some 30 years who had skied around the city. President Barack Obama called it “Snowmageddon.” Even his motorcade — which featured SUVs instead of limousines — fell victim to the storm as a tree limb crashed onto a vehicle carrying press. No one was injured. At the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, sol-
diers’ names were buried 16 rows deep, while higher up snow had settled into the letters so they stood out against the black background. The wreaths of the World War II Memorial looked like giant white-frosted doughnuts. The big attraction at the Lincoln Memorial was not the nation’s 16th president, but rather a snowman with eyes of copper pennies bearing Lincoln’s likeness. A group of four sophomores from George Washington University took pictures nearby. “I’m from California. This is my first snow ever,” said Megan McDonough, 19. “My parents called and asked if I had enough food.” The snow fell too quickly for crews to keep up, and officials begged residents to stay home. The hope was everyone could return to work on Monday. The usually traffic-snarled roads were mostly barren, save for some snow plows, fire trucks, ambulances and a few SUVs. The Capital Beltway, always filled with cars, was empty at times. Carolyn Matuska loved the quiet during her morning run along Washington’s National Mall. “Oh, it’s spectacular out,” she said. “It’s so beautiful. The temperature’s perfect, it’s quiet, there’s nobody out, it’s a beautiful day.” The ugly side of the snow led to thousands of wrecks. Still, only two people had died — a father-and-son team who were killed trying to help someone stuck on a highway in Virginia. The snow comes less than two months after a Dec. 19 storm dumped more than 16 inches (40 centimeters) on Washington. According to the National Weather Service, Washington has received more than a foot (30 centimeters) of snow only 13 times since 1870. The heaviest on record was 28 inches (70 centimeters) in January 1922. The biggest snowfall for the Washington-Baltimore area is believed to have been in 1772, before official records were kept, when as much as 3 feet (almost a meter) fell, which George Washington and Thomas Jefferson penned in their diaries. —AP
CARTAGO: Laura Chinchilla, presidential candidate for the National Liberation party, greets supporters as she campaigns in Cartago, Costa Rica, Saturday. Costa Rica held presidential, congressional and municipal elections yesterday. —AP
Costa Rica votes to elect first woman president SAN JOSE: Costa Ricans appear likely to elect their first woman president yesterday as Central America’s most politically and economically stable country chooses between a career politician from the ruling party and an anti-taxation Libertarian. Pre-election polls gave a nearly 20-point lead to Laura Chinchilla, who served as vice president under current President Oscar Arias, a Nobel Peace Prize winner and free-market enthusiast. A scattering of voters turned out to cast earlymorning ballots in a contest that was expected to produce few surprises, but could produce Latin America’s fifth woman president. Otto Guevara, of the Libertarian Movement Party, emerged as Chinchilla’s biggest challenger. He promised to lower taxes, dismantle monopolies and adopt
the US dollar as the country’s currency. Otton Solis, who barely lost the presidential election to Arias in 2006, came in third in the opinion polls. yesterday’s winner needs at least 40 percent of the vote to avoid an April run-off. If victorious, Chinchilla has pledged to continue Arias’ moderate free-market policies that brought Costa Rica into the Central American Free Trade Agreement with the United States and initiated trade relations with China after a 63-year association with Taiwan. But critics of the government say Arias catered to big developers to boost the economy at the cost of the nation’s fragile ecosystems. Both Solis and Guevara portrayed Arias’ centrist National Liberation Party as stagnant and ridden with oldschool Latin American crony-
ism. It was unclear whether the National Liberation Party had the strength to win a legislative majority in yesterday’s voting. But most Costa Ricans appeared reluctant to shake up the status quo in a country with relatively high salaries, the longest life expectancy in Latin America, a thriving ecotourism industry and nearuniversal literacy. Chinchilla, a 50-year-old mother and a social conservative who opposes abortion and gay marriage, appealed both to Costa Ricans seeking a fresh face in politics and those reluctant to risk the unknown. If Chinchilla wins, she would follow an increasingly common trend in many Latin American countries: Nicaragua, Panama, Chile and Argentina have all elected women as presidents. —AP
Landrieu, a Democrat, becomes the city’s first white mayor since his father “Moon” Landrieu left the office in 1978. The city is 61 percent black. Landrieu lost an earlier bid to unseat Nagin in 2006. Nagin could not run for re-election because of the term limits. With 68 percent of the vote counted, Landrieu led with a commanding 64 percent of the vote. “To all my opponents, I understand how it feels to lose. It happened to me twice before,” Landrieu said. Important rival, millionaire businessman John Georges, had conceded defeat when he was running in third place less than an hour after the polls closed. Landrieu beat out 10 other candidates in the quest to replace Nagin, the muchmaligned city leader during the killer storm of August 29, 2005 who has also governed during the often-spotty recovery. “I wasn’t extremely happy with any of the candidates, but at least the change will be good. I love it here. There’s no place like it,” said Kellen Smith, 27, a voter who moved to New Orleans from Atlanta three years ago. She was adorned with strings of Carnival beads being thrown from floats on the day the Big Easy also officially ushered in the start of the parade season ahead of Mardi Gras on February 16. Thomas Overton, 32, stood on a nearby street corner waving a campaign sign toward voters and revelers alike as the floats went by. “This is my first New Orleans election and my first Carnival parade,” said Overton, a native of the midwestern city of St. Louis. “It’s the luck of the draw that I got this corner.” Overton said he moved here for a construction job several years after Katrina flooded most of the city, killing nearly 1,000 people. The city’s population is estimated at 335,000, or 80 percent of pre-Katrina levels. But tens of thousands of New Orleanians have not returned permanently since the storm. A local named Ralph Ampey propped up a giant red sign for a city council candidate, as masked float riders showered cheering crowds with beads, doubloons and toys. “Everybody feels like they have to have hope,” Ampey said of the election. “Whatever they lost in the storm-homes, furniture, property-they hope they can get again.” The new mayor must manage billions of dollars in tardy federal reconstruction aid and a balanced, but depleted, city treasury. Moreover, city hall and the police department are rife with scandals. Violent crime remains high, and according to the state treasurer is keeping potential investors away from the stillrebuilding city. On Saturday, however, voters spoke hopefully about the city’s future as they divided time between Carnival parades and polling places. At least one polling site faced the Pontchartrain parade route near the historic St. Charles Avenue streetcar line in Uptown New Orleans. Voters wearing Carnival beads came and went. Many cast ballots at computerized machines, bought food, drinks and outside-beer-to benefit school activities, then returned to watch the passing parade. “Food, beer and voting-all in one place-and bathrooms,” said Paul Gregory, a computer consultant and native of the city. “Hopefully, no one will be voting drunk.” “The city has nowhere to go but up,” Chris Dougherty said. Local voting official Joe Broussard said the parades had started at noon, six hours after the polls opened. “We haven’t had any complaints from voters-not yet,” Broussard said. —AFP
the city during the hurricane, but saw his popularity plunge over the slow pace of reconstruction. “The people of New Orleans did a very extraordinary thing... striking a blow for unity,” Landrieu said after his nearest rival businessman Troy Henry conceded defeat.
NEW ORLEANS: Lt. Governor of Louisiana, Mitch Landrieu visits with voters in the Lakeview area in New Orleans, Louisiana. Landrieu, a New Orleans mayoral candidate ran for Mayor in 2006 and lost to the current mayor of New Orleans, Ray Nagin. —AFP
Planes collide in Colorado, three dead BOULDER: An airplane towing a glider and another plane collided in Colorado, sending the two planes crashing into the ground and killing at least three people Saturday, authorities said. One of the aircraft clipped the towline of the plane that was pulling the glider, Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Laura Brown said. The glider apparently disconnected and landed safely a short time later, accord-
ing to the FAA. An amateur video shot at the scene showed a plane tumbling to the ground trailing thick, black smoke and a parachute. One witness, Christian Sterner, said he saw two big balls of flames, including one attached to a parachute that then fell slowly to the ground. Other witnesses reported smoldering wreckage in at least three areas on the prairie
north of Boulder, which sits at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Aquina Rogers, a worker at a storage facility in the area, said she could see a wing in one of the wreckage fields. The three dead came from both of the planes that crashed, Boulder County sheriff’s office spokesman Rick Brough said. Authorities we’re trying to confirm how many people were flying in each of the planes. —AP
INTERNATIONAL
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Monday, February 8, 2010
Australia marks anniversary of deadly firestorm MELBOURNE: Australians marked the first anniversary of devastating wildfires which killed 173 people with a national day of mourning yesterday, grieving those who lost their lives and praying for the survivors. The “Black Saturday” bushfires, Australia’s worst natural disaster, wiped out entire towns and communities and destroyed more than 2,000 homes as they swept through 78 communities in the southeastern state of Victoria in 2009. “One year ago our lives changed forever,” one woman, who lost her son and her home in the inferno, told a memorial service in Melbourne. “On that day we lost our past, our present and our future. “To all of those who have lost your homes, your businesses, your pets, your memories, we feel your pain. To all those
who grieve for family, friends and neighbours, you share my pain,” she said. As flags across Australia flew at halfmast, one minute’s silence was observed at the memorial service at Melbourne’s St Paul’s Cathedral attended by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. “February 7 will be forever etched in the nation’s memory as a day of mourning but also one of tremendous spirit and inspiration,” he said. “Our thoughts today are with the survivors of the bushfires as they remember the people they lost and work to rebuild their lives and towns. Their quiet courage has inspired a nation.” In the worst affected towns of Marysville, Kinglake and Strahewan, smaller services and events were to be held to remember those lost in the horrific firestorms of February 7, 2009. Kinglake West Uniting Church minis-
ter Mark Prowse said that 12 months on, the community was still grieving. “People are telling me today they are still hurting, they are still grieving, they are getting through it,” he told reporters. “Emotionally and physically they are tired. There’s time when they feel they have no hope. They wonder what’s going on.” Officials warned that the memorials would be traumatic for many people. “Don’t underestimate how significant this will be emotionally, not just to those directly affected, but to the millions of Victorians and Australians who shared their tears and who grieved last year,” Victorian Premier John Brumby said. The Black Saturday fires prompted an examination of Australia’s bushfire safety measures, including the stay-and-defend policy which allowed residents to remain in their homes during wildfires if they
were properly prepared. Christine Nixon, who heads the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority, said the fires had left “an indelible scar” not only on those directly affected, but on Australians and the world. “Over the past year there have been many tears,” she said. “We’ve all seen and heard things that we would hope never to see again.” Nixon praised the efforts of the communities in rebuilding their towns. “Last week I spoke to one local in an area that had been decimated by fire and he told me of attending 17 funerals in a row,” she told the Melbourne memorial. “Yet he spoke of being lucky. Lucky to be alive, lucky to be involved in the building of the wonderful town that he had always loved.” — AFP
Top Chinese official holds talks in N Korea Sanctions-hit N Korea under increasing pressure to return to stalled negotiations
PYONGYANG: In this handout released by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency yesterday Wang Jiarui (L), Chinese Communist Party’s international department chief, talks as he walks with his North Korean counterpart Kim Yong-Il (R) upon his arrival at Pyongyang airport. Senior Chinese Communist Party official Wang Jiarui was in Pyongyang, North Korean media said, as the North comes under growing pressure to return to nuclear disarmament talks. — AFP
US not in direct contact with Taleban: Holbrooke MUNICH: Washington is not in “direct contact” with the Taleban as part of efforts after January’s London conference on Afghanistan to re-integrate insurgents, US envoy Richard Holbrooke said yesterday. “The press, since London, has been kind of obsessed with the idea that there are all sorts of secret talks going on with the Taleban. So I want to state very clearly that our nation is not involved in any direct contacts with the Taleban,” Holbrooke said at an international security conference in
Germany. The United States and its allies agreed at the London conference to support Afghan President Hamid Karzai in his attempts to persuade insurgents to abandon fighting with the propsect of jobs. “Every Pashtun family in the south either has relatives or friends who are fighting with, or associate with the Taleban. That’s just a matter of fact, that’s just the situation,” Holbrooke said at the conference in Munich.
“The majority of people fighting with the Taleban are not ideologically committed either to al-Qaeda or Mullah Omah, and that is what the integration programme is all about.” He added: “The number one issue is that anyone who wants to reconcile, reintegrate or anything has to sever any ties, any involvement with al-Qaeda. For the majority of the people fighting with the Taleban that is an easy decision. But for the leadership it may be difficult.” — AFP
NARATHIWAT: A Thai soldier cries as he embraces the body of his colleague who was killed by alleged Muslim militants, at a Buddhist temple in Narathiwat province yesterday. A militant and a soldier were killed on February 6, police said, in two incidents in Thailand’s restive south where separatists are waging a six-year insurgency. —AFP
SEOUL: A senior Chinese Communist Party official held talks with North Korea yesterday, state media said, as Pyongyang comes under growing pressure to return to nuclear disarmament talks. The trip by Wang Jiarui, head of the Communist Party’s international department, comes shortly before UN chief Ban Ki-moon’s top political adviser Lynn Pascoe is due in Pyongyang. Ahead of the flurry of visits, North Korea freed a US missionary who had been held since Christmas Day after he crossed into the country across the frozen river from China to protest at human rights abuses. The official Korean Central News Agency said Wang met his counterpart Kim Yong-Il and “exchanged views on boosting the traditional relations of friendship... and on matters of mutual concern”. South Korean media have said Wang will also meet leader Kim Jong-Il and give him a message from President Hu Jintao encouraging the resumption of the six-party nuclear disarmament talks that China has hosted since 2003. Sanctions-hit North Korea has come under increasing international pressure to return to the stalled negotiations, which also include South Korea, China, Japan, the United States and Russia. Pyongyang withdrew from the six-party talks last April after the United Nations slapped harsher sanctions on the country in response to its missile and nuclear tests. The North has said it is willing in principle to return to the talks, but has set two conditions-the lifting of sanctions and the United States agreeing to talks on a peace pact on the peninsula. The 1950-1953 Korean war ended in an armistice which left the parties technically at war. The North says this has forced it to develop nuclear weapons to deter any US attack. Rodong Sinmun, the North’s Communist Party newspaper, renewed a call on Sunday for the United States to agree to a peace deal. “The armistice agreement cannot prevent any accidental military clash,” Rodong said. “The United States must make a bold and responsible decision to replace the armistice agreement with a peace accord.” The US and South Korean governments have rejected the offer, urging the communist state to first come back to talks and reaffirm its commitment to denuclearisation accords in 2005 and 2007. Meanwhile, the UN envoy arrived in Seoul on Saturday for talks with Foreign Minister Yu Myung-Hwan and other officials before he too heads to Pyongyang. Pascoe, the UN under secretary general for political affairs, will visit North Korea from February 9 to 12 on a tour that also takes in China and Japan. The United Nations could decide to ease sanctions if there is substantial progress on the nuclear talks. The punitive measures have hit the economy hard in a country which has relied on foreign aid to feed its people since it suffered a devastating famine in the 1990s. —AFP
KINGLAKE: Local children release 173 butterflies in honor for those who died during the Feb. 7, 2009 fires in a one-year anniversary memorial in Kinglake, Australia yesterday. A remembrance service was held to honor the 173 people killed during the fires. — AP
NATO arrests Afghan cop accused in roadside bombs KABUL: NATO-led forces arrested a deputy provincial police chief they accused of helping place roadside bombs north of Kabul in the latest sign of concerns about weaknesses in Afghan security forces, officials said. Provincial officials said yesterday that the man was an honest and good officer. The Interior Ministry, which oversees the police, wasn’t informed about the arrest in advance and is contacting NATO to learn what happened, according to ministry spokesman Zamary Bashary. Attaullah Wahab, the deputy police chief and security director in Kapisa province, was detained along with a bodyguard in a raid backed by helicopters while he was home in the provincial capital of Mahmud-i-Raqi, according to a spokesman for the provincial government, Halim Ayar. NATO did not identify the suspect but said joint Afghan-coalition forces arrested an Afghan national police commander Friday for illegal activity and corruption in Kapisa and the Bagram district — the site of the main US mil-
itary hub — in neighboring Parwan province. He was accused of involvement in the storage, distribution and installation of bombs on roads surrounding Mahmud-i-Raqi as well as corruption related to road reconstruction. “He has been clearly linked to criminal activities including a murder during the summer of 2009,” a NATO statement said. Ayar, however, said Wahab had been in his post for about a year and was “an honest man and a good officer.” He said dozens of residents staged a brief protest against the arrest Saturday. The confusion underscored the uneasy relationship between the US-led forces and Afghan community leaders. President Hamid Karzai has frequently called on the international force to improve coordination with Afghan troops. USled forces are increasing efforts to train Afghan police and soldiers and overcome concerns about infiltration by Taleban militants and corruption so the international force can eventually withdraw. — AP
Missionary freed from N Korea arrives in US LOS ANGELES: A US missionary released by North Korea after entering the country on Christmas Day to protest human rights abuses arrived back in the United States Saturday, airport officials said. “Robert Park arrived Saturday night at Los Angeles airport,” said airport spokesman Albert Rodriguez. North Korea had detained the 28-year-old for illegal entry after he crossed a frozen border river from China, carrying a letter calling on leader Kim Jong-Il to free political prisoners, shut prison camps, improve human rights and step down. Park, who lives in Tucson, Arziona, flew to Los Angeles from Beijing where he arrived Saturday following his release by the authorities in sanctionshit North Korea. He made no comment on his arrival, his lawyer Jason Perez Howe said. “He was available for photographs, but he didn’t talk to the press.” North Korea’s official news agency said Friday that Park had expressed “sincere repentance” for his actions, which were prompted by “false pro-
paganda” from the West. “The relevant organ of the DPRK (North Korea) decided to leniently forgive and release him, taking his admission and sincere repentance of his wrongdoings into consideration,” said the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The North has said it is also holding another American arrested for illegal entry from China on January 25 but KCNA made no mention of the detainee in its report on Friday. North Korea, which has been strongly criticized by the international community over its human rights record, has said it wants better relations with the United States after decades of hostility. Park’s release came ahead of visits to Pyongyang by UN and Chinese envoys as the international community pushes for the resumption of sixparty talks on North Korean nuclear disarmament. Pyongyang withdraw from the talks in April after the United Nations imposed tougher sanctions following missile and nuclear tests. KCNA on Friday carried what it said was an interview with Park and issued an undat-
ed photograph of him. “I trespassed on the border due to my wrong understanding of the DPRK caused by the false propaganda made by the West to tarnish its image,” the Arizona resident was quoted as saying. Park was quoted as saying that he had been treated “in a kind and gentlemanly manner” and that “religious freedom is fully ensured” in the North. He allegedly said he was allowed to pray daily and to attend a service at a Pyongyang church. “I would not have committed such a crime if I had known that the DPRK respects the rights of all the people and guarantees their freedom and they enjoy a happy and stable life,” KCNA quoted Park as saying. Jo Sung-Rae, a South Korean activist involved in Park’s case, said he did not trust the KCNA interview, saying the American was “speaking under duress.” Last August, former president Bill Clinton met Kim in Pyongyang to secure the release of two US journalists detained for entering the North illegally. — AFP
MANILA: Relatives hold photos of loved ones at a press conference in suburban Manila yesterday showing three of the 43 men and women arrested during a raid on a house in the northern Philippines the day before suspected of being communist rebels. A military spokesman said that soldiers and police raided the house in Morong town, east of Manila, in search of illegal firearms and found 17 men and 26 women along with two handguns, three grenades, improvised explosives and documents. — AFP
INTERNATIONAL
Monday, February 8, 2010
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Pakistan minister sees blasphemy law revision this year WASHINGTON: Pakistan plans within this year to revise its laws against blasphemy, which have long been criticized as a way to abuse minorities, a government minister said. Shahbaz Bhatti, minister for minority affairs, said religious reconciliation was a little-noticed priority for President Asif Ali Zardari’s civilian government in Pakistan, which lies on the frontline of the US-led war against Islamic extremism. Bhatti, a longtime Roman Catholic activist whose position was given full cabinet status for the first time, said
he was speaking with political parties to present revisions to the blasphemy law by the end of 2010. “This is a democratic government which has a commitment to repeal all the discriminatory laws affecting the rights of minorities,” Bhatti told AFP in an interview in Washington. “We are using military action to fight terrorism and we are using economic opportunities, but another thing which is important is that we are pursuing interfaith harmony,” he said. Bhatti said that while he did not envision an immediate repeal of blasphemy laws, the revision would
require judges to investigate cases before they are registered-creating oversight of the police, who are often accused of abuse. The revised law would also assign punishment equivalent to that under the blasphemy laws for anyone who makes a false complaint, he said. Bhatti was in Washington to attend the National Prayer Breakfast, an annual Christian-organized gathering drawing national leaders. He also met with US lawmakers, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom and Richard Holbrooke, the US special envoy to
Afghanistan and Pakistan. Pakistan’s law against blaspheming Islam carries the death penalty. While no one has ever been sent to the gallows for the crime, activists say the law is used to exploit others out of personal enmity or business disputes. In June last year, blasphemy allegations led to mob violence against Christians in Punjab that caused hundreds to flee, according to the US State Department’s annual report on religious freedom around the world. The report said there was particular discrimination against the
Ahmadiya community, which Pakistan considers non-Muslim as adherents do not believe Mohammed was the last prophet. In another incident in September, a 25-year-old Christian jailed on blasphemy allegations died in prison. Activists suspected he was tortured, but authorities said he committed suicide. Pakistan, founded in 1947 as a Muslim homeland during the bloody partition of British India, is overwhelmingly Muslim. Religious minorities however form some five percent of the population, according to government figures. Among
Muslims, strong tensions also persist between the majority Sunni and the minority Shiite sects. Bombings on Friday killed 33 people in Karachi, including an attack near a bus carrying people to a Shiite procession. In UN bodies, Pakistan has butted heads with Western democracies by sponsoring resolutions on fighting “religious defamation.” But Bhatti vowed to make progress at home. In December, the government launched a drive to set up more than 120 “district interfaith harmony committees” around Pakistan to help resolve conflicts sur-
rounded minorities. Bhatti said he has personally visited religious communities around the country including more than 30 madrassas, or Islamic schools, to encourage tolerance. While he said he met a positive reception, Bhatti was under no illusions about his safety, saying he has faced death threats. “When I started this struggle I said that I would not compromise on the principle of religious freedom and human equality,” he said. “These principles are the nucleus of my life. I will live for them and I will die for them.” — AFP
Operation Mushtarak (‘Together’)
Planned Afghan assault to send ‘strong signal’ KABUL: The commander of foreign forces in Afghanistan said yesterday a major offensive will send a “strong signal” and clear insurgents from their southern stronghold, as residents fled ahead of the assault. A huge force of US Marines leading NATO and Afghan soldiers is expected to launch the offensive-said by commanders to be the largest assault against
KATHMANDU: Nepal’s President Ram Baran Yadav, right, administers the oath of office to Vice President Paramananda Jha in Kathmandu, Nepal, yesteday. Jha was instated in office yesterday after he retook the oath in his mother language. — AP
Nepal VP reinstated after language row KATHMANDU: Nepal’s vice president was reinstated yesterday after he retook his oath of office in one of the country’s officially recognized languages — nearly a year after his insistance on being sworn in using an unrecognized minority language cost him the job. Vice President Paramananda Jha had been removed from office last year by the Supreme Court because he had taken the oath in Hindi, commonly spoken in neighboring India and in some parts of Nepal but not an officially recognized language in Nepal. Jha retook the oath yesterday in his native Maithali language at a special ceremony at the president’s official house. Nepali is the country’s official government language, but dozens of
other dialects are officially recognized. Hindi, however, is not among them. Jha comes from southern Nepal, where Hindi is widely spoken. He said at the time of his first swearing-in that he wanted to highlight the fact that many Nepalese speak Hindi and it should be officially recognized. Street protests broke out in 2008 after Jha took the oath in Hindi. Demonstrators called for a public apology, and a lawsuit was filed alleging Jha had not followed the law requiring the oath be taken in Nepali language. The Supreme Court later removed him from office. Lawmakers last month amended the law to allow them to do so in their mother language as well, allowing Jha retake the oath in Maithali and resume his job. — AP
SRINAGAR: Kashmiris block a road during a protest against the killing of teenager Zahid Farooq on the outskirts of Srinagar yesterday. Hundreds of Muslims marched in defiance of a ban on demonstrations in Indian Kashmir’s summer capital of Srinagar yesterday, in protest against the death of a second teenage boy in a week. — AFP
Mood gloomy in Kashmir over India-Pakistan talks SRINAGAR: India and Pakistan are set to relaunch peace talks but residents of Kashmir, at the heart of decades of hostility between the nuclear-armed neighbours, say they are pessimistic about the outcome. India has proposed foreign secretary-level dialogue with Pakistan, signalling a major breakthrough in relations frozen since the 2008 attacks in Mumbai in which 166 people died. New Delhi blamed the assault on Pakistan-based militants. India and Pakistan have held discussions in the past but without any breakthrough on Kashmir, the disputed Himalayan region which each country holds in part but claims in full. Kashmir has been the trigger for two of three wars between India and Pakistan. In Muslim-majority Indian Kashmir, which has been in uproar over allegations about police killings of two teenage boys and where anti-India violence has resurfaced, the mood over the talks is gloomy. “On the one hand, India is offering talks to Pakistan, and on the other hand it is killing innocent people in Kashmir,” said Javed Mir, senior leader of the pro-independence Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front. A two-decade insurgency by militants who oppose New Delhi’s rule in Indian Kashmir has claimed more than 47,000 lives, according to an official count. Human rights groups put the toll at twice as high. Indian Kashmir had been relatively stable for a number of months, but demonstrations and militant violence that India says is stoked by Pakistan-a charge denied by Islamabad-has spiked in recent weeks. “I don’t think anything will emerge from these talks, I’m not hopeful at all,” said cab driver Sheikh Shafayat, 40, in Indian Kashmir’s summer capital Srinagar. India proposed the talks, which Pakistan has welcomed, “because violence has staged a comeback in
Kashmir,” Shafayat said. On the weekend, thousands of demonstrators shouting “blood for blood” and “we want freedom” protested in Kashmir against the alleged security force killing of a second teenage boy in a week. Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah vowed strong action over the boy’s death and police have said they are investigating. But his words have failed to calm tensions in the region, which was already agitating over the killing of a 14-year-old boy by a police tear-gas shell the previous weekend. The demonstrations have evolved in recent days into wider anti-India protests. They are reminiscent of huge street protests in 2008 and an increasing number of youngsters are joining the demonstrations. Last month, Indian commandos stormed a hotel in Srinagar, killing two militants who were holed up in the building. A civilian and a policeman also died in the siege. Militant attacks on Indian forces and clashes in the heavily militarised state have continued since. There have also been increased violations of the ceasefire along the Line of Control, the de facto border dividing the region between India and Pakistan. “These talks will never move beyond photo sessions. Those who think things will change are living in fool’s paradise,” says Akber Mantoo, a contractor. The Indians were talking because of external influences, Mantoo said, referring to US pressure on New Delhi to improve ties with Pakistan so Islamabad can fight the Taliban on its border with Afghanistan rather than worry about its eastern flank with India. But housewife Mehbooba Yasin said any talks that might halt bloodshed in the restive region would be welcome. “It will be wonderful if the talks could end the violence,” said the mother-of-three. — AFP
The operation is to be centred on the Marjah plain in the central Helmand River valley, home to around 80,000 people and said by military officials to be the last bastion of Taliban control. As part of his counter-insurgency strategy emphasising development and governance, McChrystal said the Marjah operation was not about killing Taliban fighters but eradicating the militant threat. Whether fighters left the region or rejoined society-as President Hamid Karzai’s reconciliation programme encourages them to do-the aim was to establish Afghan civilian governance, he said. “We’re trying to make this not a military operation only, but a civilian and military operation because the thing that is changing is not just going to be the level of security in the area but the governance,” McChrystal said. “So all the planning for this operation has been led by the civilian side with the military in support-and of course this is an Afghanled operation.” Provincial officials said they were preparing to receive around 7,000 families-each averaging five members-as residents left Marjah and headed to the provincial capital Lashkar Gar and elsewhere in the province. “Today alone, 85 families left Marjah with me,” said Gul Muhammed as he put his goats on the back of a truck. “There are Taliban all over the place and foreign troops around Marjah. So I was scared that we might get hurt.” The area is a major base for growing poppies, the raw material of opium and heroin, which help fund the insurgency. Officials say farmers are coerced by the militants into growing poppies rather than other crops. “For individuals who live in Marjah, who right now live under Taliban control with narco-traffickers there, they don’t have a lot of choices,” McChrystal told reporters. “We are trying to communicate to them that when the government re-establishes security they’ll have choices,” he said. “They’ll have choices on the crops they grow, they’ll have the ability to move that produce to appropriate markets, they won’t be limited to narco-traffickers who can force them into that.” Mushtarak echoes assaults last year-the British Operation Panther’s Claw and the Marines’ Operation Dagger-that were seen as successfully eradicating militants who had controlled other poppygrowing regions in the Helmand valley. Preparatory operations around Marjah, south of Lashkar Gah, have been going on for weeks, with leaflets dropped on the area from NATO helicopters warning residents of the assault to come. Military officials said the operation had been planned in cooperation with Afghan authorities, and would enable them to move in to establish civilian institutions, including police, education and health. Mark Sedwill, NATO’s senior civilian representative in Afghanistan, who started his new job Sunday, said Marjah would provide an example of how “governance and development follows up any advances we make in security”. “To the Afghan citizen what matters is can his kids get to school, is the school open, is the clinic open, can they get decent justice from the Afghan government rather than the Taliban... if they see a policeman on the street is that a reassuring presence,” Sedwill said. “All of those things are really what matter, and that’s about security and justice and jobs and that is what will help us prevail in this campaign in 2010.”— AFP
Taliban-led militants since the war began-in Helmand province within days. Operation Mushtarak (“Together”) will “send a strong signal that the Afghan government is expanding its security control,” said US General Stanley McChrystal, who leads 113,000 US and NATO forces fighting the militants.
KABUL: General Stanley McChrystal, right, Commander of the International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) and Commander of United States Forces in Afghanistan is seen with former British Ambassador in Afghanistan Mark Sedwill, who is appointed as NATO’s Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan at the ISAF head quarter in Kabul, Afghanistan yesterday. — AP
Court martial looms for Sri Lanka’s defeated candidate COLOMBO: Defeated Sri Lankan presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka could be hauled before a court martial to answer charges of plotting a coup to topple the government, a press report said yesterday. The government has sought legal advice on using a military court to fast-track proceedings against Fonseka, who challenged President Mahinda Rajapakse in the January 26 vote, the Sunday Times said. “A military court will try retired general Sarath Fonseka on several charges of conspiracy,” it said. There was no immediate comment from Fonseka, who has already accused the government of planning to arrest or assassinate him after he fell out with Rajapakse and
resigned in November. Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said he was unaware of plans to bring Fonseka before a court martial, but added that a senior defence official had publicly spoken of the possibility. Fonseka led troops to a crushing victory over Tamil Tiger rebels in May last year, ending a decades-long separatist campaign by the guerrillas. However, he and Rajapakse were at loggerheads over sharing credit for the spectacular military success and then went head to head at the ballot box last month. Fonseka, who was routed by Rajapakse, has vowed to challenge Rajapakse’s election at the Supreme Court.
Earlier this month, Rajapakse sacked a dozen senior military officers whom the defence ministry said were a “direct threat to national security.” Security forces kept Fonseka under siege while election results were being announced the day after the election, and 36 retired officers working at Fonseka’s offices were later arrested by police. Fonseka said the government targeted his office to prevent his party from collecting evidence to mount the legal challenge to Rajapakse’s re-election. The government insisted the election was free and fair but the United States and the European Commission have pressed for a probe into the charges of vote fraud. — AFP
India flight delayed after tip alleges terror MUMBAI: Airport authorities in the western Indian city of Mumbai delayed a Dubai-bound Emirates flight for more than four hours after receiving an anonymous phone call that terrorist suspects were on board, an airport official said yesterday. Preliminary investigations indicated that the call was a hoax and may have been the result of a family dispute. The Emirates flight EK-505 was preparing for takeoff to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, when it was halted after the airport received the call saying two passengers on board belonged to a terror group, the official said on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak to reporters. The plane was then held back and all the passengers and baggage screened again, he said, adding that two passengers had been detained for further questioning, but initial investigations showed that the call was made as a result of a family dispute. An Emirates official confirmed the delay in Mumbai and said two passengers were taken off the plane “The airline is extending full co-operation during this period,” Orhan Abbas, Emirates Vice President, India & Nepal, said in a statement emailed to The Associated Press in Dubai.
“Full security procedures were activated including the deplaning of all passengers and a thorough screening of the aircraft, passengers and baggage,” he said. The plane was allowed
to leave without the male passenger and his wife, Abbas said. The airport official declined to give the names of the passengers and no other details were immediately available.
Late last month Indian airports were put on high alert after intelligence services received information that alQaeda-linked militants were plotting to hijack a plane.— AP
KARACHI: A Pakistani official from the Crime Investigation Department (CID) collects evidence at the site of a suicide bomb attack outside a hospital in Karachi yesterday. Suicide bombers rammed into a bus in Karachi on February 5 then hit a hospital where casualties were rushed for treatment, killing 25 people in the second assault on Shiites in the Pakistani city in weeks. — AFP
OPINION
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Monday, February 8, 2010
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issues
Disunity, economic woes dog EU drive By Timothy Heritage
T
he European Union’s efforts to improve its global image are looking increasingly unconvincing as it struggles to contain a debt crisis in Greece and put down talk that its 16-nation euro currency bloc could break up. When the last of the EU’s 27 member states finally accepted the Lisbon reform treaty last year after nearly a decade of disputes and hesitation, EU leaders hailed the start of a bright new era for the world’s biggest trading bloc. But two months after the treaty came into force, the EU is dogged by rivalry among member states, differences over economic policy, confusion over who does what and criticism that it has left economic problems to fester for too long. Policymakers in the 16 countries that use the euro are struggling to convince markets about the stability of their euro zone because of fears that other debt-ridden countries such as Spain and Portugal could follow Greece into severe trouble. “There has been a lot of rhetoric about the ‘European project’ (to strengthen the EU) but to a large extent governments have had their heads in the sand and not addressed the tough underlying problems,” Simon Tilford, chief economist at the Centre for European Reform think tank in London, said. “There is an insularity and provincialism which is very worrying.” The Lisbon treaty creates a full-time president, enhances the role of EU foreign policy chief and hands the European Parliament more power. It is also meant to ease decision-making and strengthen the bloc’s global role. But battles for influence continue and Spain has upset some states by seeking the lead as holder of the separate, rotating EU presidency, an organisational role that is held for six months by each country but has less visibility under the treaty. A perceived lack of unity over how to solve Greece’s debt problems and prevent them spreading to other countries in the euro area has contributed to the concerns of investors worried about a sovereign default. The euro has hit its lowest level against the dollar since May 2009. “Now we are in a (difficult) situation and it is quite clear they don’t have a plan for dealing with it,” said Juergen Michels, an economist at Citigroup in London. Analysts no longer discount the possibility that a smaller member of the currency bloc such as Greece could be pushed out, though most believe the monetary union will survive. Such fears prompted Ewald Nowotny, a member of the European Central Bank’s Governing Council, on Friday to dismiss suggestions that the euro zone might break up as “absurd”.
The stakes are high, not only because the fiscal problems could spread, but because the credibility of European economic policymakers is at stake. “This is much more than an issue about problems in the periphery. It is a test case of the ability of the (European) Commission and Eurogroup (of finance ministers) to impose the essential fiscal discipline needed to underpin EMU (European monetary union),” BNP Paribas said in a research note on Friday. The EU’s credibility problems stretch far beyond its difficulties convincing markets it can solve its economic woes. It suffered a deep blow to its prestige this week when Washington announced that President Barack Obama would not attend an EU-US summit in Madrid in May, and indicated that confusion over who represents the EU at meetings under the Lisbon treaty had been a factor in the decision. This was a bitter disappointment for Spain and the bloc, which represents more than 500 million people, particularly so soon after the EU’s pride was hurt at international climate change talks in Copenhagen in December. Although the final deal in Copenhagen was largely based on ideas promoted by the EU, Washington did not invite it to last-minute talks with other powers that sealed the deal and it was aggrieved that its more radical proposals were ignored. Supporters of the Lisbon treaty say it is just a matter of time before its positive effects are felt. “If we want to see movement that brings new gravity to EU institutions, it’ll be in one, two or three years,” said Ulrike Guerot of the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank. There may be light at the end of the tunnel because the European Parliament is expected next week to approve the new European Commission, the EU executive body that has legislative, regulatory and policy-making powers. The Commission’s ability to launch major initiatives has been frozen since November because of delays in confirming it in office, caused largely by obstacles to securing Czech approval for the Lisbon treaty and a long wait for Ireland to back it. But new problems are also emerging. The European Parliament has shown it is ready to flex its muscles under the new treaty, which increases its responsibility for shaping legislation, and this could hold up or water down Commission initiatives. A battle is already looming over plans to create banking watchdogs because some parliamentarians are challenging a deal between Britain and other finance ministers. Tightening financial regulation after the global economic crisis is an EU priority and any delay or failure to do so would deeply undermine the EU’s reputation. — Reuters
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US military power - when is enough enough? By Bernd Debusmann
T
he numbers tell the story of a superpower addicted to overwhelming military might: the United States accounts for five percent of the world’s population, around 23 percent of its economic output and more than 40 percent of its military spending. America spends as much on its soldiers and weapons as the next 18 countries put together. Why such a huge margin? The question is rarely asked although there is spirited debate over specific big-ticket weapons systems whose conception dates back to the days when the United States was not the only superpower and largescale conventional war against the other superpower, the Soviet Union, was an ever-present possibility. Those days are over. Now, the US, deep in deficit and grappling with the aftermath of the worst recession since the 1930s, is reaching a point where the only way the country can maintain its role as the world’s towering military giant is to borrow money from the country many military planners see as a potential future adversary - China. “Obviously, this is not a tenable arrangement over the long run,” says Loren Thompson, CEO of the Lexington Institute, a think tank with close ties to defense contractors. The Pentagon, he says, must wean itself from the idea that the American military can go anywhere and do anything equally well. Whether that weaning process will ever happen is open to doubt. “America’s interests and role in the world require Armed Forces with unmatched capabilities,” according to the just-published Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), a report required by Congress on the future of US national security strategy. “Unmatched” is one thing, dwarfing the rest of the world is another. The US, for example, has 11 aircraft carriers in service; the rest of the world has eight. China is building one but analysts
say it won’t be completed before 2015. “The United States,” notes the QDR, “remains the only nation to project and sustain large-scale operations over extended distances.” That it can do so is largely thanks to weapons systems developed during and for the Cold War, from aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines to long-range bombers. During his campaign for the presidency, Barack Obama frequently pledged to reform the defence budget “so that we are not paying for Cold War era weapons systems that we don’t use.” He repeated that pledge in his first State of the Union message. But his defence budget, released in the same week as the QDR, shows no distinct departure from the spending habits perpetuated in the budgets of his predecessor, George W. Bush. It allotted more funds for special forces, helicopters, missile-launching drones and other equipment for the “asymmetric wars” in Afghanistan and Iraq but it also provided for a new aircraft carrier and attack submarines. If they are not Cold War era weapons meant for conventional conflict, what is? In the eyes of Miriam Pemberton of the Institute for Policy Analysis, a liberal Washington think tank, Obama’s budget provides for add-ons rather than hard choices and actually widens the huge imbalance between military spending and spending on non-military foreign engagement. Also known as soft power, the term embraces concepts from diplomacy to foreign aid and some of the most eloquent warnings about the perils of the imbalance have come from the Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, the only Bush cabinet member kept on by Obama. In 2007, Gates startled the military establishment by calling for increased funding for the State Department and pointing out that the entire American diplomatic corps numbered fewer people than the staffing of an aircraft carrier group. Diplomatic posts have been added since then but according to the
Institute for Policy Analysis, the military to non-military imbalance has grown from 11:1 to 12:1. “US militarism has long been a core part of the American Way,” writes Steven Hill in a just-published book, Europe’s Promise, that compares the United States and Europe. Militarism does “triple duty as a formidable foreign policy tool, a powerful stimulus to the economy, and a usurper of tax dol-
lars that could be spent on other budget priorities.” Health care, say, or education, or the nation’s crumbling infrastructure. As it is, according to a study by a peace lobby, the Friends Committee on National Legislation, military spending and the cost of past wars have been swallowing up more than 40 percent of federal tax dollars, health care 20 percent, science, energy and environment 2.5 percent and
education just over 2. There is little grumbling over such lop-sided allocations largely because most Americans equate military spending with security. But having the world’s strongest Armed Forces, by far, did not guard America against the September 11, 2001, attacks, nor does it guarantee victory against enemies using such primitive weapons as roadside bombs and suicide vests. —Reuters
Huge relief at N Ireland deal T By Fiona Smith
he long-awaited deal on devolution in Northern Ireland has been greeted with much relief after a “moment of desperation” this week. Although accustomed to the ups and downs of a peace process with nine lives, public confidence north and south of the border was beginning to wane. The “moment of desperation”, according to the Dublin daily The Irish Times, came on Thursday as the North was “on the cusp of a moment of development or betrayal.” After two weeks of intense negotiations, Friday’s events, as with everything in Northern Ireland, will be viewed as both. The reluctance of some members of the largest unionist party, the Protestant Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), to deal with the realities of powersharing with Catholic-Republican Sinn Fein seemed poised to jeopardise the entire peace process agreed in 1998. Agreement in principle had been reached by last Saturday, but 14 DUP members voted “No” in a secret ballot. This kind of rejection amounted to a vote of “no confidence” in DUP leader and First Minister Peter Robinson, who has been beset by scandal in his personal life. Such a rejection could have brought down the Northern Irish Executive and triggered elections. The fact that Robinson has pulled the agreement back from the brink of failure owes more to the fact that Northern Ireland Assembly elections might not go the DUP’s way than to his political acumen. Many commentators feel that recent BBC revelations of his colourful wife Iris’ relationship in 2008 with a 19-year-old when she was 58 and the allegations of his role in hushing up the related financial improprieties must have hampered his ability to negotiate. The fact that the aptly-named Mrs Robinson had been outspoken in her hostility towards the gay community served to heighten media glee in the lurid details of the affair. Most incriminating for the first minister, were allega-
tions that he failed to disclose the fact that his deeply-religious wife set up the young man in a restaurant with £50,000 she solicited from business contacts. Her husband’s ability to smile for the cameras at an official event on the morning after her failed suicide attempt when the family found out about the affair, gained him as much criticism as the alleged cover-up of the illicit financial dealings. Recent revelations about the Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams’ personal life may have also have explained his ability to remain tight-lipped throughout Robinson’s difficulties. Adams’ niece, who was sexually abused by her father as a child, presented a discomfiting account of how her revelations of her father’s crimes were dealt with by the Adams family and the Sinn Fein leader. Personal relationships have had everything to do with the political crisis in the North. There was always a great reluctance from the DUP to enter into a powersharing relationship with nationalist Sinn Fein, but the amiable relationship between Ian Paisley, Robinson’s predecessor, and his deputy Martin McGuinness seemed to save the day when devolution was restored three years ago. After being photographed laughing and joking together at official events, the two were nicknamed the Chuckle Brothers, but were replaced by the “brothers grim” when Robinson took over the mantle from Paisley two years ago. The dour Robinson represented the intransigent mood of unionism and the marked lack of any warmth between him and the Sinn Fein leaders has impeded progress over the thorny issue of devolving police powers. After two years of “awful bad manners and disrespect,” Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams told RTE radio Friday morning, the deal represents “a wonderful chance now in a new spirit for us all to go forward.” The people of Northern Ireland who endorsed the peace process will certainly be hoping that this chance will be grasped.—dpa
Winter’s tale of discord startles Russia By Stuart Williams
T
he snow is still ankle deep and the vodka flowing freely during the long winter nights -maybe it is all just a winter’s skazka, a Russian fairy tale. But the last weeks have seen a strange series of events that have at the very least jolted some assumptions about the authorities’ grip in tightly-controlled “power vertical” of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s post-Soviet Russia. Some 10,000 people suddenly make an anti-government protest. The previously ultra-loyal speaker of the upper house of parliament criticises Putin on prime time TV. And report emerges of rumblings of discontent in the anti-riot police. Few are predicting yet the imminent end of system implemented by Putin in over a decade in power that ended the chaos of the 1990s by enforcing tight state control throughout society. But the strange winter goings-on have provided another reminder that no assumptions about this country - which swung from Tsarist rule to Communism to its own brand of democracy within less than a century - are ever certain. And few sights in Russia have been as startling this winter as the appearance of 10,000 people according to the organisers
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin gestures while speaking during a meeting with leaders of the dominant United Russia political party outside Moscow in NovoOgarevo on Feb 5, 2010. – AFP and 6,000 according to police for a protest in Russia’s western exclave of Kaliningrad. Initially called to protest the cost of the local transportation tax, the demonstration turned into a wider antigovernment action in a region that borders the EU but whose unemployment of 10.5 percent is far higher than the Russian average. If this was not enough, viewers
watching Russia’s flagship state-owned Channel One on Monday night were shocked to find the usually predictable speaker of the upper house of parliament Sergei Mironov hammering Putin. The comments from the man, who is theoretically the third official in the country after President Dmitry Medvedev and Putin, were too much for the dominant United
Russia party, which promptly described the speaker as a “rat”. “The meeting in Kaliningrad and Mironov’s comments were out of line with the existing political system, an infringement of the rules of the game,” the financial daily Vedomosti wrote in an editorial. “This has disturbed the sweet dream of United Russia,” it said. Other intriguing developments have included: • The opposition New Times reported that several officers had launched an effective mutiny over violations within the anti-riot police that is normally used to put down demonstrations but looked on in Kaliningrad. The force dismissed the report as a libel but the controversy has yet to calm. • The Institute of Contemporary Development (INSOR), a think-tank set up by Medvedev, issued a report calling for radical reform in Russia that would return the country to the more Westernized system of the Boris Yeltsin era. The body said that without reform, Russia could break up: “We are talking about the survival of Russia, at least within its current geographic parameters.” • Mintimer Shaimiyev, the Tatarstan strongman who has been in charge of the mixed-faith Volga region since Soviet times, suddenly announced he was step-
ping down. Speculation swirled over whether he had been asked to depart, by who, and if other regional strongmen would leave in his wake. Kremlin watchers are already hypersensitive to the slightest change of wind in Russia, with 2012 presidential elections fast approaching and the economic crisis continuing to exact a severe social toll. The biggest question mark in Russian politics remains whether Medvedev will position himself as a more reformist alternative to Putin, his mentor and Kremlin predecessor, who has dominated the country since 2000. “Medvedev is trying to come out of Putin’s shadow, to show an independence. This is where the INSOR report comes from,” said the president of the independent Institute for Strategic Assessments Alexander Konovalov. Emphasising the gravity of the Kaliningrad demonstrations, he added: “This is not so much democratisation as jockeying for position ahead of the 2012 presidential elections.” But on the other end of the spectrum, pro-Kremlin analyst Sergei Markov said the events simply showed the system was in good health. “We are told ‘everything is dead, nothing moves in Putin’s bloody, totalitarian regime’. Now we see this was all lies.” — AFP
ANALYSIS
Monday, February 8, 2010
13
What will it take to rebuild Haiti? By Carlos Hamann
E
ven before cataclysm struck, Haiti was so impoverished and vulnerable that the term “rebuilding” could be considered optimistic. The small Caribbean nation relied on foreign aid to feed its population of nearly 10 million, half of them illiterate and half are under age 18. The near-complete deforestation of its hilly terrain made it especially vulnerable to the hurricanes that regularly sweep the Caribbean basin. The Jan 12 magnitude 7.0 earthquake not only killed more than 200,000 people and shattered Haiti’s inadequate infrastructure, it also laid bare what one expert called the “fiction” of the Haitian government. The state does not provide basic services such as reliable tap water, energy, or security, and Haiti is the only country in the Americas that does not offer free primary education to most of its children. Before the devastating quake soldiers with the UN stabilization force and foreign donors helped run the state, propping up “a carefully maintained fiction that the Haitian government is in charge of affairs,” said Daniel Erikson, a Haiti specialist at the Washington-based Inter-American Dialogue. “Now it is impossible to maintain that fiction,” Erikson told AFP. Haiti will be “in an extremely precarious state for most of this century, just like it was last century.” Given Haiti’s pressing needs, which
Private security guard Samuel St Juste, 40, lies dead after being shot when suspected looters were caught in a closed bank in the aftermath of Haiti’s earthquake in Port-auPrince Saturday. According to witnesses, Juste was shot by accident by another private guard. Seventeen suspected looters were detained at the bank, which was closed due to the Jan. 12 earthquake, during a joint operation by Haitian police and UN peacekeepers. – AP include caring for one million people left homeless by the earthquake, few people are talking at this stage about long-term development plans. Yet amid such dismal evaluations, experts here see specific steps that can be taken to assist Haiti once the emergency phase is over - and even reasons for hope. Former US envoy to Haiti James Dobbins said the country has intrinsic
strengths, including a strong sense of national identity, a vibrant culture, and a lack of ethnic or religious sectarian divides. Haiti is also located “in the midst of a zone of peace and relative prosperity. All of its neighbors are much richer, and none have any interest in destabilizing Haiti or inhibiting its development,” Dobbins said in testimony to
Congress in late January. Dobbins, now an expert on reconstruction at the Rand Corporation think tank, cautioned that the first essential step was maintaining the peace. “Security is an essential prerequisite to reform, as it is to private investment. In the absence of security, any positive changes will eventually be washed away,” he said, calling on the Security Council to keep UN stabilization troops in Haiti for up to 10 years. Foreign experts are helping train Haiti’s police, the country’s sole security force since the army was disbanded in 1995 for chronic involvement in political unrest. Dobbins said that donors who help rebuild basic Haitian infrastructure like hospitals, roads and government buildings should also “insist on fundamental reforms in the management of these institutions.” Haiti’s Caribbean neighbors show what it could achieve. Those countries including Haiti’s partner on the isle of Hispaniola, the Dominican Republic have economies largely based on agriculture, manufacturing and tourism. Haiti could too, said Johanna Mendelson Forman, a Haiti expert at Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies. “This means decentralization away from the capital; construction of new infrastructure, roads, and distributive energy systems to end rural isolation; and a rededication to agriculture so that Haitians can grow their own food,” she said in an interview on the CSIS website. Erikson said that Washington could help create favorable trade arrange-
ments to boost Haiti’s agricultural exports, such as mangoes. But he believed that the Haitian government can’t - and the foreign community would rather not - take charge of developing long-term plans. The Haitian government is a government in name only, Erikson said, as he described the country’s problems as a “hot potato passed between the government and the international community.” Money sent home by Haitians living abroad is a major source of income for the impoverished country, and Dobbins urged Washington temporarily to raise the quota of Haitians allowed into the United States. “Every dollar they emit to relatives in Haiti is another dollar that does not need to come from US taxpayers,” Dobbins said. Both Mendelson Forman and Erikson also warned against another danger: donor fatigue. “After this natural flare of interest and support, interest fades,” Ericson said. Haiti will need “substantial foreign aid for the foreseeable future,” he added. In the meantime, the London-based Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) urged foreign donors to also plan for Haiti’s next potential disaster, such as hurricanes. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 in the Caribbean, and in 2008 four big storms pounded the country killing around 800 people and causing millions of dollars in flood damage. Foreign donors “must not rush into a quick-fix rebuilding of permanent homes, schools and other buildings in Haiti,” a DEC statement said. — AFP
Obama’s 2010 strategy taking shape By Steve Holland
US
President Barack Obama’s campaign strategy for Democrats in the November elections is taking shape appeal to Republicans to make compromises and if they do not, accuse them of obstruction. Obama is basically angling to call the bluff of Republicans who he believes have done nothing but stand in opposition to his proposals on revamping the US healthcare system and stimulating the economy. It is a strategy he is outlining in town-hall meetings and most recently at Democratic fund-raising events he held last week, as he seeks to regain his political footing after Democrats lost their 60-vote supermajority in the Senate. “I told my Republican friends I want to work together with them where I can - and I meant it,” Obama said at a Democratic event on Thursday. “And I told them I will also call them out if they say they want to work on something then when I offer a hand, I get nothing in return.” By the same token, Republicans are expressing a willingness to work with Obama - up to a point - and are interested to see if he really is willing to agree to some of their priorities. Sensing they stand to make big gains in congressional elections in November, they are in no mood to agree to anything that would raise taxes or increase government spending and budget deficits. “Republicans will not blindly abandon our commitment to the American people and throw out our principles,” said the top Republican in the House of Representatives, John Boehner. And they are also wary of Obama, suspecting his newfound willingness to talk to them is a political ploy aimed at spotlighting their initiatives and ridiculing them. Obama’s pledge to seek unity will be put to the test as early as this week. On Tuesday he hosts Democratic and Republican leaders from the House and Senate at the White House for talks on jobs and the economy.
Democratic leaders are pushing a multibillion-dollar jobs bill that is expected to seek an extension of unemployment benefits and aid to beleaguered state budgets, among other items. Republicans want to see Obama hold true to pledges made in his State of the Union speech and seek measures to build more nuclear plants, increase offshore oil exploration and take steps to increase US exports such as entering into foreign trade agreements. Obama and his Democrats, struggling to bring down the country’s 9.7 percent jobless rate and having seen their healthcare overhaul stalled, are eager to prove to Americans they can generate results ahead of the November elections. “Voters are looking for results,” said political analyst Dave Wasserman of the Cook Political Report. “Right now they’re frustrated that they’re not seeing bipartisan results.” Mindful that independent voters want to see bipartisanship and are disenchanted with Obama, Republicans are under pressure to prove they can join in governing, ahead of elections in which more than a third of the 100 Senate seats and all 435 House seats are at stake. Some see a potential for agreement on a scaled-backed healthcare initiative. “I would love to see a small-scale, sensible, centrist healthcare initiative get passed this summer,” said Ari Fleischer, who was press secretary to Republican President George W Bush. “I still would like to see progress get made wherever the center can hold on modest initiatives. But I think there’s no taste for anything major.” The party in power typically loses seats in the first election after a new president takes office, and Democrats are in a defensive mode after Republican Scott Brown last month won a Senate seat in Massachusetts held for decades by Democrats. The Cook Political Report’s latest forecast said Republicans stand to gain four to six Senate seats and 25 to 35 seats in the House. That is not enough for Republicans to gain control of either
chamber but sufficient to give them a louder voice and force Obama to take greater notice of their priorities. “It’s never OK to decide the outcome of an election nine months away. But there are few signs that Democrats
have an easy way out of this,” Wasserman said. University of Texas political scientist Bruce Buchanan said with the country locked in recession and facing other staggering problems, it can only help to have the two sides
talking. “It might create some common ground,” he said. “I just think it’s a healthy development if they can make a habit out of it. And if they can do it in a sincere way instead of trying to game it somehow.” — Reuters
Can Reps take over US Congress?
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ust weeks ago, it seemed inconceivable the Republicans might win control of Congress this November. But not anymore. A Republican takeover of Congress remains a long shot. But strategists in both parties now see at least narrow paths by which the Republicans could win the House of Representatives and, if the troubled environment for Democrats deteriorates further, possibly even the Senate. With nine months to go, 2010 is shaping up in one sense to be a traditional midterm election for a new president: The out-of-power party is poised to gain seats in both houses. The question now is whether it will be a historic election with Republicans actually seizing power in Congress. The Republicans would have to gain 40 seats in the 435-member House, 10 in the 100-member Senate - a tall order no matter how upset voters are. To understand why incumbents are nervous, look no further than the persistent 10 percent unemployment rate, the country’s bitterness over Wall Street bailouts and voters’ anti-Washington fervor. Obama’s party, controlling both the White House and Congress, is likely to feel that fury the most. And it is defending far more seats than the Republicans. The Democrats already have faced one monumental setback this year, the Republican Senate victory in the Democratic bastion of Massachusetts. That outcome further energized Republicans and demoralized Democrats. In the House of Representatives, Democrats hold a 256178 advantage with one vacancy. But 49 Democrats are in districts that Republican presidential candidate John McCain won in 2008. And many are freshmen who rode into power on Obama’s coattails in an election that saw a voting surge by minorities and youths. Obama will not be on the ballot this time, and he has a poor track record so far when it comes to turning out his 2008 backers for fellow Democrats. Almost by the day, Republicans are sensing fresh opportunities to pick up ground. On Wednesday, former Indiana Sen. Dan Coats announced he would try to reclaim his old seat from Democrat Evan Bayh, who barely a year ago had been a finalist to be Barack Obama’s vice presidential running mate. Republicans nationwide still are celebrating Scott Brown’s January upset to take the late Sen. Edward Kennedy’s former seat in Massachusetts. “Democrats have got their hands full trying to navigate
through unprecedented economic turmoil and two wars,” says Democratic former Sen. Bob Kerrey. He suggests the gloomy talk within the party is overstated and the Democrats are still likely to retain control, but he adds: “There’s no question that there’s anger out there.” In the Senate, two Democratic seats are all but gone. North Dakota’s Byron Dorgan is retiring, and the Democrats do not have anyone to challenge the Republican, Gov John Hoeven. Democrats also failed to recruit their top candidate in Delaware. Vice President Joe Biden’s son eschewed a run against Republican Mike Castle. New Castle County executive Chris Coons, a Democrat, got in the race Wednesday but he is expected to face an uphill battle. For a Republican takeover, incumbent Democrats also would have to lose in Colorado, where appointed Sen. Michael Bennet has not run statewide and faces a primary; Nevada, where Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is unpopular but has a hefty bank account; Arkansas, where Sen. Blanche Lincoln suffers from representing a Republican-leaning state; Pennsylvania, where partyswitching Sen Arlen Specter is extraordinarily vulnerable, and Illinois, where a dogfight is certain for Obama’s old seat. Republicans would have to hold on to all the Senate seats they have now, hardly a sure thing. And the party also would have to beat incumbents in New York, where no Republican has emerged to challenge appointed Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, and Connecticut, where Democrat Richard Blumenthal is comfortably leading all Republican contenders in polls. If all that somehow should happen, the tipping point could be either in Indiana or in California. “Every state is now in play,” California Sen. Barbara Boxer said one day after the Massachusetts election. It was a frank recognition that no Democrat is safe - not even a three-term liberal with bunches of money in a solidly Democratic state. Not coincidentally, when Obama had a televised question-and-answer session with Democrats on Wednesday, the senators given prominent face time included Boxer, Reid, Bayh, Bennet, Lincoln, Gillibrand and Specter. House Republicans have their own challenges. In more than 50 districts, divisive Republican primaries are certain to drain bank accounts and force Republicans into taking positions that could be troublesome come the general election.— AP
Turkey’s balancing act may soon face test on Iran By Ibon Villelabeitia
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ven for a country that boasts about being a bridge between East and West, the Middle East and Europe, Turkey’s diplomacy this week must have seemed a bit of a perilous balancing act. Underlying unique contacts, Turkish leaders have welcomed Iran’s foreign minister as Western powers increased pressure on Tehran over its nuclear plans, hosted a meeting of NATO allies and held talks with US Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Yet underneath the talk of Turkey’s geostrategic importance from the Balkans to the Caucasus to Afghanistan, Ankara’s multifaceted foreign policy might soon face a test which would force it to take sides. “Turkey has been following a very independent course on its foreign policy and that has disappointed some of its traditional Western allies, but I think Turkey is heading for a crucial test on Iran,” said Ian Lesser, from the German Marshall Fund. “Should the UN Security Council take up a vote on imposing sanctions on Iran, Turkey will be on the spot,” Lesser said. Western powers are seeking to have the UN Security Council approve fresh sanctions against Iran by the end of March to prod Tehran into
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu (right) looks on as his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki speaks during a press conference in Ankara on Feb 3, 2010. – AFP freezing uranium enrichment, which can have peaceful or military purposes. Turkey, which has said it opposes sanctions, is currently a non-permanent member of the council. “You can’t be all things all the time on all matters, which is what Turkey wants,” a foreign diplomat based in Ankara said. “The moment of definition might be approaching.”
Questions have multiplied in recent months over whether European Union candidate Turkey’s foreign policy is slowly turning East and abandoning its long-time Western orientation. Growing ties with Tehran and other fellow Muslim nations and a deterioration in its relations with Israel have prompted talk in some circles of a “change of axis” by Turkey, a Muslim and secular
state that has been a member of NATO since 1952. The United States, embroiled in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and keen to improve ties with China and Russia, does not seem unduly concerned about Ankara’s foreign policy. Instead, it has stressed areas where the two allies can work together. “From the Balkans to the Black Sea, from the Middle East to India, there is no country more successful and stable than Turkey, we should never forget this,” US ambassador James Jeffrey told a Turkish-US business audience last week. Gates, who is in Istanbul attending a NATO meeting to discuss security in Afghanistan and Kosovo, is due to meet Turkey’s Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan later on Friday. Some of Turkey’s Western allies have expressed concern that Ankara’s growing ties with Iran - by lessening that country’s sense of isolation - may frustrate diplomatic efforts to prevent Tehran from building a nuclear bomb. Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan stunned some of Ankara’s traditional friends by recently calling Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a “good friend” and by referring to talk of an Iranian nuclear weapons program as “gossip”. Turkish-Iranian friendship was on display on Wednesday when Iranian
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki visited Ankara. Turkey has said it does not favour sanctions, but dialogue. “We are seeing that Turkish leaders have sympathy for Iran on the nuclear issue. Conversations, photographs or TV images depict Turkish leaders arm-inarm with their Iranian counterparts and hugging each other,” leading commentator Mehmet Ali Birand said. Lesser said that should Ankara vote against any sanctions or abstain it would add tensions to Turkey’s ties with the West, in particular with the United States. “It wouldn’t be a revolution in foreign policy, but certainly a surprising development.” NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen played down reports of rifts over Ankara’s foreign policy. “I think Turkey for geographical and political reasons can and will play an instrumental role,” he told reporters here. But he urged Turkey to solve its differences with the EU over the divided island of Cyprus, a dispute which has spilled over into NATO operations in Afghanistan and elsewhere. Ankara says having good ties with Iran and seeking EU membership are not mutually exclusive. In line with EU and Washington policy, it opposes Iran having nuclear arms and has offered to mediate between global powers and Tehran. — Reuters
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Deal strengthens Taiwan deterrent By Peter Harmsen
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multi-billion dollar US weapons shipment to Taiwan will not threaten China’s overwhelming military superiority but could make any invasion or attack prohibitively costly for Beijing, analysts say. Under a deal that has further rattled China-US ties, the Pentagon last week unveiled a $6.4-billion arms package for Taiwan including Patriot missiles, Black Hawk helicopters and mine-hunting ships. Washington argued that the weapons would help preserve a balance of power in the Taiwan Strait as Beijing - which claims the island as its own - ramps up military spending. “These weapons of course can help beef up Taiwan’s defence capabilities to some extent,” said Tyson Fu, the former head of the Institute of Strategic Studies under Taiwan’s National Defence University. “They may generate additional difficulties and costs for the People’s Liberation Army, should it invade Taiwan. That’s why Beijing has been reacting so strongly against the arms package.” Ties between China and Taiwan have improved markedly since Beijing-friendly Ma Ying-jeou became the island’s president in 2008, and war may seem a remote possibility. But China’s leaders have never renounced using force to take back the island which has ruled itself since a civil war ended in 1949, even though any conflict would almost certainly suck in US forces to defend Taiwan. A report by American think tank Rand Corp published late last year concluded that a skillful Taiwanese defence could throw a Chinese invasion force back into the sea. “If properly prepared for and executed, (a robust and layered defence) could still turn any Chinese invasion attempt into a bloody fiasco,” said the report, “A Question of Balance”. At the same time, however, Rand said China’s ability to successfully wage a modern war had grown
substantially in recent years. “A credible case can be made that the air war for Taiwan could essentially be over before much of the (Taiwan and US) air forces have even fired a shot,” Rand said. In raw numbers, China has 2.3 million soldiers against about roughly 280,000 personnel on active service in Taiwan, and more than 1,000 missiles pointed at the island’s exposed infrastructure. Chinese military spending jumped 15 percent to $69 billion in 2009, the latest in more than a decade-long string of double-digit increases, dwarfing Taiwan’s military budget last year of about $10 billion. “Even if Taiwan were to acquire an aircraft carrier or produce nuclear bombs, it wouldn’t change the situation very much,” said Alexander Huang, a political scientist at Taipei’s Tamkang University. But a simple comparison of the competing military strengths does not reflect the wider geo-political situation. “I don’t think the arms package will change the balance. It’s much more symbolic,” said Bruce Jacobs, an expert on the relationship between China and Taiwan at Australia’s Monash University. “The United States will be involved in a conflict. Unofficially, Australia will be involved, for example with intelligence gathering. Japan will be involved if China does invade. It wouldn’t just be China and Taiwan.” In case of war, the United States would be forced by its own past promises - and by public opinion - to come to the defence of Taiwan, meaning conflict could rapidly engulf the region, analysts said. “On the part of the US, the commitment is obviously there, and I think China also understands that the US will probably intervene, and it will be too costly for China,” said Joseph Cheng, a China watcher at City University of Hong Kong. “China has no intention of engaging in war with United States. Attacking Taiwan militarily is almost unthinkable.” — AFP
Rousseff surges after slow start By Raymond Colitt
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resident Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s chosen candidate for Brazil’s election in October, Dilma Rousseff, is closing the gap on the frontrunner in the race, buoyed by a roaring economy and growing party support. Until four months ago, Lula’s chief of staff trailed Sao Paulo state Governor Jose Serra, a veteran politician of the centrist PSDB party, by 30 percentage points in opinion polls. But Brazil’s economy, Latin America’s largest, bounced back strongly from the global financial crisis and Rousseff gained media exposure beside the popular Lula, improving her electoral chances. A new opinion poll out this week showed Rousseff drawing within about 5 percentage points of Serra. The poll had Serra at about 33 percent and Rousseff at about 28 percent, with other challengers trailing far behind. The election is set for Oct 3 and the winner takes office Jan 1. “Dilma has reset the scoreboard, the race is now on,” said Ricardo Guedes, director of the Sensus polling firm. Just six months ago, Rousseff’s candidacy looked uncertain. The economy was still sputtering and the former leftist militant was battling lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system, of which doctors say she has been cured. Even Lula’s ruling Workers’ Party, or PT, had not fully accepted Rousseff, a newcomer to its ranks. Today, she is quickly gaining support from most parties in Lula’s broad coalition and the PT is expected to formally endorse her later this month. Rousseff’s ascent has had little impact on financial markets. Neither she nor Serra is seen as breaking with Lula’s main economic policies - a free-floating currency, inflation targets, and a primary budget surplus to service public debt. Analysts say Serra is more likely to heighten private sector participation in the economy and distance himself from some of Lula’s left-
wing allies abroad. “Of course they differ somewhat but nobody in the market believes either would upset economic stability,” said Luiz Guilherme Piva, director at LCA consulting firm in Sao Paulo. The PSDB has complained that Rousseff was using taxpayer money to campaign illegally by joining Lula on his travels around this vast country. Serra previously served as mayor of the city of Sao Paulo and is expected to confirm his candidacy next month. Lula’s camp will try to link him with the now unpopular government of Lula’s predecessor, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, in which he served as health minister and planning minister. The expanding economy is forecast to generate more than 1.5 million new payroll jobs this year and, along the way, just as many potential government supporters. Economic growth, tax breaks, and social welfare under Lula have not only pulled nearly 20 million Brazilians out of poverty but also boosted the middle class and many businesses. “There are more jobs most people are doing better with Lula, so I think it’s better for Dilma to carry on,” said Francisco Teixeira, a mason at a Brasilia construction site. Rousseff has plenty more working in her favor. Lula, the most popular and charismatic president in Brazil’s recent history, plans to campaign aggressively for Rousseff. And based on the size and number of parties backing her, she would also have twice Serra’s free air time on radio and television, bolstering her name-recognition. Serra is already known nationwide, partially because of his failed 2002 election campaign against Lula. The centrist PMDB party, the largest in both houses of Congress, has signaled it will back Rousseff in exchange for naming her running mate, and other parties are following suit. Candidates potentially vying with Rousseff for the same votes have lost ground. — Reuters
NEWS
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Palin whips up a storm at Tea Party WASHINGTON: Conservative darling Sarah Palin Saturday wowed a new grassroots Republican rightwing movement, vowing 2010 would be a great year, and laying down the gauntlet to President Barack Obama. And she warned the mainstream Republican party to ignore the so-called “Tea Party” movement at its peril, saying she was “speaking on behalf of millions and millions and millions of Americans who want to encourage this movement.” As Republicans delight in a new found
political energy after being routed in the 2008 presidential elections, Palin said the tide was turning in favor of conservative politics ahead of November mid-term congressional elections. She pointed to the victory in Massachusetts last month when Republican Scott Brown won a senate seat held for more than four decades by Democrat Ted Kennedy as a sign that Republicans were on their way back up. “This is the movement and America is ready for another revolution and you are a
NASHVILLE, Tennessee: Former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin addresses attendees at the National Tea Party Convention Saturday. — AP
part of this,” she said in her usual folksy style, bringing the crowd in a posh Nashville hotel to its feet. “This movement is about the people who can argue of a movement that is about the people and for the people.” Initially mocked, the Tea Party movement has been steadily gaining ground since being launched in the wake of the Republican Party’s 2008 drubbing. Republican presidential candidate John McCain and Palin, his vice-presidential pick, lost heavily to the Obama and his Democrats, leaving the Grand Old Party floundering and leaderless. Amid speculation Palin might make a bid for presidency in 2012, she brushed aside her own political ambitions saying everyone had a role to play. “You don’t need a proclaimed leader as if we are all a bunch of sheep and looking for a leader to progress this movement,” she said. The Tea Partists have been calling for Republicans to move more to the right and embrace conservative values including small government, and smaller taxes. But so far the Republican party leadership has been wary of bringing a movement styled on the famed 1773 Boston Tea Party revolt against British colonial taxes into the fold. “This is about the people and it’s bigger than any king or queen of a tea party and it’s a lot bigger than any charismatic guy with a teleprompter,” Palin said in a jibe at Obama. “The soul of this movement is the people. Everyday Americans who grow our food and run our small businesses, teach our kids and fight our wars.” And she heaped further scorn on Obama as a “professor at law standing at the lectern” rather than the nation’s commander in chief. She accused his administration of being weak on national security and “out of touch with the enemy that we face,” took a swipe at Obama’s foreign policy, and charged he had been too slow to jumpstart the ailing economy. It was the first major public speech given by Palin, 45, a mother-of-five, since her shock resignation as governor of Alaska in July. Since then she has largely confined her public utterances to statements on her Facebook account. But earlier this year she made her debut as a commentator for Fox News television on Tuesday, and has dropped hints in television appearances that she might be preparing a 2012 White House bid. — AFP
Pakistani eunuchs seek greater rights Continued from Page 1 The community is known as “khusra”, which Pakistanis translate as “eunuch” in English, though the meaning is broader than a castrated man, the common definition in the West. Besides transsexuals, it also includes hermaphrodites, people with both male and female sexual organs. Some have undergone sex-change surgery. Transgender people in much of the world view themselves as women born in a man’s body, or vice versa. In Pakistan and other south Asian countries, those born male often see themselves as neither sex, though they wear women’s clothing and refer to each other as “she”. On identity cards, “they wrote men”, Bobby said. “We want eunuch. If we are eunuch, please write eunuch, not men.” Adding a third gender would be a symbolic victory for the community, giving it hope of social acceptance, she said. The proposal borrows from the example of neighboring India, whose election commission ruled late last year that transgender people could register to vote as “other”, rather than male or female. “Our parents feel embarrassed for us to be called
khusra,” said Sanhya, who is now 19 and lives with other khusra in Rawalpindi, a city next to the capital, Islamabad. “But we need our identity. It is our right.” Like most in her community, she would only give the female name she adopted. While Sanhya and Bobby say the situation has improved since the Supreme Court took notice of their plight, their community is still dogged by violence. Several dozen khusra gathered recently to remember 28-year-old Nadia Malik, whose body was found on a street in Rawalpindi. They said she had been stabbed repeatedly and then run over by a car. “She was brutally killed,” said Sanaa, a bright-eyed 22-year-old with carefully applied makeup and wearing a blue shalwar kameez, a traditional Pakistani women’s outfit. “We have reported it to the police, but so far they have found nothing,” she said. She refused to speculate about the killers’ motive. There are no official figures for khusra, though Bobby estimates there are several hundred thousand. Many live in communal homes under the leadership of a “guru”, a fellow khusra who looks after their needs and takes a cut of their earnings. Despite the discrimination they suf-
fer, Pakistani Islamic society tolerates them as dancers at festivals and weddings, where men and women are segregated and khusra are seen as bridging the gap. They also earn money blessing newborn babies or begging: Their curses are widely feared and few dare send them away empty-handed. Many work as prostitutes. “People laugh at them wherever they go,” said Mohammad Aslam Khaki, the lawyer who filed the petition at the Supreme Court in early 2009 in an attempt to stop khusra facing discrimination in employment, health care, housing and other rights. “Their dignity is violated.” To tackle police harassment, the court ruled that authorities must send it copies of the case files of any khusra arrested. It has also issued orders to guarantee them free health care and their right to inheritances, which are sometimes denied to them by families who have rejected them. The court is to hold more hearings, and has asked provincial governments to provide progress reports on what steps they are taking to improve the khusra’s situation. “We are just fighting for our rights,” says Sanhya. “This Pakistan belongs to us also.” — AP
US ‘cavemen’ seek raw truth Continued from Page 1 Professor Loren Cordain, author of “The Paleo Diet,” bemoans the world’s dependence on cereal grains, saying the departure from prehistoric menus has led to “diseases of civilization” like cancer, obesity and high cholesterol. The Stone Age diet prioritizes seasonal fruit, lean meat, fish and very little intake of processed food, sugar, grains including bread - or dairy products. Many modern cavemen also like to fast and to eat at irregular times, much like those early hunter-gatherers. The program is “not designed by diet doctors, faddists, or nutritionists, but rather by Mother Nature’s wisdom acting through evolution and natural selection,” Cordain writes on his website. Along with pure, mostly raw food, the modern caveman adapts his exercise to mimic the exertions of hunting - or being hunted - instead of today’s emphasis on endurance running or building muscles in the gym. A guru from the paleo world’s European wing, Frenchman Erwan Le Corre, conducts training sessions in the wild, throwing rocks, jumping, and running barefoot. Men’s Health magazine calls Le Corre “a perfect twin for Tarzan” and possibly “one of the most all-around physically fit men on the planet”. Averbukh, who builds websites, looks about as unlike a savage as you can get. Slight, with trimmed hair and beard, he is indistinguishable in his grey pleated trousers and black shoes from the crowds
of office workers filing through lower Manhattan on a weekday. The first clue that something might be different is when Averbukh starts doing pull-ups from a section of scaffolding. Deceptively strong for his frame, Averbukh pulls himself up with ease, then goes to a wall to stand on his hands. “I like to do my exercise before I eat,” he says. “The diet and exercises go together. It was part of our ancestors’ lives. They had to exercise because they were hunting for food. We still need it.” Devotees swear they are healthier and more at peace than the millions of stressed, poorly nourished, overweight people outside the cave, or what Le Corre calls “zoo humans”. There are difficulties. Averbukh admits some friends find him a “freak” and he tries to make sure no one’s around when he does his impromptu exercises. For example, his habit of sprinting down streets in office clothes can attract unwelcome attention. “Once the cops really thought I’d stolen something,” he said. Neither is the ultra-simple life cheap. Paleo diners will only buy grass-fed organic meat and organic fruits and nuts. Averbukh reckons on a winter food budget of about $70 a day. The lifestyle also faces an uphill battle in attracting cavewomen. A city like New York teems with health-conscious females, but they typically favor lettuce and yoga over animal fat and street fighterstyle acrobatics. “It may not be as sexy and feminine to eat raw meat and animal products,” Averbukh concedes. One strong female backer of the paleo
diet is Allison Bojarski, at the training program CrossFit NYC. She calls for “eating a diet that is in line with how humans coevolved with their plant and animal environment”. But Bojarski draws lines at the extras. “I’m not about some crazy reenactment of caveman times and lifestyle.” Certainly mainstream dieticians are unlikely to sit down any time soon at the Stone Age table. “What we know from science, not just cavemen, is that a diet full of fruits, vegetables, fruits and plenty of whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats - that’s what leads to longevity,” said Keri Gans, spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. “Let’s think about how the cavemen lived. They didn’t have very long lives,” she added. “Unfortunately it’s another fad. It’s another gimmick of a diet.” Nutritionist Marissa Lippert called the diet “interesting” and said there was nothing wrong with very high quality, grass-fed meat. “But the diet falls short in a couple of ways. We’ve evolved as a civilization over thousands and thousands of years,” she said. “You’re forgetting all the great sources of grains and really healthy complex carbohydrates.” Undeterred, Averbukh says urban cavemen are not only healthier, but a lot of fun. Next week, he’s going out with a group to a farm “to visit the grass-fed animals.” He scoffs at grain eaters, vegetarians and “misinformation” about red meat. In fact, he’s already looking forward to his next meal: “Fatty bone marrow and then some berries.” — AFP
Monday, February 8, 2010
Huge blast hits US power plant C o n t i n u e d f ro m Pa g e 1 “The reports vary from a few, several to possibly as many as 50 dead,” Brian Albert from the Middlesex hospital, which was treating several of those injured in the blast at the Kleen Enery plant, told AFP. “They are in the process of search and rescue,” Albert said, adding that the Middlesex was treating six patients and a seventh had been transferred to the nearby Hartford hospital, which confirmed it was also handling injured. CNN reported at least two fatalities but officials would not immediately confirm the number of deaths or injured at the plant in the northeastern US state of Connecticut. One witness told the local Har tford Courant newspaper: “There are bodies everywhere.” Other witnesses suggested many victims could still lie buried in the r ubble. “There was a massive explosion, there are multiple injuries and possible fatalities,” Middletown police spokesman George Yepes told AFP. Dozens of emergency personnel swarmed around the sprawling energy complex. The Hartford Courant reported that 20 ambulances were at the scene and said helicopters were airlifting some of the victims to nearby hospitals. A second spokeswoman at the Middlesex told AFP an emergency command center was being set up there to deal with the incident. “We don’t know what we’ve got at the moment,” she added, referring to the state of the injured. Pictures of the site showed a convoy
of ambulances driving into the facility, from which a huge, black plume of smoke rose into the sky. A local resident told the Har tford Courant that the explosion took place during a test of the plant’s power generating systems. Residents felt the blast, which some said hit with the force of an earthquake, for miles. “The whole house shook. I didn’t know what it was, whether it was the house or the water heater or what. Everything shook,” said Cornelia Hull, who lives about a mile from the plant. Some local residents reported windows blown out by the force of the explosion. The blast was felt as far away as East Haven, a distance of 48 km. “I felt the
ground shake and thought a tree had fallen nearby,” said Ethan Goller, who at the time was working in his garage in Ivoryton, 12 km from Middletown. The 620-megawatt Kleen Energy plant, said to be one of the largest power facilities to be built in New England for many years, was still in the process of being built. The gas-fired energy production plant is located on the outskirts of Middletown on the edge of the Connecticut river, but close to some residential housing. A company called Energy Investors Funds recently acquired 80 percent of the Kleen Energy plant, which had been due to go online sometime in 2010. — Agencies
Iraqi MPs discuss issues at Assembly Continued from Page 1 Kuwaiti investments in Iraq, and expressed hope that outstanding border issues between the two countries will be resolved in accordance with international treaties and resolutions. She added that Kuwait can invest part of its debt and compensation in Iraq and Baghdad is ready for this. Iraq owes Kuwait around $16 billion in debt in addition to around $25 billion in reparations for Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990. Two months ago, Kuwait said it was considering investing part of the compensation in joint
ventures in Iraq. About fears from the security situation in Iraq that could hamper investment, Saadoun said the recent deterioration in the security situation is temporary because of the election and situation is likely to stabilise after the polls next month. She also added that economic stability will help achieve security in the country. In another development, as the Assembly starts a one-month midterm recess, MPs focused their attention on questions to ministers and proposals. Opposition MP Khaled AlTahous sent a series of questions to Finance Minister Mustafa Al-Shamali about the Public
Institution for Social Security (PIFSS), particularly about the internal auditor of the agency. He inquired about when the internal auditor was appointed to his post and if he had been referred to investigation over failure to carry out his duties. He also asked if the auditor has been appointed as a representative of PIFSS in one of the public shareholding companies and whether regulations permit such an appointment. Meanwhile, MP Faisal AlDuwaisan yesterday submitted a draft law for audiovisual control to replace the existing law which has been a subject of controversy in the past few weeks. The law calls to control all private radio and television stations.
Defiant Ahmadinejad orders higher uranium enrichment C o n t i n u e d f ro m Pa g e 1 weapons program, and hence want to remove its low-enriched uranium (LEU) through the UN-drafted deal. Iran insists its nuclear enrichment drive is purely peaceful. Tehran and world powers are locked in a stalemate over the UN-drafted deal, which envisages the Iran’s 3.5 percent LEU being sent to Russia and France for enrichment to 20 percent and then returned as fuel for the Tehran reactor. Ahmadinejad insisted that world powers “unconditionally” accept exchanging
Iran’s LEU for high purity 20 percent enriched uranium to be used as nuclear fuel for the Tehran reactor, which makes medical isotopes. His statement comes after he indicated in an interview on state television last Tuesday that Iran was ready to send its LEU abroad for conversion into 20 percent nuclear fuel. Iranian officials have opposed the UN-brokered proposal, saying they would prefer a simultaneous exchange on Iranian soil, a plan rejected by world powers. Ahmadinejad said yesterday that if the world powers “come for ward and say ‘we will
exchange (uranium) unconditionally and cooperate on your reactors and medicine’... fine then we will cooperate” too. Salehi also emphasised that world powers have little time left on a fuel deal with Iran. “If they do not enter this fuel exchange we have to be ready for 20 percent enrichment,” Fars news agency quoted him as saying. Ahmadinejad also said Iran had the capability to enrich uranium using laser technology, but the IRNA news agency said there was no plan to do this as the country already had enrichment centrifuges. — Agencies
Time for action on five-year plan: PM Continued from Page 1 that needed to be taken to implement the 2010-2011/2013-1014 development plan (medium-term development plan). The council members also discussed the annual plan (2010-2011) which was presented by the Cabinet to the Assembly for the first time, he said, explaining that this
included the projects of government bodies for 2010-2011. Moreover, he said discussions included coordination with the aim of creating harmony between the annual plan (2010-2011) and the state budget (2010-2011). Also, the meeting saw the discussion of the report of the council’s economic development committee on improving the law regulating
construction, as well as that on partnership between the public and private sectors. This issue was referred to the Cabinet, he said. Another report by the council’s human and social development committee was also discussed, regarding higher education in Kuwait, Al-Waqian said, adding that the members made several proposals in this regard. — KUNA
Britain to tighten student visa rules Continued from Page 1 study at a bogus college. Johnson’s department said the changes were drawn up before the alleged Christmas Day attack and are part of a wider campaign to keep a closer eye on overseas students. “We will come down hard on those that flout the rules,” Johnson said. In a counter-terrorism operation last April, police arrested 12 people including 11 Pakistani nationals, all but one of whom were on student visas. Prime Minister Gordon Brown described the case as a “very big terrorist plot”, but police released
all the men without charge. Eleven were later investigated by immigration officials. Johnson said that nearly a third of immigrants seek to enter Britain on a student visa and that the country is the second most popular study destination in the world. The government has closed down 200 bogus colleges, which help students into Britain but don’t offer proper courses. A Home Office spokesman would not confirm how many student visas are expected to be cut each year. Britain issued 236,000 student visas in 2008-09 and refused 110,000 applications. Under the new rules, applicants from outside the
European Union will need to speak better English and will face tougher restrictions on taking part-time jobs. Immigration has long been a source of criticism for the ruling Labour, behind in polls before an election due by June. Opposition Conservative leader David Cameron has accused ministers of allowing an unsustainable number of immigrants into Britain and has proposed a cap to keep levels down. Conservative home affairs spokesman Chris Grayling said the government was “floundering around trying desperately to correct their own mistakes”.— Reuters
Central Bank cuts rate to 2.5 percent Continued from Page 1 A cut in interest rates makes borrowing cheaper and is likely to encourage Kuwaiti investment companies, hard hit by the global economic downturn, to seek fresh loans to refinance their debt. The move also comes a week after the National Assembly approved a four-year development plan that stipulates spending of more than $100 billion on mega projects. Analysts said the move could help Kuwait’s economy recover from last year’s downturn, while inflation was expected to stay well below record highs seen in 2008. “The move is intended to boost growth and help private sector borrowing and overall investments whilst it has little less to worry about inflation as the dollar is strengthening and domestic price pressures are not building up,” said John Sfakianakis, chief economist at Banque Saudi Fransi-Credit Agricole Group in Riyadh. Separately, Kuwait is set to post a surplus of $24 billion in the current fiscal
year on the back of higher oil prices, despite projecting a shortfall, an economic report forecast yesterday. Revenues for the state are expected to hit $61.8 billion in the year to March 31, far above budget projections of $28.1 billion, said the report by the private National Bank of Kuwait. Oil income, which makes up about 94 percent of total revenue, is expected to reach $57.8 billion, also considerably higher than the budget forecast of just $24.1 billion. Kuwait calculated oil income at a conservative price of $35 a barrel, while average price for the year is expected to be double that at around $69.5, according to the report. Spending is forecast to reach $37.8 billion, about 10 percent below budget projections of $42.1 billion, the bank said. Kuwait, the fourth largest producer in the oil cartel OPEC, posted a preliminary budget surplus of $25.2 billion in the first nine months of the fiscal year, according to the finance ministry’s website. The huge surplus is expected to fall in
the final quarter due to end-of-year accounting adjustments when pledged expenditure not included so far will be added to the closing statements. Kuwait had projected a deficit of $13.8 billion for the current fiscal year. The state has projected shortfalls in the past 10 fiscal years but eventually ended with a massive surplus in all of them. It finished last fiscal year with a surplus of $9.6 billion despite making a one-off payment of $19 billion to the state pension fund. This would be Kuwait’s 11th straight year of budget surplus. In the past decade, it has accumulated about $123 billion of budget surplus, based on available official data. The state, which transfers 10 percent of revenues every year into its sovereign wealth fund run by the Kuwait Investment Authority, is estimated to have assets worth about $230 billion. Kuwait says it sits on 10 percent of global crude reserves and pumps about 2.2 million barrels per day. It has a population of 1.1 million of its own citizens, and 2.34 million foreign residents. — AFP
SPORTS
Monday, February 8, 2010
15
Pakistan coach accepts blame for defeats KARACHI: Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam said yesterday he accepted full responsibility for his team’s dismal performance on its tour of Australia last month, and vowed not to run away from any investigation. Pakistan were whitewashed 3-0 in the Tests and 5-0 in the one-dayers and lost the only Twenty20 match on the tour-results which prompted former players and fans to demand an overhaul of the team and manage-
ment. Chief selector Iqbal Qasim last week resigned, but Alam said he would not make any premature comments. “I will not run away and will face an investigation,” said Alam after the team’s return home early yesterday. “I am not going to comment on any resignation but I take full responsibility for the defeat.” Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf, who returned to Pakistan on Wednesday,
also vowed to continue as skipper despite a hint from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that there will be a change in the captaincy. PCB last week announced a six-man evaluation committee to investigate the defeats, which Alam said were due to poor fielding and batting. “It was a disappointing tour but if you look into the history, Pakistan has never performed well on a tour of Australia,” said Alam. “Our field-
ing was very poor and batsmen lacked determination and their shot selection was bad.” This was Pakistan’s fourth straight 3-0 Test series whitewash against Australia, having lost by the same margin on the tours in 1999 and 2004. Australia also beat them 3-0 when the series was played on neutral venues of Colombo and Sharjah in 2002. The team was whisked away from Karachi’s old airport terminal due to
security problems in the city, where 33 people were killed in twin bomb blasts amid sectarian violence on Friday. Alam denied there was any rift in the team. “Talk of grouping is baseless and rumors. Such things come when the team loses,” said Alam, who replaced Australian Geoff Lawson in October 2008. “Australia is still the best team in the world and they played well. “Australia lost a home Test series
against South Africa, were defeated in Tests in India and handed Ashes to England in the last two years, but their people backed them and they have regrouped. We should also back our team.” Alam said he would give the PCB a detailed report on team’s performance. “I will give a detailed report on team’s performance on the tour and hope a fair analysis is done,” said Alam, whose last tenure as coach ended after Pakistan lost a
Test series 2-1 to Sri Lanka in 2000. When asked about all-rounder Shahid Afridi’s ball-tampering case, Alam said: “every team in the world does tamper with the ball, but Afridi’s style was unacceptable and different.” Afridi, leading Pakistan in the fifth one-day at Perth last Sunday, was caught biting the ball on two separate occasions. He was banned for two Twenty20 matches. —AFP
Amla gives South Africa a boost with double ton Amla glad his double century has India on back foot
DAYTONA BEACH: Kevin Harvick, driver of the No 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet, celebrates winning the Budweiser Shootout with his wife DeLana at Daytona International Speedway on February 6, 2010. —AFP
Harvick wins Budweiser Shootout DAYTONA BEACH: Kevin Harvick overcame a bout with the flu and a wrecked race car to earn his second consecutive victory in NASCAR’s exhibition Budweiser Shootout on Saturday. Too ill to travel to Daytona International Speedway for the opening of Speedweeks, Harvick turned his Chevrolet over to Richard Childress Racing teammate Clint Bowyer for the first practice of the season. But Bowyer was caught in an early accident that destroyed the No 29 and forced the team to produce its backup. Jeff Burton practiced that car for Harvick, who was in Daytona and feeling well enough to drive in the race. Although he led late, a caution for Michael Waltrip’s wreck with five laps remaining muddled what was shaping up to be a sure win. Greg Biffle and Kasey Kahne stayed on the track during the caution, and Harvick led most of the 24-car field onto pit road. He was in fourth when the race restarted with two laps to go, but quickly pulled out of line to dive underneath Biffle and claim the lead. He was pulling away when Jeff Gordon rammed into the back of Biffle, triggering an
eight-car accident behind the leader. NASCAR waited several moments before calling caution, presumably to see if the wreckage cleared and the race could end under green. Instead, Harvick passed under the yellow flag and won under caution. “I’ve got to thank my team,” Harvick said. “They did a great job. Wrecked a car in practice, I was sick on Thursday, didn’t even get to sit a lap in this thing and that thing was a rocket, man.” It was Harvick’s first victory since his Shootout win last year. He hasn’t won a points race since his 2007 victory here in the season-opening Daytona 500. Kasey Kahne was second and followed by Jamie McMurray, Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin. Brian Vickers was sixth, Joey Logano grabbed seventh, and Gordon, Tony Stewart and Juan Pablo Montoya rounded out the top 10. The race had high expectations because of NASCAR’s offseason decision to loosen up the rules and allow bump-drafting. Most everyone expected a wild race from start to finish but it was fairly calm and most of the activity was single-car accidents. —AP
DAYTONA BEACH: Driver Barry Fitzgerald flips during the Lucus Oil Slick Mist 200 ARCA series 200 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Feb 6, 2010. —AP
Italian cycling coach dies PISTOIA: The Italian Cycling Federation says national team coach Franco Ballerini has died following a crash during an amateur rally race. The federation said on its Web site that the 45-yearold Ballerini was taking part as a navigator in a rally early yesterday when his car swerved off the road and crashed. Medical staff at the track spent
45 minutes trying to revive him before he was taken to a hospital and declared dead. The driver, Alessandro Ciardi, was also taken to the hospital with a reported fractured pelvis. Ballerini had been head coach since 2001 and led the team to one Olympic gold and four world titles. He is survived by his wife and two children. —AP
NAGPUR: Jacques Kallis lavished praise on teammate Hashim Amla who smashed an unbeaten 253 yesterday to put South Africa in firm control of the first Test against India. “He has certainly come in a long way from the last time that he toured India,” Kallis said at a press conference after the visitors ended day two on a strong 558-6 declared. “Amla is one of the mainstays of the batting line-up and gives it a solid look. He is a fantastic guy to bat with. He is a very calming influence on all the players.” Amla put on a record 340 runs for the third wicket with Kallis (173) to pull the team out of trouble after they were tottering at 6-2 on the first day of the match. Their stand was the highest for South Africa for any wicket against India, bettering the previous partnership of 256 runs between Kallis and AB de Villiers at Ahmedabad in 2008. It was also the second triple-century partnership for the duo, having shared 330 runs against New Zealand at Johannesburg in 2007. “The way Amla has developed his game has been fantastic,” said Kallis. “People wrote him off early on but the tough character that he is, he has proved everyone wrong. He is going to score a lot of runs for South Africa in very important situations in the days to come.” Amla hardly let his concentration waver yesterday despite losing wickets at the other end, staying on at the crease for more than 11 hours for his 473-ball innings, studded with 22 fours. He completed his maiden double century in style, driving part-time spinner Virender Sehwag for a scorching four through the covers. Amla also came close to registering the highest individual score by a South African but the declaration meant he will have to wait for another chance. Skipper Graeme Smith holds that record, having scored 277 against England at Edgbaston in 2003. Amla, who will turn 27 next month, has so far scored 3,024 runs from 42 Tests after making his debut against India at Kolkata in 2004. The last two years have been especially productive for the batsman, having scored five centuries in 22 Tests at an average of 51.69. Amla’s batsmanship also earned praise from batting consultant Kepler Wessels. “The number three slot is a very important position,” said Wessels. “Amla has done very well now for a couple of years. He’s very strong mentally, and I’m not surprised that he got runs today. “His preparation has been very, very good.” —AFP
Afghan players want to prove they can do it
NAGPUR: South African cricketer Hashim Amla jumps to avoid a bouncer on the second day of the first cricket Test match between India and South Africa yesterday. —AFP
Scoreboard NAGPUR: Scoreboard at close of play on the second day of the first test between India and South Africa at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur, India, yesterday. South Africa first innings (overnight 291-2) G. Smith b Zaheer 6 A. Prince c Dhoni b Zaheer 0 H. Amla not out 253 J. Kallis c Vijay b Harbhajan 173 AB de Villiers c Badrinath b Sehwag 53 JP Duminy lbw b Harbhajan 9 M. Boucher c Mishra b Zaheer 39 D. Steyn not out 0 Extras (b-8 lb-8 nb-9) 25 Total (six wickets decl.; 176 overs) 558 Fall of wickets: 1-5 2-6 3-346 4-454 5-476 6-554 Did not bat: P. Harris, M. Morkel, W. Parnell.
Bowling: Zaheer 31-7-96-3 (nb-4), Ishant 28-485-0, Harbhajan 46-1-166-2, Mishra 53-5-140-0 (nb-5), Sehwag 18-1-55-1. India first innings G. Gambhir not out 12 V. Sehwag not out 9 Extras (b 4) 4 Total (no loss; four overs) 25 To bat: M. Vijay, S. Tendulkar, S. Badrinath, MS Dhoni, H. Singh, Z. Khan, I. Sharma, A. Mishra, W. Saha. Bowling (to date): Steyn 2-0-8-0, Morkel 2-0-13-0.
Asif not cleared for Pakistan’s UAE trip KARACHI: Pakistani paceman Mohammad Asif will not be able to play in the United Arab Emirates as its authorities have refused to revoke a travel ban on him, an official said yesterday. The 27-year-old Asif was deported from the United Arab Emirates after being detained at Dubai airport last June when a small quantity of opium was found in his possession. The fast bowler was detained for 19 days before the authorities deported him, saying the quantity of the banned drug was insignificant to make a court case. Asif was on his way from India after featuring in the
first edition of the Indian Premier League, where he tested positive for a banned drug. That earned him a one-year ban from all cricket, which ended in September last year. Pakistan Cricket Board chief operating officer Wasim Bari confirmed a request was made to clear Asif. Pakistan will be playing England in two Twenty20 matches later this month and some other series are also lined up, “so we made a request with the UAE authorities but they turned it down as it’s not possible under their laws,” Bari told AFP. A similar request was also made last year and was
also refused, said Bari. Pakistan has also invited South Africa for a Test and one-day series later in the year in the UAE, after South Africa refused to tour the troubled country in OctoberNovember this year due to security concerns. Asif has been Pakistan’s most successful bowler since his return. He took 19 wickets in the three-Test series in New Zealand and another 13 in as many Tests against Australia on the tour which ended on Friday. Bari said Asif would not be considered for the selection of the two Twenty20 matches, for which the team will be announced today. —AFP
LONDON: Afghanistan and its people have not had much to cheer about in the past 30 years but one bright spot has come from a surprising source - their cricket team. Mainly trained in neighboring Pakistan they came within one place of reaching the 2011 World Cup finals and now they enter the fray next week in Dubai attempting to qualify for April’s Twenty20 finals which will be in the West Indies. Their Pakistani coach Kabir Khan told ‘The Times’ that he and his team-mates were determined to prove that far from the close shave in the World Cup qualifiers being a one-off, that they were a rising force in the one day game. “People back home expect a lot more,” said 35-year-old Kabir, who guided his side to victories over more highly-ranked teams such as Ireland, Bermuda and Scotland. “We have to prove it was no fluke.” The squad is made up of some Afghanistan-born players, though others were born in refugee camps across the border in Pakistan and one, 25-year-old batsman Raees Ahmadzai, revealed he only got to know about the game when Imran Khanled Pakistan beat England in the 1992 World Cup final in Australia. However, he preferred one of the England team as his role model as he told ‘The Times’. “I wanted to be Alec Stewart. I couldn’t pronounce the other names.” Kabir, who was a classy pace bowler in his day but played just four tests taking nine wickets and 10-one day internationals where he took 12 wickets as he was competing against greats such as Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, is cautiously optimistic that Afghanistan can be one of the two teams to progress to the finals. Afghanistan have been drawn in Group A along with Ireland, Scotland and, perhaps ironically in a political sense, the United States. The ousted Taleban government permitted cricket from 2000 because, according to Kabir, “it was the only sport that they accepted, because it had intervals for prayer breaks.” On the team’s prospects, Kabir says: “We’re not looking too far ahead, but we have a good chance of qualifying.” “We need more facilities if we are to progress. We have only one turf pitch, in Kabul. “But I don’t blame the government - they have other things to sort out,” he said with masterful understatement. The government is increasingly paying attention to the team’s stunning exploits on the international stage, but there is still some way to go to explain to President Hamid Karzai the finer points of the sport, Kabir revealed. “When I last saw him (Karzai), he asked me to explain the BMW rule,” said Kabir. “I said that the first thing he needed to know was that it was called LBW.” —AFP
SPORTS
16
Monday, February 8, 2010
Coutts not sure if he will sail aboard USA
VALENCIA: BMW Oracle’s BOR 90 boat sails yesterday. — AP
VALENCIA: The most dominant skipper in America’s Cup history might be a spectator when the most contentious, extreme edition of sailing’s marquee event begins. Or will he? Russell Coutts, who sailed unbeaten through three straight America’s Cup matches for two different countries, said he hasn’t decided whether he’ll be aboard USA, the blazing-fast trimaran that will represent American challenger BMW Oracle Racing against two-time defending champion Alinghi of Switzerland and its catamaran, Alinghi 5. Race 1 of the best-ofthree nautical grudge match is scheduled for this morning. “I’ll go on the boat if it makes it faster,” Coutts said Friday night, his last appearance before the media. “There’s quite a few things that I’m focused on right now.” The New Zealander could make a dinghy go faster, so it might seem inconceivable that he’d sit out the opening race of an eagerly anticipated showdown between two of the fastest, most powerful sailboats ever built. Coutts might be engaging in a bit of gamesmanship against Alinghi, whose owner, biotech mogul Ernesto Bertarelli, will share driving duties aboard the Swiss catamaran Alinghi 5 with multihull whiz Loick Peyron of France. Or Coutts might just be following up on what he’s said all along, that he’s busy running the campaign, and the rest of the team is good enough to do the sailing. Coutts is trying to help an American syndicate regain the America’s Cup 15 years after he yanked it away from Dennis Conner in
Team New Zealand’s five-race sweep off San Diego. Coutts was hired by software tycoon Larry Ellison to run BMW Oracle Racing’s sailing team in July 2007, a move that perhaps added a level of bitterness to the convoluted legal fight between the Americans and Swiss that kept sailing’s biggest event locked up in New York courts for 2 1/2 years. That feud led to this being a rare head-to-head showdown for the oldest trophy in international sports, rather than a traditional regatta involving several challengers. Coutts, 47, is CEO of BMW Oracle Racing. He recently passed along the title of skipper to helmsman Jimmy Spithill, meaning the 30-year-old Australian will be in charge of on-board decisions. BWM Oracle Racing faces a weight limit, which is one reason Coutts said he might watch from a support boat. “I’ve always said I’d love to be sailing, make no bones about that,” Coutts said. “But I’ve always said I will do what’s best for the team. That’s why Jimmy Spithill’s the helmsman. He’s more than capable of doing that. He’s a much better helmsman than I am in this boat. He’s done all the work, all the practice. I’m not going to go helm the boat just for some ego trip. I want to give the team the best chance of winning.” Then again, Coutts and Ellison were aboard USA for the final tuneup sail yesterday, and there was dockside buzz that Coutts might sail today, depending on the wind strength. Ellison has said he’ll sit out Race 1 due to the weight limit, but that
could change, too. After Team New Zealand took a 4-0 lead over Italy’s Luna Rossa in the 2000 America’s Cup, Coutts handed the wheel to Dean Barker and watched from a chase boat as his understudy delivered the clinching victory. Coutts and several mates then jumped ship to Bertarelli’s startup syndicate. Coutts led Alinghi to a five-race sweep of hard-luck Team New Zealand in 2003, running his America’s Cup match race mark to a record 14-0. Alinghi became the first European team to win the America’s Cup, which started in 1851. Coutts and Bertarelli had a falling out and the skipper was fired in 2004. As part of a settlement, he was banned from sailing in the 2007 America’s Cup, which Alinghi won 5-2 over Team New Zealand. Concerned that the Swiss were trying to bend the rules for the next America’s Cup in their favor, BMW Oracle Racing sued Alinghi in July 2007. Not long after, Ellison hired Coutts. Ellison, the CEO of Oracle Corp., and Bertarelli were once friendly rivals. They raced against each other in exhibitions in San Francisco and Newport, Rhode Island, and spoke about making the America’s Cup more modern and fan-friendly. Then it all falls apart. “When I hired Russell Coutts, he was afraid he was going to lose,” Ellison said about Bertarelli. “He doesn’t like Russell. Russell won him the Cup. He thought with a fair set of rules he couldn’t come up with a team that could beat Russell Coutts. “He’s the best sailor in the world,” Ellison
said. “He’s the best running a program like this; he’s a wonderful leader, a wonderful engineering manager. If you want to win the America’s Cup, I suggest you hire Russell Coutts. His record’s not too bad. He’s been in three of them, and won them all.” Asked if Ellison’s hiring of Coutts was the beginning of the end of their friendship, Bertarelli said: “Possibly. You should ask him.” Coutts has downplayed the issue of personalities, saying BMW Oracle Racing would have gone after anyone else who was trying to hijack the rules. To prove his point, Coutts said he can’t wait to have a beer with his friend, Alinghi skipper and tactician Brad Butterworth, after the regatta ends. The two were crewmates with both Team New Zealand and Alinghi. “The example is, look at Brad Butterworth and myself,” Coutts said. “We’re two good mates. Still are. I just disagree with what’s been done.” Asked if they were indeed still mates, Butterworth said: “It would be tough to change that. He’d have to do something bad.” Besides, the two have been in a far worse situation. In 2003, they and other Kiwis aboard Alinghi were viewed as turncoats by New Zealanders as they sailed off with the America’s Cup. “He and I were under siege,” Butterworth said. “It was a time when you really had to better your friendships. We were tight then and we’re tight now.” Also yesterday, BMW Oracle Racing won the coin flip for the favored starboard entry to the starting box. — AP
Schiavone puts champs Italy into Fed Cup semis
KHARKIV: Francesca Schiavone of Italy returns a shot to Kateryna Bondarenko of Ukraine during their tennis match of the Fed Cup World group first round match yesterday. — AP
Oudin seals US Fed Cup semis position LIEVIN: Melanie Oudin sealed the United States’ passage to the semifinals of the Fed Cup yesterday with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 win over Julie Coin to establish an unassailable 3-0 lead over hosts France. Oudin had beaten Pauline Parmentier in straight sets in Saturday’s second singles rubber after 140th-ranked Bethanie Mattek-Sands had started the ball rolling with a 7-6 (9/7), 7-5 win over Alize Cornet. That loss being Cornet’s sixth loss in as many Fed Cup starts, team captain Nicolas Escude withdrew her from the firing line and sent in Coin. But she was unable to prevent Oudin, taking her tournament record to 3-3, sealing the decisive point which takes the USA through to the semi-finals as they hone in on an 18th title. In the semis, they will play either Serbia or Russia. Oudin, still only 18, was on the team which finished well beaten in last year’s final loss to Italy, the Americans hampered by the withdrawals of Serena and Venus Williams from the squad. The teen from Georgia made headlines last year with an exciting run to the US Open quarters having reached round four at Wimbledon, shocking former world number one Jelena Jankovic en route. At Flushing Meadows, she then defeated fourth seed Elena Dementieva and another former number one, Maria Sharapova. Escude blamed a “lack of experience” for the loss. He also said he hoped that the likes of Aravane Rezai, unavailable on this occasion, would soon be back on board.
LIEVIN: US Melanie Oudin hits a return to Julie Coin during the Fed Cup tennis tournament match opposing France to the USA yesterday. — AFP “Aravane was not able to come. I hope she will be able to (return),” said Escude, while also adding that he wanted to see other absentees such as Marion Bartoli and Virginie Razzano come back into the fold after citing other commitments this time round. Yesterday’s now academic second reverse singles pits Mattek-Sands against Parmentier before Mattek-Sands
and Liezel Huber pair up to take on Coin and Stephanie Cohen-Aloro in the doubles. Coin started well enough yesterday but quickly faded after missing chances at 5-5 before losing her way in the tiebreak under the watchful gaze of the now retired Amelie Mauresmo, who led the French to a 2003 final victory over this year’s conquerors. — AFP
Djokovic to bounce back from Aussie Open sorrow ROTTERDAM: Novak Djokovic will strive to show that his recent case of indigestion at the Australian Open was just a case of bad luck, with the Serb world number two returning to action as top seed at the Rotterdam Open starting here today. Djokovic, who moved up to second in the world behind Roger Federer after the Australian Open, had to quit with stomach problems in a quarter-final loss to Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Djokovic last played at the Ahoy stadium in this Dutch port city in 2007, reaching the semi-finals at the ATP 500 series event with a loss to Mikhail Youzhny, the eventual champion. He opens in the first round against Ukrainian Sergei Stakhovsky, ranked 66th. Djokovic takes top seeding after the injury withdrawal of Rafael Nadal, who is resting a fragile knee on doctor’s orders in Spain with hopes of returning in early March. Nadal played the 2009 final, losing with a different knee injury to Andy Murray, who is not returning to defend his title. The event received another late blow from Australian Open semi-finalist Tsonga, forced to pull out due to a stomach muscle injury. “It bothered me in the quarter-final against Novak Djokovic and in the semi-final against Roger Federer,” Tsonga revealed on his website. “I hope I’ll be able to go back to training next week without serving.” Australian Open surprise Nikolay Davydenko returns to Rotterdam for the seventh consecutive year, with semi-finals in 2006 and 2007 as his best efforts. The sixth-ranked Russian turned into the comedy hit of the Open as his formerly quiet personality sudden took on new life in a series of entertaining media conferences. The workaholic of the courts comes back to Rotterdam with recent success including the title at the year-end championships in London in November and victory in Doha in January. His opening test will be against Spaniard Feliciano Lopez, who has beaten the Russian in four of five ATP meetings and is also in form having reached the final of the South African Open. Sweden’s Robin Soderling, last year’s Roland Garros finalist against Federer, was given a wild card after an opening round defeat in Australia. Soderling lost the 2008 final to France’s MIchael Llodra, inserted into the 32-man draw in place of compatriot Tsonga. —AFP
KHARKIV: Francesca Schiavone battled from a set down to put defending champions Italy into the Fed Cup semi-final beating Kateryna Bondarenko of Ukraine yesterday. Schiavone won 2-6, 61, 6-1 in one hour 38 minutes to record her second win over Bondarenko in as many meetings and give Italy an unassailable 3-1 lead. “I started a bit nervously today after losing yesterday’s match,” Schiavone said. “I was under tough pressure feeling myself responsible for the result.” “And I needed all my experience and mental strength to come back after losing the first set. Luckily I managed to find my best tennis and win the match.” Bondarenko, 23, started confidently, breaking her rival’s serve three times to take the opening set in 36 minutes, while Schiavone managed to reply with a sole break. In the second, experienced 29-yearold veteran Schiavone, who is currently ranked 18th in the world, replied positively, producing four breaks to level the scores at one set all after 64 minutes on the court. In the deciding set Schiavone underlined her domination at the Kharkiv Lokomotiv sports palace, breaking Bendarenko’s serve twice to take the set, the match and earn her team a pass into the semis. Earlier yesterday the 27-year-old Flavia Pennetta beat elder Bondarenko sister Alona in straight sets 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) to record her third win over Bondarenko in as many meetings and lift Italy 2-1 ahead. Local crowd favorite Bandarenko, 20th in the WTA rankings, broke midway through the opening set for a 4-2 advantage but Pennetta thereafter picked up steam, taking the set in 53 minutes on the back of a four-game streak. The opponents traded breaks throughout the second set but failed to decide the winner in regular proceedings. In the tiebreak that followed Pennetta was in command, winning the set and the match to leave the Italians a point from victory before Schiavone wrapped things up. “I’m completely satisfied with my playing today,” Pennetta said. “Bondarenko had chances to win in both sets but missed them playing very nervously, while I was calm and confident and won.” On Saturday, Alona Bondarenko put Ukraine into the lead beating Schiavone 61, 6-4, while Pennetta levelled the scores with a 7-5, 63 win over Kateryna Bondarenko. Italy will now face either Germany or Czech Republic in April’s semi-final clash. — AFP
JOHANNESBURG: Feliciano Lopez from Spain receives the trophy after winning against Stephane Robert of France during the finals of the South African Tennis Open tournament yesterday. — AFP
Spaniard Lopez ends ATP trophy drought JOHANNESBURG: Spaniard Feliciano Lopez ended a six-year trophy drought with a 7-5, 6-1 triumph over France’s Stephane Robert in the South African Open final yesterday. The only previous ATP title for the 28-year-old native of Toledo who is ranked 39 in the world came in Vienna when he defeated Argentine Guillermo Canas in a five-set thriller. Lopez, seeded third for this ATP World Tour event, battled to subdue eighth seed Robert in a first set which went with service for 11 games before the Spaniard made a timely breakthrough. It kept the capacity 3,300 crowd at the Montecasino entertainment centre spellbound for 47 minutes as Lopez held service comfortably while Robert covered kilometers to continuously draw level. But the 30-degree heat drained the Frenchman, ranked 61 places below Lopez, and he was outclassed in the 21minute second set, winning just one game while his service was broken twice. Victory on his first visit to South Africa made Madrid-based Lopez 76,000 dollars richer while the blow of losing was cushioned for Robert by a 40,000 dollar cheque. Lopez admitted that going into the decider of the seven-day event as hot favorite made him nervous. “I had
everything to lose and Stephane had nothing to lose so it is a great feeling to succeed. Some missed opportunities in the first set angered me, but it all came together in the end. “The support for me here, so many thousands of kilometers from home, was amazing,” he said of a crowd that included many spectators waving Spanish flags. “Stephane made a great effort and he is a fighter who will continue to be among the top 100 tennis players in the world for a long time if he continues to play like today.” Robert, from the town of Montargis 110 kilometers south of Paris, acknowledged the superiority of Lopez by admitting that “he killed me. “Feliciano was better today with his unbelievable service and I lacked confidence, but this has been an amazing week for me,” boasted the man who made the seedings only because of late withdrawals. “I received many messages of support from my area and club and I look ahead with great hope. I am known as a clay court player but now I believe I can also do well on hard courts at altitude.” Lopez reached the final by defeating Frenchman Benjamin Balleret, Blaz Kavcic of Slovakia, American Rajeev Ram, and top seed Gael Monfils of France in a three-set semi-final. — AFP
Monday, February 8, 2010
SPORTS
17
Jimenez conquers Desert Classic Jimenez beats Westwood in playoff for title
KUWAIT: A karting enthusiast tests his skills at the International Jaber AlAhmad Circuit.
KMSC organizes event for moto-lovers By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: The Kuwait Motor Sports Club (KMSC) held its annual gathering for the activities and championships at the International Jaber AlAhmad Circuit in Farwaniya Governorate. It was attended by champions of rally, motocross, ATVs, and karting. The participants of this gathering expressed their happiness at receiving support from the KMSC who organized the championships and gave them the chance to train and improve their talents. The KMSC has circuits and tracks, especially prepared on the international standards and measures approved by the international associations and federation of the cars and motorcycles sports. This annual gathering is the starting point of the national campaign to preserve the youth from road accidents (Aman) adopted by the KMSC. “Starting this campaign is a new way of creating awareness about the danger of accidents and high speed on public roads. “This campaign also focuses on attracting young people to practice their hobbies within the
club, and under the control of professionals who are able to improve and develop their talents to enable them to participate in international championships in the future,” said Sheikh Ahmad AlDawood, Chairman of the KMSC. The KMSC is co-operating with different institutes from both the private and public sectors related to youth. “We co-operate with all of the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, the Public Authority for Youth and Sports (PAYS), Ministry of Health, and other institutes,” he noted. Parents play a key role in raising and directing the youth. “We call upon the youth and their parents to interact with the campaign. I also call upon the public sector to support this huge national project that aims to protect the lives of the Kuwaiti young people from car accidents. Also the media has a great role to play in this issue. “There will be awareness messages and programs published, that will direct the youth that love the motorsports to practice their hobbies in the championships and races held at the Club,” concluded Al-Dawood.
KUWAIT: Kuwait’s cadets practice for the upcoming shooting event.
Police shooting board approves events KUWAIT: The technical committee of the first international police shooting sport approved 10 events for men and seven for women in the pistol and shotgun, according to Olympic Games standards. The committee said in a press statement that competitions in the championship scheduled to start Feb 15 were chosen according to rules and regulations of the international shooting federation. Technical director of Kuwait police team John Leighton-Dyson said Kuwait’s shooters are ready to make significant achievements in this important international event. He said that Kuwait’s shooters are exerting their extreme efforts to get the title; especially since it is the first of its kind in the world, and being held in Kuwait. Director of the police sports
federation office Lt Colonel Nabil Al-Shatti said the office is exerting its efforts since the organizing committee began its activities to plan and prepare for all requirements for the tournament itself and the IPSF general assembly. He said there is co-ordination between Kuwait shooting sport club and the ISF secretariat general in Poland, as well as all member unions to facilitate registration in the championship and prepare the reports related to it. He said the office presented its report on the preparations and matters related to participants, and continued its contracts with the secretariat general regarding proposals and recommendations concerning the championship organization and the general assembly. —KUNA
IOC assesses weather, doping, ethics cases VANCOUVER: With one eye on the weather, the IOC opened a series of meetings yesterday to examine the last-minute preparations for the Vancouver Winter Games and deal with doping and ethics cases and future Olympics. The IOC is set to review the case of Kuwait’s national Olympic committee, which was suspended by the international body last month because of political interference by the government. The IOC says Kuwait failed to meet a Dec 31 deadline for amending a law that allows the Gulf state to interfere in elections of sports organizations. The International Olympic Committee executive board’s two-day meeting comes amid unseasonably warm conditions that have led to special contingency measures to protect the snow at the snowboard and freestyle skiing venue at nearby Cypress Mountain. The IOC is monitoring the weather situation but remains confident the games, which open next Friday, won’t suffer. “We are in a world with uncertain meteorology - we have to adapt to it,” IOC president Jacques Rogge said recently. “There is a permanent contingency planning for the entire duration of the games. If there would be too much snow or not enough snow, we will act on that.” John Furlong, head of Vancouver organizing committee VANOC, will report on the weather contingencies and other planning issues to the IOC board today. He’ll get another chance to deliver a progress update to the full IOC session, which meets from Wednesday through Friday. Local organizers said Saturday they will eliminate two days of halfpipe training at Cypress Mountain to protect the competition area. Athletes now will have three days of training instead of five. The men’s halfpipe is scheduled for Feb 17, with the women the following day. Cypress, which is just north of Vancouver, has experienced the warmest January on record, forcing organizers to bring in snow from across the province. There is plenty of snow, meanwhile, in the Whistler area where the Alpine and Nordic events will take place. Away from Vancouver matters, the IOC board will also examine a new U.S. doping case that could lead to the stripping of gold
medals from the women’s 4x400 relay team at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Crystal Cox, who ran in the preliminaries, admitted to using anabolic steroids and accepted a four-year suspension and disqualification of her results from 2001 to 2004, according to the US Anti-Doping Agency. The IOC is expected to set up a disciplinary commission on the case. Such a process has previously led the IOC to remove national relay teams of medals retroactively including three US teams from the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Under international rules, an entire relay team can be disqualified because of the doping of one member, even an alternate. Russia would move from silver to gold in the 2004 relay if the US team is disqualified. The executive board was expected yesterday to act on a report of its ethics commission and reinstate South Korea’s Lee Kun-hee as a full member. Lee, the convicted ex-Samsung chairman, voluntarily gave up his IOC rights after being indicted in 2008 in a financial and tax evasion case. The South Korean government pardoned Lee last year, clearing the way for his return to the IOC and help push the country’s latest bid to host the Winter Olympics. After two straight unsuccessful bids, Pyeongchang is vying for the 2018 Games along with Munich and Annecy, France. The IOC will vote next year. Lee’s reinstatement would follow the pattern of previous IOC ethics cases. France’s Guy Drut was provisionally suspended as a member in 2005 after being convicted in a party-financing trial. But he was reinstated a year later after being pardoned by then French President Jacques Chirac. On Wednesday, the IOC will vote on the host city for the 2014 Youth Olympics. The finalists are Nanjing, China, and Poznan, Poland. The Mexican city of Guadalajara withdrew last month due to financial pressures. The inaugural Youth Games - for athletes aged 14-18 - will take place this year in Singapore from Aug 14-26. Later next week, the IOC general assembly will receive progress reports from organizers of the 2012 London Olympics, 2014 Winter Games in Sochi Russia and 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. — AP
DUBAI: Spanish veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez won the Dubai Desert Classic for the first time yesterday defeating European No 1 Lee Westwood on the third hole of a drama-packed playoff. The clincher came with the light fading on the green of the parfour ninth when Westwood missed a six-foot putt for par and Jimenez held his nerve to sink a five-footer. It was the 16th European Tour win for the 46-year-old Jimenez and a record ninth title to have come after the age of 40. “All through the week I have been playing very well, strong on the golf course, strong mind and with good support from my caddie,” he said. “I am like the good wines, with age, they get better and better.” Going into the final day there had been a four-way tie for the lead on 11 under comprising Westwood, Jimenez, Asian No 1 Thongchai Jaidee, and a second Spaniard in the shape of young gun Alvaro Quiros. Westwood was the first to make a break with birdies at the third and fourth, but his momentum was stopped short by a double-bogey six at the fifth. The lead then chopped and changed between the four overnight leaders in the testing, windy conditions with a Quiros birdie putting him ahead for a while at the 10th. But a nervy three-putter on the 14th re-established the four-way tie that had existed at the start of the day, only this time on 10 under. That was when Jimenez hit one of the shots of the tournament, a magnificent approach which hit the 17th pin and left him with a tap-in putt for birdie. The man from Malaga then parred the par-five 18th and watched as Thongchai pulled a five-foot putt that would have forced a playoff. That left Westwood in the final pairing as the only player left who could stop the Spaniard lifting the prestigious trophy. The world No 3 was on the edge of the green in two, 60 feet away, and he hit a magnificent putt leaving him just a six-inch follow-up to bring Jimenez back out again. Back on the 18th minutes later, Westwood had a ninefooter to win on the first extra hole but left his birdie putt a fraction short. Jimenez then stayed alive with a brave 18footer for par at the second attempt to separate the two. Switching over to the parfour ninth it came down to a chipping and putting contest from the edge of the green which Jimenez won by the narrowest of margins. “The writing was on the wall,” said Westwood of his luck in the playoff. “Miguel plugs it in the front trap, 99 times out of a 100 that goes back in the water and he is one of the best bunker players on tour. “He plays one of his poor bunker shots, but holes it from 18 feet to stay in. That’s just one of those things. Playoffs can be like that.” Thongchai finished third at 10 under with Italy’s Edoardo Molinari and Germany’s Martin Kaymer a shot further adrift. Defending champion Rory McIlroy was never really in the hunt after bogeys at the seventh and ninth left him with too much work to do down the back nine as he came in at eight under, the same mark as the fading Quiros. The 20-year-old Ulsterman had been aiming to become the first player to defend the title in Dubai in the tournament’s 21-year history. “I didn’t play well yesterday and didn’t take my chances and it was just a bit of a struggle,” he said. There was a fine performance from 60-year-old US golf great Tom Watson who finished with a 68 for a sixunder total and a top 10 placing for his first appearance in Dubai. —AFP
DUBAI: Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez (left) receives his trophy from Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashed Al-Maktoum (right), son of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed Al-Maktoum, after winning the Dubai Desert Classic golf championship yesterday. — AFP
India’s Bhullar wins Asian Tour opener BANGKOK: Gaganjeet Bhullar of India produced a brilliant course record eight-underpar 64 to win the season-opening Asian Tour International by one shot yesterday. Starting the final round six strokes back, Bhullar reinforced his growing reputation as one of Asia’s brightest prospects with a superb come-from-behind victory, the second of his career, at the Suwan Golf and Country Club. The 21-year-old Indian sank an eagle and six birdies for an unblemished card on the fourth day and edged out Korea’s Hwang Inn-choon, who signed for a 69 for second place in the 300,000-dollar event. Japan’s Tetsuji Hiratsuka, runner-up
last year, took third place with a 68 while overnight leader Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand carded a 73 to finish tied fourth with Jbe Kruger of South Africa, three behind the winner. “When I woke up this morning, I just wanted to shoot a good number. I never ever thought I was going to shoot a 64 and win by one. It’s like a dream coming true,” said Bhullar, who pocketed 47,550 dollars. Bhullar’s title charge was sparked by his eagle at the par five second hole, when an eight iron approach stopped three feet short of the flag. He nailed four more birdies to turn in 30 and added two more birdies, on 15
and 18, to clinch a memorable triumph with his 11-under-par 277. Hwang, who was also chasing his second Asian Tour win, was in the hunt after turning in 33 and overcoming a double bogey on 11 with birdies on 14 and 15. But an errant drive into the hazard on 17 for bogey left Hwang with the tall order of having to eagle the par five last hole to force a play-off, which he could only birdie. The burly, 20-year-old Kiradech, who had held at least a share of the lead from the opening round, cut a forlorn figure after staggering home with two birdies, one bogey and a double bogey as his hopes of a maiden title vanished. — AFP
Two-try Bastareaud helps France shine EDINBURGH: Mathieu Bastareaud’s rugby redemption was complete at Murrayfield yesterday as Six Nations favorites France kicked off their campaign with an 18-9 win over Scotland. Bastareaud was the difference between the two sides, his two first-half tries putting the French in control of an open contest and justifying coach Marc Lievremont’s decision to hand the giant centre the opportunity to resurrect a career he had done his best to destroy. The 110-kg (242-pound) centre was starting his first Test since his ignominious involvement in last year’s tour of New Zealand, during which he falsely claimed to have been beaten up by All Black fans in order to cover up a drunken fall in his hotel bedroom. The bizarre episode quickly spiraled out of control with diplomatic relations between France and New Zealand becoming strained and Bastareaud himself, a shy 21-year-old, was hospitalized after an apparent suicide attempt on his return to France. Scotland, as so often in recent seasons, were let down by their failure to convert openings and phases of pressure into tries although, in Andy Robinson’s first Six Nations match in charge, they posed the French enough problems to suggest they could yet make an impact on this tournament. Robinson, who cuts a happier figure than during his unsuccessful stint as England coach, said there were positives to be taken out of the match ahead of next week’s clash with 2008 Grand Slam winners Wales, who lost to England on Saturday. “We conceded two soft tries, but I thought we were in control defensively,” said Robinson, who was assistant coach when England won the 2003 World Cup final. “Also we got behind the French defense several times but the French defense scrambled very well and Imanol Harinordoquy made two or three great tackles. “However, the French have a very good scrum and are very canny about the way they go about their business. We have a number of positives to take out of this match and I was especially pleased by the performances of Sean Lamont and Johnnie Beattie.” Harinordoquy, who belied his nickname bestowed on him by some Anglophine commentators of ‘Very ordinary’ and was named man of the match, said that he and his team-mates had never been able to let up.
“We are of course very happy to win, it was a very tough match out there,” said the 29-year-old, who was winning his 58th cap. —AFP
EDINBURGH: France’s Mathieu Bastareaud breaks between Scotland scrum half Chris Cusiter (left) and Scotland outside half Phil Godman to score his second try during the Six Nations international rugby match between Scotland and France at Murrayfield Stadium yesterday. — AP
First Iranian woman skier set for Canada DIZIN: Marjan Kalhor, who never imagined she would one day become the first Iranian woman to take part in the Winter Olympics, insists her moment of history will not fall foul of her country’s conservative rulers. Kalhor will compete in the Alpine slalom and giant slalom categories at the Vancouver Olympics from February 12 to 28. “I’m thrilled to make it to the Olympics and even more honored to be the national team’s flag bearer,” she told AFP in an interview at this northern Iranian ski resort where she grew up. The 21-year-old is also confident she can keep Iran’s Islamic dress code when she takes part in the Games. In the Olympic village she will sport the traditional headscarf, but in competition she will dress like everyone else. “Skiing is a sport which needs you to be fully clothed. So as far as the uniform for the competition goes, there is no problem-I’ll observe the Islamic dress code,” she said. Kalhor, who will head a fourmember Iranian team leaving today, the only one from the
Marjan Kalhor Middle East, will follow in the footsteps of countrywoman Homa Hosseini, a rower who was Iran’s flag bearer in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The other members of the Islamic republic’s team in Canada are Porya Saveh Shemshaki and Hossein Saveh Shemshaki, competing in the men’s Alpine event, and Seyed Sattar Seyd in the cross-country. Kalhor’s
ambitions really took off when she won a national event at the age of just 11. “I grew up here in Dizin where my family skied,” said the skier whose role model is Alpine world champion Kathrin Zettel of Austria. “I started when I was four, but when I won first place in the national youth games at the age of 11 it inspired me.” Skiing is not widespread in Iran, despite the country having two major mountain ranges in the north and in west. And the season is short, depending on snowfall. Dizin, in the Alborz mountains some 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of Tehran, attracts both Iranian and foreign skiers. It can also be dangerous. Last Thursday, an avalanche killed at least eight Iranians including a woman when it struck Dizin and nearby Shemshak. Kalhor has seen steady success in international events, but her big moment came last year at the World Championship at Val d’Isere in France when she got enough points to qualify for the Olympics slalom.— AFP
SPORTS
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Monday, February 8, 2010
No Bryant, no problem for Lakers PORTLAND: Lamar Odom replaced an injured Kobe Bryant and matched his career high with 22 rebounds, as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Portland Trail Blazers 99-82 in the NBA on Saturday. Bryant sat out with a sore left ankle, ending the 12-time All-Star’s run of 235 straight games. Odom also scored 10 points as the Lakers pulled away in the fourth quarter, leading by as many as 19 points, en route to ending a nine-game losing streak at the Rose Garden. Portland was again without All-Star guard Brandon Roy, who will miss the next three games and the All-Star with a hamstring injury.
James explodes for 47 points as Cavs win 11th straight Thunder 104, Warriors 95 In Oakland, California, Oklahoma City matched their season best with a fifth consecutive win, beating Golden State. Kevin Durant scored 29 points and Russell Westbrook added 21, 10 assists, a career-high eight steals and seven rebounds. Corey Maggette scored 24 points to lead the Warriors, who have lost eight straight. Bucks 93, Pacers 81 In Milwaukee, Andrew Bogut bounced back from a migraine to score 21 points to lead Milwaukee past Indiana. A night after departing in the first quarter against New York due to a severe headache, Bogut dominated inside, hitting 9 of 15 shots and grabbing eight rebounds as the Bucks won for the fifth time in six games. Luc Mbah a Moute scored 18 for Milwaukee. TJ Ford got a season-high 20 points to lead the Pacers, who were within six in the fourth quarter.
Jazz 116, Nuggets 106 In Salt Lake City, Utah made it eight straight wins to down Denver. Andrei Kirilenko scored 22 points and Carlos Boozer had 19 points and 13 rebounds in his return to the lineup. The Jazz pulled within two games of the Nuggets in the Northwest Division and avoided a fourgame sweep by Denver. Even without Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups, the Nuggets were able to cut a 17-point deficit to three early in the fourth quarter before Utah put the game away. Ty Lawson led Denver with 25 points. Cavaliers 113, Knicks 106 In Cleveland, LeBron James scored 47 points, including 24 straight for Cleveland in the first half, as Cleveland held off New York and notched its 11th straight victory. James set a franchise record with 35 points in the first half thanks to his remarkable streak. He finished one point shy of his season high while adding eight rebounds and eight assists. He needed just 5:29 to score 24 straight - 16 in a row to end the first quarter and eight straight to start the second. He closed the first quarter with four 3-pointers in the final two minutes. Nate Robinson, in his second start at point guard this season, had 26 points for New York. Hornets 104, Bobcats 99 In Charlotte, North Carolina, Darren Collison scored a career-high 24 points filling in for Chris Paul as New Orleans downed Charlotte. In the first regular-sea-
MILWAUKEE: Indiana Pacers’ Brandon Rush (center back) defends against Milwaukee Bucks’ Carlos Delfino (center) in the second half of an NBA basketball game. — AP son meeting since the July trade that sent Emeka Okafor to New Orleans for Tyson Chandler, the Hornets rallied from a 10point halftime deficit to snap a three-game losing streak since Paul was sidelined with a knee injury. Okafor, the Bobcats’ first draft pick, had 16 points and seven rebounds. David West added 21 points for New Orleans. Charlotte slipped to its third straight defeat despite 26 points from Stephen Jackson. Spurs 98, Clippers 81 In Los Angeles, San Antonio breezed to victory against a Los Angeles team adjust-
ing to life under an interim coach. George Hill scored all of his 22 points in the first three quarters to set up the Spurs victory. Chris Kaman had 21 points in the Clippers’ first game since Mike Dunleavy resigned as coach and was replaced on an interim basis by Kim Hughes. Bulls 95, Heat 91 In Chicago, the hosts won their first game in four by edging Miami. Luol Deng scored 25 points and Derrick Rose added 24 for the Bulls, who won despite missing the injured Joakim Noah and suspended Tyrus Thomas. Jermaine O’Neal tied sea-
son highs with 24 points and 16 rebounds but the Heat lost for the seventh time in eight games. 76ers 102, Rockets 95 In Houston, Philadelphia came from 13 points down to beat Houston and extend its winning run to a season-best four games. Reserve Thaddeus Young scored 17 points and Willie Green added 15 for the 76ers. Aaron Brooks scored 34 points for Houston, which controlled much of the game before a late Sixers surge that saw the visitors take the lead with less than five minutes left.
Timberwolves 109, Grizzlies 102 In Minneapolis, Al Jefferson rallied Minnesota to its season-high fourth straight victory by scoring 16 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter. Jefferson was quiet all night until the Grizzlies stretched their lead to seven points with 8 minutes left. Jefferson found his touch, scoring 12 straight and giving the Timberwolves the final push they needed to avoid their first season sweep by the Grizzlies. Jefferson went 8 for 8 from the field in the fourth from all over the floor. Rudy Gay finished with 27 points for Memphis. Pistons 99, Nets 92 In Auburn Hills, Michigan, Detroit ended a run of five straight home losses by downing hapless New Jersey. Jonas Jerebko scored 20 points on 9-for-9 shooting and Richard Hamilton added 17 points for the Pistons. The Nets lost their 14th straight on the road and are 126 away from home this season.— AP
NBA results/standings WASHINGTON: Results and standings after Saturday’s National Basketball Association games: New Orleans 104, Charlotte 99; Atlanta 0, Washington 0; Cleveland 113, New York 106; Detroit 99, New Jersey 92; Chicago 95, Miami 91; Minnesota 109, Memphis 102; Philadelphia 102, Houston 95; Milwaukee 93, Indiana 81; Utah 116, Denver 106; LA Lakers 99, Portland 82; Oklahoma City 104, Golden State 95; San Antonio 98, LA Clippers 81. Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L PCT GB Boston 32 16 .667 Toronto 27 23 .540 6 Philadelphia 19 31 .380 14 NY Knicks 19 31 .380 14 New Jersey 4 46 .080 29 Central Division Cleveland 41 11 .788 Chicago 24 25 .490 15.5 Milwaukee 23 26 .469 16.5 Indiana 18 33 .353 22.5 Detroit 17 32 .347 22.5 Southeast Division Orlando 33 17 .660 Atlanta 32 17 .653 0.5 Charlotte 24 25 .490 8.5 Miami 24 27 .471 9.5 Washington 17 32 .347 15.5 Western Conference Northw est Division Denver 34 17 .667 Utah 31 18 .633 2 Oklahoma City 29 21 .580 4.5 Portland 30 23 .566 5 Minnesota 13 38 .255 21 Pacific Division LA Lakers 39 13 .750 Phoenix 31 21 .596 8 LA Clippers 21 29 .420 17 Sacramento 16 33 .327 21.5 Golden State 13 36 .265 24.5 Southw est Division Dallas 31 19 .620 San Antonio 29 20 .592 1.5 Houston 27 23 .540 4 New Orleans 27 24 .529 4.5 Memphis 26 24 .520 5
Sharks down Predators, maintain NHL West lead NHL results/standings
NEW YORK: New York Rangers’ Marian Gaborik (10) scores a goal on New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur (30) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in New York. — AP NASHVILLE: The San Jose Sharks maintained their lead atop the NHL’s Western Conference with a 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators on Saturday. Dany Heatley scored his second power-play goal of the game 11:57 into the third period for what proved the winner. A pass through the crease found Heatley for an easy tap-in and his 32nd goal of the season. Brad Staubitz and Rob Blake also scored for San Jose, and Evgeni Nabokov made 35 saves. JP Dumont scored twice for the Predators, and Joel Ward added another. Blackhawks 2, Blues 1 In St Louis, Chicago ended its seasonworst run of three straight losses by edging St Louis. Jonathan Toews had a goal and an assist, while Patrick Sharp also scored for the Central Division-leading Blackhawks. St Louis’ goal came from Alex Steen. Kings 4, Red Wings 3 In Los Angeles, the hosts came from three goals down to beat Detroit and set a franchise record with nine straight wins. Michal Handzus scored the winner with 2:21 to play, after he, plus Alexander Frolov and Ryan Smyth had netted in the second period to erase the deficit. The Kings’ previous record of eight straight wins was set in 1972-73 and 1991-92. Handzus also had an assist, giving him six points in the past two games. Henrik Zetterberg scored twice for Detroit, and Valtteri Filppula added a goal. Stars 4, Coyotes 0 In Dallas, the home team snapped roadweary Phoenix’s season-best winning streak at six. Marty Turco made 34 shots for his 39th career shutout, while rookie Jamie Benn had his first two-goal game. James Neal scored his team-high 23rd goal, Loui Eriksson scored short-handed for his 22nd goal of the season for the Stars. Canadiens 5, Penguins 3 In Montreal, the hosts made three wins
on the trot by downing Pittsburgh. Brian Gionta had two goals and an assist, and Jaroslav Halak made 18 saves for the Canadiens. Montreal also got goals from Tomas Plekanec, Scott Gomez and Mathieu Darche. The Penguins goals came from Pascal Dupuis, Bill Guerin and Evgeni Malkin.
Wild 2, Flyers 1 In St Paul, Minnesota, Anton Khudobin made 38 saves in his first NHL start to help Minnesota edge Philadelphia. Cal Clutterbuck and Owen Nolan scored for the Wild, who have won eight of their past nine home games. Dan Carcillo scored for Philadelphia.
Rangers 3, Devils 1 In New York, Henrik Lundqvist made 41 saves to help New York defeat New Jersey. Ryan Callahan, Marian Gaborik and Chris Drury scored second-period goals for the Rangers. Dainius Zubrus scored for New Jersey.
Maple Leafs 5, Senators 0 In Toronto, Jean-Sebastien Giguere became the first goalie in Toronto history to have shutouts in his first two games with the team as Toronto ended Ottawa’s team-record winning streak at 11. Giguere, acquired in a trade from Anaheim, stopped 30 shots for the Maple Leafs. Phil Kessel and Luke Schenn each had two goals and an assist, and Tyler Bozak also netted for Toronto.
Canucks 3, Bruins 2, SO In Boston, Vancouver handed Boston its 10th successive defeat. The defeat was also the ninth in a row at home for the Bruins. Both streaks are the secondlongest in club history. Pavel Demitra tied it on a tip-in with 4:42 left and scored the only shootout goal for the Canucks, who were playing the fourth game of a 14-game road trip brought on by Vancouver hosting the Olympics. Zdeno Chara and Michael Ryder scored first-period power-play goals for Boston, and Mason Raymond scored in the second for Vancouver. Blue Jackets 4, Sabres 0 In Columbus, Ohio, Steve Mason stopped 28 shots for his third shutout of the season as Columbus routed Buffalo. Rick Nash and Raffi Torres scored against the NHL’s top penalty-killing team. Anton Stralman had a goal and an assist, and Milan Jurcina scored his first for the Blue Jackets to end an 87-game goal-less streak. Lightning 2, Flames 1 In Tampa, Florida, Andrej Meszaros scored early in overtime to give Tampa Bay victory over Calgary. Steven Stamkos also scored for the Lightning, while the Flames goal came from Mark Giordano.
Thrashers 4, Panthers 2 In Atlanta, the hosts won their first game in four by downing Florida. Atlanta newcomer Niclas Bergfors, acquired in the trade that sent Ilya Kovalchuk to New Jersey, scored the go-ahead goal with a 15foot blast with 4:26 left. Radek Dvorak scored twice in the first period to give Florida a 2-0 lead, but the Thrashers’ Max Afinogenov and Bryan Little countered in the second and Evander Kane added the late empty netter. Avalanche 3, Oilers 0 In Denver, Craig Anderson made 20 saves for his sixth shutout of the season as Colorado beat Edmonton. Wojtek Wolski, Ryan Wilson and Brandon Yip got the goals for the Avalanche. Hurricanes 3, Islanders 1 In Uniondale, New York, Justin Peters made 34 saves in his NHL debut to help Carolina overcome New York. Jussi Jokinen, Patrick Dwyer and Joni Pitkanen scored for Carolina. Frans Nielsen had a short-handed goal for New York. — AP
WASHINGTON: National Hockey League results and standings after Saturday’s games: Montreal 5, Pittsburgh 3; Vancouver 3, Boston 2 (SO); Los Angeles 4, Detroit 3; Dallas 4, Phoenix 0; Toronto 5, Ottawa 0; Carolina 3, NY Islanders 1; NY Rangers 3, New Jersey 1; Atlanta 4, Florida 2; Tampa Bay 2, Calgary 1 (OT); Columbus 4, Buffalo 0; Chicago 2, St Louis 1; San Jose 4, Nashville 3; Minnesota 2, Philadelphia 1; Colorado 3, Edmonton 0. Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L OTL GF GA PTS New Jersey 36 19 2 151 131 74 Pittsburgh 35 22 1 183 166 71 Philadelphia 28 25 3 164 152 59 NY Rangers 26 26 7 152 163 59 NY Islanders 23 27 8 146 180 54 Northeast Division Buffalo 32 18 7 158 144 71 Ottawa 33 22 4 164 165 70 Montreal 28 25 6 154 159 62 Boston 23 22 11 135 146 57 Toronto 19 29 11 160 201 49 Southeast Division Washington 40 12 6 229 157 86 Tampa Bay 25 21 11 147 166 61 Atlanta 25 24 8 172 183 58 Florida 24 25 9 152 167 57 Carolina 21 30 7 155 188 49 Western Conference Central Division Chicago 38 15 5 185 135 81 Nashville 31 22 4 159 160 66 Detroit 27 21 10 150 156 64 St. Louis 25 24 9 149 161 59 Columbus 24 27 9 156 194 57 Northw est Division Vancouver 35 20 2 184 140 72 Colorado 32 19 6 167 149 70 Calgary 29 21 9 150 149 67 Minnesota 29 25 4 161 170 62 Edmonton 18 33 6 144 193 42 Pacific Division San Jose 38 11 9 197 143 85 Los Angeles 36 19 3 178 159 75 Phoenix 35 19 5 157 150 75 Dallas 26 21 11 166 181 63 Anaheim 27 24 7 162 179 61 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the standings and are not included in the loss column (L).
KOBE: Thailand’s Denkaosen Kaowichit (left) reacts after taking a right hook from Japan’s Daiki Kameda during eighth round action in their WBA flyweight title match at Kobe World Memorial Hall yesterday. — AP
Kameda grabs WBA title TOKYO: Daiki Kameda became the second brother of Japan’s ‘brat pack’ boxing family to win a world title when he took the WBA flyweight belt by a unanimous decision against Denkaosan Kaovichit yesterday. The 21-year-old exacted revenge over champion Denkaosan in Kobe after losing to the Thai last October. Kameda’s older brother Koki won the WBC flyweight title in November and Daiki’s victory gave Japan their first sibling world champions. “I still don’t believe it. It’s like a dream,” a tearful Daiki told reporters before hoisting a piano into the ring and serenading fans with a song he had penned. “I trained for
this fight as if my life depended on it. Honestly the past two years have been tough. This win is a gift to my fans and family.” Daiki was banned for a year for violent behavior in a failed bid for the WBC crown in 2007 that ended in farce and multiple suspensions. Kameda, who had branded then-champion Daisuke Naito a “cockroach” in the run-up to the fight, was banned after picking up his opponent and slamming him to the canvas. Father and former trainer Shiro was booted out of the sport for abusing the referee and Koki escaped with a warning after TV microphones caught him telling Daiki to elbow Naito in the eye. — Reuters
Rice, Smith among seven elected to Hall of Fame FORT LAUDERDALE: Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith, two record-setting offensive powerhouses, were elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday in their first year of eligibility. Also elected to the Class of 2010 on the eve of the Super Bowl were Russ Grimm, John Randle, Rickey Jackson, Floyd Little and Dick LeBeau. Rice, 47, owns virtually every significant receiving record, including receptions (1,549) and yards (22,895), and has scored more touchdowns (208) than anyone. Smith, 40, rushed for a record 18,355 yards during his 15 NFL seasons, most of them spent with the Dallas Cowboys. “My father instilled in me hard work and appreciation for the game,” Rice, a 13-time Pro Bowler widely considered the top receiver to the play the game, told reporters. “And I love this game. It was really everything to me. I am honored to be here, to be in
front of all of the legends who made football what it is today.” Rice played with the San Francisco 49ers from 1985-2000, before finishing his career with the Oakland Raiders (2001-04), and the Seattle Seahawks (2004). He was not the most gifted receiver athletically but his work ethic was unparalleled. “There is a sacrifice you have to make if you want to be the best. I respected this game. I had two great Hall of Fame quarterbacks, Joe Montana and Steve Young, a great owner Eddie DeBartolo, and a great coach. I really loved (the late) Bill Walsh. “We went out there and we worked and we played the game the right way.” ‘LITTLE GIANT’ Smith was a bruising running back despite being
only 5-foot-9. He rushed for 164 touchdowns, won three Super Bowls with Dallas, and was the MVP in the Cowboys’ title-winning 30-13 triumph over Buffalo in 1994. He often spoke of breaking Walter Payton’s all-time rushing record, which he did in 2002, but never mentioned making the Hall of Fame. “I was so busy wanting to focus on the things I needed to do from that point on to whenever God said my career was going to be over,” he said. “I believed in that little giant inside of me that said, ‘I can.’ Coupled with the people that I was able to play with, I felt at the end of my career all of this would be added unto me. “This is such a special moment. This is one that you don’t think about. When you add this cake, and the icing, and the ice cream on top of that, it makes it very, very special.” —Reuters
Monday, February 8, 2010
SPORTS
19
Keane on target to seal Celtic win DUNFERMLINE: Robbie Keane scored his first goal for Celtic as the Hoops came from behind to beat Dunfermline 4-2 in a thrilling Scottish Cup fifth round tie here yesterday. The on-loan Spurs striker converted a second-half penalty to complete the scoring for Celtic after coming off the bench at half-time. The Hoops had taken a 19th minute lead when Diomansy Kamara scored his first goal for the club. But just over 60 seconds later Dunfermline were level when David Graham fired home. A shock looked on the cards when the First Division side soon found themselves ahead as Andy Kirk struck from the spot after the Pars were awarded a soft penalty following a foul by Paul Caddis. But Morten Rasmussen struck shortly before the break before Callum Woods scored an own goal as Celtic regained the lead. Keane then struck home from the spot to seal the win to send the Hoops into the quarter-final draw. Celtic manager Tony Mowbray was relieved to still be in the hunt for some silverware after a difficult week when a league defeat to lowly Kilmarnock all but extinguished their chances of catching bitter rivals Rangers at the top of the table. “We knew it was never going to be a walk over today (Sunday),” Mowbray said. “We are disappointed with the nature of the goals we conceded but it was about going through and we are delighted to do that.” His Dunfermline boss Jim McIntyre said he was proud of his players. “I thought going a goal behind and to react so positively so quickly and then to take the lead was great,” he said. “I just felt when we took the lead we sat back too deep and that allowed Celtic control of the game.” Celtic were without defenders Andreas Hinkel and Jos Hooiveld who were injured in the midweek defeat to Kilmarnock but Scott Brown,
Rasmussen and Edson Braafheid came in for starts. On loan Bayern Munich star Braafheid was involved early on when his floated cross was met by Samaras but Neil McGregor cleared the danger. Celtic were creating all the chances and the opener came in the 19th minute. Samaras saw his shot cannon back off the bar following a great cross from Braafheid and the ball broke to Kamara at the edge of the box and he smashed a fine strike into the top right-hand corner of the net. However their lead lasted just 60 seconds when Graham equalized. Nicky Phinn beat Josh Thomson on the right wing before picking out Graham in the box who got in front of Paul Caddis to fire past Artur Boruc. The home side didn’t have to wait long to take the lead when they were awarded a soft penalty in the 27th minute. Caddis appeared to nudge Steven Bell in the back and referee Charlie Richmond pointed to the spot. Kirk took the resultant kick and he sent Boruc the wrong way to give the Pars the lead. Rasmussen fired Celtic level two minutes before the break. A Braafheid cross broke to the Dane in the box and after his initial shot was blocked on the line by Greg Fleming the striker sent the rebound past the keeper. Keane replaced Marc Crosas at half-time and the on-loan Spurs star contributed to the Hoops regaining the lead in the 58th minute. His shot was blocked by Fleming but Kamara fired in a cross from the rebound and Woods stabbed home past his own keeper under pressure from Rasmussen. And just eight minutes later Keane got his first goal for Celtic. The Republic of Ireland international was felled in the box by Austin McCann and he picked himself up to send Fleming the wrong way with his spot-kick to seal the win. — AFP
Own goal hands beleaguered America 1-0 defeat in Mexico MEXICO CITY: America, who have had two players shot in the last fortnight, conceded an own goal in a 1-0 defeat away to Atlas in the Mexican Clausura championship. Atlas were lucky to score in Saturday’s match at the Jalisco stadium in Guadalajara when a shot by Atlas defender Mario Mendez hit Juan Carlos Valenzuela on the head and was deflected into keeper Guillermo Ochoa’s net in the 58th minute. America’s Paraguayan forward Salvador Cabanas has been in hospital for 14 days after being shot in the head during an argument in a Mexico City bar. His team mate Juan Carlos Silva took a bullet to the buttocks in an attempted robbery a week ago. Goal-shy Cruz Azul, runners-up to
Monterrey in the Apertura championship in December, were upset 2-0 at home by Santos Laguna, who scored through Colombian Carlos Darwin Quintero and Argentine-born forward Matias Vuoso. Cruz Azul, whose Argentine striker Emanuel Villa was top scorer in the Apertura with 19 goals, have found the net once in four Clausura matches. Monterrey were away to Toluca yesterday. Guadalajara are the only team with a maximum 12 points after their 2-0 win over Queretaro on Friday night. Striker Javier Hernandez scored their second goal to take his tally to a championship-leading seven in four matches. — Reuters
S Korea thrash Hong Kong 5-0 TOKYO: Holders South Korea thrashed Hong Kong 5-0 in their opening game at the East Asian championship yesterday to inject some life into the fourteam tournament. Captain Kim Jung-woo headed the Koreans in front in the 10th minute in Tokyo before goals from Koo Ja-cheol, Lee Dong-gook and a superb Lee Seung-yeoul strike made it 4-0 at halftime. World Cup-bound South Korea took their foot off the accelerator after the break and substitute No Byung-jun completed the rout with a tap-in in injury time. “I’m delighted with the result and my players,” Korean coach Huh Jung-moo told reporters after his side gained a psychological edge over struggling Japan. “The movement was good and we looked dangerous in attack. A lot of meticulous work goes in on the training ground to produce a display like that. I
thank my players for their hard work.” Hosts Japan were fortunate to escape with a goalless draw against China in Saturday’s opening game after the away side missed a late penalty. Huh praised his young side for their attacking play in the absence of Europe-based players such as Manchester United’s Park Ji-sung. “They deserve credit for their work rate and the way they continued to push,” he said. “The future looks bright.” Hong Kong’s Korean coach Kim Pan-gon also praised the winners. “Korea’s finishing was quality,” he said. “Their speed and power gives them an advantage over most teams in Asia.” South Korea face China on Wednesday before meeting fierce rivals Japan at the weekend in the final game of the competition. — Reuters
MADRID: Real Madrid’s Kaka of Brazil (left) celebrates with Jose Maria Gurtierrez ‘Guti’ after scoring against Espanyol during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid. — AP
Mallorca spoil Garrido debut to go 4th Barca survive 2 red cards, Kaka ends barren spell MADRID: Real Mallorca moved into fourth place with a late Jose Nunes goal sealing an impressive 10th consecutive home win as the islanders beat Villarreal 10 at the Ono Stadium yesterday. Portuguese centre-back Nunes netted on 81 minutes to maintain Mallorca’s flawless home record as new Villarreal coach Juan Carlos Garrido tasted defeat in his first match in charge. Mallorca go into the Champions League spots, a point above Sevilla, and have a perfect 30 points at home conceding just three goals in the process. Villarreal are down in 10th and Garrido, the reserve team coach who replaced the sacked Ernesto Valverde, has his work cut out to get the Yellow Submarine into Europe. In other matches, Deportivo La Coruna fell two points behind Mallorca in sixth after a 0-0 draw at Malaga yesterday. Athletic Bilbao closed to within two points of Depor with a 3-2 comeback win over Xerez yesterday thanks to a brace from Spanish international Fernando Llorente. Xerez prop up the table, as they have done for virtually the whole season, and are seven points from safety. Sevilla face Getafe in the second leg of their Kings Cup semi-final on Wednesday holding a 2-0 lead but coach Manolo Jimenez said Zaragoza was the priority for now. “We want to continue climbing towards third and the
cup semi-final doesn’t exist until after the Zaragoza match,” said Jimenez. In yesterday’s other match Racing Santander will be out for revenge against Atletico Madrid who crushed them 4-0 in the first leg of the Kings Cup semi-final in midweek to put one foot in the final. The two sides meet on Thursday for the second leg of the semi-final but for now three points in the league is the priority. “We have to be aware that we are going to come up against an angry side full of resentment and there will be a hostile atmosphere,” said Atletico coach Quique Sanchez Flores. Racing are a point above Atletico in the league and the capital side are 13 points off the top four and the cup looks their best route into Europe at the moment. Meanwhile, Leaders Barcelona survived red cards for Gerard Pique and Rafael Marquez to complete a 2-1 victory over Getafe in La Liga on Saturday while Real Madrid kept pace with a 3-0 win at home to Espanyol. Pique was sent off in the 25th minute for a wild challenge on Rafa Lopez. Marquez walked at the end after bundling over Kepa for a last-minute penalty scored by Roberto Soldado but the game was effectively over by then. Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the seventh minute and Xavi netted in the 67th as Barca continued to create the clearer chances
despite their numerical disadvantage. “You only manage this with commitment, a great deal of belief and by running a lot. The players have been marvelous,” Barca coach Pep Guardiola told reporters. “We played a very good game and it was one of the best performances we’ve put in.” The unbeaten champions moved on to 55 points from 21 games, and remained five ahead of second-placed Real, who comfortably swept aside Espanyol. Sergio Ramos headed in from a freekick early on and Kaka doubled the lead after Carlos Kameni could only parry a Raul header in the 30th minute. Gonzalo Higuain returned from injury to grab a third at the end. MESSI CURLER Getafe attempted to take the game to Barca by starting with two strikers but it was the home side who struck first when Messi curled in a shot from the edge of the area for his 16th goal of the campaign. Barca were just starting to take control when Pique was dismissed, and Guardiola held off from making a defensive substitution until early in the second half. Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Seydou Keita all went close before the Argentine World Player of the Year broke away on a counter-attack and squared for Xavi to give them a two-goal cushion. Getafe, who have a
Spanish League table MADRID: Spanish league table after yesterday’s early matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): Barcelona Real Madrid Valencia Real Mallorca Sevilla Deportivo La Coruna Athletic Bilbao Getafe Osasuna Villarreal Racing Santander Sporting Gijon Atletico Madrid Espanyol Almeria Malaga Valladolid Real Zaragoza Tenerife Xerez
21 21 21 21 20 21 21 21 21 21 20 21 20 21 21 21 21 20 21 21
King’s Cup semi-final second leg against Sevilla next week, had plenty of possession but created little until they were gifted a penalty in added time. Earlier, Valencia spoiled Onesimo Sanchez’s debut as Real Valladolid coach, winning 20 to stay third with 42 points. Struggling Valladolid, who are 17th, sacked Jose Luis Mendilibar on Monday but the change failed to spark an imme-
17 16 12 11 11 10 10 10 8 7 6 6 6 6 5 4 3 4 4 2
4 2 6 4 3 5 3 1 5 5 6 6 5 5 7 9 9 5 5 5
0 3 3 6 6 6 8 10 8 9 8 9 9 10 9 8 9 11 12 14
52 50 38 35 31 24 27 28 21 31 23 21 30 14 22 23 24 23 17 12
11 15 20 23 22 22 27 26 21 30 27 25 33 29 31 26 38 42 40 38
55 50 42 37 36 35 33 31 29 26 24 24 23 23 22 21 18 17 17 11
diate revival in their fortunes at the Mestalla. Ever Banega was at the centre of most of Valencia’s best moves and cracked in a fierce drive for the opener after eight minutes. The Argentine midfielder then crossed for David Villa to head his 15th league goal of the campaign in the 29th. The hosts squandered several more chances after the break. — Agencies
St Etienne edge nearer to safety Former French giants end Monaco’s undefeated run
SAINT ETIENNE: Saint-Etienne French midfielder Bakary Sako (right) vies with Monaco French defender Francois Modesto during the French L1 football match yesterday. — AFP
PARIS: Former French giants St Etienne dealt Monaco’s hopes of a late run at the title perhaps a fatal blow yesterday as they beat them 3-0 to end their seven match unbeaten run. Victory for ‘Les Verts’ also saw them grab three vital points in their bid to retain their elite status as they moved seven points clear of third from bottom Le Mans, who lost 2-1 to Lens on Saturday. Monaco’s defeat left them nine points adrift of champions and leaders Bordeaux, who hold just a three point advantage over Montpellier after the former lost 4-2 at Rennes on Saturday and the latter beat second from bottom Boulogne-sur-mer 2-0. St Etienne took an early lead over Monaco with Blaise Matuidi netting in the 13th minute for ‘Les Verts’. The St Etienne playmaker and skipper seized on a slide rule pass by Dimitri Payet and despite Monaco ‘keeper Stephane Ruffier managing to get a hand on the shot it was too powerful to stop going over the line. The hosts controlled the first-half from that point on - keeping Monaco’s in-form Korean star Park Chu-young under wraps after he had made a bright opening while Brazilian Nene was out of sorts. Instead, it was the duo of Ivory Coast international striker Boubacar Sanogo and Bakary Sako who dominated and were at the heart of what admittedly were rare moments of quality play in the first 45 minutes. Although the visitors started the second-half in brighter mode St Etienne regianed control and it was the impressive Ruffier, who twice came to their rescue first saving a fierce shot
from Payet in the 70th minute which he blocked and fortunately for him St Etienne substitute Emmanuel Riviere was unable to turn into the net. Two minutes later Ruffier pulled off an even finer save as somehow he leapt high to save Argentinean international striker Gonzalo Bergessio’s stunning shot which looked certain to be the hosts second. The 25-year-old three-times capped Argentinean was not to be denied, however, and he doubled St Etienne’s lead in the 75th minute as he latched onto Riviere’s pass from the left flank and slotted it past Ruffier. Riviere was to get a deserved reward for his cameo role after replacing Sanogo by adding a third in time added on. Monaco had all but run out of ideas in breaking down the 10-time champions defense and resorted to vain appeals for a penalty but they were waved aside by the referee. Yesterday’s other match saw Toulouse show some spirit given the heartbreak they had endured last Wednesday when they lost to Marseille 2-1 after extra-time in the League Cup semi-final, having led until the 85th minute. However, they dominated a poor Lyon side, who also had Cameroon international midfielder Jean II Makoun sent-off in the 57th minute for a second bookable offence. Toulouse should have taken all three points but French international striker Andre Pierre Gignac was unlucky not to hit the back of the net - a 20th minute lob grazing the post and then a header from a corner in the 30th minute hit the bar. — AFP
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Drogba’s double sinks Arsenal Drogba gives Terry a boost as Chelsea go top
Chelsea 2
Arsenal 0
LONDON: Chelsea’s Didier Drogba (second right) shoots to score against Arsenal during their English Premier League soccer match at Stamford Bridge yesterday. — AP
Inter rout Cagliari 3-0 ROME: Inter Milan increased their lead at the top of Serie A to 10 points after they crushed Cagliari 3-0 at the San Siro while second placed AC Milan were held to a 0-0 draw at Bologna. Ahead of the Milan derby two weeks ago the Serie A title race seemed to be alive and kicking with Milan knowing a victory would have left them three points behind and with a game in hand. But they lost that and have drawn their next two leaving the champions starting to creep over the hill and out of sight. Goals from Goran Pandev, Walter Samuel and Diego Milito earned Jose Mourinho’s men the three points that give them a seemingly unasailable lead. There was an ominous feel to the game when Inter took the lead af ter just six minutes, Captain Javier Zanetti made a typically purposeful burst down the right flank, breaking into the box and pulling the ball back for Samuel Eto’o, playing his first
game since retur ning from African Nations Cup duty, but the Cameroon hitman’s poor shot hit two defenders before falling invitingly into Pandev’s path, the Macedonian slotting home at the near post. On 20 minutes it seemed to be game, set and match as centre-back Samuel rose in the box to head home a Maicon
save from Brazilian countryman Nene’s acrobatic volley from close range. Any hopes Cagliari had were wiped out two minutes after the restart following a brilliant goal from Inter that saw Pandev feed Eto’o on the edge of the Sardinians’ box, take the return pass and slip in Milito, who took a touch and then slid
Italian League Roundup cor ner for 2-0. And yet Cagliari could, and possibly should, have gone into the break level. Alessandro Matri had a goal wrongly disallowed on 34 minutes when, although he was marginally offside as the ball was played through to him, television replays showed that it was Inter full-back Davide Santon’s touch which sent him in on Julio Cesar. And two minutes later it was Julio Cesar who stunningly kept Cagliari off the scoresheet as he made a reaction
the ball low into the corner. Milan labored to a draw in Bologna with loan signing from Inter Mancini failing to impress on his debut. Ronaldinho came closest to breaking the deadlock as he hit the bar with a sideways bicycle kick in the second half and in injury time captain Massimo Ambrosini also hit the bar with a header. There was crowd trouble in Udine where four people were taken to hospital before kick-off, after which Napoli’s Cristian Maggio had
an eventful game as Antonio Di Natale scored a hat-trick in Udinese’s 3-1 victor y. Maggio’s topsy-turvy afternoon began when he was booked for fouling Ghana’s Kwadwo Asamoah in the box and although Morgan De Sanctis saved Di Natale’s spotkick, the Serie A top scorer volleyed home the rebound on seven minutes. On 21 minutes Maggio equalised as he pounced on the rebound af ter Samir Handanovic blocked German Denis’s shot with his legs, nutmegging the Slovenian goalkeeper to equalize. But at the end of the first half, Fabio Quagliarella headed Denis’s cross against the bar and Maggio dived in the box after collecting the follow up, promptly picking up his second booking. Napoli fought spiritedly with 10 men and Michele Pazienza hit the post in the last minute but Di Natale broke Napoli hearts with two goals in injury time. — AFP
BOLOGNA: AC Milan’s Dutch forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (right) fights for the ball with Bologna’s goalkeeper Roberto Colombo during their Serie A football match in Bologna’s Renato Dallara Stadium yesterday. — AFP
LONDON: John Terry ended a miserable week on a high as Chelsea striker Didier Drogba tormented Arsenal again to inspire his team to a 2-0 win that sent the Blues back to the top of the Premier League yesterday. Terry showed no signs of being affected as he returned to the spotlight just 48 hours after being stripped of the England captaincy in response to allegations that he had an affair with the ex-girlfriend of international colleague Wayne Bridge. The Blues skipper received a warm welcome from Chelsea’s fans at Stamford Bridge and ignored the jibes of Arsenal’s travelling supporters to set up Drogba’s first half opener and give a commanding performance. Drogba, so often a thorn in Arsenal’s side, capped a clinical counter-attack with a blistering finish to increase Chelsea’s lead before half-time. That was enough to ensure Carlo Ancelotti’s team moved two points clear of Manchester United and left Arsenal, now nine points behind the leaders, looking like also-rans in the title race. Last weekend’s chastening loss against Manchester United had left Arsene Wenger’s side with little margin for error and the Gunners boss knew it would take a significant improvement if Arsenal were to end their woeful run of just two wins in 15 matches against Chelsea. When Ancelotti’s men thumped the Gunners 3-0 in November, it was Drogba who took centre-stage with a match-winning double. This time all the focus was on Terry but once again Drogba reduced Arsenal to rubble. Terry’s name was cheered to the rafters before kick-off by Chelsea supporters who responded to Arsenal taunts of “you’re not captain anymore” with chants of “there’s only one England captain”. He didn’t look bothered by his unwanted role as pantomime villan and played a major part as Chelsea took the lead in the eighth minute. When Florent Malouda curled over a corner, Terry rose above Abou Diaby to glance a header towards the far post, where Drogba was lurking to volley home his 11th goal in 12 appearances against Arsenal. Wenger’s team regrouped and caused panic in the Chelsea defence twice in quick succession. Samir Nasri measured his run onto Cesc Fabregas’s long ball in time to round Petr Cech, forcing the goalkeeper to scramble his shot away for a corner. While that was only half a chance, Andrey Arshavin had a glorious opportunity to equalize when he volleyed Fabregas’s cross straight at Cech from close-range. It proved a costly miss as Chelsea punished Arsenal’s weakness against the counter-attack in the 23rd minute. In a near-replica of Wayne Rooney’s goal at the Emirates Stadium seven days ago, Frank Lampard sprinted clear when Arsenal’s intricate passing broke down on the edge of the penalty area and picked out Drogba on the right wing. Drogba powered past Gael Clichy with a clever flick and the Ivorian had time to pick his spot and lash a ferocious strike past Manuel Almunia. It was the perfect response to Wenger’s claim after the teams’ last meeting that Drogba doesn’t contribute much to Chelsea’s play. Ashley Cole almost added a third goal before the break but the left-back’s first touch let him down and Almunia was able to block his shot. While Arsenal enjoyed plenty of possession after half-time they lacked the cutting edge that a player like Drogba provides. Drogba caused more problems for the visitors when he lofted over a deep cross. Malouda found Lampard and the England midfielder saw his flick pushed out by Almunia. Fabregas’s low free-kick forced a fine save from Cech, but Wenger’s frustration boiled over when he argued with Chelsea assistant Ray Wilkins on the touchline in the closing stages. There was still time for Drogba to strike the bar with a free-kick as Chelsea gave Terry a reason to be cheerful at last. — AFP
EPL table LONDON: English Premiership table after yesterday’s matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): Stoke City 23 7 8 8 22 26 29 Chelsea 25 18 4 3 60 20 58 Blackburn 25 7 7 11 25 43 28 Man United 25 18 2 5 61 20 56 Sunderland 24 6 7 11 31 41 25 Arsenal 25 15 4 6 60 30 49 Hull City 25 5 9 11 25 50 24 Liverpool 25 13 5 7 43 26 44 Burnley 24 6 5 13 25 47 23 Tottenham 25 12 7 6 45 25 43 Wigan Athletic 23 6 5 12 25 48 23 Man City 23 11 8 4 45 32 41 Bolton 23 5 7 11 29 44 22 Aston Villa 24 11 8 5 31 18 41 West Ham 24 4 9 11 30 40 21 Birmingham City 24 10 7 7 24 24 37 Wolverhampton 24 5 6 13 20 42 21 Everton 24 8 8 8 33 35 32 Portsmouth 24 4 3 17 19 41 15 Fulham 25 8 7 10 27 28 31
Phillips blows out the candles on McCarthy’s birthday celebrations Birmingham 2
Wolves 1 BIRMINGHAM: Veteran Kevin Phillips’ double late strike here yesterday put a dampener on Wolves manager Mick McCarthy’s 51st birthday celebrations as Birmingham City came from behind to win 2-1. Ironically Phillips may have been allowed to leave the club on loan for the remainder of the season, if Birmingham manager Alex McLeish had been successful in securing the services of Roman Pavlyuchenko in the January transfer window and the Scot’s frustration and missing the Russian on transfer deadline day proved to be a blessing in disguise. Phillips had not even appeared at this level for over two months, but he spared Birmingham their first home defeat since last December with a brilliant second half cameo that indicated he has lost none of his goalscoring instincts, even if his 35-yearold legs can no longer carry him through an entire Premier
League game. The former England striker single-handedly deprived Wolves of a crack at the Premier League in 2006-07 with four goals in as many appearances including both play-off semi-final games in that Championship season and he was the scourge of McCarthy’s team again. The 35-year-old was only introduced as a 63rd minute substitute with Alex McLeish’s side trailing to Kevin Doyle’s sixth goal of the season, but two goals in six minutes turned the game on its head. Phillips still has the glorious knack of being in the right place at the right time and rounded off a movement involving fellow substitutes Keith Fahey and Craig Gardner 11 minutes from time with a close range volley to defeat Marcus Hahnemann to give McLeish some reward from a game Birmingham barely looked capable of winning. If that was not enough of an unwanted birthday present for McCarthy five minutes from time Phillips chested down Stephen Carr’s cross before sending a searing volley beyond Hahnemann to leave Wolves deeper in relegation trouble. Until Phillips arrival a Birmingham victory seemed
fanciful and a rare defeat appeared in the offing. Birmingham’s miserly defensive record has been one of the chief reasons for their impressive surge into the top half of the table, but for once it failed them to give Wolves a fortuitous advantage three minutes before the interval and cost them for missing earlier chances of their own. Cameron Jerome should have scored with a header from inside the sixyard box, whatever the merits of Michael Mancienne’s intervention, while Christian Benitez and Scott Dann experienced the frustration of near misses from set pieces. It was not exactly against the run of play, as Wolves had had opportunities of their own, most notably Ronald Zubar heading Matt Jarvis’s free-kick wide from two-yards, when Birmingham were forced to concede only the ninth goal against them at St Andrew’s, albeit with a hint of misfortune. Another Jarvis delivery from the width of the left, after Karl Henry’s astute pass, struck the heel of Roger Johnson, wrong-footed Joe Hart, bounced off the foot of the post and Doyle’s awareness and reaction time was faster than anyone else’s. — AFP
WARSAW: Groups with country names are displayed on a videoscreen after the drawing of the qualifying games for the 2012 European soccer championships, at the Palace of Culture in Warsaw yesterday. — AP
Big guns get comfortable draw UEFA change draw after ex-Soviets paired together WARSAW: European champions Spain were handed an easy-looking path to the Euro 2012 finals in Poland and Ukraine in yesterday’s qualifying draw, although coach Vicente Del Bosque said afterwards he was taking nothing for granted. Spain, who won Euro 2008 with a series of superb performances culminating in their victory over Germany in the final, are ranked number one in the world and were grouped with Czech Republic, Scotland, Lithuania and Liechtenstein. They were the last of the 51 teams drawn at the ceremony at Warsaw’s Palace of Culture and Science and Del Bosque was cautious about the challenge ahead. “We face a strong test and will have to be at our best in every match so we do not want to make any mistakes; we are taking nothing for granted,” he told reporters immediately after the draw. World champions Italy face two World Cup finalists in Serbia and Slovenia, as well as Northern Ireland, Estonia and Faroe Islands in Group C, while France, the 2006 World Cup runners-up, should be too strong for Romania, Bosnia, Belarus, Albania and Luxembourg in Group D. “Italy’s group is balanced, with Serbia and Slovenia-two teams who will play in the World Cup,” Italy coach Marcello Lippi, who was not present at the draw, was quoted as saying by Italian news agency ANSA. “There’s an advantage in being in a group of six. Of the other groups, England’s is the most difficult.” Germany, runners-up to Spain in the Euro 2008 final, face neighbors Austria as well as Turkey in what should be a straightforward group for them. Group A also includes Belgium, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, whom Germany beat home and away in their World Cup qualifying group. Azerbaijan are coached by former German international and manager Berti Vogts.
Azerbaijan were the first team drawn, and were then grouped with Armenia-the exact scenario UEFA had wanted to avoid. Political tensions between the two ex-Soviet states meant that UEFA’s executive committee had ruled they would not be allowed to be in the same group. Under a pre-arranged agreement, Armenia were moved into Group B where they will face Russia, Slovakia, Ireland, Macedonia and Andorra. The two countries had refused to play each other in the qualifiers for Euro 2008 after being drawn together. OLD RIVALRY England will renew their old rivalry with Wales whom they have met 99 times. Their last meetings were in the qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup finals when England won both games. England also face World Cup finalists Switzerland in Group G, group along with Bulgaria and Montenegro. England coach Fabio Capello’s first match in charge of England was a 2-1 win over Switzerland in February 2008 and he said he was looking forward to playing them again. “We have improved as a team since that first match,” he said. “Although it will be tough it will be good to play them again.” France, runners-up in the 2006 World Cup final, face a challenge from Romania, Bosnia, Belarus, Albania and Luxembourg. France and Romania met in the World Cup qualifiers with both matches ending in draws. The qualifying competition starts in September and concludes with final-place playoffs in November 2011. The nine group winners and best runners-up automatically qualify for the finals, along with the co-hosts. The remaining eight runners-up face each other in the playoffs with the four winners completing the 16-team line-up in the finals.— Reuters
747-8 freighter to make first flight
Toyota woes a boon for car rivals
Lenovo launches ‘Idea’ product
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G-7 seeks to calm global markets
IQALUIT: Top finance officials from the Group of Seven (G-7) major industrial countries attend a meeting in Iqaluit, Canada’s Arctic city. They sought to calm jittery markets by pledging to keep providing government aid to sustain a fledgling economic rebound. —AP
Dubai pumps $6.2 bn into debt-ridden giant DFSF ready to put more money into Dubai World DUBAI: Dubai said yesterday it has pumped 6.2 billion dollars into Dubai World and that it is prepared to put even more money into the conglomerate whose debt woes caused global market jitters late last year. The Dubai Financial Support Fund, set up in February last year to aid indebted state-run corporations, “has put over 6.2 billion dollars into Dubai World Group over the past 12 months,” a government spokeswoman said. “The DFSF stands ready to put considerably more money into the company in line with the announcement it made” in December, when the government forked out 4.1 billion dollars to cover maturing bonds owed by Nakheel, the giant property arm of Dubai World. Dubai was able to rescue Nakheel from an imminent default thanks to a last-minute lifeline from neighboring Abu Dhabi, which brought Abu Dhabi’s total financial
aid to Dubai since the global financial crisis hit the emirate to 10 billion dollars. The Abu Dhabi-backed central bank of the United Arab Emirates also paid 10 billion dollars last February. Although Dubai World is owned by the government, the spokeswoman stressed that the funds were extended on a commercial basis. “This money was made available to the DFSF on commercially reasonable terms, and the DFSF has endeavored to advance these funds to the company on a commercial basis,” she said, without disclosing the rate of interest offered. “These funds would be used for, among other things, working capital and interest expenses for the company’s creditors,” the spokeswoman said on condition of anonymity. Dubai World began late December negotiations with creditors to restructure some 22 billion
dollars in debt owed by its troubled subsidiaries. So far, no agreement has been reported. “The DFSF and the company are operating within the internationally accepted principles in order to ensure a fair and equitable process for all creditors,” she said. The DFSF and Dubai World “are committed to concluding a mutually acceptable consensual restructuring,” she added. Dubai alarmed global financial markets when it announced late November that it needed to freeze debt payments by Dubai World for at least six months in order to restructure the group. The announcement spread fears of a possible default by the once-booming city state whose accumulated debt is estimated between 80 billion dollars and 100 billion dollars, although some reports said it could be as high as 170 billion. —AFP
UAE’s inflation hits 9-year low Saudi consumers demand govt’s action on Toyota RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Consumer Protection Association (CPA) yesterday urged authorities to force Japanese carmaker Toyota’s local agent Abdul Latif Jameel Co (ALJ) to recall and check for defaults in cars it sold locally. An official at ALJ said the company would invite within two weeks owners of Toyota Sequoia and Avalon models—both of which are produced in the United States-to get their cars checked. CPA’s call, made in a statement—sent to media, is the first by a consumer protection group in the Gulf Arab region-where Saudi Arabia is the biggest auto market— after Toyota recalled some 8 million cars worldwide on safety glitches. The Gulf Arab region accounted for 6.5 percent of Toyota’s global car sales, Jim Sakaguchi, Toyota’s marketing general manager for the Middle East and southwest Asia, told Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper in an interview last year. In its statement, the CPA urged the government to enact a trade ministry decree issued in 2001 that makes it compulsory for a carmaker and its local agent to recall all models that were proven to show defaults. “The Association urges government entities ... to play their role, monitor and clarify the situation for consumers and also demand that Toyota cars’ agent does the necessary and recall cars to make sure they are not affected by this glitch and fix it if necessary,” the CPA said. DIFFERENCE IN CLIMATE Toyota said on Feb. 2 the 2005-2010 model year Avalons and 2009-2010 Sequoia cars sold in the Middle East had been shipped from the United States, where those models have been subject to a recall related to faulty accelerator pedals. Toyota said in a statement distributed in the Middle East that the same problem afflicting cars in North America, Europe and China was unlikely to occur in the Middle East due to the difference in climate. However, Toyota’s distributor in the United Arab Emirates, AlFuttaim Motors, said the two models would be recalled in the Gulf country in a service campaign similar to the one in the United States. —Reuters
DUBAI: United Arab Emirates inflation hit a nineyear low of 1.5 percent in 2009, in line with forecasts, as prices returned to a downward path in December due to a fall in the household category, preliminary data showed yesterday. The global financial crisis ended an oil- and real estate-fuelled boom in the Gulf Arab region, depressing consumer prices from record peaks set in 2008, with some countries such as the UAE experiencing temporary deflation in 2009. The Gulf country’s consumer prices fell 0.4 percent on an annual basis in December, after an increase of 0.17 percent in November, data from the National Bureau of Statistics provided to Reuters showed. On the month, prices in the world’s third-largest oil exporter decreased 0.7 percent in the last month of 2009, af ter rising 0.4 percent in November, the data showed. The bureau said the decline in the key household category, which accounts for 39 percent of the inflation basket and includes rents and energy costs, was behind the December fall, while food prices edged up slightly. It did not give details. The secondlargest Arab economy, which saw four months of consecutive price declines before November’s rise, registered
record annual inflation of 12.3 percent in 2008. Analysts polled by Reuters expected an average inflation of 1.5 percent for the full year of 2009. Inflation is forecast to accelerate to 2.5 percent this year as the economy recovers from the last year’s downturn. “What we are expecting in 2010 is a low single-digit inflation ... but probably higher than in 2009,” said Giyas Gokkent, head of research at National Bank of Abu Dhabi. “You will not get the same downward pressure that rents were contributing in 2009 or at least not to the same degree and then food prices might put some upward pressure,” he said. House prices in UAE member Dubai, already off some 60 percent from their peaks, are set to fall a further 10 percent this year, a Reuters poll showed last month, as the emirate’s debt woes will likely delay a property sector recovery to 2012. The oil producer’s economy minister said in December he expected annual consumer price inflation of 2 percent for 2009. The UAE central bank governor said in January the country would see very low inflation for more than one year. The statistics bureau is expected to release more detailed inflation data for December later this week. —Reuters
IQALUIT: Top finance officials of the seven major industrial countries sought to calm jittery markets by pledging Saturday to keep providing government aid to sustain a fledgling economic rebound. But officials of the Group of Seven countries meeting in the Canadian Arctic acknowledged their delicate balancing act: They need to revive growth, which means providing more government stimulus. But such spending has driven deficits to historic highs. And it’s raised fears among investors about whether all that fresh debt can be repaid. Those worries were underscored in the past week. Investors sent global financial markets into a tailspin over growing concerns about debt levels in Greece. Investors fear Greece may default or require a bailout from already strapped European governments. Those concerns are spreading to other financially troubled governments such as Portugal and Spain. All three nations share the euro currency. Their debt burdens have reminded investors of the fragility of the global rebound from the worst recession since the Great Depression. “The world econo-
my is coming back,” Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty told reporters as the two-day G7 meeting ended. “We’ve been through together a very difficult time, a very uncertain time and now we see signs of recovery.” That view was echoed by Flaherty’s colleagues. The group includes US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. The G-7 countries are the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Italy and Canada. The finance ministers pledged to keep government stimulus programs going this year. But none unveiled any new initiatives. Geithner came to the meeting days after President Barack Obama sent Congress a spending plan that includes a $100 billion package of jobs initiatives. That spending would drive this year’s US budget deficit to a record $1.56 trillion. Obama’s program is an effort to attack high US unemployment in an election year. The president declared in his State of the Union address that jobs would be his top priority. US deficits have raised fears among investors about possible inflation and a devalued dollar.
But Geithner reiterated that the administration remains committed to a strong dollar. Geithner said that once the recovery gains strength, the administration will “turn to starting to unwind and walk back the exceptional measures we took in this crisis.” British Treasury chief Alistair Darling is also pushing stimulus spending to fight high unemployment even as Britain’s budget deficit surges. Darling’s government is facing a tough election campaign this spring. Darling said “the key challenge is to ensure that we get our borrowing down, get our deficits down, but at the same time we do that in a way that doesn’t damage the recovery.” He said there’s widespread agreement among the G-7 countries on that principle. Geithner said European officials “gave us a very comprehensive review” of the debt crisis in Europe there. “They made it clear to us that they will manage this with great care,” Geithner told reporters. Flaherty had chosen the remote town of Iqaluit, population 7,000, to try to promote more informal discussions. He dubbed them fireside chats. He
said the effort had been a resounding success. Several finance officials took the opportunity to go dogsledding on frozen Frobisher Bay - an experience Geithner and Bernanke passed up. The G-7 officials agreed to support a US-backed proposal to get the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to forgive loans they have made to Haiti. The goal is to support Haiti as it struggles to recover from last month’s devastating earthquake. Heading into the meetings, some G-7 nations complained about Obama’s surprise proposal on bank regulations last month. Obama said the United States would seek tougher rules to prevent risky trading by big banks from threatening the financial system. But in their joint news conference Saturday and in separate discussions with reporters, the G-7 officials played down any differences on the banking issue. They said they all supported the broad reform goals and were on track to meet deadlines set by the larger Group of 20 nations to develop reform programs by year’s end. The G-20 includes major developing nations such as China and India. —AP
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Riyad Capital CEO sees 20% growth Concerns about more defaults at Saudi family businesses DUBAI: The investment banking arm of Riyad Bank aims to grow by at least 20 percent in 2010, boosted by growth in the Saudi stock market, but more defaults at family-owned firms risk undermining optimism, the unit’s chief executive said. “We still believe if the market achieves its
potential, which is for 2010 in the range of 20 percent above from where it is now, we should benefit a great deal,” Ali Al-Gwaiz said. “We would not be happy if our growth is below that of the stock market,” Gwaiz told Reuters in an interview yesterday.
Adidas and Zinedine Zidane create unmatchable kicking power for WCup New PREDATOR-X delivers significantly more power than ever DUBAI: Adidas releases its PREDATOR -X for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, a new football boot designed with French football legend Zinedine Zidane, that achieves the highest ball power, swerve and control ever found in any PREDATOR. Almost every country embraces the number 10 in football to designate the best, most skilful player in the team. Just as Zidane is world-famous for having worn the number 10 in the French national side, the new PREDATOR-X boot, the tenth generation of the PREDATOR family which has led football for more than a decade, is tipped to augment the power to come in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Introducing a pioneering PowerSpine technology, the PREDATOR-X is distinguished by its unprecedented increase in shooting power of seven percent in comparison to its predecessor. Ball velocity tests in the adidas laboratory demonstrated that the new PowerSpine enables the PREDATOR-X to reach a velocity of 110 kilometers per hour which makes a speed difference of almost three metres per second. This could mean the PREDATOR-X shot is 26 centimeters behind the goal line while the other shot is saved by the goalkeeper. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool FC) after testing the new PREDATOR-X said: “The PREDATOR-X is outstanding with an absolutely dreamlike fit and something that feels like more power. It is so comfortable that it feels like a slipper which helps me control the ball and gives me perfect ground control. But when you hit the ball the slipper turns into a power-driven machine.” Zidane, who has relied on the adidas PREDATOR(r) technology since 1996, was taken aback when he tested the new PREDATOR-X, claiming “PREDATOR was always my weapon of choice but this PREDATOR-X
gives a power like never before, I need to start playing football again!” During a shot, the average force on a player’s foot is comparable to a right-hand punch from a heavyweight boxer. PowerSpine reduces this force on the foot, transferring the saved energy directly to the ball. This results in increased shooting power and decreases the flex and harmful impact on the metatarsal area of the foot, minimizing the risk of injuries. Adidas and Zidane share a passion for precision and perfection. For Zidane, control on the ball is everything and with this guidance and further extensive player testing, Adidas changed the PREDATOR element in the swerve zone at the side of the boot. The new position and material increases the player’s contact time with the ball and enhances its swerve, control and accuracy. Spin performance tests on the PREDATOR-X showed no difference in performance in wet or dry playing conditions, which means the player can rely on a constant swerve no matter what the weather. Zidane helped take the elite quality and fit of the PREDATOR-X boot to its new benchmark level. The improved PREDATOR-X OptiFit technology brings all of the shoe’s materials as close as possible to the foot, creating a snug, three-dimensional
ergonomic shape around the foot and providing greater control in movement and ball control and handling. Upon wearing the PREDATOR-X, Zidane said: “The PREDATOR-X upper is as soft and thin as possible and the outsole very flexible, nevertheless giving me stability in all directions and control over my feet.” Together with Zinedine Zidane, PREDATOR-X was developed over five years by a team of experts from different fields including biomechanic and material specialists, and design and footwear developers. Extensive testing of prototypes and the final boot was conducted with more than 150 professional and amateur players, guaranteeing the PREDATOR-X meets the highest standards in terms of performance, functionality and design. With the launch of the PREDATOR-X, adidas is adding a further chapter to the successful PREDATOR story. Since first being introduced in 1994, the PREDATOR(r) has been continuously developed with the help of top football players, ensuring that it continues to be the world’s most elite football boot for over a decade. Top adidas players relying on the new PREDATOR_X technology include: Michael Ballack (Germany - Chelsea FC), David Beckham (England - LA Galaxy), Mark van Bommel (Netherlands - FC Bayern M¸nchen), Diego (Brazil - Juventus FC), Steven Gerrard (England - Liverpool FC), Mark Janko (Austria - Red Bull Salzburg), Lucio (Brasil - FC Internationale Milano), Robin van Persie (Netherlands - Arsenal FC), Raul (Spain - Real Madrid CF), Daniele De Rossi (Italy - AS Roma), Patrick Vieira (France - FC Internationale Milano), Xavi (Spain - FC Barcelona) and many more. The new PREDATOR-X is now available in different colors at select adidas outlets across the region, priced at AED 895.
Set up in 2008 and part of Saudi Arabia’s second-largest bank by market value, Riyad Capital is one of the main players in the local asset management and brokerage sector. Saudi’s main index advanced about 27 percent in 2009, outperforming other markets in the Gulf and benefitting from rising oil prices and strong economic prospects. The kingdom, the largest Arab economy and the world’s top oil exporter, is expected to grow by 3.8 percent this year, up from an anaemic 0.2 percent in 2009 as state spending remains high and private consumption picks up, according to a Reuters survey in January. TARNISHED IMAGE The kingdom’s business image has been tarnished following debt troubles at two family-owned conglomerates, which raised questions about transparency, possibly deterring foreign investors from investing in Saudi Arabia. Riyad Capital’s chief executive warns that more difficulties at family-owned businesses could surface, possibly leading to fresh writedowns for local banks hitting investor confidence. “With the decline of the stock markets throughout the world, many business families, especially those who rely on leverage, found themselves in a difficult situation,” Gwaiz said. “Some of them might have been able to manage their situation or to prolong, but the question is for how long they can do this? ... If that happens it will definitely have an impact on the stock markets and maybe our dreams will not come true.” Banks both in Saudi Arabia and across the Gulf region have seen provisions rise due to an increase in corporate and retail defaults. The debt trouble at state-controlled Dubai World threatens to add to the woes. Riyad Capital also expects an uptick in initial public offerings (IPOs) in Saudi Arabia and already has several mandates to advise companies which are preparing an IPO. It recently advised and underwrote National Petrochemicals Co on its IPO. The Saudi bank was the region’s most active in equity issuance, according to the Thomson Reuters’ investment banking league tables for the Middle East in 2009. “There are many companies that are in the queue now and being evaluated ... I expect something of not more than 15 (companies seeking an IPO in 2010),” he said. — Reuters
UIC urges involving private firms in development plan KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Union of Investment Companies (UIC) yesterday urged the state departments to involve the private firms in the implementation of the development plan approved recently by the National Assembly. Speaking to reporters here after a UIC general assembly meeting, UIC’s Board Chairman Asaad Al-Banawan said the investment companies were suffering from dried out sources of funding. “The diminishing finance led to retreat of the firms’ assets, thus risking undermining the interests of banks and the national economy at large,” Al-Banawan cautioned. “The investment companies play a pivotal role in the national economy in all sectors including the educational and healthcare ones but they are suffering today,” he added. He noted that effective solutions had to be put in place urgently to help the companies overcome the funding strains. The current situation benefits nobody, he said, adding that UIC had developed a package of proposals to the concerned state departments in this regard and received promises to look into the matter. He hoped that these proposals would see light soon. “With up to 100 firms registered with the
Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK), the investment sector plays an indispensible role in the national economy and needs facilitated funding from banks,” he revealed. Dealing with the UIC general assembly meeting, he said it was part of the strenuous efforts being made by the union to deliver its message and translate its targets into action. The union is dedicated to bridging the gap in the local investment market and creating the atmospheres conducive to the boom of investments and financial services. It revises the economic legislations and introduces suggestions to make them fit the different working investment companies which play a great and effective role in developing Kuwaiti economy, he went on to say. The recent global financial crisis has impacted on the Kuwaiti economy and the investment companies. “It prompted the UIC to call emergency meetings with the concerned departments including the parliamentary committee on economic and financial affairs, with CBK’s governor attending,” Al-Banawan noted. “Today’s meeting has approved UIC’s financial report of 2009 and the amendment to the 15th article of its statutes, bringing down the annual subscription fees from KD 7,000 to KD 5,000,” he added. —KUNA
W Doha welcomes GCC guests with Valentine’s Day indulgences DOHA: W Doha invites GCC guests to feel the Wuv with Valentine’s Day room rate specials and celebrations in its famous concept restaurants and lounges with festive menus, love-ly decorations, themed cocktails and cool entertainment. The Spectacular Room Package only QR 1610 includes W’s famous Spectacular Room, dinner for two at Spice Market, a Bliss Spa Oxygen Blast Facial for the lady, a welcome tray and a surprise gift. W Suite Package is also available.. W Doha’s B&F outlets are offering exquisite Valentine’s dining and entertainment indulgences throughout the hotel. Spice up your Valentine’s Day with Spice Market’s special set menu. Orchids, roses and red candles set the scene for romance, complimented by the “Dreams Come True” cocktail and Teuscher chocolates of Switzerland take-away gifts. To commemorate the extraordinary experience, a photographer will be taking photos of each couple to take home at the end of the evening. Jazz maestro, Dr Gabs, will be playing his signature style of swing, jazz and boogie-woogie throughout the night. Known for his direct musical style filled with warmth, joy and tenderness, it is the perfect accessory for Valentine’s Day. Market by Jean-Georges sets the scene for romance...the rest is up to you! The restaurant’s Mediterranean-inspired open kitchen will serve an a la carte menu complimented by the “Smooth Your Night” cocktail. Orchids, roses and sparkles will bedeck the tables, setting the mood for love. All eyes will be on you....and the Teuscher Chocolate Avalanche served at evening’s end. The Doha Jazz Band will play throughout the evening, featuring popular jazz and blues favorites such as “It Had to Be You,” and “I Fall in Love Too Easily.” W Doha’s poolside lounge, Wahm, celebrates the mystery of love with a festive masquerade party by the pool. Red and white roses, rose petals, candles and balloons will color the lounge and pool area. Please remove this in the local release as well. Ladies receive a complimentary rose-flavored welcome drink. DJ Karl will play the most contemporary French electronic tunes. Wuv is in the air at Crystal Lounge with its
salute to Cupid featuring sushi and a sip for couples. Red balloons, candles and red lights spell r-o-m-a-n-c-e as guests savor a complimentary plate of sushi and cocktail sip for each couple. Jillene Luce and her Live Lounge Project play all evening, treating the audience to the newest in experimental lounge music mixing R&B, pop, rock, Caribbean and South American elements into a Valentine’s Day treat. La Maison du Caviar, the French bistro’s first outlet in the Middle East, will let (either make all in present tense or all in future tense)_ you share special moments with your beloved. The evening features live entertainment and a special set menu. Another Middle East first, Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland, celebrates the occasion with special Valentine’s Day boxes packed with the most sinfully rich premium chocolate in the Arabian Peninsula. Both La Maison du Caviar and Teuscher boutique are located on the hotel’s Ground Floor. Bliss Spa celebrates a “Ladies in Love” open house by opening its doors for the ultimate two-hour indulgence - enjoying any treatment, facial or manicure (or all three!) while socializing with your girlfriends over bubbly and brownies.
EXCHANGE RATES Commercial Bank of Kuwait US Dollar/KD GB Pound/KD Euro Swiss francs Canadian Dollar Australian DLR Indian rupees Sri Lanka Rupee UAE dirhams Bahraini dinars Jordanian dinar Saudi riyals Omani riyals Philippine peso Egyptian pounds US Dollar/KD GB Pound/KD Euro Swiss francs Canadian dollars Danish Kroner Swedish Kroner Australian dlr Hong Kong dlr Singapore dlr Japanese yen Indian Rs/KD Sri Lanka rupee Pakistan rupee Bangladesh taka UAE dirhams Bahraini dinars Jordanian dinar Saudi Riyal/KD Omani riyals Philippine Peso US Dollar Sterling pounds Swiss Francs Saudi Riyals
.2830000 .2930000 .4470000 .4580000 .3910000 .3990000 .2660000 .2750000 .2660000 .2750000 .2470000 .2560000 .0045000 .0075000 .0020000 .0035000 .0779230 .0787060 .7591820 .7668120 .4020000 .4180000 .0750000 .0790000 .7442460 .7517260 .0045000 .0072000 .0500000 .0580000 CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES .2875500 .2896500 .4497770 .4529540 .3931650 .3959420 .2679820 .2698800 .2685960 .2704980 .0528200 .0531940 .0387810 .0390560 .2496220 .2513850 .0369980 .0372600 .2020510 .2034820 .0032220 .0032450 .0062170 .0062610 .0025220 .0025400 .0034030 .0034270 .0042130 .0042430 .0783270 .0788270 .7631160 .7679820 .4066730 .4095540 .0767190 .0772080 .7472550 .7520200 .0062500 .0062950 TRANSFER CHEQUES RATES .2896500 .4529540 .2698800 .0770780
Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 288.850 Euro 399.100 Sterling Pound 456.400
Canadian dollar Turkish lire Swiss Franc Australian dollar US Dollar Buying Japanese Yen Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht Irani Riyal - Transfer Irani Riyal - Cash Egyptian Pound - Cash Egyptian Pound Yemen Riyal Tunisian Dinar Jordanian Dinar Lebanese Lira Syrian Lier Morocco Dirham Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham 20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram
273.020 189.000 272.800 250.500 286.000 ASIAN COUNTRIES 3.284 6.201 3.398 2.515 3.892 203.800 37.200 4.178 6.207 8.733 0.301 0.292 ARAB COUNTRIES 55.700 52.840 1.372 210.840 408.100 195.200 6.317 36.110 GCC COUNTRIES 77.070 79.400 750.800 767.500 78.710 GOLD 210.000 109.000 55.000
Bahrain Exchange Company COUNTRY Australian dollar Bahraini dinar Bangladeshi taka Canadian dollar Cyprus pound Czek koruna Danish krone Deutsche Mark Egyptian pound Euro Cash
SELL CASH 256.700 767.990 4.530 274.700 567.100 15.800 54.200 167.800 55.950 400.200
SELL DRAFT 255.200 767.990 4.183 273.200
204.900 52.813 398.700
Hongkong dollar Indian rupees Indonesia Iranian tuman Iraqi dinar Japanese yen Jordanian dinar Lebanese pound Malaysian ringgit Morocco dirham Nepalese Rupees New Zealand dollar Nigeria Norwegian krone Omani Riyal Pakistani rupees Philippine peso Qatari riyal Saudi riyal Singapore dollar South Africa Sri Lankan rupees Sterling pound Swedish krona Swiss franc Syrian pound Thai bhat Tunisian dollar UAE dirham U.S. dollars Yemeni Riyal 10 Tola Sterling Pound US Dollar
37.940 6.570 0.034 0.291 0.259 3.330 409.800 0.195 87.530 39.100 4.260 209.000 2.183 49.400 750.170 3.490 6.430 79.870 77.110 204.920 40.930 2.774 457.500 39.700 274.200 6.400 9.110 217.900 78.800 289.200 1.410
37.760 6.195
408.210 0.194 87.530 3.900 203.500 749.950 3.415 6.225 79.440 77.110 204.920 40.930 2.515 455.500 272.700 8.900 78.800 288.800
287.900 276.920 465.430 407.030 272.080 705.655 763.450 78.370 79.015 76.805 406.265 52.665 6.255 3.395
2.505 4.175 6.225 3.185 8.670 5.550 3.955
Kuwait Bahrain Intl Exchange Co. Currency US Dollar Pak Rupees Indian Rupees Sri Lankan Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso UAE Dirhams Saudi Riyals Bahraini Dinars Egyptian Pounds Pound Sterling Indonesian Rupiah Yemeni Riyal Jordanian Dinars Syrian Pounds Euro Candaian Dollars
GOLD 1,154.570 TRAVELLER’S CHEQUE 455.500 288.800
Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Dollar Canadian Dollar Sterling Pound Euro Swiss Frank Cyprus Pound Bahrain Dinar UAE Dirhams Qatari Riyals Saudi Riyals Jordanian Dinar Egyptian Pound Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees
Sri Lankan Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Pesso Japanese Yen Thai Bhat Syrian Pound Nepalese Rupees
Rate per 1000 (Tran) 288.650 3.410 6.180 2.525 4.185 6.275 78.630 77.095 767.500 52.835 456.900 0.0000312 1.550 410.100 5.750 400.200 277.400
Al Mulla Exchange Currency
Transfer rate
US Dollar Euro Pound Sterling Canadian Dollar Japanese Yen Indian Rupee Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupee Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso Pakistan Rupee Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham Saudi Riyal *Rates are subject to change
288.400 398.500 455.000 273.000 3.250 6.195 52.830 2.514 4.172 6.220 3.410 766.500 78.600 77.750
Monday, February 8, 2010
BUSINESS
23
Abu Dhabi plans tender for $2bn power plant Water, power demand rising 7-8% per year
SINGAPORE: Visitors look at a Boeing aircraft display at the Singapore Airshow 2010 in this file photo. — AFP
747-8 freighter to make 1st flight SEATTLE: Boeing Co’s giant 747-8 freighter should make its first flight today after performing well on taxi tests and reaching a top speed of about 103.5 mph, the company said. At 250 feet long, the plane is the largest Boeing has ever built and about 18 feet longer than the existing 747-400 jumbo jet. The company conducted taxi tests on the freighter Saturday at Paine Field in Everett, north of Seattle. “Based on early indications, the airplane is ready to fly,” said Mo Yahyavi, the 747 program’s vice president and general manager. Boeing also is developing a passenger version of the plane. It lists 76 orders for the freighter and 32 for the 747-8 passenger jet, with the vast majority from international customers. The company says the jets will be much quieter, more fuel efficient and have lower emissions than current 747-400 models. Boeing launched the freighter program on Nov 14, 2005, with firm orders for 10 planes from Cargolux of Luxembourg and eight from Nippon Cargo Airlines of Japan. The jet has a list price of more than $301 million, though airlines commonly negotiate discounts. After completing the test program, the first freighter will be refitted and delivered to Cargolux. Boeing’s European rival Airbus had planned a
freighter version of the Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger jet. However, that program was put on hold in 2005 after FedEx Corp and UPS Inc. canceled their orders, leaving Airbus with an empty order book for the cargo plane. The freighter version is to enter service late this year. The first delivery was to have been in late 2009 and the first passenger version in late 2010, but Boeing pushed back the dates due to design changes, limited engineering resources and an eight-week strike that shut down factories. The 747-8 freighter and passenger jets are much smaller than their A380 counterparts, which Boeing has touted as an advantage. It says the planes will cost less to operate than A380s and will be able to serve more markets. The 747-8 passenger version will carry up to 467 people in three classes, with a range of just under 7,000 miles. Boeing says assembly of that plane is to begin around mid-2010, with the first delivery in the fourth quarter of 2011. Boeing said in October that it was recording a $1 billion charge because of delays in producing the new freighter. Boeing also is in the midst of a flight test program for its new 787 passenger jet, which made its first flight in December, more than two years behind schedule. — AP
Jet Airways announces a special ‘Boarding Card Delights’ program MUMBAI: In keeping with its endeavor to continually offer its guests a number of value additions across a range of categories, Jet Airways, India’s premier international airline, has announced its special ‘Boarding Card Delights’ program. This initiative enables all guests traveling on Jet Airways, Jet Airways Konnect and JetLite to avail of a range of special offers and attractive discounts against their boarding cards from renowned program partners. The program is applicable with immediate effect until April 30, 2010. ‘Boarding Card Delights’ currently has 15 established brands as program partners, across five categoriesRetail, Hotels, Dining/Restaurants, Lifestyle and Car Rentals. To avail of this attractive offer, guests need to present their Jet Airways/Jet Airways Konnect/JetLite boarding cards, at the various partner establishments/outlets. Boarding cards generated through the Web, SMS and Kiosk Check-in, will be accepted along with the respective photo identification. Dining/Restaurants InterContinental Hotel Group -Guests enjoy 10% off when they dine at participating restaurants and bars with the InterContinental(r) Hotel Group in India. Radisson Hotel Khajuraho- 30% discount on food and beverages with the Radisson Hotel Khajuraho Country Inns & Suites by Carlson - 15% discount on Food and Beverages with select Country Inns & Suites by Carlson in India. Domino’s Pizza-INR 100 off on purchase of INR 400 on all outlets across India. Costa CoffeeAll Jet Airways & JetLite fliers may avail of a flat 20% discount on Beverages & 10% discount on food at any Costa Coffee Outlet Hotels Keys Hotels- Guests enjoy a third night’s free stay at all Keys Hotels in India. Keys hotels are open at Trivandrum, Hyderabad, Lonavala and Ludhiana and will open in April at Bangalore. Radisson Hotels & Resorts- Guests enjoy special rates, discounts and benefits with Radisson Hotel Delhi, Radisson Hotel Chennai and Radisson Hotel Pune Kharadi The Park Hotels- Guest may avail of double JP Miles, complimentary room upgrades, 15% discount on food and beverages and other services and more with The Park Hotels. Fortune Hotels- 15% discount on food
and beverages when guests stay at participating Fortune Hotels ITC WelcomHeritage- Guests enjoy a third night’s free stay on select Heritage Holidays Packages at ITC WelcomHeritage Retail Tresmode-10% discount at all tr’esmode exclusive outlets. Crossword-10% discount on purchase of books worth Rs.1000. William Penn-10% off on select fine writing instruments brands at all William Penn outlets Lifestyle Jean-Claude Biguine Salon & Spa- Guests receive a complimentary Foot Massage on a Hair Cut or complimentary Hairstyling on a Spa Service at Jean-Claude Biguine Salon & Spa India. Car Rentals Avis- Guest enjoy 20% off on rack rates on chauffeur driven rentals at participating locations in India Hertz- Guests enjoy a FREE One Car Class Upgrade at participating Hertz locations in India. For more details on the offers and the terms & conditions, guests may log on to jetairways.com and jetlite.com. About Jet Airwasys Jet Airways currently operates a fleet of 89 aircraft, which includes 10 Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft, 12 Airbus A330-200 aircraft, 53 next generation Boeing 737-700/800/900 aircraft and 14 modern ATR 72-500 turboprop aircraft. With an average fleet age of 4.58 years, the airline has one of the youngest aircraft fleet in the world. Flights to 61 destinations span the length and breadth of India and beyond, including New York (both JFK and Newark), Toronto, Brussels, London (Heathrow), Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Colombo, Bangkok, Kathmandu, Dhaka, Kuwait, Bahrain, Muscat, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Jeddah, Sharjah and Riyadh. About Jet Airways Konnect Jet Airways Konnect is Jet Airways’ all-economy service on key domestic routes, designed to meet the needs of the low-fare segment with value-for-money fares. Jet Airways Konnect links five major metros- Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, operating over 195 flights daily. Jet Airways and its all-economy, no-frills Jet Airways Konnect service together operate over 300 flights daily.
Dubai eyes $1.2 billion limitless loan rollover DUBAI: Dubai World will seek to roll over a $1.2 billion Islamic loan at its Limitless property unit due in March but it is unclear whether banks will agree in the absence of a standstill agreement, banking sources said on Thursday. The stateowned firm, which rattled global markets when it requested a delay on $26 billion of debt linked to its main property units Nakheel and Limitless World last November, has been negotiating with an unofficial bank coordinating committee. But it has yet to present a formal proposal on plans to repay some $22 billion in debt. Limitless’s two-year Islamic facility does not have the option of an extension which would mean the company would need to reach a new agreement with lending banks, according to loan documentation. “It won’t be a straightforward process,” said a Gulf-based lender. “You can’t say what the banks will do. Dubai World might approach and ask each and everyone to agree to a new agreement.” “If there was a standstill agreement, this would not
be an issue.” Limitless’s syndicated loan from 2008 was led by Emirates Bank-now part of Emirates NBD -Emirates Islamic Bank, Arab National Bank and National Bank of Abu Dhabi. The Shariah-compliant facility included 18 banks from Asia and Europe as well as the Middle East. The presence of a large number of local lenders may work in Dubai World’s favor, with those lenders more amenable to a delay. Dubai World declined to comment on the Limitless loan. The group, which repaid a $4.1 billion Islamic loan linked to developer Nakheel in December after a last-minute bailout from Abu Dhabi, has yet to arrive at a formal standstill agreement with creditors but a de facto one has been in place since a December creditors meeting. A lack of information about the company’s plans for the Limitless loan has prompted some lenders to organize a conference call to discuss their options. “Till now, there’s been no information about renewal or anything,” said one banker, who asked not to be identified. — Reuters
ABU DHABI: Abu Dhabi plans to invite firms in March to submit proposals to build a 1,600 megawatt power plant worth about $2 billion, a government official said yesterday, as the emirate looks to meet tripling demand by 2020. Water and electricity demand in Abu Dhabi, one of seven members of the United Arab Emirates federation, is expected to rise 7 to 8 percent a year over the next five years. Demand is growing quickly as the world’s third-largest oil exporter builds infrastructure and industry to diversify away from dependence on petrodollars. “We have started the process of prequalification and we are targeting sending the request for proposals (RFPs) early next month,” said Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi, director of privatization at the Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (Adwea). “We expect to finalize selection of the developer by November this year, (make
the) financial close by April 2011 and commissioning in summer 2013,” he told Reuters in an interview. The Shuweihat 3 independent power project (IPP) will be the emirate’s ninth power project under a privatization plan launched in 1998, under which international developers take a stake in the project. Under the IPP model, foreign investors operate the plant. The UAE has embarked upon a nuclear program to try to meet spiraling electricity demand. In December, it awarded a deal worth up to $40 billion, one of the largest ever awarded in the Middle East, to a South Korean consortium to build and operate four nuclear reactors in the Gulf Arab country. TECHNOLOGICAL REASONS Abu Dhabi holds most of the United Arab Emirates’ crude reserves and oil revenues have helped it avoid the worst of the global economic slowdown, as well
as the debt crisis that has hit neighboring emirate Dubai. Shuweihat 3 will be Abu Dhabi’s first IPP. The previous eight projects are all independent water and power projects (IWPPs). Adwea decided not to include water desalination at Shuweihat 3 to save on investment in water pipelines and for technological reasons, Nuaimi said. The selected international developer would take a 40 percent stake in the plant, with Adwea taking the remaining 60 percent, he said. Financing would be a combination of debt and equity. Foreign companies such as General Electric Co, Mitsubishi Corp, Suez Tractebel (part of France’s Suez Energy International), Hyundai Heavy Industries and International Power plc have all previously shown interest in power contracts in the region. “Financial close is next year and there is already commitment from some banks that are confident
in Abu Dhabi’s successful power privatization program,” Nuaimi said. “Last year we secured financing for Shuweihat 2 despite the difficult financial market conditions.” Adwea sealed a $2.15 billion long-term financing deal for its Shuweihat 2 project in October 2009, one of the largest financing deals in the region. Abu Dhabi’s eight IWPPs produce over 12,000 MW of power and 800 million gallons per day of water. “We have attracted about 60 billion dirhams in foreign investments in the power and water sector so far and Shuweihat 3 will raise that amount,” said Nuaimi. Plans to build the next IWPP at Taweelah were progressing, he said. “The Taweelah C project could be our next IWPP.” Abu Dhabi is set to spend about 44 billion dirhams ($12 billion) on water and electricity projects over the next five years, a government official said in November. —Reuters
The newly elected board
IAA Kuwait Chapter elects a new board KUWAIT: The IAA (International Advertising Association) Kuwait Chapter elected a new board during a meeting held on January 31st. The event was held at the Marina Hotel. The newly elected board will serve a two-year term. The newly elected board members are: Louai AlAsfahani (President), Iqbal AlHaddad (Vice President), Walid Kanafani (Treasurer), Zeina Mokaddam (General Secretary) and board members Gilbert Asfour, Hanan Ammar, Marwan Farah, Michel Barakat, Omar Al-Houti and Rony Atallah. Adnan Saad, Kuwait Times Marketing Manager,
was also elected a board member. Al-Asfahani explained that for the first time since the establishment of IAA Kuwait Chapter in 1996 the board
members numbered 11. Previously, the board consisted seven members. For the first time women were elected to serve on the board. Also, for the first time in the IAA Kuwait
Chapter history, the IAA newly-elected board includes members from the clients’ side and local advertising experts. According to Al-Asfahani, the board has already started to
implement the organization’s Action Plan that aims to promote the advertising industry. Al-Asfahani explained that the new board aims to focus on education, organize seminars and training courses. In a press release, IAA said that the new board comes with fresh energy and aims to ensure that international standards are being met. The new board will aim to ensure that competition is conducted within a professional environment based on creativity and merit. In the words of Al-Asfahani, there are many initiatives that IAA Kuwait Chapter has in the pipeline.
IAA Kuwait convenes roundtable on best practice KUWAIT: The Kuwait Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA) has invited global not-for-profit media auditor, BPA Worldwide, to present on the theme of media auditing as a means to improve long-term industry success, transparency and accountability in the media planning, procurement and sales processes. The event, entitled “Buying and Selling ‘Safe Media’: An Introduction to Media Auditing,” will be convened on 9 February 2010 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Kuwait City. By way of introduction to the internationally-recognized best practice of third-party media auditing, BPA will present background and audit methodologies involved in verifying distribution of both print and digital media.
Additionally, BPA will share its experience in developing an audited media environment in the UAE as a case study. A representative of Dubai’s Gulf News shall share that paper’s experience of how auditing has impacted its business as well as the local and regional publishing and advertising industries. In the second half of the program, IAA Kuwait will moderate a panel of leading media and marketing professionals from Kuwait to discuss the benefits and risks for the country’s media sector in adopting audits as a standard and expected practice for our industry. Louai Alasfahani, newly-elected President of the IAA Kuwait Chapter, welcomed the roundtable as a first for the Kuwaiti media industry. “We look
Arabtec says Aabar ‘merger on track’ DUBAI: Dubai contractor Arabtec’s proposed merger with Aabar Investments is still on track, with a possible closure in March, and the firm expects to post better profits in the fourth quarter, its CFO said yesterday. Aabar had agreed to acquire a 70 percent stake in Arabtec last month in a deal valued at about $1.7 billion. Shares of Arabtec, the United Arab Emirates’ largest contractor by market value, have been pressured recently by speculation that the deal may not go through. “There is no reason for the deal not to go ahead,” Arabtec’s Chief Financial Officer Ziad Makhzoumi told Reuters in an interview, adding the capital injection from Aabar will be used to accelerate the contractor’s expansion plans and for potential acquisitions. “We are always looking at potential acquisitions, some of them will be immediate, some of them will possibly be at a later stage,” he said. Arabtec shares closed 2.6 percent lower at 2.23 dirhams in Dubai while Aabar shares slipped fell 2.5 percent in Abu Dhabi, as Gulf stocks declined following weak cues from global markets. Aabar’s offer to acquire the Arabtec stake would be difficult to turn down, Deutsche Bank said in a note on Feb 4, and cut its price target on Arabtec shares to 3 dirhams from 4.5 to factor in dilution from the deal. Others were also positive on the deal. “Nomura still thinks this represents a good deal for Arabtec,” said Chet Riley, equity research analyst at Nomura International in Dubai. “The key is how much of that cash injection will go towards receivables repair and how much towards the company’s expansion plans and we are not going to get a clearer idea until there is formal communication from the company with regards to the deal.” SYRIA CONTRACT Makhzoumi said he expects to post sequentially better profits in the fourth quarter, helped by cost reduction initiatives and its Saudi Arabia operations. “We were able to deliver more in Q4, cost cutting procedures paid dividends and in Q3 we didn’t have the impact of Saudi Arabia,” Makhzoumi said, adding that the summer and Ramadan period also impacted activity in the third quarter.— Reuters
forward to a lively and constructive debate among the panelists and audience to set an agenda for increased accountability, transparency and fair play in our market. The Kuwaiti media industry is maturing and increasingly participating in the global media industry, so we must recognize the need to provide thirdparty verified data to the media buying community in the buying and selling of advertising in our market.” The IAA Kuwait Chapter and BPA Worldwide anticipate broad participation by members of the media and advertising communities and hope to see a large number of participants from media, agencies and advertisers. The panel for the roundtable, moderated by Alasfahani, will
include: Mrs Ikbal Hadad, Marketing Director National Bank of Kuwait; Bashar Kiwan, CEO Kuwait United Communications; Mrs Zeina Mukadam, Managing Director PH7 Publishing; Waleed Kanafani, General Manager Mediaedge:cia; Karim Thabit, Managing Director Al Rai Newspaper & TV; Sanjay Malik, Group Circulation Director Al Nisr Publications (UAE). Stuart Wilkinson, Managing Director EMEA, and Aspen Aman, Business Development Manager - Middle East, both of BPA Worldwide, will present in the first half of the session. Members of the industry and journalists wishing to confirm attendance should call Paragon Communications, +965 25716068, as seating is limited to 60.
Unit sales at Porsche ‘very encouraging’ STUTTGART: Porsche Automobil Holding SE, Stuttgart, reports a strong upward trend in the vehicle operations of its holding, Dr Ing H C F Porsche AG, in the first half of the fiscal year of 2009/10 (31 July). After the unit sales of Porsche AG had fallen in the first four months by 25 percent on the same period of the prior year, the decline should be cut back to just minus 3.1 percent for the full six months, based on preliminary figures. Sales are expected to account for approx. 33,200 units, revenues will show a decrease of 3.3 percent to Euro 2.9 billion. CEO, Prof Dr Martin Winterkorn, reported this to the annual general meeting of Porsche SE, held on Friday in the Porsche-Arena in Stuttgart. Although the new Panamera has only been on sale since September 2009, with its launch only taking place in December in some regions, the fourth model in the Porsche product range achieves unit sales of approx. 8,200 in the first six months, based on preliminary figures. The Cayenne remains the best selling model with a prospective approx. 13,100 units sold, in that case reflecting a fall in unit sales of 22 percent. According to the preliminary figures, approx 7,400 units of the 911 will be sold, representing a decline of 45 percent. The Boxster and the Cayman models are expected to record sales
growth of 14 percent to approx. 4,500 units. An analysis of the sales territories reveals that the situation on the North American market remains difficult. Whereas the unit sales of Porsche will fall by 16 percent in the region to a prospective volume of approx. 11,000 vehicles, the drop in Europe should no more than 6 percent. Here the preliminary figures reveal sales of approx. 10,200 units. In the rest of the world, sales of Porsche have actually grown again. According to the preliminary reports, unit sales in the first six months of the current fiscal year come to approx. 12,000 vehicles, reflecting growth of 18 percent. Manufacturing output on the basis of the preliminary figures for the period should reach a total of 40,877 units, almost reaching the same level as the prior year, indicating a fall of 1.9 percent. Up until the end of the period under report 16,979 units of the Cayenne and 9,882 of the new Panamera will have rolled off the assembly line in Leipzig. In the same time then 8,746 units of the 911 were manufactured. A total of 5,270 units of the Boxster will be manufactured in the period. On the basis of the strong performance in the second quarter, Porsche continues to assume that unit sales for the full fiscal year 2009/10 will exceed the prior-year figure of 75,238 vehicles.
24
BUSINESS
KSE ends first trading session on positive note Global Daily Market Report KUWAIT: Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) along with major indicators ended the first trading session of the week on a positive note backed by blue chip stock Zain. Global General Index (GGI) added 3.04 points (+1.65 percent) during yesterday’s session to reach 186.80 points. Furthermore, the KSE Price Index increased by 37.50 points (+0.53 percent) yesterday and closed at 7,102.10 points. Market capitalization was up KD496.12mn yesterday to reach KD30.51n.
ended the day up 2.51 percent backed by Kuwait Finance House and Americana ending the day up 1.82 percent and 4.41 percent, respectively. Oil news The price of OPEC basket of twelve crudes stood at $72.73 a barrel on Thursday 4/2/2010, compared with $75.14 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.
Market breadth During yesterday’s session, 127 companies were traded. Market breadth was skewed towards advancers as 52 equities gained versus 42 that retreated. A total of 112 stocks remained unchanged during yesterday’s trading session. Daily trading activity Trading activities ended on a negative note yesterday as volume of shares traded on the exchange decreased by 17.15 percent to reach 432.40mn shares. Additionally, value of shares traded dropped by 2.62 percent to stand at KD70.62mn. The Investment Sector was the volume leader for the day, accounting for 29.01 percent of total shares traded. The Services Sector was the value leader, with 32.72 percent of total traded value. Jeezan Holding Company saw 63.88mn shares changing hands, making
it the volume leader. In terms of value traded, Zain took the top spot with a total traded of KD12.08mn. Top gainers and biggest decliners In terms of top gainers, Coast Investment & Development Company was the top gainer for day, adding 8.47 percent and closed at KD0.128. On the other hand, Al-Madar Finance & Investment Company shed 7.558 percent and closed at KD0.061, making it the biggest loser. Faisal
Hasan, CFA Sectors wise Regarding Global’s sectoral indices, six out the eight ended on a positive note yesterday. Among the gainers, Global Food Index took the lead with a 3.36 percent gain backed by heavyweight Kuwait Foodstuff Company (Americana) being the only gainer in the sector. The scrip ended the day up 4.41 percent and closed at KD1.420. Global Services Index posted a 3.07 percent gain, making it the second biggest gainer backed by
heavyweights Zain and National Mobile Telecommunications Company ending the day up 5.68 percent and 2.60 percent, respectively. Global Insurance Index was the biggest decliner, down 1.37 percent. Gulf Insurance Company and Kuwait Insurance Company were the biggest decliners in the sector with a 4.49 percent and 1.45 percent decrease in value, respectively. All of Global’s special indices ended on a positive note with Global Large Cap Index being the biggest gainer. The index
Market news The board of Kuwait’s Zain has accepted the resignation of Chief Executive Officer and Deputy Chairman Saad Al Barrak, and has yet to name a replacement, the company said in a statement. Kuwait Insurance Company board of directors recommended a cash dividend at 20 percent of par value, or 20 fils a share, for FY that ended on 31/12/2009. Shareholders of record till the general meeting date are eligible for the self-financed distributions. This recommendation is pending the approval of shareholder meeting and competent authorities. Fujairah Cement Industries Company board of directors recommended a cash dividend at 6 percent of par value, , for FY that ended on 31/12/2009. Shareholders of record till the general meeting date are eligible for the selffinanced distributions. This recommendation is pending the approval of shareholder meeting and competent authorities.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Weekly commodity update
Sovereign debt fears rules the markets The early February rally was brutally halted as renewed dollar strength and growing strains in sovereign debt markets weighed on sentiment and prices. On Thursday Portuguese and Spanish stocks suffered their biggest daily fall since 2008 as the worries surrounding Greece spread to other weak economies within the Euro zone. This fear led to sharp falls in shares across continents and a worldwide flight to the safety of US dollar and treasuries. The Euro currency traded down to a seven month low and all projections about a year of continued dollar weakness has all but disappeared, for now at least. Commodity markets began February with robust rallies on the back of improved manufacturing purchasing managers indices (PMI’s) data from the US, Europe and China combined with Australia’s decision to leave their official rate unchanged. It unfortunately turned out to be short lived as renewed dollar strength removed support and the selling that followed indicating traders concerns about being too heavily exposed with so much focus on fiscal worries. The very important monthly release of US unemployment data on Friday added some calm to the market as the number came within the expected range. The Reuters-Jefferies CRB Index of 19 raw materials has now dropped more than 10 percent from the January 6 high and could technically be in a bear market phase falling back to levels not seen since October 2009. The sector that primarily drove the index lower was metals with silver and copper loosing 9 and 6 percent respectively. Silver has underperformed
gold by more than 15 percent during the past couple of weeks and this ratio needs to stabilize in order for the market to begin to look for a turnaround. On Thursday both silver and gold prices sliced through previous double bottoms signaling further weakness near term. Gold has surprised many by the ferociousness of the sell off after the firm rejection at $1,125 during the week. The fact that gold is selling off on the back of renewed flight to safety has left many puzzled. As mentioned above it has been outperforming riskier metals like silver and copper but the overall selling pressure from traders trying to lock in profit to offset losses in other markets has been the main focus. The world’s largest gold ETF, New York’s SPDR Gold Trust reported a drop in its holdings of 7.37 tons during the first four trading days of February after falling 21.7 tons in January. Technically the break below the double bottom at $1,075, which triggered waves of technical selling, leaves it open to further losses with crucial support between 1,026 and 1,022 being the next focus point followed by $1,000. The factors that drove gold to its record highs in 2009 still exist and should the ongoing sovereign debt issues turn into a full blown crisis of confidence gold will shine again. For now though a concerted scramble to reduce exposure has left it open to further setbacks with $1,075 now major resistance. Silver as mentioned has been taking the brunt of the recent selling having retraced almost 23 percent from the December 2009 highs. Silver suffer from lack of liquidity and being an industrial metal the slow recovery currently
Ole S Hansen underway has eroded some of the strong support seen up until recently. The move through the 38.2% Fibonacci level at $15.24 leaves it exposed to $14.00. High Grade Copper, the biggest gainer in 2009 ran into technical selling as $300 gave way. The upcoming Lunar New Year holiday in China, combined with the strengthening dollar has left it exposed to a correction. We are looking for support at $265 and $250 on the futures contract for March delivery. Crude oil, just like other commodities, saw a quick setback from the $78 level reached earlier as continued weak demand continues to push the recovery story further out. The weekly storage date surprised the market once again by showing another increase in stocks. Some important technical levels will decide the near term fortunes of the energy sector with critical support on March crude at $72.40, March heating oil at $189 and March Gasoline at $190 keeping the markets from turning lower. Crude have so far bounce three times from the $72.40 level and the fear is that a break could trigger additional technical selling towards the December low at $67.45.
BUSINESS
Monday, February 8, 2010
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Taiwan carmaker touts new luxury sedan in China TAIPEI: Luxury sedans would seem a risky bet in a time of global economic strife, but Taiwan’s Yulon Motor believes it has found the right formula: Its car is cheap and it is destined for China. Yulon’s Luxgen model boasts global positioning, night vision and blind-spot cameras-and at 800,000 Taiwan dollars ($25,000), the company hopes it will appeal to tech-savvy but only moderately wealthy Chinese consumers. “Many of the functions will be found only on luxury sedans worth up to five times as much,” K.C. Hu, president of Yulon Group subsidiary Luxgen Motor Co said in an interview. Yulon put the finishing touches to the
Luxgen-coined from the words “luxury” and “genius”-last year, when the car market worldwide was deep in the doldrums. “Looking back, we’ll find that we couldn’t have picked a better time than last year to recruit the talent and buy the equipment we need,” said Hu. “If we had postponed the launch of the brand, it would have cost a whole lot more money.” Yulon was founded in 1953 as Taiwan’s government pursued ambitions to create a home-grown auto industry. That goal was scaled down over the decades and now Yulon is best known for producing Nissan cars in Taiwan on licence. The Luxgen project, started more than
four years ago, has cost Yulon about 15 billion Taiwan dollars, but it says the gamble is already paying off. The first Luxgen-a 2.2-litre minivan for family use-was unveiled in Taiwan in September and since then Yulon has received orders from more than 3,000 local motorists. In a market where monthly sales of people-carriers are a meager 300 units, the response has been encouraging. Buyers say they like its high-tech system, developed jointly with Taipei-based HTC Corp., one of the island’s leading smartphone suppliers. But Taiwan, with its population of 23 million, offers limited opportunities, which is
LG launches ‘Conceptualife’ kitchen design competition 12 MEA regional winners set to battle it out at grand finale KUWAIT: LG Electronics (LG), the world’s leading innovator of home appliances, will hold the Grand Finale of its inaugural kitchen design competition on February 15th at the Zayed University Auditorium, Dubai. Entitled “Conceptualife,” the competition gives young and upcoming designers a chance to unleash their creativity and present their vision for the future of kitchen design and appliances. The three-month hunt, that saw universities from around the region register and submit their innovative and futuristic creations, will conclude next month with twelve shortlisted finalists from South Africa, Iran, KSA and the UAE battling it out for top prizes. Ki Wan Kim, CEO of LG Electronics Middle East & Africa Company stated: “We want to tap into the youngest and brightest minds across the region and offer them the opportunity to show off their skills to the greater public. This competition will provide us with invaluable insight into where the next generation of consumers perceive product designs and features to be heading.” On the day, the twelve participants will be required to present their designs to a panel of four judges and explain their creative thought process and vision for the kitchen. Contestants will be judged according to five main pillars; uniqueness of design in terms of layout and individuality from current kitchen designs available; use of innovative kitchen appliances, their features and functionality; use of space, storage, areas and worktops; environmental solutions including the use of recycled material and durability and finally; practicality of the overall
design. All these factors will weigh in on the judges decision as they look at the realities of bringing the ideas to market. Joining the LG judging panel will be Penny McCormick, editor of leading UAE home furnishing publication, Emirates Home and interior design aficionado, June Hawkins. Emirates Home will be the competition’s official media partner; with Penny bringing a wealth of experience as well as insight into design trends and what to expect from kitchen designs of the future. Her expertise in identifying and fostering new talent means that uniqueness and individuality will be highly valued throughout the judging process. In addition, interior designer June Hawkins’ lifelong passion and success in all things interior will be an excellent addition to the judging table. Bringing not only a unique perspective on what clients want and use, her eye for detail will mean that contestants will not only be judged on creativity but their business sense too. Ki Wan Kim, CEO of LG Electronics Middle East & Africa Company added: “The level of entries that we have received so far has been outstanding. The judges are going to have a tough time choosing between the highly creative kitchen solutions and the effortlessly practical options. We look forward to celebrating our contestant’s innovations and awarding prizes for their hard work.” The total number of participants in the Grand Finale will be twelve, made up of two university candidates from KSA, four from Iran, two from South Africa and four candidates from the UAE.
Toyota’s Prius woes muffle hybrid buzz TOKYO: Embraced by Hollywood celebrities and beloved by environmentalists, the Prius has long been the envy of Toyota’s rivals, but now its safety woes risk putting the brakes on the success of hybrid cars. The crisis-hit Japanese auto giant is a pioneer in fuel-sipping hybrids, which run on a combination of petrol and electricity and are vital to the company’s efforts to stay in pole position in fuel-efficient automobiles. Toyota, whose edge in hybrid technology helped propel it past General Motors in 2008 to become the world’s biggest automaker, has struggled to keep up with demand for the Prius in recent years. But a software glitch with the braking system of its newest model now threatens to tarnish the image of petrol-electric cars, just as Toyota reels from massive worldwide recalls due to separate accelerator pedal trouble. The Prius problem “is certainly giving hybrids a bad name, especially in the United States,” said Koji Endo, an auto analyst at Advanced Research Japan. “People who have never driven a Toyota hybrid and were considering buying one may stop and think, ‘Wait a second’,” he added. Toyota said Friday that it was still considering whether to recall hundreds of thousands of Prius hybrids. The Prius, which boasts a world-beating 38.0 kilometers per liter, or 50 miles per gallon, has been the most popular hybrid globally since the launch of the first version in 1997. Known in the industry as the “intelligent” green car owing to its highly sophisticated electronics, nearly 1.5 million Prius vehicles had been sold in 40 countries as of August 31, cruising ahead of rival Honda’s Insight hybrid. Yet while Toyota leads the industry in terms of brand loyalty, the brake flaw could deter buyers at a time when interest in less-polluting automobiles is growing because of worries about global warming, Endo said. Toyota, which acknowledged Friday it faced “a moment of crisis”, has said it redesigned the anti-lock braking system (ABS) for the Prius in January and will soon announce steps for those already on the road. It said there was sometimes a slight delay switching from regenerative braking-
which captures the energy of a hybrid car’s motion to recharge the battery-to the hydraulic brake on icy or bumpy roads. It is a strong blow to Toyota, which has bet heavily on hybrids, in contrast to some competitors, such as Nissan, that see them as merely a passing fad on the road to pure electric vehicles. Toyota produced 530,000 hybrids in 2009, spanning 15 models from sport utility vehicles to sedans, mini-vans and the luxury Lexus series. It aims to boost annual output of the petrol-electric automobiles to about one million vehicles-a third of its total domestic output-within the next few years, said company spokesman Paul Nolasco. But its lead may now be under threat as rivals seize on the opportunity to wrest back market share lost to Toyota during a global expansion drive that once seemed almost unstoppable. US rivals General Motors and Ford were swift to launch sales campaigns to lure buyers away from the Japanese giant, whose brand has long been synonymous with safety and reliability. With drivers becoming more environmentally aware, “it should have been a golden opportunity for Toyota to expand further at a time when green technology is in the limelight,” said Mizuno Credit Advisory auto analyst Tatsuya Mizuno. “Toyota appears to be throwing away the chance all by itself,” he added. Dozens of drivers in Japan and the United States have complained their Prius brake was slow to kick in, sometimes resulting in accidents. “Since its 1997 first-generation Prius, the company has been focusing on cost-cutting efforts,” said Takehiko Morozumi, an auto expert at the Tokudaiji Institute of Automotive Culture. “Because it was too focused on permeating the market with the Prius, Toyota may not have paid enough attention to the tiny details for which it had been so famous,” he added. The Prius, however, is not the only hybrid with brake trouble. Ford said last week there was a problem affecting braking in some of its hybrid vehicles and offered a software fix.— AFP
TOYOTA: A visitor checks out Toyota Motor Corp’s new Prius hybrid model displayed at the Toyota museum in Toyota, central Japan. — AP
why Luxgen is looking to the billion-plus Chinese market. Cross-strait trade has rocketed since Taiwan relaxed a decades-old ban on civilian contacts with mainland China in 1987. And with sales topping 13 million units last year, China has replaced the United States as the world’s biggest auto market. “It’s unlikely the Luxgen would turn a profit if its sales were confined to Taiwan,” said Kevin Tsui, an analyst with SinoPac Securities. “The local market is too small to support the development of a local brand.” The Luxgen series for the mainland market may be produced at a plant in the east-
ern Chinese province of Zhejiang, a joint venture with Dongfeng Automobile Co that is awaiting the green light from China’s government. “The odds of success are 50 percent,” Tsui said. “However, if it (Yulon) did not do it this way, it would have no chance of surviving in today’s extremely competitive market.” Yulon has already invested in a joint venture with a Chinese automaker and Daimler to make Mercedes vans in the southeastern province of Fujian. Meanwhile, Yulon’s smaller local rival, Sanyang Industry, controls 25 percent of Xiamen King Long, a Chinese bus maker. But Taiwan’s carmakers, unlike their
German, US, Japanese and South Korean rivals, have failed to build a major role in the Chinese market due to their lack of proprietary technology. This marks Yulon’s most ambitious foray since 1986, when it launched another model based on its own technology, a series of cars called “Feiling”. But the Feiling project failed because it could not match the cutting-edge auto technology of the day. “Yulon learnt a lot from the painful lesson. The success of Luxgen, at least initially, has built on that experience,” said Toreo Lin, editor-in-chief of Taipei-based Auto Graphic magazine. —AFP
Alarm spreads over EU massive deficits BRUSSELS: The swelling public deficits in Portugal, Spain and Greece have plunged the eurozone into the biggest crisis in its 11-year life, presaging years of belt-tightening, analysts warn. It is a vicious financial circle; the more fears over deficits and debts grow, the harder it becomes for the troubled eurozone That happens when other countries are forced to come to the aid of an ailing eurozone member “to avoid a default risk that would be very dangerous for the euro zone as a whole.” On the other hand if financial markets are not convinced that countries facing problems will be bailed out there will be a rise in risk premiums or worse. National governments are doing all they can to keep the financial vultures at bay. Spain and Portugal are particularly keen not to be tarred with the same brush as Greece, which has debts over 294 billion euros (412 billion dollars) and a 12.7-percent deficit, far beyond EU limits of three percent of output for eurozone members. But the investors are jittery. The Ibex-35 index of most traded Spanish stocks closed down 1.35 percent on Friday after plunging nearly six percent on Thursday amid growing concerns over the state of the economy. Investors have no “objective” reason to worry about the state of Spanish public finances, Spain’s secretary of state for the economy Jose Manuel Campa assured. “Markets take decisions by evaluating perceived risk, which from a subjective point of view, are high. But from an objective point of view, there is no reason for this at the moment,” he said. Portuguese Finance Minister Fernando Teixeira dos Santos insisted that his country had “nothing to do with Greece” and lashed out at investors targeting his country as “prey”. “Investors have an animal spirit,” he said. “There is something irrational in the way they behave.” Eurozone officials have also rushed to reinforce the assurances about the countries of southern Europe which are in the fiscal spotlight, nicknamed “Club Med” by Germany or, unhappily, PIGS if the fallen Celtic Tiger economy of Ireland is included-Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Spain. Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, the head of the Eurogroup of finance ministers, stressed that Spain and Portugal pose no risk to eurozone stability. The European Union last week approved Greek efforts to tame its debt crisis but placed Athens under unprecedented economic scrutiny. European Central Bank chief Jean-Claude Trichet did his best to support Athens but could only manage to say that the Greek government plans to reduce the country’s growing deficit and debt “are steps in the right direction”. Athens most recently promised measures including a public salary freeze, an increase in petrol taxes and a hike in the retirement age. However the moves have upset unions more than they have assuaged market sentiment. Greek shares closed down 3.73 percent on Friday. Meanwhile, Greek credit default swapsbought to cover losses in case of default on debt repayments-rose 19.5 basis points to 446.5. And while there seems very little possibility that Greece will be forced out of the euro, a move acceptable neither politically or economically, the underlining question persists: Can the monetary union ride out the storm? The eurozone is “undergoing its first real test”, since its birth on January 1, 1999, according to renowned US economist Nouriel Roubini. Economists at the Royal Bank of Scotland warn that the situation is such that mere words are not enough. That leaves Greece’s European partners under pressure to come up with some kind of financial aid mechanism for Athens, perhaps via bilateral loans, a solution which would be politically less humiliating than a eurozone country going cap in hand to the International Monetary Fund. IMF head Dominique StraussKahn said the other eurozone nations must help Greece “in some form or another”.— AFP
nations to borrow money to stay afloat. With 16 EU nations now using the euro the problems are resonating throughout bloc. The euro fell below 1.36 dollars on Friday, its lowest level in over eight months. One risk is the “free loader” effect, said Patrick Artus, leading economist with Natixis.
MADRID: A building is seen under construction in Madrid. Spain’s once-buoyant economy has wracked up six straight quarters of decline since third quarter of 2008 as a boom fueled by real estate construction and consumer spending collapsed. Unemployment now stands at nearly 20 percent. —AP
Toyota woes a boon for car rivals: Analysts PARIS: The mass recall of millions of Toyota cars over safety fears has given an opening to rival car makers that were badly hit by the global economic crisis but are now rising again, analysts said. General Motors, the US giant which was toppled by Toyota as the world’s biggest car maker in 2008 and went through a humiliating bankruptcy last year, is taking the lead, offering Toyota owners money to buy GM models instead. But as Toyota’s woes mount other auto giants are also waiting in the wings, with Europe’s biggest car maker, Volkswagen (VW), this week reiterating its plan to overtake Toyota as the largest car producer in the world by 2018. “It’s a very huge number (of recalls) and it’s a very real problem for them, which means they are going to lose market share... especially in the US, but also in Europe,” said Frank Schwope, an auto analyst at German bank NordLB. “The other mass producers will profit from it, for example VW, for example Nissan or Honda... but also Ford and also GM will profit from it,” he said. “They lost big market share, the Americans, but they will regain some.” General Motors, which is now 61-percent government-owned, last month said it was offering Toyota drivers in the US a 1,000-dollar
(722-euro) discount if they traded in their Toyotas to buy GM following the first signs of trouble. “Dealers have been getting a lot of queries from customers who have expressed worries about their Toyota vehicles,” a GM spokesman said then. “So we want to be able to take advantage of that interest.” Toyota’s problems have spiraled in recent days with the recall of eight million vehicles because of feared technical faults and a patchy public relations operation seen by many experts as further fueling fears. US authorities worsened Toyota’s ordeal on Thursday by ordering a formal investigation into reported braking problems in the 2010 Toyota Prius. Toyota had sold nearly 1.5 million Prius vehicles in 40 countries since the first version’s launch in 1997, making it the world’s most popular hybrid car. Toyota has said the recalls could cost it two billion dollars but insists it is on course to making 80 billion yen (898 million dollars, 653 million euros) this fiscal year after posting a net profit in the last three months of 2009. IHS Global Insight analysts Ian Fletcher and Aaron Bragman warned, however, that “the sales impact from potential customers could be devastating” if Toyota is not seen to
be frank and forthcoming over the technical faults. Peter Morici, a professor at the University of Maryland’s business school, meanwhile said US government criticism of Toyota could be interpreted as favoritism for US manufacturers in which the state holds major stakes. “The optics are terrible becauseand this is what happens when a government owns a company-the two companies that are going to gain the most out of this are General Motors and Chrysler,” he said. Sales figures in the United States at least partly bear his point out. Toyota sales plunged 16 percent in January on a 12-month comparison, while General Motors rose 14 percent and Ford gained 25 percent. But sales for Chrysler, which also underwent bankruptcy last year, fell by eight percent. “In the next few months (Toyota) sales will be negatively affected in the US,” said Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer from the German auto research institute CAR, adding that Toyota needed to give “more orderly information to the public.” Asked about beneficiaries, he said: “In the US, it’s of course the American companies. GM, Ford and a little bit Chrysler. But we also see the chance of other Japanese, Korean and German car makers to profit from that defect.”— AFP
Dinar’s dive means trouble for Serbs with euro-loans Serbs struggling to repay their loans BELGRADE: The steady decline of the Serbian dinar, which is close to the symbolic threshold of 100 dinars for one euro, means many Serbs are struggling to repay their loans traditionally denominated in euros. When pensioner Mirjana Kovacevik took out a loan to buy furniture three years ago the 126 euromonthly installment didn’t seem like much. When she signed the loan a euro was worth 75 dinars, now after several years of steady decline of the dinar a euro is worth 98 dinars. Kovacevic’s monthly payments have jumped from 9,500 to 12,300 dinars. Kovacevik’s pension is unchanged as the Serbian government has frozen wages and pensions as part of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). “Pensions are frozen because of the crisis and agreement with IMF, but neither the loans nor value of dinar are frozen. That is so unfair,” she said. With some 80 percent of all loans in Serbia, business and consumer, denominated in euros the fall of the dinar affects almost everyone here. Dragan Subotic, a 55-year old travelling salesman, said he was “desperate” with two loans where the monthly installment reaches 360 euros. When he took out the loans he was making some 75,000 dinars a month, which
was then around 1,000 euros but the economic crisis has severely affected his income. “I’m managing so far, but if the dinar continues to fall I see no way out,” he said. “I live off selling products, but because of the crisis people are not buying that much anymore, so my income is decreasing both in euros and in dinars. I am a desperate man.” On Friday the official exchange rate of the currency was 98.68 dinars for one euro, one of the lowest rates since the introduction of the European currency. Serbian newspapers have been headlining for weeks that the currency is getting dangerously close to the psychological threshold of 100 dinars for a euro and the Serbian national bank has sold over 250 million euros since the start of the year to try and stem the currency’s slide. The dinar’s fall is not only causing problems for individuals but also to companies and the Serbian economy at large where “all economic debts in euros are being paid in dinars,” according to a diplomatic source. The head of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce Milos Bugarin has recently estimated in the daily Press that companies that took on debt in 2008 when one euro was worth 80 dinars were now suffering with a euro being
exchanged for 100 dinars. The variable rate of the dinar against the euro also affects the business environment and contributes to the uncertainty of the economy, said the deputy president of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Vidosava Dzagic. “We have the psychological problem that shows itself in the uncertainty of doing business here because in the conditions of uncertainty about the exchange rate there is no planning and consequently no real business management,” she explained. A weak dinar also has a direct impact on domestic demand for products, which again negatively impacts the economy, Dzagic said. According to economist Goran Nikolic, the Serbian government will do its best to hold inflation in 2010 at six percent. But a weak dinar against euro could boost Serbian exports, a diplomatic source said, noting that 2009 “saw a significant decline in the current account deficit” in Serbia. With costs in dinars and euros in revenues, a Serbian exporter may actually find a weak dinar in its interest. Increased exports could also help Serbia’s economic recovery this year. Belgrade has forecast growth in gross domestic product of 1.5 percent in 2010. —AFP
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BUSINESS
Monday, February 8, 2010
Geithner confident investors will stick by US bonds NEW YORK: Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner yesterday voiced confidence that the United States will still inspire confidence in investors despite its growing debt and warnings from Moody’s ratings agency. Asked by ABC television if investors would begin to snub US Treasury bonds, Geithner retorted that “that
will never happen to this country.” “If you step back and look at what has happened throughout this crisis, when people were most worried about the stability of the world, they still found safety in Treasuries and the dollar,” he said. “That is a very, very important sign of basic confidence in our capac-
ity as a country to work together to fix these problems.” Geithner said the Obama administration would take measures to reduce the country’s deficit, projected in the current 2010 fiscal year budget to hit a record 1.556 trillion dollars. And he vowed the administration would seek to bring down the deficit to below 4.0
percent of the gross national product within four years. He was speaking after Moody’s Investors Service said the United States needed to take tough action to get its finances in order to avert problems in the coming years that would “pressure” its top credit rating. The financial rating firm said President
Barack Obama’s proposed budget last week “was a small start to the big task of returning to a sustainable debt trajectory, but further measures will be necessary if that task is to be accomplished.” Moody’s said the government is “constrained for the time being by the high unemployment rate” and that “a big fiscal
adjustment right now would be politically difficult and could slow the economic recovery.” But Hess noted that “the debt trajectory is clearly continuously upward if further measures are not implemented.” But total US debt is on track to hit the current debt ceiling of 12.4 trillion dollars by the end
of February, the Treasury has said. The White House has predicted that US debt levels will reach 77 percent of GDP by 2020, compared to 64 percent at the current budget. Debt repayments will also double to 17.8 percent compared to 8.7 percent, which would be equivalent to the levels seen in the 1980s. —AFP
‘Growing economy’ creating few jobs
Frustrated job seekers deciding to call it quits NEW YORK: Many jobless people have reached a conclusion that captures the depth of the unemployment crisis: Looking for a job is a waste of time. The economy is growing. Yet it’s creating few jobs. That’s why in the past eight months, 1.8 million people without jobs left the labor market. Barbara
Bishop sat down at her kitchen table in suburban Atlanta last month and joined their ranks. Her decision came seven months after she quit a PR job that seemed about to be axed. Sending out resumes got her nowhere. So Bishop made a list of her skills and decided to launch her own business. “I don’t want to look any more,” she said of the job hunt. “It’s become very discouraging.” The nation’s unemployment rate is 9.7 percent. But so many jobless people have quit looking that if they’re combined with the number of part-time workers who’d prefer to work full time, the so-called “underemployment” rate is 16.5 percent. Their outsize numbers show that even though the economy is growing, the job market is stagnant. Employers remain reluctant to hire. The exodus did halt in January, when a net total of 111,000 people re-entered the job market. But 661,000 had left in December. And the overall trend since spring has been people leaving the work force. “It’s very unusual,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Economy.com. “At this point in the business cycle, we should be seeing some sort of labor force growth. Layoffs have abated, but there really has been no pickup in hiring.” Job creation was stronger early in previous recovCALIFORNIA: Job applicants talk with job recruiters, at a job fair in Santa Clara Calif. —AP eries. And jobless people responded by streaming back into the labor force. Even before the 1990-1991 and 2001 recessions ended, for instance, more people entered than left the job market, according to an analysis by Moody’s Economy.com. The work force did shrink after the KUWAIT: Lenovo announced yesterday severe 1981-1982 recession the launch of its latest range of “Idea” ended - but not as severely as it products in collaboration with its Kuwaiti has this time, the analysis partner Ali Alghanim & Sons General shows. Trading. During the launch, Lenovo met Some workers are concluding with top resellers and executives from it’s more practical to return to various sectors to discuss the IT market school, start a business or care in Kuwait and its future plans for the marfor their kids at home until the ket. The “Idea” products target conjob market improves. In some sumers and professionals who are looking cases, it even makes financial to maximize entertainment and computing sense to stop looking for work. performance to get the job done at work Jennifer McDonald, for example, and keep them connected and enjoying decided she could help her famireducing eye strain while preserving battheir computing experience as well. ly more by staying home than by tery life. Also, Dolby Sound Room comEven though Kuwait was hit hard by hunting for jobs that don’t seem plements the video experience by providthe effects of the regional economic slowto exist near her home in ing a high quality surround-sound audio down yet in its IT report for Q1 2010 Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. experience. And with VeriFace facial Business Monitor International expects Laid off as a receptionist a year recognition technology, they can make local IT spending to reach around ago, McDonald spent months their face their password for easy log in. US$761mn in 2010. The Kuwaiti computsearching for work as a recepThe IdeaPad G550 Laptop er hardware market is expected to reach a tionist or store clerk. Lenovo crafted the IdeaPad G550 lapvalue of US$319mn. According to BMI She and her husband ultitop for professionals who are looking for a Kuwait has a number of enduring mately decided that with two Ali Al-Amine PC that can get the job done for work and strengths, including its relatively small kids, her staying at home made but tech-literate and wealthy population launched in Kuwait includes a big variety that also has the style and design that more sense: It would save which makes it an important regional test- of notebooks such as the U350, Y550 and make it ideal for personal computing. The roughly $300 a week on childredesigned, thinner and lighter G Series ing ground for new products. G550, netbooks such as the S10-2, S12 care costs, along with gas money “Kuwait is the third largest IT market and All-in-Ones such as the A600 and laptop features choices of either a hairlineand time shuttling the kids. The like silver finish or a smooth and glossy in the region after Saudi Arabia and the C300. savings would help stretch her slate-colored finish. Equipped with enterUAE. The market offers good opportuniThe IdeaPad S10-2 netbook husband’s income from an autotainment essential including a 16:9 aspect ties for companies that are looking into The IdeaPad S10-2 netbook provides body shop. Besides, there were investing or expanding their business.” enthusiasts, social networkers and mobile ratio panel, DVD burner/player, HDMI no jobs anyway. “If you’re just said Ali Al-Amine, acting general manag- consumers with the latest in connectivity, port on select models, users can easily sitting there working on the er, Lenovo Middle East, Egypt and entertainment and performance features display multimedia presentations at the computer all day, not getting paid Pakistan. “Kuwait is set to be one of the to keep them better connected. It gives office or watch movies at home. This lapto do it, it’s not very profitable,” fastest growing countries in the region consumers even cooler netbook features - top offers constant connectivity with WiFi, she said. thanks to government’s initiatives to drive models with 3G connectivity, the rich Ethernet and optional Bluetooth. It also Those leaving the work force IT developments and companies from var- sound of Dolby headphone technology for comes with VeriFace technology and have been beaten down by the ious sectors investing heavily in IT infra- music and movies and long battery life. built-in cameras. competition for few jobs. A structure and services.” The IdeaCentre(tm) A600 The IdeaPad S12 netbook record 6.4 unemployed Al-Amine added: “We believe Kuwait The IdeaCentre(tm) A600 boasts the The IdeaPad S12 netbook offers plenty Americans, on average, are to be a vital a market for us to target of up and running time with up to six power of a traditional tower PC combined vying for each job opening, where there is a good demand for innova- hours of battery life to support the mobile with the style and simplicity of a televiaccording to the most recent tive and efficient technology. Users nowa- demands of netbook users. To hold the sion. The new IdeaCentre(tm) A600 feaLabor Department data. That’s days are looking for thinner and lighter PC photos, music and videos users keep onto tures robust processing, a gorgeous up from 1.7 jobless people per to fit their mobile lifestyles and still pro- their netbooks, the IdeaPad S12 netbook widescreen display, simple set up and an opening in December 2007, vide a full feature computing experience. offers 160GB hard drive storage. For impressive range of high definition enterwhen the recession began. And a The new “Idea” products meet such peace of mind in case data becomes cor- tainment features. record 6.3 million people have demands as they are designed to provide rupted, Lenovo’s OneKey(tm) Rescue The IdeaPad Y550 been jobless for at least six customers with cool, fun to use and highly System can help recover user data or sysThe IdeaPad Y550 provides an excepmonths. Even if the economy reliable technology with the latest capabil- tem settings. tional Hi-Definition entertainment and continues growing this year, it ities at a surprisingly affordable value” multimedia experience, the IdeaPad Y550 The IdeaPad U350 Laptop won’t likely recover many of the Commenting on the launch event Encased in a sophisticated polished sil- has optional latest generation NVIDIA 8.4 million net jobs that vanished Zakaria Elhaj Eid, IT & Digitals products ver shell, the IdeaPad U350 laptop starts GFX graphics for gaming and smooth HD in the recession. Economists say development manager at Ali Alghanim & at 1.58 kg and measures less than 25mm video playback and Dolby(r) Home the nation would be fortunate to sons said: “The launch was a great suc- thick. While thin and light to the touch on Theater(tm) surround sound. The IdeaPad get back 1.5 million of those jobs cess and it helped us to establish a direct the outside, Lenovo loaded the PC’s Y550 also features JBL speakers for a rich, this year. dialogue with our key customers and tar- inside full of the latest technologies to resonate sound. Part of the problem is that get audience. Lenovo offered a live maximize entertainment and computing The IdeaCentre C300 outsized growth in the real demonstration to the new range of “Idea” performance. A 16:9 aspect ratio high defThe IdeaCentre C300 is Lenovo’s Allestate and construction indusproducts which helped our customers inition 13.3 inch LED panel and an HDMI in-One desktop answer to the netbook. tries disappeared when the realise its capabilities and the kind of connector allow users to fully enjoy With a stunning 20” large widescreen dishousing bubble burst. Many of experience it offers. Lenovo has always watching movies or other multimedia in play, an easily adjustable viewing angle, a those jobs are gone for good. been very supportive and keen to provide high definition. The IdeaPad U350 laptop large internal hard disk drive, an integratConstruction of homes, for us with training and resources to help us also packs in several unexpected features, ed DVD player/burner, HD graphics and example, could jump 30 percent expand the business and meet our clients’ such as Ambient Light Sensor which auto- integrated stereo speakers, you can enjoy this year to an annual rate of demands.” matically adjusts the screen’s brightness movies, games and more and this style 715,000, said John Lonski, chief The new range of “Idea” products according to the lighting environment, conscious computing device. economist of Moody’s Capital Markets Research Group. —AP
Lenovo launches ‘Idea’ product Lenovo targets Kuwait’s $716m IT market
Refreshing morning with the elite Asian Ladies Group at Crowne Plaza KUWAIT: The well known Asian Ladies Group enjoyed a ladies breakfast outing at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The Asian Ladies Group is a group representing different Asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and China who live in Kuwait. The Asian Ladies Group care to meet once a month for breakfast or lunch, usually in the houses of one of their members. This time they chose Crowne Plaza Hotel to be their destination for their monthly gathering. Starting off their day with a delicious breakfast at Al Ahmadi international buffet restaurant, that serves exceptional mouthwatering dishes from all around the world, the Asian Ladies Group expressed their content in having relished a complete fulfilling breakfast in a long time. Al Ahmadi serves live cooking stations, a variety of salads, appetizers and desserts in addition to assortments of main courses. The Asian Ladies Group then toured around the Spa Aquatonic and took a look at the various facilities, products and chatted with the
spa’s expert therapists. Their spa journey ended at the Spa Aquatonic Pool which gained their astonishment that Kuwait had such a pool, designed by Thermes Marins de Saint Malo with a combination of jet massages that regenerates the body, tones muscles and relaxes the mind. The Aquatonic pool offers new and different techniques of relaxing such as lower back massage seats, dynamic body massage bay, jets for the legs, Spiral jet pool from ankles to the lower back, massage fountain, an Aqua relax bed and a pool for the aqua gym and other water exercises. The Aquatonic pool is 650m2 and is considered to be one of its kinds in the Middle East. The Asian Ladies Group conveyed their pleasure at visiting the Crowne Plaza Hotel and viewing its remarkable facilities. Ms. Rosylnn Ang-Buchowski, the coordinator of Asian Ladies Group said, ‘this is the first time that we held our event in a hotel in Kuwait and I must say that it has been a tremendous success and all of us had an extraordinary enjoyable morning’.
BKME declares KD14.3 million net profit in ’09 Core profit increased by 51.1%; Proposed bonus shares 10% BKME - The Bank of Kuwait & the Middle East - realized net profits amounting to KD 14.3 million in 2009. The profit was generated by operating income to the tune of KD 85 Million. The Bank also succeeded to increase the net interest income by 35.6%. On the other hand, and in line with the Bank’s prudent policy to safeguard against unforeseen economic circumstances on the aftermath of the local and international economic events, the Bank succeeded to realize such profits after making provisions (includes additional precautionary provisions) in 2009 amounted to KD47.1 Million. This reflects the Bank’s ability to smoothly withstand the fluctuations of the economic cycle. The total deposits increased by 3.8% to KD1,988 Million, the total assets increased by 1.1% to KD2,261 Million, while total loans and advances increased by 6% to KD1,561 Million. In his announcement of the Bank’s year-end Financial Statements, the Chairman & Managing Director Hamad Abdulmohsen Al-Marzouq said that the Bank has achieved an increase of 51.1% in its core profit before provisions and non recurring items signifying a positive trend in profitability for the years to come. He added that the Board of Directors has proposed to distribute stock dividend only with a view to support the capital base and to avoid the burden of capital increase on the shareholders. Al-Marzouq went on to say that the Bank’s operating performance and indicators witnessed, by the grace of Allah, marked growth during the year 2009 and that these are positive results; notwithstanding the initiative adopted by the Bank’s management to maintain extra general and precautionary provisions, in addition to the mandatory provisions computed in accordance with the Central Bank of Kuwait
instructions and international accounting standards, in order to safeguard against the impact resulting from the world financial crisis. Al-Marzouq added that the main factors for the realized profits was the growth in the performance of all business segments, driven by the diverse sources of revenues, expansion of activities and risk distribution, amid increased concern to satisfy customer requirements with the introduction of several innovative services and products, confirming that the next phase shall be very challenging to the Kuwaiti banking sector with the need to develop and position its instruments and products within the accelerated changes witnessed in the whole world. Al-Marzouq went on to say that the year 2010 will signify a distinguished climacteric in the course of action of the Bank of Kuwait & the Middle East, in that the Bank takes constant steps towards the conversion into Islamic banking, which is expected to commence by the second quarter of 2010, following the completion of the legal procedures for conversion and obtaining the Amiri Decree, and the registration as an Islamic bank with the Central Bank of Kuwait. The Bank of Kuwait & the Middle East will begin anew era as one of the leading Islamic banks in the market. Al-Marzouq stressed that the Bank will continue to adhere to its consistent and diligent policies as well as outstanding management practices. As such the Bank won independent accreditations from leading international rating agencies. The international credit rating agency FITCH concluded that “BKME”, (which will be renamed “Ahli United”, with the commencement of the actual conversion into an Islamic bank) enjoys high-performing risk management practices which contributed to place it on the
forefront of the local banks. The FITCH rating to BKME derives its conclusion from the Bank’s leading position in Kuwait with regard to safeguarding its customer deposits, compliance with repayment of long term debts and accordingly, rated the Bank at (A-), implying a stable position for the long term liabilities. This further signifies the optimistic approach taken by FITCH concerning the business outlook of the Bank, evidenced by solid indicators that the Bank continues to enjoy financial stability and consistency. The above rating has been reaffirmed by the leading position held by the Bank, as recorded by the report issued by the Institute of Banking Studies with respect to the various financial indicators during the years 2005 - 2008, reflecting the highly graded financial stability which the Bank enjoys, emanating from a long history extending to 69 years of banking services in the State of Kuwait. Concluding his statement, Al-Marzouq stressed his confidence in the strength of the economic conditions in Kuwait in general, and that the local banking sector, guided by the prudent policy adopted by the Central Bank of Kuwait, shall survive the adverse impacts of the global financial crisis better than its world counterparts. Al-Marzouq also seized the opportunity to extend sincere thanks and appreciation on behalf of the members of the Board of Directors of the Bank, to the Bank’s customers and shareholders for their esteemed confidence in the Bank and their contribution to materialize this achievement as well as their prompt response and positive cooperation with the Bank for completion of the process of conversion into Islamic banking, whereas the Bank is expected to commence its operations as an Islamic bank starting the second quarter of the current year after completing all legal related issues.
TECHNOLOGY
Monday, February 8, 2010
US book publishers smile as Kindle rivals surface NEW YORK: US book publishers are smiling again, after years of watching digital versions of their titles sell for below what they thought they were worth. A host of rivals to the market-dominating Kindle electronic reader has given newfound hope to publishers that they will finally be able to dictate their own terms after being at the mercy of Amazon. Rupert Murdoch, whose News Corp. stable includes publisher Harper-Collins, could hardly contain his glee during an earnings call last week, although the box office success of “Avatar” probably also had something to do with it. “Without content, the ever larger and flatter screens, the tablets, the e-readers and the increasingly sophisticated mobile phones would be lifeless,” Murdoch said. “Without content these ingenious and wonderful devices would be unloved and unsold.” One new arrival in particular has Murdoch and other publishers excitedApple’s iPad tablet computer, which doubles as a full-color ereader of books, newspapers and magazines. “We’re at a happy point, not just with Apple, but with Barnes & Noble and the ‘Nook,’ the 23 devices that have been launched, and Google Books seems to be just around the corner,” a source in the publishing industry said. “Now we have that many more distribution outlets coming,” said the source, who requested anonymity out of fear of antagonizing Amazon, which may be facing competition but remains the undisputed e-book leader. Although the iPad will not be available to consumers until the end of March, Apple is shaking up the digital book market like it did the music industry with the iPod and iTunes music store. Unveiling the iPad, Apple chief executive Steve Jobs announced deals with five major publishers and an agreement that allows publishers to set higher prices while Apple settles for a 30-percent cut. The so-called “agency model” is a departure from the way Amazon has been doing business with book publishers. Since the release of the Kindle two years ago, Amazon has sold digital versions of hardcover new releases and bestsellers for 9.99 dollars, a move primarily aimed at driving sales of the online retail giant’s e-reader. Publishers were generally opposed, believing the price too low, but were not in a position to argue while Amazon was the only game in town. That is no longer the case and the revolt against Amazon was immediate. Just days after the wraps were taken off the iPad, Macmillan informed Amazon it wanted to begin charging between 12.99 and 14.99 dollars for e-book versions of most hardcover new releases and bestsellers. Macmillan said it would give Amazon a 30-percent cut, as with Apple. Amazon protested, temporarily pulling Macmillan titles-both print and e-books-from its online bookstore, but acknowledged that “ultimately, however, we will have to capitulate and accept Macmillan’s terms.” Another major publisher, Hachette Book Group, quickly followed Macmillan. “It’s important to note that we are not looking to the agency model as a way to make more money on e-books,” Hachette chairman and chief executive David Young said in a letter to literary agents. “In fact, we make less on each ebook sale under the new model,” he said. “We’re willing to accept lower return for e-book sales as we control the value of our product-books, and content in general. “We’re taking the long view on e-book pricing, and this new model helps protect the long-term viability of the book marketplace,” Young said. Gartner analyst Allen Weiner said it remains to be seen whether consumers, having gotten used to paying 9.99 dollars for a bestseller or a new release, will pay more. “The precedent may have already been set,” Weiner said. “Consumers may not pay more than 12 dollars.” “The damage that Amazon has done may be irreparable,” he said. “The cow is out of the barn. I don’t know how you get the cow back in the barn.” At the same time though, “we’re in the process of having all distribution lines and pricing models redrawn,” Weiner said. “It’s Chapter One in all of this, but it may or may not dictate what happens at the end.” —AFP
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Bad weather delays US shuttle launch Shuttle aims for pre-dawn launch as clouds move in
CAPE CANAVERAL: Mission specialists Bob Behnken (left) and Nicholas Patrick wave before entering the astrovan at the Operations and Check-Out Building at the Kennedy Space Center yesterday. —AP
Doctors tout NanoKnife for easy tumor removal NanoKnife allows doctors to excise primary tumors that were considered inoperable, and can also be used on tumors that have spread from cancer in other parts of the body. A University of Miami doctor recently removed two cancerous tumors from a patient’s liver using only three needle-like probes, a computer and a powerful burst of electricity. His instrument was the NanoKnife - not really a knife at all, but yet another new use of nanotechnology, the science of dealing with particles and dimensions down to the atomic level. The patient, Maria Gomez of Delray Beach, Florida, went home the next day with little pain and no bleeding. She has a good chance of avoiding the liver transplant that was being considered before the operation in early January, says Dr Govindarajan Narayanan, chief of vascular interventional radiology at the UM Miller School of Medicine. “I think it’s the best procedure,” Gomez, 67, said a few days after the procedure. “I studied this. It’s my life.” “Rather than using surgery or a transplant, we decided to try this non-invasive technique,” said Narayanan. “We did a scan afterwards and it looked very good. In a month, we’ll get another scan.” Narayanan is enthusiastic about the NanoKnife. It allows doctors to excise primary tumors that until now were considered inoperable, and can be used on tumors that have spread from cancer in other parts of the body, he said. The UM center got its NanoKnife late last year, becoming the first facility in Florida and fourth in the United States to use one. Developed by AngioDynamics of Queensbury, NY, the device costs about $300,000; each probe costs $2,000. Narayanan calls the NanoKnife “a major step forward in cancer treatment.” “We’re still in the early stages of using it,”
he says. “It’s good for tumors less than five centimeters; for really big tumors it’s less good. My guess is it will be very effective in selective patients.” Dr David Hays, a radiologist in Little Rock, Arkansas, who also uses the NanoKnife, agrees on its importance. “It adds to rather than replacing the methods we’re using today,” he says. “When you take them all together, I believe they can increase cancer survival rates.” The NanoKnife is a series of needle-like steel probes with an electrical generator, a computer with monitor and a couple of foot pedals to operate it. The “nano” aspect of the procedure is that the electrical pulses poke infinitesimal holes in the tumor’s cellular walls, causing them to die naturally and be routinely discarded by the body. “The liver regenerates in the area where we removed the tumor,” Narayanan says. In his operation on Gomez, Narayanan watched the monitor of a CT scanner to precisely position three probes around the first of her tumors. He then used the NanoKnife’s computer and monitor to precisely set the electrical pulse, then triggered it with a foot pedal. In a minute or so, the tumor was destroyed. He then used two probes on the smaller tumor. Gomez was then brought out of general anesthesia. “She woke up, had some Jell-O, slept through the night, got up, brushed her teeth and went home,” he says. “I feel fine,” Gomez said a few days after the procedure. The new procedure was much less arduous than surgery used in 2006 to remove an earlier tumor in her liver. When the tumors
recurred, doctors first recommended a transplant. Then Narayanan suggested the NanoKnife. “I chose to avoid the transplant if I could,” Gomez said. Doctors hope that, because of its precision, the NanoKnife will be more likely to remove an entire tumor, leaving the patient cancer-free. They say it’s easier on patients than previous methods. A few years ago, Gomez’s tumor would have called for major surgery. More modern, less invasive methods such as radiofrequency ablation or cryoablation attack the tumor with extreme heat or cold, which can damage healthy surrounding tissue. The NanoKnife creates no heat or cold, avoiding such damage. And Narayanan says there’s a large artery running very close to the liver that could be damaged by the other techniques. Hays, the Arkansas radiologist, agrees that, since the NanoKnife creates no heat or subfreezing temperatures, it can be used in some patients who can’t undergo radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation. Those methods “do well in killing the cancer,” Hays says, “but they cause significant collateral damage to surrounding blood vessels, arteries and bile ducts. So there are some patients we can’t treat with those methods.” While Narayanan used the NanoKnife for a liver tumor, doctors in other states and countries also are using it for tumors of the lung, kidney and prostate. In the prostate procedure, they hope the device’s precision can spare surrounding nerves and maintain continence and sexual function. “There’s a lot of work going on to see what it can do,” Narayanan said. —MCT
Dr Govindarajan Narayanan, chief of vascular interventional radiology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine used a NanoKnife, like this one, to destroy a cancerous tumor in the liver of a patient. —MCT
Macworld taking off sans Apple on board SAN FRANCISCO: A Macworld conclave devoted to all things Apple gets under way this week without the technology sun around which the annual event has revolved for years. Long a centerpiece of the cult-like gathering, Apple has opted out of the event and will not be giving a keynote presentation this year that was so popular people queued around the building for seats. “I am still very excited about it,” said Jed Seifert, executive vice president of MusicSkins which makes hip vinyl coatings for personalizing iPhones, iPods, MacBook computers and other gizmos. “Macworld is all about finding the hottest coolest new stuff out there.” A conference portion begins tomorrow with seminars on succeeding in an Apple “ecosystem” ranging from software applications to cases, ear buds or other accessories for the California company’s popular devices. An expo at which companies show off Appleoriented creations opens Thursday and continues through the end of the conference on Saturday. “This will be a thrilling time,” predicted Jeanniey Mullen of Zinio, a global ‘digital newsstand’ for Internet Age magazines and books delivered to a wide array of electronics devices including iPhones. “The recessionary period, if nothing else, led to a lot of innovation for survival and a pretty great explosion of ideas.” Macworld organizer IDG enhanced the conference lineup in an apparent move to fill the void left by Apple. Actor and film-maker Kevin Smith will be a “feature presenter,” sharing views on using technology to tell stories and create art. Smith’s films include “Clerks” and “Chasing Amy.” The list of Macworld speakers includes long-ago Apple employee turned venture capitalist Guy Kawasaki, New York Times technology columnist David Pogue, and John Gruber of Daring Fireball blog. “Macworld 2010 is an ideal venue for an in-depth discussion about how revolutionary products are still being conceived, designed and delivered for Apple product users,” Kawasaki said. The star presenter of Macworlds past was Apple chief executive Steve Jobs, who wowed crowds by introducing innovations such as the iPhone with a trademark “one more thing” line. Apple hosted its own event just weeks ago a block from the Macworld venue to unveil a touchscreen tablet computer called the iPad. “We want to kick off 2010 by introducing a truly magical and revolutionary product,” Jobs said during the iPad debut. Macworld on Saturday will have an iPad Special Event to preview the tablet, which begins shipping worldwide in March. “Our special event will help demystify the iPad and give users an in-depth look into the future of this product and what it might mean to them,” said Macworld general manager Paul Kent. “End users can learn how the product works and whether it’s a buy-now or wait decision.” Macworld will be a showcase for products built for iPads, according to Mullen. MusicSkins, which just inked a deal with Cartoon Network to feature characters from popular television shows such as “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” and “Family Guy” on gadget “skins,” has the iPad in its sights. “We are absolutely making skins for the iPad,” said Seifert, whose company will be at Macworld. “We are ready to have the skins the second it is released.” The iPad has a 9.7-inch (24.6-centimeter) color screen and resembles an oversized iPhone. The cheapest iPad model, with WiFi connectivity and 16GB of memory, is 499 dollars while the most expensive-which includes 3G connectivity and 64GB of memory-costs 829 dollars. About 35,000 people are expected to turn out for Macworld, and veteran attendees note that the exhibition floor appears to have shrunk. Storyist chief executive and former Apple engineer Steve Shepard plans to attend Macworld out of personal interest but his company will not be among the exhibitors for the first time in four years. “Apple not being there played into our decision,” Shepard said. —AFP
CAPE CANAVERAL: The launch of the US space shuttle Endeavour was delayed by 24 hours early yesterday due to bad weather over the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA officials said. The delay was caused by heavy cloud cover over Cape Canaveral, officials from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration said. “We tried really, really hard to work the weather, but it’s just too dynamic,” explained NASA’s launch director Mike Leinbach. “We are just not comfortable to launch the shuttle tonight. So, we have a 24hour scrub.” Endeavour’s next launch attempt is scheduled for today at 4:14 am (0914 GMT). The mission management team was expected to meet at 6:15 pm (2315 GMT) yesterday to give the “go” to fill the shuttle’s external fuel tank with propellants. Tank loading would begin soon after the meeting. The decision to postpone the launch comes as NASA begins to reevaluate its future after President Barack Obama effectively abandoned the US space agency’s plan to send astronauts back to the moon by 2020. The Constellation program was intended to develop a successor spacecraft to the shuttle, which could be used to carry astronauts to the moon where they would use a lunar base to launch manned missions to Mars. Constrained by soaring budget deficits, Obama submitted a budget to Congress that encourages the agency to instead focus on developing commercial transport alternatives to ferry astronauts to the ISS after the shuttle program ends. There are just five missions scheduled for NASA’s three shuttles before the program is scheduled to wind down later this year. The first shuttle launch was in 1981. The Endeavour mission’s main goal is the delivery of the Tranquility module, also known as Node 3, which comes with a multi-window cupola attached. The cupola, built for NASA by the European group Thales Alenia Space in their Turin factory, will allow for panoramic views of Earth, space objects and spacecraft arriving at the ISS, the US space agency said. “Everything thus far is going exceedingly well,” NASA test director Jeff Spauling told journalists during a press conference. With Endeavour’s delivery of Tranquility, the International Space Station will be 90 percent complete, NASA said. Tranquility, which weighs 18 tons, is seven meters long and has a 4.5 meter (15 foot) diameter, while the cupola dome weighs 1.9 tons, and measures 1.5 meters with a 2.9 meter diameter. Installing the module is expected to require a team of two astronauts to undertake three spacewalks lasting 6.5 hours each. Tranquility, named after the lunar sea where Apollo 11 landed, has the most sophisticated life support system ever flown into space. It has air revitalization, oxygen generation and water recycling systems and also contains a waste and hygiene compartment for the crew. The cupola attached to Tranquility boasts six windows arrayed along its sides as well as a central window-all built with protection against the impact of tiny meteorites-that will offer an unprecedented panoramic view for those onboard. But the cupola will also serve an important work function, accommodating two crew members at a time, and is equipped with portable workstations that can control station and robotic activities. The view will allow the crew to monitor spacewalks and docking operations, NASA said. The ISS, a joint project involving 16 countries, has cost around 100 billion dollars, mostly provided by the United States. Under Obama’s new budget, the floating research station could see its life extended by five years until 2020. Meanwhile, NASA will work on sponsoring commercial development of new US spacecraft that can ferry astronauts to the ISS after the shuttle program ends. Astronauts will have access to Russia’s Soyuz craft for transport to the station, but the US space agency will be called upon to help a US private sector alternative. —AFP
HEALTH & SCIENCE
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Monday, February 8, 2010
Thousands of dino footprints found in China
KUNMING: A file picture shows the complete articulated skeletons of dinosaurs at a museum in China. — AFP
Hitler had bad breath according to dentist HAMBURG: Adolf Hitler probably had bad breath and unhealthy teeth, according to a German dentist who has studied the Nazi dictator’s medical record, media reports said yesterday. “It is likely that Adolf Hitler had very bad breath. He ate very badly and suffered from tooth decay,” Menevse Deprem-Hennen told yesterday’s edition of Bild newspaper. The dentist reportedly studied Hitler’s dental
records in the course of her doctorate, which she entitled Dentist of the Devil. She said the research indicated that the Nazi dictator feared the dentist. “It appears Hitler was very sensitive to pain,” Deprem-Hennen said. “He allowed himself the luxury of ordering his personal dentist, Johannes Blaschke, into the Reich Chancellery eight times for a root canal treatment - normally this is dealt
with in one or two sessions,” DepremHennen said. The records reportedly also showed that Hitler had a molar removed following gum disease. Hugo Johannes Blaschke, an SS general, treated Hitler and other important Nazi figures for many years. His patient records were thought to have disappeared long ago, Bild reported. — dpa
India says Bhopal disaster site still highly poisonous
SICHUAN: One of the two American-born giant pandas, Tai Shan, inside a cage arrives at Chengdu airport. — AP
China firm adopts loved panda for 60,000 dollars BEIJING: A Chinese auto company said yesterday it had adopted Tai Shan, a much-loved panda that has just arrived in China from its birthplace in the United States, in a 60,000-dollar corporate deal. The animal arrived in southwestern Sichuan province Friday from Washington-where its departure nearly five years after it was born at the National Zoo drew tears from the crowds-to join China’s panda-breeding program. Cao Guodong, deputy general manager of the Sichuan Auto Industry Group, said the firm, which makes hybrid cars, had decided to adopt Tai Shan to initiate an “environmental protection philosophy” for the company. He denied the deal was for advertising purposes, but added the company would organize activities centered around Tai Shan at its businesses around China at key moments, such as the panda’s birthday. “Four hundred thousand yuan (60,000 dollars) is the basic fee, but that doesn’t include money we might donate in the future,” he said. Hen Yi, a spokesman for the Wolong panda base in Sichuan’s Bifengxia, where Tai Shan is currently staying, told AFP the panda would not be disrupted by the deal and would never be moved from its feeding centre. Meanwhile,
unaware of the excitement, Tai Shan, a male panda, was adapting well to life at the centre, but still had to get accustomed to its new Chinese handler, Hen said. “He doesn’t understand either Chinese or English, but he needs to get familiar with the voice of his new handler,” he said. Tai Shan was accompanied by another panda, a female called Mei Lan, when it arrived in China. Mei Lan was born in captivity in Atlanta and was sent to a different base in Sichuan, where it will be encouraged to mate. Pandas are extremely poor breeders, and experts have used extreme measures such as rigorous “sexercises” and even showing them “panda pornography”-films of pandas mating-to encourage the endangered animals to have sex. A report on scol.com.cn, a Sichuan news website, said that unlike Tai Shan, Mei Lan had had problems settling down after arriving in China. “As soon as she got off the plane, she looked very nervous. After entering the quarantine area, she jumped around and roared when she saw people,” the report said, adding that the panda was not eating much. Both Mei Lan’s Chinese and American handlers were working on calming the panda down, it added.— AFP
NEW DELHI: Twenty-five years after the gas tragedy in the central city of Bhopal, the country’s pollution agency has confirmed huge quantities of chemicals in underground water and soil around the site, a newspaper reported yesterday. Although previous investigations found presence of highly toxic substances in the radius of the Union Carbide plant, the government study is significant given the official government position that the site was safe. The Central Pollution Control Board made the findings in its latest study conducted in the 2.4-kilometre radius of the closed chemical factory, the Hindustan Times reported. The study discovered high levels of chloroform and benzene in underground water, mostly near residential areas. The contaminants can cause headache and nausea. Prolonged exposure can lead to respiratory distress and even coma. “In some cases, the toxins were found to be several hundred times more than the permissible limits for drinking water,” the study said. The level of mercury found in the water was 7995 parts per million (ppm). World Health Organization standards prescribe that mercury in water should not be more than 0.1 ppm. “The contamination is abnormally high,” the agency’s chairman, SP Gautam, told the newspaper. “Toxins from chemicals in the factory would have seeped into the ground and reached the water table,” he added. In December, a study released by Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment, said groundwater in areas even 3 kilometers from the factory contained almost 40 times more pesticides than Indian standards. The government has rejected claims that several thousand people were still suffering from effects of contamination, and maintained that communities near the site had been supplied with clean water. Victim and environmental groups have been demanding the cleanup of toxic waste and criticized the “callous” attitude of authorities to the victims of the gas leak of December 3, 1984. According to official data, the accident - one of the biggest industrial disasters in history - killed 15,274 people. But other assessments by independent groups such as Greenpeace say as many as 25,000 people died. — dpa
BEIJING: Archaeologists in China have uncovered more than 3,000 dinosaur footprints, state media reported, in an area said to be the world’s largest grouping of fossilized bones belonging to the ancient animals. The footprints, believed to be more than 100 million years old, were discovered after a three-month excavation at a gully in Zhucheng in the eastern province of Shandong, the Xinhua news agency reported. The prints range from 10 to 80 centimeters (four to 32 inches) in length, and belonged to at least six different kinds of dinosaurs, including tyrannosaurs, the report said Saturday. Wang Haijun, a senior engineer at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said the prints faced the same direction, Xinhua said. This indicated a possible migration or a panic escape by plant-eating dinosaurs after an attack by predators, Wang added. Archeologists have found dinosaur fossils at some 30 sites in Zhucheng, known as “dinosaur city.” The region has seen two major digs since 1964, and experts say the discovery of so many dinosaurs in such a dense area could provide clues on how the animals became extinct millions of years ago. Plans are being made to set up a fossil park in the area. — AFP
Environmentalists say cheap toys harm sexual development NUREMBERG: An environmentalist group charged Thursday at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in Germany that cheap toys were exuding chemicals which could make boys infertile or trigger early puberty in girls. BUND, the German affiliate of Friends of the Earth, did not identify specific toys but demanded that the European Union police product safety standards to ban certain sorts of phthalate, a class of substances that makes plastic flexible and longer-lasting. The group alleged that children picked
up chemicals that affect their hormone balance simply by touching plastic objects in the course of the day and that these faint traces can interact in the child’s blood to create a “toxic cocktail.” Sarah Haeuser, a chemist at BUND, charged, “These are not just isolated cases. Every child probably has several toys in their toy bin that are tainted.” She said common sense would help parents spot the offenders. “Anything that has a plastic odor to it is exuding substances into the environment,” she said. “Toys that are extremely cheap
are not usually made out of the best grades of plastic.” BUND said the chemicals could potentially retard or speed up a child’s sexual development. It charges that the European Union is lax because it does not force toymakers to send all toys to independent laboratories for testing. Toy companies have said this week that the problem is not a lack of standards, but too many, with every nation having different rules, requiring toys to be re-tested for every single export nation and making it difficult to mass-produce toys economically. — dpa
Australian drought linked to Antarctica snowfall PARIS: A drought that has gripped the southwestern corner of Australia since the 1970s is linked with higher snowfall in East Antarctica, a phenomenon that may be rooted in global warming, scientists reported yesterday. Researchers Tas van Ommen and Vin Morgan of the Australian Antarctic Division said that the drought-which has seen winter rainfall decline by 15-20 percent-is extremely unusual
when compared with the last 750 years. Hand in hand with the drought is a similarly exceptional rise in snowfall at Law Dome, an icecap on the coast of East Antarctica. The apparent reason is a “precipitation seesaw,” the pair report in a paper published online by the journal Nature Geoscience. Relatively cool, dry air flows northwards to southwest Australia, providing little rain, while
warm, moist air flows to East Antarctica, where it provides abundant snow. The pattern is consistent with previous studies that suggest a man-made role in the drought, say the pair. Previous research has pointed to greenhouse gases for changing the so-called Southern Annular Model, a key feature of atmospheric circulation in the southern hemisphere. — AFP
AMRITSAR: An Indian health worker administers polio drops to a child during a vaccination campaign yesterday. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative has achieved successes since the World Health Assembly launched the project in 1988. Although the number of polio cases in India decreased from 134 in 2004 to 66 in 2005, a dramatic increase occurred in 2006, with a total of 660 cases reported as of January 31, 2007, which accounts for a third of all new polio cases worldwide that year. — AFP
Astra attempts to develop new cancer drug LONDON: AstraZeneca has struck a deal with the commercial arm of a British charity to try and develop a new class of a “cancer metabolism” drugs. The aim is to exploit the fact cancer cells use energy differently to normal cells, by creating
new drugs that control cell metabolism in order to attack tumors whilst sparing normal tissues, the two partners said yesterday. The three-year alliance will work on a portfolio of projects selected by Cancer Research UK’s commercialization and
development arm, Cancer Research Technology (CRT). AstraZeneca will take the most promising projects into pre-clinical and clinical drug development, sharing the risks and potential rewards with CRT. — Reuters
WHATʼS ON IN KUWAIT
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Monday, February 8, 2010
IWG meets to herald February activities
Embassy information EMBASSY OF KENYA
By Rawan Khalid he International Women’s Group held last morning a meeting prior to the occasion of the Independent, and National Day of Kuwait as well as the Valentine’s Day. Moreover the International Women’s Group met the Kuwaiti woman who helped in extinguishing the oilfields during the Iraqi invasion to Kuwait, Sara Akbar the CEO of Kuwait Energy Company. The International Women Group’s President Karen Henery welcomed all the members during her speech, and she wished them a happy year full of love, and she wished more development and prosperity in all the fields for Kuwait. The program included a special exhibit for Narjes Al-Shatti’s paintings which show the old traditional Kuwaiti life. The next meeting for the International Women’s Group will be in the first month of March.
The Embassy of the Republic of Kenya is happy to inform the general public and visitors to Kenya of a reduction in the cost of tourist visas by 50%, continuing through all of 2010. Additionally, in recognition of the family travel segment, Kenya is giving a complete waiver of visit fees to children aged 16 years and below. Visitors are urged to take this opportunity and experience unique Kenyan beach holidays on palm fringed, sandy beaches, safaris in the country’s famous national parks, and activity based tourism. For more information contact the Kenya Embassy located at Surra, block 6, Street 9, Villa No.3. Tel. 25353314/ 25353362 or visit the Mission’s websites www.kenyaembkuwait.com & www.magicalkenya.com. Official timings are 8:00 am 4:00 pm, Sundays through Thursdays.
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Karen Henery, President of the International Women Group. — Photos by Joseph Shagra
Sara Akbar, CEO of Kuwait Energy Company.
EMBASSY OF UKRAINE The Embassy of Ukraine in the State of Kuwait informs about the second voting of the Presidential elections in Ukraine, which is scheduled to be held on February 7, 2010. The voting will take place on the territory of the Embassy of Ukraine in the State of Kuwait (address: Hawalli, Jabriya, bl.10, str.6, house 5) from 08:00 am till 20:00 pm. In this connection, please refer to the Embassy to check your personal data in the electoral register or call: 25318507 ext.106 EMBASSY OF INDIA
Narjes Al-Shatti (left), Sara Akbar, CEO of Kuwait Energy Company (middle), and Malgorzata Szwedo the Spouse of the Ambassador of Poland (right).
Julie, Mouriel, Aziza, Sofana
Narjes Al-Shatti with her paintings. Various members of the IWG are seen.
Celebrate the season of love at Movenpick Hotel Love is all around at the Movenpick Hotel and Resort Al-Bida’a Kuwait he Movenpick Hotel and Resort AlBida’a Kuwait is the perfect destination for couples looking to spice things up. Because Valentine’s Day is so special, the Movenpick Hotel and Resort Al-Bida’a Kuwait has created a tailor made package called “A whole month of romance”, so no need to worry if it is too early or too late. Surprise your loved one and book 2 nights stay and enjoy a 50% off on the second night, complimentary breakfast, late check out until 4pm and a wonderful bouquet of flowers. Valentine’s Day dinner: On February 14 you can enjoy a romantic dinner for two at Movenpick Hotel Restaurant. The gourmet menu has been especially selected by our Executive Chef to create a sumptuous experience. The menu includes international buffet, live cooking stations, seafood buf-
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fet to name just a few delights on offer. Breath-taking views, personal and attentive service and delightful entertainment by violinist, ensure a romantic evening for you and your loved one. All guests of the night will be eligible to enter a draw to win a night at our luxurious Ambassador Suite to complete the romantic experience. The Spa specials for the Valentine: The Spa at the Movenpick Hotel and Resort AlBida’a Kuwait offers a special Valentine package for couples: The usage of the VIP Spa room; milk and rose petal bath; Elemis skin facial or Swedish massage; Indian head massage. All this for only 71 KD for 2 persons. The offer is valid until February 21. Start a storybook romance at the Movenpick Hotel and Resort Al-Bida’a Kuwait and live happily ever after that moment on!
Discussion held on Bangladeshi literary works n inquisitive discussion meeting was held on January 29, 2010 at Gulshan hotel in Kuwait City, in celebration of the current issue of newly published Mrittaka’ - a progressive magazine of Bengali literature and culture as well as Bangla literary exercises in Kuwait. Poet Salim Reza, editor of the magazine ‘Mrittika’ had presided over the meeting and that was presented by the poet Manirul Haque Emran. Literature Md Ali Azam was the guest of honor. Renowned businessman Zafar Ahmed Chowdhury, President of Chittagong Samity, Mohammad Masud Karim, editor of news magazine ‘Swadesh’, AKM Azad editor of Prabash Bangla were among the special guests at the event. Literary and artistic qualities of the publication ‘Mrittika’ as well as the
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standard of Bangla literary exercise in Kuwait and its future was highlighted in the meeting that was addressed by Rafiqul Islam Bulu, Sanjeeb Bhadra Chandan, Ehsanul Haque Khokan, Manirul Haque Emran, Delwar Hosen Baban, Russel Amin, Salim Reza, Mohammad Masud Karim, AKM Azad, Zafar Ahmed Chowdhury, and Ali Azam respectively - all activists of literary and cultural inquest. Speakers had described ‘Mrittika’ as an exercise hook of Bengali literature, arts and culture for the Bengali expatriates abroad as well as those residing at home. They also urged all expatriate Bengali literature and academicians in Kuwait to come forward with their very best progressive and artistic endeavor to enhance the rich cultural heritage and future prospective of the homeland.
The Embassy of India has further revamped and improved its Legal Advice Clinic at the Indian Workers Welfare Center, and made the free service available to Indian nationals on all five working days, i.e. from Sunday to Thursday every week. Kuwaiti lawyers would be available at the Legal Advice Clinic daily from Monday to Thursday, while Indian lawyers would be available on Sundays. Following are the free welfare services provided at the Indian Workers Welfare Center located at the Embassy of India: [i] 24x7 Helpline for Domestic Workers: Accessible by toll free telephone no. 25674163 from anywhere in Kuwait, it provides information and advice exclusively to Indian domestic sector workers (Visa No. 20) as regards their grievances, immigration and other matters. [ii] Help Desk: It offers guidance to Indian nationals on routine immigration, employment, legal, and other issues (Embassy premises; 9 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 4.30 PM, Sunday to Thursday); (iii) Labour Complaints Desk: It registers labor complaints and provides grievance redressal service to Indian workers (Embassy premises; 9 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 4.30 PM, Sunday to Thursday); (iv) Shelters: For female and male domestic workers in distress; (v) Legal Advice Clinic: Provides free legal advice to Indian nationals (Embassy premises; Kuwaiti lawyers 3 PM to 5 PM, Monday to Thursday; Indian lawyers 2 PM to 4 PM on Sunday); and (vi) Attestation of Work Contracts: Private sector worker (Visa No. 18) contracts are accepted at the Embassy; 9 AM to 1 PM; Sunday to Thursday; Domestic sector worker (Visa No. 20) contracts are accepted at Kuwait Union of Domestic Labor Offices (KUDLO), Hawally, Al-Othman Street, Kurd Roundabout, Al-Abraj Complex, Office No 9, Mezzanine Floor; 9 AM to 9 PM, Saturday to Thursday; 5 PM to 9 PM on Friday. EMBASSY OF PHILIPPINES The Embassy of the Philippines wishes to inform the Filipino community in the State of Kuwait, that the recent supreme court decision to extend the registration of voter’s applies only in local registration in the Philippines under Republic Act no. 8189 and does not apply to overseas voters which is governed by Republic Act no. 9189, hence it has no impact on the plans and preparations on the conduct of overseas absentee voting. The overseas absentee voting for presidential elections will start on 10 April 2010 and will continue uninterrupted until 10 May 2010 daily at the Philippine Embassy. Registered overseas absentee voters are advised to schedule their days off in advance to avoid complications in their schedules. Qualified voters are encouraged to get out and vote.
Send to What’s On upcoming events, birthdays or celebrations by email: local@kuwaittimes.net Fax: 24835619 / 20
Monday, February 8, 2010
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WHATʼS ON IN KUWAIT
Kerala dance
Uttar Pradesh dance
Indian Doctors Forum holds annual festival he Indian Doctors Forum, affiliated to the Kuwait Medical Association, held their 6th annual Doc Fest at Hotel Ramada on Friday, February 5, 2010 amidst a galaxy of audience constituting Kuwaiti doctors, prominent Kuwaiti and Indian businessmen and IDF members along with their families. The official function was anchored by Dr Amir Ahmed wherein he invited the dignitaries to the dais. The evening commenced with the National Anthems of Kuwait and India, followed by recitation of verses from the Holy Quran by Dr TP Abdul Raoof. Dr Jaganath RC, the General Secretary welcomed the gathering with a special mention of the dedication and commitment on the part of the sponsors which have been a part of the audience since inception. This was followed by the presidential address by Dr Riaz Khan, President of IDF, wherein he highlighted the special attention shown by the Indian Ambassador at all our free health screening camps. He also
paid tribute to the Indian doctors who provided dedicated, compassionate and competent service in Kuwait and all over the world. Indian Ambassador Ajai Malhotra praised the role of Indian doctors in providing health care comparable to the best in the world and the number of community services conducted by IDF. He particularly lauded the efforts of IDF in conducting the Free Health Camps, which reached out to the needy and deserving and was happy to announce the linking of the Indian Embassy website to the IDF website for seeking professional medical advice, which is available to anyone and everyone. Dr Saroj Grover, chief editor of the Health Guide Vol 6, then presented the Health Guide for release at the precious hands of Ira Malhotra, wife of the Indian Ambassador to Kuwait. The IDF health guide, which is particularly written for the benefit of the common man, was based on infectious diseases this time and was released in a mag-
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Release of the health guide
Tamil Nadu dance
nanimous manner. The vote of thanks was then proposed by Dr Abhay Patwari, the vice president of IDF, where he underscored our gratitude towards Advanced Technology Company (ATC) for becoming the Official Sponsor of our health Guide. This was followed by the cultural program, which was well crafted by Dr Jasneet Narang, the secretary for cultural activities. This segment of the function was anchored by Dr Sadhana Narang and Dr Pooja Chodankar, who had the audiences spellbound by their humor in uniform. The theme this year was the Fashion and Dances of India. Months and weeks of effort and dedication of about 300 performers were evident in the excellent quality of the performances. There can be no better example of unity in diversity as the different states presented their various costumes and attires with an essence of peace and harmony amongst the many. This was followed by a sumptuous dinner with Indian delicacies.
The Vande Mataram being performed
Radisson Blu Hotel is in the mood for love
BEC holds prize distribution ceremony BEC Exchange held the prize distribution ceremony of its first draw of “Send & May Win Raffle” on Saturday January 30, 2010 at Jahara Branch. ED Titus, Director and General Manager of BEC Exchange handed over the first prize $ 5,000 to Tamil Selvam, Customer of BEC Jahara Branch. Other prize winners were also given their prizes and heartily applauded by the BEC Management, staff and customers. PRIZES COUPON NO WINNERS NAME REFR NO 1 $ 5,000 502482 K Thamil Selvam 39659033 2 $ 1,000 229663 Liyakath Khan 229663 3 $ 500 158025 Shamsul Alam 16007481 4 Gold worth KD 100 412959 Yohannan Joy 3274418 5 Gold worth KD 100 385000 Atiour Rahman 9022746 6 Gold worth KD 100 021365 Bashiam Vijay Kumar 021365 7 Gold worth KD 100 075204 Naser Saleern Al-Haed 10339249 8 Gold worth KD 100 214192 DLJS Gerard 22.11.09 9 29” Television 029928 Manzuri 3251234 10 29” Television 547629 P Subramanium 39660018 11 29” Television 283909 SA Sadik 9073719 12 CASH KD 50 137185 Mohammed Rahiman 1.11.09 13 CASH KD 50 518447 KA Alexander 38083290 14 CASH KD 50 029941 D Ramachandran 39617615 15 CASH KD 50 095391 Mohsen Mustafa Olsewe 9049183
amper your loved ones this Valentine’s Day at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Kuwait with a Romantic Retreat of our special Valentine’s weekend deal or dine at any of our fabulous restaurants: Al-Boom, Al-Bustan, Peacock, or Rangoli. Come and celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Kuwait. For more information, please call the Hotel at 2567 3000.
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Greetings
‘Dutch CliniClowns’ bring joy to kids in hospitals mbassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Kuwait has the pleasure to announce the visit of CliniClowns Netherlands to children in Kuwaiti hospitals from tomorrow to February 11, 2010. In co-operation with Kuwait Association for the Care of Children in Hospital (KACCH), CliniClowns of the Netherlands will visit Kuwait hospitals to enable hospitalized children to interact with special clowns in the hope of entertaining the children and encouraging them to fight their illnesses. CliniClowns is a non-profit organization of dedicated experts of professionally and specially trained clowns with a personalized approach aiming to bring moments of distraction to as many children as possible, who are impeded in enjoying their childhood due to illness and/or a disability. Using creativity and imagination to connect with the healthy side of the child and making it the centre of attention, so that it can briefly escape the often harsh reality of
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everyday life. Making the CliniClowns click with them, that magnificent moment in which a child briefly forgets its predicament and is filled with a sense of control of its destiny. But it is also about a boost in selfesteem, being a child again and creating a positive effect that often resonates with the rest of the family. Being experts with a medical and educational background, The CliniClowns will also provide a brief training/workshop for KACCH staff on Thursday, February 11 to share their experiences and explain about practical situations, personal learning curves and practicing the specific CliniClowns approach. Kuwait Association for the Care of Children in Hospital (KACCH) is a non-governmental charitable organization that was founded to help children and their families cope with the stresses of hospitalization and is managed by volunteers who also work together to open Bayt Abdullah hospice soon.
appy birthday Rex Reyes! We wish you good health, happiness and success. Best wishes from Cendy, family and friends and team mates from Hotline.
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Extra Names SL COUPON NO 1 135931 2 368935 3 050359 4 091477
EXTRA NAMES Benjamin A Ragtilas Suresh NP Ligaon karwal Abdullah Kunhi Ch
REF NO 1006617 13.12.09 1354590 9004953
Note: If any of the above 15 Winners are not available to receive their prize on time, that prize will be distributed among the ‘Extra Names’ serially.
INFORMATION
32
Monday, February 8, 2010 FIRE BRIGADE Operation Room 777 Al-Madena 22418714 Al-Shohada始a 22545171 Al-Shuwaikh 24810598 Al-Nuzha 22545171 Sabhan 24742838 Al-Helaly 22434853 Al-Fayhaa 22545051 Al-Farwaniya 24711433 Al-Sulaibikhat 24316983 Al-Fahaheel 23927002 Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh 24316983 Ahmadi 23980088 Al-Mangaf 23711183 Al-Shuaiba 23262845 Al-Jahra 25610011 Al-Salmiya 25616368
Ministry of Interior website: www.moi.gov.kw
For labor-related inquiries and complaints: Call MSAL hotline 128 HOSPITALS Sabah Hospital
24812000
Amiri Hospital
22450005
Maternity Hospital
24843100
Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital
25312700
Chest Hospital
24849400
Farwaniya Hospital
24892010
Adan Hospital
23940620
Ibn Sina Hospital
24840300
Al-Razi Hospital
24846000
Physiotherapy Hospital
POLICE STATION Al-Madena Police Station Al-Murqab Police Station Al-Daiya Police Station Al-Fayha始a Police Station Al-Qadissiya Police Station Al-Nugra Police Station Al-Salmiya Police Station Al-Dasma Police Station
24874330/9 CLINICS
Roudha
22517733
Adhaliya
22517144
Khaldiya
24848075
Keifan
24849807
Shamiya
24848913
Shuwaikh
24814507
Abdullah Salim
22549134
Al-Nuzha
22526804
Industrial Shuwaikh
24814764
Al-Khadissiya
22515088
Dasmah
22532265
Bneid Al-Ghar
22531908
Al-Shaab
22518752
Al-Kibla
22459381
Ayoun Al-Kibla
22451082
Al-Mirqab
22456536
Sharq
22465401
Salmiya
25746401
Jabriya
25316254
Maidan Hawally
25623444
Bayan
25388462
Mishref
25381200
W.Hawally
22630786
Sabah
24810221
Jahra
24770319
New Jahra
24575755
West Jahra
24772608
South Jahra
24775066
North Jahra
24775992
North Jleeb
24311795
Al-Ardhiya
24884079
Firdous
4892674
Al-Omariya
4719048
N.Kheitan
4710044
Rabiya
4732263
Fintas
3900322
THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY FOR CIVIL INFORMATION Automated enquiry about the Civil ID card is 1889988 AIRLINES
PHARMACIES ON 24 HRS DUTY GOVERNORATE Ahmadi
PHARMACY Sama Safwan Abu Halaifa Danat Al-Sultan
ADDRESS Fahaeel Makka St Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd
PHONE 23915883 23715414 23726558
Jahra
Modern Jahra Madina Munawara
Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 Jahra-Block 92
24575518 24566622
Capital
Ahlam Khaldiya Coop
Fahad Al-Salem St Khaldiya Coop
22436184 24833967
Farwaniya
New Shifa Ferdous Coop Modern Safwan
Farwaniya Block 40 Ferdous Coop Old Kheitan Block 11
24734000 24881201 24726638
Hawally
Tariq Hana Ikhlas Hawally & Rawdha Ghadeer Kindy
Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Salmiya-Amman St Hawally-Beirut St Hawally & Rawdha Coop Jabriya-Block 1A Jabriya-Block 3B
25726265 25647075 22625999 22564549 25340559 25326554
EMERGENCY 112
PRIVATE CLINICS Ophthalmologists: Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea Dr. Masoma Habeeb Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy Dr. Mohsen Abel Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly
25622444 25752222 25321171 25739999 25757700 25732223 25732223
Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT): Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 General Practitioners: Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Urologists: Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi22616660 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Plastic Surgeons: Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf 22547272
22434064 22435865 22544200 22547133 22515277 22616662 25714406 22530801
Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari Dr. Abdel Quttainah
22617700 25625030/60
Family Doctor: Dr Divya Damodar 23729596/23729581
Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr.
Zahra Qabazard Sohail Qamar Snaa Maaroof Pradip Gujare Zacharias Mathew
25710444 22621099 25713514 23713100 24334282
(1) Ear, Nose and Throat Psychiatrists Dr. Esam Al-Ansari 22635047 Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan 22613623/0 Gynaecologists & Obstetricians: Dr Adrian Harbe 23729596/23729581 Dr. Verginia s.Marin 2572-6666 ext 8321 Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan 22655539 Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami 25343406 Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly 25739272 Dr. Salem soso 22618787 General Surgeons: Dr. Abidallah Behbahani 25717111 Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer 22610044 Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher 25327148
Paediatricians: Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed 25340300
Rheumatologists: Dr. Adel Al-Awadi 25330060 Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah 25722290
(2) Plastic Surgeon Dr. Abdul Mohsin Jafar, FRCS (Canada)
25655535 Dentists:
Dr Anil Thomas
3729596/3729581
Dr. Shamah Al-Matar
22641071/2
Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed
22562226
Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer
22561444
Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan
22619557
Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash
22525888
Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan
25653755
Dr. Bader Al-Ansari
25620111
Neurologists:
Internist, Chest & Heart: DR.Mohammes Akkad 24555050 Ext 210 Dr. Mohammad Zubaid MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Assistant Professor Of Medicine Head, Division of Cardiology Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital Tel: 25339667 Dr. Farida Al-Habib MD, PH.D, FACC Consultant Cardiologist Tel: 2611555-2622555 Inaya German Medical Center Te: 2575077 Fax: 25723123
Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri 25633324 Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan
Internists, Chest & Heart: Dr. Adnan Ebil 22639939 Dr. Mousa Khadada 22666300 Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan 25728004 Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra 25355515 Dr. Mobarak Aldoub 24726446 Dr Nasser Behbehani 25654300/3
Physiotherapists & VD: Dr. Deyaa Shehab 25722291 Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees 22666288
25345875
Gastrologists Dr. Sami Aman
22636464
Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly 25322030 Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali
22633135
Endocrinologist: Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman 25339330 Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari
25658888
Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr
25329924
Psychologists/Psychotherapists Soor Center Tel: 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688 info@soorcenter.com www.soorcenter.com Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa, Ph.D. 2290-1677 Susannah-Joy Schuilenberg, M.A. 2290-1677 William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677
Kuwait Airways Wataniya Airways Jazeera Airways Jet Airways Qatar Airways KLM Air Slovakia Olympic Airways Royal Jordanian Reservation British Airways Air France Emirates Air India Sri Lanka Airlines Egypt Air Swiss Air Saudia Middle East Airlines Lufthansa PIA Alitalia Balkan Airlines Bangladesh Airlines Czech Airlines Indian Airlines Oman Air Turkish Airlines
22433377 24379900 177 22477631 22423888 22425747 22434940 22420002/9 22418064/5/6 22433388 22425635 22430224 22425566 22438184 22424444 22421578 22421516 22426306 22423073 22422493 22421044 22414427 22416474 22452977/8 22417901/2433141 22456700 22412284/5 22453820/1
INTERNATIONAL CALLS Afghanistan Albania Algeria Andorra Angola Anguilla Antiga Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Congo Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Cyprus (Northern) Czech Republic Denmark Diego Garcia Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador England (UK)
0093 00355 00213 00376 00244 001264 001268 0054 00374 0061 0043 001242 00973 00880 001246 00375 0032 00501 00229 001441 00975 00591 00387 00267 0055 00673 00359 00226 00257 00855 00237 001 00238 001345 00236 00235 0056 0086 0057 00269 00242 00682 00506 00385 0053 00357 0090392 00420 0045 00246 00253 001767 001809 00593 0020 00503 0044
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00240 00291 00372 00251 00500 00298 00679 00358 0033 00594 00689 00241 00220 00995 0049 00233 00350 0030 00299 001473 00590 001671 00502 00224 00592 00509 0031 00504 00852 0036 0034 00354 0091 00873 0062 0098 00964 00353 0039 00225 001876 0081 00962 007 00254 00686 00965 00996 00856 00371 00961 00231 00218 00370 00352 00853 00389
Monday, February 8, 2010
33 ACCOMMODATION Full room for rent in Hawally behind Rihab complex. Call 99581802. (C 20297) One room available for one or two Indian executive bachelors in Kuwait City. Contact: 65900578. (C 20294) Sharing accommodation available for a decent Indian bachelor near Edee Store, Salmiya for KD 60. Contact: 25635450/99838117. (C 20295) One room for rent in a 2 bedroom flat in Abbassiya near Hidine supermarket for two decent bachelors with Keralite bachelors Gents camp building. Contact: 97957183, 65500258, 66041367. (C 20299) 8-2-2010 Sharing accommodation available for decent Indian bachelor (non-smoking and non-alcoholic) at Abbassiya near German Clinic with Keralite bachelor in CA/C building new flat. Contact: 94942964. (C 20293) 7-2-2010 Sharing accommodation available in a C-A/C flat near Indian Community school & Caesars Travel Co, Salmiya Amman street for family or working ladies. Contact: 97122268. (C 20288) Sharing accommodation available for a Keralite couple in a central A/C 2 bedroom flat with Keralite family in Teenage building Abbassiya from March 1st onwards. Contact: 66037905, 66091212. (C 20287) Sharing accommodation available with a Keralite family in a 2 bedroom C-AC flat near Integrated Indian school Abbassiya. We prefer Keralite couples only. Contact: 99255235. (C 20290) 6-2-2010 Spacious room with attached bath available for an executive bachelor/ spinster in Hawally close to
Tunis street. Centrally located. Contact: 97563283/ 66705749. (C 20276)
FOR SALE Two bedroom flat furniture, sofa set, beds, cupboards, dressing tables etc in Sharq. Contact: 66479253. (C 20292) 7-2-2010 Toyota Jeep Prado, model 2008, white color, V6 cylinder engine, alloy rim, CD, fog lamp, wooden interior, excellent condition, cash price KD 7,650 (installment possible). Contact: 66507741. (C 20284) Toyota Camry XLI, 4 cylinders, model 2006, white color, done 47,000 km, excellent condition, price KD 3,150. Contact: 97213518. (C 20281)
for sale, original price KD 55, required price KD 10. Contact: 66451465. (C 20270) 4-2-2010 2005 model Mitsubishi Pajero, color white, interior color beige, 300cc, 100,008 km, very good condition. Price KD 2,850. Tel: 99526902. (C 20278) 3-2-2010
SITUATION VACANT
Need urgent part-time babysitter in Al Muthanna Complex Kuwait City. Call 66809431, 55145707. (C 20298) Live-in Indian driver with transferable residence and driving license required for an Indian family. Please call 22406645, 22410672/3. (C 20296) 8-2-2010
2007 Pajero, black, sunroof, full options, done 29,000 km, excellent condition, KD 5,500. Contact: 97454416. (C 20285)
Part-time maid required for an Indian family in Farwaniya, near fire station. Time from 1:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Please call 66267690. (C 20279)
Mazda Zoom 3, 2008 model, silver color, 58,000 kms, single owner, dealer maintained, excellent condition, KD 2,850. Call: 97915262. (C 20280)
Full-time English speaking maid with own residency. Friday holiday. For English working adults with pets in Salwa. Tel: 97611015. (C 20286) 4-2-2010
Big office wooden drawer, office leather visitors chair, HP printer, aluminium ladders, leather bag, leather table mat etc. Contact: 66977639. (C 20282) Internet card - Fast Telco
SITUATION WANTED Indian maid seeking job on full-time or part-time basis preferably in Riggae. Contact: 99515956. 8-2-2010 Indian male, B.Com, MBA (finance) having four years Kuwait experience in accounting and investment seeking part-time job after 4:00 pm, fluent in English Arabic and Hindi with typing skill, proficient in MS-Office & Tally. Contact: 55492163, email: tvnasir@yahoo.co.in (C 20291)
MATRIMONIAL Invited for Keralite RC boy, 30/170/BA/DME, working KRH Kuwait from professionally qualified girls. Email: abilashdk@gmail.com / abilashkaranath@yahoo.com (C 20238) 4-2-2010
No: 14634
A Srilankan looking for work as messenger or driver. 11 years in Kuwait, fluent in English, Hindi and Arabic, good relationship with 40 embassies prefer embassies intl. companies. Contact: 55198931. (C 20289) 7-2-2010
Indian female (MBA in HR), 10 years experience in HR/Administration, specializing in recruitments, PMS, MIS reports & Admin functions. Well versed in computer applications. Contact: 66634322. (C 20283) 6-2-2010 An experienced Engineering Manager with a vast experience in the Middle East in the fields of Fire Protection, Safety, Project management, sales and maintenance seeks suitable placement. Contact email: apslgbl@gmail.com (C 20266) An MBA post graduate in finance with an experience of three years in Kuwait with a transferable visa, seeking suitable placement in the field of financial accounts. Please contact: 23982669. (C 20267) 3-2-2010
Flight Schedule Arrival Flights on Monday 08/02/2010 Airlines Flt Route Jazeera 0263 Beirut Tunis Air 327 Tunis/Dubai Wataniya Airways 2011 Sharm El She1kh Royal Jordanian 802 Amman Wataniya Airways 2103 Beirut Gulf Air 211 Bahrain Kuwait 544 Cairo Jazeera 0513 Sharm El Sheikh Turkish A/L 1172 Istanbul DHL 370 Bahrain Jazeera 0241 Amman Emirates 853 Dubai Etihad 0305 Abu Dhabi Qatari 0138 Doha Ethiopian 622 Addis Ababa/Bahrain Air France 6770 Paris Jazeera 0503 Luxor Jazeera 0527 Alexandria Kuwait 416 Jakarta/Kuala Lumpur Jazeera 0529 Assiut Jazeera 0481 Sabiha British 0157 London Kuwait 206 Islamabad Kuwait 352 Cochin Jazeera 0161 Dubai Kuwait 302 Mumbai Kuwait 676 Dubai Kuwait 362 Colombo Emirates 855 Dubai Kuwait 286 Chittagong Arabia 0121 Sharjah Qatari 0132 Doha Etihad 0301 Abu Dhabi Wataniya Airways 1121 Bahrain Gulf Air 213 Bahrain Jazeera 0447 Doha Jazeera 0165 Dubai Jazeera 0425 Bahrain Wataniya Airways 1021 Dubai Jazeera 0113 Abu Dhabi Iran Air 619 Lar Middle East 404 Beirut Yemenia 825 Sanaa Pakistan 239 Sialkot Egypt Air 610 Cairo Jazeera 0171 Dubai Kuwait 672 Dubai Wataniya Airways 2301 Damascus Jazeera 0525 Alexandria Jazeera 0257 Beirut Wataniya Airways 2001 Cairo Kuwait 552 Damascus Kuwait 744 Dammam Jazeera 0457 Damascus Qatari 0134 Doha Kuwait 284 Dhaka Kuwait 546 Alexandria Royal Jordanian 800 Amman Jazeera 0173 Dubai Emirates 857 Dubai Gulf Air 215 Bahrain Etihad 0303 Abu Dhabi Saudi Arabian A/L 510 Riyadh Jazeera 0239 Amman Arabia 0125 Sharjah Jazeera 0367 Deirezzor Wataniya Airways 2101 Beirut Jazeera 0497 Riyadh Srilankan 227 Colombo/Dubai United A/L 982 Washington Dc Dulles Jazeera 0427 Bahrain Wataniya Airways 2003 Cairo DHL 473 Baghdad Wataniya Airways 1025 Dubai Kuwait 542 Cairo Kuwait 618 Doha Kuwait 674 Dubai Kuwait 166 Paris/Rome Jazeera 0177 Dubai Kuwait 614 Bahrain Kuwait 774 Riyadh Indian 575 Chennai/Goa Kuwait 102 New York/London Kuwait 562 Amman Jet A/W 572 Mumbai Wataniya Airways 1201 Jeddah Oman Air 0647 Muscat Saudi Arabian A/L 506 Jeddah Jazeera 0459 Damascus Gulf Air 217 Bahrain Kuwait 786 Jeddah Middle East 402 Beirut Qatari 0136 Doha Emirates 859 Dubai Kuwait 502 Beirut Jazeera 0449 Doha Jazeera 0429 Bahrain Global 081 Baghdad Jazeera 0117 Abu Dhabi Jazeera 0185 Dubai Egypt Air 612 Cairo Egypt Air 606 Luxor Shaheen Air 441 Lahore/Karachi Lufthansa 636 Frankfurt Wataniya Airways 2201 Amman Wataniya Airways 1029 Dubai Wataniya Airways 1129 Bahrain Pakistan 215 Karachi
Time 00:05 00:10 00:15 00:35 00:50 01:05 01:15 01:25 02:15 02:15 02:30 02:35 03:00 03:25 03:30 04:35 05:35 06:10 06:25 06:30 06:35 06:40 07:40 07:40 07:45 07:55 08:10 08:20 08:30 08:35 08:55 09:00 09:35 10:45 10:45 11:00 11:05 11:10 11:20 11:20 11:50 11:55 12:35 12:50 12:55 13:05 13:25 13:35 14:05 14:10 14:20 14:35 14:40 14:45 15:00 15:10 15:30 15:40 16:05 16:55 17:05 17:15 17:15 17:35 17:40 17:45 17:50 18:00 18:05 18:15 18:15 18:20 18:30 18:40 18:50 18:55 18:55 19:00 19:05 19:20 19:30 19:30 19:35 19:40 20:05 20:15 20:20 20:35 20:40 21:05 21:10 21:20 21:35 22:00 22:00 22:10 22:15 22:20 22:25 22:40 22:45 23:00 23:05 23:30 23:40 23:45 23:55 23:55
Departure Flights on Monday 08/02/2010 Airlines Flt Route Egypt Air 607 Luxor Jazeera 0528 Assiut India Express 390 Mangalore/Kozhikode United A/L 981 Washington Dc Dulles Tunis Air 328 Tunis Indian 982 Ahmedabad/Chennai Pakistan 206 Lahore Bangladesh 044 Dhaka Lufthansa 637 Frankfurt Safi A/W 216 Kabul Kuwait 283 Dhaka DHL 371 Bahrain Turkish A/L 1173 Istanbul Emirates 854 Dubai Etihad 0306 Abu Dhabi Ethiopian 622 Addis Ababa Qatari 0139 Doha Air France 6770 Dubai/Hong Kong Jazeera 0164 Dubai Kuwait National A/W 1020 Dubai Royal Jordanian 803 Amman Jazeera 0524 Alexandria Wataniya Airways 2000 Cairo Jazeera 0112 Abu Dhabi Jazeera 0446 Doha Gulf Air 212 Bahrain Wataniya Airways 1120 Bahrain Jazeera 0422 Bahrain Wataniya Airways 2300 Damascus Kuwait 545 Alexandria Jazeera 0256 Beirut British 0156 London Jazeera 0170 Dubai Kuwait 671 Dubai Kuwait 551 Damascus Jazeera 0456 Damascus Arabia 0122 Sharjah Emirates 856 Dubai Kuwait 117 New York Qatari 0133 Doha Etihad 0302 Abu Dhabi Kuwait 173 Frankfurt/Geneva Wataniya Airways 2002 Cairo Gulf Air 214 Bahrain Kuwait 743 Dammam Kuwait 541 Cairo Jazeera 0172 Dubai Wataniya Airways 2100 Beirut Jazeera 0366 Deirezzor Jazeera 0238 Amman Kuwait 103 London Iran Air 618 Lar Middle East 405 Beirut Yemenia 825 Doha/Sanaa Pakistan 240 Sialkot Egypt Air 611 Cairo Wataniya Airways 1024 Dubai Kuwait 673 Dubai Kuwait 561 Amman Jazeera 0496 Riyadh Jazeera 0176 Dubai Wataniya Airways 1200 Jeddah Jazeera 0426 Bahrain Jazeera 0458 Damascus Kuwait 617 Doha Kuwait 785 Jeddah Kuwait 501 Beirut Kuwait 773 Riyadh Kuwait 613 Bahrain Royal Jordanian 801 Amman Qatari 0135 Doha Gulf Air 216 Bahrain Etihad 0304 Abu Dhabi Emirates 858 Dubai Arabia 0126 Sharjah Jazeera 0262 Beirut Saudi Arabian A/L 511 Riyadh Jazeera 0184 Dubai Jazeera 0116 Abu Dhabi Wataniya Airways 2200 Amman Global 082 Baghdad Jazeera 0448 Doha Jazeera 0428 Bahrain Wataniya Airways 2102 Beirut Srilankan 228 Dubai/Colombo Wataniya Airways 1028 Dubai Kuwait 361 Colombo Kuwait 343 Chennai Wataniya Airways 1128 Bahrain Jet A/W 571 Mumbai Oman Air 0648 Muscat Kuwait 331 Trivandrum Saudi Arabian A/L 507 Jeddah Gulf Air 218 Bahrain DHL 171 Bahrain Kuwait 675 Dubai Middle East 403 Beirut Jazeera 0188 Dubai Kuwait 203 Lahore Qatari 0137 Doha Kuwait 301 Mumbai Emirates 860 Dubai Jazeera 0636 Aleppo Jazeera 0526 Alexandria Egypt Air 613 Cairo Jazeera 0502 Luxor Kuwait 411 Bangkok/Manila Kuwait 411 Bangkok/Manila
FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION 161
Time 00:01 00:05 00:30 00:40 01:00 01:05 01:10 01:15 01:20 02:30 02:55 03:15 03:15 03:50 04:10 04:15 05:00 06:20 07:00 07:00 07:05 07:20 07:30 07:35 07:40 07:45 07:50 07:55 08:10 08:30 08:35 08:55 09:00 09:00 09:10 09:25 09:35 09:40 10:00 10:00 10:20 10:20 11:30 11:40 11:55 12:00 12:00 12:05 12:20 12:25 12:30 12:50 12:55 13:35 13:40 13:55 14:25 14:30 14:35 14:40 15:05 15:10 15:25 15:30 15:35 15:45 16:10 16:10 16:20 16:25 16:30 17:55 18:00 18:10 18:20 18:25 18:30 18:35 18:40 18:40 18:50 18:50 19:00 19:05 19:15 19:30 20:20 20:50 21:00 21:10 21:20 21:25 21:55 21:55 22:00 22:10 22:20 22:30 22:30 22:35 22:45 23:10 23:20 23:25 23:45 23:50 23:55 23:55
SPECTRUM
34 CROSSWORD 894
Monday, February 8, 2010
Calvin Aries (March 21-April 19) You have a love of life
today that manifests itself in good cheer and generosity. This is a time when relationships, especially with women, are good. This is an aspect of good fortune. Maternal instincts may come to the forefront—you make every effort to appease any discordance at home. In addition, there is a strong wish to make your surroundings as pleasant as possible. The accent all day is on sociability. This is a nice day when everything has positive endings. This time is great for social get-togethers with lighthearted conversation. You will most likely be full of energy just now and ready to take on the world. Any past tensions are forgotten. It is a perfect day to go to a concert, take a drive or start a vacation. Taurus (April 20-May 20) You should enjoy being
around most people today, but the rapport between you and your significant other should be especially good. With this understanding, you both can be nurturing without being pushy. Unfortunately, your rapport with food and drink could be strong. Work is definitely on the back burner, although you could be inspired to do something to beautify your home or surroundings. A new job offer may come from a surprising source this afternoon and could possibly be worth your consideration. Whatever your financial situation is, keep in mind that your job for this year is to build up reserve funds. Working on finances now, will guarantee immediate relief. It may be good to draw close to a loved one this evening.
Pooch Cafe
ACROSS 1. Wet spongy ground of decomposing vegetation. 4. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine. 7. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind. 11. A drug combination found in some over-the-counter headache remedies (Aspirin and Phenacetin and Caffeine). 12. The federal agency that insures residential mortgages. 13. Small deciduous Asiatic tree bearing large red or orange edible astringent fruit. 14. A beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water. 15. A small piece of cloth. 16. The sixth month of the civil year. 17. A radioactive element of the actinide series. 20. A soft silvery metallic element of the alkali earth group. 21. The branch of computer science that deal with writing computer programs that can solve problems creatively. 23. Cheap and shoddy. 26. Resinlike substance secreted by certain lac insects. 28. A light strong brittle gray toxic bivalent metallic element. 29. The blood group whose red cells carry both the A and B antigens. 31. A metrical unit with unstressed-stressed syllables. 32. The Tibeto-Burman language spoken in the Dali region of Yunnan. 34. Unknown god. 35. A logarithmic unit of sound intensity. 36. A public promotion of some product or service. 38. A lyric poem with complex stanza forms. 42. Cook and make edible by putting in a hot oven. 46. A rounded projection or protuberance. 47. An anxiety disorder characterized by chronic free-floating anxiety and such symptoms as tension or sweating or trembling of lightheadedness or irritability etc that has lasted for more than six months. 48. A master's degree in business. 49. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine. 50. A dark-skinned member of a race of people living in Australia when Europeans arrived. 51. The network in the reticular formation that serves an alerting or arousal function. DOWN 1. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad. 2. An organization of countries formed in 1961 to agree on a common policy for the sale of petroleum. 3. Aircraft landing in bad weather in which the pilot is talked down by ground control using precision approach radar. 4. Filled with fear or apprehension. 5. According to the Old Testament he was a pagan king of Israel and husband of Jezebel (9th century BC). 6. East Indian cereal grass whose seed yield a somewhat bitter flour, a staple in the Orient. 7. A Kwa language spoken in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. 8. An informal term for a father. 9. Jordan's port. 10. English theoretical physicist who applied relativity theory to quantum mechanics and predicted the existence of antimatter and the positron (1902-1984). 18. A golf shot that curves to the right for a right-handed golfer. 19. A federation of North American labor unions that merged with the Congress of Industrial Organizations in 1955. 22. Someone who works (or provides workers) during a strike. 24. A religious belief of African origin involving witchcraft and sorcery. 25. Noisy talk. 27. An officer who acts as military assistant to a more senior officer. 30. African tree having an exceedingly thick trunk and fruit that resembles a gourd and has an edible pulp called monkey bread. 33. A city in southern Turkey on the Seyhan River. 34. Aircraft landing in bad weather in which the pilot is talked down by ground control using precision approach radar. 37. (Greek mythology) The goddess of youth and spring. 39. Panel forming the lower part of an interior wall when it is finished differently from the rest. 40. A small cake leavened with yeast. 41. South African term for `boss'. 43. An ancient Hebrew unit of capacity equal to 10 baths or 10 ephahs. 44. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey). 45. The rate at which heat is produced by an individual in a resting state. 46. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth.
Gemini (May 21-June 20) Your emotions have taken a short vacation, giving you some time to reflect on where you are and where you are going. If something puzzles you, an older, wiser head may give counsel. If there are problems, you can handle them methodically and without panic. You may take comfort in the past; with its old ways and old solutions. If they worked once, they may work again. This afternoon, you become more actively involved on a social level—taking a bigger part in collective events and developments. A friend or acquaintance may not want to follow through on some responsibilities today that could take up a great deal of time. Because you have little patience for people who do not live up to their word—you may offer help. Practice meditation.
Non Sequitur
Cancer (June 21-July 22) Practice meditation as often as possible and count your blessings—this is indeed a happening day. Shopping, running errands and sprucing up your living area will leave you ready to either entertain or settle in for the day. There are thoughts about continued education and you may also be interested in taking some sort of creative writing class in the future. Phone conversations are fun; you always have many interesting things to say. Lovers, children and other people or things dear to your heart are emphasized at this time in your life. There is a chance to understand those around you and to have a special time with someone you love. There is a general warm glow of happiness to the whole scene at your house this evening; smile. Leo (July 23-August 22) This morning you may find yourself giving lectures or teaching classes. You have a super-sensitive awareness of the moods and needs of others, making you a fine teacher. This afternoon financial obligations grab your attention. Your instinctive orientation at this time is toward getting down to basics and getting organized for tax time or perhaps an accountant. Be careful when you talk about home improvements with family members this evening. If you are not flexible, others could respond to your ideas in a negative way. There may be little time to do things with friends this evening, though it’s a good idea to take some time to give someone you care about a call. Uncork some champagne and share the firelight with a special someone.
Zits
Virgo (August 23-September 22) Today you are interested in grasping the widest view of a concept—this could all be in a religious setting. You will find others want to join in the conversation—input and ideas from people are welcome. These contributions not only reinforce and widen your vision and fill in gaps, but also give you insight. You have a festive spirit and it’s best to act on it now. You should do well at social gatherings. Activities you enjoy at home with friends or relatives should be most successful. This afternoon is an excellent time for taking part in social activities with friends. Your sensitivity to others is heightened—expressing affection should come easily and can do much good for your disposition. Your nurturing side is easily expressed this evening. Libra (September 23-October 22) This is a great day to get things done, whether you are alone or with others, especially if you lead. You take an interest in social activities and volunteer work. However, this could be the day you move, put things in storage or repair an existing housing problem. Your mental attitude is positive today— this is the time to discuss any problems with friends and get them out in the open and solved. With your guidance, others will know just what to do. Clear instructions and conversations make for a positive quick end result. Reward the people that have helped you—perhaps a pizza party or some other fun way to show your appreciation. There may be numerous romantic interests now. You may spend a great deal of time and effort to balance commitments.
Mother Goose and Grimm
Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Logic prevails. You
can think about all your relationships-friendships, associations or love affairs—and discuss them without emotions getting in the way. This is a good day for fun interaction between best friends. This time indicates that relations with partners are both easygoing and rewarding. Later this afternoon you and a friend may find a used bookstore to enjoy. Find a book about some intriguing new subject. A common interest in spiritual and mystical values among family members may also occur at this time. It is best to take it easy and let others have their way. You are gracious and understanding to friends and relatives. This is an excellent time to engage in activities with members of the opposite sex. Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Your emotions are so close to the surface that anyone could read them from across the room. If you are teaching a religious class or guiding young people, you will be able to gain everyone’s attention. You have a love of life that manifests itself in good cheer and generosity. This is a time when relationships are good. There is an aspect of good fortune at this time. You show a great deal of interest in all family matters, particularly with regard to the general living environment in the home. Try to relax—anxiety can be paralyzing. Your power to effect a positive change in a relationship is greater than you can imagine at this time. Your inner resources and emotions are accented. Expect a sense of support and good will from others.
Yesterday’s Solution
Capricorn (December 22-January 19) There
yester
Yesterday’s Solution
to
INTERNATIONAL CALLS Kuwait Qatar Abu Dhabi Dubai Raas Al Khayma Al-Shareqa Muscat Jordan Bahrain Riyadh Makkah - Jeddah Cairo Alexandria Beirut Damascus Allepo
00965 00974 009712 009714 009717 009716 00968 009626 00973 009661 009662 00202 00203 009611 0096311 0096321
Tunisia Rabat Washington New York Paris London Madrid Zurich Geneva Monaco Rome Bangkok Hong Kong Pakistan Taiwan Bonn
0021610 002127 001212 001718 00331 004471 00341 00411 004122 0033 00396 00662 00852 0092 00886 0049228
Word Sleuth Solution
is an interest in religion and philosophy—with many questions about mysterious topics like your purpose in life. Relationships are the order of the day. You will probably enjoy being around people in general; the rapport between you and your significant other should be especially strong. With this understanding, you both can be nurturing without being pushy. Unfortunately, your rapport with food and drink could also be strong at this time. Work is definitely on the back burner, although you could be inspired to do something to beautify your home surroundings. It’s best to rely on facts rather than feelings just now; particularly when an expensive mistake might be the outcome. Take a trip with your loved one to a romantic setting! Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Your experiences will be out of the ordinary and you will likely feel generous. Great opportunities may soon emerge in work or in spiritual affairs. Good things are a magnet for you today. There is a lot of passion that can be best applied in the form of sports or some outdoor activity later this afternoon. You enjoy activities that are both carefree and pleasant with friends and relatives. You face tremendous responsibilities in relationships with loved ones and are apt to have difficulty expressing your own wants and desires. You should try to loosen up and enjoy your companions without being afraid to voice true feelings. Games and exercise, such as the ones today, would bring several opportunities to clear away difficulties. Pisces (February 19-March 20) Your drive to accomplish is high and your creative mind is lively and ready to be applied to whatever creative work you have decided to throw yourself into just now. Considerable success is sure to be yours—your concentration is at a high. You are expressive and if you need help, you will receive help. Perhaps you are ice sculpturing or woodcarving and seeking to win an award. You feel that luck is on your side and you are full of confidence. You will succeed at any project you attempt. Make sure that both your expectations and abilities are in balance. You are well disposed towards friends and family. Companionship with others is most rewarding at this time and you should take every opportunity to be with friends. You can be helping each other.
TV PROGRAMS
Monday, February 8, 2010
35
Orbit listings / Show listings AMERICA PLUS 00:00 Doctor Who 01:00 Life on Mars 02:00 Knight Rider 03:00 Dawsons Creek 04:00 Life on Mars 05:00 One Tree Hill 06:00 Heroes 07:00 Doctor Who 08:00 Criminal Minds 09:00 Cold Case 10:00 Knight Rider 11:00 Dawsons Creek 12:00 Heroes 13:00 One Tree Hill 14:00 Knight Rider 15:00 Life on Mars 16:00 Criminal Minds 17:00 Cold Case 18:00 Doctor Who 19:00 Heroes 20:00 Hotel Babylon 21:00 Saving Grace 22:00 One Tree Hill 23:00 Rescue Me ANIMAL PLANET 00:50 Planet Earth 01:45 Whale Wars 02:40 Untamed & Uncut 04:30 Animal Cops Miami 05:25 Night 06:20 Animal Cops South Africa 07:10 Aussie Animal Rescue 07:35 Vet on the Loose 08:00 Wildlife SOS 08:25 Pet Rescue 08:50 Animal Precinct 09:45 All New Planet’s Funniest Animals 10:40 Aussie Animal Rescue 11:05 Animal Cops Phoenix 11:55 The Jeff Corwin Experience 12:50 Wildlife SOS 13:15 Pet Rescue 13:45 All New Planet’s Funniest Animals 14:40 Air Jaws 2 15:35 Lemur Street 16:00 Monkey Business 16:30 Pet Rescue 16:55 Dolphin Days 17:25 Wildlife SOS 17:50 Aussie Animal Rescue 18:20 Animal Cops Miami 19:15 I’m Alive 20:10 There’s a Rhino in my House! 21:10 Animal Cops Phoenix 22:05 Untamed & Uncut 23:00 I’m Alive 23:55 Animal Cops Miami BBC ENTERTAINMENT 00:20 Life on Mars 01:10 Doctor Who 01:55 The Life Of Mammals 02:55 Casualty 03:45 Casualty 04:40 Doctors 07:20 Balamory 07:40 Tweenies 08:00 Fimbles 08:20 Teletubbies 08:45 Yoho Ahoy 08:50 Tommy Zoom 09:00 Balamory 09:20 Tweenies 09:40 Fimbles 10:00 Teletubbies 10:25 Yoho Ahoy 10:30 Bargain Hunt 11:15 Coast 12:15 Ancient Rome 13:15 The Weakest Link 14:00 Eastenders 14:30 Doctors 15:00 Bargain Hunt 15:45 Cash In The Attic 16:15 Blackadder the Third 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 Doctors 18:30 Cash In The Attic 19:00 Hustle 20:00 Antiques Roadshow 21:00 The Weakest Link 21:45 Doctors 22:15 Eastenders 22:45 Holby Blue 23:45 Holby City BBC LIFESTYLE 00:10 The Restaurant Uk 01:00 Saturday Kitchen 01:30 Saturday Kitchen 02:00 Living In The Sun 02:50 Coleen’s Real Women 03:45 10 Years Younger 04:45 The Clothes Show 05:30 It’s Not Easy Being Green 06:00 Saturday Kitchen 06:30 Saturday Kitchen 07:00 Living In The Sun 08:15 Antiques Roadshow 09:00 Cash In The Attic Usa 09:25 Hidden Potential 09:45 Gary Rhodes’ Local Food Heroes 11:30 Living In The Sun 12:15 Antiques Roadshow 13:10 What Not To Wear 14:00 Gary Rhodes’ Local Food Heroes 15:40 Daily Cooks Challenge 16:30 Cash In The Attic Usa 16:50 Hidden Potential 17:20 Antiques Roadshow 18:10 What Not To Wear 18:50 Living In The Sun 19:40 Daily Cooks Challenge 20:40 Masterchef Goes Large 21:05 Saturday Kitchen 22:00 Cash In The Attic Usa 23:00 Coleen’s Real Women 23:40 Boys’ Weekend BBC WORLD 00:00 Bbc World News - U 00:30 Kill Or Cure? - U 01:00 Bbc World News - U 01:10 World Features - U 01:30 Saudi Goes To Market - U 02:00 Bbc World News - U 02:30 Asia Business Report - U 02:45 Asia Today - U 03:00 Bbc World News - U 03:10 World Features - U 03:30 India Business Report - U 04:00 Bbc World News - U 04:30 Asia Business Report - U 04:45 Asia Today - U
05:00 Bbc World News - U 05:30 Asia Business Report - U 05:45 Asia Today - U 06:00 Bbc World News - U 06:30 Asia Business Report - U 06:45 Asia Today - U 07:00 Bbc World News - U 07:30 Hardtalk - U 08:00 Bbc World News - U 08:30 World Business Report - U 08:45 Bbc World News - U 09:00 Bbc World News - U 09:30 World Business Report - U 09:45 Bbc World News - U 10:00 Bbc World News - U 10:30 World Business Report - U 10:45 Sport Today - U 11:00 Bbc World News - U 11:30 World Business Report - U 11:45 Sport Today - U 12:00 Bbc World News - U 12:30 Hardtalk - U 13:00 Bbc World News - U 13:30 Bbc World News - U 14:00 Bbc World News - U 14:30 World Business Report - U 14:45 Sport Today - U 15:00 Gmt With George Alagiah - U 15:30 Gmt With George Alagiah - U 16:00 Impact Asia With Mishal Husain - U 17:30 World Business Report - U 17:45 Sport Today - U 18:00 Bbc World News - U 18:30 Hardtalk - U 19:00 The Hub With Nik Gowing - U 20:30 World Business Report - U 20:45 Sport Today - U 21:00 Bbc World News - U 21:30 World Business Report - U 21:45 Sport Today - U 22:00 World News Today With Zeinab Badawi - U 23:30 World Business Report - U 23:45 Sport Today - U BLOOMBERG 00:00 For The Record 00:30 Political Capital with Al Hunt
11:30 12:00 12:25 12:50 13:15 13:40 14:05 14:30 14:55 15:20 15:45 16:10 16:35 17:00 17:20 17:45 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:20 20:45 21:10 21:35 22:00 22:25 22:50 23:15 23:40
The Flintstones The Jetsons Looney Tunes King Arthur’s Disasters Top Cat Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo Help! It’s the Hair Bear Bunch Mike, Lu & Og Time Squad Sheep In The Big City The Scooby Doo Show Hong Kong Phooey Popeye Classics Tom & Jerry Top Cat Wacky Races Dastardly And Muttley The Scooby Doo Show Johnny Bravo Dexter’s Laboratory Popeye The Perils of Penelope Pitstop King Arthur’s Disasters The Jetsons The Flintstones Looney Tunes Tom & Jerry The Scooby Doo Show Hong Kong Phooey Tex Avery
CARTOON NETWORK 00:15 Out of Jimmy’s Head 00:40 Chop Socky Chooks 01:05 Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends 01:30 Cramp Twins 01:55 George of the Jungle 02:20 Adrenalini Brothers 02:45 Gadget Boy 03:10 Ed, Edd n Eddy 03:35 Class of 3000 04:00 The Powerpuff Girls 04:15 Robotboy 04:40 The Secret Saturdays 05:05 Chowder 05:30 Ben 10 05:55 Best Ed 06:20 Samurai Jack
03:00 Pavilion Of Women - 18 05:00 Heights - PG 15 07:00 Max And Co. - PG 09:00 Grateful Dawg - PG 11:00 Almost Famous - PG 15 13:00 Unspoken Love - PG 15 15:00 Les Miserables - PG 15 17:15Only The Strong Survive - PG 15 19:15 What Rats Won’t Do - PG 15 21:00 Confidences Trop Intimes - R 23:00 The Apostle - PG 15 CNN INTERNATIONAL 00:00 Fareed Zakaria GPS 01:00 Best of BackStory 01:30 World Sport 02:00 World Report 03:30 Talk Asia 04:00 World Business Today 04:30 World Sport 05:00 World Report 05:30 WorldView 06:00 News Special 06:30 My City_My Life 06:45 The Screening Room Xtra 07:00 Inside the Middle East 07:30 World Sport 08:00 World Report 08:30 Best of BackStory 09:00 World Report 10:30 World Sport 11:00 World Report 11:30 World Business Today 12:00 World Report 12:30 WorldView 13:00 Larry King 14:00 World Report 14:30 World Sport 15:00 World Report 16:00 Amanpour 16:30 News Special 17:00 World Business Today 18:00 International Desk 19:00 The Brief 19:30 World Sport 20:00 Prism 20:30 News Special 21:00 International Desk 22:00 Quest Means Business 23:00 Amanpour 23:30 World One DISCOVERY CHANNEL 00:00 Ross Kemp in Afghanistan 01:00 Eyewitness 02:00 Street Customs 02:55 Wheeler Dealers 03:50 American Chopper 04:45 How Stuff Works 05:10 Eyewitness 06:05 LA Hard Hats 07:00 Extreme Engineering 07:55 Chop Shop 08:50 Street Customs Berlin 09:45 How Do They Do It? 10:10 Mythbusters 11:05 Ultimate Survival 12:00 Destroyed in Seconds 12:55 How Do They Do It? 13:25 How Stuff Works 13:50 Fifth Gear 14:15 American Chopper 15:10 Miami Ink 16:05 Mythbusters 17:00 Ultimate Survival 18:00 Destroyed in Seconds 19:00 Street Customs Berlin 20:00 How Do They Do It? 20:30 How Stuff Works 21:00 River Monsters 22:00 Extreme Fishing with Robson Green 23:00 I Was Bitten
A Mighty Heart on Show Movies 01:00 Taking Stock 03:00 Morning Call 04:00 The Trade 06:00 The Bloomberg Edge 07:00 Asia Confidential with Bernie Lo 09:00 Start-Up 10:30 Countdown 12:00 Briefing 13:00 FirstUp with Scarlet Fu 14:00 Inside Track with Deidre Bolton and Erik Schatzker 15:00 Inside Track with Deidre Bolton and Erik Schatzker 16:00 In the Loop with Betty Liu 18:00 InBusiness with Margaret Brennan 19:00 InBusiness with Margaret Brennan and Francine Lacqua 20:00 Bloomberg News 22:00 Charlie Rose 23:00 Street Smart with Carol Massar and Matt Miller BOOMERANG 00:00 Top Cat 00:25 Wacky Races 00:50 Dexter’s Laboratory 01:15 Johnny Bravo 01:40 Dastardly And Muttley 02:05 King Arthur’s Disasters 02:30 Popeye 02:55 Scooby Doo Where Are You! 03:20 Help! It’s the Hair Bear Bunch 03:45 Mike, Lu & Og 04:10 Time Squad 04:35 Sheep In The Big City 05:00 The Perils of Penelope Pitstop 05:25 A Pup Named Scooby-Doo 05:50 Johnny Bravo 06:15 Dexter’s Laboratory 06:40 Popeye 07:05 The Jetsons 07:30 The Flintstones 08:00 Looney Tunes 08:25 Tom & Jerry 08:55 Popeye Classics 09:20 The Perils of Penelope Pitstop 09:45 A Pup Named Scooby-Doo 10:10 Dexter’s Laboratory 10:35 Johnny Bravo 11:00 Dastardly And Muttley
06:45 Cramp Twins 07:10 Eliot Kid 07:35 The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack 08:00 My Spy Family 08:25 Chowder 08:50 Best Ed 09:15 Chop Socky Chooks 09:40 Ben 10: Alien Force 10:05 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 10:30 Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes 10:55 Eliot Kid 11:20 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 11:30 Squirrel Boy 11:55 Robotboy 12:20 Camp Lazlo 12:45 The Powerpuff Girls 13:10 Class of 3000 13:35 Ed, Edd n Eddy 14:00 Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends 14:25 Codename 14:50 Ben 10 15:15 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 15:40 Squirrel Boy 16:05 Eliot Kid 16:35 George of the Jungle 17:00 Skunk Fu! 17:25 Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes 17:50 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 18:15 The Secret Saturdays 18:40 Ben 10: Alien Force 19:05 Casper’s Scare School 19:30 Squirrel Boy 20:00 The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack 20:25 Chop Socky Chooks 20:50 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 21:05 Ed, Edd n Eddy 21:30 Skunk Fu! 21:45 The Secret Saturdays 22:10 Ben 10: Alien Force 22:35 The Life & Times of Juniper Lee 23:00 Camp Lazlo 23:25 Samurai Jack 23:50 Megas XLR CINEMA CITY 01:00 Stray Dogs - PG 15
DISCOVERY ID 00:40 Deadly Women 01:30 Undercover 02:20 Murder Shift 03:10 Most Evil 04:05 I Escaped Death 05:00 Undercover 05:55 Real Emergency Calls 06:20 Fbi Files 07:10 Ghosthunters 07:35 Ghosthunters 08:00 Forensic Detectives 08:50 Fbi Files 09:40 Real Emergency Calls 10:30 The Prosecutors 11:20 Forensic Detectives 12:10 Fbi Files 13:00 Mystery Er 13:50 The Prosecutors 14:40 Extreme Forensics 15:30 Forensic Detectives 16:20 Fbi Files 17:10 Real Emergency Calls 18:00 The Prosecutors 18:50 Forensic Detectives 19:40 Fbi Files 20:30 Mystery Er 21:20 The Prosecutors 22:10 Extreme Forensics 23:00 Forensic Justice 23:50 Dr G: Medical Examiner DISCOVERY SCIENCE 00:40 Sci-Fi Science 01:30 The Future of... 02:20 Future Weapons 03:10 Future Weapons 04:00 Sci-Fi Science 04:50 The Future of... 05:45 Fantastic Food Factories 06:40 Test Case 07:10 Engineered 08:00 Scrapheap Challenge 09:00 NASA’s Greatest Missions 10:00 Sci-Fi Science 10:55 How Stuff’s Made 11:20 Stunt Junkies 11:50 Super Comet: After the Impact 12:45 Green Wheels 13:10 One Step Beyond 13:40 NASA’s Greatest Missions 14:35 Sci-Fi Science 15:30 Robocar 16:25 How Stuff’s Made 16:55 Scrapheap Challenge 17:50 Brainiac 18:45 Mega World 19:40 Mighty Ships 20:30 Mega Builders 21:20 How It’s Made 22:10 Mythbusters 23:00 Mighty Ships 23:50 Mega Builders DISNEY CHANNEL 00:00 Jonas
00:20 00:45 01:10 01:35 02:00 02:25 02:45 03:10 03:35 04:00 04:25 04:50 05:15 05:40 06:00 06:10 06:35 07:00 07:20 07:45 08:10 08:35 09:00 09:25 09:45 10:10 10:35 11:00 11:25 11:45 12:10 12:35 12:55 13:20 13:40 14:05 14:30 14:55 15:15 15:40 16:00 16:25 16:45 17:10 17:35 18:00 18:25 18:45 19:00 19:25 19:50 20:15 20:40 21:05 21:50 22:00 22:25 22:50 23:15 23:35
Wizards Of Waverly Place Suite Life On Deck Fairly Odd Parents Replacements Phineas & Ferb Little Einsteins Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Handy Manny Lazytown Jonas Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Hannah Montana Sonny With A Chance Higglytown Heroes My Friends Tigger and Pooh Handy Manny Special Agent Oso IMAGINATION MOVERS Lazytown Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Handy Manny Special Agent Oso Brandy & Mr Whiskers Fairly Odd Parents Hannah Montana I Got A Rocket Wizards Of Waverly Place Phineas & Ferb Suite Life On Deck Replacements American Dragon Kim Possible Famous Five Fairly Odd Parents Phineas & Ferb Replacements I Got A Rocket Wizards Of Waverly Place Hannah Montana Sonny With A Chance Fairly Odd Parents Phineas & Ferb Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Hannah Montana The Replacements Jonas Suite Life On Deck Sonny With A Chance Hannah Montana Wizards Of Waverly Place The Suite Life of Zack & Cody The Replacements American Dragon Kim Possible Famous Five Fairly Odd Parents Phineas & Ferb
E! ENTERTAINMENT 00:15 Wildest TV Show Moments 00:40 E! Investigates 01:30 E! Investigates 02:20 Sexiest 03:15 THS 05:05 Dr 90210 06:00 Cheating Death 07:45 Style Star 08:35 E! News 09:25 Leave It To Lamas 10:15 THS 11:05 E! Investigates 12:00 E! News 12:50 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 13:40 THS 15:25 Behind The Scenes 16:15 E!es 17:35 Kendra 18:00 E! News 18:50 Streets Of Hollywood 19:15 Battle Of The Hollywood Hotties 19:40 THS 21:20 Wildest TV Show Moments 22:10 E! News 23:00 Dr 90210 23:50 Battle Of The Hollywood Hotties EXTREME SPORTS 00:00 King Of The Cage 02:00 Cape Epic 03:00 X Games 15 2009 04:00 FIM World Supermoto 2008 05:00 F.I.A European Drag Racing 07:00 FIM World Supermoto 2008 08:00 Sacred Ride 09:00 I-Ex Season 2 10:00 FIM World Motocross Championships 2008 11:00 Ride Guide Snow 2007 12:00 Sacred Ride 13:00 I-Ex Season 2 14:00 The Sorsa Project 15:00 Ride Guide Snow 2007 16:00 Sacred Ride 17:00 I-Ex Season 2 18:00 FIM World Motocross Championships 2008 19:00 LG Action Sports World Championships 20:00 The Sorsa Project 21:00 I-Ex Season 2 22:00 Ride Guide Snow 2007 23:00 LG Action Sports World Championships FOOD NETWORK 00:00 Chopped 02:00 Food Network Challenge 03:00 Iron Chef America 04:00 Throwdown With Bobby Flay 05:00 Teleshopping 08:00 Giada At Home 08:50 Barefoot Contessa 09:15 30 Minute Meals 09:40 30 Minute Meals 10:05 Rescue Chef with Danny Boome 11:00 Tyler’s Ultimate 12:00 Barefoot Contessa 13:00 Giada At Home 14:00 30 Minute Meals 15:00 Barefoot Contessa 16:00 Grill It! with Bobby Flay 17:00 Barefoot Contessa 18:00 Tyler’s Ultimate 19:00 Rescue Chef with Danny Boome 20:00 Grill It! with Bobby Flay 21:00 Barefoot Contessa 22:00 Food Network Challenge 23:00 Iron Chef America FOX SPORTS 00:00 Pac-10 Men’s Basketball Arizona St. at Washington
12:00 Going Berserk - PG 15 14:00 The Game Plan - PG 16:00 Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day - PG 15 18:00 How To Be - PG 15 20:00 Hot Fuzz - 18 22:00 Kids In The Hall: Brain Candy 18 SHOW MOVIES KIDS 00:00 Flintstones: I Yabba Dabba Do! - FAM 02:00 Tiny Toon Adventures: How I Spent My Vacati - FAM 04:00 Olsen Twins: Our Lips Are Sealed - FAM 06:00 Hoot - FAM 08:00 Scooby-doo And The Ghoul School - FAM 10:00 Olsen Twins: Our Lips Are Sealed - FAM 12:00 The Jungle Book I - FAM 14:00 Tiny Toon Adventures: How I Spent My Vacati - FAM 16:00 Beethoven’s Big Break - FAM 18:00 Iron Giant - FAM 20:00 Atom Nine Adventures - FAM 22:00 The Jungle Book I - FAM
Rocky Balboa on Super Movies 02:00 Golf Central International 03:00 The Golf Channel 05:00 Everton TV 08:00 Heineken Open Final Auckland, New Zealand 10:00 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Iowa Hawkeyes v Ohio State Buckeyes 12:00 ACC Sunday Night Hoops North Carolina v Maryland 14:00 Golf Central International 15:00 Pac-10 Women’s Basketball USC @ Stanford 17:00 Gucci Masters Rolex Top 10 Paris, France 19:00 Dream Team 20:00 Hyundai A League Sydney FC at Perth Glory FC 22:00 Wanderers World featuring Bolton Vs Fulham FRANCE 24 00:00 News And Magazines 00:30 The France 24 Interview 01:00 News And Magazines 21:00 The France 24 Debate 21:30 News And Magazines MGM 01:00 House Of Games 02:40 Hawks 04:30 Neon City 06:15 Dublin Murders 07:40 Lost Brigade 09:00 Napoleon 10:20 Defiance 12:00 The Trip 13:20 The Man Inside 14:55 Lady in White 16:45 The Mechanic 18:25 The Hawaiians 20:35 Women Vs. Men 22:00 Breaking In 23:35 Mr. North (goldwyn) NAT GEO WILD HD 00:00 Prehistoric Predators 01:00 Secret Shark Pits 02:00 In The Dragon’s Jaws 03:00 Prehistoric Predators 04:00 Bandits Of Selous 05:00 Dangerous Encounters 06:00 Penguin Death Zone 07:00 Hunter Hunted 08:00 Prehistoric Predators 09:00 Secret Shark Pits 10:00 In The Dragon’s Jaws 11:00 Prehistoric Predators 12:00 Dogtown 13:00 Guardians Of Nature 14:00 Ancient Creatures 15:00 Dangerous Encounters 16:00 Dogtown 17:00 Guardians Of Nature 18:00 Ancient Creatures 19:00 Dangerous Encounters 20:00 Dogtown 21:00 Guardians Of Nature 22:00 Octopus Volcano 23:00 Hunter Hunted ORBIT NEWS 1 00:00 NBC Weekend Today Show 01:00 ABC This week (Sun) 02:00 ABC World News Live 02:30 NBC Nightly News Live 03:00 ABC World News (Sun) 03:30 NBC Nightly News (Sun) 04:00 NBC Sunday Today Show 05:00 ABC This week (Sun) 06:00 NBC Meet The Press (Sun) 07:00 ABC World News (Sun) 07:30 NBC Nightly News (Sun) 08:00 ABC World News (Sun) 08:30 NBC Nightly News (Sun) 09:00 ABC This week (Sun) 10:00 ABC World News (Sun) 10:30 NBC Nightly News (Sun) 11:00 ABC World News Now Live 12:30 NBC Early Today Live 13:00 ABC America This Morning Live 14:30 NBC Early Today 15:00 NBC Today Show Live 19:00 ABC Now Money Matters / Bell 19:30 ABC NOW / Good Money 20:00 MSNBC Live Dr. NANCY 21:00 MSNBC Live Andrea Mitchell Reports 22:00 NBC Meet The Press (Sun) 23:00 ABC This week (Sun) ORBIT NEWS 2 00:00 ABC Now Good Money (Fri)
00:30 ABC Now Nightline on ANN & Newsmakers (Fri) 01:00 ABC NOW Nightline Twitter (Mon) 01:30 ABC Now Daily Download + Now you Know (Fri) 02:00 MSNBC Hardball Weekend 02:30 MSNBC Your Business 03:00 MSNBC (As Live) Investigates 10:00 NBC Meet the Press (taped) 11:00 MSNBC (As Live) Investigates 12:00 NBC Meet the Press (taped) 13:00 MSNBC First Look (Live) 13:30 MSNBC Way Too Early w/W. Geist (Live) 14:00 MSNBC (taped) Hardball 15:00 MSNBC (taped) The Ed Show 16:00 MSNBC (taped) Countdown w/K. Olbermann 17:00 MSNBC Live The Daily Rundown 18:00 MSNBC Live 20:00 MSNBC Hardball Weekend 20:30 MSNBC Your Business 21:00 NBC Meet the Press (taped) 22:00 MSNBC Live PLAYHOUSE DISNEY 08:00 Special Agent Oso 08:25 Handy Manny 08:50 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 09:15 Imagination Movers 09:40 Chuggington 09:55 Chuggington 10:10 Handy Manny 10:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 10:50 Special Agent Oso 11:15 Imagination Movers 11:40 My Friends Tigger and Pooh 12:05 Chuggington 12:15 Special Agent Oso 12:55 Handy Manny 13:05 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 13:30 My Friends Tigger and Pooh 13:50 Little Einsteins 14:10 Imagination Movers 14:30 Handy Manny 14:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 15:20 Jo Jo’s Circus 16:10 Higglytown Heroes 17:00 My Friends Tigger and Pooh 17:25 Chuggington 17:35 Handy Manny 18:00 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 18:25 Special Agent Oso 18:50 Chuggington 19:00 Chuggington 19:10 Imagination Movers 19:35 Handy Manny 20:00 Special Agent Oso 20:15 Little Einsteins 20:40 Handy Manny 20:50 My Friends Tigger and Pooh 21:00 End Of Programming
SHOW SERIES 00:00 The Ex-list 01:00 C.S.I: Miami 02:00 Every Body Loves Raymond 02:30 My Name is Earl 03:00 Sex and the City 04:00 C.S.I 05:00 Ally Mcbeal 06:00 Emmerdale 06:30 Coronation Street 07:00 Every Body Loves Raymond 07:30 My Name is Earl 08:00 24 09:00 C.S.I 10:00 Ally Mcbeal 11:00 Law & Order 12:00 Emmerdale 12:30 Coronation Street 13:00 Every Body Loves Raymond 13:30 My Name is Earl 14:00 The Ex-list 15:00 C.S.I: Miami 16:00 Law & Order 17:00 24 18:00 Emmerdale 18:30 Coronation Street 19:00 Law & Order 20:00 Ugly Betty 21:00 Desperate Housewives 22:00 C.S.I 23:00 Sex and the City SHOW SPORTS 1 01:00 Premier League 05:00 Portuguese Liga 07:00 Premier League 11:00 Portuguese Liga 13:00 Premier League 17:00 Futbol Mundial 17:30 Premier League World 18:00 Premier League Classics 18:30 Premier League 20:30 Live Barclays Premier League Review 22:00 Futbol Mundial 22:30 Premier League World 23:00 Scottish Premier League Highlights 23:30 Premier League Classics SHOW SPORTS 2 01:30 Super League 05:00 Premier League 07:00 Super League 10:30 Premier League Classics 11:00 Weber Cup Bowling 12:00 Futbol Mundial 12:30 Premier League World 13:00 Twenty20 Cricket 16:30 Futbol Mundial 17:00 Weber Cup Bowling 18:00 World Hockey 18:30 World Sport 19:00 Premier League Classics 19:30 PGA European Tour Highlights 20:30 Live Goals on Monday 22:00 Scottish Premier League Highlights 22:30 PGA European Tour Highlights 23:30 Portuguese Liga
SHOW MOVIES 00:00 Stop-Loss - 18 02:00 Adoration - PG 15 04:00 The Fox And The Child - FAM 06:00 Skin - U 08:00 Little Girl Lost - PG 10:00 Wendy And Lucy - PG 15 12:00 The Understudy - U 14:00 The Jane Austen Book Club PG 15 16:00 Little Girl Lost - PG 18:00 Beverly Hills Chihuahua - PG 20:00 The Lakehouse - PG 22:00 A Mighty Heart - 18 SHOW MOVIES ACTION 01:00 Kings Of South Beach - 18 03:00 D- War - PG 15 05:00 Solo - PG 15 07:00 Ming Ming - PG 15 09:00 Street Fighter - PG 11:00 Thor: Hammer Of The Gods PG 15 13:00 Sight Unseen - PG 15 15:00 Street Fighter - PG 17:00 Sukiyaki Western Django - PG 15 19:00 Revolver - 18 21:00 Broken Arrow - 18 23:00 South Of Hell - 18 SHOW MOVIES COMEDY 00:00 Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day - PG 15 02:00 Miss Conception - 18 04:00 Scrooged - PG 06:00 Be Kind Rewind - PG 15 08:00 Americanizing Shelly - PG 10:00 Skills Like This - PG 15
SUPER MOVIES 01:00 The Happening - 18 03:00 The Moon And The Stars - PG 05:00 Production Office - PG 15 07:00 Recount - PG 15 09:00 The Memsahib - PG 15 11:00 Where God Left His Shoes PG 13:00 Meet Dave - PG 15:00 Against The Current - U 17:00 Brick Lane - PG 15 19:00 Rocky Balboa - PG 15 21:00 December Boys - PG 15 23:00 Marley And Me - PG 15 TCM 01:00 02:25 03:20 05:00 07:00 08:00 09:25 11:10 12:55 13:20 15:00 16:55 18:30 19:00 20:45 23:00
Strictly Business The Screening Room Blackboard Jungle Lost Angels The Screening Room Edge of the City Sunday in New York The Wheeler Dealers The Screening Room To Have and Have Not Mogambo Canadian Bacon The Screening Room Hannibal Brooks Some Came Running House Of Usher
THE HISTORY CHANNEL 00:40 B-25 Down: Hunt for a Hero 01:30 Extreme Trains 02:20 The Universe 03:10 Ice Road Truckers 3 04:00 Evolve 04:55 Dead Men’s Secrets 05:50 Deep Wreck Mysteries 06:40 B-25 Down: Hunt for a Hero 07:30 Extreme Trains 08:20 The Universe 09:10 Ice Road Truckers 3 10:00 Evolve 10:55 Dead Men’s Secrets 11:50 Deep Wreck Mysteries
Star Listings (UAE Timings) Star Movies 21:05 Do You Know Me? 22:40 Deadly Game 00:15 The Ramen Girl 02:00 The Preacher’s Wife 04:05 Dark Skies 05:35 Do You Know Me? 07:05 Deadly Game 08:40 VIP Access 09:10 The Preacher’s Wife 11:15 Dark Skies 12:45 Species Ii 14:15 Rise Of The Gargoyles 15:50 Light It Up 17:30 Life With Mikey 19:00 Urgency STAR 20:00 20:50 21:00 21:50 22:00 02:00 03:00 03:30 04:00
World Ugly Betty Charlie’s Angels Ghost Whisperer Starsky & Hutch [V] Tunes 7th Heaven The Simpsons The King Of Queens According To Jim
04:30 05:00 05:50 06:00 06:50 07:00 07:25 07:50 08:00 08:50 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:50 11:00 11:50 12:00 13:00 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:50 17:00 17:50 18:00
According To Jim Ghost Hunters International Jackie Chan Adventures Bones Charlie’s Angels Scrubs Scrubs Starsky & Hutch Ugly Betty Jackie Chan Adventures How I Met Your Mother The Bold And The Beautiful 7th Heaven Charlie’s Angels Bones Starsky & Hutch [V] Tunes Ghost Hunters International The Simpsons The King Of Queens According To Jim According To Jim Kyle XY Jackie Chan Adventures Reaper Charlie’s Angels Painkiller Jane
18:50 19:00 19:50
Starsky & Hutch Ghost Hunters International Jackie Chan Adventures
Granada TV 20:00 Vincent (Series 1) 21:30 Airline (Series 5) 22:00 Neighbourhoods From Hell 23:00 Come Dine With Me (Primetime Series 1) 00:00 The Jeremy Kyle Show 01:00 Come Dine With Me (Primetime Series 1) 02:00 Crime Monday: Vincent (Series 1) 03:30 Airline (Series 5) 04:00 Revenge TV 05:00 Emmerdale 05:30 Coronation Street 06:00 The Jeremy Kyle Show 07:00 Come Dine With Me (Primetime Series 1) 08:00 Crime Monday: Vincent (Series 1) 09:30 Airline (Series 5) 10:00 Revenge TV 11:00 Emmerdale 11:30 Coronation Street 12:00 The Jeremy Kyle Show 13:00 Fight School 14:00 Crime Monday: Vincent (Series 1) 15:30 Airline (Series 5)
16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00
Emmerdale Coronation Street The Jeremy Kyle Show Fight School Crime Monday: Vincent (Series 1)
Channel [V] 21:00 [V] Tunes 22:00 [V] Plug 22:30 The Playlist 23:00 Loop 00:00 Backtracks 01:00 Double Shot 02:00 [V] Plug 02:30 The Playlist 03:00 Loop 04:00 [V] Special 05:00 [V] Tunes 06:00 Double Shot 07:00 Backtracks 08:00 Loop 09:00 [V] Plug 09:30 Double Shot 10:00 Backtracks 11:00 [V] Tunes 12:00 [V] Plug 12:30 The Playlist
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Loop The List Keys To The VIP Backtracks [V] Tunes [V] Plug The Playlist Loop The List
Fox News 01:00 America’s News HQ host Shannon Bream 03:00 Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace (repeat) 04:00 The O’Reilly Factor(repeat) 05:00 America’s News HQ hosts Gregg Jarrett and Julie Banderas 07:00 FOX News Sunday with Chris Wallace (repeat) 08:00 FOX Report Sunday host Julie Banderas 09:00 Huckabee with Mike Huckabee 10:00 Hannity with Sean Hannity 11:00 Geraldo At Large with Geraldo Rivera 12:00 Huckabee with Mike Huckabee 13:00 FOX Report Sunday 14:00 Geraldo At Large with Geraldo Rivera 15:00 Hannity with Sean Hannity
16:00 17:00 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:00 20:00 22:00
War Stories with Oliver North Bulls and Bears (repeat) Cavuto On Business (repeat) FORBES on FOX (repeat) Cashin’ In (repeat) FOX & Friends First Live FOX & Friends Live America’s Newsroom
National Geographic Channel 20:00 Hunter Hunted -Predators In Paradise 1 21:00 Theme Week -Secret History of Diamonds 22:00 Ground War -Battle Machines 23:00 Theme Week -Spider Deadly Love 00:00 Air Crash Investigation -Fire Fight S4 01:00 ABOUT ASIA -Japan’s Secret Weapon 02:00 Locked Up Abroad -Mexico Or Bust 03:00 Jean-Michel Cousteau-Ocean Adventures America’s Underwater Treasures 1 04:00 The Living Edens -Denali: Alaska’s Great Wilderness 05:00 ABOUT ASIA -Japan’s Secret Weapon 06:00 Food Lovers Guide To The Planet -Cocktail Artists 20 06:30 Food Lovers Guide To The Planet -Coming To Italy 15 07:00 Built For The Kill -Swamp S1-6
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Monday, February 8, 2010
had no money for shoes ourtney Love claims she was too poor to buy shoes. The Hole singer says her new song ‘Never Go Hungry’ was written about her time of hardship when she and Frances Bean, her 17-year-old daughter with late husband Kurt Cobain, couldn’t even afford to clothe themselves and couldn’t get help from anyone. Courtney - who has repeatedly claimed to have been defrauded of her wealth by various people said: “I wrote ‘Never Go Hungry’ all by my lonesome, in rehab, sitting there f***ing in Orange County with a s**t guitar and no pick. It’s about my daughter. And it’s about how we were; they were just awful to us. We were just so broke. “I vowed that we would never go hungry again, because we went hungry. I didn’t have any f***ing shoes! I had a pair of Converse that they gave me. That’s what I had. Frances didn’t have any shoes. We had one pair of shoes.” The 45-year-old star claims she has lost her money because she has been “exploited” by so many people. She added to Clash magazine: “Why did I have no money? The simple answer to that is because I’m a widow and because I’m a woman. “I get exploited. Not when I’m playing music. But financially, very much so.”
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sla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen are seemingly set to marry this month. The couple have reportedly sent out party invites asking
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guests to keep February 26 free, however, the notices do not contain any further information. It is believed Sacha, 38, and 34-year-old Isla who have been together for eight years and
have a two-year-old daughter, Olive, together have booked several possible venues in the UK in a bid to keep the actual location of the ceremony secret. A source told The Mail on Sunday newspaper: “Sacha and Isla are throwing a party. They have asked everyone to come in fancy dress. They haven’t told anyone it’s a wedding but that’s what we all suspect.” However, a spokesperson for the ‘Bruno’ actor claims the pair have no plans to marry anytime in the near future. The possible wedding date coincides with the Jewish festival of Purim an important annual religious festival for followers of Judaism like Sacha. Purim commemorates the deliverance of Jewish people living in Babylonia in 6th century BCE from a Persian Empire plot to murder them. It is celebrated according to the Hebrew calendar on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar, which this year falls on February 28, although the festival begins at sunset on February 27. Australian actress Isla has converted to Judaism in order to marry Sacha and admitted last year she was happy with her decision. The ‘Wedding Crashers’ star - who has been given the Hebrew name Ayala or ‘Doe’ - said: “I love religions and find them fascinating and I find Judaism very beautiful. It has enriched my life enormously.”
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he actor - who portrays character James Reece, an aide to a US Ambassador in France and secret CIA agent, in upcoming action film ‘From Paris with Love’ - thinks it is easy to fall for someone without knowing much about them, just like his alter-ego does in the film. He explained: “Well, you know, love is blind. Really, how much do you know about your partner? “He knows that she makes dresses, he knows that she’s into fabric, but he’s a naive guy anyway. It’s not like he’s being specifically naive because she’s so fantastically beautiful, yet it’s jarring and that’s why she’s there. He’ll go for her blindly because the beauty, the charm, the elegance, he’s living in Paris. This is the dream. “Would I fall for it in real life? Absolutely! 100 per cent! Hook, line and sinker.” The 32year-old hunk is currently single, and most recently had a four year on/off relationship with Reena Hammer, the daughter of Ruby & Millie cosmetics founder Ruby Hammer.
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era Farmiga used to fake a French accent to sell underwear. The ‘Up In The Air’ star used to hone her acting techniques while working in a lingerie store as she discovered creating a new persona for herself could help boost sales. She said: “I had lots of jobs. For instance I sold lingerie. Doing that I realized how faking an eastern European or French accent can boost sales. Men who buy presents for women really responded to that.” Despite her success selling underwear, Vera
found her bubbly personality was unsuitable for other jobs she tried as she spent too long striking up conversations with customers. She explained: “All my jobs were some kind of performance. What else did I do? Once I worked as a technician for air-conditioners. It was a telephone job; I had to repair air-conditioners via remote diagnosis. But my employers thought I was too chatty for the job, so they made me do paperwork instead.”
Drew Barrymore isn’t bothered about getting wrinkle he 34-year-old actress - who recently made her directorial debut with ‘Whip It!’ - loves her life at the moment and if ageing takes its toll on her body, she’ll just stay behind the camera. She said: “It’s the best time of my life - it’s not traumatic at all. I don’t think I’ve ever been happier. It’s like the older I get, the better I get. Gravity and wrinkles are fine with me. They’re a small
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price to pay for the new wisdom inside my head and my heart. “If my breasts fall down to the floor and everything starts to sag and becomes hideous and gross, I won’t worry. I’ll just stop appearing in front of the camera. That’s fine with me because I love producing and directing.” The ‘Charlie’s Angels’ star who is dating actor Justin Long - believes her contentment with life is the key to her
Alba hated the idea of marriage
essica Alba hated the idea of getting married. The ‘Valentine’s Day’ star took a while before agreeing to tie the knot with Cash Warren as she was determined not to “obey” her husband and feels the tradition of marriage has been “warped”. Jessica - who has a 19-month-old daughter, Honor Marie, with Cash - said: “I had a hard time agreeing with marriage at all because I feel like it’s been warped. Originally, it was two families coming together to make a stronger family. It was about survival - not love or soul mates. And now the way they market marriage - even as a kid through Disney movies - is that it’s all about Prince Charming sweeping you off your feet. “There’s this mentality that you need the big dress and the big day - the day every girl gets to be a princess. I didn’t
Farmiga’s fake French accent
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sister Joanne, who died at 19, had instilled her spirit in me. She was a painter and a poet - and I had a spiritual vision I had to finish her business.” The 23-year-old pop beauty who began experimenting with cocaine and the hallucinogenic drug LSD after she dropped out of her course at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts when she was 20 - insists her late auntie is still a huge influence on her career. Gaga - who won two Grammys last weekend - added in new biography ‘Lady Gaga: Just Dance: The Biography’ by Helia Phoenix: “I never met her, but she’s been one of the most important figures in my life.”
ady Gaga was saved from cocaine addiction by the spirit of her dead aunt. The eccentric star has revealed her life spiraled into a world of heavy drug use in a bid to replicate the lifestyles of her musical idols. The ‘Paparazzi’ singer would lock herself in her bedroom and snort “bags and bags” of cocaine for songwriting inspiration when she was starting out, but realized she was jeopardizing her life when she recalled her aunt Joanne who died at 19. Gaga - real name Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta - said: “I thought I was going to die. I wanted to be the artists I loved, like Mick Jagger and Andy Warhol, and I thought the only way to do it was to live the lifestyle. My cocaine soundtrack was always The Cure. I would lock myself in my room and listen to ‘Never Enough’ on repeat while I did bags and bags of cocaine. “But then I realized my father’s
Jonathan Rhys Meyers’ blind love
Fisher and Cohen to tie the knot
Aunt saved Lady Gaga from drugs
good looks. She explained to Cosmopolitan magazine: “I’m happy and I think happiness is what makes you pretty. Happy people are beautiful. They become like a mirror and they reflect that happiness.” — BangShowbiz
agree with any of that. This tradition of obeying your husband like he’s your king? It’s a load of crap. Love and honor, yes. But you should love and honor yourself too, and all your friends.” The 28-year-old actress who married Cash in May 2008 - eventually accepted his proposal because she knew they would stick together through “thick and thin”. She told Cosmopolitan magazine: “I chose to get married because, essentially, you’re given a deck of cards in life. The hand you were dealt with is your family and you can’t choose them. But the one person you can choose to bring into your life as your family and to have that unconditional love with is your husband and wife. I’m choosing you as my family and we’re going to love each other through thick and thin.”
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asked revelers swarmed the streets and waterways of Venice on Saturday as the historic Italian city launched its annual Carnival. Hundreds of tourists and locals braved wintry weather to watch a 60-horse street parade, followed by a performance of an 18th-century comedy set in Venice, “The Servant of Two Masters” by Carlo Goldoni, on Saint Mark’s square. Yesterday thousands of tourists were set to throng the main piazza to watch the Carnival’s traditional “flight of the angel” in which a young woman glides on a harness from the belltower of Saint Mark’s
basilica. The centuries-old carnival, rooted in the Christian festivities ahead of the fast of Lent, had fallen out of favour but was reinstated-in part as a tourist attractionin 1980. Masked balls and theatrical performances will liven up the city streets throughout the 10-day period, with a special carnival program for children. This year Venice shares the limelight with Rome which launched the second edition of its own carnival on Saturday, as well as Viareggio in Tuscany whose 137-year old carnival is known for its papier mache puppet politicians. — AFP
People in carnival costumes and masks pose for a picture in San Marco square in Venice yesterday during the annual Venice Carnival ‘Sensation 2010’. — AFP
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Monday, February 8, 2010
Fashion
Pearls: Once the gems for queens now grace beauty of all discerning women By Mohammed Yousef Moghul hat is Pearl: While thinking about a pearl, a beautiful, brilliant round object comes to our mind. Pearls have charmed and intrigued human beings for centuries with their timeless grandeur. Pearls are one of the loveliest gems with intrinsic glow. Pearls may be white, silver, golden, black, blue, brown, and pink Pearls are unique as these are the only gems produced by an animal. Like human beings, no two pearls are identical. Strictly speaking, pearl is an organic water gem formed by the countless layers of a shiny substance called Nacre secreted by an alive slimy mollusks (oysters / mussels) when irritated by an intruder Unlike other gems, the pearls have an intrinsic glow and these do not need any faceting to sparkle. They come as finished products. Cultures all over the world equate pearls with love, wealth, nobility, and purity. Revered for their celestial beauty, pearls fascinate us with their lovely shape, enigmatic inner glow and mesmerizing luster. Pure, simple and elegant, pearls have always been the darling of the royalty and the very wealthy people since the ancient times. Pearls in History: Pearls have been regarded as the symbol of perfect beauty and considered an ideal gift. It is said that King Solomon gave pearl jewelry gift to queen of Sheba. In the Roman civilization, pearls were an exclusive privilege for royalty, and lower ranking persons were not allowed to wear pearls. Hindu culture regarded pearl as perfect gift on marriage as it brings marital bliss to the couple. Pearls and Romance: The pearls are most charming, romantic and symbol of pure love. The love poetry of all cultures is laced with the rich mentions of pearls as the emblem of sublime beauty and love. The gleaming Pearls in sea are compared with the twinkling stars in the sky. The pearl is the metaphor for rarity, and the finest example of anything. The pearls are aptly quoted, such as, “Pearls of wisdom”, “Pear is the Oyster’s autobiography”, “Every pearl has its oyster”, and “ Teeth like Pearl” etc. Pearls in Religion: Pearls are the oldest of all gems, and believed as the paragon of beauty, love, purity and innocence in all religions. In Islam, the Quran speaks highly of pearls as the sacred reward in the Paradise. The Christianity and Judaism regard pearls as a symbol of purity and love. Hindu relate pearls with the Moon and symbol of love and ideal gift on marriage. Pearls Myth: Pearls have been fascinating since ages. These exude a kind of warmth not found in other gems. Pearls are ascribed with mystical powers incorporated in the mythology of many cultures. These are often associated with weddings and regarded as the emblem of love, modesty, and marital bliss. Pearls were considered as the talisman against evil spirits. Astrological Effects of Pearls: The pearls are viewed as symbol of the moon with magical powers. Pearl is the birthstone for June. These are also an auspicious gift on the 1st, 3rd, 12th and 30th marriage anniversaries. Pearls are one of the novaratan gems as per Hindu mythology. How pearls were made: No one exactly knows how pearls were created. In several cultures interesting legends abound about the creation of pearls. The pearls were believed to have been born from the rain drops falling into mollusk mouth; from the lightening striking the seas; from the frozen tears of angles; and in the lakes formed with the tears of Adam and Eve, etc. The modern science, while dispelling such myths, has revealed the facts of the pearl creation bit by bit. In 1890, a Japanese Biologist Nishikowa, explained the pearls creation through a biological process. It is triggered by a tiny irritant (grain of sand, shell or parasite) trapped in the body of oyster when its valves opened for respiration. In self- defense, the mollusk secretes the soft lustrous substance (nacre) and coats the invader to allay the discomfort so caused. Over the years, countless concentric layers of the nacre are hardened and a beautiful Natural pearl is born. It takes about 7-8 years to develop a full size pearl. The oysters were fished through dangerous deep-water diving. The chances of catching oysters bearing a perfectly round pearl were 1/1,000,000. This explains the rarity and the exorbitant value of the natural pearls. Sources of Natural Pearls: The finest natural pearls are found in the Arabian Gulf. Other sources are the Red Sea, Gulf of Mannar, China, Japan, Australia, Mexico, and Pacific islands. Bahrain is still the foremost center for natural pearls. To meet high demand for the pearls, the oysters were overly fished by the risky deep-water pearl diving. In 1950’s the pearl industry in the Arabian Gulf declined as due to the discovery of oil the pearl divers left the diving profession and joined other easy jobs offering
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and the quality of water. The color consists of the Body color, Overtone and Orient. Luster is the soul and the chief evaluating factor for the pearls. It is the reflection of light from the countless crystalline nacreous layers around the nucleus of the pearl. High luster is the results of the amount and quality of nacre around pearl. Deeper the luster, the more valuable is the pearl. A palette of luster degree is displayed below:
more money. Besides, the oil pollution ruined the once ideal water for natural pearls in the Gulf. This resulted in the extreme shortage and excessive prices of the natural pearls. Types of pearls: There are 3 types of pearls: Natural, Cultured and Imitation pearls . 1.Natural or Oriental pearls are grown in wild oysters. The formation process of these pearls has been explained above. 2.Cultured Pearls: The rarity and the high prices of the natural pearls triggered the research and experiments to produce pearls. In 1893, a Japanese entrepreneur Kokichi Mikimoto discova. Akoya pearls are produced by white lipped, palm sized Akoya oyster in the Japanese seas. These are high luster pearls range in size from 4-9 mm in white, silver and cream colors. Akoya are famous for their brilliance and mostly used in necklaces. The best of the Akoya is known as Hanadama ( spherical flower) and there is no better Akoya than that. b. Tahitian Black Pearls are cultivated in the black lipped oysters of the Tahitian seas. These oysters produce grey, black, green and peacock green pearls. Black pearl have exceptional value and used in jewelry for royalty c. South Sea Pearls are produced by the golden lipped oysters found in the seas of north Australia, Indonesia, and Myanmar. These are famous for the large size ranging from 9-19mm. The South Sea pearl is a valuable gem with thick nacre coating. These are highly valued for the lustrous surface in silver, white, golden, and purple hues. Most of the world’s supply of salt water pearls comes from Japan. The fresh water pearls farming is dominated by China. The quantity of the fresh water pearls exceeds that of salt water Jackie Kennedy Onasis ered the art of culturing pearls by implanting (nucleation) a tiny bead into an oyster and placing it back in water. In reaction, the oyster started secretion of nacre layers to cover the irritant, exactly like the process of the natural pearl formation. Mr Mikimoto perfected and patented the art of culturing pearls and produced the first cultured pearl in 1912. The nucleated oysters are nursed for years and the concentrically deposited layers of the nacre are formed into beautiful pearls. After 2-4 years the oysters are harvested and the crop of the cultured pearls is reaped. For an amateur it is difficult to differentiate the Natural from the Cultured pearls as the both look alike. For the cultured pearls, the irritant is intentionally inserted in the oyster to induce the creation of the pearls. Moreover, for the same size of the pearl, amount of the nacre in the natural pearl is more than the cultured one. As such, the natural pearls are solid by weight (carat), while cultured pearls are sold by size. Pearl Farming: Pearl cultivation ushered in an era of Pearl Farming in Japan during 19th century. Pearl farming undertakes seeding and nurturing of the oysters to obtain a predictable production of the pearls. Pearl Farming is a growing industry in Japan, Australia, Burma and China, etc. Once the pearls are fully developed in the oysters, the pearl crop is harvested. After the extraction, the pearls are
Coco Channel
Marilyn Monroe washed, dried, and sorted by size, color and shape. Sometimes the fresh pearls are also treated or enhanced to improve the look by exotic color dyeing, bleaching and polishing, etc. Cultured Pearlsare classified by source of water as: 1. Freshwater pearls are cultivated in the mussels of the rivers. Instead of the
shell bead, these are nucleated with the soft tissue of the other mussels. Pearl size ranges from 3-12mm and the color spectrum covers white, cream, gold, silver and pink, etc. 2. Salt Water pearls are grown in the sea water oysters. Based upon the different oyster species, these pearls are classified as:
and therefore, these are less expensive. How to buy the best Cultured Pearls: Buying pearls can be a fun and gratifying experience. The pearl connoisseur have suggested following “7Pearl value factors” for wise buying of cultured pearls and its jewelry: 1. Size: Pearl diameter is measured in millimeters. The size may range from 1 mm to 20 mm. Generally, a large pearl is preferred; but it’s more expensive. A small pearl with finer luster is more expensive than a large dull pearl. 2. Shape: Pearl experts have divided pearls shapes into three broad categories, based on their overall characteristics: * Spherical: Perfectly round or off round pearls are the most desired ones. Such pearls are rare and very expensive. * Symmetrical: Balanced or regular shapes include tear drop, pear and button pearls. If sliced in half, each half would be the mirror image of the other half. * Baroque or semi baroque: Irregular shaped pearls can be in the form of stick, bone, heart, flower, potatoes and other whimsical or abstract shapes. There are also ringed or circled pearls with grooves encircling them. Some other shapes include Abalone, Biwa, Blister, Conch, Keshi, and Maybe. Different shapes of the pearls are shown below: 1. Color: Pearls come in natural cool white, crËme, silver, pink, golden, grey, black green, blue, and multicolor. The color depends on the type of mollusk
2. Surface: Ideally pearl’s surface should be smooth, sensuous, clean, shiny and free of the flaws, such as, dents, cuts, and spots, etc. However, it’s normal for pearls to have some flaws. The fewer the flaws, the more valuable is the pearl. Nacre Quality- a cultured pearl should have a reasonable thickness of nacre around the nucleus which radiates the luster. The thicker the nacre of a pearl, the more lustrous and valuable is the pearl. 3. Matching: Each pearl is unique, and uniquely beautiful. As NO two pearls are identical, it’s vital to match pearls in a pleasing fashion for size, shape and color in the jewelry. Matching means that the pearls “fit together” with a minimal variation for a specific purpose. Pearl matching is an art requiring a good judgment, and a lot of efforts to fit pearls nicely. An ideal Pearl is large, round, translucent and lustrous gem. The quality of the luster reflects its value. The surface of the pearl should give an illusion of depth, as if you were looking into a clear pool of water reflecting a cloud. Popularity of the Cultured pearls: The cultured pearls combine the beauty of nature with the genius of man to create organic gems available in variety of styles and prices. However, the cultured pearls were not instant success in Europe. In early 1900’s it was illegal to sell the “cheap cultured pearls. But, as the scientist proved that the cultured pearls have the essential features of the natural pearls, these were permitted in the Europe. Over a short period, the cultured pearls almost displaced the natural pearls. Today, the cultured pearls are so varied in size, shape and color that about 90% of the jewelry is made of these pearls. The pearl are forever and have long been loved, desired and flaunted. From the ancient royalties like Cleopatra to modern trend-setters, like, Jackie Kennedy Onasis to Madonna were all enraptured by the regal appeal of the pearls. However, it was Coco Channel who revolutionized the fashion world with 10-strand necklace of white cultured pearl on short black sweater. Imitation Pearls (IP) are also called artificial, or man-made pearls. These are made of glass, plastic and mother-ofpearl shells. These pearls have no real gem and astrological values. A superior type of IP is Majorca made in Spain. These are balls made of glass or motherof-pearls powder and painted with the special fish scale solution. Swarovski crystal pearls are another high quality IPs. Some fine IPs look like the real ones. It’s revealed that Barbra Bush wore high quality IPs!.
There are some tests to distinguish between the Cultured and Fakes, such as, the Destructive Test, X-rays, Tooth Test, Sun Test, Friction test (surface texture feel), Fire test, and Drill Hole test, etc. Pearls in jewelry: For centuries women have endeared pearls jewelry considering these enticing orbs as the symbol of prosperity, power and prestige. It’s an important accessory which adds class and makes one’s outfit extraordinary. The pearl jewelry also makes a statement about the wearer and entice all from young to senior ladies. Occasions for wearing Pearl Jewelry: Pearl jewelry is the perfect gift for all happy occasions, such as, Wedding, Anniversaries, Birthdays, Christmas, Mothers’ days, Graduations, Get-wells and Festivals, etc. Pearl Necklace: Single pearl is fascinating; but the pearls strung in a necklace are a stunning beauty. Pearl necklace is the “classic” jewelry and ladies’ foremost choice as it gives a dazzling look to a woman. In a world where the first impression is everything, nothing says it better than a pearls necklace Design-wise, Necklaces are Uniform, (
all pearls same size ), Graduated ( larger pearl in center and smaller at the ends), Torsade (Twisted)), and Tin-cup (pearls separated by small acrylic glass tubes). Necklaces are also made of knobby pearls in chunky designs. The knots are put between the pearls to avoid friction and scattering of the pearls if string breaks Length wise, there are six styles of necklaces to grace various occasions: 1)Collar 12-13” long, is usually made up of three or more strands lying snugly on the middle of the neck. An ideal match for V necks. 2)Choker:14-16”, versatile choice for every attire from casual to formal evening wear and complements almost any neckline. 3)Princess:17-19”, most common length, well high and low necks. 4) Matinee: 20-24” , an ideal choice for casual or business attire, looksbest with high necklines, extra length gives a touch of luxury. 5)Opera: 26-36”, can be worn as a single strand with high neckline or doubled to create a 2-strand choker. 6)Rope:37” or more can be broken into many necklaces, or doubled/tripled to make a dazzling multi-strand choker. Who Adores Pearl Necklaces: Discerning ladies of all class and positions (queens, first ladies, diplomats, business women, TV anchors, celebrities, and housewives, etc) adore pearl necklaces to grace their beauty and personalities. The celebrities like Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, and Jennifer Lopez, etc, have been flaunting pearl necklaces on several occasions. Besides necklaces, pearls are also elegantly dotted in Bracelets, Pendants, Brooch, Lockets, Ear/finger rings, Whole set of wedding jewelry is also made of pearls. Men jewelry includes pearl cuff links and tie-pins. The value of the pearls in jewelry is determined by an optimal blend of the size, shape, color, luster, and matching of the pearls. All factors being equal, the larger the pearl the more valuable it is. An amazing incident manifesting the astounding value and romance with pearls took place in 1915 in New York, when a wealthy lady Mae Morton swapped her six-story mansion on 5th.Avenue with Cartier Jewelers for a two-strand necklace comprising of 128 pearls valued at $1,200,000 !!. Pearl Care: Pearls are damaged by perfume, hair spray, cosmetics, and skin acids. Humidity or excessive dryness can also damage them. Pearls are soft and if placed in a box with other gems, these may get scratched from the hard jewelry. Other uses of pearls: The pearls are believed to have the healing power. Being the purest form of calcium carbonate, pearl powder, potions, and ointments are used to cure many mental and physical ailments. Use of crushed pearls was believed as an elixir for energy and long life. Pearl powder is also used to make cosmetics and paints. For more information visit our website kikkamoto.com and contact Ehsanulhaq at kikkamoto@yahoo.com or Mohammed Yousef at — myousefkw@yahoo.com
Monday, February 8, 2010
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Fashion
Richie to design clothes icole Richie always wanted to design clothes The 28-year-old mother-of-two - who has a jewelry and accessories line, House of Harlow 1960 - doesn’t mind working hard to
magazines since I was a little girl. “I’m a Virgo and I’m really good at scheduling. So there are 24 hours in a day and I’m up at 6.30am every day anyway.” Despite having two children - two-year-old daugh-
ter Harlow and five-month-old son Sparrow - Nicole insists she does not require a full-time nanny. She said: “Not full-time, but I do have someone that helps me right now and,
well, I have my mom, who’s here.” Nicole also revealed she and her partner, Good Charlotte singer Joel Madden, made a conscious decision to have children close together in age. She explained
to Britain’s Marie Claire magazine: “I’m 13 years older than my brother and I have a younger sister who is 12, so I think it’s really great they’re going to have each other.” —Bang Showbiz
Sri Lankan fashion week
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make a name in the fashion industry and believes her organization skills are perfect for her dream career. She said: “Clothing was something I always wanted to do. I’ve been pulling tear sheets from
Sri Lankan models display local designs at a fashion show sponsored by global banking giant HSBC in Colombo on Saturday. Banking giant HSBC will open a branch in Sri Lanka’s former war zone of Jaffna next week, becoming the first foreign bank to do so since the end of the country’s long ethnic conflict, the central bank said. —AFP
www.kuwaittimes.net
Al-Ruweishid headlines second night of Layali Febrayer concert By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: The second musical concert of the Layali Febrayer Fe s t i v a l w a s h e l d o n Fr i d a y night at the Ice Skating Rink theater. It started earlier than the first concert and the first singer, Fadel Shaker, came on stage at 10:15 pm. Shaker started his career in the 1990s and has since released many albums singing in Lebanese, Egyptian and Gulf dialects. During the concert, Shaker presented a variety of his more romantic styled songs. He is known for the slow rhythm of his music, for being very formal, and not interacting with the audience. His performance lasted only one hour. He was followed by the young Egyptian female singer Shireen. When she arrived on stage at 12:05 am the theater was fully attended. Her fans welcomed her with enthusiastic applause and sang along with most of her songs.
A view of the Ice Skating Rink Theater.
Audience hold Kuwaiti flags and enjoy the concert.
Abdullah Al-Ruweishid welcomes a differently-abled participant in a wheelchair attending the concert.
Shireen started her career about eight years ago and become extremely popular within the past few years. She has participated in several previous concerts in Kuwait and is well known in the country. For 90 minutes she sang in different styles, both slow and romantic to upbeat. The timing of this concer t was well organized with pauses between each set of only about 40 minutes. At 2:10 the audience warmly welcomed the Kuwaiti singer and musical pioneer Abdullah Al-Ruweishid. He was dressed in a traditional dishdasha decorated in gold threads. He was one of the most anticipated stars of the concert series this year and many locals were eager to attend his concert. Al-Ruweishid is one of the most popular singers in the re g i o n a n d i s w e l l k n o w n throughout the Middle East. AlRuweishid started his career in 1981, as a member of the musical band Al-Rubai. Two years later he released his first solo album to much critical acclaim. Visitors from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab E m i r a t e s c a m e t o Ku w a i t t o attend this concert specifically to support and enjoy AlRuweishid’s music. Af t e r h i s s e c o n d s o n g h e stepped from the stage and welcomed the disabled participants in wheelchairs attending the concert. His performance lasted almost two hours. Al-Ruweishid concluded his set at 4:00 am with a national song for Kuwait. One women was injured during the concert and was transferred to the hospital af ter she fell down in the theater.
Kuwaiti singer and musical pioneer Abdullah Al-Ruweishid
Lebanese singer Fadel Shaker
Egyptian singer Shireen
All eyes on Ellen in ‘American Idol’ judge debut llen DeGeneres makes her much-anticipated debut on “American Idol” tomorrow, shaking up the dynamics on the show’s judging panel and auditioning her own talents for the biggest TV audience in the United States. The arrival of the popular talk show host and comic is expected to boost viewership on the Fox television network’s aging singing contest, now in its 9th season and facing challenges to its coveted spot as the No 1 show on US TV. The biggest question is, can Ellen get viewers to stay? DeGeneres, 52, takes the seat held by Paula Abdul, who quit last summer in a contract renewal dispute, and “Idol” fans and TV critics remain passionately divided over her replacement.
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“Ellen brings a huge fan base and people will be curious to see how she does. But if she performs poorly, that is bad for the show’s long-term health,” said Entertainment Weekly’s Michael Slezak. The pop culture phenomenon has ruled TV ratings for six years, commanding top dollar from advertisers and producing Grammy-winning stars like Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson. But audiences have slipped from a 2006 high of about 30.8 million per each twice-weekly episode. 2010 viewership is currently down three percent at an average 26.8 million compared to 2009’s opening weeks, according to Fox. The series also faces a challenge this year from rival network CBS’s pop-
British jazz legend John Dankworth dies at 82 axophonist Sir John Dankworth, one of the leading figures in British jazz for more than half a century, has died, his agent said yesterday. He was 82. The saxophonist worked closely with jazz legends like Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and Oscar Peterson and composed the music for a string of films and television programs. His wife, the singer Cleo L aine, announced the death from the stage during a concert to mark the 40th anniversary of a music venue they founded next to their home in Buckinghamshire, north of London. The musician, described by Jazzwise magazine as “one of the totemic figures of British jazz”, died in a London hospital on Saturday after a short but undisclosed illness. Stephen Clarke, chairman of the charity that runs The Stables music venue, said in a statement: “It is a fitting tribute that on the day of Sir John’s death that we celebrated on stage...with some of the many artists who have performed with Sir John.” Seen as Britain’s first international jazz musician, he influenced generations of British performers. Singer Jamie Cullum said Dankworth was a “genius”. “A great man and one of our finest musicians and composers has died,” he wrote on his Twitter page. “Rest in peace, Sir.” Born in Essex, southeast England, in 1927, Dankworth played the clarinet as a boy before entering the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London at 17. Inspired by the American jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker, he switched instruments and soon began composing, arranging and recording music on both sides of the
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view last week.
ular crime series “NCIS”, and for the first time in years the music industry’s Grammy Awards in late January drew a bigger TV audience than “Idol”. DeGeneres lacks the music industry credentials of fellow judges, Randy Jackson, a record producer; songwriter Kara DioGuardi; and sharp-tongued Simon Cowell, who has his own record label and two other TV talent shows. But the witty talk show host, who has said she found Cowell “even meaner” than she expected, says she aims to be the voice of the viewer at home. “I’m someone who knows what it’s like to be on stage and entertain. So I know what it takes. It’s not like I don’t listen to music constantly,” she told TV news journalist Katie Couric in a TV inter-
Atlantic. In 1959, Dankworth and his jazz orchestra began touring the United States and they performed with Duke Ellington, who later became a close friend. Over the next decade, he wrote scores for 1960s films like “Saturday Night and Sunday Morning” and “Modesty Blaise”.
Judging the judges Although “American Idol” is primarily about the search for the next pop superstar, the colorful judges are arguably as much part of the show’s success as the hopefuls before them. “The judges and their chemistry is integral to ‘Idol’s success. They provide the dramatic tension,” said Todd Gold, managing editor of Fancast.com. With Cowell leavving “Idol” in May to launch his own show on Fox in 2011, the success of DeGeneres is crucial, said Brian Mansfield, who runs the USA Today Idol Chatter blog. “If Ellen works, it puts (producers) in a much better position when they replace
Simon. The dynamic is the thing I am curious to watch. I think some people will miss Paula’s ‘camp mom’ spirit,” Mansfield said. Fan emotions are running high. “With Paula leaving I was about to give up on ‘Idol,’ but then I find out Ellen was on board?! Perfect! The show will be better than ever!” wrote xanadude in a posting on the official “American Idol” online forum. However Slezak believes the real draw of the show is the wannabe stars and their ability to turn out future hits. “As much as we like to talk about the judges, the show lives or dies by the contestants and how they do once they are off the show,” Slezak said. —Reuters
Iran cuts ties with British Museum over ancient treasure ran cut ties with the British Museum yesterday in protest at repeated delays in the loan to Tehran of an ancient Persian treasure, the Cyrus Cylinder, a top official said. Hassan Mohseni, a senior official at Iran’s cultural heritage and tourism organization, said relations were annulled af ter the London museum failed to transfer the artefact to Tehran. “We confirm the cutting of ties and we consider it a closed chapter,” Mohseni, who heads the organization’s public relations, told AFP. Tehran’s decision to break off relations with the museum was revealed earlier by Hamid Baghai, who heads the cultural
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Visitors walk around the interior of the British Museum in London.—AFP heritage and tourism organization. “Since the Cyrus Cylinder has not been transferred to
Iran, we will lodge a complaint against the British Museum to UNESCO and cut ties,” Baghai
was quoted as saying by Iranian media. The museum, he said, had failed to meet a final deadline of yesterday, leading to the cut, and Iran’s decision to notif y the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Many historians regard the cylinder, discovered in 1879, as the world’s first declaration of human rights. It was written at the order of Persian ruler Cyrus the Great after his conquest of Babylon in 539 BC and is currently with the British Museum. “The British Museum told us they will transfer it to us in September, then they said November, and then finally said
January 16. We have so far spent around 200,000 dollars on additional security devices to protect the loaned cylinder,” Baghai added. “Then we got a letter saying they cannot send the cylinder following the Ashura day incidents,” he said, referring to deadly clashes in Tehran between security forces and opposition supporters on the day of a Shiite ritual on December 27. Baghai said the museum later told Tehran it had more “fragments belonging to the cylinder and the cylinder will be transferred to Iran... So we gave them a final two weeks to keep their word,” a period which ended yesterday. —AFP
UN climate chief raises the temperature with racy novel He composed the original theme tune for “The Avengers”, the British spy drama. His jazzy work was later replaced by composer L aurie Johnson’s more upbeat theme. Dankworth, knighted in 2006 for services to music, met Laine in 1950 during auditions for his band. They married eight years later and had two children, Alec and Jacqui, both jazz musicians. —Reuters
he UN’s top climate official, who is at the heart of a controversy over incorrect global warming data, has penned a racy novel which dishes up sex, reincarnation and a real-life Hollywood actress. The debut fiction work is in contrast to the dry academic tomes that 69-year-old Rajendra Pachauri, head of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), has previously written. “Return to Almora,” which has recently hit bookshops, is laced with steamy references to the sexual urges of the protagonist Sanjay
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Nath who, like Pachauri, studied engineering. The book also weaves in lectures on the environment and the fate of Himalayan glaciers-the issue which has triggered calls for Pachauri’s resignation. Pachauri has refused to step down over an error in which an IPCC report forecast Himalayan glaciers could disappear by 2035. His novel charts the life of Sanjay who, as a young child in India, stuns his parents with the news he was a merchant in a past life and that his wife is still alive. The 402-page tale takes Sanjay through his
university days during which loses his virginity, breathlessly describing how he was “overcome by a lust that he had never known before.” Several passages from the book may interest the judges of London’s Bad Sex awards, an annual celebration of the worst bedroom scenes in literature. After university, Sanjay travels to the United States, has dinner with Oscar-winning actress Shirley MacLaine and teaches meditation-when he finds himself distracted by the “heaving breasts” of his students. —AFP